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I celebrate youR FIRE
THROUGH art

ABOUT PAPER PHOENIX

Custom identity and occasion design studio by Lydia Tate (Lichtenberger) Slotten.

Specializing in bespoke designs that capture the unique passions of individuals, weddings and creative companies. Illustrated fine and graphic art designs paired with hand lettered calligraphy and curated typography. Production services for stationery suites, original artwork, prints, and beyond.Β 

SCHEDULE

Book a free session with me to discussion a commission idea spark. Let’s bring your fire to life.

WHAT ARE YOU CELEBRATING?

@paperphoenix

    Getting to design a fresh take on fall invites for Getting to design a fresh take on fall invites for a favorite venue with Mag and Steve! For the Save the Date we opted to sneak peak the venue's beautiful gateway. When you turn the corner you wind up their driveway, take in a gorgeous VA mountain scene that's peppered with fall leaves if you time it right, expectant for revelry and of course, crisp cider. The venue doesn't disappoint! But guests will have to wait for their invite, and of course the big day itself, to see it. 
πŸ₯‚πŸŽπŸπŸπŸžοΈ
All leaves were individually hand inked at a larger scale on real life paper, and then scanned, digitally recolored as desired, and collaged into the wind swept wonder you see here, ready for printing. 
πŸ‚πŸƒ
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#castlehillcider
#customstationery #illustratedinvitations #weddinginvitations #weddings #weloveillustration #illustrationartist #ink #artisanstationery #calligrapher #weddingdetails #fineartbride #createyourhappy #stationerydesign #coutureinvitations #moderncalligraphy #custominvitations #illustration #calligraphy #weddingstationery #weddingsuite #savethedate
    Funkalicious Vday card back set. Fervently fearle Funkalicious Vday card back set.  Fervently fearless, ferocious fondness. βšœοΈβ™ οΈπŸ’ πŸŸ₯πŸƒ
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Ps my favorite way to paint acrylics is by surrounding myself with everything on the floor so I can kinda dance between paint tubes/gallons, mixing tray, and paper.
For a fun set of smaller pieces like this I can free flow work on them all at once so they come together in a similar way while each one is unique. For one bigger painting I can swivel the paper all around, or walk around a canvas, adding bits at different angles, and hang out with it til it's just right.
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This all started when I had a little room off my bedroom with a tiny sink growing up where I'd stay up late to  chill and paint, Apocalyptica's Nothing Else Matters or Enter Sandman on repeat, intuitively painting with an on the floor setup. I never really got into easels unless it was the play with a group posed life painting class or a trip to the Barboursville ruins. And even then, when working on something after the fact, I hate feeling constrained, so later edits would involve putting that puppy down on the floor for final free flowing edits.
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In contrast for calligraphy lettering I'm really type A about the exact height of my chair seat and table top. I get in the zone in a totally different way and the technique requires precision fostered by certain angles and repetition.
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#handpaintedcards #maximalism #acrylicflowerpainting #acrylicpaint #stationerydesign #paperphoenix #semiabstractflowers #modernart #studioscenes #artshare #goldenacrylics #cardmaking #papercrafts #handmadecards #fineartflowers #gilded #botanicalart
    I'd love to share the meaning behind this special I'd love to share the meaning behind this special commission project with you. In November '18, a family's loved 14 yr old daughter passed away after a two year battle with cancer. There is a heart shaped pond on their mini-farm family property. The two sisters had loved searching for and collecting heart-shaped rocks, often found around the pond and the broader land. In her memory, her mom, dad and big sister are changing the name of their property to Heart Rock.
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There are goats on the farm and their Great Pyr (big guardian dog breed), Aslan, guards them. They currently run a BnB on-site and are exploring leaning into the hospitality space and building a wedding venue. For the mom's recent birthday, the husband gifted her a venue blueprint mockup, with my illustration framed and included. He was seeking to bring joy by celebrating their daughter's life, memory, and their plan for the future as a family. I was advised that the mom loves hydrangeas, purple and soft green colors, Aslan, and of course heart rocks. Life, wisdom, meadow, and royal fortress were meaningful terms.
