Dear American Girl: WTF?

So... not sure about you... but I may or may not have COVETED American Girl dolls as a kid. My favorite obviously being the pioneer one (kirsten, i think?) and I wanted all of her pioneer clothing, from her bonnet & matching dress all the way down to the chickens in the live action catalogue photoshoots. I loved reading the little books about the historical characters. Raged with jealousy over the dolls my friends owned and festered with confusion as to why, weeks after their purchases, the dolls mostly sat tallying dust bunnies in the corners of bookshelves. I was so convinced that were I to have an american girl doll, I would take MUCH better care of her. I could not BELIEVE the injustice of not getting one. But I'm starting to reconsider the hostility I spent on my non-AG doll-purchasing-parents.
Did you know that American Girl recently came out with a HOMELESS DOLL?
It's not because they have decided to raise money to fund programs for the homeless. It's because they want your $95 bucks a pop. that's it. nothing more. Her dad left her. Her mom lost her job. Now they shack up in a car. Okay okay, now the 7 year olds will know about how hard some of their peers have it. It's possible. But is encouraging children to demand expensive wads of plastic from their parents really a way to raise awareness about poverty?
methinks not.

tacky? tasteless? What do you think?
who comes up with this crap?

Hexchange Print Portfolio

Hey! I'm in this show! Come see it! You can buy a print from one of the 40 participating artists!
The Hexagon Gallery presents Hexchange, a printmaking portfolio from October 9 - November 6 2009. Opening reception October 10th, 6 to 8 pm, with light refreshments (BYOB).
The Hexagon
Community-run Gallery and Performance Space
1825 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Gallery Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 12-3, by appointment, or during performances. For performance times, please visit http://www.hexagonspace.com
To arrange appointment, or for gallery inquiries, please contact art@hexagonspace.com

beware the wrath of a patient woman.

Here are a couple more newbies for you to admire while I vent about my week to you.
Ready? great.
Have you ever had your paintings called "twee" "creepy" "beautiful" and "a rip-off of Marcel Dzama" all in the same week?
And also in the same week, get a full page spread & interview in Korean Vogue magazine with said twee-dzama-creepfest-beauties, and not feel quite as excited about it as you should? And when you checked your email, were their complaints about things you can't fix? When your phone rang, was it someone you wished you hadn't answered for? And then as you were channeling your inner zen... did you remember you have jury duty tomorrow?
insert melo-dramatic-beautiful-twee-blogger sigh HERE________________
...... aaannnnddddddd release.

It's been a busy and rough day, and somehow, it's only 1pm. Hence, we are abandoning the computer for the day, and going to hide in the basement. (and by we, I mean Me, Mr. Sammy, my coffee and a book on how to rip off other artists more effectively).

On the plus side, our new apparel is done, most is up online (on redprairiepress.etsy.com). I saw my calendar proofs today, and they look very very exciting (and will be ready for Crafty Bastards Saturday), I got to eat at Sometimes last night, I got to watch Twilight the movie this weekend (yeah. well. what do you want!?), I bought paint for our dining room yesterday, Phil purchased The State on DVD, I really AM in Korean Vogue magazine, and as of Saturday, I have 8 jars of hot pepper jelly (thanks to Anne & Frank for the box-o-peppers shipped from MAINE!) and my first experience canning is behind me.

Happy Monday, My friends. Happy Monday indeed.

Your New Favorite Pocket Dress.

Enough with the sneak peeks.
Here's the real thing.
Introducing the Pocket Tshirt Dress!
Available NOW in our Etsy Shop!
Comfy, Convenient, Curiously Hip.

www.redprairiepress.etsy.com

HEY!!!!!! Charm City Craft Mafia was nominated for best DIY blog for the Baltimore Sun's new awards: The Mobbies (what better group to win such an award? Eh??? Eh????). You can vote for us (or whoever you'd like), as well as for lots of different categories HERE.

PS- While you have your voting pencil out, did you VOTE FOR US FOR CRAFTIEST BASTARD yet????????

New for Fall...

Can you even STAND the suspense? new stuff coming very soon.
here's a sneak peak, thanks to miss J.S. for the help in making things prettier with her prettiness.

