2012 Blog Banners

It’s a curse and a blessing….This visual boredom I get.  I know a lot of you probably read this blog thru your readers so you’re more interested in the content.  But not I… I like to hit the page directly, see everything, on everyone else’s blog, too.  The first thing I notice is the header. 

For two years I’ve been updating my blog banner’s monthly. It’s an easy way for me to stay tuned in with my photoshop software and a welcome break from drawing. It helps me to get over the hump of a difficult sketch and will inspire me if I’m in a rut.

Here are my twelve 2012 banners used on this site.



JANUARY- limited the banner to 6 pictures.



FEBRUARY- quite simple…used the ROYGBIV theme, first pic red, then orange…



MARCH- not my favorite…the black/white stripe is too strong.



APRIL- more my style….light and fun.



MAY- “d” is for draw, doodle….this turned out better than expected.



JUNE- “j” is for june.  This is kinda boring.



JULY- Not much art here…but it’s interesting.



AUGUST- much better use of black.  One of my favorites.



SEPTEMBER- a little too busy.



OCTOBER- very simple….and one of my favs.



NOVEMBER- different format.



DECEMBER- lots of Christmas going on.

Again, I wish these banners remained “static”. Meaning that they stay with the posts at the time the posts were uploaded.  But such is not the case.  And I’m probably the only one that cares. Possibly there will be an app in the future that will enable me to do that.  But for now…this is as good as it gets. 

Am I the only one that notices blog banners or even cares?  Haha

Teen Lingo…redefined

If you’ve been following this blog for awhile then you may remember my Teen Lingo post from November 2010. 



I loved that post!!  Since it was such a popular drawing and so many people can relate to the sentiment I was asked to make the teen a boy.



Boys are simple…. all I had to do was put him in a soccer or football jersey and give him a ball cap.



Oh yes….and make sure he displays that “bored” look that is so popular amongst this age group.



The fun part was placing him in the car with his mom.  Gotta love photoshop!  What does this program not do?

For those of you new here, let me give you a little background on this drawing.  I had to drive my daughter to a college visit last year.  Since she could hardly tolerate my presence at the time….and I was trying to make the best of it.  Every question or comment I made was answered by a ONE WORD response.  All and all her vocabulary consisted of 10 words that weekend.  It really was quite funny and I believe one day she’ll realize how funny she was.

Teen-Lingo Definitions:

1. Touché- When I’ve figured out the right answer to why he does something.
2. Whatever- When he really doesn’t want to do what I ask him to do. Or is stalling.
3. What- If I look at him at any time.
4. Stop- If I don’t avert my eyes after he’s said “What”.
5. Fine- If I tell him not to do something he is wanting to do.
6. Random- If I communicate with him about my day, or make a statement about life in general.
7. Sure- If I ask him a Yes or No question
8. Obviously- If I agree with what he is doing
9. Congratulations- If I figure out something that I didn’t know before….usually pertaining to his school life, his social life or his sports life.
10. MOM !!- If #3 and #4 hasn’t diverted my attention and now he really means it!

Please tell me…..can anybody relate?

Louis the Leo

Coloring Book page to start with.  I always start these birds in coloring book style, but I really have to struggle if I want to doodle this way.  Much more fun to doodle as I go, if you ask me!



I had a lot of food-for-fodder when I looked at my photo stash from my Downtown Chicago visit last year.  Amazing how each skyscrapper has it’s own personality.



Watercolor pencils for the yellow shirt, the desk and the window sill.



I photoshoped the #1 Sales onto the coffee mug.  Photoshoped the clouds peeking out from behind the buildings.  And photoshoped the frosted glass to make the buildings appear behind glass.  Totally messed this up when I drew this because I should’ve made a frame.  But this is a big display type window, much more pleasant to look out of…haha



Louis-the-Lion…..He does everything with flair and charisma, that’s how he got to be the number one salesman in his company.  He has a big heart and is very organized.  He’s always been good with names which helps when he asks his associates how Johnny’s baseball team is doing, or if Sarah got the leading part in the upcoming play.  When he walks in the door at home after being away on a trip nothing makes him feel more like a king than the attention and pampering he receives from his family.  They just missed him.

Jen….the Gemini

I think I may start a new series….Zodiac Birds, haha.  Since my daughter is a Gemini and I’ve got many Gemini friends and relatives I thought I’d start off with this giddy type.



