Album Sneak Peek

I have been working with Margo B. Smith in designing the artwork for her new album, Alleluia Through It All.

The songs were written as she watched her father losing his battle with cancer. On her website, she states, "It is difficult to watch a loved suffer, but God is faithful and loving. He stands near to comfort us. We just need to turn to Him." She wrote these songs as encouragement to herself as well as to those who may be going through similar trying circumstances.

I will post a followup when the album is released, along with a link of where you can sample/purchase her cd.

In the mean time, check out her website at www.margobsmith.com.

Sweet Pea

A few months ago, I designed this logo for a gal who is opening up child's apparel shop called Sweet Pea. Tagline: "maternity. nursery. baby. and beyond." 

The "beyond" includes carrying specialty items that are hard to come by (like pump parts, wubba nubs, etc.). It is in the works and everything I have heard sounds extremely innovative! I'm excited to see Sweet Pea hit their niche and the word spread like wildfire! 

I will keep you posted with their launch date, location, and future projects!

I Did it Myself: Faux Granite Countertops

I have hated our Formica counter tops since the day we moved in. To make matters worse, we accidentally flooded the kitchen 2 years ago, which caused a lovely bulge underneath the Formica next to our sink.

Recently, I had enough. The hubs was out, so I took to the bulge with a kitchen knife, hammer, and nails. Can we say Ghett-o-fied? On top of this tactful approach, I decided it was time to paint the counter tops. If it turned out tacky, so be it. I would replace them with granite after my retirement.

After some quick research, I ran to Wal-Mart and picked up some supplies. Total cost? Less than $100. This included:

This Old Frame

I like to think of myself as a semi-decent photographer. Let me rephrase. A semi-semi-decent photographer who can transform a crappy shot into something a little better using some mean design skills in Photoshop (not applicable to the iPhone photos below)! Who's with me?

Anyhow, it doesn't matter how much time and effort I may put into editing a shot if I never print, scan, frame, or otherwise share the photo. So I have taken it upon myself to scrounge up and transform some cheap old frames (I used these in my Senior Art Show back in college - What!).

My tools:
- 6 old frames with white pre-cut mat board
- Sand Paper
- 1 Can of white Rust-oleum Lacquer spray paint
- 12 Nails
- Hammer
- Level
- Pencil
- Face mask
- Tarp or newspaper
- Pavers or something heavy to hold down the tarp/paper

First, I chose two very bare walls in our kitchen (please ignore the landscaping out back...I have plans to revamp the yard very soon!).

Next I pulled out 6 old frames that were 4 photos deep (okay, so I used to be good about framing photos, not so much since the kid came along).

After measuring my nail marks on the wall with the level and pencil, I removed the backing, foam, photos, and mat board from each frame. I then numbered each frame to correspond with the placement of each frame (1, 2, 3...). I had to do this because the hooks were not in the same location on each frame (like I said, el cheapo).

Next, I jumped into some scrubs and took the frames, spray paint, sand paper, and mask out to the driveway. I set out some tarp, and held each corner down with some random pavers we have (plans for these in the future as well:). I highly recommend doing this on a calm day. If there is much wind, it may blow grass, dirt, etc. onto your wet paint.

Then I took my sandpaper and very quickly sanded the surface of each frame (only where I would be spraying the paint). I literally spent one minute or less on each frame.

Then the fun part! I sprayed each frame thoroughly and I only used one coat. If you want more than one coat, you will need at least 2 cans of paint.

Since it was such a sunny day, the frames dried quickly (I gave them about 45 minutes). I brought them inside, placed the mats and photos inside each frame, and hung them on the wall! Voila!

As for the wall on the right? I cheated and found this already-framed-art at BB&B for $30 (with a coupon). :)

Nixing the Niche

Ad by Mercedez-Benz. Source: adsoftheworld.com

Graphic Designer. Web Designer. Social Media Specialist. Photographer. Illustrator. Animator. Underwater Basket Weaver. It's insane how many avenue's we 'right-brainers' pursue all at once.

For the longest time, I promoted myself using all (minus basket weaving) of the above descriptions. I wanted potential clients to know I could do everything. And anything that wasn't listed on my resume, I could learn with my hands figuratively tied behind my back.

Oh, I could cringe thinking back to my beginner days, fresh out of college ("fresh meat" they called us). My portfolio was a conglomeration of photographs, sketches, design work, and then some. There was no consistency. No niche to capitalize on.

I had dreams of being a one-man show... of taking on a position at an advertising agency as a Graphic Designer, Photographer, Journalist, and Video Editor. So you can imagine how disappointed I was when my first job out of college was at a sign company laying out signage and applying vinyl letters to placards.

Thankfully, the signage job didn't last long. Let's just say it was an extremely motivational season of my life. I knew I would get my portfolio together and make it consistent, or die trying.

{Fast forward to present day.}

In the blog world, it seems as though the above does not apply so long as there is a distinct common thread that appears from time to time. In fact, with this blog I hope to rabbit trail on a weekly basis. I plan to return to my first-loves: Animation, Videography, Audio Mixing, You-Name-It.

My hope is that many of you 'right-brainers' will join me in utilizing this blog as a creative outlet. No doubt, it will be therapeutic! Post links to work that you pride yourself on, art that you wish you could create, or ideas that need further brainstorming...even if they are worlds away from your specific niche.