Guest Feature: Robin of Something Nice Designs

 I'd like to introduce you all to Robin Sheldon! She is a wonderfully talented illustrator and designer for her own line of prints, cards and more Something Nice Designs. She also does wedding design and planning with her family. This girl can do it all! I've been dying to know more about her creative life, so I decided to ask her some questions and share them with you guys.

Without further ado...

 1. Tell is a little bit about yourself.

I am an Illustration and Design major from Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I come from south east Wisconsin, but currently reside in Minneapolis, MN. I have been surrounded by art my whole life. My parents are both high school art teachers and my brother is an illustrator/animator. And now if that's not enough my best friend/fiance is also an illustrator. I have always loved making crafts, using stamps, and found my love for making art on the computer at a very early age. 

2. How did you get started illustrating and designing for your shop Something Nice Designs?

Well after college and job hunting my mom and I decided that this was the time in our lives to take the time and chance of starting our own shop. It stemmed from my senior project where I made illustrated products and set up a mini shop. We are just beginning and are very excited for future art fairs and business ventures. 

3. I know you grew up in quite the creative family, so what was it like growing up in that environment? And how do you like working with your family? :)

Haha this is in my intro, I should have read ahead ;) ! Well it was pretty amazing. I had endless supplies of stamps, markers, pens, glues, art cd-rom's, and more. I really pull from my early childhood of doodling Wisconsin prairies on our camping trips and sketching at all the different art museums my parents took me to. I feel incredibly lucky to live in a family that appreciates art so much. And working with them has be amazing so far. :)

4. As designers, we are always evolving our creative style. Describe how your style of illustration has evolved to what it is today.

Wow. It's funny because this is so true. After my first year in college my art was nothing like it was in high school, and my last year there my work had finally started looking finished and professional. But even since graduating I have evolved into making better compositions, color choices, and starting collections. I hope to keep evolving and really work on my character designs and type!

5. Where do you find creative inspiration?

I really love looking at other illustrators/designers works and their process. There are so many talented ones out there that inspire me to try new things. I also love going to local coffee shops. I love living in a city that has so many coffee houses with completely different feels and filled with interesting people and spaces.

6. Do you have any advice for other people wanting to start their career in graphic design/illustration?

Network. I can't believe how inspiring and helpful it has been connecting with people. Plus it feels great to get feedback.

7. You have also done some work for weddings. How did that start and what's your favorite part of being involved in that realm?

I have done work for three weddings now. It honestly started with friends being super supportive of me and giving me a chance to do things for their weddings. I have made custom invites, table cards, signs, thank you notes, and decorations. I was even a wedding planner for one. My favorite part has been probably the custom invites, I love capturing the couples personalities! 

Thanks so much Robin for letting us in on your world and sharing your advice! So great to know more about you!

See more of Robin here:

Blog

Shop

Dribbble

Something Nice Designs Site

June Doodle A Day Giveaway Winner...

The Winner of the June Doodle a Day Giveaway is...

Sally McP! Congrats Sally!

Sally, if you could please email me at elloloveyshop@gmail.com with your mailing address I would be oh so happy to send your bike print your way! I hope this brings some joy to your day :) Thank you for entering!

Thank you again to everyone who entered my Doodle a Day Giveaway! I'll be doing it again for July, so you'll have another chance to win. Your favorite doodles might just be making their way to my Etsy shop soon, so keep a look out! P.S. Some of them already have :)

 

XOXO, Rhianna

Small town 4th

I spent the 4th with my hubby, and even though I got a little sick and missed the fireworks, we had a blast at Historic McKinney's July 4th Parade in the morning! It made for an All-American 4th, and I'm pretty sure it was my first time going to a July 4th parade! Here are some shots I took with Instagram...

This last photo might be the reason I got a little sick...lol! Mike made it for me and I couldn't resist. Ugg!  Oh well, feel better today and still had a great 4th :) How was your 4th of July? Do anything super fun?

Happy 4th of July!

Have a Happy, Fun, and Safe 4th of July my American friends! Eat lots of yummy food and have a blast :) Did this doodle for you today :)

XO, Rhi

Adventures in Gouache

I've always loved the way illustrations painted in gouache look and have wanted to buy some for so long! Well, I bought some over the weekend and tried them out and I LOVE them! They are very versatile because you can use them like watercolors or straight out of the tube. Needless to say... I'm addicted :)

I've already had some fun making a few little illustrations (Above).

Have any of you had experience using gouache paints? I'd love some tips if you have any. I'm still learning.

XoxO, Rhi

June Doodle A Day Giveaway!

Happy July 1st! I can't believe I have 3 months worth of doodles already! Time really does fly by when you're having fun! I might have said it before, but every time I complete the Doodle a Day challenge for the month I always grow in unexpected ways. It's always exciting looking back on how far I've come :)

So, here is my wrap-up of June doodles which I shared on Instagram. I can't thank those of you who follow my doodling on Instagram enough! You guys rock my socks off! I always appreciate your kind comments and support.

The prize for this giveaway is an 8x10 Print of your choice of one of my daily doodles!

If you would like a closer look at them, just click the above photo, or you can view them on the Instagram app with the username @ellolovey or online at this webstagram link.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below telling me what your favorite doodle is. You will have until Friday, July 6th to pick your fave and enter. I'll choose a winner using a random number generator and announce the lucky winner on Sunday July 8th!

                                                               Good luck dear friends!

XO, Rhianna