Tuesday, December 16, 2014

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

At my big brother's suggestion, I started playing around with holiday images--Santa hats, antlers, and a Rudolph nose on my peacocks and my shivery, long-legged bird tangled in lights.  I thought the ideas were clever and the final printing turned out really good.  Other people thought the same, apparently.
After one week of my holiday cards at Paper Skyscraper, they sold out of all 4 dozen.  Wow! Paper Skyscraper and the there staff rocks, by the way.  They reordered immediately, so if you're in the Dilworth neighborhood, go grab some cards while you can!
I also started experimenting with the holiday prints on onesies--I mean, who doesn't love a unisex, holiday onesie?!? They too flew off the shelves at my most recent events and were show-stoppers indeed.
I'm planning on a modeling photo shoot with my friend's twins very soon so the onesies will be live and on the site ready for purchase.  In the meantime, they come in a variety of sizes and colors.  Please let me know if you'd like one for the holidays--there's still time between now and Christmas!      


Pop-Up Shop at West Elm

Several artist friends of mine have had the honor of being a featured artist of the month at West Elm. A few of my other friends have their work permanently featured in the "Made Locally" section of the Charlotte store.  After inquiring about their events and local artist selections, I was offered a pop-up shop event for the holidays.  I was so excited (to say the least).
So, the night of Tuesday, December 9th from 6-8pm, I was in the store with all my wares.  The space looked AMAZING!  I set up my luscious pillows on a wrap-around couch adorned with faux fur throws, my onesies and Christmas stockings dangled from above, and my cards, silk canvases, and framed paper prints decorated table spaces.  I had a great crowd and made some wonderful sales.  I also had a drawing that included an 8 piece hand-printed Christmas card give away.  The lucky winner was a lady I met through Charlotte's Arts and Science Council.  Her and her husband were shareholders for the project I did back in September where I had to make 50 pieces of art.  How wonderful to see them again!
I can only hope to do several more events like this in the coming year.  It was a major success, not to mention a huge honor to have been selected by West Elm.  They were so accommodating and their staff was so helpful.  Thank you West Elm of Charlotte--what a great note to end 2014 on!

The Charlotte Observer: Home & Garden Feature

I was recently featured in The Charlotte Observer's Home & Garden section! I was fantastically thrilled to be mentioned--what an honor!
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with Karen Sullivan, a local, talented writer and blogger for The Charlotte Observer.  Karen told me she was most attracted to my bold color choices and color palette.  She asked me some questions about my sense of design aesthetic and how a potential buyer and art collector would envision my work in their own space. She was also included my Pop-Up Shop at West Elm ( yes, West Elm!).
So, if you're local, get your hard copy in stores or view the entire interview online at http://homelifeclt.blogspot.com/2014/12/artist-has-tips-for-decorating-with.html
A BIG thank you, Karen Sullivan, for your time, energy and enthusiasm for my artwork.  I can't begin to tell you how honored I feel!

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Why Charlotte's All a Flutter--Amy Bareham


Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the lovely Amy Bareham, a delightful intern from the Arts and Science Council. She visited me at my booth at The Festival in the Park on opening night. I was able to chat with her while setting up my show. She picked my brain about my inspiration, process, and all things art. Here are her kind, thoughtful words. 
http://asccharlotte.wordpress.com/2014/10/03/why-charlottes-all-of-a-flutter/
Thank you, Amy for your time and energy. Meeting you was a wonderful way to start the weekend.  

ASC, 50 unique pieces of art, and 7+yards of wrapping paper

Making 50 (yes, 50) unique pieces of art was no easy task.

After being selected as one of the 9 artists representing The Arts and Science Council of Charlotte in this year's Community Supported Art Program, I was elated beyond words. What an honor! And what better company to be surround by than the other, 8 selected, madly talented artists?

To break it down, this program is simply fantastic. Nine regional and local artists are selected through a juried process. These artists get a commission from the ASC to make 50 pieces of art. Only 50 shares go on sale. These 50 shareholders buy shares for 9 pieces of original art from these selected artist. Pretty cool, right?

