Fruits of Desire

"Life was much easier when Apple & BlackBerry were just fruits!"

Illustration: ©Alison Day Designs

Bloom Society

Hollyhocks

'... The mother loved them years ago;
Beside the fence they used to grow,
And though the garden changed each year
And certain blooms would disappear
To give their places in the ground
To something new that mother found,
Some pretty bloom or rosebush rare—
The hollyhocks were always there.  ...'

- Edgar A Guest

Alcea, commonly known as hollyhocks, is a genus of about 60 species of flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae. They are native to Asia and Europe.

For prints (watermarkless!): Here 

Illustration: ©Alison Day Designs

Verse via: All Poetry

Partridge Prance

"On the first day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:

A Partridge in a Pear Tree... "

The first in a series of TWELVE printed cards illustrating The Twelve Days of Christmas: here
Season's Greetings,

Midwinter Bird

In the bleak midwinter landscape the bright red breast of the little Robin appears. Hopping from snowy branch to branch in search of food. A true sign that Christmas is on the way.

This is for FIVE cards with envelopes (for larger quantities please contact me):  here
Cards are double and folded, blank inside for your message.
Measurements: 10.3 cm x 14,8 cm ( 4 x 5.8 inches)

Season's Greetings,

Harnessed in Steel

Creator of these giant 'Kelpies' horses heads is Andy Scott. They have taken 7 years to build and tower over the Forth & Clyde Canal in Falkirk, Scotland at an impressive total height of  30 metres. 

Built entirely out of stainless steel, they are a tribute to the horse power heritage of Scotland. On show April 2014, onwards.

For more info on the Kelpies visit: This is Colossal. 

Alive without Breath

Tell me, O Octopus, I begs
Is those things arms, or is they legs?
I marvel at thee, Octopus;
If I were thou, I'd call me Us  — Ogden Nash

An octopus in a bowl? 

No, this is a 3-D creation of Sinapore-based artist Keng Lye - modern-day illusionist, who's work emerges as the result of pouring resin into a bowl, layer by layer and then painting it in great detail with acrylics.

The technique was originated by Riusuke Fukahori. How it's done, watch this video. 

This is one of a series called Alive without breath. Other equally beautiful examples can be viewed here.

Poem
Source: This is Colossal

Luvin' It

Like it love it, here's my design for LimoLand and The The Symbol of Love on Talenthouse

A design, which was designed to adorn their colourful range of: Bright, bold, casual, luxury clothing with a sense of humor. 

For more of my designs:  HERE


© Alison Day Designs
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Block Head

(Walk in the Park - © Alison Day)

Ever get those days when you can't settle to anything work/creative-wise? 

You know, when ideas don't flow: another assignment has precedence/a deadline;  the IKEA delivery will arrive when you're in the studio at the end of the garden; yet another cuppa and digestive is needed to kick start the creative process; we've gone from summer to autumn in the blink of an eye; it's reward time from the cat - a large and mangled, pinkish-brown earthworm has been brought to be admired, the image of which won't leave your head. You feel deflated, uninspired and slightly insecure - the list goes on...*sigh*

Of course you do, everyone does at one time or another. Recently, a friend in an arty group that I subscribe to (Facebook), was experiencing just such a block and called for help, asking for our feedback. What did we do when we felt 'blocked'? How does one deal with it and what action(s) did we take? Should she ignore it and wait for the inspirational tide to turn, or just 'suck it up' as part of the creative process?

The reactions were abundant, sympathetic, interesting and varied. Not surprising really, seeing as we are all connected by an invisible thread in the web of the need to create. Frustrations intermingled with solutions skipped down the timeline, stories with a common denominator of being 'blocked' in pursuit of such a seemingly beautiful career. A solitary one too for the most part, often referred to as a vocation, or not, depending on how you answer: "So, what is it exactly that you do?" to that annoying question, to which you blurt out nervously: "I'm an artist."

Needless to say I put in my pennyworth. So, here are a couple of points, which help me deal with procrastination and mental 'block's: 

1. Take a walk (sun shining helps) with either a sketchbook, camera or none of the former - see where it takes you.

2. Do something completely unrelated to what you feel blocked about - gardening, cleaning the house (my pet hate too, but kills two birds with one stone) - let your thoughts flow, but don't plan any action yet... afterwards see what comes up in your head?

3. Chocolate/Wine/Dance/Tea & cakes/Chat with a friend - The emphasis here is to spoil yourself and not to beat yourself up about the 'block'. View it as a point of necessary transition - keeping you on track and on your life's path.

Taking my own advice, below are a few of the photos I took a couple of days ago having chosen no. 1 on my list and an autumnal walk in the park...

and only tomorrow knows if I'll be wielding a paintbrush or the extendable arm of the blasted Hoover, as mentioned in no. 2. 

© Alison Day Designs

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Kitty Face

Take a look at the caterpillar of the Chinese Bush Brown butterfly - a native to the rainforests and deciduous forests of  Japan - which  nature has amusingly given a face similar to the popular cartoon character 'Hello Kitty'.

Via DesignTaxi

Beyond the Bucket and Spade

Going Local in Gran Canaria
by Matthew Hirtes

How to turn a holiday destination into a home

Being asked to review an in depth guide to a place you know absolutely nothing about and have never visited, is a great way to broaden ones cultural and geographical knowledge. With this in mind, and when a copy of Matthew Hirtes’ Going Local in Gran Canaria was offered for my opinion, I agreed unreservedly.

