Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays (aka Christmas)

For quite a few years since 1998 I've been asked to illustrate newspaper supplement covers for the Valley News, a daily that serves a portion of Vermont and New Hampshire. They are usually printed a few days before 'Black Friday'. There's always two covers with a holiday theme, and they have to tie into each other. As I was going through some of my archives, I realized that somewhere along the way that the word 'Christmas' was dropped. I think it was right after the first year that I did them.

These covers are from this year.

These are from last year. Notice after the 'snowstorm' there's a guy snowblowing.

Here's the covers from 2007. Not my favorite, but I remember being in a time crunch.

And here's the first one I did back in 1998. I did it very cartoony. I'm most definitely a cartoonist at heart!

Revelry!

Quick study

Right on the Nose

Here's an illustration that has proved to be a very popular card. 'Right on the Nose'. When I was working on it, I had in mind that it could be a scene from a children's book. That's the look I was attempting anyway! Below are some sketches of cows I had done for it. I'm really bad about keeping a sketchbook the way other artists do. Mine are always on loose paper, which usually get tossed away when I clean my studio. 

Studio Addition

Here's my new drafting table. It's a beauty! It's a replication of a 1920's french drafting table. They are handmade to order and mine will be showing up mid-March of 2010. Years ago when I headed off to art school, I had a new table. Unfortunately, it was stolen in 1995. Since then, I've made due with an old loaner table from my good friend, Todd Casey. I ended up replacing the top, but one leg was broken, so it wobbles when you lean on it. I'm pretty excited to get this new one! I've already decided to change my whole studio around when it arrives.

Making Spirits Bright

Here's the first holiday card that I did. It's called 'Making Spirits Bright'. This card is a double sized image that wraps around from front to back. The fold goes right down one of the fence posts. I had two versions done up: one with a greeting inside, one blank inside. Luckily for me, both versions sold out! I added a little mistletoe above my signature (bottom right) to denote that it's a holiday card. I'm not getting them printed again until next season. Thanks to everyone that bought them!

Toasty

At long last I incorporated a dog into a card! I have more ideas for other dog cards later next year. This one has been really popular so far. Most people who buy this card don't even have a dog, but they like the New England 'feeling' it has. Dog people love dog stuff with their particular breed on it. Cat people like anything with any kind of cat on it. I'm more of a cat person, but I love those good ol' buddy dogs! This image really took quite a while, in fact it's the most labor intensive illustration I've done in years.

Vermont Sports Magazine Gift Guide

New England Illustrated cards are featured in the December 2009 issue of Vermont Sports magazine! If you are in Vermont, you can get the magazine at more than 400 locations. www.vtsports.com

World Famous World's Fair Poster Illustration

Back in August, the organizers of the famous World's Fair in Tunbridge, VT saw my New England Illustrated cards in a local store and contacted me about doing a poster for the 2010 fair. They explained that each year has a 'theme' The 2010 theme is 'pulling' and they wanted to highlight that aspect. I was sent passes to attend the fair and get inspiration. This poster is 16 x 20" and will be printed on thick, off-white stock to give it an 'old time' feel. That's also what I was going for in the design. Using sparse text, large fonts and having the main image so large, I wanted it to be interesting from a distance. Last year more than 50,000 people attended the fair. This poster is going to be done in an extremely small print run. Only 500 will be available! I will be doing a signing of the posters at the fair. It was a very fun job. I'm actually going to get one framed for my own home.

New Locations

• Brown Dog Books and Gifts - Hinesburg, VT
  
• The Pink Smock Gift Shop - Dartmouth Medical Center, NH
  
• Mendon Country Store - So. Burlington, VT
  
• Boxcar and Caboose - St. Johnsbury, VT
  
  Reorders from: 
  
  
• Welch's True Value - So. Royalton/Woodstock
• Healthy Living Market
  
• Bear Pond Books
  
• Norwich Bookstore
  
• Sugarbush Farm
  
• Homeport
  
• Stowe Street Emporium
• Vermont Gift Barn and Gallery
• Bennington Potters North
  

Black Bear-y Pie

Yum! Black berry pie. Black bear-y pie! I had this idea for a little while. I know, it's hardly an original idea, but I figured if I got my hands on it, it might be fun. I went through a few iterations. A dog, a kid, a goat, a cow, an apple pie, a loaf of bread...etc. This summer there were a few reports of bears taking down birdfeeders in our community, so I thought a bear would do just nicely. It's going to press soon and will join a few other new illustrations in the New England Illustrated card/print line up.

