Since becoming involved with the Ava Gardner Museum in 2019, first as a volunteer providing social media strategy, content development, and digital marketing assistance and later as a member of the board of directors, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute original articles to the organization’s blog. I serve as the blog and website’s primary editor, reviewing content and preparing it for publication, but I’ve also written or co-written dozens of articles. Below are links to those assorted writings.

For the second part of my piece on the life and career of Haddon Sundblom, I look at the depth of his influence on the field of illustration. His imagery, which has reached iconic status over the years, even pops up today in magazines, on billboards, and through the “vintage reproduction” marketplace – tin signs, magnets, t-shirts, etc. He was also committed to encouraging and nurturing the next generation of illustrators. Although he passed away in 1976, his prolific body of work and lasting impact cannot be overstated.

In the mid-1800s, Esther Howland became the “Mother of the American Valentine” by building an all-female company focused on the burgeoning trade of holiday greeting cards. In this blog post, I explore how her artistic talents, inventiveness, and financial acumen made her an industry leader at a time when most women were shut out of the business world.

You may be surprised to learn that our standardized version of St. Nicholas actually came about in 1931 through the joint efforts of an advertising executive and a Michigan-born illustrator named Haddon Sundblom. In this blog post, I explore how the collaboration between commercial illustrator Sundblom and the Coca-Cola Company created the lovable, playful image of Santa Clause we’ve all grown to know.

For almost 30 years, the writings and cartoons of Jackie Ormes were featured on the pages of leading African American newspapers throughout the U.S. Although this pioneering journalist, artist, and designer was the first African American woman to have a successful career as a professional cartoonist, she was largely forgotten after her passing. In an effort to help more folks rediscover her remarkable story, I explore her trailblazing life and career in my latest blog post.

U.S. Route 66, the famed American “Mother Road” stretching from Illinois to California, was decommissioned 35 years ago. In celebration of this iconic highway, I explore the work of artist, cartographer, and illustrator Bob Waldmire who spent over 20 years of his life drawing and documenting sites along Historic Route 66.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. In recognition of this milestone, I explore the work of environmentalists and collaborative visual artists Judith Selby Lang and Richard Lang.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, I look at the life and career of the trailblazing Victorian designer and lithographer Frances (Fanny) Flora Bond Palmer.