• Welcome!

    Dreamer Journal is an artist's sketchbook- filled with ideas, colors, art, childhood and whimsy.  Welcome to our Spring Issue!! Please take a look around... we are so glad that you are here :)

An interview and feature with Vol. 25 artist- Jessica Rose (& a give away too!!)

artists, give aways, interviews

Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom to enter your chance to win the “Inspired” Album Template Set!

When you look at Vol. 25, you see everything we love over here at Dreamer.  Lots of whimsy, color & fun… completely inspired, completely creative and completely everything you need to take your photos to a whole new level.  So, let us introduce you to the star behind it all- Jessica (& give you one of her amazing templates too!!)

Your work is absolutely adorable… tell us a little bit about all the products you offer.

Thank you! I started out selling my art on canvas prints in my etsy shop. But a couple of years ago I opened a second shop (separate from etsy) and began offering photoshop resources for photographers in my digital shop. I still specialize in photoshop overlays, which are basically custom shapes… but I also offer album templates, storyboards, card templates and a few printables. :)



ROCKSTAR OVERLAY SET

Have you always been artistic?  When did you realize this is what you wanted to do?

I have always had an interest in art, I’ve always loved drawing. Some of my fondest memories involve a blank sheet of paper, a brand new art set, and being filled with inspiration. I had an older cousin who also loved drawing… and we spent quite a few afternoons drawing together. At the age of 16 I had a few pieces of my pencil art hanging in our local gallery. That was a neat experience. A couple of years before I got married I started scrapbooking, and my drawing pencils started collecting dust… it wasnt until after I married and we had our first daughter that I started drawing again. I slowly taught myself photoshop, (with much help from google) and found out that I really enjoyed creating art digitally. I was extremely nervous when I listed my art for the first time, but it was so rewarding when I had such a positive response from it! What began as a hobby in hopes of making a little extra money has turned into my dream business, and I feel so very fortunate for that.

How did you get started doing the overlays & templates for photographers… do you find your inspiration from photographers/photography?

A few years ago we had our family pictures taken. Some of them were set against a brick wall, and I had the idea of putting some of my digital artwork into the background as if it were on the brick wall. I posted these photos on my blog and after doing so I had a photographer friend e-mail me with the idea of creating vector based custom shapes, that other photographers could utilize. I spent quite a bit of time developing the idea, creating a logo, and creating a couple different collections before I launched them. The response was so positive, that I just kind of ran with the idea. :) It is something I really enjoy creating, and as of now I have 35 different sets available! My inspiration definitely comes from other photographers. Most photographers are incredibly giving and I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with so many talented ladies. One little 5 minute blog visit can inspire an entire overlay set. Your blog among others are so inspiring to me! :)



FREE TO BE ME- ALBUM TEMPLATE SET

What are some of your favorite pieces… what hangs in your home and decorates your cards?

I’m really loving the natural rustic look paired with modern clean lines. We recently renovated our motorhome and I created the deer art for the space. But whenever I create a new art print it tends to be my favorite until I create a new one. ;)


Thanks for having me!!
VOL25 DIGITAL EYE CANDY  {Photoshop resources for photographers}
VOL25 ETSY SHOP {Art for your home} PERSONAL BLOG 
FACEBOOK 

Please hit your ‘refresh’ button if the PunchTab give away doesn’t show below!

An interview with our cover artists- Hey Kid! {Kenney Rome}

artists, interviews

 

When you take a look at our “Nether-Land” feature it is easy to see this isn’t your run of the mill kids shoot.  The styling is impeccable.  The planning exact.  It is more than just a photographer taking pretty pictures, it is an entire entity.  Scenes like this though are what Hey Kid! {Kenney Rome} is all about.  They are a photographer/stylist duo that have combined forces to make these drool worthy sessions their job.  We thought we would ask them a couple of questions and let them share how they came together and what makes them tick.

What gave you the idea to start Hey Kid! {Kenney Rome}?

Well, it came about pretty organically really. Heather and I met during a photo shoot for Babiekins Magazine and only exchanged a few friendly words in the craziness of the day; but after that, we were able to work together many times and formed a great working friendship. Designers began to notice our work as a team and asked us to style and photograph their look books and products. A light bulb went off and we knew we had something special on our hands. We love working together and are really in sync when it comes to conceptualizing.

 

What do you offer?

We specialize in children’s fashion imagery…such as look books, editorials, product shoots, as well as styled photo shoots for the every day family. We think of ourselves as a visual pick me up to your brand!

 

How did Heather get into styling?

You could say that i got into styling when i was tiny. My earliest memories are of “styling” my dolls. I would dress my dolls, set them up and then walk away. I grew up with a mother that is very thrifty and crafty, so making props and items for shoots comes naturally for me. I went to college and studied fashion which led to an internship as a stylist at a trade magazine. After my sons were born i took a break from styling. When my daughter was born I had a new “doll” to style. I opened a children’s vintage shop on etsy 3 Ring Circus and have been busy dressing kids up ever since.

Do you have a DREAM scenario that you’d love to shoot one day?

Holy smokes…well… I would have to say I have A LOT of dream scenarios! I have creative A.D.D and get inspired on a daily basis. I know this is a lame answer but I have so many concepts in my brain that I couldn’t pin point just one. I guess the dream would simply be to take one of my most hair-brained ideas and see it through to the end with every resource at my disposal. As a photographer, I would love to shoot in mystical and exotic locations every day but those dang NO TRESPASSING signs get in the way a lot! ;)

Heather? What about you ?

A lot of my dream shoots are all about location. One is a secret colorful spot in the desert. Maybe if Jessie and i get past those no trespassing signs we can make it a reality.

