fat cat design

New Frontiers in Design @ Fat Cat Art Studio

2011-08-12T14:18:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been awhile. Almost a year actually. Last year Fat Cat Art Studio celebrated 5 years as a solo design studio. Lisa has enjoyed her partnerships with local and national businesses developing their brands and great graphics to build their brands.

Now, as things continue to evolve at the speed of light in social networking circles and online marketing for business, Fat Cat Art Studio is working on stepping onto the fast moving conveyor belt of media. Right now, she is in the process of setting up a proper Google account to direct all her email and access them easily online. At the same time, she is working to get her website transitioned into a format that she can manage on her own rather than depending on another agency to implement changes. There is a lot of work and activity going on in the studio that gets missed with a HTML site.

I hope you will stay tuned into the Cat's activities and give her a call if you need to make some of these same changes. Whether you're just starting up or re-inventing your business, give Fat Cat Art Studio a call to take a look at how you can step in the fast-moving pace of technology and not get missed amongst the clutter of marketing that is all around us. Stop by her website and say hello and let me know how I can help you stand apart from your competition with your brand.

Less is More: 10 Ways to Simplify Your Freelance Life

2010-08-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Less is More: 10 Ways to Simplify Your Freelance Life

Making An Impression: Henri Rousseau

2010-08-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

Henri Rousseau, Sleeping Gypsy 1897

Did you know Henri Rousseau was not liked by his contemporaries and scoffed at for being an amateur? He was indeed self-taught, a man who worked as a toll collector and quit his job at age 41 to pursue painting against the criticism of many. He was so determined, in fact worked incessantly towards the improvement of his skill and style. It was his childish ambition and direct approach that allowed him to be free with his imagination and created vivid, primitive, fresh and enchanting perspectives on his subjects. His work was considered more poetry than it was technically aesthetic.

As I sat and read about Rousseau yesterday, I was most struck by his passion and determination to continue against the biggest critics of his time. By not giving up, he now has become one of the cherished impressionist painters because of his style hailed, "painted poetry," by Jean Cocteau.

I would like to think I am like Rousseau, working every day with passion and determination to create fresh, new designs for my clients and be inspired to come up with work that is outside the norm not just for the furtherance of my client's business, but for the sake of my profession as an art, because deep inside, I am truly an artist.

How do others in your field inspire you? What makes you passionate about your work? Would you give up your career to follow a dream as Rosseau did?

Make an impression at work today!

Yours,
the Cat

Latest Summer News from Fat Cat

2010-08-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

It's the perfect summer day in the studio! I am sitting at the beach watching my daughter play and I am catching up on some business reading and writing.... It's all about balance! The studio has been busy this summer with a wide variety of projects. Check out the list of some of the projects in this newsletter I have been working on. Maybe one of them was yours! Coming up this year is my 5-year mark in business! I am so excited to be able to celebrate with you. Watch for my first CATBLAST coming to you soon with a contest to win a $100 gift certificate to Best Buy! Send me an email, I'd love to hear from you.

Warm Regards, Lisa

Can you believe we close to wrapping up another summer? I hope you 
have enjoyed it as much as I have. I started out my summer
in one of my all-time favorite places - Lutsen, Minnesota along the

beautiful north shore of Lake Superior. We rode the alpine slide,
looked for rocks along the shore and took some great photographs

to bring home.

In the studio, I have added a couple new tricks to my magic hat! I am
now an authorized promotions dealer with Kaeser and Blair. This means
I can help you with your additional marketing items as well as with
all your other regular print and design needs. I will be announcing
another new partnership soon offering a customized web solution.
Contact Lisa at 763-498-1282 or lisa@fatcatartstudio.com.

Work in the Studio....

• NORC: Retractable Banners

• NORC, EKP, AdSights: Logo design

• Waymouth Farms: Food Labels

• Wagners: Weekly newsprint ads

• Castle: Ads, Mini-Billboards

• EKP: Capabilities Brochure

• Johnson Consulting: Whitepaper

• Gateway Funding: Bus Cards, Promo item, Office design

• AdSights: Website creative design, Bus Cards

Go to www.kbwindjammer.com see the best prices on the planet 
for advertising specialties.


