Graphic Design in Sherwood, Oregon

My birthday was April 30 and my husband knew what I wanted. 

I'm so glad I got a new camera! 

Caution: this next part is going to sound like an advertisement, I get this way when talking about great things. Don't get me started on gmail or pinterest, you won't hear the end of it.

No, it's not a Cannon. It's not a Nikkon. It's a Panasonic Lumix G. We found it at Costco for $300 less than anywhere else online and about half the price of the bigger name brand cameras with comprable capabilities. It is everything I was hoping for and then some. I'm a fan. I'm not an amazing photographer, but this camera has helped very much in that department. One photo I took became my desktop wallpaper. 

I was reading How About Orange where Jessica Jones had sited some different desktop designs. This gave me an idea...

The only editing done was the addition of text. I try to post at least once monthly, perhaps this will be a good way to practice photography and keep this blog updated.

You may download these desktop wallpapers by right clicking the images. Enjoy!

Strange, how things happen in pairs or in 3's. Recently, I had two requests for very similar logos. 

About month ago, the owner of Lucky Ducks Preschool requested a logo, stationery and a website. She wanted a happy duck with a clover in its mouth and I had the idea to create a sort of stamp effect with the circle around the duck. 

Just 2 weeks ago, my step-father had an interesting request. He's raising chickens and built a coop and may end up writing a book about the whole process. How does this involve me? He named the coop Fowl Play Condo and had the idea to post a sign on the side. Without knowing anything about my most recent logo, he requested I illustrate a happy chicken inside a circle with Fowl Play across the top and Condo across the bottom. 

Call me a nerd, but you know you do too.

Below is a CD cover I created for the Sherwood Renaissance Singers.

I love the internet. Why? Because this design would not be possible without it. 
Mercury Script is my favorite font. I bought it on sale at MyFonts.com.
The background texture adds a vintage character that would have taken me hours to create. I downloaded it in seconds after remembering a post from Chris Spooner.
While I can illustrate well, I would have struggled to create the flourish that gives that extra detail necessary in tying the whole design together. I do not usually use so many pieces created by other artists, but sometimes their works are the only things that complete my final design.
While using someone else's work in my own piece, I always strive to create something that is unique to my client and distinctly a work of my own.

Remember my post about the Arts Summit? Well, I met a really great woman from Wilsonville who is intensely involved with the arts. Her name? Theonie Gilmore. She invited me to come to a meeting for the Wilsonville Festival of Arts and I agreed to go. Theonie has a way of getting people to do things - I think every volunteer organization needs a Theonie. Anyway, I went and I'm glad I did. I realized I could help with their logo, website and advertising. 

Using a Weebly template, I initially updated the Wilsonville Arts and Culture Council Website. The wonderful thing about weebly is you can add collaborators. After I moved the content, I consulted with Kate Atkins who then hammered out finishing details. 

Supporting arts locally is one of my passions. I am so glad to have this opportunity.

Perhaps one day I will have a fine lookin' mantle for hanging banners and displaying breakable things. Until then, I'd like to thank Michelle & Michelle for offering up their beautiful living rooms.

I've decided to put out a new Free printable at least once a week. Come back next week or sign up over on the right to get my blog posts in your inbox. 

I'll let the following pictures from Indie Craft Parade speak for themselves.