I’ve added a lot of new folks to this list lately—I’m honored you’re here btw!—and I thought this would be a good time to reintroduce myself.

Also, I had a solid 4 hours with no kids today, and what else is a person to do but chug coffee and write? 👀

Some of you may know me from my brand + web design work going back over a decade. Maybe you were handed my Resist zine at a protest or found it in a little library somewhere, or maybe you’ve purchased something from my shop. Several of you signed up after visiting my table at a local market or coming to a workshop at Calamity’s. You could be my parents. 👋

However you got here, hi! I’m Lena.

Leo, Scorpio rising, INFJ, never could figure out the enneagram.

I’m a freelance graphic designer, an illustrator, and an artist. Since 2009, I’ve worked one-on-one with individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits to create branding, marketing graphics, and websites that fit their unique needs and budgets.

I also love working on illustration commissions, from book covers to company shirts and social media campaigns.

As an artist, I license art to companies and sell my art on my own products online and locally.

I also consider myself a writer, but I’m not sure how that plays into my little career garden.

Over the years, I’ve written about my creative career, against-the-grain life choices, and tilt towards simpler living. Most recently, I’ve talked about building a career as a creative entrepreneur on my podcast and creatively resisting the overreach of big tech and corporations on my Substack.

This newsletter is my home base. It’s where I share all the things I’m up to once or twice each month, from new client projects to writing and art. You’re always welcome to hit reply and request a quote or just start a conversation!

When I’m not in my studio, I keep a small chaotic kitchen garden in my front yard, tending sunflowers and chard, tomatoes and calendula, garlic and paw paw trees and carrots. I make tinctures and salves and store them in a cute secondhand apothecary cabinet I found online for $50 a while back.

I read a lot. Mostly nonfiction, but StoryGraph says I enjoy a medium-paced twisty thriller too. Thin paperback sci-fi novels are also top of the list, and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy might be my all-time favorite.

My musical taste runs the entire gamut from Van Morrison to Dre and back to Appalachia Rising, encompassing most of the nooks and crannies in between. There’s literally no telling what will pop up next or if it will be at all appropriate for mixed company. 🤷‍♀️

There's more, but that's the gist.

I’m a creative entrepreneur. A mom, a wife, an elder millennial, an introverted but vocal advocate of the rights of both pollinators and people, an anxious enigma wrapped in a cozy mystery smothered in warm cheese, and I’m really, really glad you’re here.

Nice to meet you!

Also, most of my emails aren’t this long. Swear.

Until next time.

Designer, Artist, Illustrator

Let’s work together. I offer done-for-you branding and marketing design as well as illustration. I work with individuals, organizations, and small businesses across all sorts of industries and budgets. Learn more about design services and request a quote​

Browse my shop. I sell physical and digital items for entrepreneurs, creatives, and empathetic rebels. Shop zines, shirts, stickers, prints, and more​

​Grab my Resist zine printable here. Print, copy, share liberally.

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​You’re getting this email because we crossed paths at some point and you said ‘sure’ to getting this studio newsletter. It could have been via my brand design and illustration work, locally at a craft market or workshop, or maybe you bought one of my zines, shirts, or stickers. Whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re here! (And if you decide you’d like to unsubscribe, you can do that below. No hard feelings.)