Showing posts with label freebies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freebies. Show all posts
Thursday, December 10, 2015
The Journey Within Bloghop, Art Challenge & Giveaway
Welcome Bloghoppers!
I am so thrilled to be a core teacher in The Journey Within: A Year of Handmade Art Journals with bookmaker Kiala Givehand and 16 other artists.
This e-course is perfect for artists and non-artist alike. All you need is a longing in your heart to play, to get creative, to discover yourself, and learn something fresh. You will be inspired by the warm and supportive community of fellow seekers, dreamers, and makers.Each month, you will learn how to make a handmade art journal and get techniques, tips, and prompts for filling the pages with creative magic!
To kick off this amazing course, Kiala has created a journal for December and asked each guest artist to give her a challenge to complete during the month. Here is what I asked her to do:
Use this card to catalyse some inner exploration and see what art comes forth from this place.
I also challenge you to use a color pallette that you don't normally use. It is so interesting to step outside our habits and stretch our color wings.
Check out what Kiala made in response to my challenge HERE
I invite you to take a moment for some creative play and try this challenge yourself.
If you do, please leave a link in the comments with your beautiful interpretation.
Even better yet, join us for The Journey Within 2016.
It's the season for generosity and magic so I just couldn't resist the fun of a giveaway.
Step right up and try your luck.
First Prize: The Journey Within E-course for the entire year!
Second Prize: The Journey Within Ecourse for January, February, and March
i
a
l
a
h
a
s
c
r
e
a
t
e
d
a
b
o
o
k
f
o
r
D
e
c
e
m
b
e
r
a
n
d
a
s
k
e
d
e
a
c
h
g
u
e
s
t
a
r
t
i
s
t
t
o
g
i
v
e
h
e
r
a
c
h
a
l
l
e
n
g
e
t
o
c
o
m
p
l
e
t
e
d
u
r
i
n
g
t
h
e
m
o
n
t
h
.
T
o
d
a
y
i
s
m
y
c
h
a
l
l
e
n
g
e
.
H
e
r
e
’
s
w
h
a
t
I
a
s
k
e
d
K
i
a
l
a
t
o
d
o
Here is the blog hop list -- make sure you check out each artist.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Lovely Ink Interview with Rachael Taylor
Rachael Taylor, the well-known UK surface designer, is bringing her fun,quirky and vibrant style to our March Lovely Ink. Let her sprinkle her spontaneous and playful spirit into your days, reminding you to dream with a light heart and a smile.
If you want to receive a free 8x10" printable and desktop wallpaper of this print as well as an archive of 11 other inspirational artworks, sign-up by March 20, 2015 for Lovely Ink here. This is your last chance to get this amazing free collection of art.
In this interview with Rachael Taylor, she reveals the intricacies of her creative process and shares her inspirations. Enjoy!
Take us through your creative process of making your piece for Lovely Ink?
I always start my design process by playing some of my favourite music. Then I dig out a collection of pens, inks and tools for mark making and drawing. I create 95% of my artwork by hand, then I scan it in and work it up in either Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. For the Lovely Ink piece I simply created what came in to my mind at that moment. I wanted to incorporate pattern, textures and layering and team it with a striking colour palette and a motivational quote. Choosing colour palettes for my work is my favourite part of the creative process!
What drew you to the inspirational saying you used in your Lovely Ink piece?
I’m a big fan of inspiring words and quotations and surround myself with them on a daily basis. I created the piece as I felt like I needed to hear and share the words myself at that precise moment in time. Where possible, I try to always work organically that way my work doesn’t feel too contrived.
Was there a moment in your life when you first fell in love with making things?
I’ve always been a creative person, whether that was through dance, drama or art. After I graduated university I began to incorporate a looser and quirkier style within my designs. I would say that was when I really fell in love with drawing and began to gain confidence as an artist.
Where in your life do you find the most inspiration for your art?
I tend to soak up inspiration around me and this seems to spontaneously translate into my drawings. I draw my designs in a quite traditional hand drawn process, as this feels more personal and less contrived. I then work my designs up digitally using a Wacom graphics tablet. I love colour and tend to use brights in my designs.
What would be your absolute dream project - no limitations?
This year I am working hard towards building a brand new portfolio to appeal to the children’s market, I have been inspired to create cute characters since having my little baby boy, Blayke Lennon! A range with Mama’s and Papa’s would be an absolute dream!
Who are some of your favourite artists, illustrators or surface designers?
I absolutely adore work by Louise Tiler, Libby McMullin, Helen Dardik, Ella Doran and many more. I’m particularly inspired by spontaneous design and I’ve always really admired the work of artist Jackson Pollock, I love the energy his work brings. I’ve also always been a fan of Alexander McQueen as I admire the risks he took with his work. I also love art and design from the 1950’s and 1960’s.
