WHAT THE WHAT?!

Wow. Just WOW. I'm not sure if I'm even ready to write this post- it's all so surreal. But here goes...I am so excited to say that I won the Special Studio Award of being represented by Lilla Rogers Studio! (Read their post HERE) This final round of the Global Talent Search was pretty intense! We were to design two boards of a home decor line based on a trend board given to us by Margo Tantau (Art Director for Midwest CBK). I chose "Vintage Cottage" and just started brainstorming. I knew I wanted to do some animal/floral platters so I jumped right in. And actually, those are the only items that stayed in from start to finish. I have about 3 other boards worth of illustrated products that did not make the final. The whole time I just tried to stay confident and true to myself. I knew that if I was designing things out of fear of losing, my work wouldn't come across as strong. Here's what I ended up submitting:

I love where I landed with these boards. I knew that perhaps it wasn't the most commercial stuff- but I also knew that Lilla liked my quirkiness. Now I need to do a shout-out to some awesome peoples. My hubs and family for being the ultimate support crew! Emily Balsley and Candice Hartsough McDonald for encouraging me to take MATS a year ago and being super artists to bounce ideas off of! Also a shout out to the other finalists- I know Lilla's choice couldn't have been easy. And then a mega CONGRATS to Kate Mason- the grand prize winner and Clairice Gifford- my fellow studio prize winner! 

Now....how do I get that rug made?!

Charish Mix n Chic Style Challenge

I was recently approached by Charish to create a style board for their August Mix n Chic Style Challenge. I was so excited! Then I saw that they wanted me to use Shabby Chic items and I was like- wah wah. In my mind Shabby Chic = 90s wannabe cottage home with faux weathered wood, milk bottles, and sponge paint. Ha! But here's what they said: Shabby Chic will match well with most styles. Whether it’s Bohemian Charm or Rustic meets Shabby Chic– you can play up coastal elements in the bathroom, provide a touch of French country living to the bedroom, and vintage charm in the kitchen. The less matching the better! Ok- feeling better. I'm a big fan of not totally matching! I looked through some images they gave me as well as items from their site and created this board:

I started with that ultra-feminine pink chair because it scared me and made me smile. Paired with the graphic pattern of the rug, some functional industrial pieces, my art (duh), and a few funky vases/containers (can never have too many of those in a studio), the chair ends up feeling fresh and fun! How have you embraced shabby chic?

(counter-clockwise from lower left) Similar pink, feminine chair // Ceramic face vase // Mexican rug // Harwood top work table // Danish modern lamp // Fish pot // Katie Vernon Healing Wreath // Apothecary cabinet // Monkey dish // Yellow horse candy dish // Catherineholm bowl

2015 Calendars in shop!

If you follow me on instagram (@katievernonart) - you'll have seen snippets of these over the last few weeks. They are finally done! I've used herbs, plants, and colors that promote specific positive outcomes and intertwined them all in lovely "Healing Wreaths." I'm very please with how they turned out and haven't picked a favorite yet. 

These 11x14 wall calendars are available right now in my etsy shop ($25)- and prints without the calendar will be up soon. 

daily wreath update

Just a few of the #dailywreaths I've been posting to instagram (thekatiev). What's your fave so far? Mine is the pancake (it was also the most delicious). 

#dailywreath

So let's just forget that it's been two months since the last blog post. I've been too busy playing! Spring is here so we've been outside a TON and I've definitely felt newly inspired to create more. I've also been having more fun on twitter and instagram. Using vscocam has renewed my love for phone photos- you have so much more control over the editing and so many more preset options available. Anyhoo- you probably know that I have a slight obsession with wreaths. (I still have more healing wreath paintings in the works- stay tuned, but don't hold your breath)

This week I decided to start making a daily wreath to photograph and put on instagram. Some will be floral, some will be drawn, some will be salads :)

I hope you'll follow, share, comment, and do a happy dance. toodles

healing wreaths

so these are the 4 large wreaths from the show...

top to bottom: stress, fertility, rheumatoid arthritis, depression

Just a few...

Just a few images for a show I have opening in April- more pics soon!