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.





63 comments:

Unknown said...

I love that sky in your painting. Its so wild and reminds me of tropical summers.
Congrats to your new sponsor. And meeting Eddie and Caithan. Aren't they such fun to be with?
I know Eddie for a little while, but the guy is so busy travelling...
Thanks for leaving sweet words behind yesterday!

Interesting interview! I love to read how other see the artists work and the way material plays such an importent role!

Have a nice weekend!

Kindly ~ always!
Victoria

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

A beautiful and reflective painting and looks like you have won some good blogger booty...what fun! Have a wonderful weekend and hope some sunshine. XO

Mariska Meijers said...

JUst look at that pink sky...Have a great weekend Karena x

Lindsay said...

Gorgeous!! Love the colors. Have a great weekend xx

Theresa said...

Great painting.

I ma also having a giveaway -- music.

Maya said...

Such a beautiful painting, Karena. The sky is incredible, surreal, yet possible.

Have a wonderful weekend!

DesignTies said...

Congrats on the blog mentions and on the giveaway wins :-)

Your pink & blue painting is beautiful :-) Reminds me of a sunset in the summer at the cottage :-)

Kelly

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog, it makes me so happy.

Your post today is just wonderful, pink, amazing and makes me dream.

Agneta, the swedish one;)

Unknown said...

Congrats on the Eddie Ross mention. He is so great. Glad you liked the article, and I was happy to feature one of your pieces. I do everything I can here in TN to support local artists. I love art and want to make it uber sexy and glamourous again so everyone has art in their homes! have a great weekend!

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Good things happen to good people Karena. Many congrat's on your mentions and wins. Very exciting. Your art is beautiful. The colors illicit a perfect mood for a wonderful weekend. Wishing you one with sun!

niartist said...

So happy to hear about your good fortune Karena! You DESERVE IT!!!! By the way - speaking of deserving ... did you see that new color in my foyer? Wouldn't that gray water/sky painting look great in my living room ?!?!?!? LOL! Too late, huh? Thank you for stopping by and looking in on the garden projects, and for your always kind words! :) Hey! Come by and enter my giveaway for $100 to CSNlighting. You can use it for any lighting products on their website! Hope you'll stop by for a chance to win! :)

Unknown said...

Karena, I really adore your work! Congrats on all the giveaway wins and this fab sponsor! (not to mention the shout out from Eddie!)

xx

Sue

Splenderosa said...

Ditto Ditto Ditto, Karena. This is so cool. Your work is exactly the style I would love to look at forever. I mean it. Forever. xx's Marsha

D.M. SOLIS said...

Dear One,

How very fine indeed. I'm so happy to have found your work here. Peace and continued good things for you in art and in life.

Sincerely,
Diane

Dyas said...

Excelente obra!

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Karena: I am a big fan of abstract art and am actually on my way now to get some canvases at the art store. I wonder if Signature Canvases are distributed in Canada yet?

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Vicki Lane said...

Lovely painting! Much like our sky some mornings!

Beadboard UpCountry said...

Hi Karena!
Thanks for your kind words on my blog. Amazing you winning twice! Luck must be with you! I love that first picture, the pinkness. Beautiful..Maryanne:)

Karena said...

Thanks to all for the great comments. Bonnie, click above to link to Signature's site, I have giveaways and some new exciting sponsors coming up!

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Karena,
THank you for stopping by and your kind comment. This painting is so beautiful and I enjoyred this great interview. I'll be following along and will be back soon.
Mimi

Anonymous said...

Wow, you're in the zone! I'm loving the painting, and I love how who Maya commented put it about being surreal yet possible!

Trish {Pink Preppy Lilly Lover} said...

Karena, this is wonderful, thanks fo much for stopping by, that painting is glorious! You will definitely see it on an upcoming Pink and Green Thursday post. I am following along now!! :) XOXO

OneCraftyFox said...

You're right... you do have something new on your blog that I like :) Lovely colors, I'm very much into the pinks and violets. Very fresh and girlie.

joanna said...

I walk to the edge of the sea and sing YES to the gentle and beautiful sky...Your painting makes my heart sing...

Joanny

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Ya know....This was a great interview (although you have shown us that that is what you do...GREAT).

But that pink with the glint of amber yellow slowly rising (or setting) is what I see the mornigs I walk on the beach. You know your color... beautifully!

MEADE DESIGN GROUP said...

Wonderful Colour - Refreshing and New!

Thanks for you thoughtful comment in my blog :)

French-Kissed said...

Wow...beautiful color...beautiful painting. Such a talented lady! So glad you stopped by and left a comment for it led me here.

~jermaine~

Gwen Driscoll said...

Karena,

So love your blog! You are one kind lady. Thank you for your sweet remarks on RHS. I really appreciate it. You're the best.

Hope you have a great week.

G

Kathysue said...

