Muppets Bohemian Rhapsody

Milton Glaser on Drawing Skills

MILTON GLASER DRAWS & LECTURES from C. Coy on Vimeo.

Milton Glaser is one of the most famous graphic designers. I've never felt that teaching designers that drawing and rendering were skill sets no longer needed. I have heard professors who say that designers don't need to draw, you have illustrators for that! I've also had conversations with art directors and they bemoan the lack of drawing (thinking, creative thinking, planning) skills among the recent design graduates. Oh - they know their way around computer software, but they are crippled creatively without it .

I know that a lot of you still do thumbnails, and maybe even roughs, and that not all teachers have jettisoned all the traditional tools for the technological ones, but I think there is too much emphasis on the 'cool tools' of technology rather than teaching students to really think, see, and more importantly, listen!, before jumping into a client's needs.

Keep drawing! Keep creatively thinking!

The Design Cubicle

Hop over to Brian Hoff's The Design Cubicle and check out my drawing listed among some fabulous company. Brian is a dedicated and well respected designer with a great blog and site covering all aspects of design. I follow Brian on Twitter and facebook to glean as many of his good ideas, to pass along to my high school design students, as possible.

Now I'll have to get all my logo designs and other client work out of the mothballs and show them here. I usually show more illustration than true design. I figure there are way better sites (like Brian's) to show you great design. I love design. I love typography. But I really love mixing it up with illustration and photography my first true loves. And while you don't have to be an artist to be good designer, it helps if you have a good handle on formal art principles as well as the principles and elements of design.

Have fun, be creative!

Magic & Anniversaries

Image composite I made last year from several of my photos and drawings

I hope everyone is having (or has had) a wonderfully fun and magical Halloween. I should be writing a paper and grading student work, but I have taken the day to be with my hubby (it is our anniversary after all) and to just generally goof off. We didn't plan a huge costume party like we have in years past. I've been too busy to do all the planning, cleaning, and prepping it takes. So we're keeping it low key this year.

I just wanted to pop-in with my best Wishes for a Safe and Happy Halloween!

So from a Pyrate & his Bride...
May your Celebrations Be Magical!

Be Creative, Be Happy!

Illustration Friday: Fast

This is my contribution for Illustration Friday's "Fast" theme for this week.

Another Masquerade Ball!

How I love a good Masquerade Ball! Mirth and merriment filling the air! Mystery hanging as thick as an Autumn fog. The chill of a touch from the unknown creature who has asked you for a dance just before the unmasking moment. Oh, the thrill of the evening!

Over at My Artful Adventures they are having a Masquerade Ball. I was so busy with my own Halloween inventions that I very nearly missed it. Actually, I did miss getting on the link list. Maybe next year. You can always visit my Spider's Ball from last week until then.

So don't be afraid. Join in the fun of the season. Remember dress-up when you were young? What fun to still be able to leave the real world behind for a few hours and play.

Be Safe, Be Fun, and Always Be Creative!

New Halloween Design!

Just listed a new Halloween design. When I was a little girl I remember all the simple cut orange and black illustrated cards, bags, etc that filled the stores. I adore the very detailed more antique versions. I know I'm an antique myself, but not THAT antique. I remember watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" at this time of the year and loving it every time (still do).

That happy memory helped fuel my passion for Halloween and this illustration. This is offered on shirts, totes, and mugs in my Cafepress Shop.

While there, please browse my other items. Like this guy. He is a most interesting character. Hope you enjoy him.
The Halloween, Here Lies Sassy Jones image was created in Adobe Illustrator. Jack was first hand-drawn and then painted in Adobe Photoshop. Both are my creations.

Thanks for all of you who stopped by my Spider Ball "Halloween Celebration" today. I hope the fun isn't over. I met lots of new friends and kindred-spirits. I believe the 'party' has just begun.
Loved all your posts. I plan to return and soak up more of your beautiful works.

For those of you who did not participate in the Blog Hopping Party, please go to mine and check out the links in the comments section. After you've partied with the Count and Countess, of course!

Here's wishing you all the very best life has to offer! Enjoy, Be Blissful and Creative!