Sharon Dominick, Design Challenge Winner, May 2019

Pattiann on June 18, 2019

Sharon Dominick Photography, Design Challenge Winner, May 2019

 

 

Please list the URLs of your 3 favorite cards in your storefront and why they are your favorites.

I love these three designs as they give a little taste of my favorite style of cards that enjoy creating. A tad funny, a bit quirky and sometimes cute and furry.

 

 

 

 

 

Please list any of your professional social media sites.
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest

What was your inspiration for your winning card? Please walk us through the process of how this card went from idea to greeting card.
I have over 11,000 photos that I have created over the years for my stock collections that I sell exclusively though Getty Images/iStock. I will sit in front of my computer and just scroll though these images until something sparks for me. My fisheye characters are some of my favorite topics in my photography collection and I love bringing that humor over to my cards. After glancing at a list of common oxymorons, my crazy geek in the orange dress seemed like a natural fit for “clearly confused” and “pretty ugly”! Don’t worry, the model isn’t offended! She’s just me in a wig and glasses, lol!

What sparked your interest in photography? Did you start as a young child?
I remember having a camera as young as six years old. I always loved taking pictures, but I never saw it as a possible career. Fast forward to the future when I had my first child, my baby girl who is now 17, I decided to get a nice Canon SLR camera to take pictures of her. That’s when it all really began.

Do you have formal training or are you self-taught?
A little of both. When I first discovered my interest in photography, I took two non-credit classes though my local community college. This was around the time that the transition from film to digital was happening. It was a bit of a struggle for me at first as I still was shooting film. Once I purchased my first digital camera is when things really started to click for me. There is nothing like seeing instant results to understand what mistakes you are making!

Have you ever/do you currently have a job other than as a photographer?
Before I discovered this career path, I worked for two different companies in their offices as a buyer in the purchasing departments. One was a metals distributing company and the other was an office supply products company. All through the years of doing those jobs, I always felt that I wasn’t in the right place. I had this inner desire to be creative and there really wasn’t any room for creativity in the type of work that I was doing. Today, shooting stock photography, stock video footage and making greeting cards is my full-time job. And I’m much happier!

What GCU artist(s) do you admire?
My biggest inspiration at Greeting Cards Universe is by far Sandra Rose Designs. Not only is she an amazing designer with a knack for finding niches in the industry, she’s the reason for me discovering Greeting Card Universe! We met by chance though Linkedin. She noticed that I also did creative work for a living and live in Pittsburgh, PA and suggested that we get together. As it turns out, we only live about a mile away from each other! We get together on occasion to talk shop or to take a creative class.

Other artists that always catch my eye are Ron Magnes (whose profile says he’s from Pittsburgh too!) Laughing Hippo Studio cards always crack me up! Betty Matsumoto-Schuch’s creations of Bud & Tony the cats are so adorable. I love the humor of Ron Kanfi & Chuck Ingwersen’s creations! Corrie Kuipers illustration style & designs always stand out to me. I could go on and on! There is so much talent at Greeting Card Universe!

Honest answer. Easier models, people or pets?
Whew, that’s a tough one! They each have their own challenges. I think I’m going to go with models because of these options, they are the ones who actually love to be in front of the camera. But honestly, I do enjoy the challenge of pet photography. It’s very rewarding when you get good results!

Looking at your storefront, up close and personal photography dominates your designs. Can you share your thoughts on how you match a photo to an occasion?
My process varies from day to day when it comes to creating greeting cards. Sometimes I will plan a shoot based around an idea and other times I will have an idea and will sift though my thousands of images to find the right fit. Most of the time, I will have no occasions or photos in mind and I will just sift though my images and wait for something to inspire me.

Design Challenge Winner, April 2019, Graduation Season – Cathie Richardson of Country Garden Cards

Pattiann on May 27, 2019

Design Challenge Winner, April 2019, Graduation Season – Cathie Richardson of Country Garden Cards
Please list any awards or contests you’ve won outside of GCU.
Other than a few fair ribbons, this is my first contest win!

