Studio Snippets № 3
Glimpses into the happenings inside and outside the studio this Summer
It’s been a very busy first half of 2026, and it seemed like a good time to pause, take a breath, and think about the year and the changing seasons.
Summers always hold a different schedule for us, which of course means my studio work changes as well. It’s one of the reasons that June is now set aside for a special project, making use of a slower month to make something unique. This year that resulted in the new font Swartz Gothic, which is now available for purchase! You can read more about the process of designing that new typeface below.
Summer Inside the Studio
Speaking of type, I finally was able to sort through a couple trays of type I was gifted by a generous guest at my Christmas Open House last year! It’s an incomplete set, so now I’m on the lookout for matching characters to fill out the tray. I also was excited to recently find several characters that match some type I acquired probably four years ago: a simple, condensed, sans serif font at 3.25”. It’s pretty exciting to find more of a font I already have on hand, it’s not like I can just go to the store to get this stuff! It’s always very rewarding to finally find what I’ve been looking for!
Currently in progress in the studio is a fairly challenging project for a client: a set of five matching prints in a series to be displayed at an urban church that has a focus on the arts. I’m excited to make something that could be an encouragement to their faith community as well as elevates the craft of letterpress! It’s a lot to plan though, as throughout the creative process I have to maintain digital mockups that relatively closely match what I can physically accomplish with my limited collection of type. Every change requires physical investigations first, then replicating it digitally for notes and approvals.
Summer Outside the Studio
I really love summer in rural Indiana. I love being outside, not having to be on the treadmill, swimming, the sun on my skin, and all the activities and festivals that the season brings. Independence Day celebrations, 4-H Fairs, State Fair, Old Schoolhouse Breakfasts, Tenderloin, Blueberry, and Covered Bridge Festivals…I love them all!
And since we’re on the topic, you should definitely know about Pork Tenderloin sandwiches: an Indiana delicacy. Two are pictured above.
Usually they are actually “Breaded Pork Tenderloin sandwiches” but are often just referred to as a Tenderloin, and though you can get them unbreaded and grilled that’s not too common in my experience. It’s a flat slice of pork, breaded, spiced (even if that’s just salt), and fried.
It’s kind of a big deal here, and surprisingly difficult to find them anywhere outside the state. There’s even several Facebook groups dedicated to the sandwiches and sharing reviews and finding the best local joint to snag one along a road trip. There’s over 100,000 people in the Pork Tenderloin group I’m in, lol.
One of the claims to fame is the SIZE of the tenderloin, the larger the better and they should significantly outsize the bun. Seriously, some places serve like 12 inch tenderloins. That’s a lot of pork!!
And, if you’ve still got space, you can chase it down with a slice of Sugar Cream Pie, or “Hoosier Pie”, our state dessert.
Every Fourth of July I make a favorite post on Instagram with a selection of vintage fireworks labels I digitally collected as a fun design survey. I already love mid-century design, but when combined with the over the top concepts and names for these products they make for some very enjoyable designs.
Tap the link below to check them out!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DaXqa9ikWSh/
Summer’s Passing
It’s been a good summer so far, full of projects and productivity, but also family and friends. A different season, a different pace, and different goals.
It’s good to see the fields green and full of soybeans and corn. It’s good to look back and see a productive six months in my own work. It’s good to see what we’ve accomplished as a family this year, too.
Soon the kids will return to school, the house will quiet, and soon enough the seasons will shift. The only thing that doesn’t change is that everything changes.
I find it very difficult to balance the need to stay in the studio but also embrace the extra time with people that the summer schedule allows. I’ve been regularly reminded that there will always be more work, but not always more time for the people I love. But how to practically live that out in the day-to-day? There’s the real challenge.
The only simple and repeated advice I have: Make the most of the season you’re in. It really is a gift.
It’s exciting to think about the next several months: plans for new prints, speaking and workshop engagements, and holiday celebrations and sales. I’ve got lots of ideas I’m eager to begin work on and hope you’ll enjoy what’s next!
If you’ve been following me for very long, you likely know that I regularly speak and lead workshops at colleges, conferences, and art & design organizations. I’m always looking for new opportunities. It’s become a very fulfilling part of my work and it feels good to “pay forward” all the hard earned lessons from my own creative practice.
If you’re interested, you can read more about that here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Da3797ekfWF/
Thank you for subscribing to my little newsletter and reading along. I genuinely enjoy writing these for you all and interacting in the comments! Thanks for giving my slices of letterpress and design love a small space in your inbox and life.
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Growing a letterpress design practice in rural Indiana is a real challenge, but it’s worth it when I see so many of you enjoying my prints and engaging in discussions on fonts, design history, and creativity! Every little bit helps!
Thanks again for reading along and for all your support!
You have sparked an appreciation for Indiana that I sure-as-hell didn't acquire while consorting with a man from Elwood, who introduced me to it one 1980s winter when I was in my early thirties. Brutal for this NYC-born, unapologetic snob. Your post about Hoosier Summer is healing!