Inspire- Spring

Happy Spring! Inspirations lately...

"Our greatest joy is when we seek to do good for others" - Archbishop Desmond Tutu

The Portland Home and Garden show, Orchid Society

A touch of spring in the garden....

"There are always flowers for those who want to see them" -Henri Matisse

In the studio...

More inspiration minis coming!  (This series of small originals are created in acrylic and mixed media on wood panel- Follow RPS Instagram  #inspirationminis for updates or visit the RPS Shop- Inspiration Minis to view all available for sale)

Minis in progress- Peace Mandala, Rainbow Mandala, All One, Giving, Bright Spirit

Sneak peek, new larger paintings:

 Creatrix, Mother Earth- in progress (a section)

Reflection, first sketch

Sewing/fabric followers, expect to see some new floral patchwork pillow patterns coming soon! The series will include rose, iris, lily, and orchid.

And... back to creating :)

Xoxo,

Robin

New Website Packages

If you're wondering what I have been to lately in graphic/web design-  I'm continuing to work on  artist and small business websites. And I'm now pleased to be offering affordable WordPress design packages and individual website training sessions for artists and small businesses nationally! On a limited basis, I am also working with international clients.

Each project is unique, and I offer my clients much more than just design. Typically, I also assist with everything web-related: domain names, hosting, site security, mobile friendliness, search engine optimization, integrating social media, e-commerce and marketing/branding. At the end of each project, I train my clients on how to update their new site in WordPress so that they can easily manage it.

And... in addition to developing new sites, I commonly take on projects that are simply updates, enhancements or maintenance-related such as:

-moving websites and domain names to new hosts
-mobile-friendly site enhancements
-installing shops, blogs and forms
-changing design styles/themes
-professional advice/training sessions for DIYers
-updating or advising on sites, any platform  - not just WordPress

>>>If you are in need of a new website or advice on your existing website, I welcome you to contact me for a free consultation. And learn more about my design work here. :)

Without further ado, here are some of the latest new site launches/ web projects from the studio...

Mary Lou Dauray

environmental art

www.maryloudauray.com

Site Features/Support:
For this site, I customized an existing WP theme (WP Basic Package expanded), and assisted her with a font design for her name, transferring her domain name, setting up new hosting, site security, optimizing her blog and advice on RSS and social media. We chose a design style that showcased the powerful nature of her work.



Esther Sternberg Art

impressionist-style painting

www.esthersternbergart.com

Site Features/Support:
For this WP Basic Package site, I helped Esther find a portfolio theme and colors that fit the more traditional style of her work. I also assisted her with a font design for her name, transferring a domain name, setting up new hosting, and site security. Finally, I created several custom living room images to showcase how her art would look in a home setting. 

Columbia River Tile & Stone
artistic tile and stone installation
www.columbiarivertileandstone.com

Site Features:
For CRTS, our other family business, I recently updated the website's design/structure (Custom, non-WordPress site) to be fully responsive > mobile and large-screen friendly. Additionally, I added new galleries, a blog, and another sidebar with rotating reviews, helpful information and calls to action. In the future, the site will evolve with more dynamic content.

And finally... a new RPS site is coming! 
Last but not least.... Stay tuned for a new RPS website, currently in the works! Here's a sneak peek at some of the initial design snippets. It's very exciting, and long overdue! The new site will be a unique, custom design that is dynamic, responsive and ultra- mobile-friendly with lots of fun content like design tips, patterns, design ideas, studio/show pics, daily inspiration and more.   www.robinphillipsstudio.com

New Year, New Horizons

Around here, we are ready to ring in the new year! 

And in a few short weeks Jeff and I are off to the Yucatan! On our way, we will visit family we haven't seen in a while in Atlanta, which will be so nice.  I will be posting pictures of our adventures on Instagram @robinstudio and RPS Facebook. Expecting to create a new series of paintings based on this trip, it will be an amazing experience. Can't wait to discover the Mayan ruins, landscapes and gardens,  native art and crafts. We'll be driving all over the peninsula visiting a variety of cities and of course, beaches. :)

In progress: Siamese Parlor, Meditation, Owl Spirit, Eagle Spirit paintings

In the studio lately...

Creating more small pieces to replace those sold for OneDer Gallery. If you're in Portland, do check it out! All art is local and priced under $100- such a great deal.

In collaboration with Renee Phillips of Manhattan Arts International, I am now working on artist websites nationally. I'm delighted to be working with Renee, who is an amazing coach and advocate for the arts. A new RPS website is also in the works. Stay tuned!

And for fun, more holiday sewing.

In the new years sewing basket are more kitchen towels, hot pads, and perhaps a new table runner (if there is time :))  Sewers, stay tuned for new winter and spring pattern releases to be announced soon!

The winter garden...

I am always in awe watching nature cycle through the seasons. Isn't it truly amazing? Now the garden is at rest, and it has cleared the slate for a new horizon, new growth, new possibilities.

We saw a few snowflakes in the air the other day, but alas no snow. Growing up in Wisconsin, I used to be so tired of the snow, but these days I have fond memories of how beautiful it looks. Especially on all the evergreens around here... a touch of snow would be nice! The rain drops we have are stunning though- shimmering on the plants in early morning light. And feeling thankful for how the winter rain keeps everything so nourished and green ;)

Japanese Garden- Winter  © Robin Phillips Studio

Blessings to you for a happy new year!

♥  Robin

Crafty Design Ideas: Wedding Scrapbook

Album: K & Company

In honor of our anniversary, I put the finishing touches on our wedding scrapbook album this past weekend! Jeff and I were married two yrs ago on the Oregon coast and it was a magical day.  ♥

My vision for our album was to combine elements in nature with a touch of elegance and romance. Since we were married at the ocean, I used a combination of sheer and embossed wedding papers, shell and sand papers, hand-cut flourishes, stamps and embellishments.

I chose ocean blue as our wedding color along with a spiral motif to symbolize eternity...

I arranged the book chronologically, and created a unique border for the page spread in each section.
Thanks to the lovely Sarah McAllister Photography, we have so many gorgeous photos from our special day. On each page, I combined three to four photos in collage style.

Of course, I had to make my dress! I based the design on Simplicity 1909...

To create scalloped edges on many of the page elements, I used a variety of Fiskars paper edgers. Love these scissors. I've had them a long time and I use them for everything!

For the ceremony pages, I used the ocean paper with rhinestone spirals and hearts. I printed a verse from our ceremony for each page in this section which we wrote together...

I chose Jolee's Boutique sticker embellishments (bells, birds and flowers) as accents throughout the album.

And the trim around the photos are hand-stamped flourish motifs accented with Holbein silver glitter paint at the points. The bottle has a super-fine tip, and their paint is saturated with glitter which is nice for fine detail.

Leave it to Iko cat to help me too.... :)

Photo corners and flourishes were made with a stamp set using Brilliance Dew Drops silver ink pad to create an old-fashioned look.

Added sheer ribbon edging on a few photos for a romantic effect...

 

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Follow RPS #craftydesignideas on Instagram for more inspiration!

Browse free craft project tutorials and patterns on robinphillipsstudio.com