Lucy! I'm home!

Red started off being the least prevalent color in my illustrations. It was deliberate. I knew I wanted a certain look consistently. 

Red had its very important place. Less is more.

But with some things, the color red is the essence of that character. Case in point: Lucille Ball 

I couldn't resist. 

I conceded.

Red rule broken . . . 

. . . zero regrets! :-)

Make it Pop!

Face it. Doodling is associated with a distraction from the mundane and tedious.

While trying to figure out a design for my Etsy banner, I got the idea to focus on what already works and manipulate as few ingredients as possible. Fussy and detailed logos just don't work.

I changed one thing - the background. 

It was white. 


It's now RED!

It's simple. 


It works. 


It POPS!

Mission accomplished. 

Diva Sightings

Asheville is a fashion show.  I guess I'm so used to the abundance of creativity.  I forget sometimes.

I think Asheville has this reputation for being 'the mountains.'  Which it is. But the visual is very hiking, camping, REI.

And there is so much Much MUCH more to Asheville than hiking, camping,  and related.

When I think of Asheville, I think of the downtown scene with its artists, theaters, dance clubs, bars, restaurants, night life, tourists, eye candy and individuality.    And what better way to express it than with your own diva style.

Take these shoes:

This fetching little kitten was serving me up some caffeine in the form of an iced mocha when I happened to look down and see these beauties.

Are they not adorable?!  I know the whole gladiator look in heels is still going strong.  Funny how folks act like it was only popular for the past few years.  

I remember Thierry Mugler  had all the supermodels sashaying down runways and George Michael videos in those fierce little numbers back in the 90s.  I think they were so far ahead of their time that it was more like haute couture for art versus reality.

On this little lady, they're paired down to almost a sandal.  But they're actually part kitten heels, part sandal and part dress shoe. 

Regardless, they're 100% cute.  Very individual.  Very Asheville.  

Very diva!  :-)

Diva Sightings

I met my friends Buffy and her hubster, Brent, for coffee late this afternoon.   Kelli and I have known each other a long Long LONG time.  When it started being cool to shop Goodwill and Salvation Army is around the time we became besties.  Think Molly Ringwold, 80's Madonna, etc.

Her style has evolved since our college days, but not extremely.  Kelli still has the enviable ability to have an entirely cool outfit that cost like $10.  I told her the outfit she was donning today was utterly blog-worthy:

The sun dress is bright aqua with stitched embellishments in rainbow florals. 

So it already popped with the aqua alone.  Add the assorted stitched bright rainbow florals and it SIZZLED!

Buffy has an exceptional eye for detail.  She adds just the right accessories to add interest without cluttering up the look.  The shorter necklace looks like paper thin money tree petals.  

Upon closer inspection, they are actually far less delicate.  But the style and hint of iridescent gives the illusion of lightness. Perfect for Summer.

The added, longer necklace incorporates virtually all the colors found in the sundress already.  I think the way she tossed it in with the shorter petal necklace is why it works so well too.  It matches without being matchy-matchy!

OK.  So the watch is biodegradable.  Buffy brakes for errant squirrels that dart in front of her car and rainbows after thunderstorms.  She insisted I let readers know this watch can go in a compost heap or be buried in Mother Earth without harm.  

And even I have to admit, that's pretty darn cool.

Look!  It's grandma's purse without grandma.  I believe the fabric/pattern is called damask.  I made the mistake of getting a bunch of damask pillows for my living room a few years ago.  BLECH!  What a sad lapse in judgement that was.

Buffy's purse totally works.  Again, the idea is there are so many colors, it can go with anything.  But if the color HUE is off, it can wreck a look.  

Somehow, Buffy's hues work with each other versus competing and  clashing.  I think it's the touch of similar hue in the blues.  

And of course, a little bling can go a long way.  Her wedding ring set off by the silver bracelets adds a nice touch. But they're diamonds.  And they go with everything anyway!

:-)

Hotter Than The Fourth of July!

Doodles Divas are all about holidays and celebrations. They'll use any excuse to break out a new outfit - like they need one.

I wanted the girls to reference the pinups of yesteryear. They have a classic, nostalgic edge that lends itself naturally to that era. 

I imagine this little diva entertaining the troops with a song and dance routine. And a radio announcer in the background blaring:

"You can look but be warned: Don't touch! She's hotter than the Fourth of July!"

(Think "A League of Their Own")

Thank You Mr. Disney!

I'm a big classic Disney animation fan. A lot of my inspiration is derived from the whimsical designs found in Disney cartoons like 'Cinderella' and 'Sleeping Beauty.'

This is based on an idea that randomly popped in my head several weeks ago. I wanted to incorporate some 'magic' and really capture the spirit of whimsy, fairy tales and stardust. 

I wanted it to capture the spirit of my 'Ball Gown' illustration but kick it up a notch. Here's the result:

'Magic Ball Gown' was an uber hit! I live for creations like her. The feeling of joy and inspiration she gives me when I look at her is why I draw.

Mission accomplished! :-)

Diva Sightings

I'm gonna try to have random postings of real life Diva worthy 'things.'  For instance, I was with some friends tonight and just happened to look down and see one of them was wearing a pair of ferociously cool boots!  

I told her these were totally blog worthy.  Diva approved!  :-)