First Night Design | Harbour Parasols #Art #New

You have no idea just how peachy it has been to create a piece of art with my new vision after spending so many months re-blogging earlier pieces and promoting those which have sold. My heart and soul are leaping with joy. Just as well in view of the unconscionable state prevailing in the UK after a general election. I am reminded of my favourite quote from erstwhile US President Jimmy Carter (and there are many to choose from) which says it all when one thinks of Prime Minister Theresa May’s parentage: the daughter of a vicar no less. “If you don’t want your tax dollars to help the poor, then stop saying you want a country based on Christian values because you don’t.’

Harbour Parasols Framed Prints © Sarah Vernon [Redbubble]

The original is a photochrom from the Library of Congress of the entrance to the harbour at St. Malo in France taken between 1890 and 1900. I duplicated the image, ran the jpg through the Topaz Impressions Abstraction II filter, which I added as a third layer before topping with one of my yellow textures. I made use of a variety of Photoshop blends such as Darken, Lighter Colour and Screen.

Available at the following galleries:
Redbubble
Crated
Zazzle US
Zazzle UK
Fine Art America [14 fulfilment centres in 5 countries]
Saatchi Art

Take care and keep laughing!

The Divine Sarah Postcard | Zazzle

I’m feeling less than divine at the moment but I hope you enjoy this exquisite image of my namesake which you can buy as cards, postcards and posters.

The great French stage actress of the late 19th century, Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923).

Orientation: Postcard

Create your own vacation-worthy postcards right here. Any view you’ve seen, any monument you’ve fallen in love with, can all be added to our postcards with our personalization tool. Craft touching, hand-written correspondence while on your next road trip!

• Dimensions: 4.25″ x 5.6″ (portrait) or 5.6″ x 4.25″ (landscape)
• Full colour CMYK print process
• Double sided printing for no additional cost
• Postage rate: $0.34

Paper Type: Matte

The most popular paper choice, Matte’s eggshell texture is soft to the touch with a smooth finish that provides the perfect backdrop for your chosen designs.

• Light white, uncoated matte finish with an eggshell texture
• Paper is easy to write on and won’t smudge
• Made and printed in the USA

Source: The Divine Sarah Postcard | Zazzle

Take care and keep laughing!

The Racing Hare at Easter Lumbar Pillow | Zazzle #Sold!

Size: Lumbar Pillow 13″ x 21″

Accent your home with custom pillows from Zazzle and make yourself the envy of the neighbourhood. Made from 100% grade A cotton, these pillows are the perfect complement to your couch!

• Dimensions: 13″ x 21″ (lumbar)
• 100% grade A woven cotton
• Fabric is made from natural fibres, which may result in irregularities
• Hidden zipper enclosure; synthetic-filled insert included
• Machine washable
• Made in the USA

Source: The Racing Hare at Easter Lumbar Pillow | Zazzle

Take care and keep laughing!

“Birdcage Blossom” Leggings by Sarah Vernon | Redbubble #Sold!

What a lovely surprise!Featured in Creation 20th November 2016 / Featured in Vintage Retro Classic 6th December 2012. / Featured in Artists Universe 17th November 2012. / Featured in Vavoom 8th November 2012. / Daily Dazzler feature in Art Universe 27th October 2012. / Featured in Creative Cards & Calendars 26th October 2012.

Background from Astrid’s Artistic Efforts, flowers, birdcage and French typography from The Graphics Fairy. Created in Photoshop. / Blog / Facebook / Twitter • Also buy this artwork on apparel, stickers, phone cases, and more.

Source: “Birdcage Blossom” Leggings by Sarah Vernon | Redbubble

Take care and keep laughing!

This queer Jewish photographer resisted the Nazis and escaped death—and made great art

Claude Cahun, Self-Portrait, 1928.

For Claude Cahun, resisting normalcy was a lifelong pursuit. Born in 1894, she was a genderqueer pioneer, Jewish Nazi fighter, and radical collage artist. The French photographer’s self-portraits are a focused interrogation of identity and gender fluidity. Rediscovered in the 1990s, her work reminds us that the impact of one person’s refusal can ripple for centuries.

The daughter of prominent Jewish publishers, Cahun was born…

Source: This queer Jewish photographer resisted the Nazis and escaped death—and made great art

Birdcage Blossom Letterhead | Zazzle

Size: 8.5″ x 11″

Spread your brand by creating custom letterhead for your personal and professional mailings. Browse thousands of elegant templates or add your own design and logo using our personalization tool. Keep your company top-of-mind with each and every mailing you send.

• Dimensions: 11″l x 8.5″w (standard letter size)
• Choice of five different paper types
• High quality, full-color, full-bleed printing
• Compatible with inkjet and laser printers

Media: Basic

Your business and personal mailings will have a crisp professional look on this matte, 80lb text-weight paper. Contains 50% recycled content (10% post-consumer and 40% pre-consumer waste).

Source: Birdcage Blossom Letterhead | Zazzle

Take care and keep laughing!

Birdcage Blossom Messenger Bag | Zazzle

Size: Rickshaw Medium Zero Messenger Bag

A powerhouse of versatility, the Rickshaw Medium Zero Messenger Bag is perfect as a workday commuter, overnight attaché, or travel bag. Vibrantly printed with your custom artwork or text on rugged polyester and designed with an interchangeable accessories system, this bag is as customizable inside as it is outside. Carefully constructed with a focus on environmental sustainability, this bag combines form, function, and a small ecological footprint.

