Who’s in the mood for a cross-country trip to check out two fabulous art shows by two inspirational and talented artists? We are too! Pack your bags for Providence and Denver, because you won’t want to miss these.

First up, we are so proud of Red Cap Cards artist, Priscilla Weidlein, and her opening at Little Bitte, presented by World’s Fair. “But Now With Feeling” showcases watercolors by Weidlein and handblown glass by Peán Doubulyu.
We want to live inside one of these dream-like scenes. And those plants.

Click to her artist page to view Priscilla’s work for Red Cap and check out some photos from this fantastic-looking event, which happened last night, below:

World’s Fair Presents “But Now With Feeling”
News works by Priscilla Weidlein & Peandoubulya Glass
Little Bitte
268 Broadway
Providence, Rhode Island

Next up: this weekend is the opening reception for a special friend and upcoming Red Cap artist, Marsha Robinson (aka Strange Dirt). Marsha has been working hard on this exhibit for the last six months, and we are sure it will be such a treat to behold. Marsha’s intricate work depicting gorgeous botanicals and prismatic detailing are absolutely breathtaking.

Another major project on the horizon is Marsha’s collection release that will be happening in the 2018 New Year! Keep in touch for more news on her release. We can’t wait!

“I Am Her”
Works by Marsha Robinson aka Strange Dirt

Saturday, June 24th 6pm-10pm
at Svper Ordinary
3350 Brighton Blvd. #120
Denver, CO 80216

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We are constantly cheerleading our Red Cap artists from the sidelines, and every once in a while we like to share some of the things that they are working on, besides making beautiful work for us! This week, we are excited to show you a brand, new picture book trailer, a fabulous wheelchair fashion accessory, and the coolest business card we’ve seen in a while. See below for more.

*Also, don’t forget that this Sunday is Father’s Day! Make sure to make the father in your life feel special! Click over to our previous post for some inspiration on how to make the day awesome.

Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett are at it again, working their literary magic for children with The Wolf, The Duck, and the Mouse. We can’t wait for this one and were happy to find such a fun book trailer to go along with it. We love you, Jon!

“When a woeful mouse is swallowed by a wolf, he quickly learns he is not alone: a duck has already set up digs, and, boy, has that duck got it figured out! Turns out it’s pretty nice in there, with delicious food and elegant table settings, courtesy of the wolf’s unchecked gluttony. And there’s something even better: no more fear of being eaten by a wolf! In fact, life is pretty good, until a hunter shows up. . . . With a nod to traditional fables and a wink to the reader, the award-winning Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen offer a tale of cooperation and creative cuisine that is sure to go down easy.” – Candlewick Press

In fashion news, Red Cap artist, Bodil Jane, is causing a ruckus with her luxuriously-illustrated spoke guards from Izzy Wheels. How cool is this? Folks who use wheelchairs can dress them up and be a moving work of art. We especially love the title: Girls Make the World Go Round. We’re waiting for rim art…

 

Last but not least, some design inspiration for your Thursday. Check out these business cards by Lesley Barnes for the East London Comics & Arts Festival (#ELCAF2017). Wouldn’t you love to be handed one of these? We’d keep it forever, and use it as a bookmark. Proof positive that nothing needs to be boring. Even a Thursday. Have fun!

 

 

Father’s Day is a little over a week away, and we hope you remember to treat your father, father-figure, baby-daddy, or doggie-dad (I could go on and on) with as much love and attention as possible. Moms get the bulk of the adoration when it comes to National Holidays, but we have to remember our awesome dads as well: like this one, this one, this one, and of course, this one.

We’re so excited about one of our newest Father’s Day card (above) by Carolyn Gavin and all of the amazing work that our artist collaborators have given us. Check out a little collage below of some of our cards for dear-old-Dad, or click here to view the entire Father’s Day Collection. Happy Father’s Day, have a cocktail for us, Dad!

Happy June!! We had the opportunity to have a quick getaway to New York City this past week to attend the National Stationery Show (NSS). We had a great time hanging out with a few of our collaborators: Kelsey Garrity-Riley, Danielle Kroll, Kate Pugsley, Priscilla Weidlein and Emily Isabella (upcoming collection for 2018!).

It’s amazing to be in the company of such talented and inspiring women and artists. And, it’s also fun to scroll through their blogs and Instagrams to get a glimpse of some of the fresh ideas they are working on for themselves, clients, or other projects. Check out some of the work that gave us heart-eyes below, and follow them!

Are you ready for this? We’ve just released our two brand new designs by artists, Bodil Jane and Priscilla Weidlein in their debut collections for Red Cap Cards!

Our May 2017 catalog is hot off the presses and we can’t wait to share it with you. On top of the new collections by these two fabulous artists, we are also featuring new holiday cards and wrap from Kate Pugsley, Nicholas John Frith, Becca Stadtlander, and Kelsey Garrity-Riley, as well as a bestsellers section to show off our most popular picks.

Check out a few sneak peeks of the card designs, holiday wrapping sheets, and some tidbits about our new artists below. For more of our holiday goodies, new wrap designs and more, click over to the catalog on ISUU or download it directly, here.

Have fun, and welcome, Bodil and Priscilla!

About Bodil Jane: Bodil Jane (1990, Amsterdam) is an illustrator from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. She graduated with honors from Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, specializing in illustration (2014). She loves to illustrate food, people, animals, fashion, interiors, plants, packages and maps. All of her illustrations include hand made elements and digital techniques. Bodil Jane is represented by Folio, an illustration agency based in central London.

‘Bodil Jane’ is a combination of a first name and a second name. Bodil doesn’t use her last name for her illustration work. Full credits are: Bodil Jane. Bodil is a Danish name and means ‘female warrior’.

