Hello lovelies! I have been in studio most of this week working on an art deadline. Sorry if I have not returned an email or a phone call or if I was supposed to be somewhere and forgot. I am pretty locked in when I am in here, which is good, but it can make me very anti-social.
Over the past year I have been working on re-vamping some older Curly Girl pieces. I still love the sentiment, but the image doesn't feel current anymore to me, or I just think it could be better. Over the years, my illustration style has evolved, the brand has grown and the applications for my art are different. I want to keep things relevant and fresh, and the beauty of working for myself, is that I have the freedom to do something over and give it new life. Instead of a piece getting discontinued and sent into the archives, I get a chance to give it a little make over and re-introduce it to the world as I see it today. What a treat!
I made the first version of this card before it being a greeting card was even a thought in my brain. Before I even dreamt of making art for a living, starting a greeting card company or (gasp!) running one. Before I knew how to do any of that and way before I thought I could do any of that. To be honest, before I even wanted to do any of that.
I made this in 2001, sitting on the floor of my first apartment in Cambridge, unemployed having been recently laid off from my first big job. I was making post cards for friends and this was the second one I did. It has now been for sale in the Curly Girl line for 9 years and actually still sells quite well!
Even though it is still one of our great sellers, I wanted to give it a re-do to make it more contemporary, and more in line with my current style.I also wanted to update the sentiment so that it wasn't just about 'she' anymore. It needed to be brighter, and more energized and just a little bolder. It is, after all about enjoying the finer things of life with the finest things in life…good friends.
I love how the new one turned out, I love the kind of day they are having…let me know what you think!
xoxo
Absolutely LOVE it – so true. Cheers 🙂
So exciting to see how your style evolves over time.. LOVE.. LOVE .. LOVE IT!!
I LOVE it! ! !
LOVE the new card! So fab! I also like how you incorporated men in it 🙂 Your stuff simply makes me swoon!
xx,
Elise
I’m loving these episodes of Extreme Makeover Card Edition!
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!
SO awesome! What a great redo… makes me want to jump right into that scene. LOVE.
I got the original design years ago and it’s still one of my favorite art pieces ever. The new design is absolutely fantastic and fresh, LOVE IT! How fun to see your evolution as an artist!!
I bought this in the napkins for my brother and sister-in-law. I love the new design even more! 🙂
I love the idea of do-overs…I’ve been meaning to write a contemplation on this very subject. Do-overs bring me back to neighborhood kickball games. I especially love this do-over! Thank you!!!
It’s sort of more “all-inclusive” with guys in there and the fashion is more up-to-date but the sentiment remains spot-on! LOVE LOVE LOVE your art work!!!
i think that it is great – and i really like that it is inclusive of guys as well, i already know of a lot of friends that i will be buying this card for! can’t wait!
When I first found Curly Girl cards at a little bookstore in La Jolla, I fell in love and bought one for all of my best friends, and four to frame for myself. I love that you feature such positive, lovely messages and most of all that not every woman is young, blonde, and blue-eyed. Thanks for accounting for the diversity of women (age and race) and celebrating fabulousness whenever possible. And it is always possible.
I have had the opportunity to meet you—looking at your calendar right now!
The redo is wonderful—makes me want to head to a winery with my friends right now!
I also agree with all the other comments posted!
Leigh – I love this post (and sorry I am just seeing it now). I have thought to ask you if you feel like you have evolved, since I see it in your work – although like you said, the sentiments are the same! I look back at work I have done and feel I have come further and could do different/better now, since even (as you know) in the one piece you are currently working on, what you start with and what you end with are never the same. I love that you re-did this card, not since I don’t like the original (in fact, I have given it to all my college BFFs at some point)… but since as an artist, I love that you are okay with not being okay with something you’ve done before. There is some restlessness, or need for MORE or need to constantly re-look, re-consider, or re-better things in a creative mind.. always analyzing and thinking on how to evoke, inspire, make more, make different… (fine, call it “improve” if you must, but I don’t think of it that way!). This is great – and I can’t wait to buy the new one, too. 🙂