Inspired by a photo from © Georgianna Lane
Check out her page for some awesome photography and another painting inspired by her photograph by Lyn Donald @ https://www.facebook.com/LynDonaldArt
Day 1 vs. Day 2
Dr. Martins liquid watercolors on Yupo vs. cold press watercolor paper.
Posted in Art
Image via Wikipedia
Over the last couple of weeks I have discovered how to use Pinterest. It is a virtual storage system or “Pin-board” for EVERYTHING you are interested in. If you are building a home, having a wedding, planning a party or you just want to file your creative images—Pinterest is for you. Here are a couple of ‘Pinaholic’ quotes that have come to mind lately. If you have not discovered Pinterest, ignore this post—you won’t get any of it. I hope you enjoy.
Posted in Art
Tagged animals, art, Business and Economy, colorful, creative, creative images, Creativity, Design, destination, dog, Facebook, Garden, graphic, Herick, Holly, hot guy, painting, pin board, Pinterest, planning a party, Psychology, Rose Garden, Social media, Social network, Social Sciences, storage locker, Twitter, virtual storage system, Wall Street Journal, watercolor, whimiscal, Wikipedia
Posted in Art, graphic design, graphic design studio, graphic design illustration, graphic logo design
Tagged Holly, Herick, Design, art, graphic, creative, whimiscal, colorful, Creativity, Drawing, valentines
Winston Churchill was a brilliant man.
I often hear people say “I’m not creative,” or “I can’t draw.” That concept might be currently true in a person’s mind, but why? Why does one person become good at drawing and another an expert in engineering, or business? Nobody was an expert in any of these fields at the age of five. Each person has different innate qualities, personality traits and gifts from birth. How these gifts are nurtured and practiced as a person matures makes a huge difference in the success of any skill a person might have as an adult.
When I was very young, I remember people liking my drawings. Because I liked the complements, I wanted to draw more. Believe me—my drawings were not all that great, but I kept going—wading through a lot of really bad sketches. I took all the art classes I could; I practiced and studied hard. I still need to practice and study to do well. So when people tell me they can’t draw, I like to tell them that is fine. They probably have other things that they like to do better. If you want to draw, you need to practice, just as you would need to practice if you want to be a professional athlete. Success comes from interest first and practice second, lots of practice.
I like to think that Winston Churchill’s quote is the secret to success. Read the quote this way: “Success is the ability to move from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” Fear of making mistakes will hold you back. If you love what you do, you are probably willing to persevere through your mistakes. So make your blunders and move on. Practice makes progress. And the way you practice determines how you perform—no matter what your interest!
I struggle where to start (and end) with this blog. Do I describe the process we used to paint the room, or how tired I was by the end of my shift, or describe the feeling of being on common ground with hundreds if not thousands of others just helping one another out of the goodness of their hearts? I don’t know. The experience as a whole was amazing! I am so happy that I chose to be a part of it.
Excitement in the Rogue Valley soared as we waited to hear which family would be the recipient of the Extreme Makeover. A website was set up and volunteers were gathered to help with skills, talents and time. Many small businesses in the valley were the major contributors in the build. I was so impressed, our Medford valley area people are so generous, even in a very tough economy.
As time to build (and surprise the family) neared, sightings of the Extreme Makeover bus became frequent. One of my friends (who will remain anonymous) even stalked the bus to try to find out where the build would take place. Many rumors flew as people anticipated this big event for our small valley. On Wednesday morning the family was announced: the McPhail family would be receiving a new home. McPhail? It sounded familiar, but I didn’t really know them. Then it occur too me, I had been following a local blog, “Earth Monkeys” and one of the bloggers was Lindsay McPhail. I had made a few comments on her blog and we have happen to have quite a few facebook friends in common, so I was excited to be helping out even though I really didn’t know her or her family. Along with many others, I wondered, why the McPhail family—why were they picked?
The McPhail family has three children, two with special needs. Despite the daily needs of their own children, Lindsay and CJ McPhail head up the Southern Oregon Sparrow Clubs. They have started many new Sparrow clubs at our local schools. Read more about Sparrow Clubs USA here. They were not chosen just because their home was not safe or because they have kids with special needs. They were chosen because of just HOW much they have done in the community for others with special needs. Watch this video interview with the McPhail Parents.
