Logo Designs

As some of you might imagine a graphic designer works on a variety of different projects. Logo Designs are one of many things I create for companies, events, and programs. I recently have been working with two different Marin County groups designing new logos.

The first is for the Marin County Office of Education. They started a program called the Work Readiness Certificate to encourage high school students to get involved in the business world, develop work skills, give them a great hands on experience and an opportunity to add something unique to their resumes. But they had no logo for promote and advertise their program. Below is the logo I designed for them. It focuses on mentorship and if you tell there are two people per profession - the mentor and the mentored. I also recently just finalized a brochure for them and will hopefully be working on a poster and other marketing materials to inform the community about this wonderful program.

The other group is my church - Christ Presbyterian Church in Terra Linda. This is one of a couple of organizations that I provide pro bono design work for. They are starting a new music series for the community to enjoy. It is called CPC Community Concert Series. Below is the logo I designed for them integrating one of their logos on the piano and I add a couple different instruments because different groups will be performing - bands, string groups, vocals, piano solos, and many more groups. The first concert is Sat, December 11 at 3pm highlighting the Piedmont Brass Quintet.

Go Giants!!! New Products Added to Embellish-You Website

As most of you know Susan Searway Art & Design offers website services. Whether you need a website built from scratch, need help maintaining a website you currently have or are thinking about redesigning your website - Susan Searway Art & Design can help.

To celebrate the World Series Win of the Giants, last week my client Embellish! - Designs by Jennie Barr asked me to add her newest products of hand applied Swarvoski Crystal Sport Shirts in celebration of the teams in the city to her website.

Purchase Giants Shirt

Purchase 49ers Shirt

"Jennie Barr of Embellish is the place to go for unique gifts for friends, family, or yourself. Embellish products are top quality, one of a kind gifts that have a splash of personality and sometimes a bit of sparkle. I love to gift Swarovski crystal rhinestoned Bridal items, customized embroidered hand towels, and for myself Embellish has a Vanity Fair line of bras with Swarovski crystal bra straps for a bit of fun that are extremely comfortable and come in a variety of colors.

Whenever I need a gift for others or myself I check out the Embellish-You Website for ideas, order directly from the site or call up Jennie Barr to talk about a customized item. Great fun products for everyone.” ~ Susan Searway Testimonial

Insubstantial Reality Accepted into Juried Into the Flow Art Exhibit

Insubstantial Reality, Digital Art © Susan Searway

“Into the Flow”

November 2 - November 30, 2010

First Tuesday Opening Reception, November 2, 6 to 8 p.m.

616 Throckmorton Avenue Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.388.4331

On Tuesday, November 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., O’Hanlon Center for the Arts will present an Open House and Reception for its November exhibit “Into the Flow,” a group show juried by June Watanabe, dancer, choreographer and Artistic Director of the Noh Project. The show runs through November 30, 2010.

“Into the Flow” will be a visual compliment to fundraising events scheduled at O’Hanlon Center for the Arts throughout November, which include a very special evening with dance innovator Anna Halprin on Thursday, November 11, 2010. Details on ticket prices for that event and information about additional related programs can be found on www.ohanloncenter.org

The exhibit will comprise of two-dimensional pieces of any media that emphasize the themes of movement, flow, fluidity, activity, and kinetic energy. Examples may include a photo capturing the blurred lines of activity, a wall hanging with moving components, or a painting evoking energy flow. As always at O’Hanlon Center, experimental and avant garde works will be highlighted.

Also on November 2 from 4 to 6 p.m., the Center will host a Roundtable for the Arts dialogue, where the participating artists will discuss issues relating to their creative processes. The Roundtable, a monthly event sponsored by the Center, is facilitated by painter, writer and O’Hanlon Center member Peller Marion.

The opening show on November 2 is part of the Mill Valley Art Commission’s monthly Gallery Walk, First Tuesday. The event is free of charge and open to all ages. Artwork on display is available for purchase. Proceeds from sales support local artists and the O’Hanlon Center as a non-profit organization.

Hands & Feet Studies

The great thing about taking a class is you get forced to focus on areas that you usually don't focus on. This past month I had a 3 hour class devoted to study our hands and feet. Part of the most complicated areas that most people try to avoid focusing on in a Life Drawing class. Well that and facial features :) Anyway below are my studies. Some are my own hands but after the first hour I enjoyed painting the other students hands and feet. I was in a purple and blue phase that day.

Life Drawing/Watercolor 2010

As some of you may know my joy throughout my week is to work on my figurative series - Persona. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to audit a Life Drawing course once again this fall at Dominican University as an alumni. I love being allowed to continue my education at DU, to work on my observation skills, explore new techniques, be inspired by other students work, and continue to build on my own development as an artist. You can see I am actually using watercolors as my preferred medium once again this year. Below are a couple of studies from the past month. Some are 30 second poses, 1 minute poses up to 2 minutes.

Photos of the Week

Below are a couple of impromptu photos I took this week for a possible website design project for an interior plant service company. More hopefully to come on this project later next month...

Welcome to Susan's Art & Design Blog

I've been thinking about starting a blog for some time now and I just decided to finally take a leap, create one, and have some fun. So that is my goal. I hope to share with you some of my art I am currently working on, my thoughts, ideas, inspirations, and keep you informed on some of my newest design and web work. Enjoy.

Above is one of my newest digital art compositions: Distinctiveness (my first horizontal version!!!)