Brenda Pinnick -news, ideas, events and more...

Showing your heart

It's St. Valentine's Day on Tuesday and I'll be showing some lovely hearts on the ColorCafe. Come by to see mine and some friend's images of beautiful hearts.

 

Today, I want to share a quote;

...so true. 

looking for the rainbow

As I was walking Paisley this morning, I realized I was doing it again. I have a habit of always  looking down when I walk. I've had people point this out to me on more than one occasion. I have no idea where or when I picked the habit up but every once in a while, I find myself still doing it. This morning was one such occasion. We were on the most beautiful part of our country road, situated between a meadow and a pine forest. I was deep in thought about the day's work ahead of me, making my mental lists of business chores and what art needed to be finished today. As I realized I was walking with my head down, I immediately looked up to realize there were 3 beautiful deers just a stone's through from me! I almost missed seeing them! 

This makes me wonder - how many times do we get so focused on our daily actiivities that we forget to look up and see the wonder of the unexpected, the new, the different and in this case, the beauty? 

And conversely, how often do we focus too much on what other people are achieving without really focusing and appreciating that which is right at our feet? 

your unique style

It's something many of us struggle with as artists. Maybe you're like me - I'm one of those people who is blessed/cursed with being able to work in many styles. There are days when I want only to do abstract paintings and then there are days which I long to go outside and paint plein-air. And because I'm also a graphic/ product designer, some days, it's typography and package design I'm fixated on. I guess this has served me well, I'm able to meet the needs of plenty of different types of manufacturers from crafting to gift and homegoods, while satisfying my own creative needs as well, which is very, very important to do in order to grow and expand as an artist.

What I've realized in this past year is that my unique vision comes in the form of color. No matter what art I'm working on, for me, color is the message. The palettes that I use are what bind all my efforts together. Whether it's pattern, icons, type, graphic and even jewelry making, color is the most important component to my work. Now I know that. Finally. Gheesh. It's like Dorothy and her ruby slippers, it was there all along. I spent way too long trying to decide my "style". MY STYLE IS COLOR. 

 

I read posts  and see images on facebook of many emerging artists, from Etsy and elsewhere, who are basically trying to be someone else in their work. A recent success story of an Etsy artist being discovered by a big gift manufacturer has spurred all kinds of wannabes within that community. This artist has tons of "followers", almost in a bizarre way. The artist doesn't have the years of experience that many of my artist friends have. Nor does this artist have years of business experience. But, because her art hit a note by being at the right time and in the right place with the right message, people want to know her secrets and are willing to pay big, big money. It's an odd phenomenon, really. I wonder just how long it will last? It has a lot of people scratching their heads... including me. I hope they really are getting their money's worth, not a bunch of hype and wishful thinking. Making a living as an artist is HARD WORK. When I meet someone new and tell them what I do, the inevitable "oh how fun!" response comes out of their mouth even before I've finished my sentence. Yes, when you have a big hit, when the money comes (actually, it's more like if the money comes ) there is that feeling of being so blessed to be able to do what you love. I am grateful for this - many people get in their cars and go to a job they hate every day of the work week. sad. But, they know that there is a paycheck waiting for them on the other end. Oh, and benefits like paid vacation, medical, dental, 401Ks. It's awesome to be an artist but don't let anyone tell you it's easy. It isn't.

If you're a new artist, the best advice I can give you is to make A LOT OF ART. A. L.O.T. - fill your basement with mistakes, as I have. Don't worry about being trendy, don't copy others, just be your own true self while learning technique. Look at many different models of success, not just one. Enjoy the process, even though sometimes growth is painful. Learn from it. I've been making art since I could hold a crayon. I've never even considered being something other than an artist. But guess what? I still learn every day and yes, I throw away more work than you will ever know! You've got to let the ugly out in order to get to the beautiful...just let it out. 

spreading the love...

Here's a cupcake for anyone who has the courage to put themselves out there as volunteers. 

Service to others is a mindset, a characteristic of giving people. 

For my "team"- Vicki, Linda, Eileen, Lorine, Ann, Phyllis, Kirsten, Katie...thank you for you dedication, your kind and giving spirits, your generosity to others, and for your kind, kind hearts this past week. Those whom you serve will never know or understand all that you do on their behalf. And for the teams who came before, thank you for forging the path. 

