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New art print released: Spring 2009, happy Arbor Day!

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Spring 2009, hand screenprinted, 2-color limited edition art print

Spring 2009, hand screenprinted, 2-color limited edition art print

Ahhhhhh Spring. It’s here! And just in time for Arbor Day (US observed).

Arbor Day was one of my favorite elementary school days. I swear we went outside in the fresh spring air in the morning, watched a new tree planting and dedication, had some cupcakes back inside the school room and then (!) Smokey The Bear would come visit and talk to us in the afternoons. Maybe I’m mashing a few special school days all into one, but I don’t care. That’s how I remember Arbor Day. So, I wanted to release this new limited edition art print on Arbor Day!

From a few designs I was playing with a few weeks ago, (see my previous blog post here and more designs here on my Flickr page here) I chose this one to be my Spring 2009 art print. I just love the simplicity and the surprising way that magenta and this tender, light green interact and work together.

This is the second print in a series of seasonal, limited edition prints that I’ll be releasing. Ready? Here’s the mind-blowing part – there will be 4 prints per year. Crazy! I know!

This springy dance is a 2-color, hand printed screenprint, with bright new green and transparent magenta inks. Magenta overprints green in parts to make a ruby red. Edition of only 50. Size: 16.5w x 22h inches (39.4 cm x 55.9 cm.) Paper: acid-free & archival Cougar 100lb White, cover weight. Now available for sale on my website here.  There are a few process photos that I took while printing this on my Flickr page here as well.

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Doodle Time: Ginko edition

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Sketch of upright green & yellow Ginko leaves and some unnaturally colored berries.

Sketch of upright green & yellow Ginko leaves and some unnaturally colored berries.

I’ve been obsessed with the shapes of Ginko leaves for about as long as I can remember, having grown up around them. The tree species was one of a great handful introduced to the United States via my hometown of Philadelphia by avid botanist and horticulturist named William Hamilton in 1784. Other than the admittedly terrible smell of the berries dropped by the female trees, they are simply incredible and beautiful.

Falling Ginko leaves and berries gathering on the ground.

Falling Ginko leaves and berries gathering on the ground.

Last week I started sketching and doodling with some variations on Ginko leaves, berries and textures. Here are a few of those doodles, designs, sketches, what have you, and I also put them all up on both my Flickr account and over in my Spoonflower portfolio as well. Feel free to comment and let me know which you like best, or, conversely, if you think they stink like a Ginko berry.

The further I went, the more it not only felt nice to be sketching, but it felt as though I was working on a textile pattern, perhaps bedding. Which, is extra nice. Sleeping is nice, and I’ve always been very interested in textiles, fabric, bed inens and their design. Odd, maybe. But true nonetheless. Still, it’s clear that I need to learn a good deal more about how to make repeating patterns. Even so, I figured sharing the designs might be fun.

Sort of a free-for-all in color, texture, and overprinty-ness.

Sort of a free-for-all in color, texture, and overprinty-ness.

The Ginko is an incredibily ancient species, with fossils dating back to the Permian period, some 270 million years ago. Amazingly, the Ginko’s loveliness  almost died out, only to persist in such small numbers that the species is listed as a living fossil. There is something very comforting and assuring to me about the lovely fact that something so beautiful could last for so long and throughout so many massive changes.

Yes, I am corny like that.

Posted in Sketches & doodles, Stuff I Like | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Replies

New poster released: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin! (yay!)

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Hand screenprinted poster for the neato Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Hand screenprinted spring tour poster for the neato Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Good grief, we loved Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin‘s music before they ever played Pittsburgh. And now, we like ’em even more. Smart sweethearts, every one of ’em. They might be the best band that not enough people have heard. For realsies, so go listen. Don’t fret, they will be out on tour again soon.

This hand screenprinted and emotional poster is my 2-color fella with sad blue and black inks. Edition of 150, with 100 copies going to the band. Size: 16w x 22h inches. Paper: acid-free & archival Cougar 100 lb White, cover weight. Available at my website here, and soon, at the SSLYBY’s Super Store, once they’re home from tour and it’s back up & running. And, as per my usual dweebyness, here are some process photos I took while printing their poster at AIR here for you on my Flickr page.

And here’s a photo of 2 SSLYBYs and 2 Drew Danburrys in the King’s Monroeville parking lot on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Horsing around.

Horsing around.

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New poster released: The Fillmore presents Brett Dennen w/ Angus & Julia Stone!

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And it’s my first Fillmore poster!

Poster for Brett Dennens 2 shows in San Franciscos legendary Fillmore Theater.

Poster for Brett Dennen's 2 shows in San Francisco's legendary Fillmore Auditorium.

Yes! THAT Fillmore. Indeed. And Mr. Brett Dennen and the siblings Angus & Julia Stone played there for a very special 2-night, back to back engagement on Friday & Saturday, March 20 & 21, 2009 at The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA

Happy happy little fellow freed himself from the bonds that held him.

