Solo Art Installation for Holly Carter April-May 2017 at Brezo Restaurant, Point Richmond, CA

New Logo and Business Cards

So, I made a complete 180 from my previous designs for my new logo and chose to try out a different business card layout. I am very happy with the results. The flower for the logo was from an ink painting that I did. I completely drew and designed the font for letters of the HJC and found a great free font online to coordinate for the rest of my name. Now I have a hole suite of marketing products and had some hallmark stamps made finally. I am quite excited with my new branding!

Branding - Monogram options

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I just wasn't satisfied with the previous options that I posted before and so I hunkered down and drew up some more. I think these are much better, more diverse and creative. The top ones I believe are unfortunately unrealistic for what I need, although I really like them. I will have to narrow them down to three or four. I will then ask opinions once I have narrowed down the logo image, the two will have to complement each other.

I don't think people really think much about the design process for the many images they see everyday. The ones that have been branded into their brains, that have been all over advertising for as long as they can remember. I believe when you make a choice like this it can be a very personal, stressful, and emotional process. You want to be sure you are represented accurately by your branding. It is who you are, what you do, and what you are capable of? As an artist I feel this is an important step, it is a representation of my signature, not just my style, but who I am as an individual, and the legacy I leave behind. Maybe that is why I have taken so long to reach the conclusion that I must start signing my pieces with a more professional monogram.

Branding - Logo Image Preliminary Sketches

In this step, I used tracing paper to trace sections of the images from my inspiration photo's. I chose areas that interested me the most. From here, I will choose the sketches that I find most pleasing and what I think could best translate into a logo image. I will then try variations on the sketches by cropping, copying, flipping, and enlarging. I may possibly create tessellations or maybe leave it in it's original state.
I have labeled with letters the images that I feel could use more logo exploration.

























I think I am leaning towards A, B, G, H, I or K? I most like A, B, G, and I at this point just how they are, but I have not made any decisions yet and B sort of looks like Broccoli.
Hmm?

What's in a name???

Since I up and moved to the Bay, I decided it was a good time to renew my self and branding as an artist. Start fresh as it were. I have been using the name Incognito Designs when I sell every day Jewelry, while using Holly Carter when I enter exhibitions with my sculptural art. After much thought and advise from some friends, I am going to just keep it simple and true. My name Holly J. Carter for the business name and as the artist.

What a novel idea, just use my name!

I went back and forth with different variations on my name paired with metal works, art works, designs, etc.. Branding can be a difficult thing, to be confident enough that one day just your name will have enough weight to be a brand is astounding and intimidating. I was also stuck on the fact that I had to end the business name with something that was descriptive. My good friend Adiel suggested thinking of it as simply a tag line that I use on advertising, but not part of the actual name. I was making it too complicated as I usually do!

So, Holly J. Carter, Metal and Jewelry Art. Plain and Simple.
(Or, maybe Holly J. Carter, Metalsmith, Sculptural and Wearable Art? Or Sculpture and Jewelry Art?
Oh boy, here I go again!)

I also have many ideas for a new line of supplies to sell on sites like Etsy for those people who like to buy bobbles and beads and what not. Therefore my current Incognito Designs will transition into Incognito Designs by Holly J. Carter, selling supplies and whatever random cool vintage stuff I pick up now and then.
I am then going to start a new Etsy site with my name for all of my Jewelry and Art. Of course I am also working on perfecting the shopping cart on my personal website as well.

Now that I have gotten through the difficult part, time to design a new logo for a stamp, jewelry charm, business cards, website banner, etc., etc..

Wow, there is lots to do!
When I finally get it all done, then I have to wait for the sales to come.

I will keep posting on my progress for those interested. I would love to get some feed back on the process. I just hope that I can get more than my one current follower for my blog so that I can get that feedback. Especially since that one follower is me! Hehe.

Solo Showcase at Eden Gardenhouse

 ‘Organic Inspirations’

 Eden GardenHouse

 Features Artist

Holly Carter

June 1st - 30th, 2012

Art Showcase Featuring the Metalwork of Local Artist Holly Carter. 

A Focus on natural organic inspired wall art and jewelry.

Holly Carter is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Fine Art in Metals. She is an internationally known artist and her work is currently shown in galleries across the Southwestern United States. Holly is an instructor for the Tempe Edna Vihel Center for the Arts and the Mesa Art Center. Is a member of The Arizona Designer Craftsmen and The Society of North American Goldsmiths.

 Opening Reception

June 1st, 2012

6 p.m.- 9p.m.

Closing Reception
June 30th, 2012
4 p.m.- 8p.m.

Light Refreshments will be served at Opening and Closing Receptions

 Eden GardenHouse

Home and Garden Inspired Boutique

2928 N. 7^th Avenue  Phoenix, Arizona 85013

602- 274-2470

~ www.edengardenhouse.com ~ info@edengardenhouse.com ~

Sky Harbor Airport Museum Show 'Metals and More'

The Phoenix Airport Museum Exhibition 'Metals and More' 

will be showing in the airport in Terminal 3 Level 2 

from February 24th through September 30th, 2012.

The show features 14 Metalsmiths including myself.

So, make sure you get a chance to check it out!

 

These are the pieces of mine that are being exhibited.

Water Droplet Box

Leaf Locket

Sold and Off to Japan!

 This piece is made of vitreous glass enamel and fine silver foil on copper, set in sterling silver. It was purchased by a generous student of mine and sent to his sister in Japan for a gift. I am now waiting for some pictures of her wearing it. It was one of my favorites and was hard to part with.

MAC Student Exhibition at the Festival of Creativity

Here are some pics of the great student work we exhibited for the Sculpture, Woodworking, Welding, and Blacksmithing classes at Mesa Art Center during the Festival of Creativity on March 9th and 10th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Welding Student proudly posing with her masterpieces.

Welding student Cal Baskerville's Steel drums were the highlight of the show!