Thought maybe a small wild animal head (bear?) would be cool at the bottom (something outdoor-zie), and unique, a nice surprise ... since a fence is outdoors!.
I actually like the set up of both of them. However, it looks like the background is mountain/hill like. Not much of those in Louisiana. If you can make the background look more like swamp that would make a big different. google search louisiana swamps to see images (has a lot of cypress trees and moss) Also instead of the bear head (louisiana has black bears but we are not known for them) try a fleur de lis.
Would love to but there's only 9 mins left in contest!!! Yikes.
I would have to be ranked #1 to submit changes...You could always juggle around positions until final choice. Just because you temporarily rank someone #1 doesn't mean they will win. It just gives me a chance to make revisions for you.
The elegance of my fence is the simplicity of the lines combined with the shading/shadows/perspective (Much like the Typography you picked, which I agree with). It's alway better to keep it simple, if you can. Logos will age better. These Logos are very complex as it is.
Any detail in the fence will get mixed in visually with the texture of the trees in the far background... the pespective of the fence fading into the distance is what the fence is all about. The clean fence gives a nice balance against the "busy" set of Cypress trees behind it. We wouldn't want all that texture against texture. It's the less is more way of thinking.
Not to be one to leave well enough alone, I've roughened the Fence a tad and lightened the color a bit #40. I think it's just enough to get rid of the smoothness you were picking up on and still keep the contrast of the original idea of the smoother wooden picket fence against the rougher trees.
Two new trees: A Traditional Oak #50 and a Traditional Cypress #51.
I like the Cypress #51 because it has just enough of the "swampy" feel without being scary or spooky looking. I also think It evokes the feeling of the traditional backyard southern charm and hospitality.
Hope you like ... sometimes the details can drive you crazy if you let em :) !
Use the background, fence and shape of 51. Use the font of 16 for "Fence Post" Arch the banner like in 27. Underneath the banner just put a fleur de lis
I thought you wanted the same "curved custom" fleur de lis that was already in use. I can certinally use a more traditional one, but there will be some dead "empty" space on either side, so we'll have to see how that works out.
I'll be able to get you some new revisions with a cleaner fleur de lis and the other font late tomorrow afternoon, becasue unfortunately I had to go out of town and I don't have access to my art files.