Tag: Truckee
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Sara's newest design portfolio images
I recently updated my graphic and web design portfolio to include some of my most recently completed projects from the Spring. Among them are logos, business cards, postcards, rack cards, icons, ads, hang tags, and numerous websites. Take a peek.0
Four of my Woman in Raw series artworks are being featuring in a Summer Group Art Show in the Truckee Community Center. The group exhibit features works from ten Truckee artists, including Aimee Had, Pamela McAdoo, Brooke Bishop, Carole Sesko, Eva Nichols, Sara Zimmerman, Pam Krone, Elizabeth Carmel, Cathee van Rossem St Clair and Rick Krasensky. This summer art exhibit is on display from July 1 - September 15, 2010 in the North Corridor at the Truckee Community Recreation Center located at 8924 Donner Pass Road, at the Pioneer Center Roundabout. 530 582-7720. www.tdrpd.com. Take a peek if you can.
Summer Group Art Show
Flowing, acrylic on canvas, by Sara Zimmerman
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Woman in Raw series now on display
5 artworks from my "Woman in Raw" series are now on display at Full Circle Movement in Truckee, CA. This series was inspired by me becoming a mom and life after baby. The show will be on display for a few months so come visit if you can. Artist Statement for Woman in Raw: My "Woman in Raw" series reflects my story of becoming a mom, balancing motherhood, work, and sanity, my love for my daughter and family, life's struggles, moving away and then back to Truckee, and financial struggle. All works are done in multiple layers on un-stretched canvas, as a representation of the layers and rawness of life. What it means The title of the art show, “Woman in Raw” epitomizes my story of becoming a mom and changing my lifestyle. Pre-baby, I was an active artist in the community, having regular art shows, volunteering for North Tahoe Arts, and sitting on the steering committee of what eventually became ACCTT. Additionally, I met with an artist group weekly, played drums in a band, worked at Moonshine Ink, and played outdoors every day. Pregnancy changed my routine. I became so uncomfortable and tired during my pregnancy that I soon stopped all of my activities. After my daughter was born, I wanted to give her a lot of attention so I had to place my activities on hold. However, these activities defined me. Being stripped of them made me look inward and reexamine who I really am without being labeled by the things I do. The works included in the “Woman in Raw” series mirror the “rawness” I felt while examining my core self, without the labels. The Artworks and the Process My earlier works are defined by curvaceous images of florals and landscapes on small to mid-sized canvases. My postpartum reflective time redefined my art and pushed me to express myself through art in new ways. First, I started by laying large, un-stretched canvases on the ground, (some span more than 50 square feet!). Then, I took leftover paint from job sites and friends’ homes and began throwing it at the canvas. I scraped, jabbed, scratched, and spread the paint over the canvas until abstract shapes developed. From there, I painted layer upon layer upon layer until eventually, a shape emerged from the abstraction. As a result, each painting is not only a whimsical representation of an abstracted female figure, Spirit, and family life, but an artistic rendition of layered postpartum and early motherhood emotions and realizations. Why Many Layers on Big, Un-stretched Canvas? Since I wasn’t yet back in shape when I started this series, I needed an active outlet. I chose large canvases so I could actively move around while painting. I painted layer upon layer to show how no parent is just a blank canvas: we each bring ideas and learned behaviors into this new role and make decisions based on that information. Finally, I left the canvases “raw” and un-stretched to reiterate how naked and raw a new parent can feel, removed from anything remotely familiar to life pre-baby. Reoccurring Themes The female figure appears in most of these paintings. At first it was unintentional; the figures were unconsciously created from the outlines of the abstractions in the layers beneath. It represents me and my personal story. Another theme is the nakedness and sensuality of motherhood. Our society makes us feel bad for showing parts of our bodies, unless used sexually in advertising. Yet in motherhood and nursing, our bodies help nurture a new being: something that is worth showing and being proud of. Swirls and curves are another theme I use regularly, representing flow, wind, “Spirit,” and the organic movement of nature. Hanging this Show I went to a museum exhibit where I saw $20,000 art works stapled to the wall and got inspired. I toyed with the idea of stretching my works or framing them, but decided to leave my paintings in the rawest form. I ended up tacking them to the wall. I wanted these paintings to hang like tapestries in a utilitarian fashion, versus hanging behind a sheets of sterile glass. By being floppy and unrefined, the presentation of these paintings forces viewers to relate to these paintings and how art can be for everyone, not just in museums or in high-end collections. In doing so, I hope that these works inspire people to think about their own story and how they would choose to tell it. Many Thanks! This show took two years in the making because of the many issues that you can read about on each art piece bios. I want to thank my husband Rob for helping me survive through this rough time, for encouraging me to be my true self, and cheering me on through it all (as well as doing all of the hard work to help hang this show). I want to thank my daughter Cali for being so patient with me and letting me still have a few moments where she let’s me be me even though I know she really wants to play. Many thanks to my parents for bringing it full circle and getting back together in Autumn 2009, despite how hard it was to do so. You guys are a true inspiration and we are so blessed to be doing this all together. And thanks to all of my friends and supporters who haven’t seen me much lately, for cheering me on, and lending an ear through this all. Thank you!2
New Marketing and Design Testimonial
I love working with acupuncturist and healer, Michelle Turley. Michelle came to me, wanting to stand out and get a new look for her business that embodied all the things she is trying to do. Based on her likes and dislikes, we brainstormed about symbols and ideas. From there, I hand-painted her a logo and used hand-drawn science illustrations on herbs on her marketing materials, including business cards, flyers, Vertical Response newsletter, and website. We had a fun time working through the steps and I am very happy with how everything turned out. Michelle recently provided me with a wonderful testimonial. Thanks Michelle! You rock!"I highly recommend working with Sara. She far exceeded my expectations and opened my mind to multiple opportunities. Every time I leave a meeting with Sara I feel so very grateful she is leading the way and so very excited and inspired about the future of my business. Sara always gets the job done in a professional, timely matter and with an artistic touch that WILL get you noticed!!!!" ~ Michelle Turley, L.Ac, michelleturleylac.com
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What's your business vision?
