Autumn: an impermanence of color

Autumn is officially here but in Seattle we felt it coming a few weeks ago already.  I think this is why I am so focused on color right now.  Autumn produces a burst vibrant hues but this time of the year also reminds us that color is temporary and winter is approaching.

No better time to come across distinguished photographer Eric Meola's work.  I especially gravitated toward his photos from India where part of my design heart lies.  Meola's deep understanding of color results in powerful and inspiring images.  I am already eyeing his updated book, INDIA: In Word & Image, as an addition to my library.  Meola's work will certainly help keep me inspired and 'creatively warm' through the winter.

What inspiration have you discovered lately?

All images below from Eric Meola's India gallery

the making of "Crafted" - a time lapse video

Yesterday I posted on Instagram and Facebook images of this painting.  It got a HUGE response! So, today I share the making of Crafted. Enjoy!

Almost there

Three weeks ago I posted a painting I was working on.  I have spent a bit more time on the leaves and flowers. It is not a masterpiece by any means but the process has been fun and getting over the obstacle of a white canvas looking back at me has been easier than I thought. I am very excited to start the next painting.

We are in love...

...with color!  We may have reminded you of this love affair in "Everything Red."  In our quest, we recently discovered Austin, Texas, photographer Emily Blincoe. Given our eye for anything floral, her "Garden Collection" caught our attention. Blincoe's "Sugar Series" is also inspiring.  Ideas for candied prints are just jumping off the page.  But don't forget to eat your veggies!

Emily Blincoe's "Garden Collection"

Emily Blincoe's "Sugar Series"

Emily Blincoe's fruit and vegetable series

Emily's beautiful and inspiring work can be found on her Flickr page and Tumblr pages as well as her Etsy shop.

What is Great Design?

For the past couple weeks, we wrote about what we believe is great design. We believe focusing intimately on the customer first then start designing. As we set out to re-design the studio’s website, we are thinking about our customers and what they want. 

In our pursuit, we stumbled across Seth Godin’s post mockingly titled, “Great design = getting people to do what you want,” that brings ethics into the conversation. Godin discusses the designer’s ethical responsibility to act with intent and even generosity.

“Great design is pushing/focusing the user to do something

that he'll thank you for later.” – Seth Godin

Three great designs I am thankful for.

1. My new found love - the Copic sketch pens.

2. The Wacom tablet makes it easier to draw on the computer

and my wrists are happier not using a mouse.

3. The iPhone (or any smart phone) which allows me to make phone calls, listen to music, and post on Instagram no matter where I am!

late night painting

Creativity comes at the strangest times. Late Sunday night I finished 7 drawings that turned into all over patterns for my rep. This is my favorite.

everything red

I mentioned two weeks ago a class I am taking with Mati Rose called Daring Adventures in Paint and Life. One of the assignments is to take 10 photos of things that are red (my favorite color). This project came at a perfect time.  We have a Hungarian friend visiting and we have been playing tourists for the past 5 days. It is so fun to pretend you are visiting your home city for the first time.  Having a focus such as 10 photos that are red makes it even more interesting. You begin to notice the unusual.

I challenge you to pick a color and go explore your neighborhood with a camera. 

Below are my findings.