Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Illustration Friday: Primitive


You know, I started to do a bunny sketch for the theme this week (IF's "Primitive") but, ya know, it just wasn't coming out the way I wanted it to. I switched gears and took Roz's lead, and thought I'd post one of my ancient, "primitive" pieces! I figured it was okay for me to copy Roz's idea if I gave her credit for it from the get-go. (It is the most sincere form of flattery, after all..)

This piece which I call "Greek lemons" is primitive in more ways than one, so I thought it really fit the IF theme for me on a personal growth level, anyway.

Over ten years ago, when I had my own little (but very passionate!) greeting card business, this was one of my best-sellers. It was also one of my very favorite designs. I just never seemed to tire of it, and I still love it today. (The original scan is black-line pen and ink, but today for this post, I painted it in photoshop to emulate the way I used to sponge-paint each individual card). This is also the same color palette that I used for this particular card, as well - mediterranean blue, a bit of dirt brown to ground things, and a few juicy citrus brights!

The illustration (as well as the final paint on the cards) was textured and had a very rustic, old-world feel. It's true that I named the piece "Greek Lemons", but this illustration also always felt very Italian to me. I loved (and still love) doing borders and carrying on the old tradition of illustrative, intricate ornamental borders while trying to bring something new to the party, too.

Hope you enjoy the piece, and ultimately, my wish is that it stirs the desire in YOU to take a lemony-fresh vacation somewhere more "primitive" than where we are right now. (In front of our computers. ;))

8 comments:

Roberta said...

It reminds me of all things summery! Tart and delicious!

Alicia PadrĂ³n said...

I love this and all your story behind it! This made a beautiful card Kathy! I also love the borders you are talking about. This design is so cute and fresh and you are right.. it gets me thinking of Tuscani or Positano.. oh how nice it would be to be there right now! :o)

elizabeth said...

I love borders, too. This is a lovely piece.

studio lolo said...

beautiful piece! I saw the thumbnail and thought you were going to post bunnies making lemonade the old-fashioned "primitive" way!
I can see why this is one of your favorite designs. I did a hand-painted trompe l'oiel of lemons, branches, and blossoms around a picture window that overlooks a lemon tree, but the kicker is...it was the room they kept their bunnies in! I kid you not :)

Unknown said...

Funny, Lolo!! :)

Thanks everyone!! :)

Roberta,
you are always so generous to me. Thanks so much for your comments and encouragement.

nancyrosetta said...

Kathy, I love this card so much!
I actually have quite a few of your cards from 10 years ago in my card stash, I use them very sparingly. Sadly, I have no lemons left, but others in your citrus fruit line I still have, and some gourds ones, and the skeletons!!! I love them still, and am very persnickety using them, I only send them to people who would really appreciate them. They are truly little works of art!

Unknown said...

AWWWW, THANKS, Nanc.... *sniff sniff* I appreciate that.

roz said...

This is lovely and refreshing, Kath.
It was really fun to read a little about your history too. I didn't know you did greeting cards in a previous life.
=o)