Art by Sophia and Quote for today by Oprah:

Art above by Sophia.
Sophia has been contributing to Kim Designs for three years.
Sophia resides in New York.

Now for a Quote for Today:

"The ultimate in being healthy is to operate at full throttle—physically, emotionally and spiritually."

-Oprah

Welcome Melinda and Fun Girl Skull Art!

Good Wednesday Morning Everyone,

Melinda just "joined" Kim Designs.  She came to Kim Designs via Izzy that recommended KD to Melinda.
That is always a HUGE compliment to us.

Art below by Melinda:

Melinda resides in Texas, USA.

Mark W. sent us this insightful article:

Mark W. is a contributing artist/illustrator to Kim Designs.
Mark offered this up to share:

Here’s an update on the value of COLOR in our industry:
Communications Arts Magazine always offered a color forecast in their January issue. I thought I would revisit ‘color’ and remind everyone of its importance in everyday illustration and design.
In art and design - color influences & often drives decision makers. Its importance to engage an art buyer or consumer cannot be overstated. Color can act to stir emotion or create magic and set the atmospheric tone of your marketing presentation or website.
Whether you cater to the advertising, entertainment, design, fashion, toy/game, publishing or editorial markets remember that color sends subliminal messages. A good branding example is Owens Corning's choice of pink to denote its brand. They incorporated the Pink Panther image in its entire strategy and its website is based on the color pink association. http://www.owenscorning.com/
Potentially, such a strategy holds long-term benefits as the Supreme Court has ruled that a particular color can serve as a defensible trademark for a product.
Here’s another good example: Color is definitely the number one factor when designers determine a package design. They also research what the lettering should look like. Due to the ever changing tastes of the consumer the average life span of a package design is two and a half years. Companies must invest in repackaging or newer products will be actively purchased or they hope consumers will look past the package design and look at the product itself.
This year the official color from Pantone is Honeysuckle* ~ a color with a dynamic, bold punctuation point. Honeysuckle is described as flirtatious, festive and produces a healthy glow. . . all positive emotions (not the same pink as you see here). http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20821&ca=4
The same advice goes for your marketing presentations and websites. Please use this information to make yourself more current and saleable. You want to catch the attention of art buyers. This might be one tactic to do so.
No matter what colors you use, good luck and have fun with your choices.
Warm regards,

Jo Ann

Illustration Consultant
http://www.DirectoryofIllustration.com
http://www.joannmiller.net
----------------

For fun - a Mark W. illustration follows:

Poem I read from Oprah this morning:

if i can't do
what i want to do
then my job is to not
do what i don't want
to do

it's not the same thing
but it's the best i can
do

if i can't have
what i want    then
my job is to want
what i've got
and be satisfied
that at least there
is something more
to want

since i can't go
where i need
to go    then i must    go
where the signs point
though always understanding
parallel movement
isn't lateral

when i can't express
what i really feel
i practice feeling
what i can express
and none of it is equal
i know
but that's why mankind
alone among the animals
learns to cry
—Nikki Giovanni

This design by Kellen always makes me chuckle:

Kellen has been contributing to Kim Designs for about two years.
Kellen resides in Connecticut, USA.

Fun piece of art on a Monday....By Pankaj:

By Pankaj - Pankaj has been with Kim Designs for about two years.
Pankaj lives in India.

Artists - the urge to create:

I thought this article in today's Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) may be of interest.  Fun photos if you follow the link.
Article: 

Art as irresistible force

For some local artists and performers, the urge create overwhelms any possible objections, pushing art into some unusual places and times.

Click Here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/art-as-irresistible-force/2011/03/25/AFfFyJZB_gallery.html?hpid=z6#photo=1

Have a nice day!
Kim

Other Photography - By Abby

 Talk about "cool" - Abby exudes a cool persona.  Abby came to Kim Designs about at inception - so nearly 6 years ago.   I had the privilege of getting to know Abby through a few conversations and through knowing her family - who used to buy art from Kim Designs. 
Abby does great people/kid photos.  I am a fan.  So, I thought you may enjoy her work as well:

Good one!

Introducing Ritika's New "Housemates":..Donut and Shine

Ritika has introduced two members to her home....so as an extension of Kim Designs - please meet Donut and Shine.  I am not sure if they are any good at designing or art yet but the agent I am - I will be seeing what they can do in the near future...



>         Ritika has been one of Kim Designs top 10 selling designers the last two years.

 Samples of designs by Ritika that are recently sold are below:

sold to Bath, Body Works

Sold to Hot Topic

This design sold above this week to Kleenex.

Photographer - Tommy at Kim Designs:

We have some amazing photographers at KD but rarely do KD clients ask for photography.  I am ashamed that I can not do more for these STUNNING photographers.

This morning - I wanted to feature Tommy S.  Tommy actually has gigs with National Geography.  When you preview these photos - it makes sense why he has had success.

Today - I want to share his photography with you...enjoy over your morning cup of coffee - if you will: