Extra Extra! We're happy to announce that we're celebrating Earth Day, April 22nd, with 10% off sitewide for all you nature lovers out there. And did we mention that LittleCollection uses only eco-friendly inks, paper and frames? Plus we print, frame and ship exclusively in the USA to reduce our carbon footprint. So show the earth (and your walls) some love today and shower them with beautiful art (to compliment all those spring flowers that are popping up). For more information about Earth Day activities in your area and ways to get involved, go to www.earthday.org and learn how to make Earth Day part of everyday. (image: This is My Globe by Yukie Yasui)
Take a peek insite Maria Brito's new book Out There which features work by many LittleCollector artists including Mickalene Thomas (Portrait de Priscilla Petite Chien, above), FriendsWithYou, Larry Moss, Sonni and Robert Jackson.
Larry Moss'sSoup Can hangs above Sonni's Things at the Sea in Maria's sons' room. "I wanted my sons to have their own experiences living with contemporary art, so I listened to their opinions when selecting the pieces in the room" she writes.
Kenny Scharf's Cosmic Doughnut hangs above FriendsWithYou's Power Prism and Robert Jackson's "Swimming in the Fishing Hole." The wallpaper is by Morag Macpherson.
We're in Maria's Go-To Guide alongside some of our favorite art resources.
Pick up your copy of Out Therefrom Pointed Leaf Press.
Want a sneak peek of an upcoming collaboration?! We're very excited to announce that we'll soon be working with acclaimed artist Shantell Martin on a series of exclusive prints for LittleCollector! We've loved Shantell since we saw her large scale drawing at Black & White Gallery in Brooklyn last summer and we can't get enough of her graphic style. While Shantell has been in high demand recently (check out her video for Animal NY above) we were lucky enough to stop by her studio yesterday to check out her her new work. Stay tuned for more work from this wonderful and your chance to snag a first edition!
This film is an absolute gem! The product of the Children's Museum of the Arts Summer Art Colony Animated Film Class, the claymation film is a wonderful adventure featuring Greta, her doodle friend, and an evil uncle. Will Greta's imagination prevail or will her uncle steal her magic pencil? You've got to watch to find out! To read more about this heartwarming film and the CMA's excellent arts programing for kids click here. Greta Stencil was also recently made an official selection of the Tribeca Film Festival’s Downtown Youth Behind the Camera Festival! The program takes place at the School of Visual Arts Theatre on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 12 PM.
Here at LittleCollector HQ we love lunchtime, whether it's a weekday brown bag special or a special pizza friday. So we're very excited to celebrate National Grilled Cheese Day, which we didn't even know what a day! (Sadly, it is not a federal holiday). The Today Show has gathered together a great selection of recipes to get your taste buds jumping for joy. Our number 1 pick? The Fontina and Blackberry Basil Smash (above) by Jessica Merchant which looks truly lusciously delicious!
On Monday night Chrissy was interviewed on Fox Business' Willis Report along with Ginger Shulick Porcella from Art Connects NY about how to start an art collection on any budget. It was a great informative segment and we are so honored that Chrissy was featured! Check out the clip above and get inspired about starting your own art collection whether you're spending $50 or $5000. As Chrissy notes, find your niche and go for it!
Note: Chrissy's dress is courtesy of Ports 1961 and her jewelry is courtesy of L-Atitude.
Out this month is a book we've been eagerly anticipating for a long time. Out There: Design, Art, Travel, Shopping is by one of our favorite design and lifestyle experts Maria Gabriela Brito who we absolutely love working with. Last night Chrissy joined Maria at Paul Kasmin Gallery for the book launch (where Kenny Scharf also has an exceptional show up right now) and picked up a copy so we'll have photos from it soon! We're very honored that Maria frequently incorporates LittleCollector pieces into her design for kids' rooms and her taste and creative outlook is really something special. So pick up her book, available here from Pointed Leaf Press, and get inspired to get out there and find some design ideas of your own!
Get ready for next week's newsletter because it contains our staff picks for spring! Chrissy, Annie & Grace share their spring picks in our spring edition, plus Brian the office dachshund weights in with his taste-making opinion. To start your weekend off right we'll give you Grace's spring pick:"Fruit Parade is my go-to springtime image because it never fails to put a smile on my face. I love that the fruit are all having a blast making music together. The pear playing the tuba is my favorite."
At LittleCollector HQ we love spring and all the celebrations that go along with it, particularly Easter. So Chrissy has gathered together her picks for an an arty and crafty (and of course hoppy!) Easter to get you ready for spring to get your creative urges blossoming alongside the crocuses. From tasty bunny cookies to an unexpected (and resuable) easter wreath we've uncovered your Easter treasures early.
1. Peek-a-boo Bunny cookies via Etsy: Cookies via Etsy? How can you say no to these adorably decorated treats. For a how-to recipe to make your own click here.
2. Lace-wrapped Easter Eggs: I love the delicate and traditional look of these lace-wrapped eggs, plus it's an easy craft for little fingers.
3. Pastel Yarn Wreath: I like that this wreath is reusable and eco-friendly. Plus it's a great way to reuse old yarn. Get kids involved in choosing which balls to add and make sure the cat doesn't get near it!
4. Bunny Onesie: Available from Urth Child this onesie is super modern and too cute for words. A sure-fire hit with the stroller set.
5. Lamb by Nick Lamia: There's nothing sweeter than springtime on the farm and this little puffball by Nick Lamia is one of the loveliest springtime images we have on LittleCollector.
Big thanks to Cara Ober and Purple Bike Design for featuring LittleCollector on their blog! Writes Cara, "[I] received a lot of reactions to the article on my child’s art collection. While most people said they approved of the idea in theory, and they would love to purchase original art for their children, most had no idea where to get started! How do you do this, exactly?! There’s so much art in the world, much of it is very expensive, and very few parents have extra time to do the research to find affordable, appropriate works of art.
If this is a concern for you, I have two great online options - LittleCollector and Cureeo - to help you begin an art collection, for yourself or your family. Both are extremely affordable and both make a valiant attempt to demystify the process of purchasing art.
The first online gallery I would personally recommend is called LittleCollector. They offer limited edition prints by a number of highly respected contemporary artists. Prices are based on size of print and edition size. For $40, you can purchase an 8x10 print, with an edition run of 250. If you want it framed, you pay $85. You can also purchase an 11x14 print for $125 (edition of 150), or a 20x24 inch print, with an edition run of 50.
If you are not familiar with the concept of editions, please know this is an extremely important indicator of value. The fewer prints available, the more valuable the images are. An unlimited print edition, like a poster or other mass produced image, is worth significantly less. LittleCollector’s prints include lithographs, photos, and other types of illustrative printing, and all use archival printing methods and paper.
More importantly, the high quality of artists participating on LittleCollector is a huge indicator of quality. Nationally known artists like Mickalene Thomas, Shepard Fairey, Saya Woolfalk, William Wegman are intermingled with well-known children’s illustrators, like Cynthia Rowley, and a number of young contemporary artists, like Darlene Charneco, Jay Cover, and Margaret Morrison. It is worth noting that many of the works of art feature subjects which are of interest to children: animals, cowboys, alphabets, candy-colored landscapes, and fantasy, but none of the works pander to children. Every single piece would also be a handsome addition to an adult collection as well."
To read the full article click here & many thanks to Cara and the Purple Bike team. Plus gather more design ideas from their lovely and colorful blog here.