So I was recruited by a friend to help paint a mural. I like to paint so of course I said “I’m in,” not knowing it would be an all night shift. There was a little confusion with our shift day (probably because our shift spanned to dates) so we arrived a night early and our room was not ready for us yet. It was a blessing to be able to look around and get a feel for what we would be doing the following night. We were on team “Yogi” and would be helping with a mural of a Barn Storming theme, designed by Travis Yogi. The room was for Thatcher, a young boy with Autism.
So after arrival on the correct night, we ran into some old friends who were hanging the wallpaper part of the mural.
Yogi’s design had been turned into a huge digital print that would “wallpaper” everything except the trim and parts of the doors and windowsill—that would be our job, to extend the mural. Sounds fairly easy right? WRONG. Why, you are probably wondering—what is so hard about painting little bit of trim?
Well first of all, we were not supplied with matching paint colors. We are not sure what happened, but the paint in our closet did not match the mural, nor was there enough paint to mix all the colors that we needed. So at a time I would usually be asleep 2:00am Cheryl ran to Lowe’s and picked up the paint colors that we were unable to match by mixing with what we had. Issue number one tackled.
At one point Yogi came by and made us take a break. He was always there checking on us, making sure we had what we needed, encouraging us and telling us what he knew about Thatcher and Autism. We wondered when Yogi crashed took his breaks.
Issue number two came about because of a combination of things. First of all, it was roasting quite hot so we kept the windows open for fresh air. Secondly, it was well after 2:00am and we were all brain dead very tired and losing any creative brain power we normally pridefully brag about. Take a look at the photo below. See how the wallpaper covers the window panes also…well with the windows open it is darn near impossible to match up the stripes. I guess we just didn’t think about that. I personally have never covered every square inch of a room with a mural. Apparently kids with Autism like to sort of cocoon themselves in order to feel safe. Thus, our job was to make the doors and windows disappear. (I hope little Thatcher doesn’t get lost in his own room) When we finally shut the windows the image did not match up. Cheryl stayed and sanded down the windowsill and repainted it. Thanks Cheryl—you are amazing!
Working on the window
The smoke trail from Grandpa’s plane.We heard that Thatcher loves to look down on Medford from his Grandpa’s old plane. So a model of Grandpa’s plane and a structural barn that Thatcher can climb on will be added to the room after we finish. The barn will have a “perch” for Thatcher, another safe haven place that many Autistic children like.
It had been a very long time since I had pulled my hair out an all-niter. Yes, I was exhausted, sore and laughing at nothing and everything. Stronger than that, I knew I had just been used by the Lord. I could feel it. Everyone there could feel it. There was no way anyone could have been on that site and not felt the Lord’s presence! It was wonderful. So many people gathered in one place in support of another was magical. Yes, I’m sure most people helped because they wanted to meet Ty or another star they wanted to make the world a better place. We did not meet anyone famous, but the people we did met will all be stars in my heart forever.
We wrote some scripture under the paint and prayed for Thatcher the whole night through. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Two-hour Special, air date: Friday, October 28, 2011. Please watch to learn more about Autism and Sparrow Clubs.
P.S. Melody did get to meet Ty Pennington a couple of days after our shift at our local Good Bean coffee shop here in Jacksonville. Lucky girl! Ty in Jacksonville
One of my favorite local ways to volunteer is at The Studio for Living Opportunities. This year I will be donating a painted piece of furniture for the “FurnARTure Auction” My piece this year is a kitchen table painted to look like it is already set.
I procrastinated on this project all summer, but sometimes one just needs a little pressure to get things going. I had many ideas, but finally decided on the sketch below. I removed the legs from the table in order to actually move it. The table is solid wood and is quite heavy. Then I sanded and prepared the table for paint. Look below and you will see some of my process as I painted the table runner, plates and cups. I wanted the table setting to look real, but not be too literal so I used a gel medium to build up the paint and create a lot of texture. Most of the paint is house paint from Benjamin Moore left over from painting our home seven years ago. I also used some bright acrylics when needed.
The perspective changes for each setting. In order for the person sitting at the table to not feel like their glass was tipping over, I decided this would be the most fun. The perspective also entices one to walk around the table and look at it from each view, making this piece of art interactive, and functional too.