The Fillmore is where it all started for rock poster art. Since 1966, Bill Graham and The Fillmore have been commissioning posters from artists all over the world to hand out at shows as a thank you for fans. Within that tradition grew the seeds of the modern rock poster movement. As you can imagine then, I’m so excited and honored to be working with the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco, and this was a fun poster to work on as my inauguration into that incredibly rich history of rock posters.

Being that this is a tradition Fillmore poster, it is an offset print, NOT screenprinted, and printed by The Fillmore for this show. It’s a 4-color, desgin with an edition of 1,000. Of that 1,000 given to the fans at the show and to the bands’ members, I have just 50 posters. Size: 13w x 19h inches. Paper: thick and heavy white stock.

For more infomation or to purchase a poster, please visit my website here.

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New art print, “he likes to read books written for girls” released!

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Books Written For Girls, what a softly brutal song by Camera Obscura.

3-color, hand screenprinted art print "He Likes To Read Books Written For Girls"

3-color, hand screenprinted art print "He Likes To Read Books Written For Girls"

So! Independent Record Store Day is quite a great little way to help support your local indepents. This print is part of a print exchange and show in conjunction with Independent Record Store Day on Saturday April 18, 2009. This particular print show will be up for viewing at 3 different indie record stores around the country: Signed & Numbered and Slowtrain Records in Salt Lake City, Size Records in Oklahoma City and 52.5 Records in Charleston, SC.

The theme for the show was to take a song lyric from a favorite band and translate that into a print for the show. I chose Camera Obscura’s “Books Written For Girls”, which is just a sweetly sad and devastating songhere combined with text from a classic book written for girls rife with odd gender roles and unfair treatment of one’s loves. Or so I think. And here they are, just about to have a heart or two broken.

Available now at my website here. And don’t forget to support your local independent record stores!

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New art print, ‘Going To See My Baby Blue’ released!

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Love love love! Everyone falls in love.

Going To See My Baby Blue

Going To See My Baby Blue

This screenprinted happy day is a new colorway of a very popular and quickly sold out print that I did in 2007, but in a super smaller edition, now returned in blue & periwinkle, just for you. Fresh off the press this weekend. Available at my website, and my Etsy shop.

Going To See My Baby Blue is my 5-color, all hand screen printed art print with sky blue, bright bike red, dark grey, black and transparent periwinkle hand mixed and non-toxic water based inks. And yes! The periwinkle cloud breaks the margin/border, just like a good cloud should.Tweet! Edition of 85. Size: 15.5 x22 inches (39.4 cm x 55.9 cm.) Paper: acid free & archival Cougar, White 100lb cover weight.

A printing progress photo of crazy screenprinting action is below, and there are (of course), more on my Flickr page here too.

Going To See My Baby Blue print, 2 of 5 colors printed.

Going To See My Baby Blue print, 2 of 5 colors printed.

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New Bluebottle interview

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Quickie post here to share a new interview with me by Amy  from Bluebottle  Art Gallery + Store. I don’t know that I could love the people at the Bluebottle any more. This month marks my first solo gallery show at Bluebottle, after a successful part in a holiday show in December of last year.

And now adding to their awesomeness, Amy, who is also a writer, asked the best questions I’ve ever been asked for this interview for the Bluebottle blog. Have a peek the Bluebottle blog called Art, Craft, & Design and also Amy’s website called Fairy Tale Factory, specializing in fairy tales and writing workshops and spread the magic. If you like process talk about design geekery, be sure to read interview is here.

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New art print released: “Night Birds

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Tweet!

Night Birds, 4 color hand screenprinted art print

Night Birds, 4 color hand screenprinted art print

Little bright birds coming home to roost for the night. 

I’ve always loved the chatter of birds at twilight. As a kid walking past the Free Library of Philadelphia, which was home to a hefty flock of pigeons, it always sounded as if everyone had an awful lot to talk about from their day at that lovely pink hour. I’m still an avid little bird feeder. I just love to hear the din of song birds at my feeders.

This print is my all hand screenprinted 4-color print with Dark Chocolate Brown, Bright Canary Yellow, Leafy Green, and Orange water-based and non-toxic inks. Edition of 100, Size: 16w x 22h inches. Perfect for framing. Paper: acid-free & archival Cougar 100 lb White, cover weight. Fresh off the presses this weekend and now available at my website.

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Short & Sweet. My first solo art show!

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In the words of Roger Daltrey: “YYYEAAAAAHHHH!”

Bluebottle Art Gallery + Store info

I’m so excited about this, I just can’t help but invoke the CSI opening exclamation. The good folks at Bluebottle Art Gallery + Store in my favorite home away from home city, Seattle, WA will forever be special to me now. Well, even more special. They are showing my very first solo gallery show this February.

