May 16, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 2 Comments

I’m Bored: Announcing “100 Flowers”

I’m bored. As you may know, many artists get bored easily—that’s why us creative types are always trying something new. I have completed “100 faces” but I have not posted them all. I think some of you were maybe getting bored with them too? If you want to see the complete collection you will have to go to fineartamerica.com. They are not all up yet; it takes time to format the images for the site and it takes away from my painting time—just one of the issues of being a one-woman business.

Announcing “100 Flowers”

With EVERYTHING in bloom, I have been inspired to start painting 100 Flowers. This should be fun, as I love gardening. I do not intend these paintings to be realistic but some of them may be. Usually, with my graphic design background, I like to simplify things. Here is Flower #1 which was created about two years ago—inspired from a rose called Pat Austin. This image is also available as a print or note cards etc. at fineartamerica.com.

Most of these paintings will be inspired from my own garden; however, if you would like to submit a favorite photo from your own garden, I will consider painting it. Send photos to hollyherick@charter.net.

Follow my blog and come along on my new
creative adventure.

XOXO,
Holly

May 1, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 1 Comment

100 Faces: #28 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Aquaboard

Meet “Julie”

April 30, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 0 comments

100 Faces: #27 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Aquaboard

Meet “Shira” meaning poetry or song in Hebrew.

April 27, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 0 comments

100 Faces: #26 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Aquaboard

Meet “Douloureux” —French word for sad. Pronounced “doo- le- row.”

April 24, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 0 comments

100 Faces: #25 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Aquaboard

Meet “Kiki”

Meet “Kiki” named from a character in my favorite childhood book “Kiki and Muffy” by Charlotte Steiner (1943)

April 24, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 1 Comment

100 Faces: #24 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Aquaboard

Meet “Dorit”

If you would like to suggest a name please comment below.

Better yet, follow my blog to get updates and new faces every couple of days.

April 19, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 0 comments

100 Faces: First Exhibition of Eight at the Studio at Living Opportunities—A Personal Account

100 Faces: “in light of our vision…” Exhibition to benefit the Studio at Living Opportunities:

Faces © Holly Herick

Maybe you have wondered where I have been lately—online—not physically? Maybe you didn’t notice my “100 Faces” blog has not been active lately. Maybe you don’t care…I’ll tell you anyway.

I have been very busy at my day job at the Studio at Living Opportunities. Our recent show “in light of our vision…” was a great success. Read about “My day Job” if you want more info.

Organizing this show was so much fun and it connected me with local artist in our community—just like I had hoped for this year. The interest in this show was so great that we had to turn artists away—more than anyone could have hoped for in a small studio to benefit people with disabilities in small town Oregon, USA. This event, for me personally, was a big deal. You see, I have been primarily a graphic designer until recent years. Don’t get me wrong. I studied Studio Art with emphasis in Graphic Design at the University of Arizona. After graduating I sought employment in the more commercial art field, and I was very successful, but money is not everything. If you are reading my blog right now I am guessing you may have already discovered this fact.

After many successful years in the commercial art field I decide to become self-employed. Many good years followed. Difficult pregnancies and time to raise my children changed my focus—until now. As my three kids gain independence and maturity, I find I have more time to be creative. This is a fun time in life—getting back to my creative roots.

A close-up of Faces 1-4

Check out the amazing sculpture to the right of the photo by one of our local Rogue Valley artist.

Back to the Studio at Living Opportunities: where I help artists with disabilities create art. Yes, I get to do this 20 hours a week. During our last exhibition “in light of our vision…” I spent a forty hour work-week preparing for the exhibition. This time it was different though. For the first time in many years, I was preparing to show eight pieces of my own work. The first eight of my “100 Faces” would be open to the public and open to criticism Was I ready for this? Yes, I was. My art is not dependent on other people’s opinions. If I only created art for other’s likes and affirmations, where would I be? Where would the artist’s of the Studio be? The Studio artists are so free and do not care about opinion. Disabilities are in my mind are freedom; freedom to express oneself, and freedom from opinions. True freedom—the Studio artists create for pure joy’s sake. So how can I fear? What is there to fear when I get to mentor artists like these?

I Am Blessed.

April 16, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 6 Comments

My Day Job: the Studio at Living Opportunities

My Day Job. Our Latest Event at the Studio at Living Opportunities.

If you follow my blog closely, you have
heard about my “day job.”

Local artist: Susan Derosa, I love her.

Local Artist: Kim Novak

Studio Artist from the Studio at Living Opportunities. This young lady, with a hearing disability, paints beautiful artwork.

Art by Dan Mish, Studio Creative Director with Local Artist Dana Faegin.

Local artists sharing their work at the Studio at Living Opportunities. Thank you friends of the Studio, Gabriel Lipper and Peggi Smith. Peggi, you are super fun.

Artist Yang Yu and interested buyer, Fran Batzer.

“Celebration” by Yang Yu, probably my favorite of the whole exhibition!

Some inquiring folks admiring and talking with me about my current project “100 faces.”

Randall Grealish, local artist, brought a Smart Car from Mercedes Benz for our artists to draw on and express themselves during the show. Art is awesome, art is cool, art is fun. Thanks Randall.

Food and drink is good…

Studio Supplies and selling artwork from my humble, donated desk. Randall’s copper piece is on the wall at the left of the above photo.

Studio workshop table clothes are a work of art in their own right

This Studio artist paints about 52 paintings a year, one painting a week, within one hour.

