Thought for the day

I am the proud mommy of two little girls, 26 months and 7 months old.  My life is full, busy, busting at the seams.  I love watching their relationship build, and realize more everyday that I wouldn't trade the craziness of having children so close together for anything.  My studly husband and I have a pretty good routine down (7 months in the making).  Most nights the girls are in bed by 8pm and we respectively hurry off to enjoy alone time.  As sure as I'm typing this, I have probably just jinxed the whole set-up by broadcasting the normalcy of our routine.  

A funny thing happens when you grow up and become parents.  Free time takes on a whole new meaning.  Gone are the days of pouring a glass of wine before dinner and finishing the bottle in the art studio after dinner.  I'm now excited to have free time so I can, wait for it, fold laundry, compile a grocery list,  clean house, pick out paint colors for the walls, plan crafts, the exciting list goes on and on.  Mind you, this is just on nights when I stay awake past one 30 minute dvr'd episode of New Girl (if you aren't watching this show, you should be).  

Because I am trying to do this whole freelance, working artist gig, I am trying to once again discipline myself to spend time in the studio.  How awesome is it that I can say I have a studio with two munchkins slowly taking over the house!  It's been too long since I have created with any sort of consistency other than my design work.  So, albeit in 30 minute increments a few days a week, I am painting and printmaking again.

Here's a shot of the painting I'm currently working on.  I have no idea where it's going right now, just trying to get a feel for working with my paints again.  I'm using acrylic paints, mostly Golden brand, with lots of water.  I don't expect it to look anything like the present state at the finish line.  Sidebar, I'm in a 5K in May where they evidently throw colored water at you as you run/walk.  Obviously I'm walking.  No time for training for this gal.  But cool concept...I think.  It's also my first 5K, which is probably why I say I'm "in" a 5K.  I don't even know what I'm talking about.  Back to the painting:

I'll repost the progress in a couple of weeks.  I'm sure my dedicated fan base (here's looking at you studly husband) will be thrilled.  

Marion County Heritage Center

The Marion County Heritage Center approached KanGoods to complete a new logo for the center and the Historical Society housed in the center.  Both operate out of the former Marion County Courthouse building.  As the building is a downtown trademark in Lebanon, KY, the organization wanted it to be the main feature for the logo.  They furnished the following picture:

To prepare the photo for the logo, I needed to edit.  The client asked for the air conditioning units, historical markers, planter and flag by the front door be deleted.  They also asked that the new signage they had at the center be added.  Below is the photo after editing:

The client wanted a formal logo using the colors black and gold like the building signage they recently added.  For text, they wanted to incorporate both the Heritage Center and the Historical Center, and add Lebanon, KY.  Here's the final logo:

The client approved quickly and with just a few edits, they began branding their organization with their new logo.  By using the same image on all marketing material leaving your office, the image and the business will become synonymous in the public's (your client) eye.  The same goes for typeface.  Using the same typeface on letters, invitations, postcards, etc. in conjunction with the logo, will reinforce your brand, essentially, the way the public perceives your business.  

Potter Coffee Club

I'm married to a man who loves hobbies.  In the past almost seven years that I have known him, he has taken an interest in geodes, bamboo fly rod building, and woodworking to name a few.  His latest craze is roasting coffee beans.  Gregg is an avid coffee drinker.  At one point, his three greatest loves were his truck, his coffee pot and me, and I'm not sure how the coffee pot and I lined up for spots.  This guy drinks a lot of coffee.  

Gregg is also an analytical type.  Not only does he want to roast the coffee beans, but he wants to know everything there is to know about roasting coffee beans.  So, to start out 2013, he read some books, gathered his supplies, ordered some green beans (of the coffee variety) and set up shop.  He now has a small roasting operation out of our kitchen and garage.  We are avid followers of Dave Ramsey, and are always looking for ways to save.  This process saves about one dollar on the lb. of luxury store bought coffees.  And sure, it takes some time, and there's more coffee paraphernalia around the house than I would prefer, but hey, it's his thing.    

Every small coffee roasting outfit needs a logo, am I right?  That's where I come in.  I put together this little guy for my guy.  If you enjoy coffee, and the Potters, then you might just get a special invite to our club - and some premium roast.

  

I'm starting a blog about my creative endeavors.  I'm starting a creative endeavor, called a blog.  Like how that works?  I am a freelance graphic designer and artist, among other things.  I wear a lot of hats.  This blog will serve as a place for my work to live online.  I will try not to always shamelessly promote myself, but forgive me if at times I ask you to refer my work to a friend.  Do you like how I'm already talking to my audience?

Cheers to a new year and new creative goals.  To list a few I would like to:

1.)  start a blog

2.)  expand my client base

3.)  find more time for creating

4.)  paint

5.)  learn how to use my serger

6.)  sew with my awesome sewing machine
7.)  organize my home studio/office for optimal creativity

Lofty goals?  I think not.