Flowers, Gardening and Painting: 100 Flowers # 11

Flowers, gardening and painting…

© Holly Herick

Where has my passion for painting flowers come from? I grew up in Arizona where flowers were maybe not as big, beautiful and bright as they are in Oregon. After having children, I became more interested in nurturing things. Whether it be a child, flowers, or creativity; I knew it was important to nurture. In Scottsdale, Arizona the weather was often hot—too hot to weed a garden. I did not like taking care of the yard when I was young. It seemed like a chore, using too much water—a precious resource. Now that I have lived in a more temperate climate in Southern Oregon, with more rain, I feel more inclined to the use of water, the climate and nurturing flowers. Painting flowers has been a life long study of nature beginning in the Arizona dessert with California Poppies on the Four Peaks of Scottsdale, AZ and concluding with the flowers native to Southern Oregon. Most of these images come from my memory. Whether it be the Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona, Oahu, Hawaii or Portland, Oregon; it is all committed to memory. Somewhere from my mind, come the images in these floral paintings. Favorite flowers of mine include multi-petaled flowers including Hydrangeas, Gerber Daisies, Peonies, Austin Roses, Poppies, Ranunculuses and more.

Look at my paintings and guess what flowers may have influenced my paintings. Sometimes I don’t even know…

Above is the next one, what kind of flower is this? Prismacolor pencil on paper.

Follow my blog and come along on my new

creative adventure.

XOXO,
Holly

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.

 

 

 

FurnARTure

Third Annual FurnARTure Auction for the Studio at Living Opportunities

Once again this year I will be donating a piece of furniture or “FurARTure” to the Studio at Living Opportunities. On October 7, 2012 at Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville, Oregon from 2-5 pm, the Studio at Living Opportunities will hold the Third Annual FurARTure Auction. Artist from around the Rogue Valley will gather together and donate their art to benefit the Studio at Living Opportunities. This year the auction will include a raffle for a fabulous wine rack painting by Gabriel Lipper—including almost $2000 of wine. Anything Gabriel paints is worth tens of thousands so these raffle tickets will go fast. Raffle tickets can be purchased from me for $50 each—what a steal! (winner does not need to be present to win). Last year I painted a pre-set table which you can see below and read more about here.

© Holly Herick. FurnARTure piece 2011.

This year I am also painting a table and I am super excited about it.

© Holly Herick. In process: the paint is visibly wet in this photo.

My table design is loosely based on a zinnia flower. I have been working on it over the past month. If you are interested in bidding on this table you will have to attend the fabulously fun and feel-good event that is the Third Annual FurnARTure Auction to benefit the Studio at Living Opportunities. Tickets are $25 per person and include a bidding number, live music, appetizers, beer and wine. You can contact me for tickets or call Living Opportunities at 541.772.1503.

Poster design by Snapshot Group

During the Third Friday Artwalk in Medford on September 21, 2012 Terra Firma Home will be hosting a sneak preview of the furnARTure that will be auctioned this year.  The Third Friday Artwalk event will be from 5-7 pm at 309 East Main Street,
Medford, Oregon. Thanks Terra Firma for your support! Did you see all the other wonderful sponsors we have on the poster? Thank you Snapshot Group, Valley Immediate Care, Southern Oregon Endodontics, Cutler Investment Group LLC, Newswatch 12, Fox 26 and again, Terrra Firma.

© Holly Herick. After about seven coats of paint.

After about seven coats of paint—I think it still needs something to make it pop. It needs a little bit of the unexpected. Maybe…a little bit of purple. Did I mention that I want to keep this table? You will be prying it from my paint stained fingers at the auction. No—but really—the funds could not go to a better cause.

