decked out

I love the trees naked but sometimes it’s fun to see them decked out. Hope that things are festive in your part of the world, too.

big red ball

03.12.13 getting lucky

After some initial research, it appears that the shamrock plant has about as much to do with St. Patrick’s Day and Irish heritage as green beer and Shamrock Shakes. After all, it comes from South America. It’s no four-leaf clover, but I’m sure this welcome burst of green vitality will bring me luck. Or something like it.

71/365: shamrock plant

02.14.13 roses are red

A little Dylan for my one true love… Today, and everyday, I’m so glad you’re mine.

45/365: rose petals

My love he speaks like silence / Without ideals or violence

He doesn’t have to say he’s faithful / Yet he’s true, like ice, like fire.

People carry roses / Make promises by the hour

My love he laughs like the flowers / Valentines can’t buy him.

(Love Minus Zero – Bob Dylan)

happy holidays

tis the season

As I shared in this week’s newsletter (check out the link or, better yet, subscribe here), I’ve been busy in the studio getting ready for the holidays. I did my first craft fair a few weeks ago with two more coming up. Plus, I designed a whole bunch of new items and I re-launched the AvantGardenPhoto Shop on Etsy. It’s all a big, merry blur at this point!

For those of you in the Minneapolis area, I’ll be at two upcoming holiday art fairs: Lyndale Winter Market & Festival of Lights TOMORROW (Saturday, Dec. 1st) from 4-8pm. This event will be lots of fun with live music, free s’mores & cocoa, art activities for the kids and Santa himself. Local artisan market, a fire performer, and free parking, too! Plus, I’ll have many of my new designs available, things that make great gifts like journals, calendars, and framed mini prints.

I’m also rolling out new holiday card designs for 2012…et, voilá!

Cards come in two sizes: note (4.25″ x 5.5″) and greeting (5″ x 7″). They are printed on 100% PCW recycled heavy card stock. Singles and box sets available in the SHOP.

It’s not too late to order. Really! Are you thrown off by the early Thanksgiving this year? I keep feeling like I’m way behind until I realize it’s still November! No worries.

Another thing I’m very excited about are the new Avant Garden Photo Calendars.

Calendars come in three styles: Floral, Urban, and Vegetable. And two sizes: 4×6 ($19.50)and 5×7 ($28).

These babies are a true labor of love. I print them in the studio on 110lb Crane’s Lettra 100% cotton letterpress paper. I’m kind of a geek about things like beautiful paper but, seriously, this stuff is gorgeous. It’s so thick, I have to feed it through the printer one sheet at a time.  I know you have a calendar on your phone, but having something artful on your desk or fridge will brighten up your life on a daily basis. It’s good to surround yourself with beauty. Or, treat someone else to a beautiful 2013! Calendars make a super gift; they always fit.

One more cool thing about the calendars: the 5×7 calendar will magically turn into 12 fine art prints. As each month passes, simply trim away the calendar part. You’ll have a 5×5 archival print (includes a 1/4 inch border) that will fit beautifully into a square frame kind of like this:

You can decorate your house or give the framed prints as gifts. Pretty cool, right?

If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll visit the Etsy shop and I really would love to hear what you think. Now, I need to get back to work. Have a lovely weekend! And don’t forget to stop by the Holiday Fair tomorrow if you’re in town. 64th & Lyndale, right here in South Minneapolis.

the dragon dance

A couple weeks ago, we celebrated the Year of the Dragon with a dragon-themed family day at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Dragon Dance performed by young members of CAAM Chinese Dance Theater

We tried our hand at Chinese calligraphy, went eye-to-eye with some live reptiles, and reveled in the Dragon Dances performed by CAAM Chinese Dance Theater. The dances kindled some long-forgotten glow; everywhere, vibrant red patterns swayed and twirled, enveloping us in all the fiery heat of a dragon’s breath. Just the thing to warm our spirits in the thin, gray light of February.

glad tidings.

This Christmas, send your glad tidings with the Avant Garden Holiday Card Collection! Featuring four unique designs with original photographs and simple holiday greetings. Modern style with a bit of holiday nostalgia.

All of my cards are locally printed on heavy cardstock using archival inks and come in two sizes: 5 x 7 greeting cards and 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 note cards.

Order now to get your cards in plenty of time for Christmas! I will ship within 24 hours or make arrangements for local delivery/pick-up. Please see below for special prices on holiday cards and sets.

SINGLE CARDS

5 x 7 = $3.00 (reg. $4), notecard = $2.50 (reg. $3)

PACKAGED SETS

12 notecards (3 of each design) = $20, 24 notecards (6 of each design) = $35.00

12 greeting cards ( 3 of each design) = $30, 24 greeting cards (6 of each design) = $50.00