by Percy Cat | Jun 1, 2011 | ART, art business, Art events, Coral Gables, GIFTS, Miami, my garden, nature's energy, SURTEX
new tropical flowering tree designs by Debra Cortese
I’m swirling around in colors and nature since returning from Surtex. So many ideas, collections to edit and create.
Seems my love of nature and creatures was quite demanding for a couple of weeks… there was the 3rd honeybee relocation, then the blue jays had a riot in the back yard (and I don’t blame them a bit) because the cats were in their wild-thing-hunting-mode and killed a baby bird. I corralled all cats, locked them in the laundry room and with big tears of sadness and frustration, buried the little feathered one.
Next on my schedule was a trip to Pinecrest Gardens to photograph a peacock so that I’d have better reference material for the expanding collection of peacock designs. I did hear and then see the peacock, but had to find someone to get me closer to the bird to get the photo I wanted. Mission accomplished to some extent, but I still did not have the ideal pic. Back to the drawing board and photoshop!
Before leaving for Surtex, I was invited to participate in this year’s annual Tropical Flowering Tree Society ‘Royal Poinciana Festival’ exhibit – which I confirmed yesterday and immediately started working on new designs for this. I did complete several and even have a new bag design ready, but will not be able to produce it in time for the event on June 13th. So, realized I could put a few designs on products in my Cafepress shop. If you are attending the festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on June 13th (heard Joe Donato is playing that night ;-)… I’ll have a sampling of mugs and journals with the new Royal Poinciana designs Plus, many of my nature’s energy design bags and royal poinciana prints.
Here’s my new home page design – more aligned with my focus on art licensing.
That’s it for now… need a break before moving to next projects 😉
by Percy Cat | Feb 23, 2011 | ART, art business, Art Licensing, Miami, nature's energy, SURTEX
I’m really getting into preparing design collections to exhibit at Surtex in May and am pleased that so many of my existing artworks can be updated and reworked into coordinating designs, patterns, silhouettes and borders! Also am definitely appreciating my graphic design and print production background. Always knew it was an advantage, but it really does give me a big edge for editing and adapting art for the licensing business.
Below are a few images of the creative process (Note: My favorite part, inherent in every step, is actually feeling the magic of nature’s energy as I’m working with the images)!
Here’s the original photo that all of my Orchid Cascade designs are based on:
“Photo taken by Debra Cortese at 2008 Orchid Festival
atFairchild Tropical Botanic Garden”
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One of the first designs was ‘Orchid Cascades Reflection’ which has become
one of my top selling Cortese bag designs:
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The last image shows the latest adaptations of Orchid Cascades – for fabrics,
gift wrap, journals, mugs, calendars, cards. I’d love to have it on a shower curtain!
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© 2008-2011 Debra Cortese/Nature’s Energy Cortese Designs
by Percy Cat | Oct 19, 2009 | cortese design handbags, GIFTS, nature's energy, Press Release
Cortese Design bags are more than fashionable, they can energize you! Designer, Debra Cortese says, “When you carry one of my Nature’s Energy Design bags, and consciously tune in to the vibration of the plant that is at the core of the design, you can virtually ‘feel’ the positive, magical energy of nature.” She explains that every element of nature emits a unique vibration or energy field. When you are in nature and truly focusing your attention of a flower, (how the light plays on the petals, the gentle swaying in a breeze, the interaction of a tiny, hovering bee coating his little bee legs in pollen) you’re able to connect with the vibration of that flower, that bee, and that moment in time. This is an excellent, natural way to enhance, stimulate or soothe your own energy.
The Design Process
Cortese Designs are a visual transference of Nature’s Energy. Debra tells us “The design for each bag is intentionally created to share the energy that I experience when I am tuning in to a particular plant or flower. I begin by photgraphing a plant that is emitting positive vibrations. (Poison Ivy would not be a plant I’d choose for sharing any energy!) Next, I choose one of the photos that visually shares the strongest sense of that energy and use it as the basis for my design. I then go into the flow of the creative process, and using a range of digital painting tools and a sequence of custom techniques, I work the image until I achieve a visual presentation that most effectively transfers the vibrational energy of that plant, flower, creature or environment.”
Cortese Design Bags are available online at: www.debracortese.com, and at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida where they sell an exclusive, custom designed line of Cortese bags.
Custom Designs for Businesses, Organizations, Fundraisers
Debra’s focus is on growing the Cortese line with additional fashion and home decor products and through licensing her designs with businesses and organizations that share a vision to increase awareness of our magical environment. She enjoys creating custom designs and collaborating on projects that promote positive, joyful vibrations in the world, and is particularly fond of projects that benefit the environment, animals and children.
Bag images and links at: https://www.debracortese.com/CorteseDesigns_PR_GiftGuides.html
photo: Paul Andre Photography
model: Diane Mooney
by Percy Cat | Jul 11, 2009 | ART, art business, Art Licensing, Bag of the Week SALE, cortese design handbags, nature's energy, recipe
A colorful dish of delightful flavors – ideal with summer cocktails
on the patio, beach or boat!
4 large ripe mangos* sliced and chopped to 1/4 inch chunks (plus mushy parts)
4 ripe plum tomatoes, chopped to 1/4 inch chunks
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1-2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh ginger root
1-2 small, but fiery red jalapeno peppers – finely chopped
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
1/4 cup finely chopped cucumber (sking and seeds removed)
optional: 2 or 3 large ripe peaches – also finely chopped
whole cilantro leaves without stems for garnish
Chia Head Shrek & Mango
TOOLS
a good peeling and chopping knife
a large glass bowl for mixing – you may want to serve in this as well
bowl or container for peelings (makes great compost for your garden)
*4 good sized, ready-to-be-eaten Mangos (from your favorite tree or market). Here in Miami, the Florida ‘Haden’ is usually readily available and I believe these are one of the most popular varieties sold in supermarkets. If you can fine “Nam Doc Mai” Thailand mangos, these would make an exceptionally sweet and aromatic salsa. Good to use all of the same kind, but mixing 2 different kinds of mangos can create a unique flavor to this dish.
Prepare at least 2 hours ahead of serving time. Serve at room temperature with scoop shaped corn chips. Salsa is also an excellent marinade/condiment to fish or chicken dishes.
Recipe makes about 3 cups (4 if you add the peaches)
Yum… just typing this out has my mouth watering. ENJOY!
MANGO Blue Tote Bag SALE – click here!
by Percy Cat | Jul 10, 2009 | ART, art business, Art Licensing, Bag of the Week SALE, cortese design handbags, nature's energy, recipe
JULY 11 and 12, 2009 – time for one of my favorite events of the summer. The annual Mango Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Just writing about it brings visions of all kinds of colorful and delicious, mangos from around the world. There are mango tastings, mango brunch (already sold out!), mango smoothies, cream puffs, wonderful new recipes and the delightfully entertaining, Mango auction hosted by Dr. Richard J. Campbell, Senior Curator of Tropical Fruit. All guaranteed to make you forget how hot and humid Miami can be at this time of year and remember how amazing it is to experience this incredibly magical 83 acre tropical garden!
I’ll be there Sunday morning, helping out in Mango Tree Sales (unless they sell out on Saturday!)
To further celebrate my favorite festival, MANGO BLUE Tote Bag is on SALE for the rest of JULY! Order yours today and save 30% off the regular price.
photo: Paul Andre Photography. model: Diane Mooney
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