In just a few minutes I’ll be off to AIGA Jacksonville’s Bags in Toyland show… formerly known as Designers In Toyland. The reason for the name change is because this year they’ve partnered up with Burro Bags. So there will not only be custom toys but also custom bags!

This time around I decided to make two toy figures of kitties! (of course) Here’s just a little sneak peek of Sir Kittie Cat and Mango.

I know how creative haha. They’re made of wood just like the previous toy I made. And definitely not the last ones to come. Although I know I need more practice, I love painting on wood and I love customizing and creating new toys!

Hopefully I can get better pictures at the venue. Last year’s venue was awesome and I loved the light and atmosphere. I hope for the same tonight! ^^

Here’s last year’s toy in case you missed it.

Yesterday AIGA Jacksonville held the “2010 Always Summer Poster Show and Mix Tape” show last night. All participants were to choose a song that reminds them of summer and create a poster of their interpretation of that song. A local DJ created a “mixed tape” of all the songs that were selected. I chose my all time favorite Miami Horror song, “Sometimes”. Here it is!

[Designed in Illustrator and Photoshop]

These are long overdue but here they finally are. Pictures of Nautical Boi! Yep, this is the toy I built and painted for Designers in Toyland. I really wanted a blank MADL but they were no where to be found, so i made my own version out of wood. It was interesting to work with wood for the first time and it was definitely a challenge for me since I don’t normally paint but I really enjoyed it. I’ve been going through a I-love-everything-with-tentacles phase which you might start to notice about my most recent work, once I start posting it. To be honest, I don’t think its a phase, I can’t get enough of them!

[Painted with acrylics on wood.]

Photos taken by Jimmy Ward.

Also, I know it’s short notice from me but if you’re in Jacksonville you should definitely come to the I Love Design: House Industries event that’s going on tomorrow at the Modis Building in Downtown Jax. Should be awesome :)

-Karen

Each month AIGA holds Cocktails & Creatives, an event that offers a great way to network with other creatives, share ideas and enjoy some cocktails! :D This month AIGA Jax held C&C at Mellow Mushroom in Jax Beach and it was AWESOME! It was my first time going (FINALLY) and I got to hang out with some fun people :) Here’s AIGA Jax’s Flickr set of that night. Oh man… definitely some interesting pictures.

aigajacksonville:

All Aboard the Magical Mystery Tour!

Designers from all over gathered last night at one of Jacksonville Beaches most psychedelic hotspots.

It was Cocktails & Creatives at Mellow Mushroom in Jacksonville Beach!

50+ designers from all over northeast Florida attended AIGA Jacksonville’s Cocktails & Creatives at Mellow Mushroom in Jacksonville Beach. The trippy, brightly decorated restaurant was filled to the brim with creatives. Whether chilling with a frosty beverage or munching on some delicious treats, attendees enjoyed specials including 1/2 off appetizers, $1.00 house wines, $2.00 Yuengling pints, $2.99 drafts, $3.50 Smirnoff, $4.00 Three Olives, $4.00 Captain Morgan and $5.00 Crown Royal.

And congratulations to Russel Quadros and Lena Mullaney for each winning $20 in giftcards, courtesy of Mellow Mushroom.

As always, a big thank you to everyone who came out to Mellow Mushroom in Jacksonville Beach and for supporting AIGA. Thanks for making the night one to remember!

We’ll see you at the next C&C!

-Karen

AIGA is hosting their very first custom toy show: Designers in Toyland! A few months ago I finally got to paint the mini munny I bought and I loved it. So I saw this as a great opportunity to paint another custom toy. I’ve been dying to get my hands on a blank MADL but I’ve had no luck finding one :/ So this time around I’ll be painting a wooden toy that I designed (inspired by the MADL) and built (with some help :) Can’t wait to get started! Be sure to come check it out!

-Karen