A mispronounced word becomes a beloved nick-name

Cross-Pollinating Design ideas:

Borrowing design elements from one environment and adding to a second often happens whether we plan on it or not. But many observant creative-types take advantage of these unexpected situations... and later apply the lesson to a different composition. For example, I saw (I miss many pollinating opportunities but this one I caught) the negative space between two different shoes of my daughter as they sat in the sun, the shape of this space triggered an insight into a painting I was working on. Consequently, I added a bolder shadow as negative space between two trees I was painting in a landscape and significantly improved the 16 x 20 painting.

Bigger leaps are even more thrilling... an intricate brass buckle on a fancy belt becomes inspiration for a garden fence latch. A mispronounced word becomes a beloved nick-name (Louisa became "weezee") . Inspiration can be built on or borrowed from present realities if we slow done, observe... and step out of worn paths.

Photo is of wild bluebells (ephemerals) from our southeastern MN spring camping trip.

Lips from nature

Sometimes new graphic-designs can be inspired directly from nature. A slight variation of a common object offers a unique design. Soon, an altered version of this image will grace a graphic design project I'm working on.

"Cat in Sun" Painting

On paper I sketched this composition and then finished it with acrylics. My degree is in Fine Arts and I've enjoyed painting and drawing since I've been a kid. This painting is in a private family collection.

Interior home design

Charm and warmth seemed to resonate from this balanced interior room. While on assignment with my work, I came across this elegant scene and was able to capture with a photo a bit of its personality. Form, value, composition, color, negative-space.... all the rudiments of design, impact our lives at every turn.

Check out my free photos.
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"Minnesota Splake" Illustration

In Minnesota's cold waters we have two native trout/char species, the Brook trout and Lake trout. The Splake (Salvelinus namaycush X Salvelinus fontinalis) is a crossbreed of the male Brookie and the female Laker. I completed this rendering of a Splake in colored pencil a few years ago... in preparation for the MN DNR trout stamp competition.

"Cherry Bowl" Painting

Original still-life painting I created in August 2007. Acrylic on paper.

Create in the spirit of freedom

Here in the United States of America, our founding fathers were solid examples of entrepreneurship, innovation and travail. They had their weakness, as we all do, but their great personal sacrifice and effort is worth studying and emulating. I was privileged to photograph Thomas Jefferson’s architectural compositions in May of 2007.

Create and truly live

Bring something good into the world that did not exist, and you have created. Create well and you may lift up humanity. Perhaps we transcend our surroundings and arrive closer to our potential when we conceive fresh and wholesome elements and perspectives? Photo is of Grand Marais, MN harbor entrance, Sept. 2007.