Tel: (763) 498-1282 to reach the cat!
Email: lisa@fatcatartstudio.com - info@company.com

Top 10 Rules for Business Card Success

2010-05-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

Sometimes screen size makes a difference

2010-04-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

When proofing photos online, sometimes from a client's perspective, if the image is sized too large they are overwhelmed when they see their face so huge in front of them. So by simply reducing the image dimensions and size a bit, without changing anything about the image, it becomes more pleasing on their eye.

See a small tweek to the photo layout yesterday, the client says, oh that's much better now, no changes to image at all, just the preview size!

Photo Shoot on Location

2010-04-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

Today I was out on location in Hopkins, MN shooting a portrait of an award-winning bead artist, Tammi Pederson. This post shows (in color) original shot and below the edited version that includes: conversion to black and white, duotone, facial touch-up, teeth whitening general clean up in the facial area. I also added the soft edges and drop shadow with whimsical light graphics in an antiqued but fresh design. I believe I have given her a softer, more youthful look.

Check out this shop on Etsy: She Sews Lovely

2010-01-14T09:38:00.000-08:00

http://shesewslovely.blogspot.com/2010/01/she-sews-lovely-first-ever-crazy.html

Super-cute, uber earth friendly coffee mug wraps - check em out!!! Enter her first-ever contest and win your own mug wrap and or a certificate.

See you on Twitter. Follow shesewslovely and fatcatartstudio

How is your Brand Doing?

2010-01-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

Is your brand getting you new customers or is it sort of stale and could use a little refreshing? I think everyone at the new year feels like the could use some refreshing!!! What can you do to improve your image without it costing a fortune?

A great way to jump start your business is refreshing your look for the new year. Just as much as a good hair cut improves a persons mood and feelings about themselves... a polished logo that keeps up with the current trends helps you feel like you can compete with NIKE.

As a thank you to my customers and potential new clients, I have decided to offer you a new lower hourly rate that will make you feel awesome when you get more for less. I hope you will decide to send me your graphics, your logos, your advertising and freshen it up this year.

Feel great with a fresh look! Watch for more posts that will show examples of "refreshed" logos and/or brands you may know.

Happy 2010 from Fat Cat Art Studio llc in Coon Rapids, MN. Lisa Marek 763-498-1282. Call today for a free design consultation.

An Affordable and Green Option to Holiday Advertising and Cards

2009-11-18T08:01:00.000-08:00

This is my ad for custom designed ads or ecards you can call on me to create for your business. Make a lasting impression with high quality graphics this season and make your year-end a profitable one!

I look forward to hearing from you soon to take advantage of this great offer.

Before & After Photo Retouching "Magic"

2009-11-16T09:27:00.000-08:00

The above photos show work I did to remove all the banding throught the mid-section of the photo. This was the favorite photo of a husband of his wife who recently passed away. He wanted this for the front of the church at her memorial service. It was my honor to offer this service to the family. Maybe you know someone who has an old photo that has "seen better days," or is well-loved that needs a little digital magic done to it.... please remember Lisa at Fat Cat Art Studio and pass along my name so I can help them preserve their memories.

Tis the Season to Motivate and Reach Year-End Goals!

2009-11-16T08:38:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but it seems like it was yesterday that we rang in 2009!? I can NOT believe that it's already November 16th and Thanksgiving and all the other holidays are well on their way here.... do you feel like you have accomplished everything you've wanted to in the last year? How will you finish out the year?

I am working on putting together some ideas for my customers and potential clients to help them reach their current clients and potential customers etc before the new year in a way that is economical, professional and most of all, easy for them to do! All you will need to do is contact me and you'll be on your way to leaving your mark for the year and leaving a great impression on buyers at the start of the new year as they review their budget!

I have been learning a lot over the last few months with the change in the economy (how dare I say that?) recession.... well, why yes, there is a recession going on and I think most of us feel it in some way. I think most of us will admit to curbing spending in one or more areas. As a designer and a mom, I see myself and others trying to do it all ourselves. It's only a matter of time before we all realize we need others to make our lives a better place.

An Artistic Response to Nature

2009-10-08T06:25:00.000-07:00

Nature Rocks in Anoka, MN

2009-10-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

Lisa's photography show at Avant Garden Coffee Shop in Anoka, MN runs from October 1-31st. There are photo canvases, framed art along with postcards and notecards. On display, you will find landscapes from the Minnesota North Shore, wildlife and native wildflowers. There are also some prints taken in Mexico and Michigan.