Markers can be so limiting!  Even though I prefer them….but the jeans needed some white-wash to them so out came the watercolor pencils.



Since Gemini’s are the sign of the twin, that lady in red up there is suppose to be Jen’s reflection in the mirror when she’s in split-personality mode.  Haha



This was a fun one to draw.  Haven’t drawn a cute little dog in a while and I love her purse.  Apparently, boots are going to be really big this year, so I thought I’d make her all vogue.  The hat was a risk, but I’ve seen a few of those out at some retail shops.  Love the iphone case!!  I don’t have a personalized case but then again, my parents have stopped buying me things a….long….time…ago!



I thought I could find a wooden paneled background for the wall in photoshop.  My version must not have one….so I had some fun with some other tools in there.  Now, I like this wall!

Jen-the-Gemini…..this one is On-The-Go….All-The-Time.  She has friends that she shops with, friends that she studies with, friends that she exercises with, friends that she walks her dog with and friends that she figures out the meaning of life with.  She can’t sit still.  Unfortunately, she sometimes forgets who she made plans with and when. But because she’s so fun to have around her friends forgive her this little flaw.  Talk about adapting, no one can adapt better, cuz she..is..smart!  She’s just a bunch of different people all rolled up into one energetic package.

Blog Banner Awareness

 

Started the New Year with this banner…..way too busy!  I wish there was a way to make the banners that you use for a month…static….meaning that they stay that way in the archives with the posts that were used at that time.  I just think it would make this blog more interesting.



This banner (Feb) is one that just came together well for me.  Don’t know why I like it or why it works, it just does.



This banner (March) was in celebration of my doodle directory popularity.  I’d never done an-all-geometric or doodled type header, didn’t know if I’d like it.  Chose to alternate black/white blocks with the colored ones, so there wasn’t too much asking for attention up there.  Because RED definitely likes the spotlight.  I’m pleasantly pleased with this banner.



Did a little sketching the previous month so my April banner reflected it. 

So….on this last day of April, I’ll leave you in suspense.  Will I change the banner or won’t I?  And what will it look like if I do?  Do you have a blog banner that you'd like to share with us?  Any suggestions for future blog banners?

Chicago in PICTURES

I had what some would call an "Artist's Date" these past few days!!  I was totally and unbelievably spoiled for my birthday by my favorite Aunt.  We spent 2 full days, walking the streets of our countries 3rd largest city.  I hadn’t been downtown Chicago in about 15 yrs.  The last couple times I’ve been there I had to make sure I had enough juice boxes, didn’t forget the stroller, held little hands and watched closely where those little feet ran went.  This was a totally different experience.  It’s nice to be an ADULT and to even have a beer in the middle of the afternoon……Woo- who!!

 

The Art Institute of Chicago is HUGE, and by the time we got there, we were a bit rushed and exhausted.  It would’ve been best if I had a list of Artists I wanted to see then proceeded to those various wings.  The Contemporary Art section was not very impressive.  I think that some of it I could’ve done, really!! You too!  Please…. a painted picture of a diamond grid on point, with two colors…..who decided to call that art put that in?    I loved that we came upon a group of students drawing some sculptures!  I also spotted a workman painting a mural on a huge wall of one of the wings….he was following some Paint-by-Number map!  Too funny!  We came upon some Trompe l'oeil paintings, which means to “deceive the eye”….This was well worth the time, and we were fooled by each painting.  Some of the paintings looked like objects were hung inside of the frame,  very 3D, not flat.  The shadows and highlighting effects were amazing!  Probably should’ve taken more pictures…..pretty cool that I was even allowed to, as long as I didn’t use my flash.



Just a bunch of different pictures that I found interesting.  The bean, gold people figures and the man’s face (one at night and another with water coming out of the mouth) are from Millennium Park.  The Alpha/numerical structure, Ferris wheel, Statues of kids playing and Anchor are from Navy Pier.  Also pictured are: a few modes of transportation, Buckingham Fountain at night, an American Girl at the Hair Salon and other cool art work around the city.



We took a Architecture Boat Tour on the canal where I was able to get some really good pictures.  We learned a lot about the city and architecture of the buildings.  Apparently lots of the buildings were built in a way to compliment one another.  Oh, and the Sears Tower, has a new name....it’s the Willis Tower now!  Ugh!



