There is something about the poppy

Posted on April 30, 2013 by artistically afflicted

I have a bit of a strange attraction to poppies. I love their whimsical ways, all their different colors and their podlike sidekicks.There is nothing quite like a field of poppies swaying in the wind,especially when it’s a field somewhere in the french countryside.

I must have 1oo’s of pictures of poppies in all their glory .

A 4 month sabbatical in the south of France and it was hard not to come home with a picture, or two, and a sketch. That is a whole other blog ago which I have never even mentioned here! (If you feel like an afternoon escape you can follow my family of 4 through a 4 month adventure, full of mishap, in Europe at http://www.lifeinaoncetime.blogspot.com. It seems like a lifetime ago.

I have started to incorporate my poppy drawings into the pattern world, but I have yet to do them justice. They are not BIG enough or whimsical enough yet. I find I am much looser with them in paint. In the digital world I am finding the pattern part a bit restricting.

I am starting Michelle Fifis The Ultimate Guide to Repeats today and I am definitely hoping for some insight into this.

For now I will continue playing with positioning and different ways of representation for my #365 pattern project.It is easy to whip up a pattern, but it takes lots of tweaking to get it just right. #365patterns is a good starting point, but I have to remember to go back and continue to work on my daily patterns.

And a coordinate just for fun! There is a small part of me thinking that I may start to create some digital download scrapbook pages and clipart so my mind is all about coordinates these days. I will keep you posted.

Have you had a chance to check out Skillshare yet? Skillshare is an online global community centered around creativity, collaboration and learning by doing.

I have two colleagues teaching there next month and I think you may be interested. The first is Faye Brown of Faye Brown Designs. She will be teaching Typography how to communicate effectively through the power of typography – starting June 14th, 2013
The second course is Reign Repeats learn how to create perfect repeats in Illustrator taught by Majo Bautista. Starting June 7th, 2013 she will teach you everything you need to know to create a design to submit for a Spoonflower competition.

These women are both knowledgeable and passionate about what they do.

Never stop learning!

Inspired by some sketchy sunday behaviour

Posted on April 23, 2013 by artistically afflicted

I am always amazed at how my mind can wander when drawing. I should sit and write down all the crazy ideas that run through my head just for a laugh, but I cringe to think what I would sound like.

My latest idea to keep my creative juices flowing freely is to be computer free on Sundays. No web surfing, email, or.. gasp…no social media. I want to spend the day focused on the here and now.

My hope for this time-out day is to be creative. I don’t have a problem being creative,I know that starting is the key to my success,however, I do find that I am more creative and productive when my mind is free and open. I tend to be easily distracted by the computer and I find it can be very disruptive to my thought process. I am learning to love the feeling of being disconnected.

So, my latest idea is to spend Sundays sketching and sharing on Instagram and, of course, here on my blog.Please join me here on Instagram – I will follow you back.

My original plan to hashtag sketchy sundays(#sketchysundays) unfortunately will have to be changed. For a laugh you can check out my floral doodles amidst some other sketchy sunday behaviour. I swear those other photos were not there when I originally posted to it!I am having my own laugh about the extent of my ‘sketchy” behaviour – maybe if you are lucky I will pop out a nudie for you instead of my usual floral doodle.

After some more careful research I have decided to call it #shareyoursketch.

A creative space to share your sketches,inspiration,mindwork and even your finished product! It doesnt have to be on Sunday!. I love to see how other minds work and what they are inspired by. I also love to see what they can produce from all their inspiration. You have to admit we are all a very talented bunch so please…share away!

#shareyoursketch …now on Instagram and twitter too.

Have a great week. It’s beautiful and sunny here and hopes are high that it is going to stay this way.

p.s. Thank you for the great response to my shout out for “creative process” submissions. I am looking forward to featuring others in my community here. I am just in the process of figuring out the details and just the right questions to ask. I will keep you posted!

