Painting with patterns

This week I have begun looking my patterns in a new light. Moving back and forth from paper to fabric, I have accumulated a large palette of textures. I have begun to think of each of my patterns as paint and I am beginning to work with them as raw materials. It is kind of exciting. This week I created three new compositions. Instead of working to card sizes, these fresh creations, are frameable art. The originals are 8 x 10 for easy framing.

I hope to have my etsy site up and running soon. In the mean time, if you love one of these, and can't wait for etsy, email and we will work something out.

enjoy!   PS: check out my updated library at spoonflower.

Lovli Day—Fresh ideas I can relate to

I get part of my daily dose of inspiration from the "Etsy Finds" email I receive in my inbox. Yesterday an item from the Lovli Day Etsy shop caught my eye. I tried to find out who Lovli Day was, but her Etsy profile was blank. Luckily on her face book fan page, I was able to discover who was responsible for this amazing fresh idea. Jessie Steury is a graphic designer who has recently entered the Etsy world. She creates very unique and different wedding invitations—but that is not what caught my eye.

One of her wedding products is a Wedding Tree.
here is how she describes it:

Having your guest leave their thumbprint and signature at your wedding day will leave you with a beautiful piece of artwork to display. Instead of storing a traditional book, which you may never look at, you can frame this finished piece and enjoy it for many years.

What's included:
• printed 24" x 36" poster and 4" x 6" instruction card
• 4 ink pads (2 light and 2 dark green)
• general customization, any of the wording or colors can be modified
 

Brilliant! She also has baby shower trees and I am sure there will be more to come. Apparently I am not the only one taking notice. Eco Vintage Weddings posted a blog entry about their Wedding Tree, on March 19. If you take a look at her Etsy sales, you will quickly see that this wedding tree is a huge hit.

I know that this was not intended as an idea for a ketubah, but it fits so well. What could be more beautiful than a tree of life with signatures of all of the guests at your wedding. Very inspiring. I wish Jessie much success with her Etsy store. Looks like she is off to a great start.

From pencil doodles to spoonflower

I spent most of the afternoon working on roughs for Tahneer and Jon's Ketubah (can't share just yet, but it will be worth the wait!). After making great progress on that project, I was dying to get back to my doodled pencil flowers. Previously I scanned and colourized the doodles (see my last post) and created some fresh notes for Aunty Sandy (a big hit!). What to do next? Creating some repeats seemed to be the logical next step. Once I got going, it seemed like an opportunity to create a family of coordinated swatches based on the design of the flowers. Once I finished creating the repeats, off I went to spoonflower to upload and create new fabric designs—and voila! check out my spoonflower fabrics here. Although I have created fabric swatches, I am seeing paper goods as well with these designs. Gift bags and wrapping paper could be fun.

from pencil doodles to fresh notes

I spent Wednesday and Thursday invigilating medical exams with my husband. The doctors taking the exams were using these great HB pencils to fill in their multiple choice answer sheets. I haven't really drawn with a pencil for many years. The feel of the pencil in my hand drawing on clean white paper was intoxicating. I started working on some new flower designs that I hoped I could later adapt to a new series of Fresh notes, or repeat patterns for spoonflower fabrics.

When I got home, I scanned my drawing and started colourizing a couple of the flowers. Then I started adding stems and leaves and before long I had a couple of compositions I was quite happy with. I printed these and a couple of other variations and put together a set of Fresh notes to give to my Aunty Sandy for her birthday. Lots of fun! I took a couple of the pencils home with me after the exams were over...I see more pencil drawings in my future.

Wow! I made fabric today at spoonflower

It is really hard to concentrate at all with so many great opportunities out there to take advantage of. I was innocently checking on all my favourite blogs and noticed a new post from Print and Pattern. The post featured artist Valentina Ramos who does absolutely amazing work. Of course I immediately linked to her website and her blog. I quickly found a recent post where she was so excited about her fabric arriving...from spoonflower.
Well, anything else that was supposed to get done today, went out the window. I immediately adapted some of my designs into fabric. Have a look at my newest fresh creations!


© fresh creations by naomi 

© fresh creations by naomi 

© fresh creations by naomi

 

 © fresh creations by naomi

Kreativ Blogger Award: What a thrill

After a few days without checking twitter, I noticed to my surprise that I had been nominated by Moshe Mikanovsky for a Kreativ Blogger Award! Moshe is my hero for many reasons, but this was such an nice thing to do. Thanks Moshe!

