Alison Garwood Jones

How I learned to create a Gif

January 11, 2020

“If you deal in quality, not awards, what you do will always feel real.”

This is what happens when people’s determination to produce gets greedy and misplaced.

Switching gears. Understanding how to tell your stories in multiple formats is a power thing.

Hats off to Melissa Lee (@MelissaLeeDesign).

Through her @Skillshare class, “Create a Hand-Drawn .Gif in PhotoShop,” I cobbled together my very first tiny animation.

Like a Disney animator, I used the onion skin technique.

Rainy days and Mondays are for chasing inspiration.

Thank you, Skillshare for being such a great resource!

Comment on this post »

The Queen’s Speech

December 26, 2019

Let’s continue the conversation about grief as you head back to the office.

    I won’t spam you. Unsubscribe if this topic isn’t for you.

    Comment on this post »

    In the Spotlight: KBarlow Design

    December 13, 2019

    PenJarProductions.com works with KBarlow Design

    As a #bossbabe, I can’t do everything on my own.

    I’m already the executive editor and artist in chief for all of my websites, but I still have a beginner’s grasp of code.

    Yes, coding is on my list of things to keep learning, but in the interest of time and my sanity I choose to delegate certain tasks. Niggly coding issues is one of them.

    My go-to gal for website fixes for my store, Pen Jar Productions and and my longtime eponymous website, AlisonGarwoodJones.com is Kathryn Barlow

    She’s an arty tech nerd. I like that.

    Here’s an example of our working dynamic: Neither of us were digging the dark grey bar across my colourful pillows on my Shopify landing page. The bar was front and centre as soon as the page loaded.

    Kathryn asked if I chose that or if someone else had set the site up like that? I explained that it came with the template. And I no idea how to change it.

    Kathryn did a quick mockup to show me some better options, and I picked the beautiful aqua tone featured up top.

    As Kathryn says, “Website makeovers don’t have to be huge, overwhelming ordeals. They can be tiny tweaks that update your website to better reflect where your business is at now.”

    Check out Kathryn’s Instagram profile and website and consider teaming up with her in 2020 to keep your websites in top working order. ~ Alison

    Comment on this post »

    The truth about the world

    December 10, 2019

    RuPaul sketch by Alison Garwood-Jones

    Comment on this post »

    Pen Jar Productions is featured in the Toronto Star

    December 6, 2019

    PenJarProductions.com in the Toronto Star

    A little dance around my drawing desk!

     

    A year and a half into my illustration biz and I have my first serious piece of earned media, as the PR folks like to call “press.”

    Thank you, writer and artist, Mary Vallis (@maryvallis @canadianstitchery). This means a lot.

    I will be tabling tonight and tomorrow at the Algonquin Island Association Christmas Boutique 2019. And, yes, I will have to take the ferry to get there! Please come and visit me!

    Proudly printed in Terano/Trawno/Tronno/Taronna/Torontoe by Notion

    Home decor items featuring my art can be found at PenJarProductions.com

     

     

     

     

    Comment on this post »

    Sunday Sketches

    December 1, 2019

    Comment on this post »

    Algonquin Island Christmas Boutique

    November 27, 2019

    Illustration of the Toronto Island Ferry going over to Ward's Island in the winter. Art by Alison Garwood-Jones

    I love it when I get up early to make art.

    I especially like imagining the features of my city through line and colour.

    Reading about Toronto in a novel or seeing its what makes it unique through an illustration is a really good way to step outside of our ourselves and our routines and get a fresh sense of who we are and what we have to offer the world.

    I will be joining a group of wonderfully talented artists and crafters participating in this year’s Algonquin Island Association Christmas Boutique 2019.

    There will be spiked eggnog. Come by my table and let’s catch up!

    DATES

    Friday, December 6: 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

    Saturday, December 7: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

    TRANSPORTATION

    Take the ferry to Ward’s Island from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, and follow the signs to Algonquin Island and the Algonquin Island Clubhouse (AIA)

    Ferry Schedule: 416-392-8194.

    Featuring gift ideas from my shop: PenJarProductions.com

    Comment on this post »

    Who knew?

    November 18, 2019

    Wes Anderson is inspiring

    I met my friend Sam for lunch last week. We caught up on work and life.

    Then he told me that walking into his living room and seeing the Watches Pillow I made for him was like receiving a little jolt of Wes Anderson. I’ll take that!

    The things you learn about your designs from the people living with them!

    Sam, this drawing is for you!

    Peace out.

    Comment on this post »

    30 Gift Ideas For The Month of November

    November 6, 2019

    HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: Every day for the month of November, my store Pen Jar Productions will be posting a different Holiday Gift Idea.

    I like coming up with designs that make people smile or sit up. It makes me feel like I’ve just looked you in the eye and found a way to turn down the volume on your stress.

    Let’s conspire: I’ll help you start planning your Gift Giving Strategy for family, friends and co-workers this holiday season.

    Here’s how it works: I feed you the unique gift ideas > you take all the credit!

    Over the past year and a half, I built a small online store and filled the shelves with one-of-a-kind Throw Pillows, Tote Bags (many with a Toronto theme), Custom Chiffon Scarves, Tees, phone and laptop art, and my first enamel pin of Jane Jacobs.

    I only focus on Badass Women who have moved mountains.

    Here are a few pages from my 2019 Holiday Gift Guide. If you see something you like, click the image and it will take you to my store at PenJarProductions.

    Pinecones and Berries Laptop Skin from PenJarProductions.com

    Spring Branches Pillow by PenjarProductions

    Comment on this post »

    Coming soon

    October 25, 2019

    2019 GIft Guide Announcement for PenJarProductions.com

    Preparations are already underway! Plus, I’ve hired Buddy and Hermey to help me out in the Pen Jar Productions workshop (my Shopify Store).They’re good at making unique gifts!

    Comment on this post »

    error: Content is protected !!