inspirationCOOP: {evolution of a blog header...}

i thought it might be fun to show you what inspired the illustration for the new blog header. full disclosure: i was (surprise, surprise) inspired by a tearsheet from a j.crew catalog. i LOVE me some j.crew! when i ran across the picture above, i was immediately drawn to the playful and coy nature of the model in the shot. my illustration really wasn't suppose to be me, but as i started tweaking, i think it went in that direction as i swapped out the pony tail for a bun and added a striped shirt (two things i use in abundance). the little red flower was added as an afterthought, and later became the jumping off point for the social media icons. (i also flipped the drawing because i wanted her to face in the other direction.) drawing and working with my hands is therapeutic for me, so i enjoyed the process. as a HUGE, welcoming bonus, i'm happy everyone seems to be enjoying it. (i hope j.crew doesn't mind. ;)

tools used: graphite pencils, staedtler pens, strathmore sketch book, and photoshop (for final clean up).

14 Send Me Your Thoughts:

AnonymousDecember 6, 2011 at 5:36 AM
I'm so glad you shared this process! I think your new header is stunning, and I was hoping that it represents you. I think you should send a link to your blog to J. Crew and let them know how you were inspired by them. I love J. Crew too.
HappenstanceDecember 6, 2011 at 8:02 AM
I love that you shared this! So interesting. And it's so you! You're so talented:)
julia wheelerDecember 6, 2011 at 9:02 AM
LOVE this! your sketches are SO fun!
ToriDecember 6, 2011 at 10:41 AM
I love it! I'm a HUGE fan of illustrations and J. Crew! Great job! Can't wait to see more : )
inspirationCOOPERATIVEDecember 6, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Thanks, girls! I owe each of you a cup of coffee for saying such nice things. Shh, don't tell anyone :)
AnonymousDecember 6, 2011 at 1:42 PM
So awesome!!
Noreen SullivanDecember 6, 2011 at 4:20 PM
awesome! i love to see how you came up with it, and it's so beautiful. i love making art, but haven't in a long while. don't you love looking at your header now and knowing that YOU made it? this is YOUR corner of the web. hooray!
leahDecember 6, 2011 at 7:03 PM
i loved reading about your inspiration! you are one talented woman! i love the stripes! {i wear stripes most days!}. goreous header xxx
homestiloDecember 9, 2011 at 12:14 PM
First thing I thought when I landed on your page was: "nice header". So cool to see how you came to it.
inspirationCOOPERATIVEDecember 9, 2011 at 9:11 PM
Ah, shucks. Thanks for all the wonderful comments. You all know how to make a girl feel loved.
Michelle * Viva RevivalDecember 12, 2011 at 6:46 AM
I love the new header! Thanks for showing your inspiration. That is something I need to do, my header is such a snooze.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...oh I'm sorry I was thinking about my header and it made me fall asleep.
California ChicDecember 12, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Love the new header! Can we see more of your drawings?!
inspirationCOOPERATIVEDecember 12, 2011 at 4:57 PM
@Michelle - You just made me laugh out loud (NOT at your header, at your comment!). You funny! If you ever have a question or need help, don't hesitate to ping me.

@CalChic - Thanks, J!
MorleeDecember 13, 2011 at 12:51 PM
It's so great to see the process. Sometimes I wonder how other people work things out! :)