 

Please list the URLs of your 3 favorite cards in your storefront and why they are your
favorites.
For all three of these cards I liked how the colors turned out. I had a great time illustrating, learning about the state birds, and why they were chosen for the US. Every summer we have a lizard that discovers our back yard and decides to stay. I kind of get attached to him like a pet.

Please list any of your professional social media sites.

What were your inspirations for your winning card? Please walk us through the process of how this card went from idea to greeting card.
Last year we hiked a lot near Donner Summit in California and this is a view from the tunnel up there. While we were up there I saw two people that looked like they were getting ready to climb the rocks. I admire people who do that and I admire people that pursue and achieve advanced education.

What sparked your interest in art? Did you start as a young child?
I didn’t start having a serious interest in art until my son was born and I was planning to stay home with him. I found a Lee Ames how to draw art book at a library sale and loved it.

Do you have formal training or are you self-taught?
I have an Associate of Arts degree, but am mostly self-taught. It’s really nice to be able to find classes online to learn a new skill at any time.

Is your work done by hand and then scanned or do you work entirely on the computer?
I hand draw my work, paint it, and then scan it. I like to be able to use my work in a lot of different ways.

Have you ever/do you currently have a job other than as an artist?
Yes, I work part-time at a museum helping with organizing and data entry of their photograph collection.

What GCU artist(s) do you admire?
There are so many great artists on GCU. I love to look at the recently sold and see new cards I haven’t noticed before. I really appreciate the humorous cards of Ron Magnes and comics of Bruce Bolinger. The very cute illustrations of Gerda Steiner, Makiko Kimura, and Olivia Kneibler.

Looking at your storefront, you are a garden lover.  Tell the truth, do you have a green thumb?
Yes, spring is my favorite season and the garden nursery one of my favorite places to shop.

Lisa Crisafi – Design Challenge Winner, January 2019

Pattiann on April 8, 2019

 Design Challenge Winner, January 2019, Living Coral – Lisa Crisafi of Nest to Nest Greetings 

 

Thank you for choosing my design for the January 2019 contest. I love these challenges as they encourage me to try something new and to think outside of my box. I would encourage any GCU artist reading this interview to enter the contests.

 

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. 
The first thing that came to mind when I read that the contest revolved around Living Coral, the Pantone Color of the year, were the little terracotta pots I have in my home and classroom. I love a good pun, so I started writing down the names of some of my favorite plants to see if I could make it “punny”.  I settled on succulents and the verse “Life doesn’t succ when you have good friends.”

 

Your winning card really uses Living Coral aptly in a southwestern pallet.  Did you decide first on your design and then the color combination or color combination and then the design?
I didn’t have a southwestern theme in mind when I started creating this card, but adding cacti to the design, combined with the theme revolving around this particular color definitely gave it a desert vibe. I chose a cactus plant for this verse as they grow in clumps that I thought would represent a community of friends.

 

We love a good pun!  Which of your cards is your favorite pun and why?
This Valentine’s Day card of mine, Love You with Every Fiber of My Bean, is my all time favorite pun card. I won a Hallmark card contest based on this pun. I had to change it up a bit to use the verse in my GCU storefront, and I think it’s time to create a better image for the cover.
Is there a pun card by another GCU artist that you really enjoy?  If so, which card?
I really enjoy Ron Magnes’ Deer Pun card. When you can use two puns in one sentence and the verse still flows, you have a great talent!

 

Valentine’s Day is shortly behind us.  Tell the truth, did you give out Valentines cards and if so did you send one of your own cards or send a design by a different artist?
To be honest, I am the WORST at sending out cards. I can sit for hours at my computer creating card designs, but I am always late sending them out. I usually send out cards from  different artists. I guess I’m a little self conscious about sending my designs to people I know. I wonder if any other GCU artists feel the same?

 

Ok, now for the fast five, fun questions …
  • If you had to be allergic to something, what would it be?
Chocolate is my huge addiction. If I couldn’t eat it anymore I might be able to accomplish my weight loss goal. lol
  • If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
I love birds so I would choose flight as my superpower.
  • What is one thing you miss about being a kid?
Nothing. I haven’t given up my childhood. Yes, have responsibilities, but I choose not to lose the joy and wonder of the little things in life.
  • What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Friendly’s Chocolate Almond Chip. (Good thing I’m not allergic!)
  • What is your favorite scent /smell?
Carnations. They are underrated and smell so much nicer than roses.