A bit about Priscilla: Priscilla Weidlein is an American illustrator and designer living in Rhode Island. She creates images for brands, magazines, stationery, and private commission. Painted with watercolor, her work is a lively celebration of hedonism, nature, and joie d’vivre.

Holiday Fun!

We couldn’t mention one of our new artists, Priscilla Weidlein, without showing off another one! Bodil Jane is one of our brand new collaborators and we can’t wait to introduce her designs this month. Bodil Jane’s work is sensual and wild and detailed–an absolutely beautiful addition to our collection.

A bit about the artist, from her website: Bodil Jane is an illustrator from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. She loves to illustrate food, recipes, animals, fashion, interiors, plants, packages and maps. All of her illustrations include hand made elements and digital techniques. Follow her on Instagram to see her current projects and work in progress, and see below for some lovely images of her past work. How about those room images–getting excited?

We are oh-so-excited to show you a little sneak peek of one of our brand new artists, Priscilla Weidlein. With a bold, femme-fatale style, Priscilla’s work for Red Cap is something we have been looking forward to for a while and we have absolutely fallen in love with every one of her pieces. They are sexy, vibrant, and it seems that a thousand stories lay behind each image. Keep a look out here on our blog for other new artists as well!

A little bit about Priscilla: she is an artist/illustrator based in Providence, Rhode Island and works on commission doing branding and editorial work, stationery design, and an array of custom projects. We are so excited to have her as part of our little Red Cap team–keep a look out for her Artist Spotlight, hopefully coming soon! Scroll below for some awesome work by Priscilla, just to wet your palate.

We checked in with a few of our artists today to find out what fun and exciting things they’ve been working on and found a few special treats to highlight: a vibrant animation, an LA event, and a new children’s book in the works.

First up, we’ve fallen in love with this animation, entitled “Transplant” by Red Cap Cards artist, Meg Hunt and P. Murphy for Portland’s Design Week event, DRAEMS. The animation features the flower and the eye as two traditional dream elements, which come together to create a surreal and lovely story. View Meg Hunt’s designs for Red Cap, here.

Transplant from PMurphy on Vimeo.

Also notable this week, if you are in the LA area, don’t miss out on Red Cap artist, Jon Klassen‘s event with collaborator, Mac Barnett. They will be at The Pop Hop Books & Print for a Triangle reading and signing on Sunday, April 30th at 3pm. If you haven’t had a chance to read Triangle yet, this might be the moment you’ve been waiting for.

And a sneak peek to get you excited (we definitely are!). Check out this cover for Jon and Mac’s new collaboration which will be out this fall: The Wolf, The Duck & The Mouse. That color palette!

“I may have been swallowed,” said the duck, “but I have no intention of being eaten.” 

We can’t wait! Follow Meg and Jon on Twitter for more news.

Bees are buzzing, daffodils are sprouting, and you’re hopefully planning a lovely rendezvous somewhere even warmer than where you currently reside. When you hop on a plane or ferry or train, make sure that you pack something to read for every age group. A few selections with beautiful work by Red Cap Cards artists stood out to us as books that need to go in the carry-on. Read on for more:

Red Cap Cards artist, Nicholas John Frith‘s brand new picture book, Hello, Mr. Dodo! is bright as-can-be and the perfect story for kids. The illustration is reminiscent of Bernard Waber with a modern twist and an eye-candy color palette. It tells the story of Martha, and her new friend with a taste for fried pastry –a Dodo bird– who is thought to have been extinct. It’s a sweet story (pun intended!) Also, if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading Frith’s first picture book, Hector and Hummingbird, make sure to pick that one up as well!

For the older set, make sure to check out The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley with absolutely gorgeous cover art by Red Cap Cards artist, Josie Portillo. Written for the middle grade audience, this story will captivate all ages, including adults. In the novel, we meet Ada, a handicapped 10-year old, who makes her way to the English countryside to avoid the bombing of London in World War II. There are plenty of plot twists and fabulous elements about the story that we won’t spoil, but you’ll want to read this one quickly, as it’s sequel, The War I Finally Won, is due out in October of 2017! See below.

Lastly, the follow-up to Red Cap artist, Lesley Barnes‘s debut picture book, Jill & Dragon, is out now. Jill & Lion tells the story of our heroine, Jill, and her new adventure with a sad lion whose tears are blurring the pages! We love the story and the end-pages are to die for (see below)!

And don’t forget to check out the amazing work that these three artists have created especially for Red Cap. Click here to view cards by Nicholas John Frith, here for work by Josie Portillo, and here for Lesley Barnes. Happy Spring reading!

Do you love miniatures as much as I do? How about designer wallpaper? Recently, I decided to create an Easter surprise for my daughter, Alice, by refashioning a customized birdhouse we used for our wedding cards into a dollhouse she can use for her bunny family. I had to reign myself in from buying deluxe Eames miniatures (come on, she’s two) and adding on rooms to accommodate their lifestyles–good luck if you need a restroom, bunnies!–but I did decide to splurge on that wallpaper. I’ve been searching for the perfect toile for my real-life house for years, so when Danielle released her beautiful River Toile Wrap, I decided to live vicariously through those little bunnies.

Plus, I was delighted to learn about another house which was also wallpapered to perfection, using Yelena Bryksenkova’s Moth Magic Wrap, by the talented Lauren Duarte. I love this little scene Look at Blythe’s little Moth Magic Notebook! She is way cooler than us all. See below. Check out Lauren’s Instagram for some dollhouses that will give you design envy.

