Then a miracle occurs . . .

Best bits from our September–October issue.

Mel, Unplugged

Melyssa Holik, my delightful and multi-talented coworker and right-hand woman, has worked at Mothering for almost two years now. I knew, of course, about her skills in photography, design, writing, print and web production, even her aptitude for foreign languages like Russian. And I knew about her prowess in InDesign, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator. . .

But until I needed an image AND needed to stay under budget (“Hey, Mel, want to take a stab at this?”), I didn’t realize that she also is a very capable illustrator.  Not as in the software; as in tactile, physical, material, tangible. As in step away from the computer and use your hands.

I told her I wanted: “Horizontal orientation, huge starry sky, crisp February night, man below looking up at stars, his back to the house, cozy house with lights on in right lower corner. Magical feel, quiet, miracle about to happen. . .” And look what I got!

Check it out in our September–October issue.

Illustration for the article Home Alone by Melyssa Holik.