Our new venture – Fashioned by Nature – has seen a lot of work in recent weeks. Today Dominique over at 3C Style and Lisa present a number of forthcoming t-shirt designs created by the team; Dominique, Lisa and myself.
We have a new artists shop on Threadless and expect to start offering these images on T-shirts etc in the very near future! We are also working on including a version of the dogs T which I modeled in September.
A number of new concepts have been generated along the ‘cats’ theme which will form this month’s ‘When fashion and Nature Collide’ in just two days from now.
Eye CATching
This first one was artwork done by Lisa. Isn’t it fantastic?
Eye CATching t-shirt artwork by Lisa Lawrence at Lismore Paper
Artwork copyright Lisa Lawrence, Design /concept copyright by Lisa Lawrence, Lismore Paper & Dominique Nancy, 3C Style
From the options presented I chose to tackle the lettering option – largely because I enjoy lettering but rarely get chance to use it. Anyone who tries to read my handwriting at work would find my interest in lettering rather ironic 🙂
Pop-Art
The brief from Dominique was ‘Powerful/Pawerful’ – with a paw replacing the ‘O or A’. The brief suggested pop-art style lettering in red and blue or other bright colours.
My first approach to this was to look for pop-art fonts on the web. There are plenty but licensing issues for using them commercially were confusing so I figured I would design my own. As I like this style of lettering and am familiar with the ‘rules’ of the style I found this fairly easy.
Bearing in mind potential reproduction on T-shirts etc it is critical to start with a large enough image and to not have too much fiddly detail (a challenge for me as you will know from my botanical art!).
These days there are much easier approaches than the one I took – for instance drawing digitally on a tablet. Our friend Linda is gently persuading me towards an iPad pro but I still need to get the idea of a replacement for our ten year old Mac past the household budget holder… 🙂
I started with a line drawing on A3 paper, then scanned it at 300 dpi and then coloured it digitally in both ‘Paint’ and in ‘Paint Shop Pro’ to tidy up edges etc.
Artwork copyright Darren Sleep, The Arty Plantsman & Design copyright Darren Sleep, Dominique Nancy, 3C Style & Lisa Lawrence, Lismore Paper.
Catwalk Attitude
This delightful drawing was produced by Dominique who suggested that my own Moraea scarf pattern could be added to it. This was done digitally by Lisa. Lisa and I adored this drawing as it is very ‘Dominique’.
The scarf pattern came about from the half-way point in my Moraea drawing. Once I had most of the flowers in place (and no foliage) I photographed it as it was and then the flowers were copied, moved around, increased etc, digitally. Then I went on to complete the drawing.
Catwalk Attitude Artwork and design copyright Dominique Nancy, 3C Style. Scarf pattern copyright Darren Sleep, The Arty Plantsman & Design copyright Dominique Nancy, 3C Style & Lisa Lawrence, Lismore Paper.
Black Cat
Whilst I was in Pop Art mode I had a flash of inspiration. The idea came from various sources, not least the lettering styles used by the concert poster artists of the late 1960s, particularly the artists employed by promoter Bill Graham to publicise concerts at his Fillmore venues (San-Francisco and New York). The lettering on these became so stylised that at one point the famously irascible Graham ranted to one of the artists: ” I can’t read my own f*cking poster!”
To which the artist calmly replied:
“And that, Bill, is exactly why people will stop and look at it”.
At my previous gym there was a black cat that lived in the house next door and spent all day sitting on top of the wall being fussed over by passers by, including me*. The artwork is based on my photos of said moggie.
Again, I started with a simple outline drawing and some colour notes. I had to incorporate the pawprint symbol somewhere so I hit upon the idea of using it to symbolise the cat’s heart:
Artwork copyright Darren Sleep, The Arty Plantsman & Design copyright Darren Sleep, Dominique Nancy, 3C Style & Lisa Lawrence, Lismore Paper.
The letter P caused me some problems, and I was unsure about the eye colour so I asked Lisa for her input (at the point in the top right image) and her suggestions were key in making the final image both strong and readable.
In short this was an immensely enjoyable challenge that really pushed the edges of my comfort zone and I am proud of the end result.
*Footnote:
Nobody tell Susan, my wife and cat-hater extraordinaire that I have been fraternising with cats! Her approach to them in the garden is neatly summed up by Ripley in the movie Aliens:
The Arty Plantsman 
Great collaboration! Congratulations.
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Thank you😍
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So amazing. Congratulations on all your joint efforts and achievements. ❤️
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Thank you😍😍😍
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Most welcome.
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The making of these T-shirts was so much fun. If it was not for you that made me start drawing again, I probably would not have touched my pencils. 😊💕
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Then I am even more pleased we did this. There is a lot of your personality in your drawing and it delights me😍❤
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I had fun doing my childish drawing. Moew. xoxo
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Dominique I am so happy you started to draw again! There is so much happiness bursting from your drawing. I adore it! 💗😸
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You are too kind Lisa, but thank you very much for your lovely words and encouragements. 😍💕
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Lovely designs!
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Thank you😊💕
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What a creative collaboration! Best wishes for your new venture!
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Thank you Marie😊💕
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Such a brilliant post! I love to read about your concepts and how you get from start to finish. I cannot wait to do this again and again. I learn so much from you and Do. Much love my talented friend!
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You are so sweet Lisa. I owe a lot to you two for enabling and encouraging my creativity and can barely wait for the next batch of ideas😊💕. There is a true synergy that brings out the best in all of us. Love and hugs!
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I equally owe both of you the same my friend. What a wonderful journey we are on. Love and hugs!
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These are precious!! Of course I am a cat person, so that helps😂 Will these also be available on mugs???
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That is the plan, yes. And thank you💕❤️
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These are fab Darren! Wow you guys work well together and you obviously have so much fun :O) Congratulations on a highly successful collaboration, I’m thrilled for you xxx
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Thank you Lisa. Yes, this has been a busy but great fun couple of weeks and our skill mix complements each other. x
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You have created another great collaboration. My sisters and I are all cat lovers. I shall definitely keep these in mind for birthday gifts.
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Cool! Thank you. really pleased you like them😊💕
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Fantastic collaboration. I love that last, lettered Black cat with the red paw for its heart. Powerful indeed. Raw emotion for protecting animals… (I would see that because I am a Vegan who wants to see all animals protected from cruelty). Sorry Darren, your Susan is wrong to hate cats, or any other creature. We are all on the earth and should live in harmony. ❤️💕
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Don’t worry, the cat hating thing was tongue in cheek. She would not hurt them but it is entertaining watching her chase them away from the birds, and it keeps her fit.
We are both vegetarian by the way, heading towards vegan, and share your philosophy.
Delighted you liked the images. I was very proud of the black cat one but really it was Dominique that helped me appreciate the meaning of it. I felt its power but she articulated it in a way I could not. I have a great deal of respect for her.
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Pop Art, huh? Don’t you mean Pawp Art? Sorry…had to. Don’t tell Bill. As for Susan disliking cats…silly woman. I should give her a good talking to. 😉 Love the black cat on the wall…and the T. Reminds me of my Echo. ❤️ 🤗
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I love the artwork Darren, so nice that you three are collaborating, the results are very stylish!
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Thank you Jen. We are very excited to be working together and get a great deal of joy from the collaboration.😍. Planning our first team meeting for the spring!
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