Thank you to all the local artists: Susan Derosa, Dana Feagin, Elaine Frenett, Randall Grealish, Holly Herick, Keith Johnson, Gabriel Lipper, Dan Mish, Jana Parkes, Pegi Smith, Yang Yu, Kevin Christman, Stephanie Gentry, and Kim Novak. this event “in light of out vision…” helped to create awareness for the Studio. Come by and see us at the Studio at Living Opportunities, 32 South Central, Medford Oregon, USA. 2-4 M-F.

April 13, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 1 Comment

How to be creative: a great quote

Recently, I have been researching creativity. What is creativity? How does one become creative? Why do some consider themselves creative while others do not? Do you have to be an artist to be considered creative? Is creativity a gift
or is it discipline? Is it Passion or Practice?

The first part of this quote is from a book by James Altucher.
The credit to God at the end is added by me.
If you want to be more creative read this article
9 Illuminating Lessons on Creativity

April 1, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 0 comments

100 Faces: “What’s Her Name?” #22 and #23 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Yupo

On My Way to Painting 100 Faces: Here is “What’s Her Name?” #22 and #23

INTRODUCING “Helga”

“Helga” © Holly Herick

INTRODUCING “Aisha”

“Aisha” © Holly Herick

If you would like to suggest a name please comment below.

Better yet, follow my blog to get updates and new faces every couple of days.

April 1, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 1 Comment

100 Faces: “What’s Her Name?” #19, #20 and #21 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Yupo

On My Way to Painting 100 Faces: Here is “What’s Her Name?” #19, #20, and #21

I am running way behind in posting so this is a catch up post. Thus the many faces.

INTRODUCING “Camille”

“Camille” © Holly Herick

INTRODUCING “Jerria”

“Jerria”© Holly Herick

INTRODUCING “Maylin”

“MAYLIN” © Holly Herick

If you would like to suggest a name please comment below.

Better yet, follow my blog to get updates and new faces every couple of days.

March 28, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 0 comments

100 Faces: “What’s Her Name?” #18 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Yupo

On My Way to Painting 100 Faces: Here is “What’s Her Name?” #18

INTRODUCING “EFFIE MAE”

“Effie Mae” © Holly Herick

Thank you Kathy Tinsley. If you would like to suggest a name please comment below.

Better yet, follow my blog to get updates and new faces every couple of days.

March 26, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 0 comments

100 Faces: “What’s Her Name?” #17 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Yupo

On My Way to Painting 100 Faces:
Here is “What’s Her Name?” #17

INTRODUCING “Vivida”

“Vivida” © Holly Herick

Thank you Prima Lemons Bohall. If you would like to suggest a name please comment below.

Better yet, follow my blog to get updates and new faces every couple of days.

March 21, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 0 comments

100 Faces: “What’s Her Name?” #16 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Yupo

On My Way to Painting 100 Faces:
Here is “What’s Her Name?” #16

INTRODUCING “mirela”

watercolor, Yupo, Sharpie, doc Matin's , mixed media, Prismacolor

“Mirela” © Holly Herick

Thanks you Susan Butterfly-Ebert. If you would like to suggest a name please comment below.

Better yet, follow my blog to get updates and new faces every couple of days.

March 20, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 0 comments

100 Faces: “What’s Her Name?” #15 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Yupo

On My Way to Painting 100 Faces:
Here is “What’s Her Name?” #15

Introducing “Portencia”

“Portencia” © Holly Herick

Recently I have received bad news that has made my heart ache. Without going into detail, let’s just say, two people I know have received an unfavorable diagnosis within the last week. This face has been named Portencia in honor of someone I love.

If you would like to suggest a name please comment below.

Better yet, follow my blog to get updates and new faces every couple of days.

March 20, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 1 Comment

100 Faces: “What’s Her Name?” #14 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Yupo

On My Way to Painting 100 Faces:
Here is “What’s Her Name?” #14

“Jacinta” © Holly Herick

Please give her a name. Leave your comments below.

Better yet, follow my blog to get updates and new faces every couple of days.

March 14, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 0 comments

100 Faces: “What’s Her Name?” #13 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Yupo

On My Way to Painting 100 Faces:
Here is “What’s Her Name?” #13

ANNOUNCING ”Willamae”

As requested by Lynda Morrison—”We shall call her Willamae—she is beautiful. Lynda requested a face with red hair, lips, green/hazel eyes and an updo of this style. So I drew from my mind and this face became Willamae. Thanks Lynda for the request.

Please give her a name. Leave your comments below.

Better yet, follow my blog to get updates and new faces every couple of days.

March 13, 2013 by Holly Herick Design - 0 comments

100 Faces: “What’s Her Name?” #12 Watercolor and Mixed Media on Yupo

On My Way to Painting 100 Faces:
Here is “What’s Her Name?” #12

ANNOUNCING “MARCELA”

I am learning as I go. Learning so much about what I love in art—and about myself. This has been such a wonderful experience for me because so many of my friends are participating through Facebook. Each day I post a new face, I have had 30-50 names suggested in the comments. Pondering the names is a great joy for me. My intent is to create multi-cultural faces from my mind. I may study images of people from a certain culture before I paint or sometimes just wait and see what I draw and paint. On occasion, I open up my iphoto and look at old photos of friends and family. That is always a treat—and I end up sending old photos to friends saying “Remember when?” iphoto can be a little distracting, albeit a useful tool.

I definitely thought this face had a Spanish heritage. Of the 30+ names suggested, I fell in love with “Marcela.” Thank you Mary Kell and Don Jacober for suggesting and confirming it was the right name for this face.

Please name her. Leave your comments below.