What are your favorite design or art blogs that you would like to share with your fans?
Monday, February 2, 2015
Lovely Ink: Interview with Anne Waters
This month's Lovely Ink is hint of summer and sunshine from australia created by surface designer, Anne Waters. She finds a graceful balance between fresh air and vintage shops, bringing nature and design together.
If you want to receive a free 8x10" printable and desktop wallpaper of this print sign-up for Lovely Ink here. Every month, Lovely Ink delivers free inspirational art to your inbox.
I was lucky enough to interview Anne and peek into her creative process and inspirations. Enjoy!
Take us through your creative process of making your piece for Lovely Ink?
This particular piece was created using sketches that I scanned and coloured in Illustrator. I focussed on Australian wildflowers including flannel flowers and blossoming gums, and tried to give them their own quirky style. I thought it would be fun to create a piece that had loads to look at, so I made a few subtle layers with various textures and shapes drifting into the background as well as a varied mix of flora positioned this way and that.
What drew you to the inspirational saying you used in your Lovely Ink piece?
I spent time looking for an inspirational quote and discovered “The Earth Laughs in Flowers” by Ralph Waldo Emerson c.1845 which I’d not heard before. Being a lover of the great outdoors, it touched me instantly. I also enjoyed the poetic analogy, so beautiful and cheerful. I’m not sure if Emerson wrote it to be interpreted this way, but on its own, I thought it was pretty special.
Was there a moment in your life when you first fell in love with making things?
I was born into a crafty family. My mum taught most of us to sew and knit, so as I grew up there was a constant hive of activity. My dad was into black and white photography so I would spend hours in the darkroom watching and learning how to make images come to life. When I was about 12, I cut out stencils of camels and palm trees and screen printed them to some old fabric then made it up into a button up shirt. I have kept it after all these years for some reason, so perhaps it was then that I really fell in love with making things.
Where in your life do you find the most inspiration for your art?
I would have to say that I find the most inspiration for my art out in the wild. I try to go to national parks as often as I can, which can be tricky when my littlest bushwalker has other ideas. I’m constantly photographing anything that catches my eye. Apart from the wilderness, I collect old textiles, and am often caught hanging out in thrift shops rummaging through shelves of forgotten treasures, unearthing vintage tea towels, table cloths, curtains and the like. I thought I might have grown out of the habit by now.
What would be your absolute dream project - no limitations?
I have always sewed and worked with fabric so I have a particular interest in textiles. It would be my ultimate dream come true to see my designs in a fabric line with a bolt fabric company...no camels and palm trees I promise.
Who are some of your favorite artists, illustrators or surface designers?
There really are so many creative souls out there that I admire, so these are just a few of my favourites ones… Sue Adams, David Weidman, Aboriginal Art, Jill Lewis, Gus Leunig, Lucienne Day, Ken Done and Jenny Kee.
What are your favorite design or art blogs that you would like to share with your fans?
Print and Pattern, Patternbank, Pinterest, The Design Files, The Art Room Plant
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Lovely Ink: Interview with Karma Voce
This month's Lovely Ink was created by the ever-talented Australian surface designer and illustrator, Karma Voce. I hope her inspiring words and electric colors will spark a mission of dream-chasing and intuition-following in 2015. What perfect way to kick off the new year!
If you want to receive a free 8x10" printable and desktop wallpaper of this print sign-up for Lovely Ink here. Every month, Lovely Ink delivers free inspirational art to your inbox.
II was lucky enough to interview Karma and peek into her creative process and find out her big dreams and inspirations. Enjoy!
Take us through your creative process of making your piece for Lovely Ink?
I spent a night looking at quotes, and then, deciding I would like to try and come up with my own, so I scribbled out some ideas, and moved words around until it was just right. Then, I googled to make sure no one else had used the same words together like that. I have since found someone claiming it as their own, but I am confident it was uniquely mine (as their evidence they pinned my poster!) But when it came to the art, I started with a brown paper background, but ended up going with black as the colours looked more vibrant. I created it all with pen and tablet in photoshop.
What drew you to the inspirational saying you used in your Lovely Ink piece?
I created something that I thought would be helpful to me and others, I wanted it to be inspiring, and I think it has resonated with a lot of people
Was there a moment in your life when you first fell in love with making things?
I think I started very early. My mum had a job in a plasticine factory for a small period when I was a baby, and it maybe started there. I can still remember the smell like it was yesterday. When I was an older girl, my favourite thing was drawing, craft and dress-ups. Nothing has changed ever since! I didn't actually think to go and study art until after I had my son, as a mature age student!
Where in your life do you find the most inspiration for your art?
Oh, I think nature and people are my favourite inspirations, but I love exploring different countries and cultures too, and I love looking at the creative stuff from the past too. I use my local library, pinterest, tumblr, instagram and google to look up visual references.
What would be your absolute dream project - no limitations?