We walked around 12-15 miles and I took almost 600 pictures in two days.  Being a Proud American, how could I not take pictures of all the American Flags displayed throughout the city?  Gotta love digital cameras and 2 gigabyte memory cards!



And……then there’s SILLY!!!  All I can say is….I love people shots!!

Insert Inspiration Here

Every now and then I need to Organize my Thoughts and my Finds and post what’s inspiring me lately. If I really get my act together I might just do this quarterly!! But that’s IF!!

DRAWING:

*image posted with permission

Andrea Joseph- If you haven’t spotted this lady yet, you will be in for a treat when you visit her blog or flickr site. She can do the most amazing drawings, with a pen. Yep, a pen!!! Your standard bic pen! Who’d have thought?

Andrea Joseph's Art Blog

Andrea Joseph Flickr illustrations

PAINTING:

*image posted with permission

Leah Giberson- Oh my goodness, I have been totally suckered into thinking her paintings are photographs. She does the most absolutely amazing still life’s. Usually they are of houses, cars, RV’s or even pools. Fascinating!!

Leah Giberson Etsy Shop

Leah Giberson Flickr Photostream

ABSTRACT COLOR:

Thaneeya McArdle- She uses every color known to man. She knows what she’s doing and has a wonderful way of making ordinary things look EXTRAordinary.

Thaneeya's Website

Thaneeya Flickr Photostream

INTERVIEWS:

I am naturally curious about other people. Especially people that I can learn something from. It’s nice to get a look at the personality behind the art. What and how the artists do their work and their inspirations. Because I think we are all influenced by each other. There is no new thing under the sun (with the exception of technology). I guess it’s just the way we use it or present it.

Stephanie Levy Artist Interviews

ZENTANGLES:

Caroline’s picture Indio

Where do I begin with all the zany zentanglers out there??? Oh My!! I think this is such a good way to practice, to steady our hand with our chosen tool (pen/ pencil or brush). It’s unbelievably relaxing and for me it s.l.o.w.s. my mind down! Which can be a very good thing, indeed. Just ask anyone that lives with me.

And for the more COLORFUL zentanglers out there……I bring you Bostinstuff.

Check out their photostreams for more amazing work by both Caroline and Sheila.

TYPOGRAPHY:

For all you ART JOURNALERS out there, who isn’t influenced by dynamic type fonts? I see what these ladies can do and I drool!! Really!!

Martha Lever

Besottment by paper relics

Tammy's Art Journaling post

Dawn Sokol's Art Journal pages

Lori at Elvie Studio

Aimee at Artsyville

BOOKS:

1- My Stroke of Insight- This book was recommended to me by a Local Art Instructor. It’s about a 37 yr old Harvard trained Neurosurgeon (brain scientist), who had a stroke in her LEFT HEMISPHERE. She talks about all the beauty and peace she felt during and after her stroke. During her stroke, she had to call 9-1-1 and once she recognized the 9 she punched it…..and kept punching it, because she had no sense of time (left hemisphere) and finally realized she had to cover up the 9 on the sheet of paper to move on. She gradually regained her full use of her left-analytical hemisphere. She now could chose to let go of negative judgments or memories (left hemisphere) that she didn’t want to have a hold on her anymore. Worth every minute to read this book. Especially if you’re curious about how our hemispheres interact. Loved it!!

2- The War of Art- I heard about this book thru Mandy at Messy Canvas. There is so much good stuff in this book and I recommend taking your time to read it. Read a chapter at a time. No need to read it all in one sitting. If you take your time, you can let the ideas simmer for awhile. Very thought provoking.

Quote from this book: “I believe in Angels. They work for God- it’s their job to help us. Wake us up. Bump us along. They shout “Evolve! Evolve!”……Angels are like muses. They know stuff we don’t. They want to help us. They’re on the other side of a pane of glass shouting to get our attention. But we can’t hear them. We’re too distracted by our own nonsense. Ahhh, but when we begin. When we make a start…..When we commit & face our fears------ A crack appears in the membrane.”

QUOTES:

Raise your hand if you’re inspired by Quotes? Actually, it would probably be easier to count the hands of people who aren’t!

It’s not that some people have willpower and some don’t. It’s that some people are ready to change and others are not. -James Gordon

Maybe being brave is no more than staring down the “less than” feeling and stepping up to the “I am worthy” feeling. -Terri St. Cloud

Tension is who you think you should be, Relaxation is who you are. -Chinese Proverb

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma- which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is seconday. -Steve Job

YOUTUBE:

And last I want to leave you with this youtube video from John Cleese on Creativity. It’s about 10 minutes long, but he talks about some very do-able principles. Lots of insight and funny too!

