I was flipping through the pages of the latest Dwell magazine and there was Andi Kovel, glass artist extraordinaire. We live in the same city, but it seems we only run into each other at the Javitz Center in New York for shows these days. But, I think that means we’re just really busy and doing well with our work, boy howdy! Andi runs Esque Studio with partner Justin Parker. They make an amazing team… I am always blown away by how many new pieces they have every time I see their booth. They shape glass… control it but leave it organic. The glass does not control them, and I love that.
I was Googling the studio and found this neat little online zine put together by Esque called “Skirt”. You can give it a looksee by clicking here. Congrats Andi on a great article!

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Another Portland studio that is doing quite well is Pinball Publishing. Like Esque, they have their commissioned works and jobs, but still take the time to make their own art with their craft. I found this cool little postcard on the table in my studio building’s lobby last month (rabbit image above). It’s the first of the Designer Card Series from Pinball, and this image is by Brent Wick. I have been a fan of Brent’s ever since he painted that amazing cat mural at the Ace Hotel in Portland (it’s been in SO many magazines!). It really is incredible to view in person. Anyway, I think this is a brilliant idea, making artist collector’s cards from your business. They give them away free when you place printing orders. They are just a few blocks away from me. Maybe I can wander over and persuade them give me the next card… Maybe I’ll have to start making collector’s card to go with my online art sales! I wonder who I can have print it… hmm.

Pinball also has a side project called Tenth & Grant. While I was speaking at the d*s Biz Ladies Meet Up here in Portland, Laura from Pinball handed me a beautiful notebook made by my dear friend Lisa DeJohn, which you can see in the pictures below. It’s so pretty, I can’t write in it. All of Tenth & Grant’s products are sustainable, and beautiful to boot. They will be at the National Stationery Show this May 18-21, in booth #1847. Please stop by and say hello!
(pic: “tenthandgrant1.jpg”)

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I have a book that I bought a while back from You Work For Them (link: http://www.youworkforthem.com/product.php?sku=P0631) called “Cesky Filumenisticky Design: Czech Matchbook Labels”. I adore this book. I page through it quite often for inspiration for color, pattern and illustration. I had to share a few pages with you, for I was pouring through it again this morning. I especially love the spread of all the flags and the small illustrations that go with each one. I buy a lot of books from this site… They just always seem to have what I’m interested in.

One more post! I’ll try to go out with a bang! This is really fun… And thanks for all your kind comments. If you have questions abut anything I’ve talked about, post them and I’ll answer what I can.