Boy, what you can learn from stepping outside the box!

I did a previous post  Here about these 18" bulbs I've been doing for wedding or shower gifts.
I was so excited recently to receive another request to make one. I thought I'd share this learning experience.
I was told that this would be a very unique approach and boy was it!!! .The couple are both very artistic....ok now I am a bit intimidated.....AND I am told they have taken some very unique approaches to their wedding. 


Here is their invitation...while the pic sent to me came off brown it is indeed black! 
If this doesn't push my boundaries!

 These 2 very creative people drew their own invitations and made their cake topper. I was to use their artwork. The big question here is...HOW DO I USE THEIR ARTWORK AND STILL RESPECT MY OWN?? 
I am not a cartoony type of gal and while caricatures look like they may be an easy approach to art, 
THEY ARE NOT for me. 
What did I get myself into!!!???
 How would I portray someone else's art but still remain true to myself????  
It was very important to me to give them something that the gift-giver would be pleased with and would honor their art...YIKES!!!.


Can I tell you...talk about writer's block. I must have stared at that invitation for almost 2 weeks. I so wanted to honor their wonderful approach. Finally I just started sketching and painting drafts. It's funny how a concept will just crash into my head and I'm off and that's what happened.
This wedding was at the Pittsburgh Zoo, in the aquarium, so you get the subject matter.
Here is what I ended up with.....

The swirls mimic the swirls they used in the clouds. 

The font was a playful one that I found in Photoshop. It followed the swirl motif.

Using black for a wedding was pushing my norm also. I wanted to incorporate it, but a little more subtle.
The swirls have swarovski crystals in them.

The caricatures are a combination of their faces and a photo I had of their wedding outfits.

 I used the waterfall affect they used in their invitation, but a little differently.

Please note their caricature....no eyes, just in case you think I forgot!

The greenery at the top symbolizes the greenery in the water and the zoo. 

Some of the leaves are glittered.

I did copy their wonderful water creatures...fun!!!

I believe that's their dog...cute idea! Very light  and fun approach to it all. 

What a learning experience for me!!!!  I see that stepping outside my "box" is a very good thing AND 
you need to push yourself.
It's so easy to stay in your safe little place isn't it? Stepping outside pushes you creatively, always good. 
And guess what?  What was originally stressful ended up being fun. It is good to take a lighter, playful approach to things. WOW...still learning lessons at my age. 
When have you stepped outside your box? What did you take from it? I would love to hear your experiences!!!


Email me if you are interested in a gift bulb: vals29@verizon.net


My next post will feature the gift box I created to match this. It was so fun .... I love a great presentation for a gift!


Please enjoy these links to other fun blogs!


The Shabby Creek Cottage
Common Ground
The French Cupboard
Remodelaholic
My Romantic Home