Black Friday: put a little love in an artist's pocket
I used to go full Scrooge on all this holiday cheer… but these days I try to be a little more supportive. Really, I think we could all use some encouragement to keep going.
When you purchase my work, here’s what I hear from you: I’m telling a story in your life that needs to be expressed. I need to know that someone needs my work. And every purchase literally gives me more room to make new art. So I’m offering you a 10% discount on your first order, until December 31st. Use the code FIRSTTIMER at checkout. Oh, and if you subscribe to these posts and my newsletter you always get free shipping too. Like, forever.
Many of my fellow artists depend on the holiday shopping season to make it to the new year. So I’ve put together a short, totally-biased list of creatives you can support. (Nobody’s paying me to mention them — I just love them and their work.)
PAINTINGS, PRINTS & SCULPTURE
Juan Alonso Studio: paintings and sculpture. Check out the brand-new small bronze pieces, based on his most recent desert drawings.
Liz Tran Studios: paintings, and now accessories printed with her work in the Bookstore at Chihuly Garden & Glass.
Troy Gua: fine art prints and photography. Troy is best known for the LPP series honoring the late musician Prince. BTW, his online shop is having a big sale.
JEWELRY & WEARABLE ART
Evolve Revolt Repeat: handmade upcycled denim jewelry by Eve Sanford. To find her work at holiday markets, check this Instagram post.
Magpie Mouse Studios: handmade enameled jewelry by Sarah Meranda. You can also find her work at these gift shops.
Chief Seattle Club: selling indigenous-made jewelry and wearable art online. They’re also vending artwork at the Punk Rock Flea Market on December 7th.
STATIONERY & WORKS ON PAPER
Cat Snapp Studio: letterpress cards and fine art prints. For a limited time, your online purchase will also help support youth and families experiencing homelessness.
Studio Four Corners: stationery, collage and photography by Amy Duncan. She’s already had a studio sale, but you can still catch her work at Holiday on the Bay on December 7th.
Setzer Studio Arts: prints and original paintings on paper via her Patreon account.
Do what’s right for you: I encourage you to support one, a few, or all the artists I’ve mentioned. No one needs to go broke this season. But you know what they say about giving and receiving…
Double-happiness, double holiday madness
Anyone out there less than excited about decorating for the winter holidays?
Good thing my neighbors are on it, because I've decided I'm done with the decor. I enjoy giving presents, but "creating atmosphere"... not so much. My kids will just have to take it up with their future therapists. "My mother was horrible at holidays; she never put up Thanksgiving turkeys or mistletoe or did the Elf on the Shelf." THAT'S RIGHT.
"She was always too busy in her studio to create holiday cheer." ABSOLUTELY. (I'm sure my punishment will be one of them marrying the Homemaker From Hell.)
This year, the kids will literally wake up on December 25th to Christmas presents... and go to bed with the first night of Hanukkah gifts. I better not hear any complaining as I bandage the paper cuts I'll get from wrapping all this stuff!