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While the outcome of this is sweet, I channeled an intense depth of feeling while drawing this one, and just let the broader design come to me as I put the pieces together and organically layered in content. After the upfront time of initial sketching on the heart rock concept, completing research and aligning on other motifs to include, I illustrated the core artwork in one six hour take without stopping, before coordinating local printing for gift delivery later that week. 
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#inmemoriam #heartrock #greatPyrenees #pyr #hydrangeas #butterflies #watercolor #ink #illustration #graphicartist #customgift #artcommission
#illustrationartist #designart #illustrationgram #artshare #creativedesign #designfeed #weloveillustration #choosejoy
    Behind the scenes scrap paper from the map project Behind the scenes scrap paper from the map project. Do you think a framed wall of these would be fun to have up in my new art shed?  My acrylic mixing pages are way more crazy. But these soft left over abstract watercolor strokes are fun. I make them when I want to color test a mix or lighten a stoke before the real deal. 🎨πŸ§ͺ
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#watercolor #studioscenes #watercolorpractice #designisinthedetails  #paintinginprogress #accidentalabstract
    Getting fresh cards and stickers printed today! 🟣πŸŸͺ I'm also looking for a local embroiderer for a napkin monogram project if y'all have any recommendations! πŸͺ‘🧡
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#stationer #calligrapher #graphicartist #illustrator #atlartist #branding #modernheraldry #paperphoenix #paperaddict #stationerydesign #maker #phoenix
    What's that ridge? A favorite 2020 original artwor What's that ridge? A favorite 2020 original artwork holiday present. Titled NC mountain views to support 'from the back deck' pointing and spot sharing. A super sweet gift from the coolest set of siblings, for their parents mountain spot. Here are some quick shots before I shipped it over for framing and gift giving. This is such a meaningful example of the gift of a 100% totally custom, made just for you, illustration-led design. My favorite was receiving a Google Earth project link for views references! Created for an OG wedding client who thought of me for this decor gift. AMA about the process πŸ™‚ 
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Named peaks/places. Compass rose and (blurred out!) coordinates included. Black ink line work paired with discerning watercolor splashes. Hand lettering inspired by the font Interstate, a signage alphabet. Archival Canson watercolor paper. 
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πŸžοΈπŸ–ΌοΈπŸ–ŒοΈβœοΈ
#northcarolina #ncmountains #mountainpeaks #mountainskyline  #bespokeillustration #compassrose #ink #watercolor #handlettering #illustration #paperphoenix #customgifts #skylinemap #customillustrator #mountains #mountainhome #mountainhomedecor
    A romantic tablescape for D+D πŸ½οΈπŸ–€πŸ‡βšœοΈπŸ’.
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Daniela and I had so much fun dreaming wedding vision and creating aligned illustrated botanical/fruit garland framed, black ribbon wrapped, and antique gold sealed invites.
πŸ“ƒπŸ½οΈπŸ₯³πŸ’ƒ
We riffed on the style for day of paper goods, including some of the tablescape goodness pictured here- a selection of a few favorite vertical/portrait shots. I'll post a few horizontals later with more birds eye views.
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It all came to life through a fabulous vendor set who coordinated a socially distanced wedding by household -
Photos by @lovefusionphoto 
Gorgeous botanicals by @wildpollen
Drool worthy cake by @liberty.cake
Coordinated by @bircheventdc
Held at @great.marsh 
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#fineartbride #illustratedinvitations
#darktablemood #darkbotanical #weddingstationer #weddingmenus #weddingdetails #luxurystationery #bespokeweddingstationery #wedding #weddingstationery #dayofpapergoods #moodyflorals #luxuryweddinginvitations #lovefusionphotgraphy #calligraphy #weddingtabledecor
    SO FUN to see this baby received, framed, and hung SO FUN to see this baby received, framed, and hung up in LA! Special personal piece for broseph.  Thanks for the πŸ“·πŸ“Έ. 
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I'll post some of my own behind the scenes shots later, layering paint and riffing off the reference bouquet commissioned with @carolineworthdesign. My brother sent me inspiration that I shared with Caroline. She made a gorgeous take for me, that I used as inspiration. While I totally love imagining flowers, and I still do even with a reference bouquet, nuances of petal shapes, wild energy of greenery, and true colors are so much more fun to flow against in person. Especially for medium to large format pieces, where the botanicals are the star.
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⬛ 🎨 20 x 26 inch acrylic painting on heavy weight archival cold pressed black paper
