Bunny in Ski and Snowsport Fabrics

November 24, 2022November 24, 2022 | Inspire by Kim

In the week leading up to Boston Snowbound Expo I brought my ski and snowsports fabric designs together in this ski bunny character.

The fabrics are all in my Spoonflower shop here. The fabric used is the Petal Signature Cotton.

The fabric designs used for the bunny are Ski Icons, Snow Crystals on Warm Colours, Ski Goggle Reflections, Ski Peaks, Ski Isometric Pattern, Heart Plaid and Ski Fun. He has a heart on one paw symbolising love and the sun on the other paw for light.

Here is the bunny as part of my display at Snowbound Expo at the Hynes Convention Centre in Boston, Massachusetts last weekend.

He was alongside the swatch book of my designs and on fabric samples used as tablecloth sections.

I chose from my 25 fabric designs to cut, sew and stuff this new character.

He started as a sketch, after taking shape in my mind for a while.

I planned the fabric pieces for contrast and variety.

After cutting all the fabric pieces, managing not to start sewing before I had done this, I then started to bring the pieces together.

I’m not the best at sewing but I wanted to show one way that the fabrics could be used, to help inspire people for their projects.

The shoulders and feet were particularly tricky.

When I previously made a stuffed character I struggled with the fiddleiness and small seam allowances. So this time I added interfacing on the reverse of all the fabrics to make them easier to work with.

It feels like magic to sew with fabrics that I designed. Thanks to Spoonflower for printing them so vibrant and detailed.

This little dude is set to travel. He got his eyes sewn on Monday and flew to the United States on Tuesday.

It was great to chat about sewing projects and discuss ideas at the booth. So he now just needs a name. You can email your suggestion or add it in the comments.

See this short animated video clip of him here. No sooner was he completed that he went off skiing! Animated in Aardman Animation’s ‘Animate It’ app.

The Inspire by Kim shop on Spoonflower has over 20 ski, snowsports and winter themed designs to choose from. Select the designs you wish to order, select the type of fabric from voile to velvet, decide the quantity, and Sooonflower print it on demand and ship it to you. Find my shop here.

I’m keen to see whatever is made in the fabrics so please share it on email to inspirebykim@outlook.com or on social media please tag it @inspirebykim

Thank you so much, happy making!

New – Snowsport Themed Fabric and Wallpaper Designs

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Blue Print Online 2022

Latest Posts

Hang Gliding On Skis – New Painting

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022 | Inspire by Kim

As a special birthday gift I painted this artwork for my best friend Katy, hang gliding in the mountains.

When we had this experience in the French Alps as youngsters my friend’s photo never arrived. So now she has a painting to remember the experience by.

I used online research, my black and white photo of the experience, and photos of Katy around that age, to create the sketches for the piece.

The hang glider’s camera was mounted on the wing and during the flight the pilot took the shot by remote control. The photos were then developed and (in theory) posted.

Setting off with skis pointed straight down the slope until the wing took flight and gliding over the resort below was exhilarating. I remember that it was chilly and I felt the elements as I was wearing my race suit as I had raced giant slalom earlier that day.

Each member of Katy’s family took the hang glider and all four pictures went missing, so the experience has always had the disappointment of the photos not arriving, associated with it.

The hang gliding on skis experience was in Alpe d’Huez, France when we were there for the English Championship Easter races.

Painted in Kuretaki watercolours on 100% cotton paper.

I framed the painted and surprised Katy with it for her birthday.

National Snow Show: It was lovely to see Katy reunited with Chammy Alcott at my stand at the National Snow Show in Birmingham last month. Chemmy and Katy room shared for a time during their ski racing careers.

This new artwork is for this darling human. Loved by so many of us. Thanks Katy for all your love and support, and for being you.

Commissioned Paintings

If you would like a bespoke artwork created just for you email inspirebykim@outlook.com

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Ski Guru Review Of Ski A to Z

September 2, 2022September 12, 2022 | Inspire by Kim

Thank you to The Ski Guru for this review of Ski A to Z.

The Ski Guru, Martina, writes, “This is a lovely book to gift to anyone, of all ages, wanting to start skiing or boarding (or any winter sports ), and not sure where to start.”

Read the full review here.

To order a signed copy of the book email me at inspirebykim@outlook.com or buy the ebook here. More information about Ski A to Z is here.

Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK).

Latest Posts

Ski Resort Marketing

August 19, 2022August 21, 2022 | Inspire by Kim

If you’re looking for snowsports themed visuals for your marketing materials check out my project portfolio or email inspirebykim@outlook.com.

I have heaps of snowsports themed art available for licensing. Alternatively I can create bespoke art for your brief.

Snowsports visuals applied to marketing and customer materials for a fictional ski resort, Snow Dreams. Mock up of a magazine advertisement, neckwarmer example of merchandise, ski lift decals, map and lift pass. All using my ‘Ski Goggle Reflections’ design.

I have a background in PR so I bring this experience to my client work.

Thanks for popping by, email inspirebykim@outlook.com to connect.