To create the interiors for a little house like this, you will need:

• a House! I popped the back wall off of the house and installed mini tap lights into the detachable roof because it has no windows to let light in.
• Modpodge and a glue brush (see image below). I used matte modpodge and applied under and on top of the paper to set it, and protect it from sticky fingers for years to come.
• The paper, of course. I used one sheet of Danielle Kroll’s River Toile.
• Woodgrain contact paper for the flooring.
• Dollhouse furniture. I ordered mine from Hape and painted over some of the colors with white acrylic.
• Floor and tile samples from Home Depot for the room separator. Shhh…don’t tell.
• A tiny Persian rug, because yes.
• A large metal washer and some scrap yarn to make the woven wall hanging.

See below for a few more pictures of the tiny space to get your creativity flowing, and check out all of our wrapping sheets (and your future dollhouse wallpaper?) in our shop section.

Happy creating!
Andie

 

April is here, and you know what that means…yes! It’s National Letter Writing Month and we hope you are participating in the Write_On Campaign just like last year. If you need a few reasons to write, the Campaign has got some great ideas up on their website. Get the stamps on those envelopes, kids!

Plus, if you missed it, click back over to Red Cap Cards’s Designer Q&A with the Write_On campaign. Have fun, and happy writing!

There is value to a handwritten letter…but there is also value to any thoughtfully written note from a friend—sent by telegram, snail mail, or even email. Paperless Post is our favorite way to send online correspondence while easily retaining the elegance of an enveloped notation.

We’re so happy to have brand new designs by Danielle Kroll (and more!) on Paperless Post. For a couple of “coins,” you can send friends and loved ones a Red Cap card, invite, or  directly into their email inbox. Click over to our friends at Paperless Post to see all of our sendable, digital designs, or click the photos below for a direct link. Thank you so much, Paperless Post!

Brand new books are blooming all around, and we are excited to present you with another edition of Arlo’s Book Club! This time around, we are looking at fresh pickings for Spring, and focusing on character. Character is perhaps the most important element in children’s storytelling. It teaches kids about the world and people around them, how to make good decisions and how to be brave and silly. We picked a few books that exemplify how creating a great character can really take the reader soaring. Take a look, and happy reading!

Triangle
by Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen
The newest collaboration from Mac Barnett and our own Red Cap artist, Jon Klassen, is about a mischievous little triangle and the lengths he’ll go for a laugh. We also meet his foil, a Square, who teaches kids a valuable lesson about going with the flow. Of course, we’re in love with the illustration–classic Klassen, conveying depth and expression with darker, shaded colors, plus a few pops of icy blue that refreshes the page. Pick this one up right away!

Du Iz Tak?
by Carson Ellis
We could go on and on about the merits of Du Is Tak? by Carson Ellis. The story is centered on a group of insects who live in a colorful and intricate outdoor world. The real character in this book, however, is the language. The little bugs speak no human language, and we as the reader are tasked with using the illustration to decode their speech, like a child might learn to decode ours. By the end of the story, we are fluent in their language. A brilliant, fantastical story.

 

Antoinette (Gaston & Friends)
by Kelly DiPucchio and Christian Robinson
It’s finally here! The “sequel” to Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio and Red Cap Cards artist, Christian Robinson, is entitled Antoinette, and tells the story of Gaston’s future spouse and her quest to find herself. We get to see more of the city of Paris (fun!) and follow Antoinette as she finds out that everyone has a talent, and that hers is very important. We’re so glad to see these sweet faces again.

North, South, East, West
by Margaret Wise Brown with illustration by Greg Pizzoli
It’s difficult for Margaret Wise Brown to do wrong in our eyes, and we were delighted to see that her story was recently refreshed and reprinted with illustration by our pal, Greg Pizzoli. North, South, East, West tells the story of a sweet little bird who leaves the nest for adventure and then finds her way back home. This one is for anyone with a wandering soul.

My Dad Used to Be so Cool
by Keith Negley
A little boy is suspicious that his dad used to be cool. How do we know? We get a glimpse of a few hints: a motorcycle collecting leaves in the driveway, a drum kit hidden away in the closet, sleeve tattoos and loud music. Bursting with color and sweet-as-can-be, this story allows the reader in on a secret that little boy never does figure out: that his dad used to be “cool” but would give it all up for love. We adore this one from author/illustrator, Keith Negley.

 

“His art was not modern for the sake of modern. [It] could be a kind of very distilled visual language that could be understood by just about anyone, from a 2-year-old to an illiterate peasant in Russia.” – Leonard Marcus, children’s literature scholar and curator.

With Spring in the air, there is not a more perfect, classic artist to showcase than Leonard Weisgard. Known mainly for his collaborations with Margaret Wise Brown, Weisgard’s illustrated works are staples in the libraries of children’s literature enthusiasts. (Read this fantastic article about how Margaret Wise Brown and Leonard Weisgard’s collaborations revolutionized children’s literature!)

Bursting with color and fine detail, Weisgard’s work was honored with the Caldecott Medal in 1947 for The Little Island, written by Brown. The beauty in his depictions promote such a slow contemplation of the world around us. According to the article linked above, Brown actually sought out Weisgard because she felt that there “weren’t enough wildflowers in children’s books.” In 1970, Weisgard moved to Denmark the protest the Vietnam war. He died there in 2000. Look below for a (very) small sampling of his contribution to the art and literature worlds. Happy Spring!

Spring is just about to peek its lovely head out from behind the corner, but doesn’t it seem as if the winter days drag the most toward the middle of March? The blustery weather no longer sparkles, we no longer feel cozy–we just feel stuck. If you are a creative or an artist, and the days have begun to drag on, how do you find inspiration?

One too many days spent indoors can zap the creative flow and it’s difficult to navigate your work between times of making dinner or doing laundry or of staring out the window, wondering if the rain will ever stop. We’ve talked a bit about sketchbooks and how important the consistent output of work is to creating even more work, but what do you do when there’s just…nothing?