© Holly Herick

© Holly Herick

© Holly Herick

 

This is the most up-to-date photo of my table that I am going to show you. Did I change it up a little or not? Come to the event to find out…

I have mentioned the event—all the great art, music, food, beer, wine, and great people in a beautiful historic setting in Jacksonville, but the best reason to attend this event is to support the artists of the Studio at Living Opportunities I would love to tell you all about each one of them because each artist is so special to me. To learn more about some of the artists that attend the studio workshops weekly between 2-4pm click here. Check it out—you will be amazed. And the Studio has a facebook page so like us on facebook.

Abstract watercolor 2

Loosely based on a flower, these abstract watercolors look great in any home—traditional to contemporary.

Finally got the art up on the wall.

It is the little things in life that create success.

I finally got my art up on on the wall, Here are a few photos.

Close ups

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Happy Valentine’s Day from Holly Herick Design

❤ ❤ ❤

Inspired by skhedrdesigns.blogspot.com

Social Media for Small Businesses: Get on board.

Small business owners, if you are not using social media to promote your business, you are behind the times. Review this graphic, then contact me at hollyherick.com for help.

Many of my clients a looking to develop a blog to keep in touch with their clients and promote their business through social media. Check out my web pages tab to see some of my recent web/blog projects. I can help. Call me for a free consultation. 541.899.7093

Image copyright crowdspring.com

FurnARTure to benefit The Studio at Living Opportunities of Medford, Oregon

On Sunday, October 2, 2011 from 2-5 pm at Bigham Knoll in Historic Jacksonville, OR. I will be donating a piece of furnARTure  to the Studio at Living Opportunities for auction.

One of my favorite local ways to volunteer is at The Studio for Living Opportunities. This year I will be donating a painted piece of furniture for the “FurnARTure Auction” My piece this year is a kitchen table painted to look like it is already set.

I procrastinated on this project all summer, but sometimes one just needs a little pressure to get things going. I had many ideas, but finally decided on the sketch below. I removed the legs from the table in order to actually move it. The table is solid wood and is quite heavy. Then I sanded and prepared the table for paint. Look below and you will see some of my process as I painted the table runner, plates and cups. I wanted the table setting to look real, but not be too literal so I used a gel medium to build up the paint and create a lot of texture. Most of the paint is house paint from Benjamin Moore left over from painting our home seven years ago. I also used some bright acrylics when needed.

The finished piece of furniture or in this case FurnARTture.

The perspective changes for each setting. In order for the person sitting at the table to not feel like their glass was tipping over, I decided this would be the most fun. The perspective also entices one to walk around the table and look at it from each view, making this piece of art interactive, and functional too.

Third Friday Art Walk in Medford, OR

Last Friday evening my table, along with other FurnArture, was on display at The Studio at 32 Central—across from the Ginger Roger Theater. It was such a joy to watch people walk through the door and say “wow” and walk over a feel the table. This table and most of my acrylic paintings are very textural. Part of the experience with my acrylic artwork is touching the piece and I want people to do that. My piece and the other FurnARTure will be on display at Terra Firma Home on Main in Medford until the auction at Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville on October 2, 2011.

If you are interested in bidding on this piece, you will need to attend the furARTure auction at Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville on October 2, 2011. Proceeds from this table will be donated to my favorite charity, The Studio at Living Opportunities here in Medford. If you would like to commission a painted piece of furniture, you can use my contact me tab on the top right of my web page.

“Love From Me” book now available

Dear friends, loved ones, and followers:

“Love From Me” is a book of amazing inspirational art compiled to raise money for cancer fighters. I have a page dedicated to my friend Wendy Anderson in it (p. 44). The book is now available for sale. I will not make any money from the sale of the book, my art is donated.

PLEASE follow the link to view the entire book and purchase “Love From Me.” It is a wonderful gift for people fighting the battle against cancer and a great coffee table book—truly inspirational.

“Love From Me”

The Love From Me Project is an extension of the Paws For Charity Art Book Project (pawsforcharity.blogspot.com), and is the 3rd annual Art Book Project compiled and edited by Sara Harley.

