For the Bees

Work in Progress!

My mom is a bee keeper and a big proponent of native plants. I decided to work on an illustration about which flowers to plant to help bees thrive. I plan to print this on cards and small posters to sell along side her beeswax candles and jars of honey. I’m trying to decide if I should keep this as a digital illustration, or use this as a template for putting paint on paper.

UPDATE! Here’s the painted version, I’m digging the slightly muted colors. I have plans to eventually add the names of the flowers around the outer edge.

January floral illustration

January :: Carnation

fascination / distinction / love

December floral illustration

Back in action and trying something new!

I had a baby (hi Winona!) just about four months ago and as much as I love being a stay at home mom, I’m also realizing I need a creative outlet. Not only does it make me feel productive (not that baby talk and activity mats aren’t productive…), but I’ve been experience some real postpartum anxiety — this low level buzzing that I manage by running around trying to get as much done as possible, every second of the day, only to crash, utterly exhausted by 9pm. I’ve started back at my job as a Creative Director, but have scaled my hours back enough that I can also work on personal projects more — and man, I’ve got a lot of ideas.

What I’m most excited about are these floral pattern illustrations I’ve been working on. There’s just something about planning and executing patterns that soothes my mind. I was inspired by folk art and pysanka designs and wanted to keep an organic feel by hand-drawing every element. No duplicating vectors here. The plan is to do one a month based on the birth flower of that month.

First up, December — Poinsettia

I’ve been working on my Lenovo pad with a stylus, a new process for me and one that I’m enjoying getting the feel for. Bonus — it’s so convenient to cary around that I have been doing bits of work here and there in between diaper changes, feedings, etc. Little victories!

Personal Business Card Design

A couple months ago I did a complete redesign of my personal logo and website, but I was neglecting my business card design as long as possible. I finally decided to try out moo.com and with their 50 image option. I knew I wasn't going to be able to choose just one back image, so why not use them all?! 

I wanted a variety of back options that I could tailor to the people receiving them. I also wanted to feature simple patterns or illustrations and focus on color combinations. I've always been a color theory nerd and this was a perfect opportunity to explore without constraints. I tried to have a variety or feeling for each back; some more professional, some that represented specific seasons, but all simple and interesting — the way I like to work. 

Here's what I came up with

Now I had to come up with a front. I knew I wanted to focus on my shiny, new logo and keep the rest very simple. I didn't want it to compete with the back(s). 

I went with the Moo card size, which is slightly taller and skinnier than normal business cards, and I sprung for the Soft Touch Super Business Card option. When I received the cards in the mail I was more than pleasantly surprised. I've used online printing before where you can see the digital printing dots and seemed like something I could print on my office printer. My new cards, on the other hand, are sturdy, they have a soft velvet feel and impeccably printed. I will definitely reorder once I run out! .. I may have to come up with 42 more back options before then!

See more images of my final cards here »