845-252-6650 debra@debracortese.com

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees…”

I wonder if the snow loves the trees DCD LewisCarroll quote Dela

I’ve wanted to create images combined with nature quotes for many months and today, I just completed the first one.

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees” is an image of Oreo, one of my 5 rescue cats looking out over the Delaware River during the recent snow storm, Nika (NEE-ka), from Greek mythology; the goddess who personified winning or victory. To see all of the winter storm names and their meanings, click the linked type to open the list on the Weather Channel’s page.

This beautiful Nature Quote is from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll:

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”
You can find more nature quotes online of course, but Goodreads.com has already compiled a terrific collection!

If you are interested in having a print of this new image, please visit my Etsy Shop here. If you would prefer a different size print, or perhaps a framed version, send an email to me at debra@debracortese.com and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

I’m anxious to work on #02 now…

Please share this post and if you are so inclined, like it or tweet it or pin it to help share the beauty, power and magic of nature!
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New White Heart on Pink & Orchid Energy Waves

DCD_WhiteHeartPinks_GoldLocketNecklace

Finally produced a new design that feels right. Has been a bit of a challenge this winter to keep my muse and myself inspired. Very cold nights and days along with a bit too many ‘shades of gray’ of the no sun and dreary gray landscape in my studio window view.
However, a new White Heart on Waves of Pink & Orchid has emerged from yet another revisited photo. Seems I am drawn back in time on many levels since returning to my childhood hometown (Narrowsburg, NY).
The base inspiration for the new White Heart image was from my Miami garden so not that far back. What I once thought of as the dracaena plant turned out to be a cordyline and that is the basis for the new design. The fractal or overlaying grids of gray lines represent the energy lines of both the plants leaves and the interaction between the sun, the shadows and the plant. The White Heart developed after many variations of reflecting portions of the image in a variety of angles.
My intended outcome was to offer a design that is filled with the energy of unconditional LOVE. The surprise for me was that it is also filled with JOY and a SENSUALITY that evolved with the finished art.DCD_WhiteHeartPinks_LumberPillow

Unfortunately, I did not complete this in time to have any handbags produced for Valentine Gifts, however, you can order it on a necklace, a locket and pillows through my Zazzle shop. http://www.zazzle.com/debracortesedesigns

White Heart on Waves of Pink and Orchid is available on custom products, as a print on paper or canvas and it is also available for licensing. Just pop me an email at: debra at debracortese.com and let me know what you have in mind.

In the meantime, I’m sending waves of LOVE and JOY and SENSUALITY out to the Universe and can’t wait to see what returns 😉 LAW OF ATTRACTION…

NOTE: This design will be available on handbags – look for it in the new Spring 2014 collection.

 

Snake in the Garden – Inspiration On Many Levels

Design step 1: nature in the form of this snake, just shows up and everyone at Silver Heights Farm is interested in learning more, observing the snake, making sure it is not harmed and where will it be released.

As many of you may know, I’ve been working several days a week at Silver Heights Farm, a certified organic plants nursery in Cochecton Center, NY. Every day has something new blooming or sprouting, and there’s always something to taste that I’ve never tried before.

Every day, we sow, prune, fertilize, re-pot, water, move, load and unload plants that will become food for literally thousands of people that live both close by and, up to hundreds of miles from the nursery’s location. Since watering or many of the garden tasks are a bit solitary, I imagine different scenarios for the plants: in one, a tiny pumpkin seed becomes a blue ribbon-winning pumpkin pie. In another, a combination of exotic basil and pepper plants creates the perfect accent in a secret recipe of a famous New York restaurant. My daydream continues to develop as Martha Stewart  is the first person to taste this amazing new creation. She is so incredibly seduced by the aroma and flavors of this dish that she actually swoons and in one sweeping motion falls right out of her chair and is saved from injury by her new DCD Rainbow Snake Print Bag that was conveniently blocking the sharp edge of a newly chipped floor board. Martha knew when she first held this bag that there was something, an energy/vibration that felt, well, protective and she admired it because it was such a joyful, bold and bright pattern, full of strong, soothing vibrations. It reminded her of the Flower of Life patterns she had been observing by a designer somewhere in the Catskills…

I do have a great time imagining and visualizing the possibilities 😉

All of my designs are created with the intention of sharing the beauty, power and magic of nature. This Rainbow Snake design reflects the energy of a powerful garden ally, the northern water snake* and this particular print is derived from the beautiful snake that my co-workers at Silver Heights Farm found while clearing a new garden area near the upper Greenhouse.

The point of all of this is that I am inspired daily by the beauty, power and magic of nature and I am compelled to share it with you via my art.
So…
here are a few images to demonstrate the process of creating this Rainbow Snake pattern:

Corinna, Leona, Jonathan and Debra (behind camera phone) trying to determine what kind of snake has come to meet us.

 left: Corinna, Leona, Jonathan and Debra (behind camera phone) trying to determine what kind of snake has come to meet us.

center: Apparently you determine the sex of a snake by markings on the underbelly, near the tail. I knew at once that the markings would make a fabulous pattern/print for my bags regardless of the sex of the snake!

right: Here’s the first example of the new Rainbow Snake Print on Debra’s casual tote bag. Check back at www.debracortese.com for more styles and products with this design. Click on the photos for larger views.

 

 

Apparently you determine the sex of a snake by markings on the underbelly, near the tail. I knew at once that the markings would make a fabulous pattern/print for my bags!

 

Here's the first example of the new Rainbow Snake Print on Debra's casual tote bag. Check back at www.debracortese.com for more styles and products with this design.

 

 

*note: This is the year of the Snake in Chinese astrology, another very interesting ‘connection’ of energies!

Here are just a few links to learn more about the year of the”Water Snake”:

http://visual.ly/what-will-year-water-snake-mean-you

http://www.chineseastrology.com/2013snakeyear.html

http://apanache.wordpress.com/2013-year-of-the-water-snake/

Small Paintings New Designs

Orange Flower acrylic painting by Debra CorteseSince I’ve recently packed up my life’s belongings and made the move from Miami back to my childhood hometown, Narrowsburg, NY, I’m rediscovering work that I had tucked away in folders, portfolios and boxes. I was delighted to rediscover a folder of small, 5×7 inch acrylic paintings, really exercises in painting, small studies feels like the correct term. And, with my more experienced designer eyes, now saw these previously not so special works as prime material for derivative works. The waves and swirls of color are perfect for patterns and repeat designs. I see home decor textiles, wrapping paper, kitchen and bath designs, handbags of course, and oh, so many possibilities!

I’ve scanned all of them into high resolution files and have already begun the re-design process. And, since I really no longer need to hold on to these colorful little gems, I’ve decided to post them here on my ebay page so an astute and appreciative new art collector will be able to add to or start a collection of original paintings that literally vibrate with joyful shapes and colors.

If you may be that collector, here is the link to all of the small works. Happy bidding and if you are really interested, contact meand make an offer. You will make my day just by appreciating the art 😉

 

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