gallery and artist studio
classic wix website design
This is a redesign of a site on Wordpress. The gallery features a wide range of arts and crafts by artists located throughout the state.
The first challenge was developing a design that complimented each artist and was somewhat neutral while still being interesting. The gallery owner is Japanese and her art is primarily in textiles. I created different simple background graphics based on patterns found in various Japanese textiles. Some of these patterns are in a dark blue ink as an homage to the fabric dyes used in many Japanese fabrics. And, some of the patterns are in a light beige - chosen to represent the dusty landscape and because it compliments the dark blue.
The second challenge was create mini profiles for each artist with a gallery of images showcasing their work. Most of the artists do not have their own website, so this was an opportunity to to give them an online presence. It also required extensive research to find information and images for each artist.
technical
elements
Wix Forms, Wix Pro Galleries, scrolling effects
design elements
graphic design, photo editing
interactive elements
writing + editing
wrote all content
gallery
The deer has economic and spiritual significance in both Choctaw and Scottish cultures. It is the deer that provides sustenance, clothing, and a means of trade. For the Choctaw, the deer also signifies compassion. And both cultures see the deer as a reminder of cyclical patterns, regeneration, resilience, restoration, healing, growth, and guidance.
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And though both cultures hold these ideas of the deer, I chose the name Deer Heart specifically because the Choctaw people embody these ideas. They walked the Trail of Tears knowing they would face hardship and death but they had a vision of health, balance, and rejuvenation for the Choctaw people. They show us what is possible when you are resilient through dark times and develop an ability to quickly adapt to change. A mere 4,000 people survived the walk. But the Trail of Tears did not destroy them. It made them more compassionate and giving. And now they are the third largest tribe in the United States, with over 200,000 enrollees located around the world. Their resilience and adaptability, combined with compassion and love of fellow man, allowed the Choctaw Nation to thrive despite the great adversity they faced.
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I try to follow in my ancestors' footsteps by having my work begin from a place of compassion. My intent is to help small business owners find resiliency and develop strategy that allows them to adapt to change. I want to help members of my community overcome the struggles they face, restore their passion for their work, and develop the tools they need to not just survive dark times, but come out of it stronger.