Lisa's photography focuses on the beauty found in nature. She aims to capture the uniqueness of a particular moment. Please come enjoy a peace-filled walk through nature as you come explore natures pathway through her imagery.

2008-06-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

Out in the Garden

2008-06-27T19:40:00.001-07:00

Summer has finally arrived here in Minneapolis, and for that we are thankful!

The grass is growing non-stop between rain storms and after all the plants in the garden staying dormant an extra 3 weeks, with a little sun things are popping out.

This week we started seeing all kinds of color, including 2 new iris purchased at the Iris Anderson Gardens last season up in Forest Lake. They turned out to be real show-stoppers!

The first was a double-bloom with multiple colors called, "Carnival Song" and the other a deep purple, large and ruffly-edged one called, "Tuxedo."

Art at Art-A-Whirl, Castle Remodeling NE MPLS

2008-06-10T19:20:00.001-07:00

Helping Others

The Duraclear was created for an artshow in 2006 to commemorate the 1st year anniversary of the Katrina Hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast. I teamed up with non-profit CEO, Mary Gray of Minnesota Helpers acting as Creative Director to benefit artists in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. This Duraclear peice was used as a forefront transparent piece to re-create the devasting effects of Katrina and a reminder of that which was loved and lost. Mayor Favre was equally impressed that we actually shipped Katrina debris here for this incredible visual journey. Together, we orchestrated a huge, successful event that brought in some $40,000 through Mary's efforts with ArtShare Minnesota. I had the opportunity to meet some of the artists and talk to others by phone. It was a great honor to represent them in this show.

Some of the Mississippi artists who were represented in the art show in 2006 include:

Michelle Allee, Bay St. Louis, mixed media, oils; Kathy Gray, Gulfport, photographer, jewelry and debris artist; Lori Gorden, Bay St. Louis, oils and debris artist; Gwen Impson, print artist and president of Hancock County Arts; Ken and Mary Davidson, Bronze artists

Now, 2 years later, the need is still very great for these people. There are still many struggling to rebuild their lives. Both physically and emotionally.

Take time to hear their story, look on the internet and see what's happening and find a way to help.

Maybe you could help someone in your own community instead. We have many people who could benefit from those of us who are blessed with abundance - a home, a car, a family, and food on the table. Did you know over 3,200 children and young people are homeless on any given night in MINNESOTA? About 500-600 are unaccompanied youth under 18. (source Lutheran Social Service website)

This year - the Duraclear was exhibited at Castle Remodeling in NE Minneapolis. Loren Shirber, owner of Castle Remodeling was kind enough to coordinate and exhibit the work of over 12 artists, including myself. It was a wonderful experience and I look forward to doing it again next year! If you haven't been to NorthEast Mpls, you are missing out on a real treat. It's the place to see art and be seen. Try the Northrup King building on 1st Thursdays to sample some of what the area has to offer.

Art-A-Whirl Collage

2008-06-10T19:04:00.001-07:00

Blue Herons Nesting on Mississippi River in Minnesota

2008-05-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

On Sunday afternoon, we packed the snacks and headed over to the Camden Bridge and parked in our normal spot in the North Metro Mississippi Regional Park Parking area... then headed north of the bridge to check out what all the nests where in the island just past the bridge. I had been driving over it during the last week going to meetings and noticed all the nests! Well, I guess that the blue herons come here every year to nest and if you go around 8-9am or at dusk you will be able to see 100's of these delicate birds from the banks of the Mississippi.

As a photographer, I was wishing that I had a longer lens to capture the wildlife a little bit closer to the tree-tops. As it was, I was able to get in and capture a bit of the action. We sat, laid and watched through the binoculars as these birds fine-tuned their nests and settled into them.

It was a great way to spend a sunny afternoon!

Meditation and thought for the week

2008-04-21T07:08:00.001-07:00

I created this from a couple of my photographs taken last August (2007) out on a sunny day in my late summer garden. I played with type, style of a zinnia and cloud patterns to create a somewhat abstract, colorful, contemporary collage aimed more at women and their general need to find time to nurture themselves. It's kind of like laying on your back in the field or in a park with open grass, staring at the clouds -- dreaming of fields of flowers and all good things in life.

Take a moment to enjoy the beauty of nature around you.

