Saturday, April 24, 2010

The 2010 Love Stamp Featuring Hallmark Cards Art



First-Day-of-Issue Ceremony


National World I Museum at Liberty Memorial


Master of Ceremonies-Susan Hiland WDAF-TV 4


Presentation of Colors-Central High School Color Guard


Official Stamp Dedication-Stephen Kearney Senior VP USPS


Remarks-David E. Hall President & CEO Hallmark Cards


Remarks-Gene Maienschein, Son of Dorothy Maienschein Design Creator


Faith Academy Music and Arts Department sing the Star Spangled Banner and Close with God Bless the USA


United States Postal Service Executives with Attendees




My brother-in law, Gene Maienshein, whose mother created the Pansy Card for Hallmark Cards as a Mother's day card in 1939



David Hall President & CEO of Hallmark Cards


with my great nieces and nephew


David Hall


President & CEO Hallmark Cards



The 2010 Pansy Love Stamp available in sheets of 20





The Audience at the Liberty Hall World War I Memorial Museum Auditorium


My sister in law Carol Maienschein sitting next to me.



Family posing in front of The 2010 Love Stamp



The Liberty Memorial World War I Museum
Pansy Card
Facts
Hallmark introduced the pansy card as a Mother’s Day card design in 1939. The price was a nickel.
The illustration on the original pansy card was created by Hallmark artist Dorothy Maienschein.
The name “pansy” may be derived from the French word “pensee,” meaning “thought.”
During Victorian times, flowers had a language all their own. People used flowers to convey all different sorts of messages — friendly or not. For instance, you could actually insult someone with a bouquet!
Though calling someone a pansy isn’t very nice, the flower itself is fairly hardy. It handles cool weather very well — but it does “wimp out” when it gets too warm.
Hallmark’s Longest-Running Greeting Card – The Pansy Card
The pansy card was introduced as a Mother's Day card in 1939, selling for a nickel. Hallmark reissued the design as a thinking-of-you card in 1941.
The pansy card remains in Hallmark’s line today and sells for 99 cents.
Since Hallmark began tracking sales in 1942, consumers have purchased almost 30 million pansy cards – more than any card in history.
The original watercolor design for the card was created by the late Dorothy Maienschein, a member of Hallmark’s design staff until her retirement in the late 1970s. The watercolor design was painted from a model of a small porcelain cart with real pansies. Although the card has been repainted, the original design has remained the same for 71 years.
The outside of the pansy card reads: To let you know I'm thinking of you. Inside, the verse continues: Pansies always stand for thoughts – at least that's what folks say. So this just comes to show my thoughts are there with you today.
In conjunction with Hallmark's centennial, the United States Postal Service (USPS) introduced its
2010 Love stamp in April, featuring an image of a white woven basket brimming with purple pansies – taken from the original Hallmark pansy card design.








Courtesy Hallmark Cards and the United States Postal Service




Would Dorothy have ever imagined the impression that her Pansy card would have to millions upon millions in the world, even after her death.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Signature Canvas, Made in the USA


I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my faithful readers and to introduce a new sponsor, Signature Canvas. I have an informative interview with Alicia Botyrius from Signature Canvas below and this is one of my works of art created on their canvas.


Eddie Ross was so good to mention my site on his blog this week. I attended a fabulous, fun workshop with him and Jaithan at Creative Candles here in Kansas City, where we used wonderful materials to make very handsome etched, initialed hurricanes.


On April 15th Amanda Burdge, Interior Designer of AB Home Interiors profiled a segment called An Appreciation for Art and included one of my works of art. Thank you so much Amanda. Do go and look at this article, it is wonderful, all architects and interior designers should read it.


The blog world is famous for offering wonderful Giveaways and I have won two recently! Joni Webb of Cote de Texas honored me with a beautiful Zebra print linen press which I use as a portfolio for my paper art. It was provided by Queen Annes Place


Blair from Wild and Precious offered a vintage ring by Courtney of Grae Dawn I am so excited to receive this.


Laura Casey won my work of art giveaway. I adore her site Laura Casey Interiors. She has just attended a symposium in Charlotte at the Mint Museum to hear Bunny Williams speak. I really wish I could have been there! Bunny's image on the front of her book A Point of View is one of my favorite all time rooms.

