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Do You Need A New Brand Image? Creative Design Agency Brand Consultants Have The Answer

No Author — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:45:00 CST

What exactly do McDonalds, BMW, Apple and Tesco all have in common? Sure, it is a granted that they all have serious wealth but they have an exceptionally solid brand image. So effective in actual fact that you only need to see a part of the company logo to recognise who they may be and the things they're doing. That is remarkable branding. Advanced design. Top-quality image use.

~The History of Fashion Design

No Author — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:38:00 CST

What Is Fashion Design?

Fashion design is a form of art dedicated to the creation of clothing and other lifestyle accessories. Modern fashion design is divided into two basic categories: haute couture and ready-to-wear. The haute couture collection is dedicated to certain customers and is custom sized to fit these customers exactly. In order to qualify as a haute couture house, a designer has to be part of the Syndical Chamber for Haute Couture and show a new collection twice a year presenting a minimum of 35 different outfits each time.

Come Sail Away

No Author — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:00:00 CST

This nautical scene was part of a series of murals painted around a Bahamas themed guest room. This guest room is actually used as the nursery by the owners for their granddaughter, which the model ship was named after. Overlapping objects is what gives this trompe l'oeil mural its convincing depth. Most of the items in the picture were taken from things I've collected but the simple butterflies with their shadows was the final touch to really bring the illusion to life.About the Author Michael's artistic career began upon graduating from the Pasadena Art Center College of Design. He is now sought after by clients and designers who seek high quality, precise draftsmanship and affirm his ability to understand their individual visions and transform them into a masterpiece whose integrity will stand the test of time.

Warming up a Kitchen with Marmorino

No Author — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:05:00 CST

This coffered ceiling finished in a warm marmorino evokes a feeling of rich sumptuousness. Its inherent geometric pattern gives a feeling of stability making this kitchen the center of the home - the gathering place. The polished marmorino on the coffered ceiling emphasizes the perfection of the continuous lines of its beams. To achieve the polished surfaces and smooth lines and edges of the beams, the marmorino had to be meticulously applied simultaneously by five skilled artisans. The depth of the shadowed, matte-finished panels gives the room a sense of height and richness.

The Music Room

No Author — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:17:00 CST

French antiques fill this period home and the addition of a new piano called for a custom finish. Washes of Venetian blues with gilding on the added decorative trim brought the piece into focus with the mood of the room. About the Author Artist/traveller/collector.....with a degree in Art History. Lover of all things Italianate and a francophile at heart. Dedicated to passing on basic techniques and formulas to the next generation of artists. I love replicating the process of deterioration and patinas made by time and climate.

Decorative the Walls

No Author — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:00:00 CST

The Sea shell motif of this panel was inspired by a visit to furniture section of the Chicago Museum of art. With furniture being one of our favorite projects to pursue, we knew we had to see the furniture venue at he Chicago Art museum while we were in town.Once inside and beholding all the "eye candy" on display.... Connie found one particular piece that caught her eye because it was cover in sea shells. She has always lover to paint shells! We photographed the piece and once back in the studio, incorporated the some of the patterns into this panel. After being seen by several clients, variants of it have been commissioned, even two that were, doubled in length and the pattern turned in order for them to be hung vertically.

16th century Venetian doors

No Author — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:54:00 CST

These double doors were based on photos of the originals from Venice. First seen by the client at a Sotheby's auction, they are now in the Marais district of Paris. This is a detail of one side of the doors. About the Author Artist/traveller/collector.....with a degree in Art History. Lover of all things Italianate and a francophile at heart. Dedicated to passing on basic techniques and formulas to the next generation of artists.

Vines in the Wine Room

No Author — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:05:00 CST

The high ceiling in the clients wine room was cavernous and bleak, but when the painted canvas went up and the light was cast upon it, everyone's eyes were immediately draw upward to enjoy the wonderful scenery.This peaceful motif was painted on canvas and applied to the ceiling. It was created to represent the view from under an ornate iron arbor with hanging grapes.About the Author Connie and Randy Cotita of Studio Abbellire have been creating custom art for residential and commercial clients for over 20 years.

Divine Couple

No Author — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:05:00 CST

Divine Couple Jeff Raum A favorite subject of ceilings for centuries, the heavenly couple of Zeus and Hera endure. Muralist, Jeff Raum, was thrilled to get a commission to paint the gods on a small dome. He loves classical themes, so he considers it a real treat when he gets such a project because he is rarely asked to paint them. Jeff did extensive research on the subject matter and found a wonderful portrayal of the two immortals in a painting by Peter Paul Rubens. Not even the focus of the 13' x 10' work, the gods are portrayed in the upper third, looking down on the main subject of Henry IV receiving the portrait of his future wife, Maria De' Medici.

