Greetings from the "Artic" (aka Chicago)

I have taken upon myself to rename the city of Chicago. We are now to be referred to as the ARTIC. It is June and barely warm enough to put those winter clothes away!

But all of this "not-so-lovely" weather, really helps inspire my graphic/web creations since it is preferable to stay indoors. :) I have 3 new websites to share with you.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first is LauraGardens.com.

Laura is local to Chicago and has launched a website to promote her Garden Design business. Laura needed a website that she could update herself and she also needed it to be easy to use. I designed a custom content management system with easy-to-use instructions and navigation. The website has been developed using PHP and mySQL database.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another dynamic website that I just finished is for Stellar Concierge in New York City.

Stellar offers high end concierge services to individuals and businesses in the NYC are by partnering their clients with their selected list of premium vendors. Stellar needed to redesign their website and improve the functionality of their content management system.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And lastly is Northern Westchester Surgical Associates.

They recently partnered with a prominent diet and weight loss doctor, Dr. Fischer. Together they want to have a website that gives their potential patients a point of reference and also give their current patients a portal for information on their diet and exercise plans. I am still in the process of completing this website, but they wanted a mini-site launched right away.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On a more personal note, my friend, Juana Ryan of Stella Lily Studio 1 has taken some fantastic family photos for me. She just moved into a new and bigger studio and she will soon have a new and better website.

*stay tuned for updates on Juana's website

She always knows hows to capture the true personalities of my family. My boys, Jazper (age 5) and Max (age 3) have been photographed by Juana for the past three years. Juana even did maternity photos for me when I was pregnant with Max in 2006.

For Juana's most recent work, visit her blog.

Welcome Spring! It's been too long!

It's almost her and I can feel a shudder of excitement as I stare out my office window. I even heard a woodpecker in my neighbors yard the other day!

In the spirit of new things, I have some new work to share you with you.

I just recently finished Quiet Light Publishing. Richard Mack, photographer, needed to develop a more sophisticated shopping cart and content management system.










Take a peek: www.quietlightpublishing.com.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Which brings me to a NEW niche I'm discovering.....
I've been working on the development of a lot of websites that use a custom designed Content Management System. In addition to original creative design on the LIVE side of all things websites, I also include the design of the back-end administrative area. By custom designing the functionality, the user can tailor their CMS experience so it's easy to use and specifically for their website.

To see an example in development: Laura Maurer Garden Design is currently be developed. Her creative concepts have been completed and these PDFs detail each page of the LIVE site and also the administrative area in which she will manage her website's content.

View the LIVE site creative
View the Admin / CMS creative

----------------------------------------
Now, I also have a working version of another custom designed website and content management system. This is my edited version of another site I did for a photographer.

Click here to see the LIVE site

Click here to see the CMS (login with user name: rovinsky and password: rovinsky).
You can poke around, upload images, change text just to get a feel for the functionality. This site also allows the admin to change the background photo on every page. This allows the photographer to change each
page's look whenever she feels like it.


As always, I'm enjoying discovering new ways to stay outside of the box. More soon.

New Year and New Work

First up: I just finished a new logo and website for Vornado Realty. They are the owners of the Merchandise Mart and several developments in NYC. I have been working on their newest property: 909 Third Avenue in New York. I created the logo, the design and completed the flash development.

Visit www.vno909.com

( developed through my work with Engine No. 9 Inc)

_________________________________________________________________

Also, just finished a funky book cover for a life coach. (I love book covers, send them my way)


Stay tuned for more creative innovation.

Progress and settling in for colder climates

It's getting colder here. I'm relishing in whatever warmth I can soak up before winter creeps in. Last week, we took a picnic in Morton's Arboretum just south of the city. We took along our friends, Kara and Presley and Rachel (from R.Hanel Photography). These are some photos from that day.



Speaking of Rachel Hanel, I just completed her new website. This website is especially spectacular because Rachel has administrative functions. She can update her own photo galleries and text BUT also she can change out the background image for any page. This allows her to give her site a brand new look and feel whenever she feels like it. Check it out: www.rhanelphotography.com.

Rovinsky.com Updated with new work!

Happy Fall, my favorite time of year! I have finally updated Rovinsky.com with my newest work. After a summer pseudo break from working full-time chained to my computer, I decided that updating my website should include my creative designs as well as my fully developed projects. A lot of the time, companies will hire me to do the purely creative side of web design. I enjoy these projects just as much if not more than full development. Visit www.rovinsky.com.

Also, one of the most recent projects that I am proud to showcase is www.thompsonbrooks.com. Thompson Brooks, INC is a premium building company in San Francisco. When Joe and I lived there, we not only shared a house with their office manager, Nicole Vetzmadian but Joe did some contract work for TBI. At the time, I would have begged to get their website design. So, needless to say when they contacted me this sprint - I jumped on the chance. This website features a fairly simple flash design that showcases photos of their work but also includes a content management system built in PHP 5 that allows them to update their portfolio and text.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more exciting developments.

Sharing the Love ... Spreading some "good" around.

