How Long Should an Artist Ruminate?

 Some paintings feel pretty straight forward- you start them, know where they need to go design-wise, and the color palette is set in your mind (more or less). And then there are those paintings that need a little more time to ruminate - to work things out in your mind. It can take years, and sometimes there are thoughts of loving the painting one minute, and then despising it the next. There are paintings that get painted over, and paintings that never, ever get finished. And then there are some, that after a few years, will spark an epiphany, and suddenly the painting direction becomes crystal clear. That's what happened for me with this painting during Covid lockdown; I suddenly felt renewed energy to finish it. There is such joy in gliding a brush drenched in color across a canvas, and the process that goes along with it. And when it's completed, there's sometimes that wonderful momentum to keep painting, unless one of those moments takes over like it did with this painting. Stay healthy, stay positive, stay creative.

I'm Back to Illustrating and Painting

It's been too long, a few years at least. So much has been going on: one of which is the fact I'm no longer working as an AD for a record label. It was fun while it lasted and would have been way better if the right people were at the helm, but that's life. Isn't that what life is all about? It's all about the ride and what is gained. Even in the losses, there are still good lessons to be learned, and new doors usually open as a result.

I'm painting again, and creating new cards. I'll try and post more on a regular basis, like let's say, at least once a month.

A quick little sketch was just hangin' around for too long in my sketchbook, so I decided to bring it to life and make a card used two different ways. Let me know if you purchase either of them! Love to hear feedback. Have a great week.

                                                          Here's the baby shower link:

And here's the link to the card below.

I'm Art Directing ( Again )

I know, I know, I've been absent here for a long time. So much going on with so many things that I love to do, all happening at the same time. Just when I signed onto a site to promote my art for licensing, I ended up becoming an art director for an indie record label. It brings me back to my ad biz roots, but it seems more fun to me. Here's a promo piece I just designed for the release of an album that was a year in the making. Yep, it takes that long as well as the time and money to promote that includes marketing and PR people.
Check out Cold Roses at your favorite music download site. You'll be glad you did. The album was released today!

Ocean Themed Kid's Products

The ultimate fun is designing art separately that can be transformed in Photoshop in different ways
increasing layout variety for products. That, in combination with some really wonderful new products on Zazzle, had me busy for hours applying my new ocean themed images onto products.
Here are some examples of what is available on my TunaBaby store as well as my Laura J. Holman store ( more to come later ).

Great for kids - I love words combined with graphics as I've done here with these sea shells
                         and whimsically drawn starfish. Find it here.

                     Another adorable theme is the happy starfish tee. This is also available
                     for anyone, as well as kids. Choices are in a drop down menu when you
                     are on my Zazzle store page. You can find the link here.

                      Flip Flops are the best summer shoes, aren't they? Fun to design on also.

                      Ocean themed Flips for the beach for the little ones.

                      Click on my store link here.

      

See anything on my store that you want on a product that's not listed? Feel free to contact me through my Zazzle store. I'll be more than happy to help! I'll be back soon with more product links.

Have a great week! xo

My New Holiday Pillow for Wine Lovers

http://www.zazzle.com/red_wine_grapes_holiday_wreath_with_wine_glass_round_pillow-256052139694866743?CMPN=emc_ProductCreationForStore_Html_blogger

A Sonoma County Christmas

It's been awhile since I posted here spreading myself thin throughout the net universe. Finding time to create and communicate on the net is a tough one to balance.

I was asked by someone about two years ago if I was going to create a Sonoma County Christmas card since I did one for Nappa Valley. Embarrassed to say, I finally had the chance to create one and I'll have it on my stores in the coming week.

I love working in watercolor. It has such a wonderful mind of its own.
I just posted this on Instagram. Look for me there under "holmanart."

New Art Dresses

After having a presence on Redbubble for years, it's nice to see they're offering some really wonderful products to showcase artist's creations. I'm particularly thrilled with their tee and A-Line dresses. I'm really enjoying updating the products offered on my page there.

You can find this dress here.

And you can find this A-Line dress here.