JGoode Designs is heading to SURTEX 2012

Going to Surtex 2012

I’m heading to NY next week to meet new people and show them what art I’ve got. SURTEX 2012 is  the premier License and Design event held May 20-22 at the Javits Center in New York City. I was originally planning on walking the show and seeing who I could meet, but as of this past week, I’ve decided to exhibit as part of the Details of Design artists group.

Going to Surtex 2012

If you’re heading to SURTEX, you can find me in booth 334.

Contact me to set an appointment, I’d love to chat with you!

Jen Goode exhibiting at SURTEX 2012
Jen Goode exhibiting at SURTEX 2012

Jen Goode doodles, keeping busy creating art

Jen Goode Penguins Licensed Art - YAY!

I’ve been busy the last month working on some websites and drawing a ton. Create some exciting new ideas and brainstorming concepts. First, I’m excited to announce that I have officially signed a deal with a new client to license some of my art for their products. I don’t know the exact date you’ll be able to purchase, but I can tell you, there will be penguins – YAY! More info later…

Jen Goode Penguins Licensed Art - YAY!
Jen Goode Penguins Licensed Art - YAY!

I’ve also been creating art YOU can use in your own projects. You’ll find a selection of Jen Goode original illustrations as “digi stamps” through my site, Lil’ Goodies.com. If you’re unfamiliar, a digi (or digital) stamp is an uncolored image you purchase online and download to your own computer. You can print it and color by hand or you can color it in your favorite graphic design program. I’m working to add new art regularly.

Here are some samples of the digital art I’ve created used in projects I’ve recently made:

Digital stamps designed by Jen Goode
Digital stamps designed by Jen Goode availabe at LilGoodies.com
Whimsical Butterfly by Jen Goode
Whimsical Butterfly by Jen Goode available at LilGoodies.com

You can find our more about this project on my creative projects site, 100Directions.com. Get coloring tips and techniques for digital stamps featuring this butterfly image.

Sweet Baby Carriage digital stamp by Jen Goode
Sweet Baby Carriage digital stamp by Jen Goode available at LilGoodies.com

This sweet baby carriage card will be featured with instruction this month on the Clearsnap Blog.

Happy Frog digital stamp by Jen Goode
Happy Frog digital stamp by Jen Goode available at LilGoodies.com

This Frog wall art will be featured with instructions this month on the Buttons Galore and More blog. This is 1 of two frog sets available for purchase.

I’ve got more exciting projects coming up, including some fun with Rit Dye, more buttons and some home decor make-overs! I’m really excited about the new art ideas and I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with using my illustrations… stop by and tell me about it!

Free Easter Bunny coloring page by Jen Goode
Free Easter Bunny coloring page by Jen Goode

Finally, if you are looking for some kid fun for this upcoming Easter weekend, stop by ProjectsforPreschoolers.com and grab yourself the free printable coloring page featuring this cute Easter Bunny!

What creativity have you been up to these days?

For more creative fun, check out the Designer Crafts Connection to the right and check out what other wonderfully creative people have been up to. Some of this month’s designers have giveaways, so make sure to hop through the list too!

 

I’m in the community paper as a neighbor to know

Jen Goode in a local paper

I was interviewed for the food column of my community paper earlier this month. The article talks about the book, It’s All About the Cookies… and pies and cake, a cookbook I designed the cover for earlier this summer. The article also ties in the Breast Cancer Awareness fundraising of the book and shares two recipes. Special thanks to my friend Lisa Crockett for the interview opportunity!

Jen Goode in a local paper
Jen Goode in a local paper

 

More yummy goodies to check out:

Art is…

Art is a quote by Scott Adam and illustrated by Jen Goode

Art is a quote by Scott Adam and illustrated by Jen Goode

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.

Art is knowing which ones to keep.

~Scott Adams

(special thanks to a little birdie that shared this thought with me today)

It’s about inspiration, not duplication

Recently there seems to be an unpleasant and somewhat un-noticed by mainstream rumbling of issues regarding “infringement” in my world. I’ve heard of people copying the work of others, using the work of others without permission and others frustrated with others. That’s a lot of “others” . What happened to what inspires the creativity?

 

What inspires creativity

 

Well that’s where the confusion sets in. Where is the line between  inspiration and copying or using without permission? It’s really not a complicated line once you know where it is and how it looks. The real nuts and bolts is, if you didn’t originally think of it, come up with your own original thinking to create it. When it comes to art, this means, if you like how an image looks, admire it, hang it on your wall, but don’t try to draw it exactly. Make your own cute bear, don’t copy Winnie-the-Pooh. Let Winnie inspire you, not drive your view.

Ok, maybe that’s still a bit vague. Think of this… No one can own a concept. However, they can own the result of their original creation of a concept. So, for example, although I have a gazillion variations of cartoon penguins, I can’t own the concept of a cartoon penguin. I can only own the way my specific penguin looks… in “interpretation” of a penguin. If someone else wants to make a penguin, cool, do it! I hope I inspire one that is fabulously fun. But, please don’t trace mine or mimic mine or even try to duplicate mine in some way… not to mention, please don’t use my actual penguin art. Instead, create your own. If you must have one just like mine, ask me, I might be willing to make you one, sell you one, license the use or just let you use it… but the permission starts with the request. If you use it without asking , I can’t give you permission, then we could end up in a situation neither one of us like.