Today, in honor of sweeping the cobwebs out of our brains, we thought we would take a look back at our Artist Spotlights and find inspiration in our artists’ inspirations. Take a look below at some of their responses to the question of what inspires them. We hope it helps you find your inspiration, too:

“I’m not really conscious, but inevitably my environment inspires me, I’m sure; everything I like sticks in my head one way or another, and reflects when it is time to work. Because (I always say this but is true nonetheless) there is no inspiration without work. I’m a great believer in randomness during the creative process. I have started with pottery a short while ago, and I’m really enjoying it, so I think it will reflect in my work somehow.” – Blanca Gómez

“Nature and people. We as human beings are very small next to the powerful nature. That is what I think most of the times when I paint. Even though we are very clever and all the time learning and discovering new things, we will never be as powerful as the nature is. The beauty of the nature is also how everything there interacts somehow together.” – Anna Emilia Laitinen

“Reading is important to me, and is a big source of inspiration. I’m also inspired by some of the travels I’ve done and a lot of what I do is based on memories of experiences I’ve had and places, people, and things I’ve seen. As far as reference goes, I was looking at a lot of 1950’s children’s books when I was in college – I think a lot of the simplistic shapes of that era stuck with me.” – Josie Portillo

“Books, films, music, memories, exhibitions, clothing, interesting color palettes, images I come across on the internet–absolutely everything. There’s usually one thing that has me captivated at any given moment and I live under its spell until the next wave of inspiration. I try to keep my eyes open and carry a notebook for writing down half-formed ideas or themes to return to. My mind and my computer are visual catalogs where I file away all of the beautiful things I see, and they all appear in my work eventually, in one form or another.” – Yelena Bryksenkova

“Traveling and trying new things. I get a ton of ideas when I’m not sitting around trying to think of one. Generally I get inspiration from everyday life and I definitely look at the past stylistically. I love going to thrift shops and antique malls. You’re guaranteed to see something interesting, unique, handmade, quirky, funny, beautiful and affordable if you go to the right spot. Not to mention the funny people watching.” – Danielle Kroll

“Colour, colour combinations and patterns from all over the world.. Africa, Mexico, India, Belize, Eastern Europe… Flowers, animals, fashion, the city, the country and travel. I love to travel to new places. I think this opens up a whole world of possibilities and new creative experiences which translates into new and wonderful work. Plus, it refreshes your mind and energizes the soul.” – Carolyn Gavin

“I’m very influenced by vintage illustration from all over the world. I admire Russian avant-garde illustrators like Boris Ermelenko, the bold works of Fernand Nathan, Olle Eksell, Leonard Weisgard, Alice and Martin Provensen; Miroslav Sasek, Art Seiden, Arnold Edwin Bare and many many more. I also love old advertisements like the one from bally or old food illustrations. There is jelly everywhere and woman serve big meals to their husbands in their pink kitchens. I also love old Czechoslovakian, Polish and Russian matchbox labels and vintage travel posters, mainly from England. I could not limit my self to one artist or one direction. Each one of them has something that fascinates me. What I mainly love about those kind of illustrations is the limited color palette, the bold shapes and the beautiful printing techniques they are made with.” – Barbara Dziadosz

“Everything around me basically. I like to gather influence from anything from a bike ride around the block, to reading a children’s book to reading a science or philosophy article online. I don’t typically look at other artists or illustrators for inspiration, as doing so usually has the opposite effect, I like to pull ideas from more abstract thoughts. Even just seeing an interesting pattern, or the way the tree in the park meets the grass can lead to a new way of thinking about a drawing.” – James Gulliver Hancock

“Everything. Nature, flowers, forest, movies, songs, fashion, books, stories, colors, shapes, people, animals, antiques, museums.” – Dinara Mirtalipova

“I don’t know….I get asked this a lot and there’s no answer really. I think, as a rule, creative people are greedy, we consume books and music and film in high volumes and that contributes to our work, of course it does. But its hard to pinpoint, at any given moment, where an influence has come from as its merged with all the other stuff going on in your head. So a drawing might come from a song I’ve heard, something by Withered Hand or Karen Dalton perhaps, but it also comes from the mood I was in when I woke up that morning, the weather, who I’ve been speaking to. Rarely do my ‘favourite things’ crop up in my work. […] Its just a feeling you get when you see something that ‘gets to you.’ That irrepressible urge to make things. Its important not to disregard anything you encounter, its all good stuff. The greedier you are with things the more you’ll have to go on.” – Lizzy Stewart

“I’ve been asked this question a lot, and it’s hard to answer honestly. My environment has always been really important, including experiences of new places. Work and life are so intertwined that I can’t really pick out specific inspirations. Taking the time to observe what’s around me helps me stay conscious of what I’m thinking and feeling, and I think that influences my work.” – Kate Pugsley

“Everywhere. Experiences. Dreams of yesterdays past. Books. Nature. And, in the last year, Pinterest!” – Nicholas John Frith

“Epic question! So many things inspire me. Children’s book illustration and graphic art from the 50s-60s, nature, simplicity, cities, children’s art, animation, fine art, music, I could keep going.” – Christian Robinson

“I love objects–things with stories, collecting things, arranging things, discovering things. The natural world is hugely influential. I always go back and draw from memories of experiences and places. I love looking to current interior design and fashion–even if they don’t show up directly in my work. I feel very blessed to have family and friends who inspire me creatively. My brother has been staying with us for the past few months while he works on his studio apartment–he does the most amazing woodworking. Lately it has been especially inspiring to spend so much time talking over new projects and creative plans with him and my husband.” – Kelsey Garrity Riley

“Looking at everything, especially shapes and colours. Good food. Films and music. All the girl characters I’ve been obsessed with since I was little. Starting with Pippi Longstocking (in the amazing picture book illustrations by Ingrid Vang Nyman), later Anne of Green Gables, Harriet the Spy, Margot Tenenbaum, Lisbeth Salander and so many more.” – Anke Weckmann

We hope you enjoyed your International Women’s Day! Whether or not you took the day off in honor of #adaywithoutawoman, or you simply celebrated your fellow and/or favorite females, we felt the love yesterday. In honor of the International Women’s Day, we wanted to present some beautiful work by some of our favorite female artists–Red Cap Cards artists! See below for work some beautiful work they created and make sure to visit their websites, linked via our artists page. We love and respect you all. The future is female!