One of the first things I ask my new design clients is what is their vision for their business? This often stifles folks. Most people think that getting a logo and some marketing materials is the first and main thing needed to promote a successful small business. But how do you know who to appeal to or where to put your efforts if you don't know where you want to go/grow? In my half hour free consultations, I often ask question after question, trying to find the correct design style and direction that will match my clients' needs. If you don't have a clear vision of what you want for your business, how can you effectively appropriate money and time into marketing and advertising? If you have a plan but fail to convey it to your designer, how will they create something that appeals to your target market as well as create something that can grow with you? If you don't know where to start, then start by asking for clarity. Second, talk to a marketing firm. Third, seek help from small business development centers or business life coaches. Or, if you haven't the time or money for those and need to hire a designer anyways, find a designer that has a marketing background so you can formulate a direction and plan that works for you.0
I'm working on some fun illustrations lately with the thought to expand my tee line. Getting out of winter and back into climbing shape has inspired many of my new designs as well as has resurrected some older ones. If you haven't seen any of these hand-drawn surface designs for tee shirts, you can view them in my illustrations' gallery slideshow and even purchase some through my shop. Here's one of my newest called "Crack Climber."
New illustrative designs for tees
I'm working on some fun illustrations lately with the thought to expand my tee line. Getting out of winter and back into climbing shape has inspired many of my new designs as well as has resurrected some older ones. If you haven't seen any of these hand-drawn surface designs for tee shirts, you can view them in my illustrations' gallery slideshow and even purchase some through my shop. Here's one of my newest called "Crack Climber."0
Colors inspired by the Bishop Buttermilks
Wow, wow, and more wow! The Buttermilks climbing area on the East Side of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range near Bishop, CA is so incredibly beautiful. Nestled right below snowline are the most picturesque boulders littering the sage and sparsely-pined hillsides. The boulders themselves are pure gems for climbing and considered some of the best in the world. The view, however, can be appreciated by those beyond the climbing folk. Here's a quick shot I grabbed facing the west (opposite of the stellar boulders) after sunrise. Though the colors are muted, there is still a lot to be seen. Here is a palette I created based on inspiration from this tremendous place.A shot from the Buttermilks at the East Side of the Sierras
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Collectible Earth Day t shirts available
I had such a wonderful time working with the Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Foundation in creating their tee illustration, website, and all of their marketing materials. The event was a huge success with hundreds of attendees, fabulous weather and fun to be had by all. If you weren't able to make this epic celebration at the Village at Squaw and want your own collectible t-shirt, I am selling both men's and women's shirts through my store. 75% of the proceeds goes to the wonderful Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Foundation.Women's and Men's 2010 Earth Day T-shirts are still available
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Illustrations, either hand-drawn or painted, can make your business, event or project really POP! They can add that personal flavor that visually represents the person behind the project. And surprisingly enough, it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to do so. If you don't have the budget to recreate an entire website or full identity, you can often spice things up with just a few hand-drawn flourishes, icons, or hand-painted textures, etc.
Illustrated design may not be for every business or everybody. For instance, if you are in financial consulting and appeal to a more conservative, middle-aged crowd, then a streamlined, corporate look will most likely be best. However, if you are hosting an event or creating a fundraiser t-shirt for a Gen X/Gen Y crowd who loves the outdoors, pets, music or art, then a hand-drawn theme may be the exact way to catch the attention of your market.
In a world of over-stimulation and constant eye-candy, it seems impossible to make your materials stand out from others. However, offering the alternative from the standard will most likely gets heads turning, and eventually clients and customers coming your way.
Illustrations make you get noticed
Ever go to a job fair, chamber of commerce, bulletin board, or coffee shop flier stand? What do you see there? I typically see is an ocean of cookie-cutter marketing materials strewn about, hoping to catch the attention of a potential client. Unfortunately many of these businesses, events, or people hoping to catch a break are only contributing to the mess. They spend countless hours, and hundreds, (if not thousands of dollars), hiring a designer to create a look and a printer to deliver that message so they stand out from the crowd. Yet, when using the same ol' fonts, colors, and layouts, how unique can one be? That's where hand-drawn elements can make your dollars (and time) count.
Illustrations, either hand-drawn or painted, can make your business, event or project really POP! They can add that personal flavor that visually represents the person behind the project. And surprisingly enough, it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to do so. If you don't have the budget to recreate an entire website or full identity, you can often spice things up with just a few hand-drawn flourishes, icons, or hand-painted textures, etc.
Illustrated design may not be for every business or everybody. For instance, if you are in financial consulting and appeal to a more conservative, middle-aged crowd, then a streamlined, corporate look will most likely be best. However, if you are hosting an event or creating a fundraiser t-shirt for a Gen X/Gen Y crowd who loves the outdoors, pets, music or art, then a hand-drawn theme may be the exact way to catch the attention of your market.
In a world of over-stimulation and constant eye-candy, it seems impossible to make your materials stand out from others. However, offering the alternative from the standard will most likely gets heads turning, and eventually clients and customers coming your way.