Cheese and Wine Signing

The good folks of Mac's Markets invited me to come do a signing of my work at their Woodstock, VT location on Friday, October 16 from 4-7pm. It's also a wine and cheese tasting! Please stop by to say hello!

More New Locations!

If you are out and about this fine Autumn season, be sure to stop by one of the following spots that sell my cards! New locations are carrying the line: 

• Peace and Justice Center Store - Burlington, VT
  
• Warren Store - Warren, VT
  
• Vermont Gift Barn and Gallery - So. Burlington, VT
  
• Paper Peddler - Williston, VT
  
• Annies Book Stop - Rutland, VT
• Blue Sky Trading - Ludlow, VT
• Welch's True Value - Woodstock, VT
  
  Reorders from: 
  
  
• Welch's True Value - So. Royalton
• Farmway
• Healthy Living Market
  
• The Original Vermont Store
  
• Shelburne Country Store
  
• All About Flowers
  
• Dorset Union Store
  
• Lake Champlain Chocolates
  

All new envelopes!

After I cycle through the last few cards with standard white envelopes, I am going to start using these wonderful 100% recycled brown kraft envelopes! I like everything about them. They compliment my cards very nicely. The paper is like the old grocery store bags, thick and good quality.

New winter postcard

I've released a brand new winter postcard that pays homage to my homestate of Vermont! Winter is not my favorite season, but it lends itself to great imagery.

New locations!

My rep, Antonia Harkins has been adding lots of new places, and getting re-orders from stores she sold to earlier. 

• Norwich Bookstore - Norwich, VT
• Mac's Markets - 7 stores!!!
• Montshire Museum of Science - Norwich, VT
  
• Stowe Street Emporium - Waterbury, VT
  
• Simply Delicious - Barre, VT
• Newfane Country Store - Newfane, VT
• Ebenezer Books - Johnson, VT
• Bartleby's Books - Wilmington, VT
• Evans News - Bennington, VT
• Bethel's Brick Store - Bethel, VT
  
• Ruggle's and Hunt - Walpole, NH
  
  Reorders from:
  
• Welch's True Value
• South Royalton Market
• Sharon Trading Post
• Health Living Market
• Dorset Union Store
• Homeport
• Stowe Books
• Barnard General Store
• Northshire Books
  

AP award!

I recently got an New England Associated Press award for informational graphics for my 'How to Make Maple Syrup' image. Thanks to the Valley News for submitting it for consideration!

New Rep and more locations

A short time ago, an art sales rep named Antonia Harkins of Snapdragon sales contacted me and was interested in getting my cards to as many places as possible. She represents some very cool artists, including a couple of Vermont artists that I like; Martha's Folk art, Mary Hill Studios and Anna Vreman. The list of stores carrying New England Illustrated cards gets longer:

• Shelburne Country Store - Shelburne, VT
• Stowe Books - Stowe, VT
  
• Scribbles - Burlington, VT
  
• Healthy Living Market - South Burlington, VT
  
• Homeport - Burlington, VT
• Galaxy Bookshop - Hardwick, VT
• Misty Valley Books - Chester, VT
• Bennington Bookshop - Bennington, VT
• Northshire Bookstore - Manchester, VT
• Quechee Gorge Visitor Center - Quechee, VT
• Hartford, Vermont Visitor Center - White River Jct, VT

In addition to those, many stores have re-ordered and the Champlain Oil Company has requested placement in 16 of their stores! Those locations are: Charlestown, NH, Newport, NH, Lancaster, NH, Lebanon, NH, Wells River, VT, Bradford, VT, Bomoseen, VT, East Dorset, VT, Barre, VT, Brandon, VT, Perkinsville, VT, Chester, VT, Shelburne, VT, New Haven, VT, So. Burlington, VT and Hinesburg, VT. They are all getting the display unit with 6/ea of 13 designs.

Long Overdue!