Thanks for staying with me to the end here. I am a bit humbled to say the least. But at the same time these people excite me. To think that someone can actually draw like that, paint like that, or write like that. Wow! Hope you found something that inspired you as well.

Digital Credits:

• Picture frame for VISUAL STIMULI courtesy of Scrapgirls Freebie.
• Label Maker used for names on the above pictures, purchased from Scrapgirls Here.

Just a bit of Blog Tweaking…..

Say Buh-Buh to this blog banner!  I’ve had this banner since the 15th of February!  That’s a long time for me.  In need of a face-lift this blog was!  I’m between projects right now , not entirely the truth but in truth I’m a bit flighty today so to clear my head I thought I’d redo my blog banner.   Plus it gives me a good reason to play with my digital elements in Photoshop! 
I also wanted to share with you fellow bloggers a feature that is not new to the blog world, but new to me.  It’s called Link Within and it will automatically pull in 3 stories for you at the bottom of your blog post once you install the widget.  Helps us blog jumpers so we can keep on reading at our favorite blogs.  No wonder why I don’t get anything done around here!  No wonder….

Evolution of a Blog Banner……

I think I have a “thing” for blog banners! I started posting to this blog back in 2007. And my motto for the blog was “Just Do It”, to get me over the hump of writing on here. Exposing myself and my stuff to the outer world. It was fun. I liked the fact that if I was talking to a friend I could immediately show them something I was talking about by just going to my blog and finding the post.

Then in 2009, I wanted to pick a word. As you can see my word was “Start”. As in start to do the things I wanted to do, and I started to update my blog as well.

When I first named my blog I had it as “My Perspective”, so I thought it would be fun to bring that into the blog header in the one I used in February ‘09. Being that I don’t use the blog to voice my political views, my personal victories and struggles (other than with arts & crafts), I thought that name was pretty lame. So, that’s when “This looks like fun” came onto the scene.

The “Lighten Up and Start to express yourself in different ways” banner was pretty short lived. I wanted to jump start myself to really post on this blog, but I thought the “lighten up” wording came off as a little negative. Time to change again, then.

The Inspire, Love, Start header was super fun to make. I used many digital images that I bought at Scrapgirls and I got to express myself thru Photoshop more on here. I really have a thing for those birdies too! Go figure!

This summer as I foung myself with more “me” time due to the fact that my youngest child was driving herself to her activities and practices. I was able to sew things and to doodle a bit and to really express myself in color. I brought in my own pictures for the top banner… “A little place on the web where Creativity happens”. This banner really inspired me. I could see some of my favorite fabrics, my favorite self-made quilt, some fun doodles and embroidery. This one I could’ve kept up forever.

Now it’s December and I seem to be on a roll…..so, I had to wish my blog readers a Merry Christmas and what better way to do that than thru my banner. With pictures from my own tree and infusing it with the real reason for Christmas (not the politically correct version of Happy Holidays), I was able to show you a little slice of my values.

Then came the Happy New Year banner! I had hand drawn those birds (just 3) in October and scanned them into my computer for future work. For this banner all I had to do was color, crop and duplicate in Photoshop. Another fun, FUN, blog header!

On February1st, I had to try my hand at a Valentines header. As you can see, I have trouble with PINK! I love pink, actually adore it….but this banner seems too busy for me. Maybe it’s too pink!! Probably should’ve toned it down some.

Then today, I made a blog header with my own little doodle alphabet. The first three letters are from my earlier doodling. The last 3 letters are more recent. To me the latter letters (Lowercase) are a bit richer, not as boring as the Uppercase series.

Don’t know how long I’ll keep this header up. Until I get bored with it I guess. I think it would be neat if blogger was able to keep the blog header with the posts that we did at that time. For those not familiar I’ll explain what I mean. When I upload a new blog header it will be what is seen when you go back and read older posts. It’s too bad the header doesn’t appear that I used from the time I posted a certain post (i.e. Christmas banner blog header as you go back and read what I talked about in Dec 09)….. Ah well, such is life.

What have you seen evolve on your blog that surprised you? Inspired you? Kept you wanting to update and improve?

Thanks for stopping by,

Eden