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

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.

The Love of Designing Touches of Whimsy

 Special Friends

Two Birds with Teacup

I have always enjoyed adding a touch of whimsy to my illustrations. I guess it comes from designing for a greeting card company for many years. 

Our goal was to design for and uplift the customer. It seems those goals still stick with me.

Hope this newest illustration gives you a smile!

To see this illustration as well as others click on the link below.

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/valerie-drake-lesiak

Looking Forward to Spring!

 Mixed Flowers in Blue and White Vase

Winter has been holding on and so to chase the winter blues away I have started to work on some floral illustrations. 

Here is my latest in anticipation of Spring!

Check it out on Fine Art America!

It makes a great pillow to freshen up one's decor!

Or a fun Summer tote bag!

Here is hoping Spring arrives soon!

Grandma's Tea Cups

 Grandma's Tea Cups

Inspired by the many tea cups from my grandmother and mother, it was fun to create this whimsical illustration. 

You can find this illustration on many products like the pillow above, just click on this link: Fine Art America

Here are a few more!

Nature's Hope

 Nature's Hope

The fun part of creating art is making more than one version. Below is the first version.

That is the nice thing about working digital, you get to play. Playing gives an artist to second guess, to look and see opportunity for a different look. 

I ended up liking the second version a bit more as it was a bit more natural. 

My wish is either one will give you a smile.

September Bouquet...Saying Goodbye to Summer

September Bouquet

Saying Goodbye to Summer 

I am a fan of Summer with its warm weather, long sunlit days, and the flowers that fill my garden. September has come all too quickly and is speeding into October. So finally I am posting the one last illustration that I did at the end of this summer. 

 

Here is a virtual look at my illustration that you can find on Fine Art America. 

 

You can also find this illustration on other products in Fine Art America as well.

 

 

Flower Fun: Red Bird with Flowers in Vase

Red Bird with Flowers in Vase

Creating new designs like this newest one above is a wonderful remedy to gray skies and snow on a spring day. 

Here it is as a pillow!

And a carry all pouch!

Check them all out and more by clicking on this link:

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/red-bird-with-flowers-in-vase-valerie-drake-lesiak.html

Live! Love! and Laugh!

Live! Love! and Laugh!

Here is my newest illustration to brighten up the gray days of winter. Taking a break from letters of the alphabet, I looked for a sentiment, oh how greeting card designer of me, or quote that was uplifting that I could use in a sketch that I was working on. Then during a snow storm, words and art came together and I finished it.

You can find this and other words of wisdom in a collection I called Tea Cup Wisdom on Fine Art America.

R is for Rose and Robin

R is for Rose and Robin

One of the things about working in greeting card world for several decades was learning to change art and repackage it for the better.

Initially the above piece was just R is for Rose, no robin, nor raspberries for that matter. 

So after staring at it over the spring and summer I thought to warm it up a bit tying into more R words. 

It gives it a new life like a new hairdo or dress. It needed a little more live interest and whimsy.

And it makes for a more interesting T-shirt you can find on my Fine Art America Link.

       R is for Rose and Robbin as monogram T-shirt.

Dwell in Possibilities

Dwell in Possibilities 

How many times do we daydream while staring in a cup of tea or coffee?

Here is the newest illustration I completed this month. I have added it to a new collection that I call Tea Cup Wisdom.

Maybe possibilities dwell there in our morning cup...that springs us into our day.

Cultivate Kindness

Cultivate Kindness

Here is a new one to celebrate the month of April! 

You can find many versions of my latest illustration for sale on

Fine Art America

Hello Spring!

Hello Spring!

Once again I looked at one of my older pieces to liven  up a bit for spring.

In the greeting card industry, we called it a "rework".

Will see this year if it will make a jump in sales with a fresh look at the festivals this year, however it simpler version is also available on Fine Art America.

It is available as a framed print where you can pick your choice of color.

Or as a pillow.

Adding a touch of spring to one's home decor certainly helps to chase away the grayness of winter. 

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...

Bird Song

Bird Song

Sometimes I get inspired by a quote or verse that I like as opposed to coming up with another illustrated letter. 

This time I got inspired with a spiritual verse.  

I must confess, I like it as a pillow too!

You can find this on Fine Art America.

Review and Redesign: Flowers in a Teapot

Flowers from the Garden:

Flowers in Teapot with Bird

Yes, I am at it again.

When staring at my artwork on the walls of my tent in summer art festivals, I start to think this one or that design look better. I start redesigning them in my head. 

Below is the original.

Originally, I wanted to add a bird, but I never did. I just was not quite happy with it as it felt not quite finished. Although I have sold one, I am not sure many are wowed by it.

So the structure was there, it just needed tweaks and come color change. 

Review and Update

Reflections of a Promise

Yes, I am at it again. While creating a new piece which I will post tomorrow, I pulled up the original as you see below.

Again, this one has not sold.

Maybe it was all that brown. Certainly as I viewed it with the gray skies of a February winter, the brown left me cold. Spring color is what it needed, and that is what I gave it!

That and a little love!

For the Love of Flowers

Summer Bouquet

Finally it is feeling like spring!

The old I get, the more I love flowers and look forward to them growing in my garden as well as filling the empty vases that have been barren all winter. 

Of course I can always fill my walls with flowers as well! 

Hope this one will brighten someone's wall as well as my own. 

You can purchase a print here at Fine Art America.