From inspiration to pattern making

Posted on April 8, 2013 by artistically afflicted

Finding inspiration on morning runs on the Big Island of Hawaii. So many unusual shapes and textures native to the Island all begging to be picked up. I almost tripped a few times on my own feet.

Sharing my inspiration ~ journal page

Playing with shapes, colors and different textures found and finding inspiration for pattern making.

Playing with ideas and having some fun. I am not sure how the paint chip pattern came into play, but why not! I try not to think too much, but just have fun putting together the pieces of the puzzle. These patterns are all a work in progress, left to sit and be tweaked upon later.

For me , finding inspiration is all about starting and getting the creative juices flowing. Some patterns I will love, others, not so much. It is all part of the pattern making process.Sometimes they just need a few days to sit and wait to have fresh eyes upon them.

All patterns contributed to #365 patterns on Instagram. Come on over and join in.

I am always in need of more visual inspiration so click here to follow me on Instagram~ I will be sure to follow you back!

Inspired by Papercut Art

Posted on March 15, 2013 by artistically afflicted

I am happy to announce that my large-scale papercut art is almost done! 19″ by 25″.

I am really happy with it. I can see myself using alot of the shapes and patterns in my surface patterns.That’s next weeks post:)

I am still undecided on my finishing touches. There is quite a bit of detailed cutting I can do.I am debating whether to leave the birds as white space or more detailed. I am also considering leaving more white space around the edges.I think I will for now until I decide how to frame this. I quite like the white space leading into the intricate cuts.

I have found this great new paper by Canson Studio called Mi- Tientes Touch. It’s beautifully textured pastel paper and comes in a great palette of colors, perfect for placing behind papercut art.

My next step is to find a unique way to frame or display this. I am going to have to protect the paper so thinking a plexiglass type box. However, I would also like it to be very organic, so thinking wood and airplane wire. Hmmm…a visit to Pinterest may be in order. I know I will find some inspiration there. Any suggestions?

Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement on Facebook when I posted this on my page. I always appreciate the support and encouragement I find there.
March break begins today.Yay! We woke up to 30 com of snow yesterday! Just when you think it’s the beginning of the end, it all starts again.Whistler is hopping!

Enjoy your weekend!

Inspired by random acts of kindness

Posted on January 25, 2013 by artistically afflicted

Look at the little ray of sunshine I found in my post box. Nestled in between boring old bills,a couple of flyers and a newspaper was this lovely.

A beautiful, hand painted efuto from Eva Marion Seyffarth, a designer I met through the ABSPD course I recently took. To my surprise I also found a little something tucked inside- a collection of different types of paper. It’s no secret that I love paper so this was super thoughtful!I would have taken a pic, but I was pretty inspired to get at it.

She even painted the back! DUH- I don’t know why I didn’t think of that on my original efutos!? Needless to say, but my whole envelop is now fully preened.

I have been spending my journaling time painting, spraying, stitching and generally exploring new ideas on my growing collection of efutos. I am loving this process as an envelope is only so big and therefore easily completed in one session. I am thinking of it as a little art therapy for me these days.

I continue to spend a lot of time at my computer designing patterns and prints so this is a welcome distraction and time to get my hands messy. It has also helped spark a few ideas for surface pattern design. I love the handcrafted approach to surface pattern and plan to dive deep into it as soon as my working knowledge of illustrator and photoshop increases.

I have started to include a little pretty package of some of my favorite scraps to inspire the receiver to make their own efuto and send to some happy soul.Thank you for that inspiration Eva!

I have to admit it makes me really happy to send these envelopes to random people who have warmed my heart in one way or another ~ My little token of appreciation.Thank you!

Leave me a comment and one may just find itself in your mailbox!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Inspired by… the lovely,lush and radiant,emerald

Posted on January 10, 2013 by artistically afflicted

It’s lively. It’s radiant. It’s lush.

Introducing Emerald, Pantone Color of the Year for 2013.

Today I am joining together with a group of designers from all over the wold in a bloghop celebrating Pantone Color of the Year~ Emerald.

