WIGGLE BY NUMBERS / paint by numbers

The "wiggle by numbers" project was inspired after Hurricane helene devastated our region of Western North Carolina and processing my grief from this historic flooding. The hardest part of surviving a storm like Helene is the feeling of "I'm not doing enough" -- typically in a community sense as there is so much to do after so much damage and trauma.

With all of the ugliness of the damage from the storm - - sink holes, twisted trees, mud, dust, construction beeping, chainsaws, trash and debris on every square inch. I missed the beauty of my sweet town. I started looking up archival photos and antique postcards of Hot Springs. To see what Hot Springs looked like 100 years ago.

I spent a lot of time brainstorming ways to bring support to the community in creative ways. Also - an idea that is more "evergreen" that can outlast the needs and requirements of rebuilding our community. One that commemorates and celebrates it!

Soooo this brings me to paint by numbers! I've always been obsessed with paint by numbers, and collected them with my dad growing up and I've always wanted to make my own!

SO I did!

I found this postcard!

THIS WAS A VERY VERY LONG DESIGN PROCESS OF LEARNING HOW TO DRAW DIGITALLY AFTER FAILING AT GETTING THE FREE TEMPLATES ONLINE TO WORK FOR ME.

MY BROTHER DID A PIECE A FEW YEARS AGO ABOUT POSTCARD SKYS THAT INSPIRED ME TO CHANGE THE SKY TO BALANCE OUT THE IMAGE (+ MAKE THE PAINT WORTH IT AS THE ORIGINAL IMAGE ONLY HAD A DASH OF PINK/ORANGE IN IT).

THE PROCESS HAS BEEN SLOW AND MESSY!

IT TAKES A WILD AMOUNT OF TIME TO GET THE COLOR BALANCE RIGHT, THE SHAPES TO LOOK LIKE SHAPES, AND CREATING DEPTH IN THE 2-D.

1. INSPIRATION - STARED WITH THIS POST CARD of my town's best view from the bridge.

2. DRAFTING UP THE LINE WORK - I UPLOADED AN IMAGE INTO MY IPAD PROGRAM "SKETCH" (MY IPAD IS TOO OLD FOR COOL NEW DIGITAL PROGRAMS!)

   1. BE MINDFUL OF LAYERING! I KEPT MY LINES SEPARATE FROM THE NUMBERS. AND FROM COLORS.

3. DECIDE ON COLOR RANGE + NUMBER OF COLORS AND DETAIL. THIS TOOK WAY LONGER THAN IT NEEDED, BUT THIS IS NEW TO ME!

4. LOCK IT IN! SEPARATE YOUR IMAGE LAYERS: OUTLINE + NUMBERS AND COLOR KEY!

5. TEST IT OUT! I HAVE HAD TO TEST + ADJUST THE COLORS A FEW TIMES.

6. THEN THE PAIN OF MAKING A PHYSICAL PRODUCT..

   
   

WHAT I've LEARNED

Woof -- I've learned so much.

1. my printer doesn't print what I see digitally - colors.

2. Keep the line work simpler

3. don't get too in the details

4. I made it evergreen* for a reason - It'll be out when it's ready.

I'm still in the process of producing the first of the series. It's been difficult being a person lately - as we all feel. I'm trying to not beat myself up over waiting too long to get this out to you all -- but I'm psyched by the progress!

XOXO

ERIN