TREASURING THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER

 SUMMER FLOWERS IN COFFEE POT

Here is a recent update of a favorite illustration I created celebrating the flowers of Summer.

You can see this illustration on Fine Art America

Check out the photos below...

PLAYING AND CREATING

 WONDER BEGINS WISDOM II

The nice thing about working digitally is you do not have to start from scratch when wanting to do a new or updated version of a design you created. It allows for play.

Below is the original that I created.

As you can see, you can change flowers, colors, scale, and more to see what you like better...or like both versions.

New Illustration to Celebrate Spring!

 Hanging Basket of Flowers

Finally got time to play and create a new illustration.

Spring and Summer flowers always feel so uplifting, and what better way to chase away the gray skies that remind us of Winter.

Was inspired by seeing so many hanging basket of flowers appearing at the garden centers.

Hope to uplift viewers with this newest illustration.

WHERE FLOWERS BLOOM

 Where Flowers Bloom So Does Hope!

Looking so forward to Spring after a very gray winter. Here is a recent illustration that I updated to hopefully cheer you up!

You can also find this illustration as framed prints and on other products as seen below by clicking on this link:

FINE ART AMERICA

MORE FLORAL FUN

Daisies and Hydrangea in Blue and White Vase 

Having fun doing new versions of florals in vases as I look forward to spring.

You can fine this illustration as seen above and below on various products on by clicking on this link:

Fine Art America

DESIGN REVIEW

SUMMER FLORAL SUNSHINE

 Sometimes when reviewing some of my illustrations, I design to make revisions. 

The illustration above is a revision of a design below that I created last year.

The more I looked at the original, 

I was not quite happy with it. 

The beauty of illustrating digitally 

is that it is more forgiving. 

Unhappy with the color? Layout? 

One can always make changes! 

You get to play more! 

Cherishing the Last Days of Summer

 Summer Floral Sunshine

The last days of August inspired this illustration as I hang on to the last days of Summer.

Latest Illustrations

 Morning Visitor

Above is an illustration I did earlier this month to escape the gray days of winter.

Thought it would be nice to have a different view of summer weather out the window.

What is Done in Love

The above illustration was inspired by an older illustration I did years ago with the same quote and subject matter.

The beauty of designing digitally is being able to create different versions and looks.

Below is the older illustration:

When reviewing the older illustration, I first thought to make the cup less busy and then proceeded to make more changes, like the bird, background color, many of the flowers, etc.

I remember seeing many paintings an artist would illustrate of similar subject matter with changes of perspective, color, etc. But before the ability of being to illustrate digitally, the artist had to start from scratch and it was much more difficult to make changes once one started. 

Designing and illustrating digitally is far more forgiving and makes if fun to create various variations.

FLOWER FUN!

 

Teacup with Flowers

Chasing the winter grays away with this newest illustration.

Check out this illustration on several products on as shown below by clicking on:

Fine Art America

Enjoy!

Sunflower Promise

 Sunflower Promise

Here is a new version of one of my sunflowers to brighten 

your day. Below here's what it could look like as a framed print!

Click here on Fine Art America to see more!

Capturing Flowers at Summer's End

 Mixed Flowers on Black

I have been slow to post new work this month, but here is one of my newest illustrations as I continue to hang on to what is left of summer. 

The older I get, the more I appreciate flowers and the simple joy they bring. I never tire of illustrating them.

These flowers also bring a bit of flower drama to a coffee mug.

 You can find this illustration as well as others on my Fine Art America link.

Summer Reflections

Tranquility - Flowers in Vase

With so many art shows getting cancelled, you would think I would be producing more, but it has been hard to get motivated. Thank goodness Summer still inspires. 

These have been hard times.

Besides finding my prints on Fine Art America, you can also find my illustrations on facial masks.

Also you can find it as a wonderful summer tote!

Click here on this link to check it out:

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/tranquility-flowers-in-vase-valerie-drake-lesiak.html?product=weekender-totebag

Revisiting and Updating: Bright Side

Bright Side

Here is a new version of an illustration that I have revised more than once.

As you can see, the beauty of working digital allows for change. Hopefully the third time is the charm.

Revisit, Revise, Make a New!

Flowers in Watering Can

One of the things that happens when participating in art festivals, is doing a lot of sitting and observing while customers come in to view the my art on the walls of my tent. As I watch them, I become my own worst critic. The blessing is that I work digital.

Below is one that fell under my critical eye that I changed as you see above design for an updated look.

It is subjective, but as I sat there in my chair, I decided that it could be better. It was as if I was in a hurry with the first attempt with the one with the yellow plaid background. 

I am glad I took a second look.

Review and Update

Ranunculus in Blue and White Vase

There are many times I look at something I did from years ago and decide to redo it. Such is the case as the new and improved one above as compared to the original below.

I wanted to make it look more dynamic and add some pop. Glad I decided to redo it. It is an artist's prerogative. 

  

From the Garden - Adaptation of Autumn in the Air

From the Garden

 During my time as a greeting card designer, I learned to take seasonal art and make it more versatile.

As you can see below, the original illustration I created was more limiting with the pumpkin in a piece I call Autumn in the Air.

It was a challenge to think what would look good in place of the pumpkin, but then I am a fan of birds. That design element also comes from greeting card design 101; adding live interest to warm up the design. 

Old habits die hard...Lol...

Chasing Away the January Blues

Reflection of a Promise

Cleveland winters are known to be filled with gray skies and snow. Today is no different. However, it is great down time to start on a few more illustrations. 

Here is my latest, where the picture tells the story. 

Only 69 more days till Spring!

Flowers for the Winter Solstice

Flowers From My Garden

FLOWERS IN TEAPOT

This was done based on several sketches I did at the Cleveland Fine Art by the Hand this past November when the traffic got slow. Cleveland skies get quite overcast this time of year and I though illustrating a floral was a nice change of pace.

 

Spring's Promise

Spring's Promise

Okay, I know Christmas is in less than two weeks, but it has been unseasonably warm. Yesterday it felt like a warm day in March. If I didn't see the Christmas wreath on my door, I  would have thought time traveling was possible.  All this year, the weather has been a bit out of sorts. March was like February, April like March and so one. But these last two days, I have seen men sporting shorts, and I live in the Cleveland area! 

Anyway I had fun in illustrating it. 

Must be all this warm weather we've been having!  

Flower Drama and Celebration!

Flower Drama and Celebration

With so many gray skies and fields of white this winter, I needed to escape from illustrating letters. I have been recovering from 2 surgeries and when I got a get well pot of flowers, I knew what I needed to illustrate. Here is a floral arrangement with punch!