Putting Pen to Paper I have said before that I don’t watch much HGTV. (Gasp!) But I adore Candice Olson. She is one designer that I wouldn’t hesitate to hire. Soft sighs of “ahh” emit when I view her visual eye candy.
Putting Pen to Paper
She is an elegant mixture of contemporary, traditional, and dazzling.
Even the most difficult spaces become lovely rooms when given her magical touch.
I adore many things about Ms. Olson.
But I am most enthralled on how a room such as this…
…begins with a drawing like this:
The lady has mad, mad skills. I am even more convinced of this after enduring a semester of Drawing and Rendering. I am no Candice, that is for sure. Every week I was required to hand in a quick sketch of a specific item.
By quick sketch let me tell you that most of the sketches in my notebook took at least an hour.
I am turning in my book of sketches today and crossing my fingers in the hopes of a decent grade. This class has been very, very difficult for me in more ways than one.
I almost put down my pencil this semester. I am glad that I hung in there. I do plan on taking additional sketching classes as I didn’t learn some skills that I would like to have. I am also hoping that another class will perhaps turn the bitter taste I have in my mouth into something sweet.
How have you turned bitter into better?
Laura
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” ~ Psalm 59:16
I do love Candice. She is very talented, has a team of professionals working with her, plus she has a lot of money to work with. (unlike some of those other hgtv shows where they do a room makeover for less than $500 or something similar.)
Your sketches are lovely! You show a lot of detail. This looks like it could be a really fun class.
Best of luck Laura. I think your sketches are great, I can see why they would take a good bit of time given the detail you must include.
Your question made me think: I used to get so frustrated by some of the transplants that settle in this area and their refusal, or what I saw as refusal, to learn English and assimilate. I decided to join the Adult Literacy League here and now tutor a lovely woman from Puerto Rico in reading, writing and conversing in English. I am always impressed by her determination and hardwork. More imnportantly I feel like I am working on the solution instead of complaining about the problem.
Hope your next bout at school is a sweet experience.
wow these sketches are awesome!!!! great job! you are on your way to being the next candice olson!
Laura –
I too am drawn to Candace Olsen's design. It's timeless elegance.
Your 'quick sketches' are beautiful. I think you are like many creative people (my self included) much too critical of yourself.
How do I turn bitter to sweet? I try to figure out why I find something so hard to enjoy – Do I find it difficult? Am I bored? – Then I add my own sweetner to the lemons and consider it lemonaide …
This is an adventure, a chance to step outside my comfort zone and explore a part of me I don't know. If I still don't enjoy it, I move on. Life is too short to do things I don't enjoy.
I invite you to stop by, I am hosting a giveaway.
Your Friend,
Deborah
I adore Candace Olsen and her style. She can do my house over anytime! And I think your drawings are wonderful!
xoxo
Jane
I've always admired Olsen's designs. She has stunning taste!!
Those “quick” sketches are wonderful and I'm sure you got a good grade!!
Really love the knob sketch. Great detail!
Hope you have a lovely Monday!
xoxo,
Bonnie
Dear Laura, You have had a rough/tough semester…but here you are in the month of May still standing!!!!
Considering all you've been through…truly you've done so well.
Enjoyed this post with you sharing the artwork.
God bless you and may the rest of the month go well,
d
I agree. I would love for her to come and decorate my home!
I have no doubt you can do this, sugar! Just keep up the good work. Looking good, chick!
xoxo,
Connie
I love the first photo of the bedroom – it's just the look I'm after.
Bitter into sweet? Ahh, that's tough, but not impossible. It takes time and intention, a willful turning of my mind which I'm not always willing to do.
Your sketches are beautifully done Laura, and I'm sure that you, too, will become quicker as you practice.
Lorrie
Hi Laura…I've been reading the last few posts ….I had to catch up. It's been a crazy busy spring around here, but I think I'm finally able to sit down for a few minutes and read everything I've missed! 🙂
I too love Candice Olsen, she just has a special gift…she can turn ugly into gorgeous and do it with breaking a sweat! lol
Your sketches are wonderful…don't be so hard on yourself, they're great!