Thank you so much for sharing with us and for being a part of Dreamer! We love your work and are so excited to share it with our readers :)

Their blog: www.kenneyrome.blogspot.com

Their Facebook: www.facebook.com/kenneyrome

An interview with our feature artist- Simone Downey

artists, interviews

I knew when I came across Nomuu and couldn’t help but go back several times in one afternoon to gaze at her beautiful pieces, that we needed to have her work with us at Dreamer.  I was beyond delighted when she agreed and had a happy smile the entire time I was doing her feature.  And, being we are Dreamer and all, we were overjoyed when she agreed to send us a little snippit inside her world and the inspirations that influence such whimsy!

I started these illustrations as a little bit of a joke actually….sounds horrible doesn’t it?. I was designing bags at the time and that was my focus, and then I saw people were selling art online, and thought, ‘hey let me have a go at drawing something’. So after years of being petrified of drawing, I gave it a go and just let it flow. I then popped up some drawings up online on Etsy. Then just totally ignored them for a while, but then I noticed that people kept on asking about them eventually I realized, that my illustration work had found me.

People often ask me if there a some lovely back-stories to these characters and I unfortunately have to say, ‘no’. The characters are really are just quick little random sketches that I draw and sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t.

Having said that, I am working with a screenwriter where we developing script (hopefully for an animation series), and the character ‘Livey’ from the ‘Lively in the woods’, is one of the main characters. So she now has a story behind her, but it’s all at ‘hush, hush’ stage ;)

I really don’t know exactly where the characters come from, all I can think is that they inspired from a little bit of everything in my life. Plus I am a big kid at heart.

I was definitely inspired from very bold, simple characters as a child, like Miffy, Madeline, Mickey Mouse and also Beatrix Potter characters (although I wouldn’t call Beatrix Potter characters simple). I really love simple, basic design, nothing overly complex, and I think that shows in my characters as well. I mean that’s what I was attracted to as a kid, and that’s what stuck with me, so I guess I had follow what I gravitated towards.

I also use a bit of texturing in my illustrations. I use linen, fabric and paper in some of the designs, I think that came from my interior design studies. I knew someday the course would come in handy!

I also love animals and nature, that has always been a strong focus in any design work I do. I think that is inherently in me as well. There is something about nature that seems to work well with me.  I also work in a museum, so I have a lot of inspiration around me. I get to see amazing rare books of birds, mammals, I get to see hidden treasures that other people don’t know about…and I have a whole lot of mammals (which I can draw reference from) and dinosaurs downstairs to say, ‘hello’ to ;)

Starting these illustrations has taken me on an amazing journey of self discovery. I’ve learnt to give things a go, to stop being so hard on myself, I know what works suits me and what doesn’t. It also has helped me believe in myself.

So if I can give any advice to anyone wanting to peruse something creative, I say do it. Try anything and everything, and you just may be surprised to find out what you are good at.

You can find more from Nomuu in her store: www.shop.nomuu.com, on facebook: www.facebook.com/nomuu and on her tumblr: www.nomuu.tumblr.com

ps… The winner of The Happy Family Movement Winter Adventure Guide is Nicole LoBlue!! Stay tuned for more give aways coming soon!!!

The Happy Family Movement

give aways, interviews

As you have probably gathered, we kinda dig kids around here. So, when we came across the Solars Happy Family Movement- it was head over heels, stars in our eyes falling in love.  We scooped up both the Adventure in a Box and the Winter Adventure Guide (which is more of a anytime-you-can’t-take-your-kids-outside guide) and cannot say enough good things about them!  The kids love them, the parents love them (we even got the grandparents in on it)… it’s activities big and small that make it so easy to just simply have a blast as a family and remind you how easy it is to be a ‘happy family’.

We invited the Solars to share with all of our readers and, not only did they agree to do that, they are also giving away a Winter Adventure Guide to one of our readers too!  All you have to do is rack up the entries through the Punch Tab below and we will announce a winner on Friday!

Now, let’s introduce you to the Solars!

Raising a happy, loving family is one of the most important things we will do in this lifetime.

That’s the first line of The Happy Family Movement manifesto. And it’s so true. For Josh and I, our family is number one. We’re very fortunate that we get to photograph couples and families in love for a living. We absolutely love it AND it allows us the flexibility and the freedom to spend a LOT of time with our kids.

The Happy Family Movement was born about a year ago and it all started with a crazy idea: that WE could raise a happy, loving family and that we could do it OUR way. There really are no rules when it comes to parenting… except that you must love your kids unconditionally. That’s really all they need.

And so, we started on this journey to becoming the best parents that we can be. And we’re hoping to encourage and inspire others to do the same. We blog several times a week about life, love, and parenting. We also share simple ideas for happy family living. We have a store full of products that promote family togetherness and memorable family experiences.

Several months ago, I had the idea that I wanted to create a book full of activities for families to do together. A quick google search will turn up all kinds of ideas like watch a movie, go to the library, or play board games. I wanted my project to be something completely different, something more creative and more involved.

So, Josh and I sat down and brainstormed ideas. The first eight or so ideas were very easy to come up with, but it got harder after that! I eventually settled on fifteen solid activities. I spent weeks working hand-in-hand with our graphic designer to create our Indoor Adventure Guide.

It’s got everything you need for fabulous indoor adventures with your family! We’ve got some quickies like balloon-a-palooza. And a few almost-full-day adventures, like super hero story. You’ll get all our how-tos, lessons learned, and even printable resources. Fifteen awesome adventures. All Happy Family Movement tested. And 100% kid approved.

Most of these indoor adventures are best suited for kids three and up. But if you’ve got little ones at home, don’t despair. We’ve added a suggestion for getting toddlers involved in each adventure!

www.thehappyfamilymovement.com

www.twitter.com/happyfammvmt

www.facebook.com/thehappyfamilymovement