Dandelion Blu. Back In Action

This might sound harsh, but I don't mean it to be. I'm always amazed when someone has a kid, and then still manages to participate in the world outside diapers. My parents have a saying when we're playing trivial pursuit and they don't know the answer to something, it "must have happened in the 80's."
because that's when they had babies.
I'm in love with most things Dandelion Blu creates anyway, but I'm double impressed with her drive to DIY, after her recent extreme creation (in case you're not following this rant, that would be offspring). She'll be at Crafty Bastards with us and a bazillion other awesome crafters next weekend. Be sure to stop & check out her new ginko leaf necklaces. Purdy!

PS...

Calendar Update - thanks to everyone who emailed us about printing companies this week. Thanks to you all, we now have an enormous list of quality places to turn to, and it's so great to hear from people. (communication with the world outside your basement is healthy, and strongly recommended).
Muchos Gracias!!
(and special thanks to the gals at Alpha Graphics for getting me to the final destination)

2010 Calendars coming in about 2 weeks!

Buy me this

2 new books out by Reprot Depot (the awesome online fabric outlet that you surely already know about). These have got to be good.

Lovely

Is there anything better than taking a work break to watch a stop motion animation?
Enjoy.
(thanks ali d. for the find)

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

Don't forget to vote for us for the Washington City Paper's Craftiest Bastard contest!
No signing up for mailing lists or filling out forms. Just an online ballot that takes 13 seconds (give or take)...
If you don't want to vote for us (ie - if you're nuts) then you should vote for one of the other awesome vendors that will be at Crafty Bastards on October 3rd. But either way - VOTE!!!!!!!!!
Not much time left!
hustle!!!!!!!!!

CLICK HERE

okay, did you do it yet?

NO!?

I'll wait...

Art Print for Hexchange Portfolio

Really excited about the 3 color prints I finished last night for the Hexchange portfolio exchange at the Hexagon. A limited few of the proofs are NOW FOR SALE in my etsy shop.
Hexchange will be on exhibit during the month of October, in conjunction with Second Saturdays, a new initiative from the Station North Arts & Entertainment District to bring community arts and music awareness to the area. Following the exhibition, Hexchange will become a part of the permanent collections at the Hexagon Gallery and Goya Contemporary in Baltimore, as well as the International Printing Museum in Southern California (and possibly more). Hexchange is also receiving promotional support from the Bmore Art Blog, the Contemporary Museum and the Station North Arts & Entertainment District.

Yes, Ralph Lauren. Yes.

Go to www.millionlooks.com to read a complete article about this show
Preface: I don't usually follow fashion, and don't know what's what.
BUT. Ralph Lauren's Spring/Summer 2010 line is all Prairie, and his recent show was accompanied by Woody Guthrie music.
Thoughts?
While dear Woody is probably rolling in his grave with horror knowing his music is being used to promote fashion & consumption... I can't help but smile, thinking that someone is taking the talk of recession in the direction of the 40's, and romanticizing it to a point of something we can stand to be a part of (that is... if we had $100 bucks to spend on Ralph Lauren work duds...) All I'm saying is, I have been dressing like this for 27 years, and if now is when I get discovered for being high fashion, then I plan to embrace the flopping economy wholeheartedly.
Hot Dang.
Is it batty to print this image out, and put it in my wallet and hand it out like a business card when someone questions my frumpiness? possibly... but we have a new ink cartridge in our printer....

Thoughts on this more modest direction?

Offset Printing?

I'm going to say it.
I'm having a rough time finding a printer for my Calendars this year.
I know. I know. I'm late on this. Hop in line to tell me about it... but while you're waiting....
Anyone know a great offset printer (preferably local to Baltimore) that moves fast and does great work?
email us!
if we use your suggestion, I'll send you a free calendar once they're printed.
how bout that.

Smoke Rings at Gallery Imperato

Exhibition: September 18, 2009 - October 31, 2009
Opening Reception: September 18, 7-10pm
Check out the description of these new smoke-mark drawings in the exhibition opening tonight at Imperato! Sounds amazing.

"Gallery Imperato is pleased to announce Smoke Rings, a solo exhibition of new work by Rob Tarbell from his series, Smokes. Comprised of smoke-marked works on paper that depict performing animals, the work intends to balance accident with control and give permanence to the ephemeral. The parallel between the artist's subjects and unconventional process makes for a thought-provoking exhibition. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to animal rescue organizations."

