Amy L. Frazer, Design and Illustration. Surtex 2016 Press Kit

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Amy L. Frazer is an illustration, surface, pattern and prod-

uct design professional focused on creating fresh artwork for a wide range of surfaces including fabric and textiles, home decor, stationary, toys, giftware, publications and more!

Amy began her career as an illustrator and product designer creating for companies such as Old Navy, Galerie Au Chocolat and Nike. Trained as a fine artist and illustrator at the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD), she continues to feed her love of drawing and making with workshops and classes. Through this and her many years of experience in product design, Amy brings a fresh perspective to the world of licensed art.

Working out of her studio, which she started in 2015 in Portland, Oregon, Amy believes that hard work, integrity and creativity are the building blocks for inventive graphics and organic design. Creating art that leaves the world a little bit happier and inspired is her goal. Through her work she tries to capture the beauty of the world around us and embellish it with her personal mark making. She loves exploring a variety of mediums such as paint, markers, pencils, textiles, embroidery, knitting, and digital media. Oh, and weaving. And collage. And block printing.

Amy is debuting her collections at Surtex this year in the new Design District, booth 565.

Her designs are available for sale or licensing and she welcomes commissions.

www.amylfrazer.com

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frazeramy@comcast.net

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Growing Up

Ok, here’s the deal: I grew up on the West Side of Cincinnati, Ohio the middle child between two brothers. Everyday was a battle for the Atari controller or a rumble in the backyard.

Family vacations always involved camping. There was lots of hiking, fishing, pitching tents and campground shenanigans. Man, where is that nylon jacket I had with tons of patches on it from different destinations? This is where my deep love of and respect for the natural world began and is still a huge part of my life today. I came from a hardworking family who was always, always supportive of my creative life.

And for that I am eternally grateful.

My Influence

My interest in the arts began when my granny and I used to hide out in our basement “studio”. Really it was an old bumper pool table we would sit around for hours sewing on her old Singer Miracle sewing machine. We also made things like pine cone wreaths after collecting cones from our yard, ornaments, doll clothes and crochet slippers. Anything we could think of we usually could figure out a way to make it happen. It was great fun and I miss those days.

In my experiences, art and craft, the process of creating, or just looking at and appreciating handmade objects is a panacea. It makes me feel good to create, to look at and to appreciate what others have made with their hands. Maybe their granny taught them how to make these things too.

Through my work I try to capture the beauty of the world around us and embellish it with my personal mark making. Things made by nature (trees, mountains, oceans, rocks, flowers) and things made by man (buildings, jewelry, furniture, vintage anything) are huge inspirations to me. I love to explore the process of creating through research, doodling, sketching and getting my hands dirty making things.

www.amylfrazer.com

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Ch-Ch-Changes

I am a professional artist, illustrator and surface designer. Trained as a fine artist and illustrator at the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD), I spent over 15 years working as a product designer at companies large and small such as Old Navy, Galerie Au Chocolat and recently I designed at 10 years at Nike. At Galerie, I loved designing illustrations and packaging for candy that ranged from ceramic Valentine candy dishes to Santa shaped sequin boxes. All of it filled with candy! I really enjoyed working on projects at Old Navy that involved placing patterns and spot graphics on fun purses and backpacks for kids. At Nike, as a Design Project Lead, I enjoyed working with athletes in high school, college, the NFL and NBA to solve problems they were having with their feet. I was a sock designer for a while! One of my favorite projects was designing the printed pattern on the uniforms for the TCU NCAA football team. It was based on the skin texture of their mascot the horned frog!

I left Nike in the fall of 2015 to bring my dream of having my own studio to life in Portland. I’ve always wanted to create more of my own artwork independently and work with clients I love. I take lots of workshops and classes to continue to hone my current skills, stay fresh and learn new techniques. I am fluent in many media and willing to try almost anything new! I surround myself with an amazing community of artists and designers, constantly learning from and inspiring each other.

Looking Ahead

So here I am at Surtex 2016! If you follow me on Instagram @the_fraze you can see my #roadtosurtex posts and follow my journey.

My dream is coming true and I can’t wait to meet art buyers, manufacturers, developers and creative directors! I’m focused on making lots of new drawings, paintings and patterns, building my portfolio and having a blast doing it all!