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#fineartflowers #darkstilllife  #moodyflorals #darkfloral #dutchstilllife #floralpainting #acrylicflowerpainting #contemporaryart #interiordesignart #bouquetpainting #bouquetpainter #botanicalart #flowerpainting #darktablemood #chiaroscuro #paperphoenix  #flowerillustration  #chiaroscuroinspired #semiabstractflowers #darkbotanical  #painting  #acrylicpaint
    πŸ¦• I'm coming up with a list of personal project πŸ¦• I'm coming up with a list of personal projects for the year to test and learn from my own passions, and bring those ideas to client work. One idea is a Komodo Dragon 'crest'.
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This (gorgeous) stamp I sent last month reminds me of the 'Reptilian Club'. Growing up my imaginative and adventurous maternal Sloan cousins formed a self-organized club. Top rank was Komodo Dragon. I think we were inspired by the very cool komodo at the DC zoo, where one of our aunt's lives.
πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘§πŸͺ΅πŸ›·πŸ§­
We may or may not have * lightly * hazed the younger cousins. Starting ranks were mostly determined based on age. You then rose through the ranks by completing hazardous missions in my grandparent's Connecticut back yard that backed up to the woods and the Appalachian trail. Starter things like, sled this steep jump-filled hill. Or, find your way home lost in the woods, young cousin, armed with a walkie talkie and maybe a compass. Build a fort with actual saws and trees. Go sneak soda from inside to supply said fort (okay, less hazardous). 
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Since then the second eldest cousin decreed that all cousins and future generations are hereby Komodo Dragons. Perhaps we need (or at least, I'm inspired by) an inked line drawing emblem!
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#philatelic #vintagepostage
#theageofreptiles
#philatelist #sendmoremail #happymail #mailcall #handlettering  #postagestamps
    For Suzy + Keith! So much fun to scheme, with thei For Suzy + Keith! So much fun to scheme, with their clever housewarming present gift-giver, what hand painted meaningful motifs to include 🏑🎁. This one shall adorn the walls of their lovely new digs πŸ–ΌοΈ. Though, it was also fun to scale it down and print it on a folded informal ribbon binded card just for them βœ‰οΈ. Everything was hand painted 🎨 and then digitally collaged πŸ’», tweaked til it was just perfect, printed in house on natural white archival paperπŸ“œ, framed just so 1️⃣, packaged and shipped off as a surprise πŸ“¦πŸ₯³.
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#watercolor #watercolorillustration #customillustrator #commissionedart #artshare #moderncalligraphy #familyemblem  #monogram #handlettering #petillustration #bespokeweddingstationery #housewarminggiftideas #graphicart
    I'm Lydia Slotten of Paper Phoenix, and I celebrat I'm Lydia Slotten of Paper Phoenix, and I celebrate your fire through art! 
πŸ§‘βœ’οΈπŸ”₯🧐🎨
This is a silly picture of me peering through a bunch of the pens and brushes I use. But it reminds me of the core purpose of the commission process. I create purpose-built occasion and identity designs. I'm honored to be able to align art intuitively to your unique joyful sparks. I get to meet you, truly see you, and repeatedly decide out of unlimited options what to include and how to discerningly incorporate it for you. 
🐣πŸ’₯✨
#empath #intuitiveartist #designer  #creator #maker #crafter #producer #graphicartist #calligrapher #handletterer #typographylover #painter #philatelist #illustrator #identitydesigner #friend #commissionedart
#stationerydesigner #consultant #trustedadvisor #artist #arthistorynerd #stationer #phoenix #experiencedesigner
    Lil bit of midsummer's romance for your Saturday m Lil bit of midsummer's romance for your Saturday morning
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πŸ“· and flat lay design by Lovefusion Photography @lovefusionphoto #lovefusionphotgraphy βœ‚οΈπŸŽ€βœ¨
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Planner: @bircheventdc
Venue: @great.marsh
Florals: @wildpollen (more day of shots to follow🍽️)
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Handmade paper: @inquisited
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Stationery illustration, painting and graphic art design, postage curation, calligraphy and vellum wrap assembly: me!
βœ’οΈπŸ’Œβœ¨
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#paperie #weddinginvitationsuite #weddingstationery #artisanbride #artisanstationery #fineartbride #weddingstationer #weddingdetails #dailydoseofpaper #prettypaper #illustratedinvitations #calligraphy  #coutureinvitations #weddinginvitations #moodywedding #vintagepostage #couturestationery  #sendmoremail #custominvitations #createyourhappy
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