next steps

I realize it's been awhile since I posted – mostly because I was trying to figure out the next step. Continue to blog? Take the blog in a different direction? Etsy? Portfolio site? Video? Or simply... take a break? And then, I blinked, and a year had gone by... pretty unreal. 

But even though I haven't been blogging, I have been keeping busy with other creative projects. Below is a sampling of illustrations, videos and even a few photos from the gallery opening where three pieces of my art work were chosen. I have to say, It was a pretty cool year.

Even though I don't know which direction my creative passions will take me, I know I'll keep exploring, experimenting and learning. In the meantime, you can find me and more of my projects here:

Behance   •   YouTube   •   Society6

Thanks for all the encouragement, support and best wishes to everyone,
Christina

choose happiness

Lately my life has involved a lot of inner dialogue that goes something like this: “breathe Christina… breeeeeeathe… deeeeep breaths.” I know deep down things will eventually be fine and I DO realize things could be worse, but it’s hard not to get caught up in the roller coaster of emotions that’s involved with divorce. Sketching and reading positive books/articles/quotes has been a HUGE help. This one below is a pencil sketch I did with my own watercolor incorporated in the background. Hopefully you will find a bit of the serene-sunny-tranquility combination in it that I do.

wave collage

Last weekend I got the opportunity to meet up with 13 awesomely talented girls and for 4 days and 3 nights we illustrated, created, quilted, collaged, scraped, designed, photographed and wined & dined. We slept in, caught up on our books & mags, went running (or not ;), and took inCREDible uninterrupted showers. (for Mom's with little ones - this is as good as gold). 

Cherry on top is that you actually get a ton of stuff done during this weekend. I finally wrapped up a project that I've been working on and off for way way too long: filling some blank frames on my wall (See first initial brainstorm here). I ended up going in a different direction (with thanks to my RoXy and Quicksilver catalogs), but it was fun to collage and it's great to finally have a little more color up on the walls. 

type on

Lately, I’ve been so drawn to white type and logos set on top of photos or images. I can appreciate both the cleaner digital styles and also the handwritten designs. Each one can add so much to an image and the true typography can really shine. Below are some I really love (there are SO many great examples out there I could’ve kept looking all night.) I also added an adorable video showcasing tons of typography – all in French :) Avoir une bonne nuit mes amis!

Bed & Breakfasting

Stop being Afraid

Highly Decorated

John & James

I'm Thankful for Today
(so this one isn't really a designed piece but at the same time, 
it could be. And I like it. So there :) 

map wall art - part 1

I’ve been brainstorming wall art ideas for quite awhile now. (see MAP section) Right now I’m trying to create two complimentary designs – one of Italy (where we’ve been), one of Hawaii (where we'll go someday). I’m also brainstorming ways to combine graphic elements of a few other favorite things: maybe string lights? constellations? minimalist design? pop of color? grey + white pattern? I feel like I could design this project 50 different ways but am struggling to come up with one design I like. Here's part 1 of the process: Starting off with some inspirational maps and designs, doing some sketching and then messing around the hawaii map. Once I get a design that I'm happy with, if that ever happens, I will start the Italy map and WA-LA, we will get some design work up on the walls. :)

1  .  2  .  3  .  4  .  5  .  6

adding color

My walls have been pretty bare and boring since we moved in so I was really happy/relieved to finally get to this project this weekend. I was lucky in that, I already had an old canvas that I had painted, that was framed and ready to go. It was just a matter of painting something new overtop. See some of my inspirations here. It feels SO SO good to get some color in the room. :)

Awesome pillow here. Great wood frame here. 

holiday glow

I just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! The season is finally winding down here and we feel so lucky to have so many great friends and family surrounding us. We've enjoyed our first Christmas in our new home immensely. If our house wasn't "warmed" at our housewarming party, it is now :)

Here's a little card I photographed and designed a little bit ago. In an odd way, it kind of makes me excited for 2013. :)  

Sending lots of warm wishes out to all of you!

Christina :)

lit up

Wow, how do I even start this? My first post. It's a little scary and honestly, really intimidating (there are some AMAZING blogs out there, right?). I think I will start with a few things I'm passionate about: art, design, maps and lights. I hope you enjoy my art work above and hopefully we can make this a regular thing :) yeah?