Watercolor and Gouache Gold and Diamond "Infinity" Brooch Rendering by Joana Miranda
“Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal: while others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than before.”
(Polybius)
Filed under Design A Day, Influences, motivation, New work
When you design, paint or do anything creative, it sometimes helps to have outside inspiration. I took this picture in Vermont recently and happened to glance at it when I sat down to do my design for the day:
Photo of Buckets of Flowers at a Vermont Farm Stand taken by Joana Miranda
Because I’m learning that it is important to incorporate “play” into your creative work (something I often forget or put off), I then “doodled” this sketch from my memory:
Pencil Sketch of Flower Buckets by Window by Joana Miranda
Even though I love flowers, what I enjoyed the most about doing the sketch above, was drawing in the knots of wood in the wall behind the flowers. The lines of wood grain splitting and then closing again around the knots led me to isolate that motif; quite quickly, a concept for a bracelet emerged. Here is the finished bracelet rendering:
Colored Pencil and Gouache Gold Circle and Diamond Bar Bracelet Rendering by Joana Miranda
Filed under Design A Day, education, Influences, motivation, New work, techniques
I’m a twirly shape type of gal. I love rendering ribbons of metal, and gravitate toward creating pieces that have feminine twists and spirals. Perhaps my fixation with this motif is the uncertain twists and turns my life has seemed to take of late. In any case, here is my newest earring design variation on this theme:
Pen and Ink Twist and Swirl Gold Earring Rendering by Joana Miranda
“I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday.”
(Author Unknown)
Filed under Design A Day, Influences, motivation, New work, techniques
Pen and Ink Gold Domed Pendant with Channel-Set Diamonds by Joana Miranda
Since I’m setting off on a cross-country journey (ok, a half cross-country journey), I thought I’d start off with posting this “journey” pendant. And since the frustrations of packing for my adventure are beginning to overwhelm me, this quote seemed fitting for tonight:
“The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places.”
(Author Unknown)
Filed under Design A Day, Influences, motivation, New work
The weather in Milwaukee took a turn towards fall today with temperatures only getting to about 62 degrees. The nip in the air made me wonder if it was time to put away my sandals and start hauling out my sweaters. Of course, I imagine that the temperatures will still climb back up to more seasonable highs, but this brooch with its rich enamel earth and jewel tones seems fitting for the day:
Colored Pencil and Gouache Enameled Brooch Rendering by Joana Miranda
If you’re wondering what direction fashion will be taking this fall, you might want to take a look at the list below:
Actually, from what I could tell from looking through the fall issue of InStyle magazine recently, this fall’s fashion lineup is much like the economy – unpredictable. Good to know, especially for those of us who are more apt to dive into the recesses of our closet for inspiration than head out to the stores to buy the latest trends!
Filed under Design A Day, industry news, Influences, New work
One of the beauties of my Design a Day project is that it has kept me motivated to keep producing even when I don’t exactly feel up to it. Take tonight’s rendering…when I started to sketch, I felt demoralized, tired and defeated. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to produce anything worthy of posting here. Worse, I didn’t exactly want to either. However, the thought of falling short of my goal of posting a design a day for one year straight with only 19 days to go, was enough of a motivation to get me going.
Furthermore, something happened as I started to paint. I found a sense of calm, peace and energy that I didn’t think I had. My earring design is merely a watercolor and gouache painting on vellum paper; however, the shift in my mood is golden:
Watercolor and Gouache Gold and Diamond "Pillow" Earring Rendering by Joana Miranda
How about you? What step will you take today that will move you closer to your goal?
Filed under Design A Day, education, Influences, motivation, New work
I just got back from visiting my parents in NH. I did this rendering in my parent’s atelier (a combined pottery and jewelry studio) after being inspired by a book of Bulgari jewelry in my father’s collection of jewelry books:
Watercolor and Gouache Bulgari-Inspired Earring Rendering with Gold, Diamonds and Sugar-Loaf Emerald by Joana Miranda
Needless to say, I’m so grateful to have parents who not only love and support the arts, but who are creative people themselves. Their continued growth as artists is an inspiration to me. On this trip, being able to peruse my father’s jewelry books and then borrow some of my mom’s watercolor paints was a perfect synthesis of all of our worlds. Working alongside my parents in the studio was the “icing on the cake.”
Just as nice was the homemade blueberry pie, and the kayak and bike rides, but I digress…
Filed under Design A Day, Influences, New work, resources
Every once in a while when the going gets tough, I’m tempted to use my blog to rant…
(But then I remember that the world is filled with enough ugliness and that few people out there probably want me to contribute my own ugly feelings to the mix.)
Besides, as I posted yesterday, one of the philosophies that I hold dear to my heart is:
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Each day as I strive to create something beautiful, I’m doing it in great part to preserve my own sanity, and to preserve my faith in the goodness of the human spirit.
Watercolor and Gouache Gold and Pearl Earring Rendering on Vellum Paper by Joana Miranda
What about you? How do you create a slice of heaven for yourself?
Filed under Design A Day, Influences, motivation, New work
If we would see the color of our future, we must look for it in our present; if we would gaze on the star of our destiny, we must look for it in our hearts.
(Canon Farrar)
Colored Pencil and Gouache Gold and Diamond Looped Heart Pendant by Joana Miranda
I couldn’t have said it better.
Filed under Design A Day, motivation, New work
I was disappointed as I started rendering tonight’s design. I thought the design concept might be a flop. However, upon working out the curves of metal in my mind as I rendered, and then adding the gouache highlights, I was pleased to see that this brooch design is one with a lot of potential, if not just “fine as is!”
Colored Pencil and Gouache Gold and Diamond Swirl Brooch Rendering by Joana Miranda
There are many ways to wear a brooch beyond the traditional spot on a lapel. Here are some fun suggestions to try:
If any of you have more suggestions for great ways to wear a brooch, please write in and let me know!
Filed under Design A Day, materials, motivation, New work