The Paws For Charity Art Book Project was started in 2009 and raised funds for breast cancer charity while celebrating the bond we feel for our pets.

This year continues with the Love From Me Project…Inspirational images donated by 61 artists and photographers from many countries. All funds raised from this project are donated to The Rose Fund, c/o the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada. This is a registered charity to help cancer patients who are facing financial difficulty as a result of dealing with their cancer treatments.
My page dedicated to Wendy:

"Love from Me" compiled by Sara Harley

If you purchase the book or at least view it online, I would love your feedback. Please come back and leave me a comment about the book—or the battle you or your loved one have fought against cancer.

New favorite blog!

Please check out this blog that I am so proud to be a part of. It is amazing that I can help people around the world through my God-given talents and connections. The “Love from Me” project is dedicated to people suffering from cancer. In this blog you will find many artist whom have dedicated their art to friends who have been through cancer. My dedication is to my friend Wendy. “Foxgloves for Wendy” was painted around the time that Wendy fought and died of breast cancer. Here is my page from the book that is being created to honor cancer sufferers.

"Love from Me" by Sara Harley

When it becomes available I will share the link so that you may purchase the book in order to support those whom have suffered in your life.

What do you get when you mix a Duke Blue Devil and an Oregon Duck?

In our neck of the woods, Medford Oregon, otherwise know as the Rogue Valley, or Southern Oregon, or the “State of Jefferson,” we love our sports. In recent years, South Medford High School Basketball has become especially popular. Why, because of the quality of the program and quite notably, brothers—Kyle and EJ Singler. Kyle Singler is now a senior at Duke and EJ Singler is a sophomore at University of Oregon, both continuing in some amazing basketball. So you might think this post is a little off topic for my blog…well actually, it fits right into my design and art skills, so I have decided to share with all of you who may be fans of Oregon or Duke or both. Yes, Oregon Ducks are currently ranked number one in the US for Football and the Oregon State Beavers are doing extremely well also. Both teams are well followed in Oregon, but I am now looking forward to next month, when basketball begins. At the Rose Garden, in Portland, on November 27, 2010, the Duke Blue Devils and the Oregon Ducks will come face to face, brother to brother in one downright exciting game. The big question is—for those of us in Southern Oregon who love and follow both teams—what do you wear to the game to support both teams—and there will be fans for both teams—almost 900 block tickets were ordered through South Medford High’s Coach Murphy for this game in particular.

So, I was approached by a friend to create a t-shirt that dual fans could wear to the game. A “Devil of a Duck Fan” was born. We cheer both teams. We love both teams. We look forward to college basketball season with wonder and excitement. And we look forward to the Rose Garden in Portland for one awesome Duck vs. Blue Devil game!

If you are a “Devil of a Duck Fan” you will might want a t-shirt, printed with the design below—design removed for legal reasons— to show your dual pride. Unfortunately, we can not print this design because of copyright infringement. You may be a “Devil of a Duck Fan,” but I can not print this shirt for you. Too bad, we had many people who wanted to wear this design to the game. We are Fans and we will be decorated to show our pride!

Start your Holiday shopping now.

If you are looking for a custom portrait of your dog, cat, horse, or any pet, you need to plan ahead. An original custom portrait takes about a month to create. From the first contact about the portrait, through planning, sketching, painting, drying, framing and shipping, it takes time. If you want to give a Pet Portrait for Christmas you need to contact me now. Prices start at $225. Sample pet portraits below:

CHONGO

COCO

LUCY

If you can’t afford giving a custom portrait as a gift, consider ordering a print, poster, or set of cards to give as a gift. As I create, I am added my art to my own shop at Zazzle.com. Check it out. Products include, pet portraits, watercolor illustrations of flowers, photography, paintings and more. Items can be ordered in a variety of forms such as, cards, prints, posters, coffee mugs, hats, mouse pads and t-shirts. If there is an image you like and it is not offered in the product line you are looking for just drop me a note and I will create it for you. Fine art prints and posters will be created with archival quality inks and you have the option to have it framed at a reasonable price. Below are samples of some of my card and poster images.

