Helping Hand

You may notice the trend of my absence from blogland this time of year, as things get busy, I start printing like a maniac and wrecking my wrists & back through the holidays. I've fallen upon a joyous surprise this week, as my long-time family friend, Benny, has come into town to stay with us and ended up helping out in the studio. I'm old enough to just barely remember being in the hospital when this shining face was born. I "babysat" him through junior high (though he's really not that much younger, we've decided we were mainly just trusted as a duo to not blow things up). I used to cross country ski down the railroad track that connected his family's house to mine... and a few years ago, unrelated to this longtime friendship, Phil's sister ended up marrying his older brother. Small world. (NH is a particularly small world).
Regardless. What a treat to have him by my side all week packing orders, tying hangtags until his fingers bleed, learning to print and mastering the art of the tape gun. I am also getting more done myself, as someone is there watching me, thus I do not come upstairs to the office every 10 minutes to see if I've won the indonesian internet lottery in my gmail, or if anyone has posted anything new to regretsy. After additionally having great help from Allie, the CCCM intern, what I'm realizing is that I need/love/work well with an intern. so.... there.
Thanks Benny for all your company, enthusiasm & hard work!

Jay Ryan at Atomic Pop Tonight

One of my all round idols, and a top reason I run a screenprinting business is Jay Ryan.
I love his work, his music and his business.
He will be having a book signing for his new book of poster art tonight at Atomic Pop.
I just found out, or I'd have blathered about it much sooner than this, mind you.
Here is the info: http://www.micaprintmaking.com/

I highly recommend you try and go.

Make Art Tonight at Art with a Heart

ART PARTY!! November 18 (6:00-9:00pm)
Nothing like making some art after a long day of work!
Why not stop by Art Party at Art with a Heart TONIGHT! bring friends, make art, converse, wine and dine! AWAH is the organization chosen for this years Holiday Heap raffle proceeds donation. They focus on bringing art to people in need, who might otherwise not have the facility or resources.

www.artwithaheart.net
3355 Keswick Road Suite 104
Baltimore, MD 21211
410-366-8886

Foxtastic.

from the ny times website
Wes Anderson's first animated feature film comes out today nationwide. I'm pretty much exploding with excitement... especially since the story is Fantastic Mr. Fox, by none other than BFG mastermind Roald Dahl. Oh children's stories. Oh children's books. Oh big creepy colorful animated worlds. Oh Friday mornings spent swooning over it all...

from The Shiny Squirrel
print by Julianna Swaney for The Shiny Squirrel. Love these illustrations.


"The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy brown dog." An animation created by French company "The Lazy Dog" for their 6th anniversary party. Just watched the movie helvetica, and now all I can think about is fonts. (and foxes).
(found via Prêt à Voyager)

Concrete Ferns Pocket Dress

A great day here yesterday...The supremely awesome Allie - Craft Mafia Intern Extrordinaire - spent the day here at Red Prairie Press helping out. What a gal. What gusto. What talent. More on her soon.
Hit 900 sales on etsy, got lots of work done, ate a burrito bol from Chipotle (well... most of one), and finally got some sale tees, as well as this lovely new dress, up in the Etsy shop.
Then went to the Artisan Market at Village Learning Place where Phil & I talked to some local artisans & ate BOTH a delicious homemade crepe AND a delicious homemade cupcake. Oh holiday treats. I love and dread you every year.

And now, to locate health vision, and execute a healthy day.
(unlikely)

Holiday Artisan Market Tomorrow!

Village Learning Place is putting on their annual Holiday Artisan Market tomorrow night (November 11, 2009)!
A portion of all artist's proceed will be donated to benefit Village Learning Place's awesome community programming.
Go check it out from 7-9 pm.
Free admission, Food & Bevereges.

Village Learning Place
2521 St. Paul St.
Baltimore, MD 21218

www.villagelearningplace.org for more info

Perception.

From the Washington Post.
"Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning. A man with a violin plays six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people passed through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
He finished playing. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin valued at $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the price of seats averaged $100. Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context? If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made... what else are we missing?"