So I backtracked to Moshe’s tweet and blog entry to find out what one does when nominated so that I can keep this moving along. Here are the rules:

The Rules

1. You must thank the person who has given you the award (tweeted immediately!).
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog (here it is!).
3. Link the person who has nominated you for the award (Moshe Mikanovsky Art Blog).
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting (see below).
5. Nominate 7 other Kreativ Bloggers (the easy part).
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate (even easier).
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs to let them know they have been nominated (working on it)

7 things about yourself that people might find interesting :
Here they are...

1. I have been collecting folk art by Philip Melvin for 15 years. I have more than 60 pieces. They are everywhere.
2. Proudly, Violet (my business partner of 20 years) and I have designed 12 stamps for Canada Post. Our most recent issue, a stamp commemorating Canada's first Gold medal on Canadian soil (Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics) is especially exciting.
3. I have of late become obsessed with patterns. I can't stop making them and thinking of things to do with them. If you have any ideas, I would love to hear from you!
4. Over the past few months, I have reinvented myself as a ketubah designer and surface designer. My company names are Fresh Ketubah and Fresh Surfaces. I am not exactly sure where this will take me, but the ride so far has been very invigorating.
5. I spent 12 very important years living in northern Israel, on Kibbutz Adamit. That experience will forever be with me and continues to influence my life.
6. This summer, my mom passed away after a very long illness. I needed something to motivate me and fill the space left behind. My friends and family thought this was an odd choice, but I started running with a group of amazing people called the Richmond Spirit Runners. Considering that I have never been athletic or even interested in something this physical, maybe it was a curious choice—but it has been an amazing experience. I am now up to 14k and who knows, maybe there is a half marathon in my future (don't tell anyone!)
7. I truly believe that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. I have some new goals and I am going for it!

My Kreativ Blogger Nominations are:

1. http://printpattern.blogspot.com/ 
2. http://favouritethingsbyfermliving.blogspot.com/
3. http://pikaland.com/
4. http://www.imagezoo.com/blog/ 
5. http://innertoddler.blogspot.com/
6. http://kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/
7. blog.illustrationcastle.com

That’s it!

Art code system revisited by Tara Reed

Tara Reed has reposted an article on how to code your artwork. This came at a very opportune time for me as I have just signed an agreement with imagezoo, a stock illustration company, and I seem to be up to eyeballs in folders of illustrations of one kind or another. Right now it may seem manageable but soon it will be completely out of control. The article is full of common sense ideas that could be helpful to anyone starting a career in art licensing.

Link to the full article below.

http://artlicensingblog.com/2010/03/11/art-code-system-revisited/

Modern Ketubah—Fresh ideas I can relate to

I had already planned on writing about Daniel Sroka, but reading his tweet a couple of days ago put the icing on the cake. Here is what he said:

Just had a fun conversation with a bride who chose one of my ketubahs because she didn't “want a ketubah that looked like a ketubah”.

Daniel is a fine art photographer and the artist and owner of Modern Ketubah. His ketubahs feature his breathtaking photographs of nature. What makes his work spectacular from my point of view is that the images are so sensuous. They seem to say I love you and want to be with you forever. The Bride Daniel referred to in his tweet, is correct—this ketubah does not look like a ketubah—which is why it caught my attention. The market is flooded with beautiful ketubah designs. But how do you get noticed? Daniel not only has beautiful work that is unique, but he has taken the time to make sure he is very visible—if you are looking for a ketubah —or a fine art print. Being successful doing something you love is very inspiring!

What is special about Modern Ketubah? Here is an excerpt from the Modern Ketubah website:

Modern Ketubah is artist owned and operated, based out of my studio in northern New Jersey. I personally work with every couple to make a ketubah that is perfect for them. It has now been over six years since I started Modern Ketubah, and in that time it has been my honor to create ketubahs for over a thousand couples across the US, Canada and the UK.

All of my ketubah designs are based on my fine art photography of flowers, leaves, and nature. Every ketubah is designed to be a careful blend of abstract natural imagery with beautifully contemporary language. I believe that these universal symbols of life offer couples a more inclusive approach to this ancient tradition. My goal is to create ketubot which any couple, from any background or situation can find meaningful and significant.

Since I have nearly 20 years of professional experience in graphic design, typography, photography and printing, you can be assured that your ketubah will meet the highest standard of quality. I take great pride in making sure that every ketubah I make is a handmade work of art worthy of your home. You can learn more at my nature photography website or by reading my blog.