 

Stacia Gorge of Good Things by Gorge, Design Challenge Winner, October 2018

Pattiann on April 3, 2019

Stacia Gorge of Good Things by Gorge, Design Challenge Winner, October 2018

 

 

Please list any awards or contests you’ve won outside of GCU.
Ages ago, prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom, community volunteer, & GCU card designer, I worked in the corporate communications field as a writer and editor. I served on teams that received awards from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).

 

Additionally, I’ve had poetry published in two Indiana-based publications: (1) Carmel Creations: An Anthology by Carmel Creative Writers (2018 edition), and (2) Tipton Poetry Journal’s “Christmas at the Creek” Special Issue (2012).  Ironically, my preferred poetry style is usually not suitable for greeting cards due to my poems’ length, serious contemplative nature, or other factors. It’s really not a problem for me, though, because I feel lucky to have different outlets for my various creative moods!

 

Please list the URLs of your 3 favorite cards in your storefront and why they are your favorites.
  1. Congratulations on Your New Home – Quaint Vintage House with Flowers – This is one of my most popular cards & I’m so pleased that customers are attracted to its nostalgic warmth!
  1. Electricians Don’t Really Retire, Humor, Retirement PARTY Invitation – I love experimenting with typography & was pleased with the outcome of this unique creation. It’s also nice that the party invitation has continued to sell well over the years.
  1. With Deepest Sympathy for Your Loss, Dogwood, Vintage, Blue and White card – I love vintage-style cards. For me, they evoke extra heartfelt emotions. I send this card whenever a friend or relative is grieving.
Please list any of your professional social media sites.
Any time GCU customers would like see some of my latest creations, they are invited to view and/or follow me on Pinterest.

 

What sparked your interest in art? Did you start as a young child?
My mother is a keen admirer of art, so much so that she eventually became the president of the board of my hometown’s art museum. Due to her interest, the world of art was often discussed in our home as I was growing up. Additionally, my maternal grandmother adored both music and art and excelled at both. If my grandmother were alive today, she’d be delighted and amazed to see how easy it is for art consumers to find artists around the world via the internet.

 

Is your work done by hand and then scanned or do you work entirely on the computer?
I currently do all of my work on the computer, but I plan to try some work by hand in the future.

 

What would we be surprised to learn about you?
I think people would be surprised to know that one of my two majors in college was Philosophy. I was the only one in a class of thousands to have declared that major as an incoming freshman (usually students select it later in their studies). I guess I hear a different drummer!

 

What GCU artist(s) do you admire?
There are too many talented artists to list! However, I especially love the cartoon humorists, the watercolorists, the photographers, and the verse-writing specialists. I also admire those artists who take time to help the newbie designers via the forum and/or who write informative articles to help artists be successful at GCU. They make it a real pleasure to be part of GCU’s creative environment.

 

Ness Nordberg, Design Challenge Winner, September 2018

Pattiann on October 23, 2018

Ness Nordberg, Design Challenge Winner, September 2018
 
 
 
 
Please list any of your professional social media sites.
 

What was your inspiration for your winning card? Please walk us through the process of how this card went from ideas to greeting cards.

I wanted to create a card for mothers to honour my own mother and to all the mother’s out there who make Christmas so special for us by tireless cooking, cleaning, organising presents etc.  For this card, I started with the typography and then worked on the illustration for the wreath.  I wanted a simple and modern card that would could be sent to all mothers. 

 

What sparked your interest in art? Did you start as a young child?

I love art as it allows me to express myself creatively.  I started when I was young with drawing horses and using graphite.  I stopped for a while to focus on my studies and career but picked it up again 5 years ago.    

 

Do you have formal training or are you self-taught?

I am self-taught.

 

Is your work done by hand and then scanned or do you work entirely on the computer?

I do a bit of both.  I love to experiment with different techniques and materials.  Sometimes I work with gouache/watercolor and then scan my work, other times I use Procreate and iPad/Adobe Photoshop/Adobe Illustrator to create my work.