 

Pop the cork! We’ve got a fun treat for your weekend: come celebrate our brand new collection created by Danielle Kroll, this Saturday night at The Social Type! Join us for an inspirational gathering to connect, sip a bit of bubbly, and tip our hats to Danielle.

The details:

Meet us at The Social Type (bring your spending shoes, because this place is fantastic!)
2522 W Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, California
6-9pm — come early, stay late!

Check them out on Facebook and Instagram as well.

We can’t wait to see you. Pencil this into your paper (or digital) calendar, put on something cute and we’ll see you there, cocktail in hand!

 

 

It’s finally time for another Artist Spotlight, and we are so thrilled! We are pleased to introduce Danielle Kroll to our Red Cap Cards family. A Brooklyn-based artist and designer, Danielle brings a feminine chicness with a hint of play to the Red Cap roster. Debuting with eighteen new cards and six new wrapping sheet styles, Danielle and her gorgeous new designs makes us want to grab a cocktail and relax under the nearest cabana with a copy of Franny and Zooey.

We had a chance to chat with Danielle a bit about her creative process, what inspires here, and more. See below for her interview and fantastic photos of her studio and more.

What does a typical day for you look like?
Usually I take advantage of my flexible schedule and get some chores done in the morning. If I have time, I’ll make myself a nice big breakfast. My studio is a 20 minute walk through Greenpoint and I try to get there by 12. Some days I just want to get right to painting but if I have emails or urgent deadlines, that will have to wait until later. If I finish up all my client work then I can work on something for myself. It’s like my treat for having a productive work day.

Did you always want to be an artist? Did you have any other aspirations?
I’ve always known I wanted to do something creative. I thought I wanted to be an interior designer because I loved playing The Sims so much. I started painting in the 5th grade when I won private acrylic lessons with a local artist. I went to art school and then worked as a graphic designer. I got bored though so I started painting again on the side. I started getting client work after posting my paintings on a blog for a little while. Illustration, it turns out, was kind of like my missing link between design and painting.

Tell us about your other work–ceramics, textiles?
Ceramics is a happy place because I don’t take on commissioned work in that medium. Which also means that I don’t get to work with clay that much since it never takes priority. I still feel like I’ve only tapped the surface with that. As for textiles, I’ve been drawn to them for as long as I can remember. Some of my first memories are of patterns in my grandparent’s houses. Sometimes I weave those memories into my work. I started doodling patterns in my sketchbooks one day then started painting more complex textiles once I learned how repeats work. I really can’t control what my mind wants to be working on which is why I move around between mediums. If I have an idea I will obsess over it until I start working on it.

What is your creative process like?
It depends on what I’m working on. I’m always drawing in my sketchbooks and those most likely will turn into a textile. For my personal projects I think I’m most creative when I’m not thinking about it too much. Sometimes I could sit around for hours (or days) just thinking about ideas before actually starting anything. Then when I have something in mind I’ll have it done that same day. When I’m painting, I work with gouache and sometimes add in paper collage. Then I scan my paintings into Photoshop and do some cleaning up. I actually really like the computer part because by then the hardest parts are over and I can just zone out and listen to audiobooks, podcasts or watch cartoons.

What inspires you most?
Traveling and trying new things. I get a ton of ideas when I’m not sitting around trying to think of one. Generally I get inspiration from everyday life and I definitely look at the past stylistically. I love going to thrift shops and antique malls. You’re guaranteed to see something interesting, unique, handmade, quirky, funny, beautiful and affordable if you go to the right spot. Not to mention the funny people watching.

What is your most successful piece in your opinion?
Yikes tough call! I think my most popular piece was the Ladies at the Beach print. Which I love as well. One of my all time favorite paintings I did was of two lost swans swimming in the ocean on an old book page. Very romantic.

What was the best piece of advice you were given when starting out?
I think it’s probably, don’t listen to other people’s advice. What’s right for one person is most certainly not going to work for everyone. When you’re excited about a big idea and ask someone’s advice, chances are they’re going to tell you something like, “wow that’s a lot of work. Or woah that’s crazy.” And it’s easy to feel discouraged. I still ask people’s advice, I just try not to factor it into my decision making process.

Favorite mediums to work in?
I feel most confident when painting because I’ve been doing it for so long. I think ceramics is the most rewarding (when everything goes right). Since I don’t have too much time in ceramics I always try something funky when I go in there. Occasionally it works out!

Tell us about Beech Hall.
I started Beech Hall with two of my buddies from Tyler School or Art. We all branched out in slightly different concentrations so we thought it would be a fun project to make a brand together. Our first collection was inspired by Ancient Egypt and had homewares, jewelry, ceramics, paintings and other random goods. Our second collection was inspired by the feeling of a retro island vacation and we called it Cabana. It’s been fun to just experiment and to fully develop a product concept. We see it more as an opportunity to explore artistically rather than a business.

