Spooky season tiptoed in today, quiet as a breeze, and suddenly there are three new faces on the lawn—white and weightless, caught between play and hush. My dad made each ghost standee by hand and I helped finish them off with a coat of paint and my sketched. This is a good way to use some leftover wood from projects that would be discarded or turned into firewood. We may add more thought out the year to have more seasonal touches.
There’s a kind of homemade magic in a simple decoration, the way it turns a familiar corner into a tiny stage. By dusk they will glow a little brighter with the help of a solar spot light.
Here are the sketches we made before we stated building the standees.
With years of experience working with illustrators at all levels, I wasn’t approaching this with uncertainty—I was curious. Could Fiverr provide a partner who’s not only affordable, but also a great match for my zamartz brand aesthetic and workflow? I decided to run a simple test: commission the same brief across four artists at different price points and see which one hit the mark.
Deliverables: One full-color illustration per artist, including sketches and feedback.
Formats Required: Procreate sketches, original Adobe Illustrator (.AI) files, and final .PNG images (1500w x 1000h pixels).
Delivery Method: Google Drive
Concept: Visual metaphor—multiple water slides converging into a single pool labeled “mSEO,” representing multi-channel SEO efforts.
Selecting the Artists:
I must have browsed over a hundred Fiverr profiles before narrowing it down to just four illustrators. My goal wasn’t just to find “good” artists—it was to discover ones whose portfolio styles could potentially align with the clean, modern, and strategic visual tone of my company.
To narrow it down, I looked for:
Previous illustration work that felt adaptable to branding, tech, or editorial themes
Average Rating and Number of Ratings, to ensure consistent delivery
Member Since date and Last Delivery, to gauge experience and recent activity
Average Response Time, which is crucial for collaboration
Fiverr also uses a seller level system, and some creators carry a Fiverr Pro badge—indicating they’ve been vetted by Fiverr’s internal team. While I didn’t exclusively choose Pro creators, I used these indicators to balance budget and reliability.
The final four represented a range of pricing tiers and artistic styles, from entry-level freelancers to established professionals. This allowed me to evaluate not just the final product—but the creative process, responsiveness, and brand alignment at each level.
The Illustrative Journey:
Each artist provided uniquely styled illustrations that showcased varying degrees of interpretation, execution, and brand alignment:
Level 1 delivered a clear and simple illustration suitable for a basic visual.
Level 2 provided more thoughtful detail and visual engagement.
Level 3 offered an artistically creative interpretation that captured more nuance and imagination.
Level 4, Agus Barriola, produced a highly detailed and professional illustration perfectly aligned with my creative vision and brand aesthetic, clearly surpassing expectations.
Agus Barriola’s work not only captured my vision but elevated it, confirming that the right artistic partnership can significantly enhance brand communication and visual storytelling.
LEVEL 1LEEVEL 2LEVEL 4
Insights and Takeaways:
Testing multiple illustrators was invaluable in clearly identifying who best matched my brand’s visual language.
Higher-priced artists offered superior communication, deeper understanding of brand nuances, and elevated creative results.
Investing in a premium artist like Agus Barriola ultimately proved worthwhile, providing visuals that truly resonated with my creative and brand vision.
This experiment reinforced the importance of exploring artistic options, clarifying brand aesthetics, and recognizing that great illustration is about more than just visuals—it’s about finding an artist who truly speaks your brand’s language.
Featured Illustrator:
Check out Agus Barriola’s Fiverr Profile—an exceptional talent delivering an Illustration that matched existing design direction and added their own creative flare.
Want to test Fiverr or Higher an Illustrator
Whether you’re building a brand, publishing content, or just need standout visuals, finding the right illustrator can make all the difference. I tested multiple artists on Fiverr at different price points—and learned a lot along the way. If you’re considering doing the same, here are a few quick answers to help you get started.
Q: What’s the best way to test illustrators from Fiverr?
A: Provide a clear brief and commission the same project across several artists at different price points. Compare based on alignment with your brand, communication, and creativity.
Q: Does price on Fiverr correlate to quality?
n my experiment, higher-priced artists tended to deliver more refined, brand-aligned results—but testing proved essential to finding the right fit.
Q: Who was the best illustrator in this test?
A: Agus Barriola stood out at the $150 price point, delivering a polished, highly brand-consistent final product.