 

Have you ever/do you currently have a job other than as an artist?

I currently work in IT Finance full time and am an artist on the side.  One day, I would love to be a full time artist.

 

What GCU artist(s) do you admire?

Carol Kearns – I love her whimsical and sweet illustrations especially the Christmas ones!

 

Ron Magnes –  I love how his cards are very original and modern

 

Mindy Pierce – I love diversity of her cards and her combination of typography and illustrations

Looking at your storefront, typography seems to be a vital element in your designs.  Can you share your thoughts on the importance of typography in your designs?

The balance of illustrations and typography is very important to me especially when creating cards.  To me, sending a card to someone is very personal.  I have learnt to create my own typography to compliment my card designs because I want to provide something extra special and personal to the person receiving the card.

What would we be surprised to learn about you?

My other passion is plants! I have an Instagram account @theoaksprout that documents my indoor plant growing passion.

Tammy Moody — August 2018 Design Challenge Winner

Pattiann on September 24, 2018

 
Tammy Moody, Design Challenge Winner, August 2018
 
 
 
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.
Honestly, I wasn’t going to enter the contest until Corrie shared a link to the Nuts and Bolts post with various red, white, and blue color schemes. When I saw the colors on her blog post, I really liked the rustic color schemes. They reminded me of Americana or folk themed art. Since July is really the month to be designing for Christmas, I decided to shoot two cans off the fence with one shot. I just love snowmen and thought it would be fun to try to do a caroling snowman and put him in Americana themed clothing. I knew I wanted to do Christmas trees in the background, and since the theme was red, white, and blue, I thought I could top the trees with red white and blue stars. I had a hard time thinking of the perfect connection between my Christmas theme and the red white and blue theme or stars theme, so I went to You Tube and started listening to Christmas carols while I was designing the card to see if I could find connections because my little snowman was singing caroling. It was a good idea! When O Holy Night began to play and I heard the second line, “The stars were brightly shining,” I knew I had found a perfect connection for my card design. Listening to Christmas carols when I design Christmas cards out of season is not out of the ordinary for me though because it is about the only way I can get into the ‘Christmas spirit’ when it is 95 degrees outside. I know my husband and kids think I am nuts when they walk in and hear me playing Christmas music in the middle of July, but, hey, it works for me. 
 
You offer many different cards featuring snowmen in your GCU storefront.  What are the key makings of a good snowman and what is your favorite part about making them?
I love snowmen! When I was a kid, I used to love making snowmen outside. I grew up in northwest Ohio, so when you see snow for six months out of the year, you learn to enjoy it and be creative. Really, when designing a snowman, most of mine are pretty similar in that they usually have three sections with carrots for a nose and they usually wear a hat, coat, and mittens, or a scarf and I give them stick arms. I go for more of a traditional, or old fashioned snowman because that is what I grew up seeing. One time I did do a smiling snowman card and put some of my Dad’s and my own facial features on it just to see what he would look like and it turned out kind of cool, so I made him into a card and it is available in my first GCU store under the title Jolly Smiling Snowman.
 
 
 
One of the rewards to being a Design Challenge winner is being able to use the winning design, should the artist choose, in a new series and using Fast Track review for all cards in the new series.  Will you leverage this design for more cards and if yes, what other occasions / categories?
I like having the American theme Christmas cards available for people to send to loved ones who may be in the service or far away from home and who would appreciate having a little piece of home with them during the holiday season. That is really what I had in mind when I designed this card. Also I like offering designs for people who just like to send a patriotic themed Christmas cards for the holidays, so I may add a custom front design that people can personalize to send to friends and family. Also, I would adjust it for custom design requests.
 
We know you start early in the year, Christmas in July, creating winter holiday cards.  After Christmas, what is the next major holiday that you will start design cards for?
After Christmas, I usually end up designing for Valentine’s Day or Easter. Sometimes I will consider designing a New Year’s card, but more than likely it will be Valentine’s Day.
 
Ok, now for the fast five, fun questions …  
 
What’s your dream occupation– the one job you’d love to have if you weren’t doing what you’re doing now?
I always wanted to make greeting cards, so I am getting to enjoy that at GCU.
 
