Claire Emery is an artist, naturalist and educator. Her career began in the mountains with a field journal and pen in hand and evolved into a freelance illustration business that focuses on conveying the beauties and mysteries of nature through art and education. Since 2000, she has illustrated several books, posters, interpretive signs and publications. Her clients include W.W. Norton, Montana Audubon, US Forest Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, California State Parks, Mountain Press, and Orion Magazine. She leads workshops for students ages 2-82 on field journaling, nature drawing and scientific illustration in Montana, Alaska, and California.

Claire's latest passion is transforming her sketches and observations of Montana's natural history into wood engravings. Using knives and picks, she pecks away at the end grain maple blocks, drawing images out of the darkness of the wood into the light. Her work focuses on illuminating Montana's natural and cultural heritage.

Making woodcuts is vigorous, patient and surprising work. Carving the block is a focused, meditative practice that requires being present and going slow. The result is both warm and bold and reminds us of a simpler, slower time. Claire uses this time- consuming technique to combine her love for the land and detail to illuminate working landscapes and wild places in the West. Designing the image, drawing it onto the block and carving the block can take Claire well over 50 hours.

Meet Claire during Whitefish Gallery Night, Thursday, September 6, 2007 from 6-9 PM. Claire's work will be displayed during the opening and throughout the month of September.

People worry unnecessarily about mixing different styles of furniture. Successfully creating a home that is comfortable usually involves integrating pieces of varying styles, shapes and sizes. All too often a new home feels new because all the furniture came from the same place. It's the meaning and history of various pieces that enrich and give your home a soul.

There are several ways to merge furniture of different styles. Using the same fabric on a chair and sofa or sofa and loveseat minimize the differences in style. Painting or staining a table to match other wood pieces in a room will have a similar effect. Its often visually more interesting to have a variety of styles than pieces that match. For instance bedside tables don't have to be the same. They may be approximately the same size but one could be a table and the other a table with a drawer and bottom shelf. If the tables match consider choosing lamps that are the same height but different in color or shape.

The same theory applies to art and accessories. You'll have a home that truly reflects who you are if you integrate new pieces with old pieces you love.

Now, today's lawn and garden tip.

If you haven't found the hedge trimmer yet, forget it.

It's almost time to lose the leaf rake.