Spring has Sprung

2008-04-16T18:40:00.001-07:00

This afternoon, I took a brief break between burning CD's for a job just outside my front door and took a few shots of the newly opened Star of Bethlehem (white flowers in a cluster) and the different varieties of Crocus. Always one of the first signs of Spring!

Spring is on the horizon

2008-04-15T20:13:00.001-07:00

Columbia Heights Golf Course

Photography Show Extended at Orion Wellness Center

2008-04-15T11:20:00.001-07:00

I was asked to create this postcard by Orion Wellness Center to promote my work for sale at their location in Rogers, MN. They will be having another open house toshowcase my photography (which is for sale) and their services again on April 17, 2008.

Flashback to hot summer days

2008-04-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

Taylors Falls summer '07

People Pictures

2008-04-11T18:25:00.000-07:00

It's A BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!

Girls, Girls, Girls......

Old Fashioned Fun

This evening's activities included a party of seven year old girls and a sleep-over beach party. I took Anna over to Zada's for the big party. The girls put their suits on even though it was sleeting and blowing outside. They put their beach towels and put them on the beds and pretended they were at the beach and had lots of fun jumping around for a while.

Earlier today, on a work-related topic.... I was also shooting pictures!

A Professional Portrait

Today at an undisclosed location, I attempted to shoot some portraits of a friend and colleague of mine she wanted to use for her new business materials. I took out the camera and got one shot of her before we were told "no photos allowed," so we ended up packing up - but the one shot did turn out to be good. This is a shot that will be used in her website and possibly other marketing materials.

Visit to the Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley MN

2008-04-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

Recent photos around town

2008-03-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

St. Anthony Parkway Abstract

Street Musicians

North Metro Mississippi Regional Park

Portrait of the Artist

Kitty Cat Club, Dinkytown USA - MPLS, MN

Dinkytown, Minneapolis, MN

March 26, 2008

Train on bridge over North Minneapolis

2008-03-25T15:11:00.000-07:00

Camden Bridge Abstracts - Minneapolis

2008-03-21T16:31:00.000-07:00

An abstract of the Camden Bridge in Mpls - based on a photo taken this afternoon.

A graphic, somewhat retro look - maybe make an interesting postcard or poster.

Having a little fun in photoshop with an abstract of water droplets that are starting to form inverted icicles on the ground as it drips off of the bridge overhead.

Water running off the downspout from the bridge. I thought this was a neat effect.

Minnesota Welcomes Spring!

2008-03-21T13:54:00.000-07:00

The first day of spring came and so has the snow. It has been falling all day!

Fat Cat Art Studio Photography Show at Luna Blu Coffee in Rogers, MN

2008-03-19T17:04:00.000-07:00

More inside shots at Orion.... Spring Fling is this Week!

2008-03-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

Come Visit Orion Wellness Center in Rogers, MN

2008-03-18T17:05:00.001-07:00

Relaxing music soothes your tension away as you enter the Orion Wellness Center. The space is painted in soothing colors and provides comfortable seating and places for everyday work out classes. It also offers a variety of ways to come away from our hectic schedules.

Choose from Massage, Chiropractic, Yoga, Ener-Chi Therapy, Energy Work and more.

Come find your passion –

and experience Orion.

Orion Wellness Center Spring Fling features Fat Cat Art Studio Photography

2008-03-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

The big event is this week!

See information below for specific dates, times & location

or go to www.orionwellnesscenter.com.

The reward is a job well done

2008-03-17T19:36:00.001-07:00

Pulling everything together has been an somewhat tedious process, testing frames and layouts to make the presentations work for the space they are assigned. Also want to keep the space and flow in mind as the energy of a wellness center is important, and if something doesn't "work" together it will not create a peaceful atmosphere.

I hope that my efforts will have been worth it and after tomorrow afternoon the owners at Orion Wellness Center will be pleased and eager for their big event with fresh and original artwork hanging on their walls to invigorate spirits.

I am also brining along another set of photographs that will be hung in a neighboring coffee shop in Rogers - Luna Blu Coffee Shop.

Below you can see sets of my photo note cards that will be for sale and a couple of the butterfly prints that will be hanging on the "Gathering Wall" at Orion.

Hard at work! Frames Everywhere....

Oh, the mess of it all..... it's not all just pretty pictures.