• Dimensions 11″ H x 18″ W x 6″ D.
• Water resistant, extra durable (machine-washable).
• Large main compartment and 2 front pockets.
• Lightweight and forms to your body.
• Quick-adjust cam shoulder strap.
• Velcro strips accessory system; Holds a 13″ laptop (w/optional sleeve).
• Made with a sustainability focus in San Francisco, CA.
• Designer Tip: To ensure the highest quality print, please note that this product’s customizable design area measures 19.55″ x 38.58″. For best results please add 1/4″ bleed.

Source: Birdcage Blossom Messenger Bag | Zazzle

Take care and keep laughing!

“With color one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft.” – Art of Quotation

“With color one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft.” — Henri Matisse, French, painter, printmaker

Source: “With color one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft.” – Art of Quotation

“Birdcage Blossom” Duvet Covers by Sarah Vernon | Redbubble

Following on from yesterday’s Pot-Pourri Duvet Cover, I give you the “Birdcage Blossom Duvet Cover”, and a photo of it in situ below as I bought it for myself and couldn’t be more delighted.

Featured in Vintage Retro Classic 6th December 2012. / Featured in Artists Universe 17th November 2012. / Featured in Vavoom 8th November 2012. / Daily Dazzler feature in Art Universe 27th October 2012. / Featured in Creative Cards & Calendars 26th October 2012. / Background from Astrid’s Artistic Efforts, flowers, birdcage and French typography from The Graphics Fairy. Created in Photoshop. • Also buy this artwork on home decor, apparel, stickers, and more.

Source: “Birdcage Blossom” Duvet Covers by Sarah Vernon | Redbubble

In other news, the ophthalmology appointment came through yesterday morning and I’ll be seeing the specialist on 10th November. Thank you once more for your amazing support during the gritted-teeth period. Talking of teeth … no, you don’t’ want to know!

Take care and keep laughing!

“It is my deepest wish that photography…will be included among the arts.” – Art of Quotation

“It is my deepest wish that photography, instead of falling in the domain of industry, of commerce, will be included among the arts. That is its sole, true place, and that is the direction th…

Source: “It is my deepest wish that photography…will be included among the arts.” – Art of Quotation

First Night Design | Let There Be Light!

© Sarah Vernon Note the bulging black bin liners

© Sarah Vernon

A flying visit to show there’s a little more order in the house. Not much but a little. The downside is that the word ‘flying’ is a complete misnomer as I’ve overexerted myself and done something to my hip (yes, the one that was replaced a few years ago). This means that my rather grand, brass-effect zimmer frame bought in Crete has come in very handy.

© Sarah Vernon

It doesn’t, however, allow for much sorting out of what remains to be done but I’ve employed a delightful handyman who hails from Vienna and has been a local here for many years. He moved a multitude of heavy boxes — yes, those damn books — from one room to the other on Friday, and he is returning to put together some flat pack beds and a couple of other units (Ikea, naturally) Oh, and move more boxes.

In the meantime, life can be very sweet when you least expect it for on the sales front, I’ve sold two of these light switch covers…

Vins Spiritueux, Nectar of the Gods Light Switch Cover by FirstNightDesign

…lots of these stickers…

Birdcage Blossom Heart Sticker by FirstNightDesign

…this poster…

Mandarin Duck Poster by FirstNightDesign

…and this poster too.

Taormina Poster by FirstNightDesign

Not to mention two of these chocolate cushions.

Burlap Simple Chocolate Brown Throw Pillow by FirstNightDesign

I’m itching to create but until my new sofa arrives, I can’t get comfortable enough to do so.

Take care and keep laughing!

Happy 186th Birthday Camille Pissarro | Waldina

Jacob-Abraham-Camille Pissarro was born on July 10, 1830, on St. Thomas, in the Danish West Indies. His father was a French citizen of Portuguese Jewish descent, and his mother, who had previously been married to her new husband’s uncle, was Creole. The marriage was controversial, probably due to racial factors, and as a consequence the Pissarro children were compelled…

Source: Happy 186th Birthday Camille Pissarro | Waldina

“Marcel, no more painting; go get a job.” | Art of Quotation

“Marcel, no more painting; go get a job.” — Marcel Duchamp, painter, sculptor, French-naturalized, American

Source: “Marcel, no more painting; go get a job.” | Art of Quotation

First Night Design | The Life I’ve Imagined

A Cote de la Mer © Sarah Vernon @ Crated

If you read my blog regularly, you can probably guess my thoughts this Bank Holiday!

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“It’s time to start living the life you’ve imagined.” ― Henry James

“Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas Crete anymore.” ― L. Frank Baum

“In the long run, the pessimist may be proved right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip.” — Daniel L. Reardon

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.”
(Little Gidding) ―  T.S. Eliot

“Sometimes losing everything is the only way to begin.”  (The Firebrand Legacy)
― T.K. Kiser

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Available at the following galleries:
Redbubble
Crated
Zazzle UK
Zazzle US
Fine Art America
Fine Art England
Saatchi Art

Take care and keep laughing!

First Night Design | “Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and…” #Repost

FROM THE ARCHIVE 13th November 2014

“Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out-of-doors by somebody I do not know.” ― John Keats Let joy be unconfined! I have sold a cushion at Redbubble with the V…

Source: First Night Design | “Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and…” | First Night Design