I hope you are arriving here all the way from Leeds in the U.K~ from surface pattern designer Emma Frances Designs blog. Emma creates -she sews,sketches and loves her camera. I think we would be good friends if only she lived a little closer.

If you would like to hop back right to the very beginning then please feel free to jump to Gill Egglestons Pattern Addicts site.

I love the color green.I live in a mountain town surrounded by every shade of green.Green in my art work though? Well, that is something I always find challenging!

I was hoping to combine it with hits of color like red and pink, but I just couldn’t seem to find the right match. I am really looking forward to see how everyone else used the color in combination.I am curious to see their perspective. Hoping to pick up a few tips along the way!

A special thank you to Rosie Martinez-Dekker of Believe Creative Studio.She has done a wonderwoman job curating todays bloghop.

Up next is Elixabete Ariztegieta of Eli Risty Design. Eli is a textile designer based in the lovely town of Donosti, in the Basque Country.

I have more Efutos and a special post about the Little White Book of Designers coming up next. Stay tuned!

Inspired by…hand drawn typography

Posted on November 8, 2012 by artistically afflicted

My love for lettering is longstanding. I remember my first lessons in Calligraphy, my first pen,all the wonderful nibs and colored ink. I loved playing with all the different lines and marks discovering what I could create. Truth be told I probably spent more time drawing then practicing my letters~I could never resist adding an extra flourish to the tail end of maybe a flower or two to dot an i.

It would be fun to find the menu I designed for Le Select Bistro, the grad invites and even our wedding invite – all hand drawn by me way back. I know I will come across them someday, but for now they are tucked away in an old journal in some box stored in the garage at my parents place.

I recently came across this inspirational resource Typography Sketchbooks by Steven Heller and Lita Talarico on the lovely Wit and Whistle blog. It’s filled with page after page of gorgeous lettering from the sketchbooks of over 90 talented designers. I will be adding this to my bookshelf very soon!

images courtesy of amanda wright of wit & whistle

If you are looking for a bit of your own hand drawn typography inspiration have a look at the work of these designers.

Some work of Amanda Wright ~ Designer of stylishly quirky paper goods.She has a very strong and simple style. I also really enjoy her blog Wit & Whistle.It has a little bit of everything to stir your creative juices.

How does that grab your eye!? I love Linzie Hunter work. Her website is full of beautiful images sure to inspire.

Another of my fav finds is from the desk of Katie Daisy.

I love Katie Daisys very intricate hand lettering and illustration.I am drawn to her soft palette and love for all things flora and fauna.Her work is created with a mixture of watercolor and acrylic. Her website is a must see.

If you love the look of mix and matched fonts, have a look at this tutorial by Fontaholic. Their image sums it up for you.

This month Tigerprints competition is all about hand drawn typography. Have a look here to see all the latest entries. Dont despair there is still lots of time to enter – Nov 11th is the deadline.

Its Art Everyday month ~ Hop on over to Leahs blog for more info on Art Everyday.

See you in a few days!

Inspired by…a little friendly competition.

Posted on October 24, 2012 by artistically afflicted

There is nothing like a bit of friendly competition to give you a little shove out of your comfort zone.I have discovered the process to be quite fun, if not a little nerve-wracking. Just a little though ~ I am happy to say, I am getting use to it.

I had to enter this months Tigerprint Competition as I love black and white. I would do everything in black and white if I could (and as I write this I am thinking..well, why not!). Working with color is working out of my comfort zone!

I believe these competitions are a healthy way to get the creative juices flowing. They can help you to push past your limits, try new design ideas, experiment with motifs and colors you may not normally use, learn new digital tricks – anything to get your work to stand out in the crowd!

Competitions can also be a little bit discouraging! There were hundreds,600 or so, of entries for this one. These competitions make you realize just how many talented designers/artists are out there playing the same game.While I have not won- yet:)- I am hopeful that one day, my time will come. My design will be the right one at the right time. Until then I will continue to push along and dream. It’s all part of the dream.

