Happy February to all! What a greater way to start the month of love and friendship than with a dose of some positivity and inspiration from our new STAY+ Artist of the month, Gaby Luces Guillén!
This month, we bring you an artist who has inspired us with a series of art pieces that fit perfectly for this month’s theme—all about love, positivity and change. Gaby joins Kardia’s growing list of amazing STAY+ Artists all the way from the beautiful land of Venezuela!
“It is my pleasure to have met and made a special connection with Gaby, I am excited to be able to share her story and art with you all. I have been inspired by her story, creativity and positive attitude. God always seems to connect the right people at just the right time. I hope that her story and work inspires you as well. And as always, thank you so much for taking the time to read our STAY+ features every month and for sharing with your friends. You are helping us spread love, inspiration and positive art all over the world! ENJOY!”
—Cindy, Founder & Designer of KDS
Gaby was born in Valencia, Venezuela, just 25 years ago, she says she does badly at math and practical subjects—they are like learning Chinese for her. Thankfully, she has always showed an artistic vein, through music especially singing, dancing and drawing.
As a child she spent hours in her aunt’s studio who is also a Graphic Designer, she was always excited to see her aunt working in the design world. She believes that her aunt was her first inspiration and one of the most influential persons to influence her career choice. She remembers her father always saying that she would become a graphic designer one day and she never believed it. She always knew she was a 100% artistic person, but she never thought of design as a way of living. Before she even thought of becoming a designer she attended Universidad de Oriente for two years trying to get a chance in Medical school—something that never happened. She then attended IUTIRLA in Barcelona, Venezuela and graduated in 2008 as a Graphic Designer, she worked at TVO Televisora de Oriente for three years as a Editor, Producer, Post Producer, and Graphic Designer. She also had the opportunity to become a host for a program called Momentos de Cine, which is simply a show about the memorable times of Cinema History. The concept behind Gaby’s work is based on conveying art and messages that not only look good, but also inspire and make people feel moved by what they see in her designs. Emotions and perception of those feelings are reinterpreted to become her designs, direct and simple messages are her goal, something that can be understood by many with just a glimpse of an eye. Gaby is currently in the process of developing her own brand.
“I definitely believe that design saved my life.”
+ONE ON ONE WITH GABY:
Q: How do you stay positive in the midst of a negative situation?
A: It might sound cheesy, but the way I see it is “there is always a new day”—it’s as simple as that. I have learned that most situations are out of my hands and there is nothing I can do, so I just breathe and let things be the way they are meant to be. Love is the only answer for staying positive, especially God’s love.
Q: What is something weird that inspires your art?
A: Sleep…[LOL]. Many of my designs are created while I am dreaming.
Q: What is something normal that inspires your art?
A: Every small thing could be the start of a bigger idea. I always pay close attention to those hidden and unnoticed phrases people say, those sayings or quotes could become the muse for my next project. Music is also a very important source of inspiration in my life as an artist.
Q: Do you emulate any other artists?
A: Of course, I am influenced by the work of others. But, I try to follow my heart and sometimes the heart connects with that collective stream.
Q: What was the last meal you had?
A: I had a tuna sandwich this morning.
Q: Name one song that always gets you pumped up.
A: It’s so hard to pick a single song because there are so many, but it would have to be Decode by Paramore. By the way, I am not a Twilight fan, but that song just gives me chills. I also love ¨Beautiful¨ by Elogy.
Q: What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? Did it work out?
A: Deciding to leave my job after three years of working as a Post Producer and Graphic Designer for a local TV station. I made that decision with absolute enthusiasm to follow my dreams and do what I really wanted to do for so long. I have no idea if it will really work out, but I do not regret it so far. I feel like I am at the right place and doing the right thing!
Q: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
A: I do not see myself being anything other than an artist, but I would probably be a doctor.
Q: Do you have a motto or favorite quote?