I've been really busy at my 'day' job as a full time freelance graphic designer. In between meeting all of my deadlines, I was able to produce two more card illustrations. The horses are titled 'Teamwork' and the tractor is 'Greenie' (I had many requests for a green tractor). These, and 4 more illustrations are going to press (hopefully this week) and should be ready for sale very soon.

In other New England Illustrated news, the list of stores carrying the cards continues to grow. They are now in 25 stores! Recent additions:

• Yankee Bookshop - Woodstock, VT
• Laro's New England Specialties, Quechee, VT
• Coolidge Card, White River Jct, VT
• Barrister's Bookshop, South Royalton, VT
• Barnard General Store, Barnard VT
• Original Vermont Store, Poultney, VT
• Lake Champlain Chocolates, Waterbury Center, Waterbury, VT
• Dorset Union Store, Dorset, VT
• Best Wishes at Eastman, Rutland, VT
  

Stomping Grounds

The South Royalton Market in South Royalton, VT is now selling New England Illustrated cards. I grew up in South Royalton and graduated high school from there in 1992. The Market is a wonderful co-op, well stocked with the best in healthy, organic produce, baked goods, whole foods and out of the ordinary products. The two spaces (now one) that the co-op operates in used to be much different. When I was growing up, there was a bar, the Four Legged Duck, and a pizza place, J&L's. The Market opened in the old bar space in 2001 and expanded into the old pizza place in 2005 (which was a bookstore in between) The transformation is amazing. It's a very warm and welcoming space. I'm happy that my work will be sold there.

Spring Fling in Brookfield

Join me this Saturday, May 2, at the Spring Fling in picturesque Brookfield, VT! I'll be selling my New England Illustrated cards at the pond village church (at the intersection of ridge road and route 65). The show is from 9AM to 1PM.

Displaying II

Wow, I ordered the display units from England on Monday afternoon, and today (Wed) the DHL guy shows up with the huge box! I couldn't wait to tear into them and set one up. I'll redo the shot in better light sometime this week. This first display is going to Welch's True Value in South Royalton, VT.

Displaying

You'll able to find the New England Illustrated cards in two more places. Bennington Potters North in Burlington, VT and Welch's True Value in South Royalton, VT. I've already shipped the order to Burlington. For Welch's, I'm offering them in a display unit, but have to wait until they arrive (probably next week) I looked high and low for something to display them in and finally found a place in England that had what I wanted. I plan on offering stores a free display unit if they buy a certain amount of cards.

Shirt

I'm thinking of getting some shirts made. Here's what I came up with. It's a variation of my New England Illustrated logo. The meeting house is inside a 'ink smudge/splatter'. I like black, but would probably get them on other colors as well. If it was a light colored shirt, the logo art would be black. Click on the image to see it bigger.

So Vane

Here's the latest illustration. Weathervanes and New England go hand in hand. I've always admired them. This one is titled 'So Vane'.

Quechee

The Quechee Gorge Village Country Store is now selling my cards! I lived a number of years in Quechee and am happy to see my work being sold there. If you stop in, the country store is through the main entrance and to the left. UPDATE: Jiffy Mart in Quechee is now also selling my New England Illustrated cards.

From the Capital

Two businesses in Montpelier have placed orders. Bear Pond Books and Morse Farm It's interesting to see what images of the 13 stand out to people. It seems to be a very even mix so far. I don't think there's one that is being avoided. Being that maple sugaring season is all but over, the 'Tapped' card (above) could be a slow mover until next year.

General Store now OPEN!

I've had lots of requests from people to be able to buy the cards online, so I finally got a store front. Go take a look, kick the tires and feel free to ask me any questions. A running theme of comments from people who have already bought them are 'they are too beautiful to send!' That may be the case, but if you buy 'em, send 'em and spread the joy!

Just to recap, they are 5x7 cards, blank inside. In keeping with my belief of buying local first, I had them printed in Vermont on 50% recycled/25% post-consumer waste, FSC certified paper, using soy-based ink. That's just fancy talk. The cards are the best quality you can find, and still cheaper than most 'big name' brand greeting cards. You won't be disappointed. Each one comes with a 100% recycled brown craft envelope and is individually sealed in a clear plastic resealable bag. http://newenglandillustrated.bigcartel.com/ and the link is also on the top right of this page.

