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Saturday, January 15, 2011

Art Nouveau


The History of Graphic Design was the longest course in college and while most of my classmates dreaded the ninety minute daily lectures, I looked forward to them. I still have the heavy, image ridden textbook from the class. In it, I find the description for the inspiration of this card...

"Art Nouveau's identifying visual quality is an organic, plantlike line.
Free from roots and gravity, it can either undulate with whiplash energy
or flow with elegant grace as it defines, modulates and decorates a given space.
Vine tendrils, flowers, birds, and the human female form
were frequent motifs from which this fluid line was adapted."

For my entry into the Moxie Fab World's The Gray is the New Black Challenge I started by printing in darker tone of gray a digital image onto textured gray cardstock and then colored areas lightly with colored pencils. I then added enamel accents in both black and white and finished the card with a sentiment panel. While my card doesn't necessarily reflect the bright colors from the period in Graphic Design history, I'm happy that I think I captured its essence.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Textured Gray) Bazzill, (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Doodle Blooms Digital Image) TiffanyDoodles, (Sentiment from Look Up! Additions) Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink: (Basic Grey Pigment) SU, (Charcoal Chalk) Colorbox
Fiber: (Pink Twill) May Arts
Embellishments: (Black and White Enamel Accents) Ranger, (Black Brad) SU
Tools: (Corner Chomper) WR Memory Keepers, (Colored Pencils) Prismacolor
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43 comments:

  1. Jay GeeJanuary 15, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    This is gorgeous Karen and so original. Love it!

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  2. FionaJanuary 15, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Wow Karen. I love this Art Nouveau inspired piece and the sentiment font is just perfect for it.

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  3. Handmade Creations by StephanieJanuary 15, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    Wow this is just gorgeous!!!!!!!

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  4. FLEUR de LoJanuary 15, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    I love it! And, I LOVE the typeface on the "thanks." It's been calling my name ever since it was released. :)

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  5. RyannJanuary 15, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    WOW! Just WOW! Beautiful card Karen. It's stunning in its simplicity. Love the subtle bits of color but still returning back to gray. You've got a winner in my book! :)

    I start my graphic design class this month and my book doesn't sound nearly as cool as yours!

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  6. Michele GrossJanuary 15, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    Stunning! Absolutely stunning! This is certainly Moxie Fab!

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  7. AnnJanuary 15, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Wowza, this is STUNNING! Love the bits of coloring you did on the gray! Spectacular!

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  8. Tenia NelsonJanuary 15, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    This card is sooooooooo gorgeous!!!!!

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  9. DanaJanuary 15, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Jaw dropping gorgeousness. Love that digi image. Reminds me of wallpaper form the late 60s (only in shocking pink/orange colors!)

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  10. RubyJanuary 15, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    I've often thought about doing a graphic design course to help me in my cardmaking but never quite taken the plunge! I LOVE your card, so pretty!!

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  11. LindsayJanuary 15, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    I love this KAren! It is just so fantastic, everything about it! Great work girl!

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  12. Jennifer RzasaJanuary 15, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    Wow! Just amazing!

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  13. farmhouse-storyJanuary 15, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    beautiful, karen! love that little pop of pink:) (these were my wedding colors)

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  14. yyamJanuary 15, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    What a classy card Karen! That little pop of pink just enhances the gray! :)

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  15. Jen W.January 15, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Told you you'd be bounding out of that crafty rut in no time! This is awesome and wouldn't your professor be proud to see what came of his class!

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  16. Sherry EckbladJanuary 15, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    This is such a stunning card and I like how you have added the enamel accents. Don't you just love that stuff?

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 15, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    this is just so gorgeous and such quite elegance to it. Beautifully done. :)

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  18. Alice January 15, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    beautiful! love the pops of pink and white! you are making it so tempting. hope i can come up with something and give this challenge a try! =)

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  19. TammyJanuary 15, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Stunning Karen! Based on your textbook definition--I think you nailed it!! Love the soft pink ribbon accent too!

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  20. ChristinaJanuary 15, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    This is such a beauty, Karen. The enamel accents are perfect for this image, and I just love the touch of soft coloring you did. Really stunning!

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  21. jenJanuary 15, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    I think you've accomplished your goal completely! The image, font, the enamel accents, and the pink- combined they are very nouveau!!! :D Nice spin on the gray challenge!

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  22. Leigh Ann BairdJanuary 15, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    So lovely, Karen!

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  23. scrapsnsuch@gmail.comJanuary 16, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Wow, a digi? What a great image and beautiful color combo.

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  24. alexandra s.m.January 16, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    Oh you're so so good!
    Love your take, your card is Gorgeous, elegant and unique! ( Love Art Nouveau as well )

    Thanks Karen ~

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  25. LynnJanuary 16, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    Definitely very art nouveaux! Love the gems and the little rounded corner! You always have the perfect eye for the little extras that make a card stunning!

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  26. AimesJanuary 16, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Simply stunning, Karen! Love the touch of pink to add that sweet finishing touch!
    Hugs,
    Aimes
    x

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  27. Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin)January 16, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    Love the enamel accents... and the Thanks is perfect for your card.

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  28. ElsJanuary 16, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Fab card, Karen!!! Love the enamel accents and that gray is so stunning!!

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  29. Pink Room Therapy DesignsJanuary 16, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    This is gorgeous Karen! Love how stunning it is on the gray.

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  30. NancyJanuary 16, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    Very elegant, Karen. Beautiful design!

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  31. nancyJanuary 16, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    You have beautifully captured the distinctive movement of the Art Nouveau period. The enameled accents add an element of shine against the muted background, and the touch of pink is perfect. This is a unique and elegant card.

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  32. ~amy~January 16, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Oh I love this...and the smidge of pink is wonderful!

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  33. Courtney KJanuary 16, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    super stunning card Karen. love the different shades of grey. and that tiny little pop of pink is perfect.

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  34. UnknownJanuary 17, 2011 at 1:14 AM

    Ohh...thi is gorgeous! I love what you did with the sentiment!

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  35. JessJanuary 17, 2011 at 2:47 AM

    I love this! I'm not sure what appeals to me most - the image itself, the way it blends into the background but can still be seen, or the subtle hints of colour.

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  36. TiffanyJanuary 17, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Karen! I just adore this card! The simplicity and the little touch of the pink ribbon! Brilliant!

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  37. CherylJanuary 18, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    I love the design on this one!

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  38. Emily LeiphartJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    This looks like embroidery on fabric and is gorgeous!

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  39. Lisa PetrellaJanuary 19, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    GORGEOUS!!! Love the organic feel of this card, the subtle touches of color and those enamel accents (you have totally convinced me I need to purchase that product---I just LOVE the effects!)!

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  40. kasia c.January 20, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Karen, this is simply stunning! I love the little white & black accents you added. :)

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  41. Kelley EubanksJanuary 22, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Totally Gorgeous!! LOVE IT!!

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  42. Cynthia SchelzigJanuary 23, 2011 at 5:09 AM

    THis is stunning!! Maybe I was not getting my Feedburner notices on these days cause I surely would not have let this slip by me either!

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  43. Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking EditorJanuary 23, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    Hey Karen! Thanks for entering the Gray is the New Black challenge in the Moxie Fab World! I'm so glad you joined in on all the fun! :)

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