It's been a long while right? Unfortunately I didn't get t London to see the queen but I guess, like everyone, I don't add to posts until I have something to say but I have been doing lots of great stuff some of which I have updated on to my web site.
Alice Meets Twinkle Published Book Illustrations
I spent a few months working on a fabulous children's book written by Amanda Took about a little girl who finds comfort in knowing that they are being helped and guided by angels. This was a wonderful challenge for me as my second published illustrated book and I hope that Amanda sees much success from it's publication, with a possible second in the series on the horizon.
I have added just a few images to the examples of work on my site and here are just a couple of my personal favourites for the colour and details:
Alice Meets Twinkle is available on Amazon and directly from the writer herself.
Art Therapy Workshops
I have also had the pleasure of working with adults and children delivering some art therapy sessions. This has now been added to my list of services, since gaining my Art Therapy qualification mid last year. Although it is not a psychology style qualification it does layer on top of my teaching quals and allow me to structure sessions to suit the needs of those who attend to provide the most relaxing and beneficial experience.
Fred's Friends
During the summer I was invited to Fred's Friends play scheme run by Natalie Cocker and had an absolute ball working with the children to create some fantasy style images with mixed media. The kids were such a pleasure to work with and seemed to enjoy getting messy with tissue and glue to make background scenes. They then chose a random card with a character on that they had to draw. Working in pairs encouraged team work and making choices together.
12 Million Minds Charity
Late last year I was contacted by Debs Sykes, who I had such a wonderful time with previously creating the illustrations for her first book 'Azraelle'. I have added some illustrations from the book and links previously to this site.
Debs works with children and adults who have suffered with trauma and asked if I would like to hold a workshop, a request I was delighted to accept. The theme of the workshop was mindfulness and I structured some simple and enjoyable activities around existing famous artists' work that the group would be able to achieve without the feeling of stress of having to come up with a final polished piece.
One of the things that struck me was the before and after pictures that the attendees created. Their first images, when compared to their second ones, were so different in colour and mark making. It was clear that from arriving to leaving the act of chatting, drawing, and adding colour resulted in a positive effect on wellbeing. We discussed what the final pieces meant to them and quite often there were thoughts of good memories of loved ones or even sitting drawing as a child, as simple but calming activity.
I am happy to say that I have been contacted by a school with the possibility of my next art therapy session and hope that this is something that I can build on for the future.
Returning Client This Week
I was so happy to be contacted by a returning client this week whose logos
and artwork you can see in many forms on my website. There is nothing more pleasing than someone who returns time and again with a challenge as they have confidence in the result being just what they are looking for.
Ellie was looking for a logo to represent her new beauty venture that must include reference to herself and her daughter. She is a hugely family orientated person and so generous and warm in character. Initial ideas weren't quite right so I went through the usual process of a mood board for ideas that I felt were what Ellie was looking for.
The final result, after a few amendments, is above. Every element hand drawn using Adobe Illustrator tools to create a logo that can be found nowhere else. Colours have been tweaked and placement considered to show Ellie and her daughter together whilst still representing a beauty brand.
The key is target market, sources of reference, and scoping out the competition. It is the start of any logo project as well as direction from the client. Clipart and stock images just wont cut it if you are to want longevity in your branding.
Even thought the line drawings are simple they are created to give a stylised effect with some colour added using the brush tools. Logos don't need to be complex but do need to be unique and convey the right message.
That was a bit of a throw everything in but longer projects are keeping me active and busy so I thought what the heck I'll throw it all into one log post to get up to speed.
Any logo, workshop of illustration enquiries can be addressed to my email address or use the contacts page.
Happy design hunting.