Claudia McGehee Illustration

Claudia McGehee Illustration I'm an Illustrator-Writer living in a tallgrass prairie state. I find inspiration around every corner. Some days I write about pictures.

Some days I draw about words. It's about telling a story. Please visit http://www.claudia-mcgehee.com Commercial illustrator and author/illustrator of children's books

Thank you all the nice comments on the last post, indulging me on the National Gallery dress! It did bring home the fact...
08/31/2026

Thank you all the nice comments on the last post, indulging me on the National Gallery dress! It did bring home the fact that a little dress-up can highlight life:) Back to the studio jeans, the Midwest, and the last day of August. This piece is part of the scratchboard Tallgrass Prairie series, a nod to that part of the summer when the sun is almost white (maybe it just worn out the sky this year). I call this Tallgrass Midday.

On a lighter note to end the week…some have kindly asked for photos of the long gown that was part of my illustration su...
08/28/2026

On a lighter note to end the week…some have kindly asked for photos of the long gown that was part of my illustration suitcase to London 👗Here are some details that evening at the conference event held at the National Gallery that Dan and I attended. My dress had a chambray prairie hemline, shimmery champagne colored fabric, and I paired a lapis lazuli bolo to make it my own (and a shout out to friends who gave me shawl and clutch options!). Dan wore the classic tux (tricky silk bow tie, with authentic skew!), and had a James Bond appeal for his date;) The painting behind us is an Edouard Manet (“Portrait of Eva Gonzales”, an artist herself!). We had a short, after hours tour of the wing the dinner was held in. Pretty magical. I was overwhelmed to eat cheesecake within yards of a Turner and a Caravaggio. “The Ex*****on of Lady Jane Grey” (eeekks!) is such a devastation, a masterpiece. A reminder to myself, getting gussied up is nice every once in awhile! An extraordinary venue.

The sounds of summer are still loud and strong here in the Midwest, with the cicada still thrumming away at their little...
08/27/2026

The sounds of summer are still loud and strong here in the Midwest, with the cicada still thrumming away at their little tummy muscles! For the picture book “Rings of Heartwood” MNHS Press Molly Beth Griffin, I was challenged to illustratively guide readers through this beloved insect’s life cycle, as Molly Beth’s words described. Who says larva can’t be cute! Scroll for the finished design with text. And enjoy the season of sun for a few more weeks! Don’t let your grocery store candy aisle lure you into thinking it’s Halloween!! 👻

The state bird of Tennessee for Dolly Parton, who flew ahead today. Thank you for your music, wit, humor, your beauty an...
08/25/2026

The state bird of Tennessee for Dolly Parton, who flew ahead today. Thank you for your music, wit, humor, your beauty and grace, your generosity, your gifts to humanity.

It’s the 110th birthday of the National Parks Service today. I’ve felt most proudly American while visiting our parks, m...
08/25/2026

It’s the 110th birthday of the National Parks Service today. I’ve felt most proudly American while visiting our parks, monuments, and seashores. That’s why I’m taking a stand in the nationwide Day of Action today, to protest so many threats aimed at our public lands right now- most pointedly staffing and funding slashes and development policies- under the Trump administration. Help support, protect and preserve these sacred nature spaces for now and for generations; keep aware of the current issues and what is at stake.

I detected autumn notes on my walk in Hickory Hill Park yesterday; a few falling leaves, the changing insect song, the d...
08/20/2026

I detected autumn notes on my walk in Hickory Hill Park yesterday; a few falling leaves, the changing insect song, the deepening earthen scent ... Even though I love the fall, it’s always bittersweet to say good bye to summer. I passed a large stand of thistles, and spied a large black swallowtail. She was awesome. Her body was robust and she was flitting energetically to each thistle, but her wings were so tattered. She really moved me. She represented to me the ephemeral beauty of each season, without sadness but with gratitude of a life worn, and well experienced. Scroll for a couple photos of the swallowtail enjoying her late August afternoon.

08/13/2026

More to share of the travels, but work impatiently beckons, with the re-issued classic, “Iowa Interiors” by author Ruth Suckow, just put to “bed”. I illustrated the new cover, a sunsetting farmhouse scene. Because the author loved kitties, we decided to add one to the window, and I caught the moment that someone turned the window behind Kitty, to share with you! 🐈‍⬛.

Back from some time travel- as any travel somehow feels, but especially in a grand old city like London. A few images he...
08/11/2026

Back from some time travel- as any travel somehow feels, but especially in a grand old city like London. A few images here, first off, of how utterly dry the UK has been this summer, as you can see by the aerial approaching Heathrow airport. It’s been a long hot Season. We stayed in three distinct communities over our stay and enjoyed them all. Swiping order: me, all matchy matchy with some pastel Notting Hill dwellings; a “ninety-nine” (soft ice cream with chocolate flake stuck in 👍), almost melted before being consumed at Hyde Park; the apt temperature sign of the day, as exhibited in Churchill’s war rooms; a cuppa at Claridge’s; festive bunting in Chelsea; guard change at St. James; friendly gargoyle; daily recovery nap! A good, inspiring visit, still processing the visuals. Leave your London impressions below! (Plus, listen my favorite song set in London, the Kink’s Waterloo Sunset 🌅)

Woke up at 4am with some jet-lag energy and made a nice tea cuppa in the predawn, taking to my journal to relax and reco...
08/01/2026

Woke up at 4am with some jet-lag energy and made a nice tea cuppa in the predawn, taking to my journal to relax and record a little. I sometimes like to illustrate my suitcase contents, so here’s the latest unpack. This trip to London required some formal clothing, so along with the sensible walking shoes, a glittery long dress awaits one evening as well! I look forward to a week of new sights and sounds here in London, talking to people, hearing how they are getting on in this part of this world, my mother’s origin country 💙💚🌎 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Address

Iowa City, IA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Claudia McGehee Illustration posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share