What would be your absolute dream project - no limitations?
I think I would like to have my own successful label, design jewelry and accessories and women's clothes.
Who are some of your favorite artists, illustrators or surface designers?
I have been extremely lucky to make friends with a lot of great artists and illustrators recently, and they all inspire me daily! I am inspired by the clever and creative women in my art collective - Forest Foundry. They are all fabulous artists. Also, one of my closest online friends, Monika Forsberg of Walkyland - I am obsessed with her unique and quirky style.Very Rad. I lovvve Marimekko, they always have amazing designers. I love Inaluxe, fellow Australians. Rifle Paper Company always does beautiful stuff! Gee, I could go on and on. So much talent in the world.
Who are some of your favorite artists, illustrators or surface designers?
I have been extremely lucky to make friends with a lot of great artists and illustrators recently, and they all inspire me daily! I am inspired by the clever and creative women in my art collective - Forest Foundry. They are all fabulous artists. Also, one of my closest online friends, Monika Forsberg of Walkyland - I am obsessed with her unique and quirky style.Very Rad. I lovvve Marimekko, they always have amazing designers. I love Inaluxe, fellow Australians. Rifle Paper Company always does beautiful stuff! Gee, I could go on and on. So much talent in the world.
What are your favorite design or art blogs that you would like to share with your fans?
I love Print Pattern blog by Bowie Style (Marie Perkins). I have been following that for about 8 years. I also love The Jealous Creator for less pattern based art. A fabulous Australian blog, The Design Files, is always good for design-y stuff. And for nature, I love following Jill Bliss. She is an artist obsessed with nature, and she posts beautiful nature photographs and artwork. I use Feedly to store all my blogs, and highly recommend it to people still bookmarking their favourite sites. Feedly makes it a whole lot easier to track.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Lovely Ink: Interview with Cori Dantini
If you want to receive a free 8x10" printable and desktop wallpaper of this print sign-up for Lovely Ink here. Every month, Lovely Ink delivers free inspirational art to your inbox.
Take us through your creative process of making your piece for Lovely Ink?
I never know how to answer this kind of question because i just make things... I try to get out of my way and let the art happen, and that is what happened here! (Hope you like it).
I never know how to answer this kind of question because i just make things... I try to get out of my way and let the art happen, and that is what happened here! (Hope you like it).
What drew you to the inspirational saying, "i have a song in my heart!" that you used in your Lovely Ink piece?
Well...I really do have a song in my heart at any given moment, and if you were here I would
sing one for you! I don't really talk too much about it any longer, but i grew up singing. In fact, I started in 6th grade. By 9th grade, I was being trained classically and by the time I was 15, my voice coach made me choose between jazz and classic opera. I chose jazz. so, that left me without a voice teacher, singing in jazz choir which I did from 10th grade until I graduated from college.
One of the only regrets I have to this day is the fact that I stopped singing and performing, but honestly, I never liked everyone looking at me – so it was sort of easy to give it up because of that. I guess it's never too late to begin again.
Was there a moment in your life when you first fell in love with making things?
Not that I can recall (how boring is that answer)! I suppose what I know to be true is that I have always enjoyed making things with my hands, or should I say that I have always had busy hands, that were willing to get dirty, that were willing to pretend that they knew what they were doing.
Where in your life do you find the most inspiration for your art?
I find "inspiration" all around me. what I am moved by are the little tiny moments that are tucked into the nooks and crannies of daily life. sweet little hands, giggles, bugs, walks, friendships, sadness... and especially the birds.
What would be your absolute dream project - no limitations?
That's easy! I would like to illustrate a book – a book that speaks to the hearts of children (and their parents), something that has a wonderful message that little people can take with them as they grow up.
Who are some of your favorite artists, illustrators or surface designers?
Keiko Minami (Japanese Artist, 1911 –2004): I love her... as in my knees get weak when i look at her (good) work. It speaks to my soul with its tender care to small detail and quiet color.
Emily Sutton: I love how she weaves a sense of place into her work. i always find this to be very challenging, and she gives you just enough information so that you can feel like you are actually there.
Kristin Vestgård: I love her fresh take on the face... it is ethereal and abstract yet I feel like I am truly looking at real people.
Diana Sudyka: an illustrator from Chicago. What I love about her work is that it has magic in it.
I can feel it in my bones... it seems like she speaks with moths and butterflies and they tell her secrets that will warm your heart- then she takes the time to share those secrets with all of us.
That's easy! I would like to illustrate a book – a book that speaks to the hearts of children (and their parents), something that has a wonderful message that little people can take with them as they grow up.
Who are some of your favorite artists, illustrators or surface designers?
Keiko Minami (Japanese Artist, 1911 –2004): I love her... as in my knees get weak when i look at her (good) work. It speaks to my soul with its tender care to small detail and quiet color.
