January 2012

Posted on January 27, 2012 by infemity

January 2012 is turning out to be even more exciting than 2011. So many great things have happened and I’m looking forward to even more. Here’s a few things I’m enjoying in list format because I love lists.

Rachael Taylor’s blog

Beth Nicholl’s Do What You Love blog

2. Module 2 of the awesome Surface Pattern Design Ecourse has begun!

3. One of my designs created in the Ecourse was selected & featured on the amazing blog, Print & Pattern!

4. I set up my first fabric for sale on Spoonflower! I expect to receive the samples tomorrow. And my friend is having placemats handmade from my fabric!

5. On Saturday I’m meeting with Bliss Co-op, a local woman’s art co-op in Sugarloaf, NY to discuss selling some of my work there!

6. I’ve been going to meetings set up by the Orange County Arts Council to to see how I can get more involved with the arts in my community.

7. I’m working through another great e-course that’s helping me focus & achieve my goals for 2012.

8. I got my studio/office totally organized & streamlined.

9. I downloaded, Inkpad, for my iPad to help me capture some digital doodles here & there.

10. My kids (2 & 3) are learning to play together really well = more free time for me to create art!

We are going to OWN 2012! Stay tuned…

Pattern: Plumage

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Femi

This pattern is based on a painting I did some years ago. Hoping to incorporate more of my art in this way. Now if only Illustrator would stop CRASHING on me!

Pattern Design: Sketchy Gems revisited

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Femi

I played around a little more with this design today to balance the postive / negative space and also add some interest behind the main pattern. I think I like it better.
Would love to have this on a pillow or my iphone case!

Design :: Moon flight

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Femi

I tried a few new ways of illustrating off the computer today. Here’s my favorite take:

Hummingbird Glory

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Femi

Here is a look at two different colorways of my pattern, ‘Hummingbird Glory.’ Please have a look at my other patterns here. I created all of these while taking a Surface Pattern Design course with Rachael Taylor and Beth Nicholls! It’s such a great course and I’m looking forward to the next modules!

***UPDATE*** Buy this fabric in my shop on Spponflower!

Big Dreams, Small Wonders

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Femi

I’m so excited to be taking this 6 week e-course with the fabulous Louise Gale! I took it last January and had such a fantastic year of accomplishments that I’m doing it again.

Things I like about the course:

Want to focus on making more positive changes in your life?
Find yourself making resolutions that you never keep?
Start lots of new projects but completing them is another challenge?
Want to invite more creative ways to plan out your roadmap for success?

The Makerie: Goody Bag Design Contest #3

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Femi

Last one for The Makerie goody bag design contest. This is a variation I did on a second design. More cowbell!

The Makerie: Goodie Bag Contest

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Femi

I decided to enter a contest from The Makerie opened to students of the ‘Do What You Love’ ‘Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design’ class. Rules stated you must use their logo icon creatively and only in black & white. If chosen it will be screen-printed in black onto 150 goodies bags. Here ’tis!

A new-old direction: surface pattern design

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Femi

I often wonder if my abstract works should be on fabric rather than the wall, or both!
In keeping with my theme for the year (THRIVE) I have signed up for a second e-course. This one is called, The Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design. I find e-courses very helpful in getting me to ‘do’ things in little steps. I look forward to the daily task / inspiration and seeing everyone else’s results. Here’s an overview of what the course I signed up for:

In this module you will learn everything you need to know to turn basic sketches into elements for pattern design including:

How and where to seek out design inspiration

How to work with colour

How to create moodboards

How to build a pattern

How to develop your signature style and use this to brand your business

How to turn elements of a mixed media painting into a pattern (featuring the work of Kelly Rae Roberts)

Time-saving tricks and industry insider tips

The secrets of successful surface pattern designers

Awesome right? If you are interested, you can register for module 2 here!

Open Studio Tour 2011 – Warwick, NY

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Femi

Thank you to everyone who came to visit me this past weekend during the Orange County South Studio Tour! It was so great to meet other artists & art supporters! The exhibit will be up until the end of November. Thanks also to Warwick Valley Financial Advisors for allowing me to make use of their gallery space! Please contact me if you would like me to meet you at the gallery.

My helpers Ellie & Leo!

Femi Ford Art

Artist in Warwick, NY