Monday, March 16th

Design Challenge Winner, January 2020, Classic Blue – Liz Van Steenburgh

 
 
 
 
What was your inspiration for your winning card? Please walk us through the process of how this card went from an idea to a greeting card.
 
I put just the color on the card template at first and stared at it for a while. At first it invoked a feeling for a nautical scene, but in the end, I decided I loved the contrasting light blue found in the ribbon graphic. I also like the way the pink flowers popped against the classic blue.
 
Pantone’s Color of the Year, Classic Blue, stirred a bit of controversy along the lines of it being ho-hum and boring. Your card is anything but ho-hum.What were / are your thoughts on Classic Blue as Pantone’s color of the year?
 
I love the color of the year for 2020! I prefer it over the bright colors that have been chosen the past few years. It’s very soothing and versatile.
 
This isn’t your first GCU’s Design Challenge win. What advice would you give to other artists who are hesitant to enter?
 
Just do it! There’s nothing to lose and it can get those creative juices flowing.
 
You also received a 2019 Founders’ Choice Award for your custom front text Chinese New Year card Customize Chinese New Year of the Rat for Boy card. Tell us a little bit about this card and it’s similar winning predecessor Customize for Boy Chinese Year of the Rooster card.
 
This card, along with the little girl counterpart, are two cards that I update each year for Chinese New Year. I add the current animal of the year in place of the previous one and they are well-received each year by customers.
 
Like this winning card, many of your cards feature lovely, colorful flowers. What is your favorite flower and why?
 
I love all flowers and am very partial to graphics and card designs that incorporate flowers in some way. I would say daisies are my favorite, if I had to pick just one.
 
You’ve been a member of GCU’s artist community since 2008. How have you seen your card designs evolve or change since the early days?
 
Absolutely! I still have some cards that kind of make me cringe when they sell. Whenever that happens, I try to update or modernize it by changing something about the card, usually the font or more specifically, the size of the font. Why did I make text so big on old cards?! Back when I started though, I didn’t save the designs in a psd or layered file, so some cannot be easily changed. Tip to newcomers … always save a layered copy of your original!
 
Ok, now for the fast five, fun questions …
 
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
To stop aging!
 
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
I love vanilla ice cream, but coffee flavor comes in a close second.
 
What is your hidden talent?
It’s not so hidden, but I’m a pretty good sewer and crafter. I love all types of crafts and haven’t done nearly enough of it in recent years.
 
Would you rather be a giant rodent or a tiny elephant?
A tiny elephant. They are mighty regardless of size. I despise rodents (year of the rat was difficult!)
 
If you had to eat a worm, how would you cook it?
I’d probably put an Italian spin on it. Anyone for some worm parmesan? (yuk)

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