Janna Wilson

On the playground

If you know me --- you know I love new experiences and learning new things. I tend to be in an ever changing state of flux which is both a blessing and a curse. I love to learn new things, strive for new goals and tend to be continually seeking...what? Oh, you never know. I'm just a seeker. Maybe of little life adventures? Not that your kinds of adventures and my kinds of adventures are the same, oh, probably not. I just love seeking.

I've been working on a little project, I s'pose its a contest...which would be a dream come true to even get in the top 50-- where I'm designing to a call put out by Lilla Rogers -- its the Global Talent Search. You can actually win representation for two years from Lilla Rogers and there are lots of sweet gigs that come with it. I have had several aha moments since discovering Lilla Rogers Studios...one being I don't have as much of that lost goose syndrome I've had in recent years. THIS is what I would love to do...I just have to get better, more prolific and make MORE so I can do it!!! Which is why I thought I'd enter.

And well, the deadline for my first entry is July 22nd. I've already done three concepts. Wanna see?

 

         

Basically this is a 5 x 7 playground design theme. I'm kind of excited because I've been reading up on textile design and this project is an opportunity for me to utilize some of that knowledge in practice. I don't LOVE LOVE LOVE these yet...still much work to be done but I do like elements from each of the three-- so I'm getting somewhere. AND, I'm working way ahead of schedule so I feel like I have time to get this to where I like them. I'd love input if you have suggestions. I'm taking this very seriously...so I would definitely value your thoughts. 

Have a wonderful week!

 

A little logo

I'm being literal when I say "little" - three letters to be exact! This is a logo project for a local dealership that's been fun. Kind of tricky because this family owned company is three generations strong opened in 1937. Its a fine balance trying to keep a traditional, classic look and bring it into a contemporary style as well. The more I look the more license plates I see with Hug which is cool! It feels kind of like updating a company like Gap or JCPenney! A bit intimidating. Here's some sketches and concepts I've come up with -feedback welcome!

All of these are hand drawn letters and started as a sketch. No fonts used except on the "since 1937" words. I wanted to give them a completely custom design.

 

There are a few I REALLY dislike in the second and third set. But I think its interesting to look at the concepts as a whole and see what's successful and whats not so hot. You might guess which ones I feel are the most viable.

 

Screenprints -DIY

For several years I have been intrigued by screenprinting. Of course we all know a shop that screenprints 100's - 1000's of tees but there's so much more that can be screen printed. I've seen some mind blowing fine art screen prints that were out of this world. Crazy! This was one from a visiting artist...pretty cool. 

So finally I a few weeks ago I decided I had to try this. It's simple-- but there's definitely a learning curve. This particular tutorial is what made me think, "hey, I can do this!" I saw it in Molly Makes, totally fun magazine. 

I had purchased a screen, inks and squeegee at Michaels. They had closed out the inks so they were cheap. I didn't want to burn a screen or mess with emulsion yet so I created a stencil with my Cricut. Folks are using embroidery hoops and panty hose/sheer fabrics, etc. for their DIY so don't think you have to buy everything.

This is the art I wanted to create a screenprint of-

The first step was to convert my art to an SVG file (Adobe Illustrator can do this) - a file that can be cut by the electronic cutters. I have the SCAL (Sure Cuts Alot) software so I can cut any file/font with my computer hooked up. (I don't think that you can purchase that software anymore due to a lawsuit.) Anyway--

Bear in mind with this method any small details are difficult to work with when using a stencil/vinyl...I actually dumbed this design down quite a bit to a much less detailed version.

You can see the screen there (back side) the orange is the vinyl stencil. I tried cutting contact paper (clear) but it just isn't as sticky. I did however use the contact paper to protect/mask the screen around the stencil --that's why it looks normal (clear paper).

The first print I pulled was actually on this tote bag...

It's a bit difficult to figure out how much pressure, how much ink (doesn't really take a lot), etc... I think there's a lot of tutorials that give more info on this -- of course I am too impatient and I just went at it.

The second time I had a better idea of the feel of pulling the print-- I seemed to figure out the right ratio of ink/pressure. I plan on doing some more shirts or bags and putting them in my Etsy. Isn't this darn cute! 

What's fun is that its a great way to make many prints! I made each of us girls a shirt...we are all Makers, of course. There's a great How To on this blog as well where the artist made an apron...be sure and check it out.

Good luck if you try!