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Ana and Megan, the Mom and Daughter team of "When Creativity Knocks" host the lovely and talented Designer, Cindi Bisson as she shows how to re-use water bottles to feed one of my favorite bird species, hummingbirds.

Check this out, how inventive and easy, too! 

http://www.whencreativityknocks.com/craft-and-hobby-episodes/recycle-repurpose-it-/water-bottle-hummingbird-feeder.html

I love going back through the various episodes available in their library. I've been a guest on several episodes and so have a lot of my crafty buddies - here a few of my favorites:

http://www.whencreativityknocks.com/craft-and-hobby-episodes/recycle-repurpose-it-/recycled-cuff-bracelets.html

In this episode, my very dear friend Debra Quartermain, whose talents are many, shows how to create a beatiful cuff bracelet. Debra has been crafting "green" for a very long time and continually amazes and delights with her creativity and eye for style. 

http://www.whencreativityknocks.com/craft-and-hobby-episodes/for-the-love-of-paper/message-board-with-brenda-pinnick.html

Here's one of mine- a fun message board made with clear acetate overlays from one of my kits on QVC. You can use any acetate, just be sure to keep it shiny side out. It works great with dry erase markers and is lightweight, easy to hang and easy to make! 

http://www.whencreativityknocks.com/craft-and-hobby-episodes/cloth-paper-scissors/no-sew-purse.html

Here's a very clever way to use sticky back canvas. Claudine Hellmuth makes this quick and easy no-sew purse in a jiffy. How cute is that?? Love it! 

While you're visiting When Creativity Knocks, be sure to click on "Blogger's Bonanza" where you'll find some great crafty links. 

And speaking of crafty friends, please listen in tonight as the fabulous Ann Butler is a guest on Inspired at Home Radio  She's got a great give-away from Earth Safe Finishes. I hope I win, I've been wanting to try these out for a while now. Here's Ann's blog link- stop in and say hello! 

And finally, one of my artist friends, Dr. Andy Mathis now has some beautiful and fun items in his on line store. Dr. Andy does a lot to help animals, above and beyond his duties as a veterinarian. He is involved in an effort "Art helping Animals". Go visit Andy and say hello, he's a great guy with a huge heart. 

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope this week brings you joy and happiness in the form of true friends! 

Color – Why?

Well, after laying in bed last night and trying desperately to get to sleep– by the way, my new cut-off for iced tea is now 4 p.m.! – I pondered why this topic (see below) struck such a nerve with me. This topic has been gnawing at me and maybe it surfaced because this last week I seemed to run into way too many websites with grey, grey and more grey. Or websites that use only the worst combinations of hues, ones which counteract the intended message. Like orange and black being used for a calm, spa experience. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about rule breaking. But you need to know the rules before you can effectively break them. In art, there are no rules. Here I find it necessary to distinguish between art and design. If you're a  jewelry designer, that's an art, do it your way by all means. If you design craft projects, that's really more art than design and is all about your personal expression of an idea. no rules. But if you offer GRAPHIC DESIGN or PRODUCT DESIGN services, you have an obligation to get it right. I would be remiss if I didn't follow up with some good source material. The first and most important book I recommend is Johanne Itten's  THE BOOK OF COLOR, isbn # 0-442-24037-6.  Consider this your color bible. Read the entire book, starting at page one and end at the very last page. It's pricey, but it's a studio must have–skip lunches and movies if you must, you need this book. After this, move onto Leatice Eisemann's series of books on color. There is a plethera of information available on the web for studying color and plenty of color combination samples that are free to accesss if you're feeling unsure, use them.

