the evolution of an idea- floral sketch tunic

I love the process of inspiration- seeing something that gives me an idea and then transforming that idea into art never gets old to me, in fact it is my favorite part of the creative process! After buying myself of big bouquet of peonies, I just couldn't resists using all that inspiration to make myself a pretty black and white floral "sketch" tunic.

I found a plain white tunic and treated the surface like a page in my sketchbook! (and yes, I used a Sharpie pen because in my experience, it does not wash out of clothing.)

I love that with a few simple supplies and A LOT of creativity, you can totally create wearable art!

a peek inside my sketchbook

One of the most important things that I teach in just about all of my classes is how important it is to always keep you eyes open for inspiration- it is what I like to call "finding your muse". In my opinion, taking time to seek ideas and inspiration off the computer and in the world around you is the only way that your work will be authentic to you and your life. 

I am always on the lookout for ideas and inspiration and keep a camera on me at all times- just in case something wonderful crosses my path. Well, recently something wonderful did cross my path. While driving to my favorite state park a giant herd of elk crossed the road (this tends to happen a lot here on the Oregon Coast) but something about the experience felt different. Maybe it was the mossy trees or the winding road or the way the light was shining down on a gigantic bull with huge antlers but the experience felt magical. 

I pulled over, grabbed my camera and tried to capture the moment as quickly as possible and I was able to capture a few photos before the herd disappeared into the forest. 

This little moment stuck with me- I couldn't stop thinking about those elk- and it is those types of moments that bring me the most inspiration and typically end up in my sketchbook.

I have been working on a little series of elk drawings inspired by that day. They are still in the works and I have no idea what I will do with them at this point but it always feels wonderful to get those ideas and that inspiration out of my head and onto paper. 

A couple of years ago I created a free little online class called- Finding Your Muse. If you would like to read more about how I seek inspiration, put that inspiration into practice and how I try to stay authentic as an artist, head on over to the class HERE

the evolution of an idea

I love the process of inspiration- seeing something that gives me an idea and then transforming that idea into art never gets old to me, in fact it is my favorite part of the creative process!

Recently I was doing a little yard work at my studio and after weeks of sunny days, I had a crop (like hundreds) of pansies that had grown in the gravel. I had to pull many of them out and after filling a couple of baskets, I felt that spark of inspiration begin to happen!

I plucked the flower off the stems and photographed the the piles of pansies.

I then used those photos as inspiration for a sketchbook page.

I used that sketchbook page to design for more products in my Society6 shop.

There was no way I could throw out all those flower so I pressed and dried them

and will be using them in future projects!

There you have it: inspiration, the gift that keeps on giving!

the evolution of an idea

Once in a while around here I like to share what I call "the evolution of an idea" (see here and here and here) it is like a peek inside my brain, my process and where ideas begin and how they evolve into something else. As important as the internet and technology is for my business, I typically seek inspiration for my own projects off the web and out in the world- my favorite place is the beach.

My last post from the weekend was yet another look at my obsessive beach combing hobby. My recent walk by the sea got me inspired to create a simple bag that I can take with me on my beach combing expeditions, a place to stash all my treasure and a way to keep sand out of my backpack and my pockets!

Here is a peek into the evolution of the process-

When I come home from the beach, I spread out all of my treasures and take a little time to draw some of my favorites. I was inspired to take these sketches a little further.

Using plain white muslin, backed with interfacing- I used my sewing machine to free motion draw shells with my beach combing sketches as the inspiration.

This whole process can be challenging and take a lot of practice to work up to drawing with a sewing machine and drawing "free hand"

but the outcome is so worth it!!

I filled the surface with all kinds of sea inspired images

and even added words.

I used another piece of muslin and filled the surface with more ocean inspired words.

I used mesh fabric in combo with my pieces of free motion fabric to create a long skinny bag.

Complete with a strap- long enough to fit across my body.

Then I put my new bag to use!

I hunted,

discovered,

and used my new bag to collect treasures.

Someday soon I will show you what I do with all my treasure once they are sorted and cleaned :)

the evolution of an idea

My brain is always going (and going and going and going) and often my struggles are not about the lack of inspiration but about too much inspiration, too many ideas and not enough time! I am convinced that I have some kind of overactive brain problem or maybe just hyperactivity. Anyway, when I least expect it I always seen to find something that sparks one of those ideas that I just can't get out of my head until I make it real. This is exactly what happened with a purse that I recently created.

I have been walking and running by this manhole thing in our neighborhood for over a year and every time I pass it I am inspired.

There is something about the design, the color and the shapes that I love- it is perfectly simple. I knew every day that I passed this spot in the street it would eventually be incorporated into a purse. I finally I snapped couple of photos and got to work! Here is a peek at how it evolved-