Who are your role models in terms of art or otherwise?
The first artist I really looked up to is Mary Blair. I remember seeing an exhibit of her paintings at the perfect time; right after I quit my job and started a long hike in California. I really connected to her. Seeing the original artwork that stylistically inspired my favorite childhood movies made me giddy.

If you didn’t work as an artist, what would you be doing?
Maybe I’d be an antique buyer. I’m really good at that!

Any upcoming projects you’d like to share?
I do have some fun ideas in the works but they’re not ready to be shared yet.

Do you have any advice for up-and-coming artists and illustrators?
Do as much experimenting as you can. Sometimes I’ll start on an idea and I’ll think it’s going to be the best thing in the world. Then a few hours in, I’ll take a step back and it’s hideous. Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s easy to get discouraged but we all make ugly stuff every now and then. Just remember to dispose of it.

Obligatory Red Cap question: favorite drink?
My go-to order is a Vodka Soda. I’m Polish so vodka is my family’s liquor of choice. For my fancy cocktail I’d go with a Moscow Mule. I love the fresh gingery taste. So refreshing!

Thank you so much, Danielle! See more of Danielle’s designs for Red Cap cards, here.

All photos courtesy Danielle Kroll unless otherwise noted.

We hope you’re getting ready to hunker down with your honey tonight–and by all means, a “honey” may represent your spouse, partner, child, pet, or really just a huge box of Junior Mints. Whatever works. We love you oh-so-much at Red Cap Cards. Have fun, eat some candies, and enjoy the love that is within your grasp. Here’s a few visual treats to get you started…

Happy Valentine’s Day!

They say the eyes are the window to the soul. We say they are the window to the story. Part of our jobs as art curators is finding personality and perspective in our artists’ characters. A huge chunk of that personality and perspective is found in the character’s gaze. The intricacies with which artists are able to convey emotion and intent through slight subtlety in their character’s features is fascinating!

Part of what makes a successful picture book is a 50/50 partnership between words and illustration. Words tell half of the story, while the illustration tells the other half. Sometimes, these halves conflict in their truths…and that’s when things get really exciting! When you start to focus on these tiny details in a picture book’s illustration, it’s amazing what layers you can find.

It’s no secret that we are huge Jon Klassen fans. Celebrated author, illustrator and Caldecott award winner (not to mention Red Cap Cards artist), Jon is a master at creating tension and story arcs with very subtle details in his art work. Look below for some fascinating examples from several of his books.

This is Not My Hat
by Jon Klassen

This one tells the story of a tiny, mischievous fish who has stolen a hat (quite stupidly) from a much bigger fish. He is sly and aware of his surroundings until he gets a little bit too comfortable. We love the facial expressions on both fish (and a few other characters) as the story emerges, showing complex emotions in a battle of wits.

 

“He probably won’t know it was me who took it.”

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I Want My Hat Back
by Jon Klassen

In this story, a much-too-trusting bear goes on the hunt for his missing hat, until he ultimately finds it, much to the dismay of the thief. The range of emotion in this one is perfect! Trust to deception, realization, intent, surprise, and ultimately, satisfaction. The illustration is able to stand completely alone in its story.

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Sam and Dave Dig a Hole
Words by Mac Barnett, illustration by Jon Klassen

This one is magical and has new layers that are discoverable with each reading. Sam and Dave do simply that–they dig a hole. Their trusty dog is there to attempt to steer them in the right direction, but ultimately, they wrap up the day’s work and head home…or do they? The very subtle inconsistencies in the two home settings create a story within a story. The look between the cat and the dog tells us there’s more to this narrative that we are invited to put together on our own after the book is closed.

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We Found a Hat
by Jon Klassen

Jon’s newest addition to the “hat” trilogy tells the story of two turtles in a desert who have found a hat. Who will claim the hat? They both like it, and it looks good on them both. The internal struggle of one of the turtles is hidden from the text, but is given away in the eyes of the character illustration. See the images below:

How many characters are completely recognizable by their eyes? We wanted to touch on Jon’s characters to get you on the lookout–who are your favorite characters with stories told through their expressions? We will be back with some more illustrative techniques for telling a complete story through illustration. Keep your eyes peeled!

-Andie Powers for Red Cap Cards
@andiegwpowers

Who is attending the NY NOW Show in New York City next week? We’ll be there!

From February 5th-8th, Red Cap Cards will be represented by Crow & Canary in the general gift section in the company of some fine lines of stationery, gifts, and housewares. Visit us on the first floor of Davits in Booth No. 7614!

Stop by to check out our new collection of valentines, and allow Danielle Kroll to make a proper introduction with her stunning new collection of cards and gift wrap. We can’t wait to see you there.

We are delighted to introduce our brand new collection of greeting cards and wrap for the start of a shiny new 2017. Our January collection features original work by our new Red Cap Cards collaborator and artist, Danielle Kroll. Brooklyn-based and bursting with style, Danielle’s bright and light-hearted illustration lends a touch of whimsy and a dash of vintage class to our design repertoire.

A bit about Danielle: she graduated from Tyler School of Art and started her career in Anthropologie’s Art Department. Her work includes illustrations, ceramics, paintings and textiles, while her whimsical style aims to inspire curiosity and to make your day just a little bit brighter! Plus, she is also a founder of Beech Hall, a web shop that offers a vibrant array of homewares, ceramics and jewelry.

Danielle’s collection debuts twenty-two new greeting cards, featuring luxurious foils in pink, emerald, gold and copper, and six new wrapping papers. From a classic blue-and-white toile to the most chic knives you’ve ever seen, there is a perfect paper for any creative or elegant occasion. Check out some highlights (plus, some brilliant in-progress shots from Danielle’s Instagram!) below or click over to our shop to see the entire collection. Also, download our January 2017 catalog here, or view it on ISSUU.