There’s something serendipitous about capturing a moment you never intended to keep. Like a bird landing exactly where you were about to take a photo, or a cat inserting itself into an otherwise mundane Zoom meeting.
That’s what happened when I was playing around with my DJI Osmo Mobile SE, just testing the stabilization and seeing how it handled movement. No grand vision, no artistic pursuit—just idle experimentation. And yet, somehow, these shots of my office, taken in the midst of my curiosity, feel more intentional than I could have ever planned.
One frame holds my own face, caught somewhere between focus and daydreaming, framed against a soft beige wall that makes everything feel oddly contemplative. Am I deep in thought, or just wondering what to make for dinner? The world may never know.
The second shot, meanwhile, tells its own quiet story—a workspace frozen in time, monitors standing tall, the glow of a forest wallpaper breathing life into the room. A small, red charm hangs near the door, a subtle pop of color against the modern angles. Outside, a window peers into a world that’s just a little blurry, a little unknowable, but still very much present.
And that’s the magic of accidental captures. The moments between moments. The things you don’t try to frame, yet somehow feel perfectly composed. Maybe that’s what photography really is—not about control, but about letting things fall into place.
**Introducing the Future Goldenrod Inn: A Decade of Dreams Coming True**
I’m thrilled to finally reveal a project that is very close to my heart—the future Goldenrod Inn. Imagine a place where charm meets comfort, nature meets nurture, and every detail is crafted with warmth and creativity. Ten years of dreaming, planning, and overcoming obstacles has led us to this moment.
In the heart of nature, the Goldenrod Inn is not just a building; it’s a sanctuary designed to inspire relaxation and renewal. Through this journey, we’ve held tightly to our vision of an inn that encapsulates the essence of hospitality and relaxation.
To make this dream a reality, we’re thrilled to share our plan with you on Kickstarter. We invite you to become part of the Goldenrod Inn story—your support can help transform this decade-long vision into a beautiful reality.
Please consider contributing to our Kickstarter [here](https://bt.goldenrodinn.com/fandf) and help us create a place that offers more than just a stay; we’re building an experience. Every little contribution counts!
Together, let’s make the Goldenrod Inn a beacon of peace and creativity.
Title: An Inspiring Journey Through Music, Art, and Design with Es Devlin
In this captivating image shared by @zaipier, we catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing work of Es Devlin, a visionary in the realms of music, art, and design. The intricate details and vibrant colors draw us into a world where creativity knows no bounds.
As we explore an atlas of Es Devlin’s creations, we are transported into a symphony of sounds, colors, and emotions. Each piece tells a unique story, inviting us to immerse ourselves in the fusion of music, art, and design.
Join us on a journey through this creative masterpiece, where #music, #art, and #design converge to create an unforgettable experience. Let Es Devlin’s work inspire and ignite your imagination, as we celebrate the endless possibilities of creativity.
Step into a world where the boundaries between disciplines blur and innovation reigns supreme. Stay tuned for more updates on Es Devlin’s upcoming projects, set to redefine the intersection of art and technology on April 4, 2024, at 00:21:58 UTC.
Experience the magic of Es Devlin’s creations and witness the transformative power of art in shaping our world. Discover more about this visionary artist and get ready to be enchanted by a new chapter in the evolution of music, art, and design.
This summer, I thought up a recurring photo series—a thorough examination of the textures and materials on my balcony. After the recent outdoor renovation we did, I’ve been thinking a lot of the elements that make up tactile surfaces. In the summer, we all tend to be outside in the warm weather and sunshine, and I’m no exception. When I’m on my balcony, I find myself pondering how everything has its own physical fabric in this world, and begin to eagerly examine and study the textures I see.
There’s something artistic about all the finishes that come together to form my balcony. From the rough stuccoed ceramic of the pots that hold the plants, the wood grain in the furniture, the weave and textile of the cushions, to the painstaking pattern and braiding of the area rug; all these textures come together to form my own outdoor oasis. A place of respite, escape, and fresh air—surrounded in nature and the textures that comprise it.
While packing up my apartment, I came across things that my husband and I have collected over the years. Looking at each one of our trinkets that took me back in time. I was instantly reminded of all the places I have been, as I prepared to go somewhere new.
There are stories within those small items. Many of which are keepsakes from life before COVID-19. A toy from my work-at-office desk, a Dr. Who souvenir from a trip to London, and a box of macaroons from a day of holiday window viewing on Madison Avenue, to name a few. Knick knacks like these are worth keeping around.