My goal at Surtex is to make as many meaningful connections as possible. I want to start conversations that will lead to amazing projects, small and large scale. I’d love to get feedback about my work and collections in order to make adjustments for future concepts.

Come visit me in booth #565 in the New Design District and let’s start a conversation!

frazeramy@comcast.net

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I create beautiful illustrations, patterns, hand lettering, graphic images and icons for application on a variety of products including textiles, home accessories, stationary and gifts. I utilize traditional media and crafts, as well as digital media. Really, whatever it takes to get the job completed to meet and exceed my clients’ expectations!

Gouache Block Printing Photoshop Tapestry Weaving Watercolor Pens/Pencils Illustrator Hand Stitching Acrylic Markers InDesign Sewing and Beading Ink Collage Fabric Dying Shibori Techniques

www.amylfrazer.com

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PATTERN & SURFACE DESIGN

I create patterns using a combination of hand drawn icons, textures and digitized artwork perfect for application on stationary, apparel, giftware, home furnishings and textiles, wall coverings and home decor.

With seasonal concepts, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine, Halloween, Easter, and Everyday patterns, I am capable of creating unique repeat patterns and multiple color ways.

ILLUSTRATION & HAND LETTERING

With illustration techniques, both traditional and digital, art and hand lettering is created for application on paper products, wall art, textiles, stationary, packaging. Also for use in editorial projects, children’s books and publishing. I’d love to create characters and illustrations for your next project! I can create custom fonts as well as hand lettered words and phrases.

FINE ART & PAINTING

Paintings and works of art using embroidery, beading or other craft techniques, such as block printing or tapestry weaving, can bring your project to the next level in terms of uniqueness in the market.

Traditional craft techniques add dimension, texture and interest to artwork. Perfect for use on wall art, home decor and book publishing.

PRODUCT DESIGN & CONSULTING

As an experienced product designer and developer, I can apply patterns and graphics to product to assist in conceptualizing your ideas and create the technical specifications necessary for development. I have the capability and experience to design new product forms from materials such as glass, ceramic, wood, metal, plush, fabric, knit and many more. I create detailed spec sheets for factory development or mockups to convey your ideas in presentations to your team.

frazeramy@comcast.net

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PATTERN & SURFACE DESIGN

Looking for that perfect snowflake pattern to adorn your holiday platter? Need a hand painted geometric image in repeat for wallpaper?

I create patterns using a combination of hand drawn icons, textures and digitized artwork perfect for application on stationary, apparel, giftware, home furnishings and textiles, wall coverings and home decor. With seasonal concepts, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine, Halloween, Easter and Everyday patterns, I am capable of creating unique repeats and multiple color ways.

www.amylfrazer.com

ILLUSTRATION & HAND LETTERING

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Need watercolor paintings of mushrooms to drop into an article in your monthly magazine? Really want 6 cute dog icons and phrases for your next pet collection? Looking for someone to illustrate your new children’s book that will be published next year? How about an ABC animal poster?

Illustration can take many different forms and be expressed with numerous techniques. This is the backbone of what I do. Whether it is a floral pattern or an image of a beagle, I have the drawing skills necessary to create the illustrations and hand lettering you need.

frazeramy@comcast.net

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FINE ART & PAINTING

Looking for a whimsical hand painted floral to adorn your next ceramic dish collection? Need an embroidered scene to embellish a cotton tea towel? I’ve got you covered!

I create one of a kind pieces using embroidery, beading or other craft techniques, such as block printing or tapestry weaving that can take your project to the next level in terms of uniqueness in the market. Perfect for use on wall art, home decor and publishing, these works of art can be scanned and transformed into print ready artwork.

www.amylfrazer.com

PRODUCT DESIGN & CONSULTING

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So, we’ve designed amazing patterns and graphics for your new collection. But you need to see what these patterns will look like to scale on bedding, a couch, or a glass lamp. With over 15 years of experience as a product designer and developer I’ve concepted and designed products ranging from glass candy dishes and ceramic mugs for M&M’s to socks for the NFL and NBA and college football uniforms.

I have the experience and knowledge to assist in conceptualizing your ideas and to create the technical specifications for factories necessary in the development process. I can work with you and your team to bring your ideas to life!

frazeramy@comcast.net

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INSPIRATION

PROCESS

Inspiration. It comes in many forms and often starts with saying “YES”! Coffee. Matcha green tea. Art and craft.

