Life Plans

I’m happiest when my life plans are ‘cast in iron’. This harmony, has recently been interrupted. I know what my strong points are, yet I’m usually unwilling to share them. This post is to kick-start me into documenting my personal development and growth, as a graphic designer and writer. So, I’m accountable for me….right? Right then!

I’ve been painting, drawing and making all sorts of artsy projects since I was old enough to hold a crayon. My sister used to refer to my career as “colouring all day. I wish! Here’s the thing… after I finished art school and started working as a studio/layout/production artist, I stopped designing anything that wasn’t for work. Once I was in that mode, it was difficult for me to trust my judgment and create personal work without a client to approve, or critique it.

I’m very excited to present my first design after a long artistic drought. Rendered in Photoshop, I began by typing out my favourite quote from Confucius. I sourced the vintage botanical image from thegraphicsfairy.com. By implementing various painting, layering and masking techniques in Photoshop, I created an inspirational typography poster.

Creative iPhone Photos

Yeah, so I kinda thought I had to get this snazzy DSLR and take photography courses to take great photos. Right. Take a look at these super creative photos – taken with an iPhone by Brock Davis. Genius at large…

funeral for a week-old egg roll

grape dog

snowman noses

lint roller with lint mustache

  ninja knee

parsley on apple / tree on hill

sad shoe

chopstick pants

mint match

Contemplation of a still life

I do so love these contemplative still life shots by Luisa Brimble, a Sydney based freelance photographer. Casual yet full of warmth, they capture the simplicity one feels within the home. Lovely.

Hand lettering

Tags

fashion, illustration, style, style of lettering

dontcha just love the vintage lettering that is currently all the design rage? i do. i’ve always loved this style of lettering. this print really caught my eye. the typography and hand lettering are fabulous. the phrase is oh so adorable!

Summer Dreaming

It’s so cold outside in Toronto and it’s snowing. I’m getting cabin fever,  so here’s something to warm my heart. This dreamy painting by Catrin Welz-Stein, is entitled Summer Dreaming! Happy Weekend!

Quirky art in a serious world

Tags

fabric, illustration, LIsa Bengtsson, pillows

Fun and funky design. Lisa Bengtsson’s patterns and illustrations are so unique. I’m so inspired by her rather unconventional illustrations and patterns. I’d love to own a set of those zebra plates. Notice the zebra is wearing heels! So unexpected. What would the dinner guests say, I wonder?

To see the rest of her lovely collection of wallpaper, fabrics, pillows and porcelain, visit her website.

The season is almost upon us

I’m getting ready for Christmas, are you? Today, I am inspired by this adorable Paris Christmas print and by the recipe for Salted Dark Chocolate Espresso Cookies. Santa’s sure to eat them all!

An artist’s haven

I can visualize myself living in a space like artist Tenka Gammelgaard’s Copenhagen home. It’s bright and airy with large windows and a neutral palette. I’m so envious! To have a studio space just like this one to create and experiment with photography…. a dream….

Photography: Jacob Termansen    Images via: Emmas Designblogg

Need fonts?

Random Inspiration

Random inspiration. Imagine super imposing a nature painting on your photo.Butterflies are often so vibrant with colour. This photo allows us to notice the gentle fragility of their wings. So lovely.
The view from below the trees. A photographer’s perspective shot becomes a powerful reminder of nature’s architecture.

Standard wire hangers lovingly covered in vintage paper. It’s the details that count.

Tattoo inspired artwork? Shapes and patterns merge to create art.The wall adds whimsy to this old school washroom. Love the patina on the mirror and chair.