A Landscape Nursery Mural
It’s wild how this nursery mural project from roughly a year ago blended all those possibilities. I was commissioned to create a nursery mural that tied together three cherished landscapes for new parents Candace and Kevin: Lake Tahoe, Siesta Key, and Kansas sunflower fields. Each of these places holds special meaning to them, and they wanted their daughter to grow up surrounded by the love and memories these locations represent.
This project wasn’t just one mural—it was three interconnected murals in one room. My goal was to make them cohesive while keeping each scene distinct. It was both exciting and a little nerve-wracking to take on something so large-scale, but the result? Worth every second.
Gratitude for the Contrast
Gratitude. It’s the word we hear endlessly this time of year, woven into commercials, splashed across social media, and nestled into self-help spaces. But how often do we feel gratitude deep in our core, rather than just going through the motions? Has the repetition dulled its meaning?
Contrast is something I often talk about—whether it’s with my clients, my dance students, or even myself. In tap, we find shading through soft and loud sounds. In contemporary, I ask my dancers to explore smooth and sharp textures. With clients, it’s negative space and balance, knowing when too much is too much. Even in design, contrast—like pairing thin, delicate ligatures with bold, solid typefaces—creates interest and depth.
But beyond art and movement, contrast exists in life itself. It’s what gives us a full spectrum of experience. And when it comes to gratitude, contrast has taught me this:
How can we truly know gratitude for the light if we haven’t also known the darkness?
Event Signage: Erin & Matthew
As the last big event of the season wrapped up, I couldn’t help but feel both a sense of accomplishment and a bit of nostalgia for all the beautiful, love-filled projects we’ve worked on. This particular wedding suite was special—a “romanticized outdoors” theme at Baremountain Inn in New York that fit the season perfectly. With a navy and terracotta color palette and a mix of wood, acrylic, paper, and vinyl, the whole suite came together in a way that felt warm, intentional, and just right for a fall wedding.
Mural: Davis Family Backyard
Imagine you’ve just spent the last few months transforming a part of your house. You invested in a new design, furniture, flooring, and more. Construction has finally stopped, the dust is clearing, and as everything settles, you feel like it’s so close, but something is still missing. That was the reality for the Davis family, who found the final thing to bring their new backyard oasis to its full potential was through a backdrop mural.
Piano Man
Can you brand a dance routine? Turns out you kind of can! Last year, I accidentally took my piece Piano Man through parts of my brand exploration and I think it helped capture the story better, but see for yourself! Check it out!
Get to Know Me
I can’t believe the last time I introduced myself was four years ago when I first started this wild ride. I remember that “version of me,” but honestly, it feels like I’ve lived through hundreds of phoenix cycles since—burning to ashes only to rise again. And now, here I am: a whole new me, ready to reintroduce myself after a summer-long social media break. So, here’s the updated, current-chapter version of me.
Failing Forward: Months Four & Five
While I was doing my best to show up as my best, I couldn’t be because I wasn’t taking care of myself. Which feels so dumb because after so many years of therapy and journaling and finding coping mechanisms, you’d think I’d be good at this. I know in my head all the things I need to do to keep my cup full. There’s a part of me that really did feel like I had things under control. But I guess that’s how mental health issues can sneak up on you, right? You’re okay til you’re suddenly not. Or you kept telling yourself you were okay until suddenly you weren’t. Sometimes, you remember to use your toolkit, and other times, you’re so exhausted at the end of the day that you can’t even open the box, let alone use the tools inside. (Hello darkness my old friend…)
Event Signage: Aster & Eric
It’s officially YFK’s second wedding season, and let me tell you, we’re upping our game pretty majorly. And I’m so excited that we were able to debut our upgrades with an incredibly special family wedding. With the gorgeous Carnegie Museum as the backdrop, the classic vibes and timeless aesthetic made this one feel like an absolute dream.
Failing Forward: Month Three
This month, more so than the previous two, feels the most “failure-like.” But not in the sense that I failed at a crap ton of new things, but more so failing at doing any new things at all. In the “we’re back in the thick of it, more so grinding” work mentality, I feel like I didn’t actively take any steps to try something outside my comfort zone. I’m trying to give myself grace and space – but my inner critic today is holding some judgment.