Perhaps you recall that I was a part of their fantastic holiday art print show “Jolly Good”  in December, (blog post here). Well we’re back baby! Teaming up once more for my solo show in the adorable little month of February, hence the name “Short & Sweet”. It is obvious, right? Do I really have to lead you along with explanations of the shortest month of the year and the second most candy-fantastic holiday of the year? (Flag Day being the first, naturally.) No? Excellent!

Wanna now what’s in store for “Short & Sweet?”, well Bluebottle Art Gallery + Store is here to help your nebby way. They have a preview link here with just some of the screenprinted art prints that I will be showing. All prints are available for sale at Bluebottle from February 1st – 28th. 

And, there will be a brand new print debuting for this show, called “Night Birds”, so fresh on the presses it’s not even OFF yet. Yup yup! So if you are in the Seattle area, please do stop by and see the show. Bluebottle Art Gallery + Store is located at 415 East Pine Street in Seattle, WA with gallery and store hours of Tues – Sun 12 -7.  Bluebottle Art Gallery & Store also runs an email preview list that you can sign up for here, which allows you to get sneak previews of art work before the general public.

 

Short & Sweet show preview page

Short & Sweet show preview page

Posted in Gallery Shows, New prints, New releases, News & Events, Upcoming Posters & Prints | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Replies

Super fun Year End Exhibition Art Show at AIR

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AIR community print studios.

AIR community print studios: 518 Foreland St. Pgh. PA - 412-321-8664.

Ooooooh yeah! This one is going to be a rad fun time. It’s experimental, and if you know anyone from the AIR studios (Artists Image Resource, where I print) then you know this is going to be a funfest. 

What: The AIR Annual Staff & Volunteer  Art Show, Party & Exhibition. Over 32 artists’ current work will be on view ranging from print, sculpture, painting, photography, sound and video installation.

When: Saturday December 13, 2008 from 7:00pm –11:00pm

Where: AIR, Artists Image Resource, 518 Foreland St. Pittsburgh, PA 412-321-9664, on Pittsburgh’s historic North Side.

More What: Fresh music, fresh food,  a fresh new exhibition of experimentally focused pieces created just for this show by the AIR staff & volunteers, an Open House. It takes a village to run a community arts co-operative and members of this tribe are showing off their hot stuff on Saturday. And you are cordially invited!

Cool extra stuff: DJ Mary Mack, DJ Sean MC and the duo of Hoof & Beek will be spinning music throughout the evening – food and drink will be provided – admission is FREE. This event is not to be missed and we look forward to seeing you!

see works by:
matt cummings  / howard booth  /  andy english  /  ian short  /  kerry gaydos /  katyana gradler  / matt forrest  /  mary tremonte  /  hunter blackwell  /  meredith hertel  /  strawberryluna  /  jenn pascoe  /  erin foley  /  ryan emmett  /  rachel maran  /  jamie adams  /  sabrina adams  /  josh troy  /  gene marsh  /  mike hegedus  /  carolyn kelly  /  budai  /  kristine synowka  /  amos levy  /  nathan mould  /  julia kennedy  /  lizzy devita  /  tresa varner  /  bill rodgers  /  robert beckman  /  nick fredland  /  ashley brickman  /  shaun slifer

Here’s a little mock-sneak peak at my piece. Note the “mock” adjective as this is an installation yet to be installed. Digital print, with tissue paper & yarn (to be added), hung low on the wall with the pond set onto the floor. I will post photos of the finishing and installation process and post them next week. 

"Spring Spiders", 3D print mock, part 1

"Spring Spiders", 3D print mockup, part 1

spring-spider-installation-waterblog

"Spring Spiders" 3D print mockup, part 2.

For more information about AIR and this show or the resources available to artists through AIR please check out my home-away-from home’s website. Hope to see you at the show on Saturday!

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Screens’nSpokes MS 2008 benefit print

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Screens'n'Spokes benefit art print, 2-color screenprint available exclusively at SnS' Etsy store.

Screens'n'Spokes benefit art print, 2-color screenprint available exclusively at the Screens'n'Spokes Etsy store.

Multiple Sclerosis is an often debilitating disease that strikes millions around the world. It is estimated that over 400,000 Americans are currently living with the autoimmune disease. Some of our great friends at Team Screens’n’Spokes came up with a fantastic way to help raise money for the National MS Society by combining screenprinted art and the annual MS Bike Ride.

Screens’n’Spokes combined the love of bicycles, the MS Ride and their affection for all things screenprinted. They tapped their connections and friends in the scene and BOOM! Magic happened.

For the second year in a row, I was pleased to pitch in and help Screens’n’Spokes who this year were able to raise an amazing $50,000+ for the National MS Society by designing and printing this print for them. Screens’n’Spokes has an Etsy store, and that’s where my print is available exclusively for sale online.

