Yesterday, I was making preparations for vegetarian chili mac, and noticed that yet again, the light in my kitchen is probably the most beautiful light in my house. The main preparation area is right by the window, meaning that while cooking, I can gaze into outdoor loveliness. The recent snowstorm meant that all of the sun's light reflected powerfully into my view, and cast beautiful shadows.

The flowers, given to me on my birthday a few days ago, sure help with the ambiance, don't they? Not so long ago, I didn't even know how to cook, let alone cook chili mac! Not to mention my fabulous picky-ness as a child.

Now that I'm cooking for a family, I find myself saying many of the things my mother used to say. "I'm not a short-order cook!" and "If you don't like it, make something yourself!" What goes around comes around, doesn't it?

It's been awhile since I took my daughter out for pictures in a setting other than our home. My husband and I whisked her off to a local playground where some new faces and new playthings proved to be exciting and interesting.

She's hit the 15-month mark, walking, babbling plenty, and tiny as ever. She'll be petite, just like her parents and grandparents. And, of course, that hair is inherited directly, too. Both Stephen and I were quite blond when we were little, so it's only apropos that our little Ruthie is a towheaded adventurer.

We took these photos just around sunset on an overcast day; every now and again some golden light would peek through, generally just enough to warm up Ruthie's face. A breeze kept her hair all crazy and her dress blowing. Best of all, the soft crushed rubber playground surface made for an almost haunting backdrop.

A few of you may have noticed a change around here--a bit of a freshening up, as it were. I'm happy to say that the genius behind the fresh look of Studio Mathewes is none other than Cara McKinley, a designer I found through referrals. We hit it off, and she set about updating my logo and taking care of my website for me.

Although I have a background in graphic design and experience building websites, I wanted to hire someone else to examine my photographic image. This "someone" would be able to objectively assess the qualities I was trying to achieve, and come up with their own take on how to showcase that. Cara did an excellent job, in my opinion, and I think has wonderfully accented the things I like about my work: playfulness and elegance.

My older, more staid logo:

A newer and more energetic look:

Cara carried this through even to the website design. The deep-colored background, combined with font choice and sweeping calligraphic accents were a nice way to play off the logo design.

The old site, very sparse and simple...

The new site, a little warmer and gentler...

I think you'll agree that her updated version of my logo is an energetic improvement, and that the site has a more homey feel to it. Thanks, Cara! I asked her a little bit about herself so I could introduce her to everyone as a fabulous designer.

AN INTERVIEW WITH DESIGNER CARA MCKINLEY

How did you get into graphic design?
I have always been artistically oriented, since I was a kid. I come from a family of engineers, so pursuing a career in art was never really discussed. When I went to college, I actually entered majoring in...Indecision, then nearly switched to Psychology. On the day that I went to the Psychology department to submit my degree declaration, I passed an old friend from high school. She and I had been in art club together, and she mentioned that she was switching into this 'graphic design' program, something about art that also applies to everyday life. Then she asked why I wasn't in art school. That's where everything started.

What do you like most about the design process?
I really love learning about my clients. I love interviewing them at the beginning of a project to get a sense of what they do, why they do it, how they want to interact with their clients. Graphic design is really a very scholarly vocation. I've been able to learn things about roofing, specialty pharmacy, shopping carts, running an eco-friendly retail business from home, and more, that I would never be exposed to otherwise.

Name one of your favorite projects, and why?
There are different aspects about every project that I've enjoyed, so it's hard to pick one in particular that is a favorite. I would say in general I really enjoy working with clients in art-related fields, since it's something I'm also interested in and can connect with. Also, the content that you're dealing with (photographs, paintings, etc) look beautiful on their own, and inspire the design. It's always a pleasure to work with people who are passionate about what they do, since the energy is contagious.

The number one thing you'd like to tell prospective clients about graphic design:
Well, something in general for anyone looking to have a web site built: web sites are a lot of work. Unless you have room in the budget for a copywriter or for someone updating your web site regularly (if you have a content management system), making sure that the web site has good content will fall into your lap. I've seen a lot of instances where someone decides to write the content themselves, or asks to have a blog, but never anticipates how much time and effort this takes. Make sure you allow plenty of time or plan well in advance in order to meet your deadlines, and ensure the success of your new site. It's worth the work!

See more of Cara's work at her website, or drop her a line!

Blaise recently had a little sister. He's such a big kid now, with all the manliness that comes with it.

She's made quite an impression, and I'm sure you can see why.

Motherhood with two under the age of two can be a challenge, but there are moments of bliss to reward you.

Tara and Jeremy are getting married in the D.C. area later this year, in the fall. We met up this spring as soon as the weather started turning warm to take some engagement photos, spending some time on their rooftop garden and hanging out in the funky stairwells where they live!

They were great sports for this shot; I was wriggling around on the floor and adjusting my off-camera flash while they chatted with each other.

Plus, the two of them were so naturally affectionate; it wasn't hard to take a good picture of them together!

And that rooftop garden rocked; we had great shadows and architecture.

Such a sweet moment, no?

I wish Tara and Jeremy the best when they tie the knot this September! They have a whole summer stretching ahead of them of anticipation and beautiful weather; blessings to you both!

Every now and then I like to pull out fanciful junk I keep around the house and see what kind of illustrative tableau I can create. With some, I start with an image in my head that I want to create, and then find the textures and colors required. At other times the image comes to me while I'm picking up the items and admiring their qualities. And then there are instances where I stare at things, pick them up, arrange and re-arrange, and after days of thinking and associating, something finally comes through.

This particular image came to me after handling two objects--a hair stick and a comb that were hidden away towards the back of my bathroom closet. I haven't touched these things in the years since I started cutting my hair short, but of course being the pack rat that I am I couldn't stand to get rid of them.

When I work this way, most of the images I create end up looking like something out of a children's book. I'm not sure if that's good or bad, but I'd rather avoid self-critical assessment at this point. Following a line of thinking to it's endpoint is far more productive for than evaluating whether or not it's good. Looking back lets me see what sticks; sometimes that takes days, sometimes weeks, sometimes months, sometimes years.

Hear ye, hear ye! I will be traveling to the Boston area this coming week, visiting family and goofing around. If anyone would like to touch base with me or set up an impromptu portrait appointment, don't hesitate to give me a call at (410) 279-4686, or e-mail me and let me know!

I'd love to meet some new faces and make some new friends. That giant photo of me winking at you indicates I'm serious about this, ha!

Nathalie and Cory braved the misty rain in Baltimore this past Saturday to join me for an engagement session that spanned up and down Howard Street, went to Lexington Market, and into the Inner Harbor for a stop at Rita's Italian Ice. It was quite the afternoon!

Nathalie and Cory are artists; Cory, a painter, and Nathalie, a designer. The two of them have been working very hard to make their wedding as green and DIY as possible, in some of the most beautiful ways. That yellow flower pin Nat's wearing? That was a find on Etsy. Nathalie designed their save the dates and invitations, even letterpress printing them herself. They have a great list on their wedding website of all the ways their wedding is going green.

Cory has impeccable taste; he picked out Nat's engagement ring with a topaz in the center. It's a deliciously wonderful teardrop shape, and the two of them were more than happy to do a few zany things with it for the camera.

I can't wait to shoot their wedding at Woodend Sanctuary at the end of April. It's sure to be a gorgeous, joyous affair! Nat and Cory have told me that instead of traveling for their honeymoon, they're setting aside a week to do all the touristy things in Baltimore that they've never done as residents; sure to be fun! I hope they find a new, delicious restaurant for me to try.