Last Friday evening my table, along with other FurnArture, was on display at The Studio at 32 Central—across from the Ginger Roger Theater. It was such a joy to watch people walk through the door and say “wow” and walk over a feel the table. This table and most of my acrylic paintings are very textural. Part of the experience with my acrylic artwork is touching the piece and I want people to do that. My piece and the other FurnARTure will be on display at Terra Firma Home on Main in Medford until the auction at Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville on October 2, 2011.
If you are interested in bidding on this piece, you will need to attend the furARTure auction at Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville on October 2, 2011. Proceeds from this table will be donated to my favorite charity, The Studio at Living Opportunities here in Medford. If you would like to commission a painted piece of furniture, you can use my contact me tab on the top right of my web page.
Posted in Art, graphic design, graphic design illustration, graphic design studio, hollyherick.com, Painted Furniture
Tagged Acrylic Paint, Auction, Benjamin Moore, Bigham Knoll, Donation, furnARTure, Furniture, Home and Garden, Jacksonville, Kitchen, kitchen table, Living Oppotunities, Medford Oregon, paint, painted fruniture, Placemat, Shopping, The studio at Living Opportunities, third friday artwalk
Please reply if you can relate to this: I have moved my kid’s bedrooms around because my son is moving off to college soon—therefore, my office is otherwise occupied. While the closet has been reorganized for clothes and office supplies, I, however, have not been reorganized. I need my space to clear my thoughts and download my creativity. Instead, my adult child is downloading his last summer as a free person, still not responsible for much other than what he has already accomplished. And he has accomplished much, don’t get me wrong. So as his creativity grows while he pursues his summer learning program for Digipen, I relinquish my space. And during this time I watch as he creates while he studies his self lead program for the summer. And I am in awe of his learning, his sketches, his accomplishments. It is well worth the relinquishment of space. he is growing, moving on, and I will miss him.
So as Dillon completes 800 sketches this summer (self taught program for Digipen) before he even gets to his college of choice, I watch in amazement. He is challenging himself, and that warms my heart while I release my space to him.
Dillon is concentrating on observational drawing skills.
I am thrilled. The legacy I get to pass on is amazing, not of myself, but of a higher gifting. I am blessed!
Posted in Art
Tagged Colonization, Digipen, DigiPen Institute of Technology, Narbacular Drop, Technology
Christine is one of my favorite pet portrait artist. Check her out in the book “Love from Me” at http://lovefrommeproject.blogspot.com/ and check out her blog at http://www.iheartdogsstudio.com/ is one of my new favorite blogs. Christine, a participant of “Love from Me” book and blog is on of my favorite new blog and artists. Check out her work and donations toward cancer patients at http://www.iheartdogsstudio.com/
Posted in Animals, Art, commissioned portraits, hollyherick.com, pets
Dear friends, loved ones, and followers:
“Love From Me” is a book of amazing inspirational art compiled to raise money for cancer fighters. I have a page dedicated to my friend Wendy Anderson in it (p. 44). The book is now available for sale. I will not make any money from the sale of the book, my art is donated.
PLEASE follow the link to view the entire book and purchase “Love From Me.” It is a wonderful gift for people fighting the battle against cancer and a great coffee table book—truly inspirational.
The Love From Me Project is an extension of the Paws For Charity Art Book Project (pawsforcharity.blogspot.com), and is the 3rd annual Art Book Project compiled and edited by Sara Harley.
The Paws For Charity Art Book Project was started in 2009 and raised funds for breast cancer charity while celebrating the bond we feel for our pets.
This year continues with the Love From Me Project…Inspirational images donated by 61 artists and photographers from many countries. All funds raised from this project are donated to The Rose Fund, c/o the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada. This is a registered charity to help cancer patients who are facing financial difficulty as a result of dealing with their cancer treatments.
My page dedicated to Wendy:
"Love from Me" compiled by Sara Harley
If you purchase the book or at least view it online, I would love your feedback. Please come back and leave me a comment about the book—or the battle you or your loved one have fought against cancer.