Sugarbush Farm

Sugarbush Farms is selling my 'How to Make Maple Syrup' over sized postcard and 'Tapped' postcard. I will also be art directing and designing the cover of their annual holiday catalog.

Friendly felines

Before I post older images from my card series, I wanted to share two NEW illustrations fresh off the drawing board. Taking my inspiration from my own two cats, and the many cats who haunt farms all over New England, I came up with these two images. The fat cat drunk on milk is titled 'Curiosity filled the cat'. It's brand new, nobody has seen it yet. The other one, 'Bag lunch' has been a big hit with folks, and stores are already asking for it.

More places

The cards will be in the Hogback Mountain Gift Shop in Marlboro, VT; the Ascutney Market in Ascutney, VT; Farm-Way in Bradford, VT; and All About Flowers in St. Johnsbury, VT. A few other places have expressed strong interest.

Sharon Show

Over the weekend I had a table at a local craft fair in Sharon, VT. I ended up selling 106 cards! Not too shabby since the turnout was on the low side. I was hoping to make enough to pay for the table spot, but that happened with the first sale. It was really nice to see people react to the work, ask questions and see smiles of folks who stopped by to look. I'm thinking of hitting a few more shows this year. Thanks to everyone who came to Sharon on Sat.!

All in a row

Four framed and signed prints for sale at The Gilded Edge gallery.

UPDATE* SOLD

Keep it coming

Dan & Whit's in Norwich, Vermont placed a large order for the cards! They are also interested in postcards. Driving all over the state and beyond would be very fun, but too time consuming, so a sales rep named Jim Rikert agreed to add my line of cards to his list of products. He sells very high quality gourmet food products and such all over Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. He stopped over to Norwich with my card samples after picking them up at my house. He was back within the hour with an order! Hopefully a sign of things to come.

Bakers dozen

The first 13 card designs are shown here. I'll put them all up individually and write a short note about each one soon. Sorry for the 'sample' stamp on them, but you know how it goes. There's boxes and boxes of these sitting in my kitchen. My wife Martina and I spent literally one entire day from morning until night putting them in the plastic sleeves. Lots of work, but worth the final result.

First order

The Sharon Trading Post in Sharon, Vermont has put in the first 'official' order for the new cards! It's the quintessential Vermont country store. I delivered them and got my first lesson in wholesaling. I thought I had to charge sales tax, but I don't. Only when I sell them retail, like through an online store..etc. They are on the left as you head toward the meat counter (near the Vermont made products) in it's very own spinner rack. Also, my first order for prints were sent out. I've chosen Northlight Digital in White River Junction, VT as the company to produce my prints. David O’Neill provides the best materials, knowledge and professionalism. The prints came out wonderful.

Cards are here!

My first shipment of greeting/note cards are here! After doing 13 images, I decided to get them done as high quality 5X7 cards. It was important to me to keep the printing in Vermont and also use the best quality recycled paper that I could afford. The cards look amazing and they are on recycled FSC certified paper using soy-based ink. I am sealing each one individually (with an envelope) in protective flap bags from clearbags.com I'm also offering sets of 6 in clear boxes (with envelopes) from the same company. The presentation of the cards and boxes is phenomenal and I'm very excited to get these out there.

The story

Back in February, the Valley News asked me to do a large double page graphic about how to make maple syrup. It was a fun project, looked great in print. Not long after, they asked if I would allow them to sell it as a poster. Sure! I said. (none have sold, although I have seen the paper version hung up in a few stores) That got me thinking about an idea that I had been kicking around for years. Doing illustrated scenes, places, animals, things...etc. about New England. My original idea was to illustrate something from every town in Vermont, something a town is known for and try to sell each image to the corresponding town. That was too ambitious and would take me forever. When I was a kid, I had the privilege of spending lots of time on some of my relative's farms. The barns were my playground. So, I broke it down to stuff that I love, things that I remember growing up. You will see me produce classic imagery, but done in my unique style. Sometimes I'll throw some humor in. Check back often as I'll add images on a regular basis!

Hello New England

This is going to be where I post exisiting and new images from my new project, New England Illustrated. Stay tuned!