A: Yes, I have two favorite quotes. ¨I know that I know nothing¨ –Socrates, the more I learn the more I am aware of all the things the design world has to offer, a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to discover them all. The other quote I love is ¨What goes around comes around¨, it is always important to spread good positive vibes around, things that make you and others happier and it’s also a smart way to attract the people you need to be in your life.
Q: What is your question for our next featured artist?
A: Did you ever think you weren’t good enough to be an artist?
Our previous STAY+ featured artist Megan White wants to know:
Q: How would your life be different if you weren’t an artist?
A: My life would be totally different! I definitely believe that design saved my life, before that I really didn’t seem to fit well in other professions.
To learn more about Gaby Luces Guillén and to see more of her positive creations, please visit her Flickr page here.
Written by: Cindy Menjivar, Madeline Hollern, Gaby Luces Guillén
If you want this goodie, download the full-size image at our site, click here!!!
ENJOY and most importantly if it inspires you or makes you smile, PASS IT AROUND!
Start your NEW YEAR on the positive (+) side with us and enjoy free hugs & love
with our new STAY+ Artist of the Month, Megan White of WearLove.com! ENJOY!
Megan was always the one doodling in class and not paying attention, loud and free-spirited. Never in her life did she ever think she would be in the clothing industry.
Megan graduated from High School and didn’t know what she was going to do next. She found herself enrolled in the Art Institute of Houston, the summer of 2007. Those next three years, were the best years of her life; where she grew as a designer and grew as a person. Making memories and meeting people who forever, changed her life. She graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design the summer of 2010. That summer, she was hit with inspiration from a simple paint party she was having. From that, developed an organization called WearLove. To this day, WearLove has supplied 25 families with Thanksgiving Baskets, hosted a huge Art Gallery at Winter Street Studios and currently working on their next project. WearLove is able to do these types of events and projects through their merchandise that displays positive meanings and it’s purpose is to uplift spirits and show people they are noticed. They are a clique against cliques.
“Don’t sweat the small things. And everything is a small thing.”
+ONE ON ONE WITH MEGAN:
Q: How do you stay positive in the midst of a negative situation?A: Simple answer is God. My experience has always been that when there is a negative situation and you choose to be positive anyway, something better has always come along. Who has time to be negative?
Q: What’s something weird that inspires your art?
A: Something weird that inspires me is people watching. Interaction among people is fun to watch and I am able to capture art better and understand how people will interpreted it.
Q: What’s something normal that inspires your art?
A: Something normal that inspires me is music. As soon as I put my headphones on, I conform to the mood of the song. If I want to do something abstract I listen to Passion Pit. Something romantic I listen to James Morrison. It’s all about the mood.
Q: Do you emulate any other artists?
A: I hated Design and Art History in school. Anything with the word history had me tuned out. So, I don’t have a favorite artist or designer.
Q: What was the last meal you had?
A: Roast, carrots and potatoes; Grandma’s homemade cooking. About an hour ago.
Q: Name one song that always gets you pumped up.
A: That’s probably the hardest question on here. I love music more than anything. I think as of right now, the song that gets me pumped is “I’m Not Your Toy” by La Roux.
Q: What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? Did it work out?
A: My biggest risk was starting WearLove. It’s what I am meant to be doing at this point and time. It has been working out so far; still very fresh and young. Helping one single person realize their worth, is worth all the stress and struggle that this adventure has brought.
Q: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
A: Psychologist, for sure. Haven’t really given up on that yet either.
Q: Do you have a motto or favorite quote?
A: Yes, I have two: “Whoever has your ear has your future.”, means whoever you surround yourself with, you will pick up their characteristics. So surround yourself with positive people. Second is: “Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble.”.
Q: What is your question for our next featured artist?
A: How would your life be different if you weren’t an artist?
Our previous featured artist Danielle Martinez wants to know:
If you could pick any other artist to collaborate with (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
I would want to collaborate with Tyler Swanner. He’s not this famous, well-known artist but he is very well known around here and one of the most amazing designers, naturally.