What one accomplishment are you most proud of?
Aside from my kids, I think I was most proud of being invited to the Grand National Rodeo Championship Art show in California in 2008. It was by invitation only and only 500 artists worldwide were invited to show there. So I was honored to be a part of it and be able to show my horse and southwest themed paintings.
 
Which is your favorite, puppies or kittens?
They are both adorable and entertaining, but kittens are much less maintenance. lol
 
List something that is on your bucket list.
I’d like to visit Ireland.
 
If your clothes had to be one color forever, what color would you pick?
Navy blue.
 

Tammy Moody — Design Challenge Winner, June 2018

Pattiann on August 6, 2018

Tammy Moody, Design Challenge Winner, June 2018
 
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.
When I was growing up, the phrase, ” I’m singing your praises” was often heard whenever people wanted to thank you for something you did. When I saw this month’s design challenge theme, that phrase instantly popped into my mind. I had never done one of the stock card challenges, so I thought I would give it a try. I looked for animals playing instruments and found this wonderful bull strumming his little guitar and I thought it would be perfect for the sentiment. We have lots of beef and dairy farmers in Missouri and I wanted something that might speak to cattle ranchers in general because they make up such a large demographic here in America and I wanted something that might speak to them and I wanted the design to be a little comical as well because most of the farmers and ranchers I know have a really great sense of humor. So that is how this design came to be.
 
The Design Challenge was Music Themed Thank You.  Are you musical or play any instruments?
No, I’m not very musical. but I like to sing from time to time when I am by myself.
 
This was a Stock Card Creation (BigStock) only challenge.  Any tips on finding the perfect stock image?
I think it helps to have a general idea about the message you’d like to deliver and who your target audience will be and when searching for images just be open-minded because you may run across something unexpected that might be exactly what you didn’t know you were looking for.
 
There are many rewards for the Design Challenge Winner.  Which is your favorite and why?
My favorite part of the Design Challenge is just creating something with a theme and seeing what all the artists do with that same theme. I am constantly amazed at how many different things people create with the same theme. If you win that is just icing on the cake really. I like it when the design is featured on Facebook or gets a spotlight on GCU as Design of the Day because it helps spotlight an artist or a particular design.
 
Mid-year is a good time to start design cards for the Winter holidays.  What are your plans?
Actually, I already have a jump-start on designing for the holiday season. Christmas in July is sort of a great rule-of-thumb for artists who want to get holiday designs submitted. I used the July Design Challenge of Red White and Blue to take an opportunity to design a Christmas card. I like to do a few Patriotic Christmas cards for customers to send to friends or loved ones who might be far away or in the Armed Services and appreciate something from home. I go to Youtube and play Christmas carols to help get myself in the Christmas spirit, so I get a few strange looks from my husband or kids because I play Christmas carols during the hottest month of the year. lol
 
Ok, now for the fast five, fun questions …
 
  1. If you had to be allergic to something, what would it be? 
    I’d be allergic to sweets, so I wouldn’t gain weight. lol
 
  1. What makes a good friend?
    A good friend sticks by your side no matter what. They listen when you need someone to talk to, they pick you up when you are feeling down. And they tell you the truth even when it isn’t what you want to hear. They are someone you can count on and laugh with. They care about you and let you be yourself. They also let you be there for them.
 
  1. Would you rather be a giant rodent or a tiny elephant?
    I would be a tiny elephant because I think baby elephants are adorable as can be.
     
  1. Are you sunrise or sunset? Explain why. 
    Sunrise because I think each new day is a brand new beginning with new opportunities to do something new, different or better than before.
 
  1. If you woke up as a flower one day, what flower would you be?
    I would be a daisy because they are the happiest flower. 
 
Note: Other interviews of Tam Moody here and here.

 

Liz Van Steenburgh of Starstock Greetings, Design Challenge Winner, May 2018

Pattiann on July 25, 2018

Liz Van Steenburgh of Starstock Greetings, Design Challenge Winner, May 2018 

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.