FOXGLOVE

POPPY

ROSE

BLEEDING HEART

I plan on creating a line of cards with historic buildings of Jacksonville. The Pink Church is the first of one.PINK CHURCH, JACKSONVILLE

If you like my style please pass my store link along to a friend. You can also find a link to my Zazzle store on the top right of my blog: PURCHASE MY ART.

“Your Dog Here”

“Your Dog Here” is about a new creative line of paintings I am doing. Commissioned Pet Portraits are so much fun. They capture your pet in a whole new light—fun and whimsical, real but imaginary. This first one is Chongo, my own dog. He is a poodle and shih tzu mix.

CHONGO: Watercolor on Yupo

Chongo was painted with liquid watercolors on “Yupo” paper which is a 100% plastic paper. At first I hated this recycled synthetic paper, but now I am learning to love it. First of all, the paper is not made from a single tree. Cool huh? On the other hand, the paper does not behave like any “tree” paper I have ever used. The paint sits on top of the paper. The pigment does not get absorbed or blend together, so the big problem I am having now is how to frame this art. The paint seems to remain tacky on the Yupo paper.

COCO: Watercolor on Yupo

I am learning to use Yupo paper. Below is my fifth pet portrait on Yupo.

LUCY: Watercolor on Yupo

I will keep experimenting with some fixatives to see if they help the paint set for framing. If you have used Yupo paper or have any ideas on how to set the paint for framing this medium/paper, please let me know. A couple of good photos of your favorite pet are great reference for a portrait. Eye level photos are best for reference and focal point. If you are interested in having a pet portrait created please contact me @ hollyherick@charter.net.

Next up:—Tabitha!

Feedback welcome.

New Wedding Invitation

Ray and Jennifer are getting married! The bride contacted me asking for a design for their destination wedding in Newport Beach, California. Because they are getting married on a private cruise ship called “Destiny”—we decided that the invitations would reflect the idea of an actual cruise ticket. Jennifer sent me a photo of her bridesmaid in a  beautiful burnt orange silk dress, thus the color inspiration. The soft sea-foam aqua color comes from the ocean. She also requested that I use a seahorse on the invitation, what a great way incorporate her personality. I created an insignia for them by facing two seahorses toward each other; if you look closely you will see the seahorses in the damask pattern.

INVITATION

MAP & INFO CARD

MATCHING CARDS AND ENVELOPE

New paper: recycled plastic paper—fake paper.

Hi friends, it  has been a while since I have posted. Summer has been ultra busy, but so much fun. I love having the kids home, taking trips, visiting with friends and family, gardening and sitting by the pool. What will I do when the weather changes? Will I paint more? That will be the question. Meanwhile, an opportunity has possibly opened up to join a sort of Art Co-Op. “Creator’s Gallery.” If you are the praying type, or even if you’re not, please pray that the Lord would guide me on how to approach this new adventure.

I am technically challenged, but always willing to try something new, with art that is; I am not ready to skydive, although zip-lines are not out of the question. My new art exploration is called “Yupo” It is a ‘paper’ that is 100% polypropylene—plastic. Yes plastic paper. I am always willing to try something that is recycled. It is very different from wood pulp paper. It does not absorb any paint or water at all. Not surprising, but what is surprising is that it actually works with watercolor paints—”works” is the operative word here though. All of the pigment sits on top of the paper and takes a very long time to dry. The first time I used it, I hated it. The second time I used it, I think I liked it. I found that I had to really let loose and paint fast because the watercolors did things I did not expect. For example, the pigments do not move on the paper unless they have a push advantage. By this I mean a dominant color will push a less dominant color out of the way. Also, the more water you put on the paper, the more it will push pigments out of the way. (look at the rose I panted and see what the yellow and green did).