To learn more about WearLove, take a look at their promotional video which was also written and directed by Megan! http://www.youtube.com/user/YouWearLove?feature=mhum
If you’d like to WearLove, check out their website for updates and positive merchandise: Wear-Love. You can also follow Megan and WearLove’s adventures on their Facebook page, where you will also find an abundant source of inspiration–WearLove on Facebook!
“I am VERY proud to have Megan join our growing list of amazing STAY+ Artists! I am truly inspired by what she is doing with WearLove and it is a blessing to be able to connect with other artists and designers who have similar positive business goals and are doing all they can to BE THE CHANGE we want to see. Thank you Megan and the WearLove clique. I also thank YOU, our reader, for taking the time to read this and I hope they can inspire you the way they have inspired me!” –Cindy
Written by: Cindy Menjivar, Madeline Hollern, Megan White
We are always looking for “STAY+” Artists of the Month! Please contact us ASAP for details. Who will be the one to inspire us?!
If you are interested in being featured please send us an e-mail at: staypositive[at]kardiadesignstudio[dot]com.
“If your life is under a cloud of negative thoughts, try to think
positive just for a moment, so that God’s light can enter.”
–@TheGodLight
As part of STAY+, Kardia Design has created a goal for the month of December and we want YOU, our lovely fans & friends to be a part of this!
We call it “Kardia’s 31 Phenomenal Days of 2010″. Our goal is to make these last 31 days of 2010 GREAT, PRODUCTIVE, POSITIVE & PHENOMENAL! We are challenging ourselves to stay positive every single day and to DO at-least 1 thing each day that WILL get us closer to achieving our dreams and 1 gesture that will INSPIRE another person or put a smile upon their face. At the end of each day we will be posting a small journal entry on our twitter page to summarize our day and list the things we did to make the day PHENOMENAL!
Here is the link to our Twitter: www.twitter.com/kardiadesigns & our Facebook: www.facebook.com/kardiadesignstudio!
Here some things that you can do to make your last 31 days of 2010 PHENOMENAL aswell!
1. Smile or Greet a stranger to spread love and positivity.
2. Open/Hold the door for someone else.
3. Post a positive and inspiring quote on your Facebook/Twitter as your status for the world to see. You can even post it on our FACEBOOK!
4. Send a positive and encouraging text to a friend or relative.
5. Do something you’ve been wanting to do, but have procrastinated on.
6. Pray for somebody.
7. Re-post this to your friends so that they can become inspired to join us too.
8. Make a list of all the things you are grateful for.
9. Set a list of Goals and Steps that will take you closer to achieving your dreams.
10. STAY+ , STAY POSITIVE, +Energy….however you want to say it…TRY TO STAY POSITIVE EVEN THROUGH NEGATIVE SITUATIONS THAT OCCUR THROUGHOUT OUR DAYS.
We hope that you would join us and try to make these last days of 2010 unforgettable for yourself as-well. If you’re down for the challenge, leave us a comment here or on our Facebook so we know who is making their days phenomenal! It’s all for fun and mainly for you to discover the beauty that lies within each day. The more we dwell on the negative, the worse things seem. You just have to TRUST, BELIEVE and HOPE with 100% Faith.
<3 Cindy + Kardia Designs
This morning, the KARDIA team will be participating in the American Heart Association’s Start! Heart Walk. We will walk in Honor of these special ones listed, but also in memory and in honor of everyone around the world who has been affected by heart disease. ♥ BE STRONG AND STAY+ .
Special thanks to everyone who is joining us, it means the world to us to have your support.
*Photos and details about our walk will be posted on Monday. Stay tuned!
Got a sweet tooth?! Cure the craving with our sweeet Featured Artist of the Week! Start your week on the positive (+) side with us, get inspired and ENJOY!