We are so happy to have Danielle as part of our collaborative family. Beautiful work, Danielle. Welcome.

Need some distraction today? We hear you…

Ever heard of National Duck Day? Apparently it was yesterday (January 18th)! Beloved Red Cap artist, Jon Klassen, introduced us via a gorgeous illustration and poem for Eric Carle‘s, What’s Your Favorite Animal?  Take a look at the poem and illustration below, plus a bonus original illustration.

“Most times when you
see a duck in a story,
it’s not very smart.
Usually it is in the
middle of falling
for a trick somebody
is playing on it.
But I like ducks,
I like watching them walk around.” – JK

To see Jon’s designs for Red Cap Cards, click here. And follow his Twitter feed, here.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

This Google doodle by Red Cap artist, Christian Robinson, from several years ago still makes our hearts leap. During these uncertain times, let’s focus on love. Martin Luther King Jr. told us so. Read more about Dr. King’s dreams on his official webpage. And view Christian’s designs for Red Cap, here.

Think that Valentine’s Day was invented by the greeting card companies? Not so, as much as we wish we could take credit for that one. The holiday dates back all the way to a temple priest (Valentine) who was beheaded in 270 AD. Emperor Claudius was peeved with Valentine for performing illegal marriage ceremonies for the army’s soldiers who were forbidden from marriage. New laws enacted by Claudius stated that a Roman soldier should only be in love with the Roman Empire, and was not allowed to wed. After being caught, Valentine was thrown in jail to await his execution where (legend has it) he healed the jailer’s blind daughter. He then gave the girl a card with the written words, “from your Valentine.” February 14th was the date when Valentine received Catholic martyrdom, and the rest is history!

We at Red Cap Cards are invested in celebrating the legend through love and thoughtfulness. Send your heart on a piece of art. Click over to our shop to see all of our Valentine cards—many of them brand new! Follow our Instagram for even more Valentines during the month of love. It’s all you need, you know.

It’s no secret that we are enamored with great illustration and creative work for children. The only thing better than finding those two components in one tiny package is if they are mailed directly to our house on a regular basis! Creative magazines for children are such a fabulous way to consistently inspire kids to use their imaginations and have fun with art and literature. Plus, the added bonus of receiving mail addressed right to them is like a surprise party with every single issue. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites (plus one or two for the grownups in the house as well). Enjoy!

Illustoria
A favorite of ours, Illustoria is a quarterly, printed magazine for kids that celebrates “visual storytelling, makers and DIY culture through stories, art, comics, interviews, crafts and activities.” This one is geared toward kids of ages 6-12, but don’t let that hold you back. Even grownups can find tons of colorful inspiration in these pages. An added bonus–check out the “kid art” section of their website to view art by tons of tiny Picassos.

Anorak. Eat your veggies! Or at least read them. This quarterly mag for kids is printed with real vegetable inks on all recycled pages for kids ages 6-12. It’s a treasure trove of all things happy and colorful. Also lovable is that each issue is themed with an interesting topic, like Under the Sea, Party, or Daredevils. We’re a bit biased about their Museums issue (above) as it features a beautiful illustration by Red Cap Cards artist, Barbara Dziadosz, on the cover.

Dot. We like to think of this as Anorak‘s little sister. It’s everything that Anorak offers for older kids, but bite-sized for pre-schoolers. Dot, is ad-free and geared toward children 5 and under. “Just like its older brother Anorak, DOT encompasses all aspects of a child’s life, from jumping in puddles to learning through play. It encourages kids to be resourceful and find solutions using all the tools they naturally have at their disposition: imagination, creativity and fun.”

Bright Lite
Bright Lite is a new one on the scene, and was initially launched via Kickstarter. “For girls / by girls” is this quarterly magazine’s motto, that strives to empower girls through photo, story, and art submissions from girls all over the world. We love their emphasis on “focusing on that incredible time of just being a kid; that blissful part of youth before dating, parties, and ‘coolness’ seem to distract us from simply being in wonder of the world.” Thumbs way up for that!

Honorable Mention: Not for kids, but for the kid-at-heart.

Flow
Flow is a great Dutch magazine that explores creativity and mindfulness in daily life. “Flow is all about positive psychology, mindfulness, creativity and the beauty of imperfection. We love illustrations and in each issue there is a gift made of our much-loved paper. We print the magazine itself on different types of paper.” One of the many reasons we adore Flow is because they love wonderful illustrators as much as we do, like Yelena Bryksenkova who is a regular in print. Check out this awesome feature of Yelena’s day-in-illustrations. Love it!

Uppercase Magazine
Another one for creative kids at heart–Uppercase Magazine. An independently printed magazine out of Canada, Uppercase is a smorgasbord of creative inspiration. Each issue is themed, such as the Stationery issue (above) and features work and art by some of the most talented in the business. Check it out–the print job is a work of art in and of itself!

What are your favorite creative magazines?

Happy New Year, all you folks and friends! We are very excited about 2017, and hope you are too. Many fantastic projects are on their way for Red Cap Cards, plus a few collaborations that will knock your socks off. Be on the lookout for new lines by Danielle Kroll, Priscilla Weidlein and Bodil Jane, plus a luxury line (details to come) with Marsha of Strange Dirt, and more.

In the meantime, enjoy a trip down memory lane into some of our most beloved posts. Enjoy, and drink a glass of bubbly for us! Happy 2017!!