Other artists’ processes. Nature (trees, flowers, snow, leaves). Walking my dog. Art galleries. Looking. Making.

Exploring. Sketching. Vintage fabric designs. Curiosity. Cultures, their heritage and rich stories. Fabric Depot fabric store. Dick Blick Art Supply store.

The process. Sometimes it isn’t pretty. But no matter what it looks like, it’s necessary. The starting point is a collaboration between the client and myself. What problem are we trying to solve? I often begin my part of the process with mind maps and sketches. Research is involved. Day of the Dead? What DO real sugar skulls look like? What types of flowers are used in Mexican embroideries? What is the history of Day of the Dead? I start to sketch ideas and often make elaborate webs of connections. After the research comes more sketching which happens in many different forms from pencil to paint to cut paper or embroidery, and sometimes 3 dimensional.

Trial and error is a big part of my process. I collect inspiration when necessary and start to make swatches, slowly building up to the final product whether that is a thread painting of a skull for Day of the Dead or a detailed floral repeat pattern in Illustrator. The ritual of process is everything.

Web of Ideas.....

www.amylfrazer.com

Sketching....

Making....

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What makes a great collection?

If you could be a color what would it be?

GREEN!!! I love love love green. So many different and beautiful variations! From deep dark forest to grassy greens to almost neon mossy colors that grow in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve read that the human eye sees more shades of green than any other color!

Beautifully coordinated colors, patterns and illustrations that complement each other, but can live on their own. A great collection is one where I can’t decide which pieces to buy! I need them all!

What do you hope to accomplish at your first Surtex Show?

What motivates you to design things?

Making people smile motivates me as a designer. Or helping them to see something in a different light. I want to have a positive impact on the world with my art.

My dream is to make as many meaningful connections with art directors, buyers and manufacturers as possible. I want to start conversations that will lead to amazing projects. I’d love to get feedback about my work and collections in order to make adjustments for future concepts.

What is your current obsession?

What is your dream project?

Ooh, good one! My dream is to design a collection of home decor items including embroidery and fabric for pillows, upholstery for a couch and a piece of wall art.

And coordinating wall paper!

I’m totally obsessed with Matcha Green Tea! I love it in the morning with a bit of honey and sugar free vanilla almond milk. Yum, yum, yum!!! And it’s such an amazing green color!!!

frazeramy@comcast.net

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I’m thrilled to launch my new collections at Surtex 2016, May 15-17, in NYC! I’ll be exhibiting in the brand NEW Design District, booth 565.

Whether it is sketching concepts, designing patterns or providing technical specs for your products, I’d love to work with you and be your go to for fresh illustrations and designs. My goal at the Surtex Show is to make connections and begin to build lasting relationships that will lead to meaningful projects!

Come visit me at the booth and let’s start a conversation about your next project!

About Surtex Surtex is the annual licensing trade show for the surface design industry. Art and brand licensing is the core of SURTEX. Each year some 5,500 buyers/manufacturers from 49 countries converge on the SURTEX exhibit floor to buy or license the newest designs and patterns from approximately 1,000 artists. It’s a veritable who’s who of manufacturers and retailers seeking first dibs on the best original art & design being created today.Thousands of retailers and manufacturers looking to source artwork for their products attend every year. Now in its 30th year, SURTEX® is the global B2B marketplace for sourcing original art & design—where artists, art agents, licensing agencies and licensors connect with manufacturers and retailers to create the next best-selling products in every category imaginable. Wall coverings, patterns, decorative accessories, bed linens, stationery, giftware, apparel and so much more…if it’s any product with a surface or textile design of any kind, there’s a good chance it originated at SURTEX.

www.amylfrazer.com

Dream. Make. Explore

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frazeramy@comcast.net

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Amy L. Frazer, Design and Illustration www.amylfrazer.com All inquiries: frazeramy@comcast.net Instagram and Pinterest @the_fraze LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amylfrazer Twitter @amylfrazer Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AmyLFrazerDesignandIllustration

All rights reserved. c Amy L. Frazer, Design and Illustration, LLC

All rights reserved. c Amy L. Frazer, Design and Illustration, LLC