Danielle has always wanted to be an artist for as long as she can remember and today she is one of Houston’s up-and-coming pastry and mixed media artists. Danielle’s art ranges from painting, crafting and cake decorating. After graduating from High school for Performing & Visual Arts, she was undecided as to what career path to choose. It wasn’t until a year ago in 2009, that she ventured into cake decorating. What first started out as a hobby quickly turned into a mad love affair. Since then, Danielle has started her own custom dessert business “Dollface Desserts”! Seeing each cake as a blank canvas waiting to be decorated, she can now make art on a weekly basis and would eventually like to open up her own bakery sometime in the near future.
“Create. Not because you want to or just because you happen to feel like it. Create because it feels like if you don’t, you might die.”
ONE ON ONE WITH DANIELLE:
Q: How do you stay positive in the midst of a negative situation?A: I think of all of the good and positive things in my life, but most importantly the love of my life, Dia, my 2 year old daughter!
Q: What’s something weird that inspires your art?
A: Play-Doh! I was obsessed with it as a child and now my mom jokes and says that’s where I get my fondant and cake decorating skills from. I also find inspiration in thrift shops, I go to a couple of my favorite shops at-least once a week. I’m addicted to the vintage and kitsch items that are there just waiting for me to take home. Something as simple as a vintage children’s book can inspire a couple of art pieces or even a cake!
Q: What’s something normal that inspires your art?
A: Nostalgia, a lot of childhood memories, old cartoons, comics, candy or sweets, etc. And of course now, my daughter.
Q: Do you emulate any other artists?
A: Too many to name actually, but Yoshitomo Nara, Jenny Holiday and Boopsie Daisy are a couple of my favorite inspirations. When it comes to cake artists, Rebbeca Sutterby and Brenda & Mary Maher kick major cake butt!
Q: What was the last meal you had?
A: A homemade “Juicy Lucy” hamburger and a cold IBC Root beer. Oh, and of course, strawberry shortcake for dessert—shh, don’t tell my diet.
Q: Name one song that always gets you pumped up.
A: I always get pumped up by “Not Your Toy” by La Roux, or anything by La Roux for that matter.
Q: What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? Did it work out?
A: I recently made my very first wedding cake! After making cakes for only one year, it was kind of a big deal for me. Needless to say, the cake came out adorable and I, along with the customer, were very pleased!
Q: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
A: VERY UNHAPPY! Seriously though, probably an English teacher.
Q: Do you have a motto or favorite quote?
A: Yes, “Create. Not because you want to or just because you happen to feel like it. Create because it feels like if you don’t, you might die.”. This sums me up, perfectly!
Q: What is your question for our next featured artist?
A: If you could pick any other artist to collaborate with (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
Our previous featured artist Chris Skiles wants to know:
Who do you credit with being the most influential instrument to your artistic success?
My parents, hands down. They have encouraged me since day one and have stuck by me through whatever. Just hearing my dad brag about his daughter’s “Bad Ass” cakes to his buddies or my mom watching my daughter all day so I can finish cakes on time, little things like that make me want to strive even more so that I can get to my ultimate goal.
To see more of Danielle’s delicacies check out her website: Dollface Desserts
Written by: Cindy Menjivar, Madeline Hollern, Danielle Martinez
Start your week on the positive (+) side with us, get inspired by our very first featured artist of the week! We hope you ENJOY these new features and that these fabulous artists inspire you the way they inspire us!
Chris has been the Art Director at MauiTime since August 2009, during that time he has transitioned the company to an entirely new design software platform, redesigned the entire publication for the first time in over 7 years and prepared the company brand for its print and digital future both stylistically and technically. Along the way, Chris has won MauiTime it’s first American Advertising Federation Pele Addy Award and become a finalist at the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies Award Competition in the Cover Design category.
