I recently completed this fun, colorful set of four art blocks that are inspirational and uplifting. But the best part is the sides, they are fully decorated with little flowers, swirls and hearts!  

These would be perfect little blocks to have recreated as canvas block prints for people to place on walls, mantels, side tables, etc.  But, the front design can also be used on numerous other products from greeting cards and journals and even coasters and other home decor products to inspire on a daily basis.

It's been a busy week here at MADART Studios after returning from my annual summer vacation in Alaska!  Lot's to catch up on and lot's of new work to be created.

I've started adding to my inspirational line of designs/paintings with some hand drawn typography art, a new concept for me, but one I'm thoroughly enjoying!  These designs can be used on just about any product imaginable, and will be shown on some product mockups soon. Here are two of the recent word art designs created this past week.

I'm also working on a submission for Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search!  The opportunities for this challenge are amazing, especially for the winner, but also just the process of being involved with such an amazing art licensing agent and the opportunity to stretch my abilities even more. The brief is something I've never drawn before and I'm delighted to say it's extremely fun and inspiring!  I may have to do more along these lines; here's a sneak peek at my submission in progress, lot's more work to be done :)

And finally...I have A LOT of new images for coastal, rooster and Paris art to be designed.  I sketched literally HUNDREDS of icon elements while in Alaska, on some dreary rainy days, and can't wait to get some paint put on them and full completed designs and mockups presented! 


Here is a sneak peek at the drawings patiently waiting for me to get to them :)  So I will be busy, busy, busy for some time with all of these goings on, oh, and painting an octopus on my daughter's surfboard too!!

I've been working away on rounding out a collection of 12 whimsically elegant designs that are both fun and sophisticated at the same time ~ "Ethereal Whimsy"!  I love the juxtaposition of the more whimsical, almost funky design of the bird and butterfly/dragonfly elements in these designs, against the very soft, elegant feel of the backgrounds and borders.  It creates a mood of happiness and fun that I think will appeal to women across the board, particularly with colors that always do well.  

These designs can be applied to so many different products, from calendars (hence the 12 images), journals, mugs, hat boxes, pillows, notepads, greeting cards, wedding invitations, you name it, they will work!  I've mocked up some designs on products just to show how well they translate and love the way they turned out :)  

Each design also has an inspirational message or word to inspire and motivate women to live a life full of promise and passion.

Everything seems to have fallen into place and almost all the details are finalized before the big Art Licensing Surtex Show in New York this Sunday.  Finishing up my press kits today; I ended up going with something a little different and hope the media will enjoy :)  On the front of each of the folders I actually hand drew a fun, whimsical design, that can be enjoyed as is or used as a coloring page.  Fun for me and fun for them!  Yes, a little time consuming for sure, but my daughter Aroon is helping out with the final pen outlining and putting all the folders together.  Thank goodness for some help, it's a lifesaver!! And my daughter will also be accompanying me to New York and helping to (wo)man the booth and also share in some of the attention as we collaborated together on the New Inspirational "Happiness Is..."™ line.

I have a couple of days left to soak it all in and double, triple check my list and packing and make sure I have everything I could possibly need, and more!  But, it's also important to take these last few days before such a big event and business decision, to relax and not stress too much, it's supposed to be a fun and enjoyable experience, and to go into it with a positive relaxed mindset is key!  Make sure to take some time for yourself the next few days, whether it's to get outside and exercise (going for a run myself today :), have a spa day/massage, get your nails or hair done, take your dogs for a long walk in the park and/or anything that customarily relaxes and rejuvenates you.

Here's to everyone having a very successful and FUN Surtex!!

A little over five weeks to go!  I've accomplished a lot, but still have ton's to do in preparation for the Surtex Art Licensing Show May 18-20 in New York.  I have one banner completed, 8 to go; hmmm...I better get going on those, but I'm doing a test run with a new banner company to see how it comes out, crossing my fingers the quality is good.  I've sent out two rounds of postcards to prospective manufacturers and will start making phone calls to set up appointments in the next couple of weeks.

One of the more time consuming things, that I have yet to do, is setting up folders and files of collections on my tablets as well as creating tear sheets to showcase my designs on different products and shapes. So much to do and it seems as though I'm almost out of time, but I refuse to panic, I'm just going to knock off items on my "To Do" list every day and hopefully have a couple of days to spare before I leave for the show...wishful thinking right?

In addition to the collections I already have, I also started a new venture of creating uplifting, inspirational greeting cards and colorful holiday/occasion cards last month.  Here is a sample of this new line that I'm really excited about and literally have hundreds of ideas for more cards!!  It's always so exhilirating to be inspired and creative, I LOVE my job :) :)

I've been busy creating new art for the Surtex show as well as for my agent "Art Licensing".  I also decided I wanted to create a new collection/line of inspirational art in conjunction with a blog to inspire people to live life full of happiness and joy.  The new blog is called "Art for the Soul"™ and hope that these new designs will inspire people to live life to the fullest.

I'm creating each design in a 5"x7" ratio so that it can easily translate onto greeting cards, and I also offer in 8"x10" and square ratios as well to apply to different products and offer as fine art prints.  Each design is created with hand painted elements and than collaged into a single design in Photoshop, perfect for applying to any size/shape product imaginable. 

Please visit my new BLOG and I hope you are inspired by the art and message ~ "BE Inspired".