Hopscotch Playland

As an artist, I dream of someday having 

an agent represent my work internationally.  So when I heard of a design contest

sponsored  by one of the industries top agents, Lilla Rogers...

I just had to give it a try!

Through the process, I created a dream-like playground

filled with magical chalk drawings and hopscotch!

It's called,

Hopscotch Memories.

I've always loved good design and mixing traditional elements

right along side of whimsical styles.

Bright colors and textures are also a must 

for anything I create.  Below is an original pattern created

in my studio from acrylic paint and a hand made foam stamp.

This became my color palette!

To get started, I created "inspiration boards" in photoshop

filled with fun, whimsical elements I might want 

to use in my journal cover design.

I also played with patterns and colors...

putting things together that I normally wouldn't think of...

this really gets the creative juices flowing

and helps you think outside the box!

I  doodled freely on my Wacom drawing pad...

sketched quickly,

and just let my mind wander back to memories of childhood, 

and playing in the park.

And then finally, after freeing my mind, 

I began reeling it back in again...

using proper principles and elements of design.

My main theme became hopscotch and side walk chalk, but the 

circular shape and design of the merry-go-round became round medallions, 

and I repeated them often.

The "setting" for my contest entry is a 

dream like playground where the imaginary comes to life.

Naturally, I started with a little girl playing hopscotch. But suddenly and

quite accidentally, she discovers the unlimited fun and friends

she can create with her chalk!  Before she knows it,

she's enthralled in her imaginary land filled with 

friends, flowers, hopscotch and

melting ice cream! Bright colors

flow everywhere... chalk friends become best friends 

and merry go rounds become medallions in the sky.

I ultimately chose and developed the design

at the top of this post, but can't help but be

excited to develop an entire line of Hopscotch Memories*!

My biggest hope with my design is to "inspire the journal lover

to be whisked off into a magical world of their own...

filling the pages with hopes, dreams and possibilities!"

Thanks for reading...

xoxo

*as always, copyright applies!

Renee Mak 2013