The second watercolor painting I did on Yupo was the “Blue Dog.” A totally different experience than the “Pat Austin Rose.” The “Blue Dog” is a subject I did from my memory and painted fast. It is also more abstract than the rose in that the colors are more adventurous. I don’t know anyone with a blue dog.

Take a look at these two paintings and give me feedback. If you have any experience with Yupo paper please let me know. Send me samples of your paintings or any hints on how to use it. Any painting or art on Yupo paper will possibly be selected fro a future blog about Plastic Paper and Recycled Art. Send your samples to hollyherick@charter.net.

Below are my first two paintings on Yupo. No. 1  “Pat Austin Rose” and No. 2 “Blue Dog.”

Blue Dog:

Please give feedback. “I love it” or “looks great” are not constructive, please give input. Be specific, I won’t delete you as a friend—don’t worry. And remember, send in your pix of any Yupo art so I can post them on my future Yupo blog.

“Coco” third painting on Yupo below.

Just added a ne painting on Yupo. This is Lucy.

Yellow Tulip

Working on watercolor study of my garden again. It seems to be what I like to paint the most.

First, I print out my inspiration photograph and draw a grid on it.

Then I transfer the grid and drawing to scale onto the paper.

© Holly Herick Design

The painting begins.

Final watercolor: yellow tulip from my yard.

Summer Goals

Summer is finally here and after a very busy Spring it is time to set some summer goals.

Although I am a graphic designer, I had to take many fine art classes to get to this point in my life. When I was younger I considered those classes as a “means to an end”—becoming a graphic designer. Now, I am beginning to realize how much I enjoyed those drawing and painting classes. I can’t just create a paying job whenever I want, but I can create a drawing, painting or mixed media project whenever I want. My goal is to keep my brain exercised. So this Summer I am challenging myself to paint two finished works of art each week. Some may be simple, some complex. Just get it done.

I am starting with a watercolor painting my favorite hotel, The Moana Surfrider in Waikiki Hawaii. This historical hotel is the birthplace of international surfing and has a charming plantation feel. plus it’s  right on the beach. Duke Kahahamoku, the father of  surfing and olympic swimming medalist grew up on this beach. The hotel is filled with memorabilia of the early days of Waikiki. The center court faces the ocean and is shaded by the biggest Banyan tree I have ever encountered.  Facing the street, the front porch has giant rocking chairs to lounge in and allows for  fantastic people watching and plenty of street artist performances. Within a few steps you can find shopping, fine dining, sculpture, an aquarium and a zoo. Oh yeah, and of course the beach. Did I mention the beach?

Below: the Westin Moana Surfrider

Here is a link to the google maps street view I am using to paint from. did you know you can drag that little person onto the map and look around as if you are there? If you haven’t ever tried it your should—virtual travel is the next best to being there. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=hawaii+usa&sll=42.052611,-124.283982&sspn=0.22561,0.503311&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Hawaii&layer=c&cbll=21.276899,-157.826464&panoid=R6ohlag071WckQiCjL4FTA&cbp=12,212.27,,0,-10.1&ll=21.27683,-157.826387&spn=0.002212,0.003932&z=19

My sketch of the hotel is light because it will show through the paint if it is too dark. The blue border is painter’s tape, it holds down the edges of the watercolor paper.

Below: laying in washes of color

MORE TO COME

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This is my final painting. It is much brighter than the actual hotel, I guess I just don’t know how else to paint. Sometimes I get caught up in the details and don’t like how I am painting. I want to encourage others to keep going. In the end, the little details do not seem to matter so much. I have to force myself to complete paintings sometimes. It is hard to allow mistakes, but do it anyway. It is so worth it! You will learn in the process.

Follow along with me, or if you are really interested you can paint with me. If you are not an artist, you can challenge your creative brain with cooking, gardening, or something else. What will your summer goal be?

