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Melissa Washburn
May 2, 20242 min read
New Kickstarter Project
<p>If you know me or follow me on social media at all, you know that IÂ LOVEÂ birds. I’ve been a birder for over 10 years, and am lucky enough to live near one of the busiest spring migration routes in North America, along Lake Michigan. I’ve also been a professional illustrator for over a decade, and…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Sep 7, 20234 min read
Ten Days in Spain
<p>We finally successfully pulled off our trip to Spain in August, visiting Madrid, Sevilla, and Barcelona during our 9 days there.</p>
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Melissa Washburn
May 10, 20231 min read
New Cotton Throw Designs
<p>The “Moon Moth” cotton throw blanket I designed last year was such a success that I have decided to add a couple of new designs to my offerings. I now have Moth and Blossoms and Pink Dynastid Beetle designs available for preorder. These blankets are made of recycled cotton fiber in North Carolina by a…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Jan 31, 20231 min read
Upcoming Classes and Events
<p>I’m really excited to start the new year with some fun things already on the calendar. Starting on March 7, I will be teaching a weekly linocut printmaking class at the Chesterton Art Center. More details and registration can be found HERE. Stay tuned for a Saturday fabric printing workshop in April as well. We’re…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Oct 31, 20221 min read
Rethinking Social Media
<p>It’s been rough out there on social media lately. Those of us who aren’t adept at video are seeing our visibility and reach plummet. Many artists are very dismayed at what used to be a visual medium essentially giving us the boot. I, like many others, have started to focus on a well-curated monthly newsletter,…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Sep 27, 20221 min read
Inktober 2022
<p>Everyone’s favorite drawing challenge is nearly upon us, and I will again be joining some other fantastic author/illustrators to share our Inktober sketches throughout the month! I really hope to play around and create for more than just a couple of prompts, but if nothing else I’ll be posting something inky on Instagram on October…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Aug 9, 20223 min read
Some Bad News and Some Good News
<p>First, the Bad News You may have heard that the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) was added to the IUCN list of endangered species in July. Despite the status of this beautiful creature as an emblem of all things Environmental, we’re not doing enough. In July, I promised to share some information and resources on how…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Jul 11, 20221 min read
New Cotton Throw Design
<p>I had such a wonderful experience earlier this year working with Fiber Art Weavers on the moon moth throw blanket that I decided to design another. This 62×62″ recycled cotton throw features barn swallows and a golden sunflower. You can preorder the sunflowers and swallows design now in my shop, with an expected ship time of early…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Jun 16, 20221 min read
Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
<p>A recent bright spot for me in this utterly depressing spring was the IDBF. Did you know that an estimated 8 million birds that flew overhead during just the first 3 days of the festival on their annual migratory journeys? The Lake Michigan shoreline is a major funnel for birds making their journeys every spring…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Apr 27, 20221 min read
International Raven and Crow Day
<p>April 27 is International Raven and Crow Day. There is so much rich myth and folklore from all over the world about these birds, members of the family Corvidae. Who knew? Candace Savage’s brilliant book Bird Brains explores some of the current science on these clever birds; it’s a fascinating read if you’d like to…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Mar 15, 20221 min read
Recycled Cotton Moth Throw
<p>I’m very excited to offer these sustainably-made, US-produced “Moon Moth” cotton throws in my shop. Made of 75% recycled fiber and machine washable, they get softer with use and measure 54×72″. I’m only stocking a limited number, so learn more and order HERE.</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Feb 10, 20221 min read
They’re Back!
<p>Almost ten years ago I created an illustration of the proverb “How Do You Eat an Elephant? One Bite at a Time.” My father had been ill, and in and out of the hospital, and my stepmother quoted it one day when we were all gathered together talking… it’s about realizing that it’s a marathon,…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Jan 28, 20221 min read
Start to Finish
<p>I love watching other artist’s process videos showing sketch to final. I’m trying to do more of my own, though I struggle a little with good lighting and quality video. Just because some folks make it look easy doesn’t mean it is! In any case, I finished this Valentines Day greeting card earlier this week,…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Jan 4, 20221 min read
January 2021 Newsletter
<p>I subtitled this newsletter “Time to Rest and Reflect.” While I see a lot of energy and good intentions and goal setting each year-end, for me it’s a time to rest up, recharge, and start off slow and steady. I have a number of client projects underway already, but chose to share some 2021 highlights…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Dec 30, 20211 min read
My Favorite Books about Natural History
<p>I was recently invited to submit a reading list to the new website Shepherd.com – a site that aims to connect authors and readers through personally curated “Best Of” lists. Rather than go with art technique or inspiration, I decided to share my favorite recent reads on natural history topics. Nature is endlessly fascinating, and…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Dec 8, 20211 min read
New Public Art Project
<p>A Few years ago, the City of Valparaiso approached me about designing some art for a downtown utility box, one of several they were adding art to. This year they gave the boxes a refresh, asking each of us to submit a new design. I stuck with the theme of prairie flora and fauna, and…</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Nov 1, 20211 min read
New Products in my Etsy Shop
<p>I’ve just found a couple of new production partners, and am now offering 100% recycled notepads and 500-piece jigsaw puzzles in my Etsy shop! You can find notepads HERE and puzzles HERE.</p>
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Melissa Washburn
Oct 18, 20214 min read
ECO-Friendly Resources for artists
<p>TLDR? skip straight to the resource list HERE In December 2019, an Instagram post by illustration Studio Ferntree Lane raised the issue of nature-based artists offering vinyl stickers. While it’s a huge market, it’s contributing to the proliferation of microplastics choking our water and affecting wildlife worldwide. It really resonated with me, as someone who tries to think…</p>
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