When making greeting card designs, the ideas come from everywhere and nowhere. I rarely have an idea in mind of what I’m making; each design tends to make itself. The best designs, that is, the ones I’m most titillated by — come when I’m in the mood to play, when I’m feeling particularly childlike. For practical and artistic reasons, I give each design destined to become a greeting card a title; nevertheless, I encourage you to feel free — interpret the drawings, paintings, photos, and collages any way you like!
This can be a pleasurable exercise for your imagination!
For instance, I call this design “Clays Mill Road 5: The Bee’s View.”
But what do you see?
Here’s another that’s so subject to interpretation.
I called it “Jellyfish,” but there are many other possibilities. I’ve thought about changing it to “Senegalese Dancer.” What you see largely depends on your repository of past experiences and associations, on how your eyes and your mind work together!
And here’s one of my newest designs, which I called “Meteorites.” What would you call it if you were in charge of CARD TITLES??
Here’s another new design I’ve called “Splash 2” (there’s a companion version with a vertical orientation). For me, this is a memory card.
Once, over 20 years ago, on one of the last days of a 4-year training, I gathered with cherished friends from all over the world, many of whom had gone through the Feldenkrais Training together, at our favorite local Maui beach, Baldwin Beach, for a final frolic in the waves together.
I cannot recall a more joyful, perfect day in my entire Life.
Buoyant fun with treasured colleagues, saying sweet good-byes — all contained by the crystalline aqua waters of the Pacific. I’m so happy to have that memory, and a card to remind me of it.
What does this remind YOU of??
I would genuinely love to hear your response. Who knows? I may change the name of one of these cards based on what YOU see!
Recently I released a new photographic card entitled “Blue Spectre,” but one of my most long-time customers looked at it and said, without hesitating, “RIPPLE EFFECT!” So, I had to modify it (for future printings). Now it’s called “Blue Spectre/Ripple Effect.” Who knows what will happen next?
I eagerly await your ideas 🙂
Meriah Kruse
PHOTO CREDIT: child with paint and beautiful smile by KENJUTI KUNDU, from Unsplash.com. Thank you!