Now you can get my artwork on zazzle.com

Check out my shop at zazzle.com. Many of my watercolor paintings and photographs can be purchased for gifts or even framing.

Every Once in a While

Ever feel like your stagnant? Nothing new going on, looking for inspiration? I go out in the garden and look for beautiful things—flowers, bugs, sky, colors. this time of year I am lucky to have things growing and blooming. If we have one week of hot weather, things will burst open. I can’t wait to share with you. Today, I found these wonderful flowers—and a few bugs. The Bleeding Hearts interest me the most. Maybe I will get a chance to paint them soon.

Bleeding Hearts: There is something special about a flower close up. The ultimate “art” of our Creator.

Cream colored tulip. Black bug exploring petals.

Climbing Clematis, “Sunset”

Lupine.

Spanish Lavender. Happy Bees.

Stock.

Flowers on steps. Anyone know what this one is called?

I love to look at flowers and bugs, anything close up. What’s your favorite? What makes you wonder—what makes stop to look and admire creation? If you would like to paint with me, I wold love it, contact me below.

Were you creative today?

Creative Adventures is all about challenging yourself each and every day to create something new. Today instead of painting, making jewelry, designing a logo,  or teaching kids, I helped a friend. We reconnected and talked about the current market. e commerce has changed things and we are forging ahead. There is so much joy in helping others. Here is a sample of  Karen’s work.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Bridget-Jewelry/278692656567?v=wall&story_fbid=387285981567#!/pages/Little-Bridget-Jewelry/278692656567?v=wall

Check it out at “Little Bridget Jewelry” on facebook or ETSY. I would totally wear her designs, how about you?

File formats and acronyms: .jpg .gif .png .pdf

Many of my clients get confused about which file format to use when uploading items to their web site or when using files for print. It is hard to explain, but I am going to try my best in order to help out any non-techies out there. These are not the only formats available, but these are the most widely used.

JPG or “Joint Photographic Experts Group” is commonly used for digital photography. This format has been around since about 1992. Maybe you use the format when uploading photos to your social networking site such a facebook. This format compresses the file size to manageable size for web transfer; however, it is a “lossy” format. Meaning, each time the file is saved as a .jpg, info is lost by compression. Do not save original source files from design programs to .jpg for this reason.

GIF or ” Graphic Interchange Format” has been around since about 1987. It is an 8 bit format, meaning it uses only 256 colors. It is a “lossless” format and supports transparency. You say ” what does that mean, supports tranpsency?” Well, for example, when you try to place your business logo on a colored background or predesigned web template with a cool background and you get that white box behind it—that is totally distracting—from the page layout, and makes your logo look like a brick… that file is not supporting transparency. Therefore, because it supports transparency, GIF is often the best file type to use for logos and icons. GIF even supports some minor animation.

PNG or ” Portable Network Graphics” is a “lossless” (no compression, no data lost) format that supports transparency and millions of colors. So it seems like this would be the best format hands down, why not just use PNG all the time? PNGs creates a large file size and are not supported by some of the older web browsers. As web standards progress, this will probably be the best choice for logos and icons.

PDF or “Portable Document Format” is used for printable files. It is used universally by MAC and Windows based computers. PDFs are what you would supply to your printer for business cards, flyers, brochures, etc. PDFs are exported from many different computer software programs like the Adobe Create Suite 5, also known as CS5. There are many different ways to save a PDFs from these programs. I would encourage you to find and build a relationship with a printer in your area. From my experience, a good relationship with a printer is invaluable. I like to use Arnie at Pronto Print in the Medford area. You can find more info about Pronto Print at www.gopronto.com or www.pronto.colorforbusiness.com or email Arnie at prontoprint@gopronto.com for personal service. If all of this seems a little daunting and you would rather have someone who understands the design process to handle your printing needs, then call me at 541.899.7093. To view my portfolio check out the link on the left, or go to Holly Herick Design, or Holly Herick Illustration.