My latest posts:

#skimarketing #snowsports #skiresort #ski

Blue Print Online – Buyers Book Now

August 9, 2022August 10, 2022 | Inspire by Kim

“While it has been impossible to hold the actual show in New York, Blue Print created an online event to keep Art Directors and Buyers in touch with Artists, Illustrators and Studios. Each exhibitor has created an online booth for the event, enabling meetings with Art Directors and Buyers using Doodle and Zoom.” Paul of Blue Print Online.

Blue Print Online is almost here. I’m excited to be exhibiting my work at this online show for art buyers. I’ve been busy working on new designs, my exhibitor page, social media flyers and my show presentation. Exhibiting at the show means that my designs can be considered for interior decor, stationery, wallpaper, giftwrap and products.

Here’s a message from the show organisers:

While it has been impossible to hold the actual show in New York, Blue Print created an online event to keep Art Directors and Buyers in touch with Artists, Illustrators and Studios. Each exhibitor has created an online booth for the event, enabling meetings with Art Directors and Buyers using Doodle and Zoom.

The web address is www.blue-print-online.com. From the Home Page you can find all the information you need to access The Show. We have added some Product images to this show, these can be seen on the exhibitors pages, along with their artwork.

To receive the password to access The Show and view the exhibitors and their exciting new artwork, you will need to register in the Buyer Register section. Once you receive your password you can access The Show from August 9th 2022 and book your Zoom meetings with the studio or artists of your choice. The actual show dates are August 16th -18th 2022.

As usual there is a mix of established designer, artists, illustrators and exciting new talent at this latest event, you can see their flyers updated daily at https://www.instagram.com/blueprintshows/

We are looking forward to seeing you at Blue Print Online !

Best Regards / Paul / Blue Print Shows

www.blue-print-online.com

instagram : https://www.instagram.com/blueprintshows/

Kim here once more, I’m excited for the show. Art buyers – I look forward to meeting. Please book your meeting through my exhibitor page – the window for booking appointments is 9th to 12th August, for the show which is 16th – 18th August. Blue Print Online

I’m thrilled to be able to share my designs and brand new work. I can’t wait to meet with you.

Look for this collage to see my Exhibitor Page.

Thanks so much for being here, please subscribe to my blog or newsletter to see my updates and new work.

If you’d like to buy art prints, or my Ski A to Z book visit my Shop.

My latest posts are here… please subscribe to see my news. Thanks so much. Kim x

Where To Ski And Snowboard

June 6, 2022June 2, 2022 | Inspire by Kim

Thank you to Where To Ski And Snowboard for the report about my ski and snowsports themed fabric and wallpaper designs.

More information about the collection of 18 designs is here.

See the story at this link. https://www.wheretoskiandsnowboard.com/news/illustrator-launches-ski-themed-fabric/

Media coverage is great for raising awareness and helping people know about something that may resonate with them, so thank you Where to Ski and Snowboard.

See my latest posts here.

Uplifting New Ski Art

March 4, 2022March 1, 2022 | Inspire by Kim

My latest ski art pieces are here!

The first is a ski-themed band taking centre focus in the après-ski by performing in a cable car suspended above a crowd who are dancing on the snow.

The characters and mountains are painted in watercolours. The setting has been created from scratch digitally in Procreate app.

The ski band is available as a limited edition art print in my shop.

The following illustration recollects a challenging ski run, whilst teaching children to ski in Austria. Due to circumstances outside of my control I had three children under four years of age that I needed to get safely from the top to the bottom of a run. A slow, thigh burner of a descent, with the combined weight, but it worked.

The next piece is an ‘uplifting’ illustration of a ski gondola lifting passengers to the top of the mountain. Painted in watercolours, with a fresh colour palette, finished digitally with my iPad and pencil.

As a challenge I decided to give some animals the chance to enjoy some winter sports. I designed this festive greeting and rendered it in coloured pencils and made the final touches digitally. Including adding snowflakes with the brushes that I created in the Procreate app.

As a Valentine greeting I created this illustration in coloured pencils.

These pieces follow on from my illustrations for the Ski A to Z book – which contains over 100 of my ski illustrations. For more information and/ or to buy the Ski A to Z book click here.

Ski A to Z – illustrated introduction to skiing. Published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK)

Please subscribe to my website to see new work, news and inspiring projects. As social media is becoming increasingly advertising heavy, my website will be the focus of my posts in the coming months.

If you know someone who would also be interested please share a link to www.inspirebykim.com with them.

Thanks so much

Kim x

Ski Trip Packing Tips

November 27, 2021November 27, 2021 | Inspire by Kim

I’m pleased to see that Dan Egan has a copy of Ski A to Z in his bag for this winter season in this packing tips article.

See Dan’s ski trip packing tips in this article…

Ski Tips: Packing for the next road trip

I worked with Dan late 2020 on his book co-authored with Eric Wilbur, 30 Years In A White Haze, producing 22 illustrations for the book, mostly while I was in lockdown in the UK.

We held meetings over Zoom when working on 30 Years In A White Haze so it was great to meet Dan at The National Snow Show a few weeks ago and put our books together.