Upon applying, I proposed to the jurors that I would create pieces of art--all different, all nature-inspired, all hand-printed. I would hand-dyed the papers, hand-print them with my stylized bold graphic prints, sign them, and then float mount them so that they would be ready to hang. The topper (drumroll please) was that each piece would be wrapped in hand-printed wrapping paper with a hand-written, hand-printed card with a corresponding hand-printed envelope. WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?

I finished the prints in record time. Did I really? I'm the biggest procrastinator around! Now, onto the framing. This proved to be rather tedious as there were precise measurements and cuts involved. This took me the span of three weekends to completely frame all 50 piece. Note--I wish I never be a framer in my second life.

I then bought the largest roll of paper I could find. I took it home and rolled it out, spanning the width of my entire house. I hand-printed 7 yards (which I learned while wrapping, was not quite enough. Oops). I let that dry over night and then began wrapping each piece, tying ribbon around each package, securing it with a card. The presentation was gorgeous and couldn't be beat.

But the most gratifying part of the entire process was to see all 50 shareholders unwrap my piece of artwork at the kickoff event at Birdsong Brewery. Most unwrapped the packages with so much care and attention and treated the paper as if it were art. And to see their faces when opening their original Liz Saintsing was incredible beyond words. I got to speak with a lot of the art enthusiasts about my process, inspiration, and creativity. I also got to meet the other 8 artists selected and enjoyed some stories along with some great, locally brewed beer.

So, a huge thank you to the ASC, the 50 art enthusiasts, and the 8 other artists represented. Without people like you, my art would not be possible.



Monday, September 29, 2014

50th Anniversary of Festival in the Park and Blue Ribbons





The 50th Anniversary of Festival in the Park could not have been better--wonderful weather, new and repeated customers, funnel cakes and corn dogs. I mean, does it REALLY get any better?!?
My father helped me with the grueling setup all day Thursday. This involves erecting a 10ft x 10ft wall under a tent. We had a few (maybe more than a few) road blocks and hiccups along the way but nothing a skill saw couldn't fix! We (my dad) even made the Charlotte Observer! http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/09/18/5183842/festival-in-the-park-50th-celebration.html
(I swear, I was behind the wall, drilling, hammering, and bolting it into place. He's really just standing there, supporting it!)
I had a little scare with a scattered thunderstorm Thursday evening. I realize weather is a chance we all take as vendors at outdoor festivals but I have had my entire booth destroyed--all the art work, time and money invested, all gone. But I've learned from experience, and the tent was secured, my artwork was protected, and I was show-ready by Friday afternoon.
But the biggest, most flattering news is that I won a blue ribbon for 2 Dimensional Design!! Wow! I could not have been happier when the judges came to my booth Saturday afternoon and awarded me with the honor. I even got a cash prize!
I showcased a few new products of which the little onesies and tiny tees were a huge hit. I sold all but 3 onesies, and sold out of my stationery and dish towels completely. The booth looked really lively and colorful and was well received by the crowds.
So, thank you to everyone who came out and supported me and all the other incredibly talented vendors. I can't begin to tell you how much your support and enthusiasm means to me. And a HUGE thank you to all the hard working festival folks who volunteered their time, helped me watch my booth, and made this year's Festival in the Park a memorable, successful event. I look forward to next year.
 













Saturday, June 21, 2014

My Hand-Printed Stationery Is Now Available at Paper Skyscraper in Charlotte NC!

I am THRILLED to announce that my hand-printed stationery is now available at a phenomenal, Charlotte store--Paper Skyscraper. This has become a Charlotte institution, consistently getting voted "Charlotte's Best Gift Store", "Best Place for Stylish Gifts", and "Best Place to Buy a Present". The owners have quite a knack for finding quirky, eclectic items. So, if you find yourself in the Dilworth area, please swing by and visit my birds.
For more information on the store, visit http://www.paperskyscraper.com