“My personal experience working side-by-side with Chris during our tenure with ENVY Magazine is one that I will always look back to. Working among all of his fresh creativity and sense of style for music made it such an amazing experience for me as I started out on my own journey! Chris’ dedication and hard work has led him to Maui, Hawaii and gained him local and national recognitions along the way—his journey is truly an inspiration for me and any young up-and-coming designer out there!” –CindyONE ON ONE WITH CHRIS:
Q: How do you stay positive in the midst of a negative situation?
A: Well, the trick to staying positive for me is to never get too stressed out. Sometimes things can seem overwhelming, but things always have this funny way of working themselves out. You have to just believe in yourself and your talents and let God do the rest. Life’s just too damn short to waste time being negative. A positive attitude can go a LONG way.
Q: What’s something weird that inspires your art?
A: Probably the weirdest place I’ll often find inspiration is in music. Although it’s not visual, music is amazing in the way it can make you feel, and subconsciously think. Some of my best work is directly influenced by the music I was listening to when I made it.
Q: What’s something normal that inspires your art?
A: Obviously, being a designer I constantly find visual inspiration everywhere. From the type treatment on my beer label, to the design of my new shoes to the layout of a menu at a restaurant—I’m constantly taking in design—both good and bad. You get inspired by the good and learn from the bad. I think great magazine design inspires me the most though. Each month magazines like WIRED, Esquire, GQ and TEXAS MONTHLY constantly impress me—and make me strive to be a better artist.
Q: Do you emulate any other artists?
A: I take pieces of style from all sorts of places. From past Design Directors and designers I’ve worked with to designers’ websites and blogs I constantly absorb things I like. That’s one of the greatest things about being a designer. Hardly anything is truly original anymore. Most of the time it’s a “remix” or “collage” of things that have been done before—whether you meant for it to or not. The trick is to walk that fine line of being new and fresh and not blatantly ripping people off.
Q: What was the last meal you had, and when?
A: A sandwich that I brought to work. I rarely have time to leave the office for lunch, so goldfish, chips, fruit and a basic turkey sandwich are the key to my day. I also don’t drink coffee, so on occasion I have to rely on my old friend Mountain Dew for a pick-me-up.
Q: Name one song that always gets you pumped up.
A: Well, more so than a song I have an album. The newest Freelance Whales album “Weathervanes” is my recent “go-to” for background noise while I design. It’s hard to really pick a single song because I normally just throw something on in the background and let it run. Another great album I’ve had in rotation recently is the new Broken Bells album—it’s fantastic.
Q: What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? Did it work out?
A: Well, I’d say the biggest risk I’ve taken so far would be taking the job as Art Director for MauiTime out here in Maui. I had never been to Hawaii, and accepting a job sight-unseen was pretty risky considering I was in a really great agency job at the time in Houston. But, in the end I was craving really creative editorial work—and the idea of running my own show and revamping a publication proved to be too tempting. The risk was definitely worth it—things have been going really great out here, and I’ve been getting lots of press and high praise both locally and nationally. There’s nothing like taking the reigns of your own project and taking it beyond people’s expectations.
Q: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
A: Probably a bum. I really can’t ever remember a time when I didn’t want to be a artist. But I suppose if I hadn’t pursued art there was a good chance that I would have tried my hardest at music. I’ve always had a real interest and love for music—but I’ve just never had the patience (or skills) to actually attempt it.
Q: Do you have a motto or favorite quote?
A: My design concept/philosophy is simply to “go with the flow.” I try to not anchor a creative idea I have in my head too much from the start, because due to my budget and time constraints I normally have to be liquid enough to change those creative ideas at any time to still make the piece work. I’ve always found that when I try to make a piece exactly to what I have in my mind—I almost always fail myself. But, if I go into it with an open and fluid thought process I almost always surprise myself.
Q: What is your question for our next featured artist?
A: Who do you credit with being the most influential instrument to your artistic success?
To see more of Chris’ work check out his website: Lucky 11 Studios
Written by: Madeline Hollern, Gracie Gonzales, Cindy Menjivar, Chris Skiles
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