Tuesday, February 28, 2012

a study of leaves

The US Botanical Garden in DC has a beautiful orchid show going on right now.  Although I love orchids I find more inspiration in leaves and other flowers.  Many years ago I started a photo archive of leaves, buds, flower clusters and detail flower photos.  I constantly use them for reference when sketching.  The below photos I took at the Botanical Garden and are the most recent additions to the leaves archive.

I already started sketching ideas of leaves.
I love the round shape with the pinked edge.
The long bright green branches on this plant are so interesting.  If you click on the image it will enlarge in your window.  Notice how the leaves twist at the end.  So cool.
 
The red stalk of this plant is so beautiful. Nature is amazing isn't it?
I like how delicate and soft this plant looks.
Check out the red dotted stem of the leaf.
Nice leaf clusters.





Monday, February 27, 2012

museums and mexican food

Yesterday was awesome!  It started with a beautiful sunny day. Steve and I headed to the Botanical Garden. I got to test out my new camera. (Pictures coming tomorrow.) Next we headed to Hirshhorn Museum. The museum houses contemporary art, that at times make me question how it is "art". Other exhibits at the museum were interesting and interactive. Here are three of my favorites.

Jesús Rafael Soto: Blue Penetrable BBL 1999
Hundreds of blue nylon strings suspended from a modular steel frame.  The composition comes to life when the viewers enter the fluid mass of flexible threads, setting them in motion.
 

 Carlos Cruz-Diez: Chromosaturation 1965, exhibition copy refabricated 2010
Three connecting sections whose white walls and floor appear to dissolve under banks of vibrant blue, red and green light.  As viewers move through these spaces, the hues appear almost tangible, yet the boundaries of their interactions remain tantalizing elusive.
There were colored windows on the outside of the boxes where the viewer could look in and see how the colored glass altered the light.  My husband took these from the outside looking in.

 Ron Mueck: Untitled 1958
This photo doesn't do this justice.  The sculpture is really big and he is sitting down in the corner of the gallery.  His feet were about 18 inches long.  He was so real looking.

This wasn't in the museum but we passed it and we both laughed.  Where do they get these images? So many ways to interpret this image.  What do you see?

After a day of seeing museums we headed to the movies to see The Descendants (two thumbs up).  We needed a break to refuel.  What better way then with margaritas and Mexican food.  And some of the best Mexican we have had.  
If you are in DC - you must try out Oyamel.
  Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Happy Monday!

Friday, February 24, 2012

sketches

Earlier this week I made a trip to the Freer Gallery of Art in DC.  I spent some time looking and sketching.  I really enjoyed the collection of Arts of the Islamic World.

 I am itching to start playing with my scrapbook papers.
papers from Flower Child and Sweet Tooth collections
Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

self portrait

Guess who bought a new camera:)  I am really excited to start playing and experimenting.
A nice flower my hubby brought me.  Made my day.

Unfortunately, I didn't have my new camera in NY.  It came a few days after my return.  The below photos are pre-Canon :)

The 9-11 memorial.  Amazing and very well done.  The water is so loud when you are close that it cancels out the city noise.  It is almost meditative.  The water made me think of falling tears.  It made my friend think of the falling towers.
 From the MET




Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentines Day!  
May your day be filled with love, laughter and friendship!
Image from Bee In My Bonnet

Monday, February 13, 2012

flowery @ Society6

Introducing "Flowery" with Society6!  The original print is multi colored but I like how dramatic it looks in black and white.  Enjoy!


I like how Tweet and Flowery look together!


Friday, February 10, 2012

sketches

I haven't posted any sketches in awhile and thought I would share some of this weeks work.  Life over here has been a bit crazy.  I had an unexpected project come my way this week and out of it came a new client-very excited about this one!  I hope to share images of the work later this year.  


Tomorrow I leave for NYC!  I am taking the train from DC to NYC tomorrow.  This will be the first time I have taken a train in the USA.  I am kinda excited to see how it compares to Europe.  The week will be full of fun and business and meeting some clients face to face that I have never met!  I will be posting from NY so be sure to come back next week.

On a side note...I am beginning to realize that with the additional clients I have picked up this year, I need help.  I am going to be searching for an intern soon.  Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?  Feel free comment here or to email me at diane@dianekappa.com

Have a good weekend everyone!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

CHA - GCD Studios booth

As I reflect on CHA I am filled with excitement and anticipation for next year.  I have been to many trade shows in my life and CHA is a different animal.  The camaraderie among everyone is amazing.  I have never heard so much laughter, people helping each other out and the sharing of ideas among attendees and exhibitors.  A very good feeling.
Here it is!  Photos of the amazing booth!  The team did such a great job!!
The fresh flowers were all over the booth - a very nice touch!
Bonjour!
Country Charm
Sweet Tooth
Country Charm scrapbook pages and cards
Flower Child scrap book pages and cards.
The make and take booth the first day-making smash books!  It was crazy busy and so much fun!
One of my favorite parts of the booth was the photo booth section!  You pick a prop and pose.
The talented design team!  Donna Salazar, Heide Sonboul, Heather Tozzi and me.  What a great group of ladies!
Hard to believe it was just a year ago when I approached Kent at the show.   
From last years post:  "Sunday I went to CHA. I didn't really know what to expect but I gotta tell you....some exciting things came out of my visit. Met some great people and am really excited about some future projects. I will keep you posted."  It is fun to read this and think of all that has happened since.
Kent and me.  

Monday, February 6, 2012

Etsy: new items and SALE!

I returned from CHA last week exhausted, excited, inspired...I haven't been able to share photos because I have had one conference call after another since I returned.  There are so many projects in the pipeline that the excitement is keeping me up at night - seriously!  I promise to share photos on Wednesday from the show.  I will say the booth, my designs, the cards the designers came up with and the whole GCD team were awesome!  Come back on Wednesday to see photos!

Today I would like to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has placed an order on my Etsy site the past 2 months.  It is so exciting to see orders come in from all over the world!  As a thank you to you I am offering a 15% discount on everything in my store from now until February 15.  Enter the code BEMINEDISCOUNT15 and receive 15% off your order.  Click here to get to my store!

I have a few new designs in the store.  I am so happy with the Black Tie art drop!  What do you think of the designs?  I think the black and white magnets look so fresh!

Enjoy the discount and thank you again for your orders!

Love Song
Black Tie Art Drop
 Black Tie
 Exotic Bohemian
Meadow Park