Author: Sara

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Commissioned Heart Art

I was recently commissioned by a great local designer to create a "heart" as both a Valentine's gift and to be an organic element to be used within a logo. It was a fun project working with a creative with a vision that is different than mine, yet through working together, we could utilize each other's talents. Here's the nice testimonial I received:

I just want to say that we're having a great time with the heart painting. It was so easy to work with you and the painting adds a perfect splash of color and emotion to our home. Thank you again!!

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Illustrated map of the Truckee River watershed

I have recently completed a watercolor and pencil illustrated map of the watershed of Truckee. This map will be used online as an informative diagram illustrating the boundaries of the Truckee River watershed. I am also working on the website for this large project as we speak. More updates to come!

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Find out your computer's and browser's info

Ever wonder what operating system you are using on your computer or which version of your browser you are running? Go to ThisMachineInfo.com to find out a basic rundown of what you are using. This helps when you are trying to communicate with a designer or for computer customer service.

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Google's addition to art appreciation

This is sooooo cool! Google just released the Google Art Project where you can explore museums from around the world and even look at the individual art works all from the comforts of your computer. This redefines how art can now be accessible to anyone- not just he folks who can fly to Italy or pay for museum admission. This does not completely replace seeing these artworks in person- seeing the depth and detail that a 2D image cannot capture is truly amazing. But this new tool allows for instance education of an artist or genre and a pool of inspiration for artists.

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Optimize your website for Google

I am often asked "how can I get my website seen by Google?" here are numerous strategies, many that include paying insurmountable fees to search engine optimizing and link building companies. A relatively inexpensive way towards improving your search engine rankings is to bring your blog into your site through a content management site, such as WordPress. Once that foundation has been properly built, there are some other ways to get seen outlined in this great article "How to Optimize your blog for Google" by the Social Media Examiner. Social Media Examiner is a free online magazine designed to help businesses discover how to best use social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to find leads, increase sales and generate more brand awareness. If you are interested in getting your website seen, this article has some great inexpensive ideas.

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Wordpress Users Manual - Basic Training

For those who are just getting into WordPress, a wonderful, collaborative content management platform, there are some great hints to doing things the right way along the way. The Simple WordPress Guide is a great place to find instruction on basic tasks, such as writing effective blog posts, adding images, modifying images, site maintenance and search engine optimization. If you have a WordPress site and forget the how-to's, check out the Simple WP Guide for some good answers. Or give me a call for a customized training session.

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Social media use increases among older adults

Many of my clients above 50 always gasp when I mention that to have a good web presence, they need to use social media. "Facebook? No way!" "LinkedIn? Are you kidding? I don't have time for that stuff!." Funny as recent statistics by Pew Internet and American Life show that "social networking use among internet users ages 50 and older has nearly doubled—from 22% to 42%—over the past year." Furthermore,  the study continues that "one in five (20%) online adults ages 50-64 say they use social networking sites on a typical day, up from 10% one year ago." So folks, if you think social media can't help your business grow by reaching your peers because you are over 50, think again.

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Here's to a new year of art-making!

Happy New Year to everyone! I especially am looking forward to this new year mainly because I get to build onto everything I learned this last year. It was fun to create a new body of artworks as well as multimedia endeavors, such as content management sites and web portfolios. But I am very eager to take it a step further this year and see how much more I can put into it. I look forward to redefining "creative" and "unique" and see how I can apply those attributes to projects for clients. I am excited to push my art even further than before and see what is birthed from the process. I look forward to thinking about a feeling or color or flavor and making a visual representation of it, and then when I think it's done, push it a bit further. This is the year to make things happen and to challenge ourselves. What are you excited about in terms of creative outlets for this new year? How are you going to build on what you've learned in 2010 and make your 2011 even more unique? What type of creative endeavors have been speaking to you and that you will finally make time for? Here's to a wonderful 2010 and an even greater 2011! Happy New Year.

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NEW!: Keep the Sierra Green website

I recently completed the design of the new Keep the Sierra Green website. Keep the Sierra Green is a multijurisdictional organization composed of 4 government agencies. (Sounds like a logistical nightmare, but these agencies had it together and were a pleasure to work with)! They approached me with a need for a revamped website where they could make their own edits, have an editable business directory, links to their newsletter and social networks, and some help with their messaging and calls to action. I worked with them to create the necessary design and marketing changes. Once the graphical and marketing pieces were in place, we implemented the backend functionality so they could have the site they wanted. Once approved, we launched the dev site so they could test it. After approval and a training session, we moved it live. Below is their testimonial:

Sara Zimmerman guided us through our website redesign in a fashion that worked perfectly for us.  She catered to our needs while providing her knowledge and expertise every step of the way. For example, we provided her with some design ideas and technological goals; she transformed and improved them beyond our expectations. Sara’s professionalism and thoroughness provided us with the confidence that we chose the right person for the job.  We highly recommend her services! ~ Keep the Sierra Green Representatives

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"Fall to Winter" art show at Dragonfly Restaurant

My newest series of works will be on display in a show called "Fall to Winter" from December 2 through March 2011 at Dragonfly Restaurant in Truckee. An opening reception with appetizers will be on Thursday, December 16th from 4:30 to 6 pm. Artworks and prints will be available for sale during the exhibit. The opening reception is free and open to the public. This series of artworks depicts the seasonal change in the Sierras from a unique perspective. The colors in these newest works reflect a "tropical" take on the traditional Sierran landscape. I LOVE tropical colors and was always seeking a new way to express the beauty of the mountain landscape surrounding us. This series is the marriage of my affinity for this palette and the mountain environment. Furthermore, many of these works on created on recycled cabinet doors from local cabinet shops with recycled papers used for texture.