In a world full of challenges ... I wanted to comment on being grateful and take a minute to share some links.

But first - - - a bit about my blogging spurts.
I know it's a good thing I'm not a professional blogger because I'm not exactly consistent on posting regularly. I love to write but typically my writing is dark often times helping me get through something or find a new solution. For a perfect example, check out this piece that I wrote in December 2007. My step mom calls it "depressing" but I think it's probably one of my best yet. Upon reading it, I'm sure you will wonder how in the world I contribute to a moms blog. I wonder that myself sometimes when I'm having trouble writing my next post. But somehow I manage - although I have to work on writing more than just one a month.

I am a firm believer in having many outlets for our creativity, our frustrations ... you name it. My outlets include blogging and most recently, a freelance artists group that I started with my friends, Will and Rachel. I love creating things whether it is a website or a well-thought out Lego castle. But as my business grows and my responsibilities grow, I find the need to create something that has nothing to do with money. So far, our venture is doing well - so in exchange, I'd like to share some links of friends, colleagues, clients, etc.

Will McCarty Freelance Graphic Artist and Friend
http://www.wmccarty.com/

Ben Asaykwee Fabulous Musician and Friend
http://www.benasaykwee.com/

Rachel Hanel Fashion Photographer and Confidant
http://www.rhanelphotography.com/

Steve Samler Musician Specializing in Digital Music for commercials and more (also a member of our group)
http://www.stevensamler.com/

Christopher Ciesielski Fellow Graphic Designer and new to Chicago (also a member of our group)
http://www.design-duo.com/

Emily DeWan A freelance portrait & wedding photographer and member of our group
http://www.emilydewan.com/

Juana Ryan awesome photographer and owner of Stella Lily Studio 1 (and friend)
http://www.stellalily.com/

Jennifer Khatchatrian self-employed mom and Friend
www.fandspace.com

Diana Adams Portrait Photographer in Fairfax, VA (and client)
http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/news/2008/apr/08/Pictures-pro-bono/
www.studiodiana.com

MJ Tam super-mom and blogger (and friend)
wantsugar.blogspot.com

Makeba Waller owner of Ultraview Imaging in Arlington, TX and also a client of mine
http://www.ultraviewimaging.com/


-------

Chicago Freelance Artists Group and Blog

Freelancers Union

Chicago Smart Green Families

Post Secret ( one of my favorite sites )

Who needs "please" when we've got guns?

As most professional moms do ... I juggle A LOT! I've added one more task to my plate these days and that is blogging for "Chicago Moms Blog". I love to write and I love blogging because I don't necessarily have to tell a story - I can be opinionated, personal and even weird if I want to. The Moms Blog fits well with my lifestyle ... I work at home and most of my day is spent balancing my work load, my kids' schedule, my family's demands and lastly my own personal needs. My new found interest revolves around anything that helps me make this world a better place for my children.

I recently had my friend (and professional photographer), Rachel Hanel take these photos of my beautiful children wearing political tee shirts for one of my clients. I took it a step further and created a political family portrait. (**please note, my husband says he is not a republican but also note that he supports Bush so what should we call him? let's blame it on his military upbringing and move on.)

Thus my new found political expression spawned my first blog entry to Chicago Moms Blog. Coupled with a toy gun Jazper received as a gift ... I felt the need to read about how other moms felt about violence and at the same time try and justify my "no guns" policy.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Ralphie: “I want an official Red Ryder, carbine-action, 200-shot range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.”

Mom: “You’ll shoot your eye out.”

We all know Ralphie Parker, the quintessential toy gun owner from “A Christmas Story”. In the world of hot parenting topics, boys and imaginary gunplay ranks at the top. And I became personally affected when my four year old was recently given the gift of a toy gun; which I politely rejected. Even though I don’t allow it, my boys will go to great lengths to make a gun out of anything: their finger, a stack of legos, even a sandwich. In a culture already filled with toy soldiers, armed pirates, violent video games and images of real war, I find it unnerving to see an innocent child pretending to kill someone. I keep asking myself if I’m giving it far more power by forbidding it.

I think children see guns and weapons as “hero worship” and along with that they also witness the power they possess. Rarely, if ever do we see the hero defeating the villain by “talking”, more often we see the hero defeating the villain with violence. Sadly, our children see that violence works. Violence is power. It becomes stylized and children are more likely to look at the violent solutions they see as a “real” alternative. How can we allow this natural boyish behavior of playing with guns and still educate them that violence is not an answer? How can we explain the difference between their pretend play and the fact that real violence can not be retracted?

My grandparents argue that imaginary games of cowboys and Indians or cops and robbers did not turn them into violent adults. This may be true, but as children “real” violence was not pumped into homes with quite the regularity it is now. So, it is a stance I take to not encourage gun play and violence. I will not provide toy guns for them nor will I allow them to receive them as gifts. But on the other hand, I can not forbid their creative methods either. I will continue my crusade to make it clear that I do not approve of play that involves hurting others, even if it is only pretend play.

**thanks to Jack Johnson for this post's title ... inspiring and empowering my want for non-violence, peace and change.