My husband asked me why I was bothered by what other people, "Designers" know or don't know. It's about integrity in the field of design. In an industry where virtually anyone can call themselves a Designer, with no standards put in place such as ASID for Interior Design, we have to monitor and work harder to keep the integrity high. I equate it to my husband's profession of engineering. What would happen if new Engineers were showing up at his Aerospace company, but without the math knowledge required to do the job? Imagine! Jet's would become totally unsafe. Billions of dollars would be wasted on badly designed products and people would die. In product design, people  won't die from bad color choices  but billions of dollars might be wasted by putting product out there that doesn't sell because of improper use of color. Or in web design, a client hires a "Designer" who really isn't and spends $8k on an ineffective product. Then that customer tells all his friends, I hired a "Designer" who didn't know what he/she was doing. Now his friend is ready to launch his business but decides to design his own because after his friend wasted all that money...well, "I'm smarter than that" he says.

Color is to Design what Math is to Engineering. It's core knowledge that is essential to the professionalism of the industry. Use it and use it wisely.

now I'm really done. Back to my regularly scheduled crafty goodness! whew!

Color – Why not?

COLOR…WHY NOT?

Posted on July 1, 2009, 7:48 pm, by Brenda Pinnick, under Graphic Design & Branding,some things just need to be said.

This may come off as a rant. That’s ok. This is my blog and I’m a colorist. Some might say I’m a color snob. That’s ok, too. I studied long and hard to get there and honestly, that’s a source of pride for me. When I tell you that the minute details such as 3% more magenta than there should be sometimes sends me over the edge. That color palettes NEED both depth and variety to be functional and interesting, that reds can be powerful or intimidating or sexy or rosy…these are the things that anyone who calls themself a Product or Graphic Designer needs to get. And I mean, GET.

phew….I’m already feeling a bit better.

So why then, do some designers and artists insist on not using color to promote themselves? Are they afraid of commitment? Of insulting someone who doesn’t appreciate, say, orange? The really nice thing about color, especially in the new world of internet promotion is that it is easily changed. “Wallpaper” is not removable only by excruciating, laborious hours of scrapping and peeling. In a website, you can swap out orange for pink in  a heartbeat – I know, I do it all the time as anyone who has followed my blog for any length of time will tell you. It’s been almost every hue imaginable, with the exception of grey. I understand the desire for black, it’s dramatic, it’s mysterious and colors show up stronger in photographic content. Although, black is the hardest background (non) hue to read so if you’re offering considerable written content as opposed to lots of pretty pictures, then you should consider the readers and opt for an easier on the eyes combination. (Don’t even get me started on those awful dot backgrounds showing up on blogs– maybe that’ll be my next point of contention.)  One exception immediately comes to mind – viewing color palettes is best done on a true, neutral grey– read on;

I understand people who lean towards grey. I’m married to one, he’s an engineer. Grey works in his world. Sometimes I wear grey – mostly on a day when I need to have zero color reflection as I work in order to maintain an unbiased assessment of my color choices for my work. But grey is the color of non-commitment. It’s safe. It says, “don’t look at me”. It’s white noise at best. By itself, it’s usually hard and cold (true 50/50 grey, that is). Grey works for companies such as aerospace, technology, etc.  It’s a great base to play other hues off from, say, hot magenta or lemon yellow or a bright turquoise.  Always remember, color is perceived according to what is next to it. When you view green for example, it appears more green if it sits next to a red hue, tint or tone (it’s compliment). If you want a tiny bit of yellow to show as larger, put it next to or in with a purple, it’s compliment. The yellow will double in visual impact, appear brighter and more saturated.

As opposed to

I know what you’re thinking….but Brenda, what about my branding? Well, as a Product or Graphic Designer, why wouldn’t you want to show how you can incorporate a variety of  hues in with existing branding. Afterall, as Graphic Designers, we are in the communication business. As product Designers, we must know how to use color  to get the product sold, not just looked at. Let me repeat that, sold, not just looked at. Our job is to communicate through a variety of means including color and to make it work with the unyielding branding established long ago by our clients. (unless they’re Google who playfully alters their branding for holidays and such, one of the first big companies to boldly do so).

I’m going to stop here, I’ve probably hit a nerve or two. That’s ok, those are nerves that need to be hit. In summation, if you call yourself a Designer, I strongly suggest you get on the program and learn the most important tool in communication arts and in product design – color – it’s meanings, it’s origins, it’s history, it’s geographical significance, it’s nuances and how it affects us emotionally. If you’re not a designer, do whatever  you want. have fun. Just don’t call yourself a Designer when you choose to promote your design services or expertise, with shades of grey. walk the walk.  ok, now I’m done.