If you have any more questions about these file formats, give me a call or drop me a note at hollyherick@charter.net and I will try to answer them.

One last acronym for today,

TTFN

April Showers, bring May Flowers, and Prom

Old gardens are extra special.

Today I went with a friend to her mother’s garden which was abundant with Lilacs and Snowballs. It is not the fact that her mother is older than us that made the garden glorious, but the fact that the garden is mature. What a treat to have to climb a ladder to fetch these beautiful Lilacs. We have a special project in mind for these flowers, soon they will become a wrist corsage for his Prom date.

This week Dillon and I went to the store to purchase crystals for Kayla’s corsage. We used elastic cord and made a three strand bracelet—two of the stands were tight so they would hold the flowers to her wrist. Above is the bracelet we designed. It has one large teardrop crystal at the bottom.

Dillon wrapping the flower stems with florist tape. Lilacs and Snowballs.

The flowers were attached to the crystals with florist tape.

Kayla wearing the corsage. For me, part of having a creative home is sharing with my children. The time I spent with Dillon working on this bracelet corsage will be forever in my mind.

Flowers are my favorite inspiration throughout the year. I loose track of time when I am in the garden. Every flower, to me, is like a intricate painting from God—a glorious creation, right in front of me. What a wonderful way to enjoy flowers, by sharing them with Kayla. How can I NOT get excited? Happy May Day!

Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other’s gold.

I seem to have some sort of connection to photographers these days. First I worked on a logo for Tim Tidball Photography, and now for Soulful Heart Photography. Soulful Heart Photography is the business of an old high school friend Patty Rader Williams. Above is one of my favorite photograph’s of Patty’s. Below is her revised logo.

Isn’t it amazing that we can still keep in touch via this social network called “facebook.” Maybe you’ve heard of it?

My mother used to say, “Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold.” She also used to say, “You’ll never remember those friends from high school.” Well, Mama was right in some ways and wrong in others. Patty is a “golden” friend who now lives in Texas. I have never been to Texas, yet she contacted me recently for some small business design work. What an amazing tool facebook is to display my creative efforts.

I am so impressed with Patty’s collection of photographs that I thought I would share a few with you.

As a graphic designer, I have learned that friendships made over the years are one of the strongest factors in finding work. Although it has been years since Patty and I have seen each other, I get to maintain a friendship and appreciate her talents by keeping in touch. Maybe I will get to travel to Texas to see Patty again. If you live in the Texas area or are interested in Patty’s photography visit her website at Soulful Heart Photography.

Well, I am really finding this is true. Today on FB, I realized that a jewelry designer that I like went to High School and College with me. Funny, she may even know Patty—the friend I wrote this original post about. It took a little time, but we both figured it out and remembered each other. FB is a small world and a huge world at the same time. “Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold.” Nice to know you again Karen, AKA “Little Bridget Jewelry” on FB.

Little Bridget Designs above.

My designs below.

Mimi paints Dogwood

Ever wonder how much a rainy day effects you mood? Mimi gets tired of the rain most days, but today she welcomed it because it kept her indoors to paint. The frogs are croaking, and last night the air smelled of blossoms. It is no wonder Mimi would paint flowers again. Somehow her painting—as well as her mood—has been influenced by the rain. The lack of sunshine in the sky has shown up in her painting. Still only three colors have been used on her palette, red, blue and yellow. It is helping somewhat with color harmony and she is getting better at mixing colors. Mimi is still working on focal point and foreground vs. background. If you have any helpful information, leave Holly a comment and she will pass it along to Mimi.

Poppies for Sandy

What inspires you? For me it is people, my kids, family, friends, special occasions like birthdays and holidays. It always comes back to who’s on my mind. Today I had coffee with a new friend, who seems like an old friend. She continually inspires me to be the best I can be. So today I paint for Sandy. “Poppies for Sandy” Thanks for the inspiration wise friend, and the laughter. Check out Sandy’s blog and you’ll know why I like her so much.