Artist Sketchbook: Tom Best
I want to share some details around the Once Upon a Christmas series.
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Once Upon a Christmas series
Every ornament starts as an idea and sketch.
I have been responsible for providing that since the beginning of the Once Upon a Christmas magic series. Our small team of artists, writers and engineers have been moving Santa along chronologically through preparation, preflight and midnight ride of Santa and his reindeer. Not every year is represented here in these photos, but they offer a peek at each ornament’s original inception on paper, as well as its final result as an ornament.
Though some adjustments were made, most look pretty much as they did when I first put pencil to paper. On the ornament of Santa dressing in the mirror, I also provided a bit of 3D computer sculpting by modeling the mirror structure with hat on the post. It was prototyped and handed over to artist Julie Forsyth to be covered on the back side with wax and night sky scene sculpted in bas relief.
Enjoy the views and look for what’s next in the series!
Ho Ho Ho,
Tom
Home & Family: Tammy Haddix & Edythe Kegrize Visit
Tammy Haddix and Edythe Kegrize Visit
Hallmark Senior Keepsake Artist Tammy Haddix and Hallmark Keepsake Master Designer Edythe Kegrize visit HOME & FAMILY to talk about 2018 Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. The two women also discuss the holidays and their own favorite family traditions.
Artist Journal: Sharon Visker
Thursday, July 12, 2018
I would describe my style as playful, fun, and sometimes humorous—with a bright color palette. I’m not sure my process is different from other artists, but I like to look for inspiration in things I do and places I go. I never know when something I see might spark an idea. I love flea markets, antique malls, bookstores and shopping in general. Random things I see somehow pop up later in things I’m working on. In general, looking at pictures of old vintage ornaments, cartoons and images, and getting out and about is always inspiring to me.
I look at toys for movement ideas, listen to music for sound ideas, and watch movie clips, too. Sometimes just going for a walk to clear my head helps inspire me. And sometimes it takes time to “brew” an idea—it might take several days of thinking about it before I start to sketch and jot ideas down.
When I start working, I usually pin lots of images up at my desk, and you’ll see books, tracing paper, pencils and any other research I’ve gathered to spark ideas sitting out and about.
Home & Family: Ken Crow’s & Nichole Reed’s Visit
Ken Crow’s Visit
Hallmark Keepsake Master Artist Ken Crow visits Hallmark Channel’s HOME & FAMILY show to talk about his latest ornaments including Santa’s Magic Train, Christmas Carousel and Christmas lantern. He also shares that he loves how his ornaments play into people’s holiday traditions every year, including his own family’s.
Keepsake Ornament Club and Dream Book
Later in the show Product Director of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments Nicole Reed stops by to talk about the Keepsake Ornament Club and Hallmark’s Dream Box.
Q&A: Robert Hurlburt
Keepsake Artist Robert Hurlburt was asked to give a little more background on some of his 2018 ornaments. Here’s what he had to say!
1932 Buick Fire Engine
16th in the Fire Brigade series.
Robert: It was great to talk to the folks at the Firehouse that maintain the fire truck and had a hand in rebuilding it, especially little details like the top half of a “milk can” they used to create the filler neck and lid for the water tank. They made us feel really welcome and even got the truck out for us to ride, which I hadn’t even thought would be possible. We always like to get the photos ourselves, and usually the firehouses are always so enthusiastic, that we get plenty of great pictures to work from. While working on the Fire Brigade series I always think of my best friend Bill who was a fireman who lost his life after answering a call. I always wish I could show him what I make every year.
1968 Chevrolet Nova SS
28th in the Classic American Cars series.
Robert: I love older cars! I had a 1965 Nova, a 1969 Mustang, a late 60s dodge Dart with a Hemi, and a 1977 Firebird. Sadly, I made choices to sell—with regrets always. When I was young, I did some restoration and worked in a body shop, so I appreciate the work that goes into it. This year’s ornament made me think of my oldest brother and his car (a Chevelle Super Sport) that he snuck out late at night to race every weekend that he could.
Cinderellas Castle
Disney Cinderella
Robert: You get several of the princesses together and with that castle backdrop all lit, and the music, it makes for a real celebration of each princess individually. The size and lighting effect timed to the music is very unique.
Santas Sleigh Dome
Heritage Collection
Robert: It was challenging to figure out how it needs to be sculpted to work with the glass blowers and how it will be constructed. I love the freedom of creating your own design elements and sculpting it as you go and making changes as you see fit, while trying out different paint schemes to get to the final look.