You may have noticed my graphic image style on my website, blog posts, newsletters, Facebook posts, and YouTube videos is changing. I pride myself on being a lifelong learner. I love being challenged and outsmarting the steep learning curve. I especially love it when I’ve achieved my set goals and then find new creative ways to use my newfound skills to make tired, old routine tasks fresh again. It makes the rewards of having made the effort to expand my knowledge base that much sweeter.
Last October my two talented daughters and I started a new business together. We are three creatives with different and unique passions. I thought it would be fun to design printed products that promote creativity while supporting and encouraging artistic diversity in all its colorful forms.
Our wonderful adventure started with a lot of research and back-end set up. That lead to product development, then promotion and delivery. And A Crafty Crew was born with our core mission to inspire creative lifestyles.
We learned a ton of new skills along the way. One of my favorite new skills is graphic design. It’s an art form I always wanted to explore more deeply, but glass fabrication dominated my creative energy. With my daughters’ young tech savvy minds for help I had the courage to venture out into unfamiliar territory and try something new.
Now, I’m on fire!
There’s no stopping me! I love creating lively, meaningful, touching images that empower and ignite the imagination.
My creative process is evolving and maturing.
I’m designing in a whole new way. For some projects I begin by creating an imaginary setting that exists only in my head. Then it magically materializes into reality on my computer screen. For other projects I take unrelated graphics and combine them to create a design with a specific theme or message. Then there are the exceptional projects where I mix both techniques together to make really fun, unique designs. Whatever the approach happens to be, the process continues to joyfully surprise and amaze me.
Inspiration is one of my favorite designs that came out of nowhere.
It started with the penetrating stare and the smoky colors of a single eye. I was searching through a library of graphic design categories looking for leafy plant images for a rustic outdoor scene. I came across a collection of graphics I’d find useful if I were making an upscale makeup design. It wasn’t what I was looking for, but I scrolled through the dozens of images anyway attracted by the soft watercolor style and the unexpected subject matter. The collection included stylish lipsticks, soft eye-shadow palettes, and minimalist line drawings of female figures. The fascination was likely hinged to the similarity it had to the effects I could achieve with my first medium which was oil paint.
When I saw the single eye graphic, I stopped short. I had no idea what to do with it, but I knew I liked it. I didn’t want to lose it, so I added it to a blank canvas. I found a second eye and saved it too. Then I went back to searching for leaf designs. I came across leaves and flowers and added those to the same canvas. Eventually, I had several graphics I liked, piled up on each other with no sense of order. I’m attracted to designs with eyes and faces. I wanted to build a lively graphic with a whimsical sense and the eyes as the focal point. I found a gradient pink to peach background that set a sunset mood. From there, I tested a bunch of random graphics with the eyes. When one felt right, I kept it. If it didn’t enhance my color palate or if it overshadowed the eyes it was deleted. Eventually, the design felt complete. I was happy with what I’d made.s
I uploaded the design and put in on a T-shirt and Eco-tote bag. I loved it so much, I reworked it adding a bright blue sky with billowy clouds, a carefree flock of birds and playful bubbles. I placed those designs on a ceramic mug and stainless steel water bottle.
I can’t tell you how satisfying it is to see my new work on everyday wearable, totes, mugs, and water bottles. It’s a whole new level of inspiring all types of creativity and making the joy of owning authentic art accessible to everyone.
Next up, designing for fused glass with my new graphics skills. This is exciting because the rules are relaxed, and the lines are blurred. Where this adventure will take me is a mystery. I’ll start by taking the first step and we’ll see where this hopeless daydreamer ends up.
Wherever you are in your journey you’re doing great! It’s never too late to learn something new. We’re all beginners at something. Join me and be a lifelong learner, explorer, and innovator.
Cheers!
Lisa
Please visit A Crafty Crew to see our fun creations.
Happy fusing!
Lisa
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Are you a lifelong learner?
As a life-long learner myself, I know it sometimes takes a change of scenery, a challenging new educational experience, and the encouragement of an experienced instructor to advance my skills and help me grow.
Are you ready to grow?
ONLY 2 WEEKS AWAY!
Due to a last minute change there is 1 seat available in my September class.
Sculptural Fused Glass, 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop September September 21-24, 2021
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited.
This is the turning-point workshop you’ve been waiting for.
This class is for you! Any skill level can attend. Beginner, intermediate and advanced students alike will learn how to advance their glass fusing skills and expand their artistic style.
Join me and I’ll show you all the pro tips and tricks I use to make stunning 3-dimnesional art. You’ll learn how to combine advanced techniques in new ways to create extraordinary sculptural pieces of art.
You’ll leave class with several completed glass sculptures, my custom firing guides and a deeper understanding of sculptural fused glass fabrication. You’ll have the knowledge, confidence, and inspiration you’ve been craving to take your artwork to the next level.
Materials are included, that’s a $150.00 value!
Sculptural Fused Glass, 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop October 19-22, 2021
Only 2 seats left
This is the turning-point workshop you’ve been waiting for.
This is the turning-point workshop you’ve been waiting for.
It’s hard to describe what it’s like when I’m feeling the creative flow. Time flies. Hours pass in what I thought were minutes. My naturally distracted mind is focused on what my hands are doing, and nothing else. I get lost in my own world. When I return to reality, I feel rejuvenated and spiritually uplifted. That’s why I like sharing my studio space with others. I try to give them that experience and hope they feel the same inspiration and fulfillment I do. -Lisa
This class is for you! Any skill level can attend. Beginner, intermediate and advanced students alike will learn how to advance their glass fusing skills and expand their artistic style.
Join me and I’ll show you all the pro tips and tricks I use to make stunning 3-dimnesional art. You’ll learn how to combine advanced techniques in new ways to create extraordinary sculptural pieces of art.
You’ll leave class with several completed glass sculptures, my custom firing guides and a deeper understanding of sculptural fused glass fabrication. You’ll have the knowledge, confidence, and inspiration you’ve been craving to take your artwork to the next level.
Materials are included, that’s a $150.00 value!
May 2021 Student Testimonials
“My favorite thing about the class was the creative freedom – we were not required to make the same thing the same way. I was surprised by the variety and number items we made and the flexibility we had to go our own way with our projects. The glass studio was very comfortable and very clean with plenty of room.” -Ron
“My favorite thing about the class was the projects were tailored to our interests with user specific glass choices and design options. This makes the best type of learning environment. I loved the continued technical information that was used in daily discussions. Loved the amount of space we had for working and the use of top-quality tools and the hands-on assistance Lisa gave each one of us. You will hear and see me again. Thank you for your time and talent.” – Donna
“My favorite thing about the class was the creativity – putting things together in new ways – using different materials – and how welcome I felt. I was surprised how much we were able to get done and by Lisa’s ability to coach those of us on different levels. My least favorite part was that the class ended. The classroom setup was excellent – well organized. I really feel like Lisa gave me the tools to advance to a new level. It was worth the cost of the workshop, airfare, B&B, animal care and house sitting! Can’t wait to put what I leaned into practice and return for another workshop.” -Sue
Read more student testimonials on my website.
Artwear Designed for Artists by Artists Tell them how you really feel with bold T-shirts, Eco-conscience tote bags and sassy mugs.
Get it now! Start fusing today!
Downloadable instructional videos for every skill level.
Instructional eBooks for every skill level.
