On July 17, I married my partner in a private ceremony overlooking Emerald Bay. It was a beautiful, simple ceremony that allowed us to focus on each other rather than everyone else. We invited two friends to join us, along with our pup (of course). It was a perfectly lovely day that allowed us to truly enjoy making a commitment to one another without worrying about if everyone was having a good time. We ended the evening with a moon lit dance under the stars (she's so damn romantic!) to some of our favorite songs (Brandi Carlile, Mat Kearney and a few other talented musicians who take us back to our very first weekend together).  I couldn't have asked for a better day to celebrate my love for her.

If you had asked me five years ago  I would have never expected my life would come so far and change so much. Growing up in a Catholic family (where family was modeled by the traditional/biblical husband and wife), I never allowed myself to explore outside of those boundaries. I knew for a long time that something wasn't right, that I didn't quite fit the "mold," but I didn't allow myself to even think about it. Years later and many lessons learned, I finally came to terms with who I was, and lucky for me this amazing woman wanted to be a part of my life. In the past four years, I have grown so much and changed so many things about my life that I never thought possible. I have taken so many risks and pursued my passion for art, and I couldn't have done it without the love and support of this incredible woman. Thank you beautiful.

Since I began working at the Black Rock Press, I have had the opportunity to assist in the monthly printing of the Showprint with The Holland Project.

Showprint is an all ages calendar of events featuring exciting happenings (music, art, film, etc.) along with art by local artists. Each month a different artist is asked to carve a linoleum block, which will be printed in an edition of 200 on the back of the calendar. The calendars are free and are deposited around Reno in various locations (Sundance Bookstore, Bibo Coffee on Record Street, The Black Rock Press) Since my arrival and the revival of the Showprint, we have printed 6 calendars with plans to continue throughout the summer months.  

The calendar is created and designed by Denali Lowder along with Garret Caulfield with a little design help from the folks at the Black Rock Press. The artist each month changes.

I was asked to participate in The Holland Project's monthly Showprint. Showprint is an all-ages calendar produced in cooperation with the Black Rock Press. Generally, I meet with the folks at Holland at the Black Rock Press and assist in printing 200 copies. The calendar portion is laser printed and the linoleum is printed on a Vandercook. These prints/calendars are then distributed throughout the Reno area at local independent stores such as Sundance and Bibo Coffee for free. 

This month I was asked to be the featured artist. Here are a few pictures of the work in progress and the final printed version. Thanks to the folks at The Holland Project for thinking of me.

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to teach a bookbinding workshop at The Holland Project. The Holland Project aims to provide art opportunities (among other things) to people of all ages. 

Since I arrived in Reno, I have been assisting The Holland Project with the printing of the monthly Showprint, an all ages calendar of events that is distributed at various places around Reno for free. You can pick up a copy of the Showprint at Sundance, Bibo Coffee (on Record Street), or the Black Rock Press at UNR. 

While producing the Showprint, we talked about the idea of a bookbinding workshop which I taught this weekend. The workshop was a huge success and it was a privilege to meet so many wonderful people of all ages. I taught basic pamphlet stitch and stab binding techniques. Each participant made a minimum of four small soft cover books. 

Thank you to all of the people who came out and Kaitlin Bryson of The Holland Project for organizing.