Mural: Our Bedroom
I’m my own biggest target market—at least, I definitely am when it comes to residential murals. This bedroom mural is now the fourth official mural in our home (two in my office, one in my husband’s office, and one in our fireplace). And I feel like a literal broken record because I come to this place each time a new mural is done - I feel so full, but I can’t fully describe what that full feeling is. Is it joy? Is it peace? Is it pride? Is it some sort of combo meal of feelings? What is it that I’m really trying to share? Why do murals hype me up? And how do I get everyone else to be just as excited about their own living/working/existing space?
MaddyCakes Bakes: Brand Reveal
Although this is a branding reveal, I’m stepping back into my “dance teacher” shoes to begin this blog. Part of what I love about teaching dance, specifically, is that unlink educational schooling, I get to work with the same kids season after season for as long as they dance until they graduate high school. And as I’m now in my ninth season as a teacher, I’m realizing how long that time actually is. To say that I’ve been working with a few students now for almost a decade feels wild, but more than anything, I’m so grateful to have an opportunity to make a long-standing, hopefully positive, impact.
Amanda Wolf Creative Solutions: Brand Reveal
However, our journey wasn't just about shared interests; it was about transformative growth. Over a year and some change, I witnessed Amanda's willingness to tackle the tough questions and dive into the depths of her business. The evolution from a muted color palette to an unapologetically bold one mirrors the internal shifts she courageously embraced. I’m just so grateful to have been a part of it and been able to help set the strategy to put her valuable dancer and creative resources in motion.
Month Two of Failing Forward
Somehow, it’s the end of February - which has both felt like the longest and fastest month. Unlike January, where I could hold a more balanced life/work boundary, February went full force into the work side of that sea saw. But also, unlike January, I’m taking the failure-risk level up a notch (or two). My brother-in-law and his now new wife got married at the end of the month and, as a part of me wanting to show up for them in the only way I really know how, YFK did all of their signage.
Mural: Carter Family Nursery
Y’all, I love a nursery mural moment - especially one that involves cute critters. From the moment the Carters said they wanted a woodland-inspired nursery, I knew it was going to be so good! Follow along and check out some of the process and the behind-the-scenes of this sweet nursery mural!
A Year of Failing Forward
It’s been a hot second since I’ve sat down and actually written something that’s more than a project or process explanation for this site. And while I’ve loved sharing the projects I’ve been working on and some insight into why we made the design choices we did, I’m also feeling like there are opportunities to help you all know me a bit better. I believe that creativity is one of the most human things we have, and I want to share more of my “human side” with you all.
Amanda Wolf Productions: Brand Reveal
At Amanda Wolf Productions, we're not here to simply choreograph routines; we're here to craft experiences. Our approach is rooted in the belief that your first dance should be an expression of your connection, your style, and your wedding dreams. Whether you envision an intimate, romantic sway that transports you away from the world or a dynamic performance that captivates your audience, we're here to bring your vision to life.
Lush Event Co.: Brand Reveal
You know that person who seems to know the trends before the influencers do? The one who has every single tiny detail covered in a way that makes it work so much better than anything you could come up with? Rachel Stackiewicz is one of those people, and she has the experience and eye for design to create the most lavish weddings that celebrate your love.
CaregiversNW: Rebrand
Today, we’re talking about one of my favorite topics: rebranding. Rebranding can be controversial, as it risks alienating your original audience. But while rebranding is risky, the reward that comes when you do it correctly is more than worth the investment. Rebranding isn’t about jumping on a new trend so you can sell more; rather, rebranding is about evolving WITH the business, with yourself. We as humans don’t stay stagnant (you may try to dig in your heels, but change and evolution are inevitable), and neither should your business.
Sierra Marie Events: Brand Reveal
You know that boujee person, the one who has it all under control, all while coordinated to match? Maybe you know them in real life, or maybe they’re someone you follow on social media. Sierra Marie is one of those people, and she has every single detail of your big event nailed down to perfection.
Event Signage: Lush Event Co.
As a details gal, my favorite thing ever is when a client asks me to help them with another component of their brand (i.e. signage, murals, and other IRL design opportunities). And what a fun opportunity to apply the Lush Event Co. branding to their first official event! I loved getting to play with the iconography and typography we had previously set - and any opportunity to use a new acrylic is my favorite!