I'm avoiding the drama of worklife today, choosing instead to paint the walls of our new house with my parents, in from NH, and go to the Red Sox/Orioles game tonight. Stay tuned for the first of hopefully many house projects! weeeeee!
In the meantime, enjoy baltimore.

Best of Baltimore Party!

Now, we didn't actually win a CP Best of Baltimore award... unless you count "best at getting into Best of Baltimore without winning a darn thing" but we did get tickets to the party last night, which was so much fun. Great to see so many winners in one place....though of the few dozen people I talked to there... only a handful were actually recipients of the title from city paper. Most of us were just winners in our own right, i guess? Congrats to city paper for being such a great paper, and to the real and theoretical "winners" filling up this fair city. You're lookin good, bmore.

RPP on Design for Mankind

I just got a very nice email from Mallory McInnis, from the blog "Design for Mankind" saying they'd featured my Unicorn painting today. Super awesome blog, and super awesome to be a part of it. Do you read this blog? It's great! lots of short features on artists I'm really glad to find. Thanks DforM!!

Now, about Handmade Arcade being the same day as Squidfire's Holiday Art Mart in Baltimore, December 12 this year?
UGHHHHHH to the max.

ALSO: since we've just about expended all our dignity in regards to the internet, we've up and joined twitter. Now you can follow us (er...me. phil definitely does not twitter) redprairiepress. follow!

Does this count as Mile High club????

Check us out in the latest edition of your in flight magazine on your next Airtran flight. No, not skymall... the other one.

Chicago Renegade Recap

Here's why Chicago is awesome:
On sunday, my good pal Nate Duval, who was doing this show solo, twittered from his iphone something along the lines of:
"Someone in Chicago should bring me a Bloody Mary at my booth at Renegade Craft Fair..."
within 30 minutes, a stranger was handing him a bloody mary.

Other reasons we're officially forgiving the windy city for last year:
-Sunny both days
-a bazillion shoppers
-wonderful people
-no traffic tickets
-my first deep dish pizza
-great visits with old friends & new friends alike
-After we completeled a Walter Mosely mystery on the ride OUT... Phil totally caved, and we listened to twilight on the ride home. So terrible, and so addictive.

A busy few days ahead of me as my parents fly into town for a visit on Thursday... better get cracking.
I'll be back soon with photos of our new apparel - ALL OF WHICH did great in Chicago, which felt wonderful.
Thanks again to all who came out this weekend and made it well well worth our 13 hour twilight marathon.

2009 Craftiest Bastard Contest

See you in Chicago!!!!!!!!

It's 9pm, and I'm working hard trying to disregard the memories of last year's Chicago Renegade that make me feel like I'm still drowning. I'm doing this by being completely unprepared, and working late into the night, like I usually do before a big show... packing, printing merch bags, playing tetris with display racks inside our toyota corolla (and winning. every time. after a few hundred bruises. & cuss words.)

While you're waiting to hear all about how Chicago redeemed itself this weekend, and how the weather was extremely sunny and the fair profitable, and how Phil was somehow convinced that we should be listening to MY choice of book on tape in the car, instead of the backup one I got just in case he wouldn't have it. (what? who has time to actually READ "twilight" the book? The car seemed like the perfect....... yeah.... I doubt it too).... while you're waiting for those stories & more...


VOTE FOR US AS THE CRAFTIEST BASTARD!!!!!!
anyone can vote. it takes 30 seconds. you don't have to sign up for anything.
AND WE COULD WIN PRIZES!

please please please. Vote RED PRAIRIE PRESS!

Best Email Received Today

from the Rosen Group:

"FreeCycle & Charity Book Sale

Dear friends,
Each year we receive hundreds of books on many art,
business and even other subjects.

Some are new, some gently used, some are paperback, some are
elegant hardbound coffee table editions.

Our library shelves must be cleaned out each year.
This year we have so many books that we’re
inviting our nearest (literally) friends and
colleagues to attend our annual first annual Freecycle & Charity Booksale!

All proceeds will be donated to the Hampden Community Center.
Preview: 11-Noon
$7 for large hardbound editions
$2 for smaller books.
Magazines are free!