Here is one of Daniel’s ketubah designs (copyright of course to Daniel Sroka and Modern Ketubah). Check out his Ketubahs and fine art prints at the links above.

New Ketubah—Fresh ideas I can relate to

As I sit at my computer each day dreaming up new ideas for patterns, or ketubah designs, I keep asking myself what does the market need or want. There are a so many of us out there doing this. What makes us stand out? Who has a chance of really making a go of this? What are the trends that I should be following.

As do my daily research, reading numerous blogs and viewing countless ketubah and art licensing sites, I am hard pressed to find true innovations or fresh ideas I can really relate to. When I do, they really make an impression on me — and obviously, I am not alone.

I will start with New Ketubah Designed by Tsilli Pines in Portland Oregon.  If you check out the comments happy brides have written about their experience with New Ketubah, it is clear that Tsilli has hit a chord. She is a designer and a craftsperson and her designs capture both of these elements. The designs are printed and sewn (yes that's right, sewn with a sewing machine). A modern version of a qult and a painting in one.

Not only is she original, but she is extremely generous. Mackenzie Sala of KenzieKate invitations posted this on March 1st

My favorite ketubah expert, Tsilli of New Ketubah, has just released a free downloadable DIY Ketubah Kit. I think it's fabulous that she's willing to offer her insight and expertise for nothing in return, and I think lots of people might benefit from her informative offer and her amazing design sense. Visit Tsilli here for all the details.

In a nut shell, Tsilli is willing to help as many people as possible to figure out how to make their own ketubah. Her only request is not to try to make money with her offerings. All I can say is wow!
Here is one of her designs. Copyright Tsilli Pines of course!

I believe—Olympic reflections

What a day. So hard to unwind. I finally fell asleep around 2:00 am. When I woke up at 6:30 am, I was humming Nikki Yanofsky’s song—I believe in the power of you and I.

CTV’s Brian Williams and others have said it may times this week—this experience has changed us all. Well, I don’t know about everyone else, but it has changed me. I know that there are many that have ranted for the last six years about VANOC, how the Olympics would be disastrous, wasteful two week party etc. I have to admit that working with VANOC myself had it’s tense and frustrating moments. But for me, the power of the last 17 days transcends all of that.

I remember when VANOC copyrighted “with glowing hearts” and “we believe” and we all felt like vomiting—what nerve! Well, now, I really feel these things. Not only as a Canadian, but as a human being. I know that after this experience, every challenge that I face on a daily basis will be approached in a different way. I am not so naive, as to think that simply believing will make things happen, but I am convinced that having goals and believing in yourself and having the support of others is a very powerful motivator.

Every time I finish a run and my muscles hurt, and I feel like sitting on the couch for the rest of the day, I will be reminded of Jennifer Heil and Alexandre Bilodeau and all of the Olympians around the world who work hard every day to attain new goals — and I will get off my butt and be productive.

Every time I think of Lynn and Lyle, John and Joan, Wendy and Peter, Gwen and Deirdre and Don from our running group who, on top of their very busy schedules, helped welcome the world to Vancouver by being Olympic volunteers — I will be inspired to be more giving.

Every time I sit at my computer and the job at hand, seems overwhelming and I just want to give up — I will remember that I believe in my goals and I will soldier on.

At 53, this Canadian, watched her first hockey game. I guess I picked the right one to watch! Marc and I headed to LiveCity Yaletown to see the 11:00 am Jim Byrnes concert. We lined up with the multitudes for an hour to enter the site, and found choice spots very near the stage. The concert was amazing. As the concert ended the hockey game began. We were in a sea of red and white. Neither of us thought we could sit through three hours of hockey—even if it was for gold—but we got swept away. I was yelling and cheering with arms in the air as if this was something I do regularly. Who knows, I may turn into a Canucks fan.

We poured out of LiveCity Yaletown, once Gold had been secured, took the Canada line to Waterfront Station to view the Olympic Caldron and with thousands of happy Canadian flag clad fans walked down Robson Street to find a restaurant or bar to watch the Closing Ceremonies and let off steam. Afterwards, as we were walking back to the Canada Line, we both commented that this was the way to end the games—on such a high note. This is what people will remember.

At home several hours later, we watched the Closing Ceremonies again without the din of the Irish pub, or the honking horns of the fans on Robson Street. What a day.

So, with a glowing heart I bid farewell to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and I say with pride — I believe!