With 2 art simultaneous shows in September  – November, lots of folks got to see  the hand screenprinted bicycle themed art from over 25 artists. Missed the shows? Check out Screens’n’Spokes Etsy shop  take a gander. Proceeds benefit the NMSS.

Can’t wait for next year!

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Peacock Feathereyes, new art print released!

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Peacock Feathereyes, 2 color, hand pulled screenprint

Peacock Feathereyes, 2 color, hand pulled screenprint

Fresh off the presses at AIR. This is my newest art print, Peacock Feathereyes. Hedonism at its best. Alluring, elegant, or spooky as all get out? You decide.

This watchful crowd of a print is a 2- color, all hand printed screenprint, with peacock blue and black inks. Edition of only 40. Size: 16w x 22h inches. Paper: acid-free & archival Cougar 100 lb White, cover weight. Available now at my website and in my Etsy shop. 

I’m watching you.

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“Jolly Good” Group print show at Bluebottle Gallery, Seattle, WA

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“Jolly Good” holidays to you and yours! Super excited about this show. 

Blue Bottle Gallery in Seattle, WA - Jolly Good print show

Blue Bottle Art Gallery in Seattle, WA - Jolly Good print show

The excellent-cool folks at the Bluebottle Art Gallery & Store in my favorite-not-home-city, Seattle, WA are putting on a fantastic holiday art print show called “Jolly Good” which features the work of over 30 screenprint artists from all over the US. And best, they invited me to join in the fun. Yes huh!

The “Jolly Good, Group art print show” will run from December 2nd, 2008 – December 31st, 2008. The opening reception for the show will be on Saturday Dec 13th from 5 – 8 pm, so please join in the fun for drinks, snacks and cheer! Blue Bottle Art Gallery & Store is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle at 415 East Pine Street.

My newest, fresh off the presses art print “Winter 2008″ will be available making it’s debut at this show and will be available for view and purchase, yep. Other participating artists include Cricket Press, Tad Carpenter, Nate Duval & a slew of others that make up the 30+ artists. The artists have entered 2 -5 prints into the show and all prints will be available for purchase. I’m sending 5, wassssup?!

Please note that as “Jolly Good” is designed to be a cash and carry show, to allow for holiday purchases, prints will be going fast while the show is up. All art prints are priced under $100, many in the $25 – $50 range.

Bluebottle Art Gallery & Store also runs an email preview list that you can sign up for here, which allows you to get sneak previews of art work before the general public. It’s a cool gig!

"Jolly Good" art print show info

Bluebottle Art Gallery & Store is an independently owned & operated art gallery and curated boutique shop of handmade goods run by the lovely husband & wife team of Andrea & Matthew Porter. We’re tickled holiday red to be a part of this show. Cheers!

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“Screenprinting 102” art print show in Charleston, NC

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Once again, independent music store 52.5 Records in Charleston, SC is showing some mad love for the screenprinting community! 
Screenprinting 102 poster by Chuck Keppler

"Screenprinting 102" poster by Chuck Keppler

This time with a focus on art prints by local and national printmakers. Rad! “Screenprinting 102″ is the second annual screenprinted art show at 52.5 Records (hence the collegiate title) and I’m thrilled to be a part of it again. Pieces in the show are from artists from around the country and will be available for sale as well. Quite affordably too I might add. My newest, fresh off the presses art print “Winter 2008” will be available for view and purchase, yep.

“Screenprinting 102” opens on December 5th 2008 from 7-9pm and will run through January 3rd, 2009. 52.5 Records is located at 561 King St., Charleston, SC. 

Participating  artists include: Leia Bell,  Johnny Pundt, Chuck Keppler, Cricket Press, Adam Turman, Crosshair, Jason Goad, Pete Cardoso, Jason Cooper, Mike Klay, Aesthetic Apparatus, Lon Unitus, Nate Duvall, myself and others to be announced shortly. A good handful of these artists will be at the opening too. Keep your eye on more information here.

We love you 52.5 Records!

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Winter 2008 art print released

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Winter 2008, art print

Winter 2008 art print

Soft browns fall away and turn to ice-blues and snowy scenes. There is a love story, hidden in the leaves.

I’m excited to finally start this tradition of working on one seasonal print per season. It’s been in my head for a while and it feels good to get moving on it. This is the first print in series of seasonal, limited edition prints that I’ll be releasing. Ready? Here’s the mind-blowing part = there will be 4 per year. 

This wintery tale is a 4 color hand printed screenprint, with black, bark brown and icy-blue transparent inks. Blue over prints brown to make a soft grey and the brown leaves are distressed as they fall off the trees. Get it? I thought that you might. Edition of only 85. Size: 16.5w x 22h inches. Available at my website, starting today.

Winter 2008 art print, detail

Winter 2008 art print, detail

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