Creative Bloom Designs by Susie Pogue

wilderness inspired artwork and illustration

Alice in Wonderland at the Stone Mill Market

The Stone Mill Market

My booth all set up at the Stone Mill Market!

Wow! January seemed to be a combination of feeling like it would never end and a whirlwind of activity while I prepared for the Stone Mill Market. I was invited to be a participant at the 3rd semi-annual market for local small business crafts, foods, and home decor. It was held in the Warehouse on South Rogers Street in Bloomington, Indiana. I highly recommend a visit if you haven’t been to the Warehouse yet. It has a huge amount of indoor recreational activities for the whole family. It could be the perfect thing to do on a frigid February evening!

For a pretty cold February day we were fortunate to have a little under one thousand visitors and thirty vendors setup! It was a great combination of businesses and I really enjoyed getting to meet and chat with a variety of wonderful local people. This town sure has a lot to offer!

Do You Play Croquet?

I wanted to do a loose Alice in Wonderland Theme with a focus on the animals and a nod to Valentines day coming up! So, I painted some adorable animals featured in the novels. I drew in pencil and then inked and painted the drawings. I completed the walrus (from my favorite story the Walrus and the Carpenter) and the flamingo from the infamous playing card croquet match with the Queen of Hearts. To add to the set, I then painted a simple little Dodo and some vivid red and white roses. It was so fun to do! I realized today I totally missed out painting the hedgehogs, caterpillar and the mushrooms! I guess I have to pull the pencil and paints out and finish up the theme for February.

In Alice and Wonderland, the Queen of Hearts wants to cut off Alice’s head for the insult of painting her roses red. She may get a reprieve if she can play croquet, but the croquet balls they will play with are hedgehogs, the mallets are flamingos, and the goals playing cards. The odds are stacked against her!

I think the reason I identify with Alice is the idea of being a girl in a huge wonderful world and feeling very small and humbled by what she encounters. There is a definite feeling when you step out to adventure in to the wilderness. You can’t help but feel rejuvenated. However, curious sights and experiences confront you and fill you with awe.

I feel like the theme resonated with many people!

New Listings Coming Soon!

The artwork applied to greeting cards turned out to be really popular. I was so pleasantly surprised! One the next few days I will be listing the greeting cards for sale in my shop to purchase. I currently have 16 different designs.

I’m also available for custom work if you have any ideas you want me to bring to life for you! Don’t hesitate to reach out with any opportunities!

I’ve got a few things in the works (hedgehogs and caterpillars for sure!), but I’m loving all the ideas I’ve been gathering along the way from friends and customers! Keep them coming and thanks so much for your support!

February Free Calendar Download

The polar vortex deep freeze is nearly over and so is January! It’s been a long one for some reason and I can’t say I’m sorry to see the back of it. The highlights for me were getting to do some really enjoyable watercolor with the new palette of handmade watercolors I got for my birthday made by Stone Works Mill. I am just loving creating with the pigment rich colors.

Make sure to head over HERE to download your copy of the February Free Calendar download!!

I also was able to complete a series of Alice in Wonderland inspired watercolor artwork including flamingos (do you play croquet? I sure did when I was a kid), walrus and oysters, luscious red roses, and the cutest little Dodo bird.

Be on the lookout for listings for art prints and greeting cards soon to be listed in the shop! Alternatively, you can join me this Saturday, February 2nd at the Stone Mill Market in Bloomington Indiana! I will have cards for sale as well as a huge variety of sewn handicrafts and products custom printed with my artwork!

January Free Calendar

We made it! Another year has come to a close and we are firmly planted in the optimistic view of an entire year stretching out ahead of us. This turning of the wheel is a thing to celebrate. It’s a time to evaluate how you want to venture forth and navigate the year ahead. So, I couldn’t be happier to share some of my artistic expression with you in a way that will help you do just that!

I created this super cute little January calendar with my frosty mushroom pattern filling the background and I’m giving it to you for free! Use it as a wallpaper for your phones and desktops (I put it on my lock screen as a handy little quick reminder of where I am in the month).

Here’s the link for the phone version.

Here’s the link for the desktop version.

I hope you had as wonderful a New Years Eve as I did, snuggled up at home with my husband, son and dogs watching penguin documentaries.

Here’s a sneak peak of some of the items coming soon made from my new fabric collection! This is a backpack with Mushroom Linear Mist and Mushroom Frosted Mist!

Art Fair at Ivy Tech!

This is my first post! Yay! This past month I’ve been working hard to get my products ready for my very first craft fair.  It was a wonderful experience and the realization of a goal for my small business.  The art fair was held in Shreeve Hall at Ivy Tech Community College here in Bloomington Indiana.  I shared the floor with 55 other local artists and artisans showcasing everything from handmade turned wood and colored acrylic magic wands to creative prompt journals.  All the items that made it back home with me are going to be listed in my shop this week so keep your eye out for them!  Lots of great gift ideas under $40 for your loved ones this holiday season!