The rejected frames. (yes, all of them.)

one actually had a double mat that was glued crooked! HELP.

Looking pretty good now - some of the prints to be featured at Orion.

Lake Superior Cairn, Cascade Falls, Michigan Rocks

Watch for photos to come showing the photos hung in the space they will be shown....

Ode to St. Patty's Day: Cabbage

2008-03-17T17:59:00.001-07:00

As I am in the midst of preparing to go hang the show up in Rogers, MN tomorrow - I took a short break between framing and client calls to shoot this cabbage I couldn't resist at the store. It's called a "Savoy" Cabbage and it has very ruffly leaves, that when cooked are very light and airy, unlike the heavy, thick leaves of a standard cabbage. I was having fun with the lighting and water in the mid-afternoon and tested out the Amber Dome of the Gary Fong Light Sphere to try to add in some warmth (bottom photos). The corned beef and cabbage turned out perfect!

Photos coming soon of show prep.... frames, double thick and single mats, black frames, gold frames, 16x20, 8x10... OH, MY! So many things to do.

At work in the studio

2008-03-16T21:25:00.000-07:00

I had a special request for this photo to be framed in a set of 9 frames. I took this photo towards the end of summer over at the Como Conservatory in St. Paul, MN. This will be hung in the office of a massage therapist in the Twin Cities. I am always thrilled when someone wants to hang a piece of my art photography in their living or work environment. It is a great compliment to me. I am also grateful for the referral for this commissioned work. This is how I continue to do what I love to do, so thanks, Cathy for the referral. I hope that there will be others out there who see my work and will want to order something for themselves as well.

I am currently working on framing and matting two shows to be hung later this week, so after starting to put together frames, I discovered that some mats did not fit in the odd sized frames I tried to get by on the cheap with, so alas, I will have to go back out the store tomorrow and buy another round of frames to complete the job. The first show to be hung, will be at the Orion Wellness Center in Rogers, MN - which you will see the details below. I went in and met with the owners not too long ago and we walked around the space and chose images that suited their suites and I have been busy getting the works prepared to hang for their big event on Thursday. I will post the progress as it comes, probably more tomorrow. The rock series is almost put together and the large piece is 20" x 30." It is a cairn of rocks I found on a bay of Lake Superior late in the day while shooting up beyond Grand Marais this past Fall season. (I think it turned out awesome, especially on the wonderful photo paper and finish that I selected.) I have recently started using a local vendor (whcc) and am very happy with the results. Everything looks extremely professional.

Fat Cat Photography is featured

2008-03-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

ABSTRACT PHOTO CHALLENGE

2008-03-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

Send me your abstract photos.

I want to see what people come up with. Now that the snow is melting and the temps are rising, venture outside.....

Let's see who can come up with the most original abstract!

Sunset Puddles

2008-03-11T17:42:00.000-07:00

Afternoon Shadows

2008-03-06T19:10:00.001-08:00

2008-03-05T21:37:00.000-08:00

Columbia Grounds Coffee Shop,

Central Avenue - Columbia Heights, MN

Fat Cat Finds a Blog Site!

2008-03-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to fatcatphotobuzz,

where you can get a buzz looking at my photos!

I am officially starting a blog to document the ongoing evolution of my business. In the creative process, there are many steps. People often wonder what I do in the studio during the day. (The crayons belong to my daughter). My tools are a Mac and the Adobe Creative Suite and my Nikon Digital SLR that goes with me just about everywhere.

Today was one of those creative days between projects that I went on the road a bit and traveled up to Anoka, MN – where I grew up. I decided to take a walk down by the Rum River. I spent many hours playing at the park down there as a kid. We would walk down to feed the ducks.... and today I found a dad and his son doing just that.

I was also in search of an abstract image. Can you tell what it is?

Dad and son feeding the ducks at Riverside Park in Anoka, MN

Dried Milkweed Husk on a winter afternoon

Later in the evening, after dark, "Tom Cat," Fat Cat's hubby and the Fat Cat ventured out and went to take a photo I've wanted to take for quite some time. It is the Columbia Grounds Coffee Shop on Central Avenue in Columbia Heights. I love their ecclectic mix of art, objects and music - and the coffee's good too. So, out in the cold, we shot a series of photos until our toes were frozen and our caps were pulled down around our bellies. Hot Cocoa was calling us home!