As far as turning bitter into better…..well my life doesn't seem like it's my own sometimes because my hubs works in two states, goes to school full time and also in an endorser for Sonor Drums…leaving not a huge amount of time for anything else. He tries so hard to make everything fit, but we CHOOSE to be happy in the season that God has us in. We know we are in each season for a reason and for an alloted time..and we just try to make the best of all the things that happen to us and the time we do have together. 🙂 My motto is enjoy the moment you're in…you don't know how many you have left. You can gripe about the storm or you can dance in the rain…I choose to dance. 🙂
Love ya my friend!
Melissa
Candice is my favorite too,,,with David Bromstad coming in a close second!
Oh Laura, I think you have the skill and the passion to do it…thanks for sharing..we all have the bitter taste, just make your next “taste” sweet and….take care..
Girl you can do my room anytime! Your sketches are fabulous!! You are going to be awesome!!
Lou Cinda 🙂
Then I will watch you on HGTV!!
I love Candace too! And your sketches are great!
I will confess, I am a HGTVaholic. I could watch that channel all day/night and not get bored. Your drawings are awesome and I know that because I do not have the patience to draw anywhere near as great as yours. Bittersweet … giving myself time to reflect on my life and how I can live each moment to it's fullest.
Your quick sketches are lovely! The faucet is awesome–capturing the reflection of metal is so hard and you did it beautifully!
Oh my gosh…I don't think their is a single design that Candace has done that I have not loved. Your drawings are fabulous. I'm sure it's got to get easier the more you do it.
I think your sketches look great! And I know you are so thrilled to be finishing up your semester. Now, aren't you glad you hung in there? It wasn't easy, but you made it. Yea!!! Love & blessings from NC!
I love Candice as well! She effortlessly turns the ordinary into extraordinary. Your drawings are so wonderful! Amazing!
xx-GIna
Just loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the way she decorates and I absolutely loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee your sketches!! GORGEOUS! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
I to love Ms. Olson. I used to watch a lot of HGTV but most of the shows now seem to be about buying or selling a home. The super creative shows that I loved are far fewer now. Anyhoo… I think the thing I like best about her style is the lighting. Her rooms are so custom! They look like a real designer did them. Love them.
I think that your sketching looks awesome. I would like to take some drawing classes. I used to be “not bad” 🙂 But like everything else…if you don't use it… you loose it. Practice! I promise it will get easier.
Have an awesome week!
~Liz
Well, I am no professional but I think your sketches are fantastic. I have seen some of Candices work online before and she has a great eye that is for sure.
HI!!!
I will comment on your drawings before commenting on those lovely rooms!!!!
Your drawings are masterpieces to you and I and the teacher will see the real beauty of them as well, if not, you are not to blame, because your drawings are so wonderful in so many ways, you have drawn them from your heart and you connected with each one of them!!!It shows, so your teacher will love them!!!!
Those rooms are amazing, if we all had budgets such as hers, we could almost all of us create those rooms!!!I truly love them all, but would Prefer to live in my own home if I could choose!!!!
Have a Blessed week
How is sweet boy by the way????
Hang in there , you are this….close to being done!!!!
YEAH for that!!!!
hugs,
jamie
You do beautiful sketches!!
Candice is my hero! I love, no… LOVE(!) her designs!!!
I find your sketches equally inspiring!! They're beautiful! I used to love to draw -always by looking at something for an idea or to copy, and you've inspired me to try that again! 🙂
I'm with you on Candace, she is amazing! I am not really a “modern” style decorating gal, but if I could have her I'd SO go modern, or anywhere she'd want to take my humble home! I think your drawings are truly FANTASTIC! I have NO DOUBT you'll get an A!!! Suzie
Candice amazes me too. Your drawings are GREAT!
I love Candice too! I have posted a few pictures of her work-she is very talented indeed!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
I remember doing those renderings in design school. I usually picked simple patterns and clean lines – I'm no Candace Olsen when it comes to drawing. She has serious talent! I must say, though, you're renderings look fabulous.
I ADORE Candace Olson! You're so right – her designs are eye candy! And I must say, your sketches are very skilled!