Get to know the artists, #7.

If you have wee ones, you might have seen the work of Jill McDonald at such retail favorites as Target, Pottery Barn Kids, Land of Nod or Toys R Us.


From her site: Jill McDonald is rapidly becoming nationally recognized as an extremely talented young designer with a colorful, whimsical style that's fresh, fun and unique. Jill graduated from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design in 1998 with a degree in textile design. She then joined Baby Gap in Gap's Manhattan, New York design headquarters as a print stylist. After two highly successful years at Gap Jill made the decision to return to her hometown of Kansas City, MO and joined Hallmark Cards as an illustrator. During her three years with Hallmark Jill created numerous top selling gift-wrap and greeting card collections for Hallmark, Target and Wal-Mart.

She now designs on her own from her studio in Parkville, MO., and creates funky, chunky, painted art, like this:



And then it could be made into stuff like this:



We are so delighted to have her in our artist roster--another one of Kansas City's creative treasures.

From Dallas, Texas, we're pleased to also include Dennis Murphy, photographer extraordinaire.



Dennis has an incredible eye for capturing fetching details, and his ability to intensify color & contrast brings out even more character in his subjects and compositions. If these two examples from his portfolio catch your interest, you'll definitely want to be with us Thursday night!