Interview with Alicia of Signature Canvas
KA: Alicia tell me some of the history behind the company.
AB: We have been in business 12 yrs. We started importing and distributing canvases to art stores and artists. Feedback we were hearing from artists was that they could not find quality materials. Our owners are two visionary businessmen who wanted to support Made in America products and American workers.
KA: What transpired?
AB: We had a goal to make the best cotton canvas in the world. It is manufactured & woven right here in Kansas City. We use environmentally friendly Gesso and wood from the Northeast for the stretcher bars. They are entirely in the USA.
KA: You also have carry Linen Canvases.
AB: Yes, Claessens has over a century of draftsmanship behind its name and is considered a leader in its field. The production of a Claessens linen canvas is still inspired today by the proven techniques and methods of the the great Flemish and Dutch Masters. Craftsmanship and attention to detail are key elements. They are made exclusively from natural materials.
KA: Alicia, what size ranges do you make?
AB: We have stretched canvases from 6 x 6 inches to 72 x 144. There are 50 standard sizes, however we also do custom and commissioned sizes. Also there is no minimum order. We take orders from 1 to 50 canvases.
KA: What advice do you have for artists who use painting as a medium?
AB: If you want to be seen as a serious professional artist, invest in the best materials. It all comes back to your name and reputation.
Museums and Curators look at the quality. Conservators have said it is more difficult to do restoration on a newer work of art made with inferior material than on 200 year old works by masters who used the best materials.
KA: Thank you so much Alicia. You can reach her at 1 800 420-3434.
KA: PS Click on any links above or in the sidebar to go to the sites.





Saturday, April 10, 2010

Interview with Artist Robert Anders

Robert Anders Studio


Robert Anders is a master at his art, Follow this fascinating interview and you will see why.

He is a current member of The Kansas City Artists Coalition.

KA: What was your initial source of inspiration to become an artist?

RA: I was always mesmerized by art. I worked in a foundry as a youth, it was an eye opening experience and became ingrained in me. I liked the touch and feel of the the work, and then my own art sprung forth. So, I am completely self taught.

KA: How did it evolve into what you are creating now?


RA: The ancient art technique of lost wax casting is magic, alchemy really. My bronze castings are all one of a kind, each piece is unique, A perfect casting has a true resonance.

KA: You use a lot of natural motifs in your work. Many of your bowls have leaf, floral, or vines in the design. Then again I noticed you have some figurative works.


RA: I see the people more as spirit entities or effigies, as you might see in the Mayan or Aztec
ruins. They are not from the here and now.
KA: Do you prefer Sculpture over Painting or Hand Press Printmaking? Your paintings come from a special place and are very unique. Tell me about them.


RA: I like it all. In my heart I feel I have been called to paint. I have always been drawn to the complexity of rock formations I'd seen in Golden, Colorado. The Sticks and Stones painting came out of my head. very different from what I have done before.




I had an Atelier for several years in Colorado and at that time did a lot of hand press printmaking and publishing. Right now I am experimenting with some new techniques in printmaking.

KA: Where are you currently exhibiting your work?


RA: At Gallery 2010 in the Crossroads Art District of Kansas City.


KA: What do you see as happening in your art in the coming years? Aspirations?


RA: I see myself out in the west, probably a small town, I like a sense of community and getting to know other artists.

KA: Final comments to aspiring artists.

RA: Show up and do it! Be authentic, be true to yourself in your work and creation of art.

KA: Thank you Robert.

KA: PS Click on any link to go to Robert's site including the sidebar logo.

Monday, April 5, 2010

The Winner Is.....& April Food Day

Yes, I am late for the April Food Day announcement...it is never too late to help the needy though! To participate here are the links:

Donation Page : http://help.feedingamerica.org/aprilfoodday

Feeding America Website: http://feedingamerica.org/default.aspx

Much thanks to Meg of Pigtown * Design & Chris of Easy and Elegant Life for spearheading this charitable event among the blog world!

mfairfaxf@juno.com & editor@easyandelegantlife.com

Finally !! The winner of my original work of art is Laura of Laura Casey Interiors.

Congratulations Laura! email me with your address and contact info.

Thank you so much to everyone....my loyal readers and new followers! You are all the best!

Karena

Art by Karena

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