There is a big trend to “de clutter” and keep only the essentials. I feel that keeping small precious items, especially those that have a memory and meaning attached to them, are important to have. I am not advocating to become a hoarder of all things, but being able to take a moment and appreciate the actual “special” items has helped in this “COVID-19” world.
| A cute little trend on Facebook / Instagram / Snapchat stories are little templates to fill in your own answers to questions, comments, goals and more.
Design Background:
There were a few other designers that created their own versions of these story templates for the year and and the new year but ultimately many of them were too complicated or did not distill the information down to an understandable point. Additionally, many of the design templates I looked at were also very helter-skelter with positioning, fonts, colors, etc… I decided to start with making my branded version of these story templates, and While not everyone will like this blue template i created, there is also gold version as a secondary option that is maybe a bit more festive.
Use and share story templates:
Please feel free to use them and tag my account @zamartz.
| #2017bestnine #nye #boyfriendswhobestof | ??? | Wow, What a year it has been. There have certainly been many highs and lows, but I’m going to focus on the positive, ZAMartz best of 2017, information to recap. I will be covering some of the best content and pageviews on the ZAMartz website as well as the best social media post of 2017 on instagram.
| Read Insta-comments -> http://bt.zamartz.com/2C1f8Fi There is no way to recap this year in one post, so please take the time to go through a few of the above articles and excerpts to see some of the Best of ZAMartz 2017.
I will end this post with a memorial mention to my brother Jared, who sadly lost a battle with addition this year. This is an unforgivable epidemic here in the United States.
Resting at Home Plate
Come eventide, with loaded bases, he framed the box to bat; points into distant, setting sun, and slowly adjusts his cap.
Oh soaring mighty arc, over plate and chain-link fence, delivered to heaven’s gates, come angelic presence whence.
Arrive amidst an all-star game, loved ones, long on deck; hopes and praises reach you, to our MVP, we’ll never soon forget.</p
By Zachary A. Martz – In loving Memory of my little brother Jared Martz – 1990 to 2017
On the table, two small boxes sit like a quiet conversation. Denim-blue sleeves, gold lettering. One reads A to Z, centered and calm. The other scatters the alphabet across its face, as if the letters were poured out and left to settle where they pleased.
It’s a matchbox, but it doesn’t feel like a disposable thing. It feels kept. The kind of object that lives alongside you, waiting in a drawer for the night the power goes out, or the evening you decide to light a candle just to make the room softer.
I like how simple design can hold memory. An alphabet is one of the first maps we learn, a way of naming the world so it stops being a blur. Here it’s stamped in gold, warm against the textured blue, turning a plain utility into something close to a small heirloom.
AtoZ Matchbox is a tiny reminder that everyday items don’t have to be loud to be meaningful. They can be steady. They can be beautiful. They can sit in the background of your life until you need a spark—then suddenly they’re the whole moment.
| My wonderful boyfriend Angel surprised me for my birthday with a Miansai Bracelet. I have always loved this brand but this was my first bracelet from them. Receiving my first Miansai bracelet as a gift made it even more special.
I have been a very ambitious online shopper recently. Including a sofa from Interior Define, I have also purchased a mattress and bed frame from Gilt. The process for selecting my sofa was very easy and because I am a web dork a bit fun. I selected my sloan with Oxford Blue Mod Velvet and Brass Tapered Round Legs. I decided on Interior Define after looking at normal retailers and having to sacrifice design over price or materials. With Interior Define I was able to make the sofa to my specifications in the style I was looking for.
Purchase to Delivery
The wait was a bit longer but seeing as the sofa is made to order I could wait for the 8-10 weeks turnaround time. The status updates via e-mail also made the wait more bearable. The transparency really helped me keep track of my order and remember at what steep in the process my sofa was in.
Delivery & Install
Free shipping included in the purchase price is the last incentive that sold me on Interior Define Sloan Sofa. The sofa was airmailed to me and had “white glove” delivery to my front door, on my schedule, with an advanced call in preparation for delivery. The two gentleman who carried my sofa up one flight of stairs, unpacked, and assembled it were very professional and quick.
Final Thoughts
All said and done I am happy with my purchase and love the sofa! The quality is perfect for the price, the material and style is everything I wanted, and the expectations set with the service were right on point.