Emily Sutton: I love how she weaves a sense of place into her work. i always find this to be very challenging, and she gives you just enough information so that you can feel like you are actually there.
Kristin Vestgård: I love her fresh take on the face... it is ethereal and abstract yet I feel like I am truly looking at real people.
Diana Sudyka: an illustrator from Chicago. What I love about her work is that it has magic in it.
I can feel it in my bones... it seems like she speaks with moths and butterflies and they tell her secrets that will warm your heart- then she takes the time to share those secrets with all of us.
What are your favorite design or art blogs that you would like to share with your fans?
Yours of course! and... well, I am so busy these days that I hardly can keep up with my day to day life but when I have time I check in on Pikaland and Smart Creative Women. not to mention the deepest rabbit hole i know PINTEREST. i get on there to look at ceramic tumblers and the next thing i know i have lost an hour! if you want to see the (many) rabbit holes i go down, feel free to go and take a look.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Lovely Ink: Interview with Victoria Johnson, Artist and Surface Designer
If you want to receive a free 8x10" printable and desktop wallpaper of this "Choose Happiness " print sign-up for Lovely Ink here. Every month, Lovely Ink delivers free inspirational art to your inbox.
I have this super special interview to share with Victoria. Peak inside her creative process, learn about her favorite artists, and see her lovely studio space in Rome. Enjoy!
I was in the middle of doing my Surtex promotional material when I did my Lovely Ink piece , so lots of elements of the piece found their way into the promo and lots of the promo found it's way into the Lovely Ink piece. The flowers were all inspired by some 1940's dress prints. They also inspired the palette.
What drew you to the inspirational saying you used in your Lovely Ink piece?
I like the saying 'choose happiness' because it implies that you can control whether you enjoy your life or not. It's so easy to slip into the attitude that life is 'happening' to you and your reaction to the problems it presents are incidental. I like the idea that you can choose whether to be defeated or not.
I like the saying 'choose happiness' because it implies that you can control whether you enjoy your life or not. It's so easy to slip into the attitude that life is 'happening' to you and your reaction to the problems it presents are incidental. I like the idea that you can choose whether to be defeated or not.
Was there a moment in your life when you first fell in love with making things?
No - I think I was born that way. Honestly. I know it sound's pretentious but I can't remember a single period in my life where it wasn't important to me to be creating something, even during my apathetic teenage years - and my parents actively encouraged it. I've always had access to loads of art equipment for as long as I can remember.
No - I think I was born that way. Honestly. I know it sound's pretentious but I can't remember a single period in my life where it wasn't important to me to be creating something, even during my apathetic teenage years - and my parents actively encouraged it. I've always had access to loads of art equipment for as long as I can remember.
Where in your life do you find the most inspiration for your art?
I like old stuff - from all periods - old bits of strange furniture, old fabrics, old dishes and vases. I like finding ways to make incongruous things sit well together. The challenge of doing that inspires me. I do it with colour too, trying to find harmony with unusual colour combinations. I adore playing with colour - in everyday life as much as in design. At the moment I'm super inspired by geometric forms. They're creeping into so much of what I'm doing.
I like old stuff - from all periods - old bits of strange furniture, old fabrics, old dishes and vases. I like finding ways to make incongruous things sit well together. The challenge of doing that inspires me. I do it with colour too, trying to find harmony with unusual colour combinations. I adore playing with colour - in everyday life as much as in design. At the moment I'm super inspired by geometric forms. They're creeping into so much of what I'm doing.
What would be your absolute dream project - no limitations?
Dinnerware at Anthropologie. Or bedding. An entire interior decor line with them if we're being silly.
Who are some of your favorite artists, illustrators or surface designers?
I like so many (obviously) but some of my current favourites are Lola Donoghue, Elaine Pamphilon, Josef Frank and Marimekko. I also love anything by Vera and a lot of Mid-Century Russian illustration/graphic design. I love Inaluxe because of the way they combine geometric shapes with painterly textures and imagery and fresh, feminine colour palettes - all my favourite things in one beautiful package. It goes without saying that I like the Mid-Century illustrators Mary Blair and Esme Eve too.
I like so many (obviously) but some of my current favourites are Lola Donoghue, Elaine Pamphilon, Josef Frank and Marimekko. I also love anything by Vera and a lot of Mid-Century Russian illustration/graphic design. I love Inaluxe because of the way they combine geometric shapes with painterly textures and imagery and fresh, feminine colour palettes - all my favourite things in one beautiful package. It goes without saying that I like the Mid-Century illustrators Mary Blair and Esme Eve too.
What are your favorite design or art blogs that you would like to share with your fans?
Print and Pattern - to be honest it's the only one I read with any regularity. But I'm always entertained when I have a look at Dawn Machell's http://pop-i-cok.blogspot.it. She's really funny and massively talented.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
