845-252-6650 debra@debracortese.com

Repurposing art & designs for print-on-demand markets

NEW PATTERNS & ART
created from detail sections of a 4 foot tall painted gnome*

Below are just a few of the new print on demand products in my ‘Garden Guardians’ collection.
All of the patterns and configurations were created from elements of the original 2004 hurricane plywood GNOME painting which you can see in the photo below the designs. It has taken a few days to create the patterns and print files and more time to create the promotional images which will be used on social media to reach people who are searching for a green garden gnome image on a pillow or a phone case!

It is often a lengthy and involved process and I mess up quite often, but I’ve been doing this type of work for years (many, many years) and I still enjoy all of the processes. I really only get frustrated when there are technical issues like the site is slow and the print files seem to take forever to load, or I’ve mis-calculated the size for a particular product and have to start over. All just part of the process.

To see the full Garden Guardians collection, click HERE.

*The mystical Green Garden Gnome in the photo that accompanies this post has become a mascot for much of my personal story. This character, along with over a dozen very unique ‘hurricane plywood’ gnomes allowed me to connect with the Miami art and business communities in ways I would not have expected. It was a delightful project involving about 17 artists, the Neighbors for Neighbors organization, television stations, the Miami Herald, Miami Arts & Business Council, Pinecrest Gardens, the Coral Gables Annual Christmas event and much more.

To see the original Gnomes click this link and, to read the front page article by Patti Roth click HERE.

 

PHOTO 2004: the original 4′ tall hurricane plywood (Hurricane Wilma 2004, Miami) Garden Gnome with a tiny garden Fairy holding a violet light star tetrahedron.

Dandelion designs – creating art is an excellent remedy for cabin fever

Dandelion with oil textures

Dandelion with energy effects

Dandelion with paint daubs texture

After my short bout with Cabin Fever, I got myself right back to work on a few designs for Spring and chose a dandelion photo to work with. I created three different effects from the same photo. Each one a variation of “Dandelion Seeds Ready To Fly Away!
One with an oil paint filter, one with an ‘energy’ effect, and one in paint daubs which is a favorite photoshop filter for me.
Each version is now available as an open edition fine art print on paper or canvas and each design is also available
on totebags, journals, pillows, phone cases and more from my Society 6 shop.

And, if you’d would like to see something other than Dandelions, CLICK HERE to see all of my print-on-demand designs.

Spiraling into the murky abyss of ‘cabin fever’

I woke up feeling ok, but as soon as I check the cat room, the spiral begins. Someone pooped on the floor again and right in front of the boxes; I clean this up before anything else and then, I feed them (yes I know, what goes in comes out), Squeeky cat throws up almost as soon as he’s finished gulping his breakfast. What is it with cats? Every day, the same nasty bodily dumps.

And, while I’m complaining, for several days my coffee has not had the taste I most enjoy. Did Starbucks change their roasting process? wtf? I love their French Roast, especially whole beans so I can grind my own and really get the full flavor. Lately it tastes flat and stale. Maybe it’s just me?

So… by the time I get to making the stale coffee, I’m already stressed and feeling like a bitch for being angry with the cats who no doubt are also feeling trapped. When it isn’t 12 degrees out with a four inch blanket of paw-cutting, crusty snow, they always head out their cat door for a morning walkabout after breakfast. The reality however is that it is the peak of winter here in the Catskills along the banks of the Delaware River. Even the birds and squirrels are reluctant to go on their daily foraging jaunts. I have also been secluded in my living room/studio for too many days in a row.

Sobbing with tears running down my cheeks

So, I finish the clean up and put my new Willow & Everett kettle on in hopes that today’s coffee** will again have the taste I crave, but first, I pour some of the hot water for Sammy cat’s thyroid meds and a bit for my essiac tea and, as I do every day, I prepare to invoke a daily wellbeing blessing.* However, I instantly break into a sobbing, tearful mess! I could not even get through the first line. So, when I finally calmed down a bit, I just pleaded for guidance to get me out of this depressing spiral.

With the tears wiped away and my mediocre, but hot, coffee in hand, I headed to my usual routine and opened emails. I choose to read the inspirational ones first, so clicked on Mike Dooley’s Thoughts from the Universe message that included the TEDx talk by Dewitt Jones.

And I knew this was a response to my plea for guidance!

Perhaps today is the day that you can also appreciate the information that Dewitt Jones has shared in his uplifting, TEDx talk, “Celebrate What’s Right With The World!”

