2025 has been the year of saying “yes” to a diverse range of projects. It’s funny, because I have been telling myself that I need to start creating bodies of work well ahead of time so that I can keep up with the number of requests to participate in shows. So far, as of writing this blog, I have been in 5 shows/displays (it’s only June). I’ve been (kind of) managing do so that this year.

Earlier this year I was invited to do a window installation for a local bakery down the street from my home. Some Crust Bakery’s window display is traditionally a space for non-profits to artfully curate an attractive window to entice customers to come inside, but also to use it as a platform to tell the story of their mission. I have always wished that in another life tangent, I would be living in a rural area, quietly designing amazing window displays for boutiques…a direct result of my twee-millennial-core folk music loving era. Didn’t we all want to just be figuring out life quietly while enjoying a cafe pastry amongst quirky things? I digress.

I used the opportunity to create these fun cut-outs depicting a sweet dining experience in a fantasy world. A Bichon reaches up toward a fine set of arms wrapped in ribbon. A loaf of challah, a strawberry, a croissant, a champagne glass and a giant fork are sprinkled in the window display just below the neon “Some Crust” sign which has decorated the space for decades. Using a monochrome palette, I am able to focus on the line-work of the illustrations and further amuse the viewer with unusual technicolors. Just through that red door, you’re greeted with a huge display of cakes, cookies, breads, and sandwiches.

Then I was invited last minute to be part of a group show curated by none other than Cheyne Ellett this month

Cheyne Ellett is a recent friend and collaborator I’ve been working with since late last year. We first collaborated for the inaugural Ontario Art Book Fair. At my fulltime job, we were looking for an artist to fully transform our space with original installation art, and some branding. If you don’t know Cheyne, I would describe him in three words: visionary, passionate, and hard-working. Needless to say, he worked well with our budget and over-delivered.

Anyhow, since then our paths have crossed a few times. We tend to reach out to each other for advice, information on upcoming opportunities, and the like. A gallery in Pasadena called The Language Mobilization Factory reached out to Cheyne to curate a last-minute show. Calling on the community, Cheyne decided to put together a group show, and I got the invite. Given the other participating artists, I decided it was a good chance to showcase my illustration work which is starkly different than the photo work I’ve been deep into this year. I have always felt that I have a few distinct styles, and I don’t get a ton of chances to show off work like the Some Crust installation. So I landed on busting them out again for this show.

Cheyne and I decided to re-display them according to an image I had mocked up when the cut-outs were originally being created. I think it worked out! Needless to say, the show turned out amazing because of the diversity and vibrance of all our work collectively. I don’t usually go for group shows. This is not for vain reasons…I simply really want to know who I’m working with and have been protective recently. But, if Cheyne calls, you answer and say yes. I completely trusted his taste and vision. That’s what makes this show special.

Swipe to view more gallery shots of the show called All Together Now. The show is on view at the LMF Gallery located in Pasadena from now through July 5, 2025 at 55 N Baldwin Ave, Sierra Madre, CA 91024.

The show was curated by Cheyne Ellett. You can check out his work here.

Gallery shots of the LMF Gallery by Morgan Rindengan.