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.
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.
Raindrops were glimmering through the morning fog and an odd looking creature was hanging from the bamboo leaves next to my driveway. As my family and friends know, I can never resist a closer look at something that moves, makes a sound or has an unusual shadow, shape, or smell.
The “creature” turned out to be three Zebra Long Wing Butterflies. Two males, sexually aroused and not so patiently, waiting for the young female to emerge from her cocoon. I originally thought they were either dining on some other unknown creature or assisting the young lady in unfurling her wings, but further research* suggested that mating with a newly emerged female is part of the dance of life for these butterflies. The female releases a pheromone as she is unfurling her virgin wings and the males have excellent pheromone sensors. This also made sense as to why so many other males were fluttering around the same branch practically knocking the perched males off the bamboo branch.
Of course, since today was the first day of Social Media Club South Florida’s 30 day blog challenge…
this would be my topic – with images and oh yes, even a new design based on the Zebra butterflies. Well, about 7 hours later (I did accomplish other things in this time and realize it is essential to pare this way down for future posts, but as often happens, the project took on a life of its own) I’m finally putting all of the pieces together and getting this on my blog!
I invite you to share the beauty, power and magic of your garden or neighborhood in a comment with a photo on this post, or by email to debra (at) debracortese.com
Enjoy the beauty, power and magic of nature every day!
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TRIAD No. 2 (of 3) art exhibitions at VALMAR Art & Framing Gallery
Join us on Saturday, June 16th during the monthly Bird Road Art Walk.
Coconut Grove artist, Karen Deilke is headlining this opening with her
“HOT TROPICS”
a collection of large, colorful, tropical paintings.
Miami Beach artist, Pamela Palma, will present new fiber artworks.
Miami artist, Debra Cortese. will be showing her playful
Making Mango Salsa and food art, mixed media paintings. NOTE: Cortese’s “Seeds of Intention” will be headlining the TRIAD 3 opening on Saturday, July 21st
I’m thoroughly into the vortex/aligned with my muse/in the flow when I’m creating
custom designs that will ultimately benefit children, animals and our environment.
That said, shown here are my newest designs for Sunil’s Home Orphanage.
Nature’s Energy ‘Lilac, Lotus, Lilies’ design in spring greens and lavenders and ‘The Children’ are both exclusively designed for Coral Gables’ most exotic,
over-the-top, fundraising event of the year – “A Night In Bollywood”!
The hosts of this annual event, Matthew Meehan and Rod Hildebrant go all out
to present a fabulous night of glamour, fine dining, and spectacular entertainment!
Last year’s Bollywood featured exotic animals, a colorful variety of talented dancers,
acrobats, silent and live auctions with everything from handbags(shameless plug here)
to private dinner parties to a vacation villa in Tuscany .
Tickets for the March 26th BOLLYWOOD event are available at this link and,
I can guarantee… you will be delightfully entertained!
Article on Gables Home Page:Coral Gables business woman pursues a
labor of love for orphans. Lynn Bauer devotes countless hours to helping youngsters in southern India.
UPDATE: The Custom Design Bags for Sunil’s Home Orphanage of India are
available online and a portion of all sales will be donated to Sunil’s Home Orphanage.
Here’s the page: http://www.cortesedesignbags.com/sunilshomeorphanage.html
Contact me to discuss a custom designed bag for your business, organization or fundraising event. I’m especially fond of creating designs that benefit children, animals and our environment 🙂
This post started as a comment to an article in this morning’s Miami Herald titled, “Buying clubs of fresh produce gaining popularity” but since it is something I’m becoming more and more passionate about, decided to post on my blog as well.
I highly recommend the documentary film, “FRESH” to anyone interested in learning more about the viability and advantages of producing and consuming organically grown foods. Video clip below from “FRESH”
FRESH is a documentary featuring Michael Pollan, Will Allen and Joel Salatin which celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system.
Most of the fruits, veggies and meats available from our supermarkets are likely causing health problems because of the massive amounts of antibiotics, pesticides and processing that are required to mass-produce these foods.
Organically produced foods, those grown in nature on free-range farms (without pesticides, hormones or antibiotics) provide the most humane, vitamin, protein, and mineral rich foods possible.
Organic farming, Honoring the divine design of nature.
Instead of destroying the quality of the soil by constantly poisoning it with pesticides and fertilizers loaded with antibiotics, and diminishing the nutrients with continuous plantings, the gardens and fields are nourished and allowed to rest in natural cycles. Crops and livestock are regularly moved from field to field and a balance in nature is maintained.
There are many organic farms and producers in our South Florida region and I hope, many more to come. I’d like to compile a respectable list of resources and would greatly appreciate any farms, producers, providers, markets, etc. that you know of. Please let me know of others to add to this list:
If you haven’t already seen it, check out FRESH a documentary film by ana Sofia joanes. It will confirm beliefs that current large food production systems are not providing healthy foods. It also provides an excellent model of sustainable, organic and economically viable farming and food production – not surprisingly based on the brilliant natural models of nature.
PS: I’m currently the caretaker for my own small, backyard veggie and herb garden. An annual undertaking that brings me balance and nourishment. Ahhhh…. dirt therapy at its best!
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