Q&A: Robert Chad
Keepsake Artist Robert Chad was asked to share a little bit more about his contribution to this year’s Heritage collection. Here’s what he had to say!
“We all love Keepsake Ornaments, but recently, several artists in the studio have also been able to work on ornaments in Hallmark’s Heritage collection. My contribution was ‘Dapper Owl,’ a festive plaid jacket and top-hat-wearing feathery friend that’s hand-blown out of glass in Poland, then finished with extra sparkle—and even a monocle! It’s a beautiful piece, but still has some of the fun and whimsy I like to add to my ornaments.”
Dapper Owl
Dapper Owl
Robert: “The original art came from from Hallmark’s archives and then the 3D direction came from the two art directors Jim and Joanne. All of the Heritage collection is made from hand-blown glass in Poland. I had never sculpted for glass product before so that was my own personal hurdle. As I was sculpting out of the wax material I typically use, I had to over-exaggerate surface detail because the glass-blowing process softens all the detail. The color was executed by Cris Wingate with art direction from Jim and Joanne. It really took a village to make this one come to life.”
Allium
31st in the Mary’s Angels series
Robert: “This year’s Mary’s Angel is kinda boyish, but next year’s has much more girly details.”
2018 Sneak Peek: Puppy Love
Welsh Corgi
28th in the Puppy Love series.
Keepsake Artist Anita Marra Rogers is a dog lover and a master at capturing the unique personalities of all types of puppies. This year’s 28th in the Puppy Love series, features an adorable Welsh Corgi in full sprint with a piece of silver garland in its mouth. With an elongated body, stubby little legs, and perky ears, it is sure to pounce its way into your heart. Will you be adopting this little one?
2018 Reveal: KOC Dream Book Cover (UPDATED)
With just a little over two week before enrollment opens up for the 2018 club year, here is a peek at the 2018 Keepsake Ornament Club Edition Dream Book cover. Can you guess what ornament is featured?
2018 KOC Dream Book Cover
Forty-Five Years of Memories
Keepsake Artist Debra Nielsen created this updated rendition of the 1985 Rocking Horse originally crafted by retired Keepsake Artist Linda Sickman. It’s porcelain, bejeweled with a 45th anniversary gem (sapphire-toned crystal), and the tail is a mix of dark and metallic thread.
UPDATE (03.21.18) – Finally, here is the beautiful cover of the 2018 KOC Dream Book! It features this year’s commemorative Rocking Horse celebrating the 45th year of Keepsake Ornaments – 45 years of artistry and magic, 8,500 unique Keepsake Ornaments, and over 100 different ornament series over the years! Inside this book, you will find exclusive stories, photographs, and pages designed especially for KOC members.
Artist Journal: Kris Gaughran
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
“I like to work on a wide variety of things from cute and sweet to detailed characters and creatures. My work is evolving. Even my fairies have evolved over the years since the beginning. And the way I begin the creative process really depends on what I’m working on. If it’s a licensed ornament, and I already have an image of what the ornament will be, then I gather as much reference as I possibly can. I want to know how many buttons are on a lightsaber, or if there is stitching on a pocket, that sort of thing. I’d rather have too much reference than not enough!
If I’m working on my own design, such as the penguins unofficial series, then I just go for it and the sculpt takes shape as I work on it.
I would say my process is unique because I re-use many of my wax sculpts if possible. I don’t melt them down, but I’ll turn them into someone else.
If I’m starting from scratch, then I use a coffee warmer with a tin can on top to melt my wax to a clay-like consistency.
This way I can quickly rough out shapes and poses. I have three main go-to tools. One is a dental tool that I would be lost without! Another is a tool that Ken Crow made for me when I first started out of a portion of a razor blade and a dowel rod. And the last one is sand paper! I go through a LOT of sandpaper!
I think inspiration can come from many places. I think back to my own childhood when I’m working on my penguin ornament. But I’m also a people watcher. When I’m at a park with my boys, or helping out at my son’s school, I love to watch the kids interact with each other. I get a lot of inspiration for my Fairy Messengers from watching how little kids play.”
2018 Sneak Peek: Mario Kart
Mario Kart™
In celebration of National Mario Day (MAR.10), here is a sneak peek of an upcoming 2018 ornament that is based on one of the top console games of all time.
Local Club News: Artist Signing Event Update
Here is the latest Club communication from the KOC.
Hello Local Club Presidents and Contacts! Happy Friday!
Earlier today we have a private conference call with the winning clubs and stores to announce the names of the artists who will be attending each Artist Signing Event. Everyone is so excited! Below is a list of the artist(s) names for you. We will also post on Facebook later today however; we wanted to get the information to you FIRST. If you have any questions, please let me know. I’m looking forward to meeting some of you at the events I will be attending.
2018 Sneak Peek: Santa’s Magic Train
Santa’s Magic Train
Keepsake Artist Ken Crow believes that the most important feature of a Keepsake ornament is how it makes people feel. His 2018 Santa’s Magic Train ornament, featuring light, motion and sound, is like taking a trip back to your favorite childhood Christmas memories.
2018 Sneak Peek: Beauty of Birds
Robin
14th in the Beauty of Birds series.
2018 Sneak Peek: Emerald City Comic Con
More pictures of the 2018 Keepsake Ornament line have surfaced from this week’s Sneak Peek at Emerald City Comic Con, the premier comic book and pop culture convention in the Pacific NW, held in Seattle, WA. In addition to sharing several previously released Sneak Peeks including Batman, Harry Potter, Star Trek, 2001 A Space Odyssey, Black Panther and Star Wars, five new designs have been revealed.
Daryl Rides Again
The Walking Dead
Starscream™
Transformers
Link
The Legend of Zelda
Donkey Kong
3rd in the unofficial arcade game series.
Serenity
Firefly
2018 Sneak Peek: Father Christmas
Father Christmas
15th in the series.
Here is a sneak peek of this year’s Father Christmas Keepsake Ornament.