Artist Journal: Orville Wilson
Sunday, July 8, 2018
When I start working on a concept for a new ornament, I really get into looking for references for each and every part of the sculpt.
The Grandkids ornaments are good examples of that process. I looked up poses, clothes, hats, gloves and the sled.
Then when I am actually digitally sculpting the ornament, my imagination kicks in and I start to see myself at play—sliding down the hill.
Grandson
Granddaughter
Artist Journal: Kristina Gaughran (Reimagining Fairy Messengers)
Friday, July 6, 2018
My inspiration for this project was my love of fairy gardens and fairy houses. When I found this little rectangle box display at a discount store, I thought it would make a cute fairy display. I hadn’t quite visualized what the fairies would look like yet, but I’ve always loved clothespin dolls and knew I wanted to re-image my Fairy Messengers into that format.
I love the freedom this (#My5Days) project gave me to explore other possibilities. There was not right or wrong answer, I could go wherever my imagination led me!
Fairy Messengers Reimagined
#My5Days – A program Hallmark began in 2016 that gives creative employees five work days per year to explore any creative project that inspires them.
Featured Artist: Robert Hurlburt
Title:
Hallmark Production Designer
Started at Hallmark:
November 1978
Started at Keepsakes:
November 2004
Hometown:
Holden, Missouri
.
Over thirty years ago, Robert Hurlburt began his Hallmark career as an engraver. Even as he pursued accuracy in his work, Robert’s move to the Keepsake Studio in 2004 offered an opportunity to tell stories in meaningful, magical new ways. Now he enjoys crafting Keepsake Ornaments inspired by both real-world and magical sources, all in precise detail.
Get it right is Robert Hurlburt’s mantra. Even as a child, Robert took a scientific approach to his art. No purple suns in his boyhood pictures. He enjoyed sketching celebrities from photographs. “I wanted to see how close I could get,” he says. With that kind of mindset and determination, it’s no surprise that when he was hired at Hallmark more than 30 years ago, Robert excelled in the detail-focused engraving department.
In late 2004, he brought his talents to the Keepsake department, which he calls “a whole new game.” Just a month into his job, Robert was asked to design. His first ornament, a Star Wars™ piece, was available in 2006.
As the Keepsake Artists continue to collaborate, Robert is challenged with finding ways to keep the creative process simple and the sculpture detailed. Robert is hooked on working with three-dimensional product, and his scientific mind continues to question how to take his artwork further. The daily one-hour commute to Hallmark gives him plenty of time to think about ornament design. When home, Robert and his wife, Lori, are constantly tinkering on projects at the farm and sharing their 40-acre homestead with horses, chickens, cats and dogs.
Artist Journal: Tracy Larsen
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Generally, I try to be observant of what’s around me that can give me inspiration. That can be anything from random objects or places, to artwork and artists that inspire me.
I then try to start processing what I see into potential new ideas that would work for an ornament. I then do some quick, loose thumbnail drawings on a sketch pad or often on a 3X5 that leads to more refined sketches of the idea.
My initial training was in 2D artwork as an illustrator so I have a number of 2D artists that I admire and will often turn to them for inspiration. I try to identify what it is about their work that captures my interest and appreciation—the kind of gestures they use, the expressions on faces, the action of a pose and interaction of characters. I used to use a cabinet full of files with images of things that I would use as research. Now, I search on the internet for inspiration to begin the process. For instance, when I’m doing one of my Santas in a vehicle, I’ll look for car stylings that convey the attitude that I’m wanting for that particular idea.
Flight or Fancy Concept
I use paper and pencil to give shape to my particular take on an idea. I sketch and re-sketch an idea until it is at a point that I like it. At times, I will do this in the material I’m sculpting in—twisting and turning it to get the gesture right. That can be done in clay, wax or on a 3D computer program. I mainly use the computer now to create my ornaments, so I will often take my sketch and import it on to a plane in the 3D program and then I’ll start to shape my “virtual clay” to match the sketch. I try not to go with what just comes out first. I’ll refine and adjust as I go along.
My style is generally whimsical, rather than cute or elegant. I try to induce a chuckle, rather than an “Awwww” (as in “that’s adorable!”) or “Ohhhhh” (as in “That’s beautiful!”), though I won’t turn down those responses if get them, either.
Artist Sketchbook: Edythe Kegrize (UPDATED)
Bewitching Bat
This is an early sketch of my 2018 Bewitching Bat ornament. He will be coming out this July.
Halloween is a fun time to design products for. This little fellow has an overall iridescent luster as well as glitter designs on his wings. He is all dressed up and ready for a Halloween party.
These are some early sketches and working models of Pretty Parrot. A KOC exclusive to look for in Oct.
It was so fun to work on this colorful tropical bird in flight. Not something I have ever witnessed in person but hope to someday.
Pretty Parrot
Little Bird Trio
Keep an eye out in Oct for my Little Bird Trio. Here is my sketch for these little fellows.
I love that clip on birds fit on branches of the tree that may not support much else. I love to fill every available space on my bird tree.
UPDATE (06.25.18) – Added Pretty Parrot
UPDATE (06.29.18) – Added Little Bird Trio