Initially a newcomer, but now after eight years of residency a total native and still loving it, Matthew has researched the island to include information showing that - there is life beyond the bucket and spade. He covers things he himself would have liked to have known upon arrival and all that he has learnt over the years from his own experiences or via other expatriates and of course the local Canarians included.

His research has paid off. Matthew eases us into some background information and covers the island’s Spanish-African heritage, inhabitants and language. Once your appetite has been wetted, he continues with a comprehensive guide of the points to consider for those who wish to turn the holiday destination into a home - where will you live and work? How about healthcare, finances, schools for the kids, integrating with the other inhabitants? All this is supported by relevant resources, contact details and websites. Successful relocation requires an endless list to be worked through and items to be ticked off.

Those who choose to stay create what they miss: regular social meet ups help people keep in contact, talk in their native tongue and meet the island’s newcomers; if you can’t find what you want with regard to employment, you could start your own business. There are a lot of possibilities on this 590 square mile, mini continent where the micro climate is described to be “the best climate in the world”.

There is plenty to do on Gran Canaria. For the active soul there are clubs, cycling, walking on the beach as exercise, swimming, surfing, football and ballet etc. For trips further afield on the island there is a good local bus system or alternatively you can hire a car. If you prefer to kick back, and relax, whilst soaking up the mañana vibe of the island, then sitting in cafes, watching the old men playing dominos, coffee, snacks, siestas and spas are the way to go.

For the lover of nightlife, keep an eye on the fiesta calendar, visit the Carnival and enjoy the exuberant nightlife, but watch out for the island-wide hangovers as a result of the rum being poured until you tell them to stop!

Going Local in Gran Canaria is an interesting introduction and comprehensive guide to the island and who knows, maybe in the future, when the weather in the northern Netherlands really gets my goat, I may find myself choosing it as a possible destination.

Faith is an island in the setting sun, 

But proof is the bottom line for everyone - Paul Simon 

©Alison Day - 08/09/2013
Blog: Alison Day Designs
Wesite: Alison Day Designs                              

Snow Signal

  

 

 

 

 

The snowboard design for Signal was sourced and influenced by a doodle I drew of my hand. The top of the board features a stylized thumb and refers to the handmade element of Signal's unique snowboards.

Colourwise, the bright orange on the board base comes from Signal's logo and compliments an equally loud green, topside. The whole is held together by a dominant graphic black outlining and if this board was ever made up, you can be sure you'd never loose a snowboard in the snow again!

Follow the link: HERE and select 'Support Alison' - on September 5 you will be reminded to cast your vote, which can be done via Facebook and Twitter - yes, you get to vote 2x!

© Alison Day Designs
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The Lone Bellow

My design for The Lone Bellow’s Official Tour Poster, which hints at an era of times gone by. I have tried to keep relatively simple in order to allow for tour details etc.

Influenced by Dizzy’s diner in Brooklyn, New York, USA, where The Lone Bellow came into existence (via Google street view). The viewer is looking from within at the outside world - at an old fashioned microphone, via a singing mouth, from the perspective of the initially singular voice of Zach Williams. The corner border of tiny instruments symbolizes the eventual emergence of The Lone Bellow as a trio.

Voting for my illustration starts September 3 on Talenhouse website using Facebook & Twitter -  that means your voice counts 2x! 

If you like my design, please support me HERE

© Alison Day Designs
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Playing the Crowd

This is my submission for - Design a Playsuit for Jessie J with Glacéau Vitaminwater®

If you like my design please support me by following the link and selecting 'Support Alison.' Tweeting, sharing, and comments are also welcome and can be made: HERE

VOTING: 13th - 20th August !

© Alison Day Designs
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Extra GrandPré

A few of the previously unpublished illustrations for the Harry Potter books cover art and chapter illustrations, penned by Mary GrandPré

For more: DesignTaxi
(Uploaded by Redditor Jrs)

The Whisper

Campaign McCann Worldgroup India for Penguin to encourage people to buy their  audiobooks. Featuring well known authors, for example, Shakespeare, whispering into the listener's ears in the form of headphones. For the other two, follow the link: DesignTaxi

Static Seaweed

Now here's a fabulous use for all that plastic floating around in the seas. Re-purpose it into one of these tar-coloured seaweed stools.

Design Squish

Outside ~ Inside

Woven pastureland rugs by Alexandra Kehayoglou using wools and materials of different thicknesses, colours, textures and lengths to overlap and cover the area as nature would.

Design Squish

Talk to the Hand

Talk to the hand... courtesy of communication Co. O2 ... The gloves are Bluetooth-connected and contain a speaker unit embedded in the thumb, with a microphone in the pinkie. 

Not happy with that handy innovation, how's about the even dafter potential shoe option? As my son so rightly said: "What happens if you've just stepped in dog poo and someone calls you?"

And... next generation - under the skin?! ;)

DesignTaxi

The Domino Effect

What do you do with old logo covered packaging, clothing and products when your house style is up for a revamp? - Take a leaf out of Domino's pizza chain

Vespalogy

Being the proud owner of a Vespa myself, I just had to share 
the Evolution of the Vespa from 1943 - 2013 with you from 
DesignTaxi