When this challenge was announced, I knew I’d want to create something that I actually had some experience in myself.  “Back in the day”, they actually had sewing classes throughout high school and it was something I always enjoyed.  I also love graphics, especially vintage graphics, so I went through my extensive graphic arsenal and came up with the dress form as the base for the design.  When I found the needle and thread, I knew it would make a great tail for the Congratulations text and a place to hang a vintage wooden hanger to fill the negative space on the card.  Sewing classes may be a thing of the past, but hopefully this card will end up in the mailbox of a future fashion designer one day. 

Please list your 3 favorite cards in your storefront and why they are your favorites.

This card is one of my favorite designs.  I took both photos on a trip to Washington D.C.  The flag was taken at the NASA Space Museum and the eagle from the National Zoo.  I then combined them in Photoshop and added the border.  It seems a fitting way to thank our veterans by using images that are truly symbolic and also shot in our nation’s capital.

Since I use mostly licensed graphics for my card designs, whenever I can use one of my own photographs for a card, I love to do so.  This Mother’s Day card is simple image, toned in sepia with selective coloring on the flower.

I can’t draw a straight line, but I “drew” this Kwanzaa greeting, so I’m a little proud of that accomplishment 🙂

What sparked your interest in art? Did you start as a young child?

I have always had an interest in art, design and photography.  My Dad would dabble with oil painting and, while I had no real interest in that, it planted that creative seed in me.  I have been shooting, creating and crafting most of my adult life.

What would we be surprised to learn about you?

I have worked for Bigstock for the last 12 years.  I entered the stock photography craze as a contributor when it first began and continue to hone my photography skills, as well as my design skills.  I particularly enjoy food photography, but there aren’t too many greeting card categories that fit what I shoot.  I also try to take a yearly photography trip so I can shoot out in nature, plus see a bit of the world.

Thank you for choosing my design as the winner of the May challenge.  GCU has been a blessing to me in many ways, and I hope to hang my hat here for many years to come.

Julia Bryant of JJBDesigns, Design Challenge Winner,  April 2018

Pattiann on June 18, 2018

Julia Bryant of JJBDesigns, Design Challenge Winner,  April 2018

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 wanted the card to be funny. I searched for ‘funny parrot’ in the Big Stock images and this one caught my attention because I thought it would be cute to have him ‘squawking’ about a birthday. It really did just come together.

We’ve talked before about how choosing the perfect stock image is challenging due to so many choices.  What about this image did it for you?

I thought he was hilarious and there are several images from this artist with this particular bird and they are all funny. I chose this one because I thought of a cute text to go with the image.

Any tips on choosing the best font color for your designs? 

I choose font color by finding the most vibrant or dark color in my image and then choosing 2 or 3 shades darker for the font color. If it still doesn’t look nice, I then choose black or white based on the image background. I find that if you keep the color of the font in the same color family, it enhances the card’s cohesiveness.

What’s on the drawing board for new card designs?  Anything you’re really excited about?

With work and travel right now, I find I don’t have much time for design. I am excited for the Christmas cards I hope to get out in the next month.

Your Happy Birthday retro ladies are adorable.  Tell us more about the making and inspiration of these gals.

I do enjoy doing women themed cards. I wanted these ladies to represent the diverse types of women and styles. I gave them sassy outfits and hair to really give them an eccentric flair.  


Do you tend to design collections of cards leveraging the same or similar design or onsies?

I do. I have different backgrounds I use over again and change the color to match the card design I’m trying to achieve. I want to spend more time creating better main images.

On GCU artists set the default finish on cards.  Are you a glossy or matte fan or does it depend on the design?

I’m a matte girl.

Ok, now for the fast five, fun questions …  

1.     What was the first concert you ever went to? When I was stationed on Guam, a rock band called Winger came to the island. Looking back, it was one of the best I ever attended.

2.     If you were a vegetable, what vegetable would you be? Rhubarb – I want to be one that people don’t like to eat.

3.     What Disney/cartoon character were you inexplicably afraid of as a kid? When I was a kid, the Disney character that freaked me out was Medusa from The Rescuers. She was intense and so mean to Penny. However, this question does show my age.

4.     What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics? Curling, because it doesn’t look like it has a lot of physical excursion. I’m sure that’s wrong though.