Noon-1pm ... all leftover books are free! They gotta go!

Friday
Sept 18th
11-1pm

Art Books, Biz Books, Lefty Books, Graphic Design Books, Photography Books, and hundreds of magazines.

The Rosen Group, Niche & AmericanStyle Magazines
Mill Centre 3000 Chestnut Ave #300 Baltimore, MD 21211
410.889.3093 #0"

Art Prints Now Available!!!

Why does this make me nervous!? I'm not sure. But I'm giddy with excitement and anticipation to announce that 18" x 24" art prints of The Entrepreneurs are now available!
Visit the Red Prairie Press "Art On Paper" section to get yours today.
Not just that, but until the end of September, they are on sale, for just $135.
This is a limited edition - signed and numbered - and printed on bright white, acid free Velvet Fine Art Paper in archival inks. I'm printing locally with an entirely woman run print shop called Alpha Graphics.

Don't Forget to Apply to HH09!

Did you apply to the Heap yet?
What are you waiting for!!!?????!!!!!!!!

GO HERE.

Happy Birthday Vandercook!

KVH has a printable download of this adorable mini-vandercook available free on Baltimore Print Studios today, to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Vandercook press.
if you're feeling particularly frisky, you can even print it at 1370% and build yourself a full size Vandercook SP20.
sweet.

be a part of it...

In order of appearance:
-the awesomeness that is New Yorkers showing up to the Hendershot Gallery opening on Thursday night. WHAT A NIGHT! I had so much fun that my face hurt from smiling. Heidi & James (the gallery owners) really made me feel special and Phil was a champion of staying awake and supportive on very little sleep after his first week as a fulltime professor.
-The awesomeness that is the new "highline" an above streetlevel park, built on old rail tracks, planted with wildflowers. surprisingly tranquil. after a swell slumber party with some wonderful pals in Brooklyn, we wandered back to chelsea for the day Friday.
-unknown artist's art on a chelsea gallery window. (storephil: please note that it appears to be made entirely with funky film)
-the new hostas I planted in celebration of being home and taking my slightly uncomfortable party shoes off. As wonderful as it was to see everyone in NYC and get to see strangers looking at my paintings (& hear the really superb & hysterical things they had to say)... I think I'd have to choose sunlight over limelight any day. The blisters are there as a gentle reminder not to take obscurity for granted.

Hope you're having a lovely labor day weekend, and not working as hard as we are! Chicago Renegade is in SIX DAYS and we're pushing through to the end getting our new fall designs all set for the windy city!

Gallery Show in NYC TONIGHT!!!!!!!

My news? I've got a new 6 color 4 station screenprinting press in my basement, ready to tinker with... but it will have to wait.
Off to NYC today for my show at Hendershot Gallery (547 West 27th Street Suite 632 New York, NY 10001). 6-8pm.
Don't miss Rita MacDonald's awesome fabric drawings or any of first thursdays 200+ art openings, for that matter.

ALSO - BONUS -
10% off in the Red Prairie Press shop right now for reading the newsletter (which I'm SURE you're signed up for, right??)
Enter coupon code "RPPNEWS" at checkout!

Plate Recycling...

I'm helping my friend Juliet, of The Broken Plate with some plate recycling experiments... thought you'd like to see some in progress. Will update you on the project it's for soon!

Typewriter Cake

Okay. This is amazing. I have nothing more to say.
(made for the 4th year anniversary of The Regional Assembly Of Text in Vancouver by Allison Chambers of Petit Trianon)
Found via design sponge, which you probably already read, but I'm going ahead and reiterating the point anyway.

Shawna

My friend Shawna Pincus is featured on Indiefixx today and I couldn't help posting the photos she sent to accompany the post about her "then and now."
I'm a sucker for restaged photos in general, but this shows her personality so much that it made me laugh out loud.
fun to read too, and when you're done, go look at her awesome pottery on etsy and buy it.

Oh my goodness. Thanks to Kyle Van Horn (and a weird field trip into White Marsh last night for the both of us), I now have a screen exposure unit in the studio.
FUN.
This means our new designs will burn into screens in just over a minute, rather than just over TWENTY minutes, with our old DIY setup. At the moment, productivity is key. So this here is good stuff.
Photos of something ELSE new to come... if it fits in the basement.