Branding with Character

Branding with Character

I must admit this is part of my job that is super exciting- creating new concepts! From logos to brand characters, starting from scratch and bringing to life something fresh and new. You already know the importance of branding. It impacts our everyday life. Just mention “Golden Arches” and you can almost smell burgers and fries. Characters bring a company to life. We pay attention to them in ways we wouldn’t if advertising were only plain text. Even as adults we’re willing to suspend reality and enter into fantasy. Think about it. Do little lizards actually talk about car insurance?  Or cute white ducks remind you of medical insurance? Characters are fun and make us smile. Some of may favorites are hearing the Pillsbury Dough boy laugh, the antics of the M&M guys, the Jolly Green Giant and little sprout, and of course- Mickey Mouse.

Here’s a look at some of the fun logos and characters I’ve had the pleasure and opportunity to work on with company’s and authors:

Created for everyone’s new favorite Popcorn Company, Wild About Popcorn. The characters and logo will now appear on hats and t-shirts:

This simple yet elegant logo has been used to brand the Women Of Distinction Awards Gala. The Women of Distinction Awards recognizes women in the Lee County area that are outstanding in various categories including healthcare, teaching, politics, arts, philanthropy, and business to name a few.

Working with two different authors, each with their own request for creating dog characters, these cute little guys were created:

Of course, there's Swan Studios Inc's own logo :

Need a character concept for your own branding? Contact us at Swan Studios Inc:

http://www.swanstudio.net

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#charactercreation #branding #brandcharacter #logocreation #logoconcept

Heating Things Up in the Kitchen

Heating Things Up in the Kitchen

Gourmet chefs will tell you copper pots are an excellent way to cook. Copper is the perfect heat conductor. Heat spreads evenly throughout and the copper is durable, hygienic, and corrosion resistant. Copper cookware has antibacterial properties, meaning germs and bacteria can’t cling to it. While copper is toxic to microorganisms it is not toxic to humans. That’s is why it is often used for water pipes. Hospitals use copper door handles since it reduces the transmission of germs.

For today’s art focus, copper cookware was the sprung board for a Tuscan copper faux finish. The homeowner wanted to “keep things hot in the kitchen” and craved a deep faux color to contrast with the cream glazed kitchen cabinets. And, of course, become the back drop for their collection of copper.

Ready to heat things up ? Contact us Swan Studios Inc. http://www.swanstudio.net/

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#fauxfinish #fauxpainting #copperfauxfinish

May You Always Drink from The Nile

May You Always Drink from The Nile

The Egyptian blessing, “May you always drink from the Nile”, comes from crucial role The Nile River played in lives of the Egyptians. This umbilical cord water way gave them excessively large perch to eat, mud for bricks, and papyrus for books and boats. Its annual Spring floods left behind fertile black silt to grow crops.  And still today the Nile plays a crucial role in the daily lives and commerce of those living alongside it.

Today’s featured client loves to travel and collect art pieces. One gorgeous piece was purchased in Egypt. So, it was crucial that the faux finish walls perfectly complemented the piece and not overwhelm it.  We tested several variations. The decision was to use a blend of 5 metallics. 4 in neutrals from tan to grey and 1 in a blue-grey. This final color makes the walls flow naturally and the art piece pop. Cleopatra would have loved these walls.

The centerpiece of the room. I love the juxtaposition of the Egyptian art piece with today's television.

some close up details:

To have your walls blessed with faux painting, contact Swan Studios Inc:

http://www.swanstudio.net/

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#fauxfinish #fauxpainting #Egyptianart

If a Fish Fell in Love with a Bird

If a Fish Fell in Love with a Bird

Every day is a new adventure when you’re an artist. Each new client brings their own viewpoints and wishes that inspire. That’s what keeps it fun and challenging.  A recent request for painted furniture was both. The challenge came from getting the raw wood prepped, painted, and protected enough so the furniture can now live out in the sweltering humidity and blasting sunshine of SW Florida.  The fun part came in the motif request. It started with shell motifs for the back of Adirondack chairs and arm rests. That’s par for the course here.  But it was the request for a mermaid on the table center that was unusual. The request was for the mermaid to be flying a kite. The mermaid represents the lady of the house and the kite represents the man of the house. The outcome is absolutely darling. There’s an old country question, “If a fish and a bird were to fall in love, where would they live”? The answer in this case is on a lanai in SW Florida overlooking the Caloosahatchee.  

The base color for the furniture is called True Turquoise. Perfect color to represent the sky and sea:

In writing this article, I came across this poem 

The Fish Who Loved a Bird- by Lycus

A fish fell in love with a bird one day.

What was his reason I could not say.

The bird flew down its reflection to see,

the fish jumped high and cried "Marry me."

The bird simply laughed and flew away,

"Birds marry birds!" was all she'd say.

But while she flew nothing else came to mind,

save the face of the fish she was leaving behind.

No other had spoken to her such words of love,

not the swiftest falcon nor the sweetest dove.

To the beauty of his fins a bird could not compare,

or to the strength of his muscles as he lept through the air.

Suddenly she turned though she couldn't say why.

Back to the water she quickly did fly.

"Oh beautiful fish how can this be,

a bird of the sky and a fish in the sea?

We never could marry, our worlds are apart.

So why cruelest fish have you stolen my heart?"

The fish gave his reply, and his words sang true.

He told the lovely bird what in his soul he knew.

"Beloved my beloved, oh do not despair,

though I swim in the ocean and you in the air.

Nothing in this world could keep us apart,

if your love is as true as the love in my heart."

The fish thought about it as best he could,

till he had an idea that would do them some good.

"Sometimes before sunrise at the edge of the world,

I have seen a place where creation's unfurled.

Come with me my love and our fates we will cheat.

Come to this enchanted place where the sea and sky meet."

The bird and the fish both made their merry way,

and live happy and in love to this very day.

Now from the look on your face you think my tale a lie.

You don't believe a beast of sea can marry beast of sky.

These things that I sing, I can prove they are true.

The children of the couple are known to all of you.

A penguin is a bird that calls the ocean home.

What of flying fish? It is in the air they roam.  

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To have you're own uniquely painted furniture contact Swan Studios Inc:

http://www.swanstudio.net/

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#paintedfurniture #kitemural #mermaidmural