Here are some fun ways to use grey as a neutral base or accent.

Orphan Works Links for action

If you haven't heard this yet, PLEASE listen to this podcast. It explains the consequences of the Orphan Works Legislation.Listen to the interview with Brad Holland

More info at the Society of Illustrators.

send an email THIS IS EASY AND ONLY TAKES 3 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME!

Read the letter Tammy Browning Smith, J.D., LL.M wrote to the Senate

A list of your Senators and Representatives

Here's more information from the Society of Illustrators:

An open forum to oppose the Orphan Works Act of 2008

Tuesday, May 6 6:00 PM
The Society of Illustrators
128 East 63rd Street
New York, NY 10065
Admission will be free

The Orphan Works Act of 2008 will endanger the rights of anyone who creates intellectual property.
It will expose your art to commercial infringement. It will include work from professional paintings to family snapshots. It will include published and unpublished work. It will include any image that resides or has ever resided on the internet. It will force you to register every picture you do with privately-held commercial registries. It will make all unregistered works potential orphans.
This radical change to U.S. copyright law will shift the burden of diligence from infringers to rights holders. It is wrong to give infringers the right to make money from your property without your knowledge or consent. You should not have to pay businessmen to keep the work you’ve created.
The Orphan Works Act is an assault on national and international copyright laws. It’s an assault on the property and privacy rights embodied in them.
llustrators, photographers, fine artists: let’s come together and act to keep Congress from orphaning our work.

From Joanne Fink:
I’ve attached four lists to this e-mail—the complete Judiciary Committees of the House and Senate along with the Sub-Committees on Intellectual Property.
Download house_judiciary_contact_list.doc
Download house_judiciary_intellectual_property_committee.doc
Download senate_judiciary_committee.doc

I’ve also listed the five most important Senators and Congressional leaders (at least in terms of convincing them to oppose this legislation) below.

KEY REPRESENTATIVES:

Hon. Berman (D) California

Honorable Howard L. Berman
2221 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-4695

Fax: (202) 225-3196

http://www.house. gov/berman/

Hon. Coble (Rep.) North Carolina

Honorable Howard Coble
2468 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-3306
(202) 225-3065

Fax: (202) 225-8611

http://coble. house.gov/

Hon. Goodlatte (Rep.) Virginia

Honorable Bob Goodlatte
2240 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5431

(202) 225-9681 fax

http://www.house. gov/goodlatte/

Hon. Conyers (D) Michigan

Honorable John Conyers, Jr.
2426 Rayburn Building
Washington , DC 20515

(202) 225-5126

http://www.house. gov/conyers/

Hon. Smith (Rep.) Texas

Honorable Lamar S. Smith
2184 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4236

http://lamarsmith. house.gov/

KEY SENATORS:

Patrick J. Leahy (D) Vermont

433 Russell Senate Office Building

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

202-224-4242

http://leahy. senate.gov/

Charles E. Schumer (D) New York

313 Hart Senate Building
Washington , DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-6542
Fax: 202-228-3027

http://schumer. senate.gov/

Arlen Specter (R) Pennsylvania

711 Hart Building
Washington , DC 20510
Main : 202-224-4254
Fax: 202-228-1229

http://specter. senate.gov/ public/

Orrin G. Hatch (R) Utah

104 Hart Office Building
Washington , DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-5251
Fax: (202) 224-6331

http://hatch. senate.gov/ public/

Sam Brownback (R) Kansas

303 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington , D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6521
Fax: (202) 228-1265

http://brownback. senate.gov/

new category...

called "somethings just need to be said"

today's entry:
If you are on a discussion board and others don't agree with you, remember the meaning of the word "discussion". The sharing of opinions and expertise is the foundation of discussion boards and needs to be respected and honored. And if you get really, really mad, it's best to step away, gain some perspective and think things through before posting. Remember that a big group of people means many differing opinions and if the group is a professional group, your professional reputation may be at risk. Think BEFORE you speak.
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coming later today...an interview with an amazing woman and professional designer, the lovely, the fabulous, the inspiring JILL MACKAY!!!!