To Hold Your Heart in Your Teeth is a Romanian proverb that means to brave forward despite fear. Made by generations of women, the folk garment of the Romanian blouse secured its language through times of fierce changes. This book is a cultural-historical biography of the blouse, from Neolithic beginnings in northeastern Romania and western Ukraine, through the period of folk revival, the communist era, and the post-communist immigration out of the region. Weaving personal narrative with this historical research, Simona Bortis-Schultz, author and designer of this book, is a New York-based child of this immigration. To Hold Your Heart in Your Teeth, Women’s Work: The Visual Language of the Romanian Blouse, is an homage as it stands in solidarity with generations of resilient women, writing out the design qualities of this feminine fortitude, and the charm of the garment they made to survive. Book available at Set Margins Press.

To elevate our every day experience while supporting a sense of community was my goal with the artwork created for Colonie Center Mall. My hopes were to inspire a sense of joy and levity among the diverse community who walk the hallways of Colonie Center. The last two years the local and global community have experienced much darkness per the pandemic and economic hardship. The hallway mural is meant to be a celebration of our community resilience and hope for the future. My wish is the hallway walls may bring joy and hope to those who view them.

Illustration speaking to the app developed by the midwest based Breck school to improve student learning and growth.

An illustration for a holiday card wishing for peace + love.

Migration poster selected in the cultural category and exhibited in the United States starting in Los Angeles, California followed by openings in Iowa, Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, and others. Also, throughout 2024, work will be exhibited around the world in countries such as Poland, China, and more.

A book cover design for a dystopian novel by Carl Trotz.

Creating engagement via a dedicated email audience and delighting with illustrated gifs and a well designed email is a sure fire way to create positive engagement. Templates created for email campaigns led way to simplifying the creation of handcrafted email marketing. Animated, sometimes illustrated gif emails handcrafted while at Beekman 1802, a goat milk beauty company, as part of succesful promotional efforts highlighting the benefits of goat milk. Creative email marketing efforts were responsible for a spike in eccommerce sales in late 2018 and first two quarters of 2019.

Editorial illustrtation for a feature on “Why We Give” for alumni magazine for Moore College of Art + Design. Created in collaboration with Creative Communications/Noodle, for Moore College of Art + Design.

Custom lettered logo created for independent filmmaker, John Helde, for an upcoming film production of Marcie’s. Erin Bremer, accountant, wished for an approachable brand identity and stationery system. Helderberg Family + Community Organization offers outdoor programs and other activities for families and community in the NY Helderbergs rural area.

in response to recent tragic warfare in Gaza, Ukraine and ongoing world events.

Had the wonderful opportunity to create a series of “Women’s Work” stamps for International Woman’s Day in collaboration with the spectacular folks at The Portland Stamp Company. Stamp sheet available for purchase here.

I've had the wonderful opportunity to work on projects that reimagine walls or surfaces in an effort to elevate our everyday experience. As the world is opening up this spring, our mutual shared space becomes amplified with the potential to be more. The recently launched Nomad Coworks, located in Clifton Park, NY, has an apple orchard outside, and offered a ripe spot for reimagining a coworking + work-life narrative on its main interior wall. Here's to dancing into spring and blooming forward.

A series of murals in creating a soothing, positive placemaking experiences in different community rooms per the behavioral health unit at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY.

Personal work.

In 2022, it was my sixth year having the pleasure of illustrating, lettering and designing the holiday card for Austen Riggs Center, a private psychiatric hospital, in western Massachuchetts. This year’s theme was the impact of community and the power of touch. Hugs and groups keeping a sense of togetherness alive.

A look at the urge to travel.

To ring in the New Year a whimsical buff bunny appears for the Lunar Year of The Water Rabbit. A world turns, and all creatures great and small enjoy the simple joys of the holiday season.

Over fourteen half walls were designed and painted per a thematic mural meant to soothe and support clients and staff at a Child Advocacy Center in Troy, NY. The greatest satisfaction was seeing kids come in, and enjoy the calming rainbows, clouds and the sailboat and glimmering sun. The murals brightened up their time and the staff’s who work hard fighting the good fight for children.

A set of over 20 illustrations for supporting the comprehensive rehabilitation program of study at Thomas Jefferson University. The set of illustrations became a series of animated videos. Work in collaboration with Creative Communications Associates/Noodle.

A set of illustrations for a feature on best sleep practices for Clover Living Health publications. In collaboration with AdvanceLocal.

A feature editorial project on maternal mortality in America’s South for Rollins Magazine, a publication of Emory Rollins School of Public Health. Several versions culminated in an animation for this feature article. The feature won a bronze Anthem Award in 2024.

Personal work.

My fifth year illustrating and designing the holiday card for the Austen Riggs Center, a psychiatric hospital in western Massachusetts. Always aiming to bring the light into the darkness. 2021’s theme was resilience. Metallic blue silver subtly weaves itself into the snowy landscape in this year’s card as the brightness of people and community shines forth. Despite it all we step forward climbing, playing, riding out those gray sky days together and keeping fires stoked.