 

 

 

 

Free For All Friday- Love Red White and Blue?

Just a quick post to remind you about this free printable downloand that might come in handy this next week. 

I created these fun patriotic flat notecards a few years ago and just wanted to share again. Red, white and blue with both a "Thank You" sentiment and a more generic "God Bless America" tribute, these cards are a classic. Perfect for thanking a hostess (Fourth picnic or gathering), just getting festive when sending a handwritten note, or perhaps for special note to one of America's heros...a soldier. 

You may download the printable pdf file here:

Download Patriotic Notecards

Hope you enjoy!

Let me know if you have a chance to use these! I'd love to hear! You can look through all of my free printable downloads by clicking on FREEBIES & PRINTABLES at the top of the page at any time! Enjoy!

Fabulous Creatives and Resources...found!

I've been doing quite a bit of research lately trying to move forward on some goals and I've set and I've come across some valuable resources I thought I would share...

Smart Creative Women


A web tv show where hostess Monica Lee has some killer interviews with creatives to the likes of Mary Engelbreit (MY HERO), Amy Butler (another of MY HEROS) and so many more. I recently watched Kelly Bealle and loved her! She writes Design Crush...and who doesn't love it!?! The interviews are very light, candid and so informative and cover everything from social media, to licensing to Etsy. I've loved everyone I've listened to!

Print and Pattern

If you've never visited Print and Pattern, well, get over there! If you love design, craft, fashion, etc...you will love it. I could haunt that place all night long. Love. I totally need to spring for the book...which is a collective of parts of the blog, I believe. Actually this isn't a new discover, just a rediscovery...that I need to visit more often!

Lilla Rogers

Lilla is actually an artist and agent but her site is like a carnival! I love it! It features the work of her many artists and lots of good inspiration and rabbit holes to fall in (looking at each designer's work).

You have any places I need to visit? 

 

 

 

Lettering me love you

From the time I was a wee girl, I've loved to write.

Doodle.
Draw.
Sketch.
Pencil.
Illustrate.
Scribble.
Letter.
Script.
Print. 
Chicken scratch. 

Whatever you want to call it...I mostly consider myself a doodler. Mother can do calligraphy, but I really prefer a little more free flowing style. I have wanted to learn the correct techniques so then I could (like every artist) develop my own style. I've used the Schaeffer fountain style calligraphy pens and they didn't do a whole lot for me. You can see what lettering styles I like here on Pinterest. Somewhere I was turned on to the oblique pen staff for calligraphy and have been on the hunt for one. On our road trip I discovered a fabulous art supply store in Little Rock called Art Outfitters. Jackpot!

They had the pen, nice selection of calligraphy products and were super helpful. (I actually went into the place for linoleum and carving tools) I even met Kerry who is over the Calligraphy Guild of Arkansas- she gave me a quick demo of the pen and was so informative! I just love crossing paths with folks. I hope to catch a workshop sometime soon!

So I wanted to play and I played all night long!!!

I only had some cotton envelopes (bought on clearance so I didn't feel too bad using them) that took the ink nicely so I practiced (and practiced) on those. Oh my gosh...I'm in love. Add this to my creative to do list...want to letter some quotes and pretties to make prints with. 

I purchased the Speedball 101 nib, ink and the oblique staff. She also recommended using Permanent White gouache for lettering white on black. Hello...will try!!!

I'm so excited about incorporating this into my other lettering projects. I'm creating an album of lettering love over on the sidebar to share sketches and finished works...since many of my sketches will probably never be finished! LOL!

This piece is something I completely handlettered and you can see the process from sketch to finished pieces ...thanks to Instagram (follow me janna_wilson)

This is the inked sketch in my sketchbook. I handlettered everything. I did not visually reference/trace/look at any fonts. My tool kit includes: a straight edge, a Staedtler lead holder, and a variety of Micron pens, and Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

I don't have a scanner right now so I just snap a pic with the iPhone and open it up in Illustrator. I trace the drawing and clean/straighten it up. I use a Wacom tablet which makes the process tons faster. 

I did this for a giveaway at church. I printed the vector drawing on a linen background and framed.

Then I made a shirt (which I happen to be wearing right now). I don't have a heat press so I flubbed this a bit. 

And finally (oh look there's my toes) I converted this to a chalk style image with Photoshop and it is available for purchase in my Etsy shop! 