Posted in Art, Garden, graphic design, painting, watercolor, woman
Tagged animals, art, art book, beach, cancer, creative, flowers, Garden, holly herick, inspirational, love from me, painting, pets, Sara Harley, The Rose Fund, watercolor, wendy anderson, woman artist
Please check out this blog that I am so proud to be a part of. It is amazing that I can help people around the world through my God-given talents and connections. The “Love from Me” project is dedicated to people suffering from cancer. In this blog you will find many artist whom have dedicated their art to friends who have been through cancer. My dedication is to my friend Wendy. “Foxgloves for Wendy” was painted around the time that Wendy fought and died of breast cancer. Here is my page from the book that is being created to honor cancer sufferers.
"Love from Me" by Sara Harley
When it becomes available I will share the link so that you may purchase the book in order to support those whom have suffered in your life.
Posted in Art, Colors, Flowers, flowers. art, foxglove, Garden, gardening, graphic design, graphic design illustration, painting, watercolor
Tagged American Cancer Society, Anderson, art, Breast, Breast cancer, cancer, colorful, Conditions and Diseases, creative, Design, flowers, Garden, God, Health, Herick, Holly, paint, painting, Rose Garden, Support group, watercolor, Wendy, whimiscal
"Jigsaw" © Holly Herick Design
"Scooter" © Holly Herick Design
"Topher" © Holly Herick Design
Check out Dogs for the Deaf. It is a great non-profit that trains dogs for the people with hearing disabilities and rescues dogs from around the Northwest and California. Dogs for the Deaf (DFD) resides in Central Point, Oregon. Central Point, Oregon is about 5 miles away from Jacksonville where I live. Dogs for the Deaf is one of my favorite local charities.
Recently, I answered a call for local artists to donate artwork to their cause. Today I was blessed to deliver three dog portraits to Kristine at DFD. Soon the portraits will be available as a set of cards—and possibly more—through DFD. Hopefully my pet portraits will help raise money for a cause I believe in—nothing gives me more joy than to help others. You may also purchase prints of these three dogs on my Zazzle website: http://www.zazzle.com/hollyherick. (prints coming soon)
If you have never visited Dogs for the Deaf, I urge you to drive on out the the base of the Table Rock Mountains and take a tour. visit the Dogs for the Deaf web page for more information.
If you are interested in having your own pet painted in this style head to Holly Herick Design and contact me. Or send me an email for more details hollyherick@charter.net
A common theme among many of my blog posts is experimenting-trying new techniques, subjects or mediums. I have not come across an artist yet that does not get bored with things fairly quickly. Recently I tried a tool called Scribbler. To say the least, I had some pretty scary drawings using Scribbler. Most artists create way more artwork than the public ever sees. In one of my recent posts, I displayed some of my bad artwork. It was torture for me. I want to be hide my failures from public view. Most of us do. Being creative is not about pure success. Being creative is about searching, practicing and not giving up. I don’t believe artists start out creating successful work, it is the result of much practice. Every artist I have met merely enjoys the creative process and is willing to do it over and over again. Art takes practice just like sports or math or woodworking. Be willing to experiment is part of that process. My goal is to encourage people to be creative, make mistakes and try new techniques. Here is what I tried recently, minus the really bad attempts (too painful to share). Portraits of my kids:
Creative friends, what have you experimented with lately? Send me a note about what inspires you. Creative challenge: google Scribbler and try it yourself.
Posted in Art, Family, kids, Uncategorized
Tagged art, colorful, commissioned pet portraits, creative, Creativity, Design, Drawing, Herick, Holly, Scribbler, Visual Arts, whimiscal
Trudy was a beautiful dog, sadly Trudy passed away last week. So in honor of Trudy, I decided to paint from a photograph that my talented friend Tonya Poitevint from Tonya Poitevint Photography took last summer. She captured Trudy’s personality so well that it inspired me to paint. Here is Tonya’s original photograph.
Thanks Tonya for permission to use your photo as inspiration. And, thank you Kristin also for giving me permission to paint your sweet Trudy—I know your family really loved her. I’m not sure if this is the final painting of Trudy, I may try painting her in some different colors. One teacher whom really encouraged me, Molly Murrah, always said paint everything at least three times. By then you will have learned quite a bit about the subject you are painting. If you look at my last post about “Scooter” you will know what I am talking about.
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Here is the painting with some final highlights and washes.
If you have a beloved pet you would like me to paint, send me a note or a photo. The best portraits usually come from eye level, so keep that in mind. hollyherick@charter.net
