Surfer Penguin is a continuation of The Sock Project I decided to do in 2013. For those of you who don’t know, in 2013 I found myself in an artistic rut. I decided one way to combat the rut would be to take a picture of the socks I wore everyday during the month of February and then do a design based on the pair of socks I wore that day.

Originally, I had planned to do a design a day. Oops!

Anyway, here is the sock that the design is based on:

For some reason, a penguin and the word chillen made me think of a penguin relaxing on a beach with a surfboard while watching the sunset.

Surfer Penguin on the Beach

by ValeriesGallery

Even though I’m not much of a beach person, I’ve always found it relaxing walking on the beach during a sunrise.

This design was originally done in marker. It can be found in my Zazzle shop, Redbubble and Imagekind.

What do you think of Surfer Penguin on the Beach?

The idea of opposites fascinated me. After I thought about it, I was inspired to do Grim with Flower. The idea of the Grim Reaper taking some time to enjoy the beauty of a flower and life struck me as being an interesting idea and an interesting opposite.

A few fun tidbits:

• This adorable Grim Reaper character first appeared in Grim Reaper with Heart

• The cute Grim Reaper character came about because I was learning how to draw kawaii style

• Grim Reaper with Flowers is available in my Zazzle, RedBubble and Society6 stores

• Some of the other sock challenge designs are: Bears Flying Planes, Polar Bear Eating Ice Cream, Stripes in Gray, Bokeh Inspired Colorful Hearts

• For those of you who don’t know, in the beginning of 2013 I was in an artistic rut and decided to do something about it. I photograph the socks I wore everyday in February 2013 and planned to make a piece of art based on the socks’ design)

• I am a fan of the show Grimm

Do you have a documentary recommendation or a way to get out of a creative rut! Feel free to leave a comment!

Grim with Flower not your thing?  That’s okay! Check out some of the work by other talent artist! (These links (and other inks throughout the post) are affiliate links. If you would like to purchase any of the pieces, just click on the pic!)

From other talented artist:

Vintage Drawing: Flemish Pink Flowers iPhone 5 Cases by TheBooker	Sympathy Pink Camellia Flower on Black and White Card by Valerie’s Gallery	Lotus Flower Blossom Mouse Pad by wheresmymojo
Skeleton on Guitar Unusual Tie by skeletonalley	Happy Birthday Grandpa card by Fritz Cartoons	Lilac Flowers Mugs by DigitalSolutions2u
Gentle Pink Rose Blooms – Flower photography iPad Air Cases by dandellion	Mom – Happy Mother’s Day – Alphabet Art card by ABC by Sue	Dandelion Clock lamp in turquoise and blue by GeeWhizArt
Goth Purple Ornament and Skull Throw Pillow by vamporium	Humorous birthday on tax day cartoon card by Bruce Bolinger	Colorful Skull Tshirts by elizme1
Purple Lavender Petunia Flower Blossoms Throw Pillow by ImageRecollections	Korean New Year card with rose of Sharon card by Eugenia Bacon	English Tea Roses Paper Plate 7 Inch Paper Plate by DizzyDebbie
Summer Flowers Accent Pillow by TheShirtBox	Grim Reaper with Heart card by Valerie Waters	Watercolor Iris in Lavender and Blue iPhone 6 Wallet Case by elizme1

For the month of February 2013, I photographed the socks I wore that day and planned to come up with a design based on them. The Bokeh Inspired Hearts is the fourth in the series. You can read about the first three designs, Bears Flying Planes, Polar Bear Eating Ice Cream and Stripes in Gray by clicking on the links.

Although these socks are striped, I didn’t want to just make a striped design. After all, where’s the challenge in that?

Since I had just made an invitation for a dadchelor party (aka male baby shower), I thought maybe I would make another invitation, perhaps a wedding invitation or something. To me weddings equal love which apparently equals hearts and that’s how the heart aspect of the design was born.

Bokeh Inspired Colorful Hearts Poker Deck by ValeriesGallery

I knew that I didn’t want to do a design that was just plopping colored hearts against a colored background. Since I’m a photographer amongst other things, bokeh is a term that comes up from time to time. Most of the time, I find that bokeh pictures are really pretty and I like the look. Thus, Bokeh Inspired Heart design was born!

What inspires you?

 

Bokeh hearts not your think?  That’s okay, check out these works from other talented artist!

(Please Note: These are affiliate links)

Super cute gothic damask skull heart black fuschia tee shirts by My_dark_heart	A Bouquet of Wishes card by Marilee Harrald-Pilz	Paper Air Plane Love Letter Watch by presentsoflove
Classy Bokeh lights texture Graduation party Custom Announcement by RoseRoom	Reflecting Reindeer with Christmas Tree card by Star Stream Design	Rainbow Bokeh Nail Art by KaleenaRae
Hearts on Pink Table Lamp by ArtByApril	Valentine card by makiko kimura	I Love Cats! (Black+Red Outlines on White) SQP Pillows by HoMeArts
Emotion Black Heart on Tiled Squares Tee Shirt by alleyshirts	Birthday – To my Husband, why do I love you? card by Rycky Creations	Hearts Gift Wrap Wristlet by Ixodoi_Art
Lovely Pink & Purple Heart Doodles (Pink Back) Sticker by designsfromscratch	Be My Valentine? – Hearts, Ribbon, Bow – Pink, Red, White card by sitnica (Strawberry and Hearts)	Yarn Ball Hearts Fingernail Decals by InspiredMeStudio
Faded Denim Pocket Heart Luggage Tag by elizdesigns	Valentine´s Day – Love Music card by Cartita Design	Flower bouquet heart art add your name pillow by Mylittleeden
Home Sweet Home Coat Rack by tjustleft	Yellow Bird Flying from Birdcage with Heart, Valentine’s Day card by Ron Magnes	Love Heart Wine Glass Charms by RusticHarbor

I was in a bit of a design rut and not feeling very creative.  One day I opened my sock drawer and realized I had a lot of cute socks! (Yes, I will freely admit to having a sock obsession.)

Then it hit me!  By doing designs based on my socks would be a fun and interesting challenge that could help get me out of my creative rut.

So, for the month of February, I photographed my socks daily and am currently coming up with designs based on various elements (design, color, etc.).

I wore the airplane socks on February 1st and this is what I came up with:

Interestingly enough, this design was just approved by Greeting Card Universe today!  It is also available in my Zazzle, Red Bubble, Imagekind and Skreened shops.

What do you do to get out of a creative rut?  What’s the most interesting thing that has given you inspiration.

Here’s some other artwork and artist you might enjoy!

Train Alphabet Bear Name Pillow by hungaricanprincess	Kid’s Airplane Theme Birthday Party Invitation, panda card by Gail Pepin	Bear & Bee Mouse Pad by sicara	Sky Heart card byBuffaloWorks Photography
Colorful & Adorable Cartoon Aeroplane Trucker Hat by RustyDoodle	Teddy Bear in Pencil: Thinking of You: Bear Hug card by Joyce Geleynse	USAF Fighter Jet Airplane at Sunset Military Gifts iPhone 5 Cover by azlaird	Teddy bear cuddles card by Mylittleeden
Fly Kawaii T-shirt by BCImages	I love Panda Tshirt by likeit	Monkey with a Sock. Shirt by Animal_Art_By_Ali	T-TAIL TSHIRTS by LabKitty