 

 

 

Memphis road trip adventure

Our weekend roadtrip to Memphis for a Craigslist find was like finding a treasure at the end of the rainbow for me! {squeeeeeeeal!!!} And who would not want to be chauffeured by this handsome devil?

Scott and I took off at the crack of dawn (okay, about 6:30 a.m.) Saturday morning and went to Memphis. We made a few stops along the way and it was a fun day for us...something we haven't done in like...FOREVER! We talked, I dreamed, I got a chance to read my book from this post, I talked more, I sketched and wrote down a ton of ideas, we ate Gus's fried chicken in Little Rock...yep, it was fun for all.

I feel like I got a pretty good deal on a sign press and a nice bit of letterpress paraphanalia that will help me get started printing. The cool thing is that this is a table top press and I could get it upstairs in my studio, but similar to a proof press, so I can print larger posters and prints. 

Of course I could barely wait to get it clean before I had to print SOMETHING! Luckily I the gentleman that sold me the press had some old lino-cuts that he threw in the box so we did this--

I'm beyond thrilled to be the proud owner of this little treasure! (Actually its not that little and it weighs a ton but little compared to presses I've worked with before).

I got quite a bit of wood and metal type with the set including numbers that are in pretty great shape. 

Needless to say I spent a lot of yesterday cleaning. My hands and fingernails look like a mechanic's!!! Oops! 

My goal is to print some of my lettering and illustrations in letterpress in order to add that scrumptious tactile quality to the simple, colorful designs. I've reopened my Etsy and I'm starting to offer some of my prints. I've already made one sale and I'm so excited!  These 8 x 10's are printed on thick 100% cotton rag stock and totally POP-- just $15

Here's one I handlettered and with a little Photoshoppery-- voila! It looks just like chalk! 

I've got more to share from the road trip...I discovered a sweet spot in Little Rock-- which has got me so inspired!!! More later...

Selling my joy!

Back at Christmas I started designing some fun little art prints and doing more lettering. So much lettering I will probably never get it all vectorized! I finally decided if I'm an designer/artist, I have to make more art! So I shall! These are simple illustrations but they bring me joy and I think they add a little happy to wherever they are! 

Just a quick tip- I purchase frames with white mats and they sometimes need a little wow factor --so I quickly spraypaint the mats to make simple art like this really pop! This awesome color (in the above photo) is Blue Ocean Breeze by Krylon (I purchased at Wal Mart). Its my favorite! 

You might notice the Etsy Mini just over there to the right. Most of the 8 x 10's are just $15 plus shipping. I'll be working to stock the shop with all the prints I have designed already. If you're local and would like a print, let me know and we can work out a delivery. More to come!

What do you have to say?

And how will you say it?

Book Spread Project | Print Production Techniques | UAFS Spring 2013- Professor Travis Brown

Just realized I hadn't shared much of my student work from this past semester. This was something I particularly enjoyed doing though I'm not sure how well recieved it was? In any case, it's me and I loved it. It speaks to everyone. As a designer, I feel that I have a responsibility to use my "powers" for good. I feel that I've been given a precious gift and I will not sacrifice my integrity for the sake of a job or client. This piece also addresses social media as an outlet and platform to say whatever you want...but should you? I utilized vintage modes of communication to illustrate how things have changed and where we've come from in regards to media. The hand written type contrasts to the mechanical means the other visual elements. Interesting to ponder. 

Winds of Change...

I've been seeking. Do you ever feel like that? -- like there's a discontent and you are fervently seeking an answer? (and yes, I've been praying for it...always a lesson in patience for me :) I can't help feeling the winds of change will be blowing soon?

I'm working four days a week and its going good. I'm learning a lot. I designed a 77 ft. long tradeshow booth and we finished our 2014 catalog -some 200ish pages. I'm sad that I haven't had time to create...to make. This was one of the last things I did...a fun little illustration of the first sewing machine I bought for myself..."little blue" - sewed a bunch of paper with that machine...and some Roman shades :) I want to create a letterpress print with it...I think it will be super cool.

I did screenprint it...my first experience with screenprinting I might add. I did the DIY version on some tees and a bag. I really love it...definitely want to play with that more.

Speaking of change...I think it's time for a fresh start...blogwise. This blog has tons of fun content, is filled with memories from the last (nearly) ten years I've spent making, scrapping, sewing...creating so many memories. Going to work on making some updates, freshening, sweeping out the cobwebs...and hopefully, blogging of course!