Project: Business Cards

If you're connected with me on facebook or instagram you got a glimpse of these already, back when they arrived in the mail and I couldn't contain my excitement. I've finally gotten around to taking some snazzy pics of them, and I'm excited to share my business cards. I've been freelancing since the middle of my design diploma, and somewhere in the last year I decided I really needed to shape up and be presentable. Slowly but surely I've been building a personal brand that finally worked its way into print. Any designer will tell you that they've never had a more difficult client than themselves. (printed with moo)

Laura the Explorer

Last week my friend Monique and I ventured onto an "abandoned" property to capture a photo for one of my upcoming magazines. After we'd nailed the location and I'd gotten the "work" done, we explored the beautiful property full of magical (and stinky) empty buildings. We definitely got in touch with our 10 year old exploring selves, and I felt giddy with my re-awakened imagination. I couldn't help but think of the lives that had been lived in those spaces, and could be lived again if a lot of time and money ever go back into that place. Every time we opened a door we were surprised by what was behind it. I love the randomness of older home layouts. I hope my future home has its fair share of strange closets and oddly shaped cupboards!

Then we topped off our adventure with a visit to some brown-eyed pups. This city girl loves her some country!

Think About Grace - DESKTOP DOWNLOAD #3

It's a word I hear quite regularly around the office. Its one of those words that becomes stagnant in my mind as I take from here, send it there, pass it over, fold it under...

But BOY. Is it important to stop from time to time and put it on the table in front of me, by itself, and contemplate what Grace means: to me, for me, for life.

You know it changes everything.

What is broken is seen as whole. 
What is soiled is seen as clean. 
What will never measure up exceeds expectations.

It changes EVERYTHING.

Today I encountered Christians who seem to have forgotten this concept, using their space on the web to pour out words of intolerance and judgement on Christians of another denomination. At first I was deeply angered, feeling their blatant close-mindedness as a personal affront. Eventually, my anger gave way to self analysis, and as I worked through my own close-minded perspectives I came back to this word.

Why do we always forget about GRACE?

download the Grace desktop image by clicking here.

Magazine Highlights: March 2013

Here are some more magazine shots. I'm sharing March today, since April hits the virtual newstands and most mailboxes on wednesday. As I put these together I realized I missed a few pages, but since they were mostly text I decided it didn't matter :D. I enjoyed infusing the easter issue with bright celebratory colours, since we have so much to celebrate this time of year :D (here is the full digital version if you'd like to read it).

The Scenes Behind - desktop download #2

Today I bring you a summer-inspired backdrop to illustrate an abstract idea I've been considering. I am pretty sure this was inspired by a conversation I had about how the saturday night service at our church has ice-cream sundaes...so you can get your sundae on saturday. Ha!

Well, I go to the sunday service and don't get ice-cream. But I started thinking about how much I appreciate my sunday, and the church we've been attending lately (long story!). This lesson might not be very applicable to anyone else, but I think its important to take the time to appreciate these things! When we are gifted with amazing supportive Christian communities, we should celebrate :D.

So never mind that its easter weekend and we have immeasurable things to celebrate lol, take time to appreciate even the small ones! and have some ice-cream this sunday! Download the background here.

Magazine Highlights

Here are some shots from a recent magazine (February 2013). I love how the colour scheme turned out (a bit of a green & purple mixture) and I had some fun with illustration and cupcakes :D. Oh and we can't forget my very first photoshoot with Barbie! Ironically, I had to do a lot of retouching to her face. She had lipstick drips on her chin! Thank you macro lens :D (and here is the full digital version if you'd like to read it)
I did not photograph the awesome frog or the cuddly lamb. Both are properly credited in print.

The Scenes Behind - desktop download

It may be because I work on a computer all day, but I love choosing a desktop background. You know you've got a good one when you minimize all your working windows and feel inspired by what remains. Sometimes I like to create my own based on some sort of topic or lesson I've been working on learning lately.

Today I created one to remind myself that I'm not looking out for number 1. Its really easy to forget (for me) in a visual industry, when I surround myself by the success of others. I'm not here for me, and I'm not trying to get anywhere for me. I regularly forget that, and regularly suffer for it!

Jesus lived the prime example of being number 2 (or 3 or 12 etc...). He got down on his hands and knees and washed the feet of his disciples the day before he was crucified (John 13:1-17). He asked them to follow him, and he asks us to follow him, not for his own gain, but driven by his love for us.

Gotta hold on to that one!

Download the "number 2" desktop image by clicking here!

Also, let me know if you want me to make more! I really have no idea if anyone gets anything from my blog, I just do it to stay creative and inspired :D.