I've been busy working on some new collections this weekend. Here's a sneak peek at a developing motif.
I love using a simple black marker like this one by Copic to draw my designs. It makes for easier scanning and cleanup down the road.
Sonoma
Had a great time in Sonoma last week housesitting for a friend. I took lots of walks and was surrounded by plenty of inspiration. My favorite part of the trip was being able to sit poolside with my paints and a glass of Rosé. It was very rejuvenating and a hard place to leave!
Inspiration Abounds
50watts.com is an unbelievably rich resource for illustrations from around the globe and throughout the years. It has the most incredible collection of images, end papers, posters, children's illustration, vintage advertisements and more—I could peruse this site for hours! Here's a small sampling of the amazing treats you will find here. Have a great time getting lost for a while.
Skandias 1924 - Sweden
Shigeru Hatsuyama - Thumbelina 1925 - Japan
Lev Tokmakov for Katya in Toy City 1973 - Russia
Carlos Mereida 1939 - Dances of Mexico
Kenojuak Ashevak 1959 - Inuit
1955 Shiseido Advert - Japan
Carlos Merida 1947 - Guatemala
Bente Miltenburg - Holland
Einar Nerman 1950 - Sweden
Takeo Takei 1969 - Japan
Something In The Air
It's beginning to feel a lot like Springtime.
My allergies told me so. Achooo!
Feeling Springy Today
A little flora and fauna have sprung onto the page today.
Collaboration with Hatch.co for International Women's Day
Hi Friends. Today I have teamed up with Hatch.co to support fellow female creatives for International Women’s Day. Hatch is a curated site for a multitude of makers and artisans from all over the world, and this week they are raising awareness about powerful female voices in the design industry by collaborating with designers like me. Pretty cool!
I was one of a select few female designers who were asked to create a version of the Hatch logo to promote women in the design field. My logo and profile are featured today!
You can visit Hatch.co to see it in action and be sure to go back every day this week to see designs by other talented female designers: Check them out here.
Enjoy, and Happy International Women's Day. You go girls!
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Friendly Encouragement
Challenge - Day 1
Challenge - Day 3
Challenge - Day 5
I'm enjoying the design challenge that I see going around Facebook these days. Friends are challenging each other to post an original design each day for 5 days and to nominate another friend to do the same. It offers a nice excuse for creative types to open up and showcase their work where they might not feel inclined to otherwise. My talented friend Dayse Gagne encouraged me to take on this challenge and I've had a lot of fun with it. Here are the five designs I shared. Now who can you put to the task?
© Katja Ollendorff. All designs are my own and copyrighted. They are created with love from original hand drawn motifs.
Challenge - Day 2
Challenge - Day 4
Fairytale Youth
I just love going to the public library. With the diminishing number of bookstores in the city, there are fewer places one can sit among books, lolling on a rolling step stool, perusing attractive covers and being inspired by an unfamiliar author or artist.
One such artist I happened upon is Ivan Bilibin. He was an early 20th century illustrator and set designer (did work for the Ballet Russes) who was inspired by Slavic folklore.
I was struck by the folk nature of the illustrations that called to mind my youth and the hours I spent poring over old books of German fairytales. I would beg my mother to let me color in the black line-drawn illustrations of my books. Once, she did (and I think we still have the book). When I saw these colorful Bilibin illustrations, I felt these were exactly what I had envisioned in my child's mind's eye. Although the outcome of my renderings was quite different!
I feel completely transported and satisfied somehow, staring at these amazing illustrations—especially the patterns and elaborately detailed garments of each scene and character. Here are just a few examples.
Ivan Bilibin
Ivan Bilibin
Ivan Bilibine 1930 Dance costume
Playtime
Well it's my birthday on Monday and I had grand plans for a spa weekend getaway. But alas, I have been struck by the killer flu bug. So instead of being outside enjoying the glorious December weather up in Sonoma, I have been confined to my apartment in the city. What to do to brighten my mood? Watch some super cheesy holiday movies, get out some favorite Christmas decorations and have a little playtime in the studio!
My German Oma's hand-embroidered Advent calendar. I just wish I could find the chocolates on string to go with it.
Finnish straw reindeer and box
Featured Artist on Pattern Observer
I was chosen as the featured artist on Pattern Observer this month. So exciting! Click here to check out the July 1 post.
Saturday in the Mission
I spent the day wandering around the Mission with friends and I barely recognized it. So many new restaurants and shops, not to mention a new slew of ultra hip people. I guess I need to get out of the house more often so I can keep up! Although things have changed so much over the last few years, the walls and streets are still bursting with color—same as ever!
With abandon
While a friend and I were poking around an abandoned building in Sonoma, we discovered this mural. It's so melancholic and beautiful.