Detail of Mural on "Gypsy Wagon" Dog House

No Author — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:00:00 CST

This scene is a close up of a whimsical design which was hand painted onto a dog house that was raffled away for a fund raiser to help rescued animals in the New Orleans, LA area. The entire doghouse design was a miniature replica drawn from the old "gypsy wagon" style.The painting is a remake of the "Punchinellos with Dancing Dogs" by Tiepelo in 1762, which lent itself wonderfully to the desired overall effect for the finished project and worthwhile venue in the previously hurricane stricken area. The dog house eventually became the "hangout"of a female basset hound named "Penny" in Many, Louisiana. The raffle profited several thousand dollars for a cause very close to our hearts. Several other vendors donated time and materials to this wonderful project!

Bon Appetit

No Author — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:00:00 CST

Bon Appetit Jeff Raum An outdoor range hood was just calling for some attention. All around it were multi-colored mosaic tiles and interesting detail. The range hood looked like it had been overlooked. Designer Maraya Droney called upon decorative artist, Jeff Raum, to come up with a design concept. The only criteria was that it should have the saying, "Bon Appetit".

It?s Wallpaper Paste, Not Hair Gel!

No Author — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:05:00 CST

Installing a series of ceiling panels proved to be more of a challenge then I bargained for. To start with, the client wanted to makeover the main foyer by commissioning me to paint nine ornamental decorative panels inside the multi-sectioned ceiling. I never expected I'd be the one getting the make-over. Since I was hand-painting all the decorative elements without the use of stencils, I thought it would be easier to paint each panel on canvas and avoid getting neck strain. The idea would be to paint the panels on canvas in my studio and then install them on site once they were completed.

Shell Panel - Decorative Art for Walls

No Author — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:05:00 CST

Eco Friendly Recycled Garden Furniture

No Author — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:09:00 CST

In this garden video check out the garden furniture which eco friendly and made of recycled materials.

Working in the Creative Design Industry

No Author — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:01:00 CST

Entering in to the world of creative and graphic design is an exciting and rewarding career choice.

There are many opportunities within this sector of business ranging from roles as an artworker, web designer, graphic designer, studio manager and finishing artist to name but a few.

Painted Dresser

No Author — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:39:00 CST

I would spend much time gathering just the right furniture to paint and display and spend countless hours on it. It truly was a labor of love. Having the opportunity to talk to the customers and getting their feedback was a great experience and I made many new friends and clients. When this piece sold soon after displaying it, I felt a little sad having to part with it but very happy it had a new home.About the AuthorMarsha is a artist who specializes in fine art paintings and decorative art that includes murals, trome l'oeil and painted furniture. Her art has been purchased by many private and commercial collectors throughout the United States and Canada.

Molto Interessante

No Author — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:05:00 CST

Only in Padova can you get built-in bookshelves like these. Since the walls in old Italian palazzi are two to three feet thick, these customers decided to take advantage of the idea and construct a wall mimicking the old style. The walls and interior of the niches have been finished in white Velvet Marmorino. At night, they are illuminated with interior lighting. Now all they need are a little Petrarch, Dante, Manzoni, Calvino or Pascoli to be complete.About the Author Giovanni began in the Italian stucco business 30 years ago learning the old traditions from a master artisan.

California Renaissance

No Author — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:45:00 CST

Not many homes have a vaulted, groin ceiling in the master bathroom, so the homeowner decided to play up the feature. With cabinets and mirrors covering most of the walls, the only space for a statement was, indeed, the ceiling. Artist, Jeff Raum, was called in to render the ceiling in the style of the Italian Renaissance, complete with grotesque ornamentation. He was thrilled to get the commission for he always admired the style, but had never been asked to paint it. A scaled rendering was created for approval and to help Jeff figure out the exact measurements needed for all the elements to fit within the four triangles.

Unicorn Panel

No Author — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:47:00 CST

The castle theme is perfect for a little girl's room. As a little girl my mother painted me a mural very similar to this. I would stare at it for hours with delight. It was that mural many years ago that inspired this panel. I often times take inspiration for my children's designs from my own childhood memories.

The Many Uses of Bamboo

No Author — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:00:00 CST

Bamboo is such a great natural resource that it may soon replace many wood and plastic products. It can grow in poor soil and with little water. Unlike trees and other plants, bamboo actually improves the ground that it lives in, adding nutrients back into the soil instead of leeching them out. It grows quickly, up to two feet a day, and creates an intricate network of roots that is excellent for erosion control.