Enough of the legal-ish summary.

What really inspires my art? I’m pretty sure I’ve answered this question from some angle or another before – maybe that was just in my head, I do like to talk to myself a bit. However I’m happy to say it out loud again in case you missed it, or really I was the only one in the room. I’ll point out where the inspirations live in my own art.

A few of my favorite artists:

Art by Leonardo da Vinci
Art by Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci inspired my love for sketch work, details and observation. He created so many amazing works in so many incredible directions yet his style is consistent. He sketched everything he saw, not necessarily as a drawing practice session, but more for a purpose of documenting what he saw. I think the way we draw has a way of sharing how we see the world… sometimes. I don’t see everything with literal grins and giggles on them. I do however like to think that there’s a lot of potential for moments of happiness all around us, if we stop to notice once in a while.

Art by Ty Wilson
Art by Ty Wilson

Ty Wilson has a talent for less is more and from the moment I first saw his work I was in awe. Every line has a purpose and every line displays emotion. Much of his work has a vibrant jazzy feel, yet the pieces I love the most are the couples. They dance, they embrace, they love each other and you can see it, almost feel it in every image. He uses color sparingly but with purpose. His work speaks to the viewers emotions.

Art by Sandra Boynton
Art by Sandra Boynton

Sandra Boynton just makes me laugh. I love the random grins and silly expressions. She adds the fun of silliness to reality… she isn’t making up creatures, she’s stylizing real things in her world, cows, chickens, dancing hippos. Her style is simple but full of personality. I’m sure she could write a book without any words and it would still be hilarious. I also love her artistic technique… it looks to me like she uses markers to create her images, and art markers are my favorite tool (Prisma colors, if you need specifics). I also love Sandra’s story of success, she’s done it herself while staying true to herself.

Art by Mary Englebreit
Art by Mary Englebreit

Mary Engelbreit needs to be included because she brings me back to where I am as a professional. She is an inspiration from a commercial perspective for me. I love her fun art style, but what I appreciated at an early age was how no matter where you went, you could find her art to purchase. As much as I loved the concept, I never really thought others would want my art in their house as much as I would want to see my art in their house. Every time I get a note from a fan or a recent customer I am giddy with excitement all over again. It’s inspiring to have others like something I created all myself.

Can you see the commonalities yet? From my perspective it’s in the simplicity and the unnecessary fluff that I find these artist  so appealing. Ironically, my own art has fluff here and there… but I like the texture the fluff creates… that’s the “ME” coming through in my own art.

In the end, we each learn and create from what we’ve learned and experienced. If you love something someone else has created so much that you want to make it yourself… you should instead try making your own rendition and sharing that for others to love as well. If you want to talk about something someone else created, always make sure to give credit where credit is due. We can’t be successful without the creations AND the people that love them, so we need to work together to share in the joy of the creativity.

Pink ribbon penguins support breast cancer awareness

pink ribbon penguin by JGoodeI’ve been supporting breast cancer awareness for a number of years and I show off the support with my Pink Ribbon Penguin along with a number of other pink themed designs. Now Cafepress, one of my product manufacturers, will donate a portion of the proceeds from any of my breast cancer awareness products sold through their marketplace. Some of these products are even on sale right now.

An amount equal to 10% of the final purchase price for all products tagged with “breast cancer” and sold through the cafepress.com Marketplace during September 1, 2010 through October 31, 2010 will be donated to Breastcancer.org.

Will you share the penguin love and show your support?

I think no matter what you believe, it’s important to share with others the things you believe in. Stand up and shout it out for everyone to hear… you never know who you might touch or who might agree.

I would love to hear what causes you support and how you get involved!

Illustration Friday: immovable

This week’s challenge topic has been “immovable”. I originally planned on doodling a cool vintage style penguin with his feet stuck in a block of cement. I wanted to go with the same kind of look at the Legendary Flighted Penguin or the Vitruvian man Penguin. Maybe make it a bronzed statue penguin. Then the week progressed. Now, here we are on Thursday. So, I just started doodling a quick sketch in Illustrator… my fancy design vision began and ended as cartoon penguin instead. I’m ok with it, my cartoon mind is taking over today to make up for my emotionally unstable moodiness this week. Call it silly, I call it sympathy for the rubberband challanged.

Penguin vs the Rubberband Ball by Jen Goode
Penguin vs the Rubberband Ball by Jen Goode

Or maybe, this might be what happens if you get in a fight with your Silly bandz. Either way, I think he’s fairly immoveable for the moment.

Have a great weekend!

Hog heaven, pigs are just as fun as penguins

Many of you know me as the “penguin girl” for the overload of penguin happiness that I seem to take with me everywhere I go. I have an entire collection of penguin cartoons as well as a traveling penguin blog and even an online  catalog of penguin gift ideas. However, life isn’t just about penguins.

Yes! I said it, there is occassionally more to life than penguins (as long as the penguins are number one on the list of course).

Pigs are another favorite for many animal lovers, so I thought I’d share a little love for pigs with you today. Here’s a favorite… if I were a pig, this is what heaven would look like:

Hog Heaven by Jen Goode
Hog Heaven by Jen Goode

You can find more cute pig gifts and t-shirts through my online store.