You can check all the entries out here because, really, they were all very well done. Beware, it’s alot of black and white and you may start to see double after the first or second page.

And the winner is ~ tada~

Louise Harrison of Loulalo. Absolutely love her take on stripes. Swoon…

We were very fortunate to have quite a few of our surface pattern design students in the top 25. I have to be honest, it is kind of fun to live vicariously through their victories.It is very inspiring to get a sneak peek into their process from start to finish. Their excitement and enthusiasm is felt widespread throughout our little community.

Here is their work~

Runner up ~ Alik Arzoumanian

Runner up ~ Emily Ann Truong of Emily Ann Studio

Maike Thoma of Patternjots

Gill Eggleston of Pattern Addict

Jennie Louise Whitham of JLWillustration

Up next ~hand drawn typography. I am very excited about this one as I have been meaning to explore it in more depth. I love to art journal and it adds the perfect personal touch to a page. I am also curious to see how it translates from my scanner to the digital world. More information can be found here on the Tigerprint Competitions blog

Enjoy the rest of your week. The snow is already flying here and slowly creeping own the mountain and into the valley.

Inspired by…the making of a rose.

Posted on June 26, 2012 by artistically afflicted

The sun is shining,the temperature is rising and I don’t have to make school lunches this fine Monday morning. Ah..sweet summer.

It takes its sweet time getting here every year, but when it finally does arrive it is ,oh, so good. I am excited to get out on the water, do a bit of camping, spend time on the trails and sit on my patio and sketch.

It’s the end of June and time for Louise Gales color challenge. I found this months challenge to be a wee bit… challenging. Colors suggested were not my favorites…nor was the theme. Red and roses. Exactly why it is called a challenge…

I still loved the process! It is always important to stretch ourselves creatively and work to put our own spin on something we may not necessarily be drawn to. I sketch a lot of flowers, but have to be honest when I say ~ a rose has never made an appearance in my sketchbook.

I quite like them now!

A bit of sketching and some sewing…

Add a little digital goodness and ta-da…a collection (of sorts) is in the making.

Module 2 of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design has started. I am still loving it!

We just completed a two week break which was definitely needed. A chance to soak in all that I have experienced so far.A chance to brush up on my digital skills and most importantly, get all of my sketching organized, labelled and scanned. I am very impressed, and overwhelmed.. with all the information and creative exercises provided. We are back at it strong, working on our signature style and developing collections. This weeks brief was a stationary collection for a sophisticated 40 something woman. Roses are sophisticated..right? So I thought I would try to incorporate them here too… slightly different color scheme though.

I am quite pleased with it. Unfortunately, the picture doesn’t do it justice. There is a lot of close up detail (handwriting and sewing) that is a bit difficult to see.

I am looking forward to seeing how everyone else approached red and roses.I just know I am going to be amazed at the creativity of some people!

If you are interested in joining in, please pop over to Louises site and join in!

I hope to be back here again this week, but it’s summer and if the sun is shining I will be out and about enjoying every minute of it!

Put your feet up and enjoy…

Inspired by….a simple black sharpie

Posted on June 19, 2012 by artistically afflicted

I am thinking that I may be in need of a Sharpie sponsorship…..

I am not asking for much. Just black…in fine, extra fine and ultra fine….

I have all the colors of the rainbow…including the glamour girl line (I am a sucker…), but it seems that every week I have to hop in the car and drive to the local office supply store and buy another black.

Have you checked out the Sharpie site? You should! They have a community forum, blog and lots of product info.The gallery is quite impressive.I am amazed at the surfaces people use sharpies to write, draw and paint on.

Some work by Timothy Goodman at the Ace Hotel…swoon…

Now take a look at what Donna from White Wolf Studio has done with her Sharpies….ta~da!.

I have a feeling the Glamour Girl Sharpies will be put to use very soon!

Artistically Afflicted

Tag Archives: illustration