Karena,thankyou for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment. I appreciate you stopping by and taking time to comment. That painting is amazing the colors are just beautiful. It draws you in and makes you not want to leave. Great job and it sounds like you are on a winning roll, I am sure there are more great things to come. You got to meet two of my favorite people, Eddie and Jaithan. I can not say enough wonderful things about them. They are such wonderful,honest, hardworking, talented men. Can you tell they have a fan in me? Thanks again for stopping by my blog, Kathysue

Unknown said...

your painting at the top of the post is gorgeous!

My Passport to Style said...

Hi there, thanks for stopping by, interesting interview and a beautifuly tranquil piece, nice to wake up to on a Monday morning. Sharon xx

Unknown said...

Oh, that's so cool! Lovely art there, and I love Eddie Ross, SO talented! I am always looking around for new, unique art, very informative!

suzanne said...

Great painting! And as always, interesting interview. I have skimped on supplies before and have come to regret it. I couldn't agree more about choosing quality supplies. Have a lovely week!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Congrats on your wins! THat is great, there are so many fun giveaways in blogland. And how neat that Eddie mentioned you too, they are such fun guys. Thank you for stopping by.

Nichole@40daysof said...

Congrats to you on being mentioned on such great blogs. Love that the canvases are made in the US and enviro. friendly.

http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/new-art-and-guidelines-for-picture-hanging/

Carolyn said...

Love your paintings! and this interview. Crappy canvases are well...sometimes crap. ha. Would love to paint something on a linen canvas. So chic!

Lila said...

Such a beautiful painting! Congratulations on your success!
Lila Ferraro
Queen Bedroom Sets

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

Your painting is beautiful...I absolutely love the colors.

annechovie said...

Great interview, Karen! Have a great week. Lovely work of art.

Linda Merrill said...

Congrats on winning not one but two giveaways!

Diana said...

It's beautiful. It looks like a photograph that represents California. I love the painting.

Pretty Lovely said...

This is so lovely, and the interview is fantastic!

Thank you for the kind words on my blog :)

xx,
Samantha

Karena said...

Thank you to all of my blog friends and new sponsors. Wonderful comments. I will have another great post up this weekend!

Karena
Art by Karena

Trouvais said...

Such beautiful melting raspberry sherbet!Reminds me of watching sunsets in Kauai.The last flushed emoting of color into the sky when the sun finally settles deep into the horizon of the Pacific ocean. There's just that moment of intensity. That clash of brightness and shadow. Thank you, Karena. Your painting is just beautiful! Trish

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

So happy for you!
Loving the color combination~ inspiring touch of yellow!
xo

Averill said...

I love your painting -- the colors are gorgeous.

Alkemie said...

The color in the canvas is gorgeous. Sounds like you had a fabulous time with Eddie Ross' workshop and what a great time you're having with the give-aways. It's always exciting to receive a gift.

Cheers,
Karen O.

Anonymous said...

Im loving all of it!!!!
greets from stockholm's art,

bec wonders

Anne Lorys said...

Hi Karena!
Beautiful painting! I've been poking around your blog, I love your work!

Have a wonderful Thursday,
Anne

traci zeller designs said...

Karena - I LOVE the painting you posted here! It's gorgeous! Thanks so much for commenting on my blog ... not only because I love having readers and comments, but because I'm thrilled to have found your blog. Congrats, too, on the shout-out from Eddie and Amanda!

Linda @ theLENNOXX said...

Interesting interview. I love painting and would love to try out one of those fancy canvases!

Jan said...

Love the colours in the seascapes.
Thanks for stopping by.

Rebecca Corvese said...

Karena... it's so nice of you to show your appreciation to others...that is why good things keep happening to you!

Beautiful painting!

Marcus Design said...

Very beautiful painting Karena!! I love it. And a great interview too :) Thanks for popping over and visiting my blog today, I really appreciate it!
Nancy

HAMPTON HOSTESS said...

Dear Karena,
Thank you for visiting my site today-- I've joined your followers and look forward to seeing more of your fabulous art.

Laura Trevey said...

Oh... I love these colors!!
Have a beautiful weekend ~~
xoxo Laura

Barbara von Enger said...

I can almost taste the sky in the painting. Reminds me of sailing beneath a tropical sun. Enjoyed the interview too. Here's wishing you, dear Lady, a joyous weekend! xoxo

The Antiques Diva™ said...

Love the colors in this painting... seriously smitten!
Toma

Oana Roxana said...

It is beautiful! I could use something similar in my room to cheer me up when I'm in a dark mood. :)

Unknown said...

I wonder if these are available in Canada yet? I feel like there isn't enough choice in canvas here!

SEO Los Angeles said...

The painting is completely wonderful.
It's beautiful absolutely!
Have a wonderful day!

Personalised Canvas Art said...

I truly like to reading your post. Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a nice information. I'll definitely add this great post in my article section.

Unknown said...

I am just looking fantastic and beautiful picture
SEO LA

Blog Archive