*My daily request: Divine Diamond Golden Source Light, energize all of today’s fluids, solids, thoughts, beliefs, emotions and actions to align with the energy of total wellbeing and love across all dimensions, known and yet to be known, across time and space for complete physical, mental, emotional balance and harmony.

** I don’t use a coffee maker. Prefer to boil filtered water and pour through a paper filter. Always make it fresh, by the cup.

Seeds of Intention Workshop Rescheduled to 1/31/18



THE SEEDS OF INTENTION WORKSHOP
previously scheduled for Jan. 17th
at Tusten-Cochecton Library – Narrowsburg

HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED
new date is:
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 1 pm

MORE INFO HERE

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. Happy to say we have a full house!

 

 

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SNOW DAY – Seeds of Intention Workshop POSTPONED!

We are having a winter wonderland kind of day here in Narrowsburg, NY. The Western Sullivan Public Libaries are CLOSED TODAY due to snow conditions so my Seeds of Intention Workshop will be rescheduled and all pre-registered participants will be notified of new day and time via the Library. Check your emails or check back here. I’ll post new schedule as soon as I meet with Claudine to see which days/times are available.
In the meantime, enjoy the winter wonderland and stay safe and warm!

first selfie of 2018

selfie in warm, kids bear hat

Narrowsburg, NY – wicked winter winds blowing across the Delaware River and I’m freezing inside with 3 layers of clothes on…

So, I can’t get warm, make another coffee, put on my old gray knit gloves with fingers cut off so I can type and find the warmest hat in the basket. Must have been some magic in that old child’s bear hat! Who knew it would inspire this image and that I’d be brave enough to share it! Warmed and cheered up my day when I saw my reflection! I’m still smiling and had a blast stylizing the image 😉 Hope this selfie creates a smile on your face!

Stay warm!

Pine and oak trees overlooking the Delaware River inspire nature patterns for clothing, home decor and tech products

Original photo of the pine and oak trees that inspired Debra’s new bark patterns

My studio view overlooks these magnificent trees and the Delaware River in Narrowsburg NY. The visiting buck was a big photo bonus! - ©2013 Debra Cortese photo

Both the pine and oak bark patterns that are featured on clothing and home decor products were inspired by my love and curiosity for the variety of textures and colors of my surroundings. The models for this new design were actually the mature pine tree, the tall one behind the canoe in the landscape photo, and the hand-holding couple of oak trees that stand like guardians on the bank of the Delaware River just outside my studio window.

The trees and the surrounding plants (along with my gardens) serve as hosts to many creatures depending upon the time of year. In spring and summer, this particular pine tree is often inhabited by a hive of honeybees. They return each year to a long, narrow crevasse in the tree’s west side. I haven’t yet tasted their honey but am quite certain a visiting bear delights in his visits to this tree!

The colors and textures of the bark on this glorious pine tree were best captured with macro photography which I intently reviewed to select a most appealing detail section for the pine bark pattern. I’ve added images of several of the most popular ‘Pine Bark” products that are available from my Society6 shop. 

I hope you enjoy the texture and colors of my tree bark designs. I certainly enjoyed creating them!

Pine Bark original photo section by Debra Cortese Designs
Pine Bark Pattern on Duffle Bags by Debra Cortese Designs
Pine Bark pattern pillow shams by Debra Cortese Designs
Allover print women's T-shirt in Pine Bark Pattern by Debra Cortese
Pine Bark pattern leggings by Debra Cortese Designs
sample section of Debra Cortese's Pine Bark Pattern

3 Oak Tree Bark Patterns by Debra Cortese
now available on clothing, accessories, tech and home decor products

click on images for product descriptions, options and pricing

Oak Tree vertical bark pattern on Duffle Bags by Debra Cortese
Oak Tree vertical bark pattern on Wall Clocks by Debra Cortese
Oak Tree Blue Portal greeting cards by Debra Cortese
Oak Tree bark with blue portals pattern duffle bag by Debra Cortese
Oak Tree bark vertical pattern floor pillow by Debra Cortese
Oak Tree Blue Portal iphone skins by Debra Cortese
Oak Tree Bark Horizontal Pattern Duffle Bag by Debra Cortese Designs
Oak Tree Bark vertical pattern wall tapestry by Debra Cortese Designs
Oak Tree Blue Portal rectangular pillow by Debra Cortese Designs
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