Artist Journal: Tom Best (Hauntington Concepts)
Friday, October 23, 2020
Here are some concept drawings and prototypes, created by Keepsake Artist, Tom Best for the 2005 Hauntington Collection.
Hauntington Collection Sketches and Prototypes
Deadwood Street Shops (front)
Deadwood Street Shops (back)
Hauntington Town Hall (front)
Hauntington Town Hall (back)
Artist Journal: Nina Aubé
Tuesday, July 14, 2021
From the sketchbook of Keepsake Artist, Nina Aubé.
Inspired by recalling memories of silly fun times with friends, Nina created these adorable sketches! Although these sketches do not have plans to become ornaments, we thought they were too cute not to share! What do you think?
Community Manager. “From the Desk of Nina Aubé.” Hallmark Keepsake Community, July 14, 2020. https://keepsakecommunity.hallmark.com/share/from-the-desk-of-nina-aube.
Artist Insights: 2020 Series
Here are some Keepsake Artists’ insights into an ornament each has created for 2020.
Holiday Parade
2nd in the series.
Tammy Haddix: “In creating this series, I imagined a holiday parade of vintage trucks that represent business in a nostalgic town–each named after one of my fellow Keepsake artists. My inspiration for this year’s parade entry, Sharon’s Bakery, is Sharon Visker’s sweet series, Season’s Treatings.”
Rocking Horse Memories
1st in the series.
Matt Johnson: “What an honor to reimagine this popular series from the 80s and 90s. I spent a lot of time researching the history of rocking horses and then digitally sculpting for authenticity, balance and scale. I kept the stirrups. bearing rein and tail true to the original series.”
Black-Throated Blue Warbler
The Beauty of Birds
16th in the series.
Edythe Kegrize: “When I consider which bird to add to my series, I look for striking colors and patterns that will show up nicely on a Christmas tree. I was thrilled to run across this charming little bird who just happens to be the first warbler so far in the Beauty of Birds series.”
“Keepsake Ornament Premiere Display.” Hallmark Gold Crown Stores, July 11, 2020.
Experience the Magic: The Art of Sculpting
2019 Keepsake Ornament Club Convention
Last summer, almost 2,000 KOC members gathered in Kansas City for the 2019 Keepsake Ornament Club Convention. Some fan favorite games and seminars were held, including a new sculpting seminar given by some of our Keepsake Artists!
“The idea for the sculpting seminar actually came from our KOC Convention planning team,” said Keepsake Artist Nello Williams. “We had to figure out how to hold the seminar so attendees could follow along while making their own sculpts.”
With only 40 minutes to complete a full sculpt, Nello and other artists were challenged to help attendees create a nice complete piece. After brainstorming with the team, one of Nello’s personal hobbies gave him an idea.
“I like to create custom candy molds and cookie cutters in my free time,” he said. “We decided to investigate having a mold or cutter that would get attendees started, but also let them add their own touches with help and direction from the artists. We found that what worked best was using a stamp or cutter and a clay that Sharon Visker found at the craft store.”
Seminar attendees ended up leaving with a one-of-a-kind design that tied in with other exclusive ornaments available only at the 2019 KOC Convention.
Experience the Magic: The Art of Sculpting Workshop
Williams, Nello. “Nello Williams on the KOC Convention Sculpting Seminar.” Hallmark Keepsake Community, May 06, 2020. https://keepsakecommunity.hallmark.com/share/nello-williams-on-the-koc-convention-sculpting-seminar.
Linda Sickman Illustrates Children’s Book
In 2019, retired Hallmark Keepsake Studio Artist, Linda Sickman collaborated with her niece on a children’s book titled, “Lake Bear.”
The story was written by her niece, Amanda Morgan, and was based on a bear sighting she captured on video at the Lake of the Ozarks. Morgan then turned to her Aunt for help with the illustrations in the book.
Sickman, who was known for her sculpting, had never done full illustrations before. When asked about her creation process for the book she said, “I watched the video multiple times, seeing the bear paddle across the water and go up on the dock… Even though my bear doesn’t look exactly like that, I was definitely inspired by the event and tried to keep things similar.” Sickman also said she drew inspiration from her own small lake cabin near Kansas City.
At the time of this writing, “Lake Bear” (ISBN: 978-0578624587) can be found online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It is also carried by the Big Thunder Marine Family Boating Center in Lake Ozark, Missouri.
“Lake Bear” was a featured, front page article in the March 6-7, 2020 weekend edition of the Lake Sun newspaper. (Thanks to Keepsake Studio Artist, Robert Chad who shared this story on Facebook.)