Halloween Cards for Dog Lovers

LISA BELLA BRYSON

How could you not give your best candy to these trick-or-treaters?  

This dog wins best Halloween costume award.Adorable characters.  

PATSY COOGAN

I had one of those emotion "awww" responses when I saw this card by Patsy Coogan.  

I think the message is great!  Her website shows animals in other settings.

 FRONT:

 

INSIDE:

Patsy Coogan
www.for-you-flowers.com
Illustration - licensing


There's nothing like a candy corn fanged dog greeting you at the door!

Free Fonts for Commercial Use

My brother-n-Law John Ward, a book cover designer,  tipped me off to this great website of free fonts you can use for commercial purposes. -Kate

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"Burning Man" Supplier Will Suprise You.

You would not expect that an old electronics store would be a popular place for Burning Man artists, but the owners of Al Lasher Electronics  in Berkeley say these indeed are some of their best customers.

This is a one-of-a-kind store is down the street from my house.

Burning man display featuring foam covered light sticks.

 

LED's are popular with Burning Man artists.

An endless supply of electonics from all eras.

Display box carefully balanced between 2 counter tops and decorated with lights.

 Ellen (below) is the daughter of Al Lasher (deceased).  

She likes collecting foreign money (behind her).

The only place left in the world where you can still buy Beta video tapes. 

Whether you can find a Beta player is another question.

 

Need to find an original copy of Windows 95 book?

Need to have your old TV tubes tested?

A lot of things are under a $1

Interesting floor treatment.

The window display features an empty shelf.

Their books must have sold out.

Sign posted in window to make mothers feel welcome.

Al Lasher's slogan:  "I found it in Berkeley."

 

Store sign reminds us that "life is short".

Window sign invites Burning Man Artists.

Halloween Cards: Words-as-art

Here are cards by three artists that do a great job of mixing words into their art to make a Halloween card.

ALEX COLOMBO

 LEZLIE ELLIOT

SCARLETT GREETINGS

My Street Art on a Berkeley Utility Box

The City of Berkeley has decorated their utility boxes with art through a program called Street's Alive. The only requirement is the theme had to have something to do with "sustainability."Me and my friend Marie both were awarded grants to do this. (Yes, you've heard Marie before  when we painted fire hydrants). The only requirement is the theme had to have something to do with "sustainability."

 It goes to show you, if you just APPLY to art call-outs, you will get them!

Here are the results:

TITLE: Four Contemplations

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This art is actually a thin film that was digitally generated from the art. It is then glued onto the box.  

It is easier to clean, the art is protected, and it can be regenerated in case of damage.

 

View of street, intersection of University Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Right across from Trader Joe's  (in the background)! 

ARTIST STATEMENT (We were asked to write one)

If we could see the end result of every small action we take everyday, our entire world would change. This is because our behavior would change. This is why I like to use words in my art: so that we can reflect on our actions, even if it is just for one second.
I put four contemplations in four directions on my box, to greet four types of people at a busy intersection:

• "Be Mindful" is for the pedestrian approaching the intersection, to remind them that even simple tasks are best done with great attention.
• "Be Courageous" is for cyclists and drivers waiting at the stop signal, who might be distracted by challenges they are facing.
• "Be a Steward of the Earth" is for the lingerer who might stop to look at the art, and wants to think more carefully about their actions and why they matter.
• "You Can Make a Difference" is for the pedestrian who just finished crossing the street, who now can leap forward with confidence.

(photos by Peter Mui)

Free on Thursday, October 18th

On Thursday, I am making my greeting card booklet available for free on Amazon: "Unusual Ways to Market Your Greeting Cards" 

 

Don't have a Kindle?  

Get free apps to read your ebooks

 on your computer, ipad, android tablet, blackberry, 

windows phone, ipod, iphone or on the cloud.

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Halloween Card of the Day - Maureen Grigs

Here's a Halloween card by Maureen Grigs.

I like all the motion and detail in the image.

Unlike a scary Halloween cat, this cat is inviting and welcomes you -- a nice touch. 

Here's a close up:

I could see this cat character being used in additional ways for other holidays and occasions.

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