5.     Are you a traveler or a homebody? Homebody… I traveled a lot when I was younger. I’m more about staying home now.

Note: other interviews of Julia Bryant here and here.

Mindy Pierce Design Challenge Winner,  March 2018

Pattiann on May 7, 2018

 

Please list the URLs of your 3 favorite cards in your storefront and why they are your favorites.
 
This was one of my very first attempts at doing my own hand lettering and writing so you might say it has sentimental value because it was a turning point in how I approach card ideas.
So many of my cards are crammed full of imagery so I am fond of this one because of it’s simplicity. It feels good to get out of your comfort zone occasionally.
I think that greeting cards help people express themselves and connect with those they care about. I like this one because it becomes a collaboration with the customer. Not only does this card relay a sentiment but it also gives the sender a chance to share personal moments, tell a story with their own images and contribute to the design. If they are willing to take the time to input 6 photographs they really care about the person they are sending to. Every time I sell one of these it sends me to my happy place.

 

What were your inspirations for your winning card? Please walk us through the process of how this card went from idea to greeting card.
 
So when GCU announced the challenge was “beach” I do what I always do and did a mental estimate of what parts do I have that I could build on to fit this category. All I could come up with was a turtle, some water, a few fish and some sea shells. Since I am currently past the bathing suit phase in my life I really haven’t developed much imagery that relates to beach. So I decided I might sit this one out. Then, a couple of weeks later there was something in the news about the water levels rising and Easter Island was sinking. That made me sad which made me think of my kids who told me a couple of years ago that they had been irritated with me way back when they figured out that the Easter Bunny and Santa weren’t real. They wondered why did I proliferate this myth only to disappoint them (hence the “just enjoy the mystery” on the inside of the card). Then I remembered, “oh crap! it’s almost my daughter’s birthday on April 1st which was also Easter and I haven’t even thought about it!”  At that point I did a reassessment of my visual library and realized I had a bunny and some eggs to use when I realized that Easter island might have a beach.
 
What sparked your interest in art? Did you start as a young child?
 
When I was a kid and we went to church there were really only two things that I did regularly and that was fall asleep or get into trouble. I did fall asleep some but mostly I got into trouble because I couldn’t sit still. One Sunday I was close to getting another spanking when my mom found one of those cheap white notepads in her purse, a little more digging for a pencil and wah-lah….NIRVANA. I wish I could say that it solved all of my problems but it did greatly reduce the number of spankings. Let’s just say I had a lot of incentive to practice my craft.
Do you have formal training or are you self-taught?
 
When it came time to choose a career after high school I had many many hours of practice drawing so I decided to go to school for graphic design and illustration thinking maybe I wouldn’t be starting from ground zero.

 

Is your work done by hand and then scanned or do you work entirely on the computer?
 
I usually use both hand done scanned art and computer generated images in combination. I tap all kinds of mediums from watercolor, pastels to oil paints. I paint or draw most of the time in black and white. Then scan, assemble and colorize in photoshop.
What GCU artist(s) do you admire?
 
It’s really hard to mention individuals because I think there is a wonderful pool of talent at GCU but these two stand out because I keep running across their art and admiring them repeatedly.
When I was looking for cards for my daughter who is away at school without realizing it I kept selecting ones from Sue Nollmeyer. Then I noticed I had picked 2 of hers for my favorites. So that tells me she definitely knows and understands how I would feel most comfortable communicating.
Fun fact: I finally settled on the card above for her valentine card. We have a favorite Japanese restaurant that we go to just for their miso soup when she is home on breaks.
I also love Kathleen Johnson. Her cards are well designed, well written and beautifully executed consistently.

 

Looking at your storefront, many of your designs use bright and bold colors.  What is your favorite color?

 

I generally equate color with emotion and since I can be very moody it is very nearly impossible to chose just one. All colors on the color wheel are indispensable, but if I’m picking a color to wear it’s usually black, not because it’s my favorite but because it matches everything. Then I can spend less time picking clothes and spend more time making art.

 

What would we be surprised to learn about you?
 
I love science fiction. It’s my go to for reading escapism and entertainment. If you give me a choice between a love story or an alien I’m going to pick the alien every time.