Our Popular Culture

These are photo-illustration designs on throw pillows, trinket boxes, tiles, framed tiles, apparel, and other gift items that can be found at Lines By Design Boutique. The descriptions that follow outline the inspiration for each of these designs.

Jungle Drop
In a tropical setting, this design features all sorts of creatures of the wild, peacefully co-habitating inside of a single drop of water. Our wildlife is depending on us to keep the environment livable for them, as well as us. They were here first, and they need habitat, and food, and clean water. Along with the wild animals in this piece, also featured are butterflies and some exotic vegetation, like the bird of paradise in the lower left corner. Jungle themes and a tear drop, with a surreal backdrop.

Organica
Inspired by the labels and seed packages of the Victorian era, in this design, we are the viewer gazing out of the barn window to see a group of farm animals, a bountiful harvest, and glorious rolling hills. The gleaming bronze type is styled in the blocky curved fashion so reminiscent of the Victorian era. The brand is fictitious, but the 1907 and Mt. Hope are personal homages to literature and a favorite place.

Fall Passing
This piece is an adaptation of an award winning cover done in September of 1999. Note all the clocks and watches at two-thirds past the hour, symbolically depicting the year that was two-thirds past. Fall colors and harvest goodies whimsically surround the fast passing time, rushing towards the year 2000. I resurrected this design because it offers more aesthetic charms than that which is confined to the turn of a century. With those elements removed, contrary to what the clocks tell us, it is timeless.

Cup of Dreams
What do you think about as you stare into your coffee cup? Lush surroundings? Taking a trip to far off places? Down through history, the sweet and the stoic, luxury and high ideals, have all beckoned to us as we aspire to fulfill our delicious dreams.

Coffee Cup (Water Background)
This variation of Cup Of Dreams is a more tranquil design that is less evident of lofty dreams, and perhaps leans more towards a day of lying around the pool until late in the day. Some dreams are just that simple.

Civil War
This is a nostalgic design created for Civil War buffs. Included are an authentic period cannon (actually two), a period chair, uniforms and flags from the Union and Confederacy, some Confederate currency, along with other various period items. The background is two blended pre-Katrina casemate (pronounced casement) images. Casemates were brick fortresses used during the Civil War, and these happened to be in the deep south where water damage was sustained during hurricane Katrina, so this truly is a monument to that period in our history.

Remembering Joe
This nostalgic design depicts a World War II era GI sort of coming through the radio, if you will. As the ladies were left behind to tend to the defense work, the songs on the radio reminded them of their men so far away, fighting for our freedom, defending our country. The theme of this piece is definitely South Pacific as is suggested by the map and the tropcial flowers, with a hint of a glassy lagoon, some primitive trim, and a bird of paradise outside the scene. The 1944 Christmas card is authentic and the GI is my Dad. I wanted to share this with the rest of the world, and there are still so many who remember, and are touched.

Maps
There was a movie with Lana Turner and Donna Reed called Green Dolphin Street. It was about two sisters and their involvement with one man. It was set in the days of clipper ships and adventurous spirit. People traveled the world in ships and carriages, and navigation was a life and death matter. This was the inspiration for this tumultuous piece, with its conglomeration of maps, a compass rose, and a sea faring lad, obviously determined to arrive at his destination, come what may.

Reflections (Tulips)
Flowers and other natural things are unusually IN the picture, but this one defies nature. It breaks out of its frame and yet it exists within its environment, surreal and multi-dimensional as it may be.

Paintbox (Rose Petals)
An abstract creation symbolizing all the lovely crafty things that an artist might use, OTHER than the trust paintbox. Oh to go into the studio, turn up the volume on the stereo, and get dirty. It’s like playtime, only just a bit more serious. What fun. What joy. Pieces of this, scraps of that, and rolls of new colored paper. Fabrics and petals and foils, with some thick paint spilling and splattering. Organic textures and molded metals round out this tribute to making a mess to create something artistically breathtaking.

Circle of Life
This piece definitely has ecological origins. The omega (in the center) is the sign for ecology, and everything here radiates out from there. The circle of life contains many elements and substances and many are symbolically represented here. The more you look, the more you will find. Beautiful scenery, with chemical goo, and mechanical grids and such, all come together for better or worse. Some would say worse. This abstract design is sure to remind us of our responsibilities here on earth, to leave the environment suitable for living for our descendants.

Leaves
This design in an abstract creation made from a single image depicting leaves, as they overlap and morph into different art styles and interpretations. No symbolism here, just lovely to look at.

Load Limit (Robotic Hand)
This design is a tribute to those forging new paths in the digital world. Microchips, circuit boards, and a robotic hand touching the tips of some optic fibers, all blend with the visual part of the electromagnetic spectrum to aid the user with his/her hand on the mouse, trying to get something done. How little we understand and how much we take for granted.

Tropic Fusion (Bird of Paradise on Watercolor Background)
Watercolor tropical elements amid a summer sky comprise the backdrop for these glass bird of paradise blooms, with multi-color reflections in the glass figure. Pondering the light and shadow, as it mingles with the colors in it and behind it, reveals many interesting shapes and transitions.

Bird of Paradise (On black)
Glass bird of paradise blooms refract light and color against a black background. The lights and patterns and textures are like no other and offer an aesthetic beauty that will captivate for a lifetime.

Progressions (Stop Watch/Speedometer)
This abstract depiction of the motorcycle rider’s dilemma depicts a blended map and road. The heavens above are home to many a fallen rider and as we look just below the heavenly fortress, we see a speedometer that is also a stop watch, ticking off minutes of a lifetime. We’re surrounded by data, telling us how to be safe on the one hand, and reminding us of the fleeting nature of life, especially with this dangerous hobby, on the other hand. Just to the right of the motorcycle is a fallen leaf. This golden symbol of the fall season also symbolizes the end of a riding season, and often, of making it through another season. You see, riders can be conflicted. There is a natural fear for one’s life because riders are so unprotected, and they’re out there on the road with metal machinery weighing in at a ton, EACH, controlled by people who often aren’t even paying attention (or at the very least, incredibly distracted). Yet, the motorcycle rider is also compelled. Riding gets into their blood and becomes an obsession. There is remorse and sadness at seeing another season come to a close, even though riding a motorcycle could end that rider’s very life. This design attempts to convey the true paradox that is riding. Fear and inevitability of death juxtaposed by a passion so strong that so saddens the rider at season’s end.

Ride Collage (Multi-Color Front Wheel)
The colors of the spring and summer coat this image of a parked motorcycle, playing light and shadow against the grit of the pavement. Just to the right of the front tire is a single golden leaf, a symbol of the onset of autumn, and signaling the beginning of the end of the riding season. This bittersweet beauty is all too familiar to riders as they try to get the most out of what is left of the riding weather that remains.

Motorcycle Curves (Curved Road in Background)
This watercolor painting depicts the front of a motorcycle against the backdrop of an inviting curvy road that twists up a long winding hill. Leaning into the curves of riding the twisties is holy grail to the motorcyclists, as this image is sure to extract a heavy sigh from any seasoned rider.

Please visit Lines By Design Boutique and peruse the large selection of items adorned with these designs. You’ll also find designs for the graphic designer and apparel and gift items with some favorite pop culture expressions. And please remember to visit Mad Dash Riot Cruiser T’s for items with designs created for the motorcycling community, especially the lady rider. See you there!