Artist Journal: Robert Chad (Digital sketching)
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Here are some videos as I’m perfecting my digital sketching skills.
Saluting Old Glory
Santa
View the video
Forest Clearing
View the video
Chad used the #My5Days program to perfect his digital sketching skills. As part of his project he digitally created several sketches including one of Santa holding a flag that may look very familiar, another of Santa, and a third one of a forest clearing.
#My5Days – A program Hallmark began in 2016 that gives creative employees five work days per year to explore any creative project that inspires them.
Artist Journal: Ken Crow
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
From the sketchbook of Keepsake Master Artist, Ken Crow.
The first sketch represents what I do in meetings. I usually make little sketches on 3 x 5 cards of people or things I’m thinking about. These sketches are of Keepsake Artist Robert Chad (whose mind is also wandering) and a train depot that I would like to make for my train set at home.
The second sketch is of Santa having a great time thinking about his sleigh ride and the candy and presents that he is about to deliver. I get this same feeling when I make a Christmas ornament for someone to put on their tree.
The last sketch is of Santa Clause with my dog Charlie. They are both characters that bring me a lot of happiness when I think about them. I want to be more like them.
UPDATE (10.25.18 @ 1:15 PM) – Added Robert Chad Freelancer badge to end of carousel. (shared by Robert Chad).
Robert: Ken drew this of me 34 years ago when I was a freelancer.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
“I like to make little drawings almost every day to keep my creative abilities sharp. These are some of my drawings that I use to put on memos or to give to friends here at Hallmark. I find the better that I can draw, the better I can think and sculpt more creatively.”
Q&A: Tammy Haddix
Keepsake Artist Tammy Haddix was asked to share a little more about her Keepsake Ornaments. Here’s what she had to say!
Santa’s Sweet Surprise
Tammy: I always wanted to put magic into my Santa’s Sweet Ride series. After the series ended, I had the chance to reimagine it with light and sound! The ice cream truck was the first and perfect for magic. It really brought it to life! I wish I could go back and put magic in each ornament from the series.
Tammy: I have loved snowmen since I was a child! I always loved the first snow of the season that was wet enough to make a snowman. I passed my love of snowmen on to my two sons. One year they built five snowmen that represented each of us—even the dog! They used just about every bit of snow in our backyard! It is so much fun to bring a snowman to life in my ornaments—giving them personality and emotion is what I love to do.
Sweet and Sassy Sisters
Tammy: The song “It’s a Marshmallow World,” which is in Santa’s Sweet Snow Plow, is my favorite Christmas song! The Shining Snow Angel is so covered in glitter, that I hope there is somewhere on it for me to sign. I didn’t think that through all the way! My Sweet & Sassy Sisters ornament is inspired by my amazing sister, Pam. She can sculpt such cute characters out of fondant. I was thinking of her when I sculpted this ornament.
Artist Journal: Anita Marra Rogers (Welsh Corgi inspiration)
Monday, August 6, 2018
Queen Elizabeth’s Welsh Corgi, Willow was my inspiration for this year’s Puppy Love ornament, so I sent her the first one.
I was saddened to learn that Willow had passed away in April of this year, so I sent the ornament (which I was able to get early) to Her Majesty with a Hallmark sympathy card and a personal note along with it. I was thrilled to get a Thank You note in the mail written by the Queen’s Lady in Waiting!
Welsh Corgi
28th in the Puppy Love series.
Featured Artist: Tammy Haddix
Title:
Hallmark Senior Artist
Started at Hallmark:
June 1988
Started at Keepsakes:
November 1996
Hometown:
Kansas City, Missouri
.
For over 20 years, Tammy Haddix has been creating illustrations and ornaments that capture the hearts and imaginations of Hallmark fans and collectors. Learn more about the artist who brings the beloved “Snow Buddies” series to life.
Tammy Haddix has been drawing for as long as she can remember. Her mother was the first to discover Tammy’s talent at an early age. Unfortunately, her mom found it on countertops and in closets. The kitchen projects were washed away, but the closet creations were another story. Her mom, an artist herself, loved them so much that the artwork stayed up for decades.
It didn’t take long for little Tammy to decide on her career goals. When she was 5 years old, her mother took her along to a Hallmark store. Tammy was so impressed by all the beautiful artwork that she declared her intention to work for Hallmark right then and there.
Tammy inherited her artistic abilities from her mom. After Tammy’s colleagues saw her mother’s intricate cake-decorating talents, the Keepsake Studio Artists decided to use the designs in the 2005 Spring Keepsake Ornaments.
Tammy joined the Illustration Studio, and that’s when her interest in sculpting began. In addition to her regular drawing assignments, Tammy did freelance work for Keepsake Ornaments, which eventually won her a spot on the Keepsakes staff. Her work can still be found in closets, but only because they’re in storage until next Christmas. (more…)