CHILDREN’S BOOK POSTS:
Arlo’s Book Club: Winter Edition
Five Books for Kids on Kindness
The Art of Truth: Why We Create for Kids
Arlo’s Book Club: Make It Work Edition
Arlo’s Book Club: Magical Wonderment Edition
Diversity in Children’s Books
Arlo’s Book Club: Spring Fun Edition

RED CAP ARTIST POSTS:
Fall Fest: Red Cap Artists’ Spooky Sketches
Artist News Roundup: Lizzy Stewart, Jon Klaassen, and Dinara Mirtalipova
New Artist: Danielle Kroll
Artist News Roundup: Christian Robinson, Nicholas John Frith Lesley Barnes, Lizzy Stewart, and Josie Portillo
Artist News Roundup: Anke Weckmann, Becca Stadtlander, and Meg Hunt

RED CAP SPECIAL RELEASE POST:
Gift Wrap, Notebooks, and Wrapping Paper Release!

GIFT GUIDES:
Wrap it Up with Red Cap Cards
Books and Friends for Easter

INTERVIEWS:
Oh So Beautiful Paper Interview
The Magic Behind the Press Interview
Artist Spotlight: Carolyn Gavin
Artist Spotlight: Kate Pugsley
Artist Spotlight: Barbara Dziadosz
Artist Spotlight: James Gulliver Hancock

INSPIRATIONAL FUN:
Life: Fathers Day Trumpet by Lizzy Stewart
Spread Some Cheer with Red Cap Cards
Shake: For the Fathers
The Art of Love
The Importance of a Sketchbook
Creative Inspiration: Modes of Medium
Master’s Showcase: Barbara Cooney 

 

 

Merriest of merries. Happiest of happies. We hope this Yuletide season finds you warm, cozy, and surrounded by friends and loved ones.

Love, Red Cap Cards

Winter is here, and we hope you are super cozy–curled up in your bed with cute jammies and maybe a friend or two. It’s also time for another Arlo’s Book Club, and this time, we’re focusing on some new (and old!) wintery favorites to keep you and your tiny readers warm over the coming season.

The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear with illustrations by Chris Turnam
Charles wants to find a wish tree, and is off on a journey to find one, with his sidekick, Boggan. This one is perfect for the holiday season, and will inspire the search for magic in kids and adults, alike. We’ve featured Kyo Maclear before, and are delighted with her new release. Crisp, modern illustration by Chris Turnham makes the story sparkle.

Mr. Dog’s Christmas at The Hollow Tree Inn by Albert Bigelow Paine with illustrations by Adam McCauley
We adore this one! Originally written by Albert Bigelow Paine in 1898, Mr. Dog has become a traditional figure in many households around the holidays. Artist Adam McCauley rescued the out-of-print text and brought it back to life in glorious color. Is a warming a spot on the chair in your hearth? If not, grab one!

“Meet the mischievous but kind-hearted Mr. Dog: a worldly raconteur who delights in telling tales of Santa Claus’s visits to Mr. Man’s house. His friends at the Hollow Tree Inn—Mr. Crow, Mr. ‘Coon, and Mr. Possum—have never heard of Santa Claus. They’re mesmerized by Mr. Dog’s descriptions of the jolly old man and, naturally, they’d like to entice Santa to the Hollow Tree. So Mr. Dog decides to play along. His generosity, creativity and careful planning result in a joyous celebration for all, capturing the essence of Christmas as a time for love and giving.”

Little Penguins by Cynthia Rylant with illustrations by Christian Robinson
We’ve been waiting for this one for a while, and couldn’t wait to dive (a little penguin pun) in as soon as we got our hands on a copy. Illustrated by Red Cap Cards artist, Christian Robinson, and written by Cynthia Rylant, Little Penguins is a warm telling of a family of penguins’ getting ready to go out and play on a wintery day. This one will make you want to live in primary color. Check out Christian’s card designs for Red Cap here.

Love Matters Most by Mij Kelly with illustrations by Gerry Turley
This vibrant, poetic picture book tells the story of a polar bear searching for something that matters most of all in the cold, wide arctic. Cool colors with vibrant pops of color, plus a perfect rhyming scheme make this one a winner. It’s a joy to read out loud. Love, love, love.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
We haven’t forgotten the lovable Dr. Seuss classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The TV special is loved in its own right, but we tend to prefer the tactile experience of a book, don’t you? “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”

The Mitten by Jan Brett
This one is a classic that you should pick up immediately if you haven’t had the fun of discovering it already. In this story by Jan Brett, a group of woodland animals find Nicki’s tiny white mitten in the snow, and try to crawl inside it, one by one. I suppose the story begs the question of why you would knit white snow mittens for a child, but that point aside, this one is whimsical and imaginative and bright. Kids love it!

Cozy up!

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Last week, we were so busy having fun wrapping the gifts, that we forgot to give you our suggestions for what those gifts might be! Our Red Cap Cards artists are always hard at work, creating beautiful art, books, and goodies, and we wanted to share a few fun treats! From bottles of wine to books for the kids, everyone on your gift list is covered this year. See below for a small selection of fantastic holiday gift possibilities:
1. For your crazy-fun sister, who is always the life of the party: Jet Set Jungle Syrah, with label art work by Red Cap artist, Meg Hunt. We’re not sure how this one tastes, but if it’s anything as bold and lovely as Meg’s artwork, it’s sure to satisfy. Click over to Barrel + Ink to grab a bottle or two.

2. For your favorite niece or nephew who loves a good laugh: Hello, Mr. Dodo! by Red Cap artist, Nicholas John Frith. This is Nicholas John’s second picture book, and would make a perfect gift for young readers. Rather than a rambunctious hummingbird, this one is about a girl and her new doughnut-loving pal, a dodo. Published in hardcover by Arthur A. Levine books.

3. For any friend who always has great ideas they need to jot down: pick a notebook, any notebook. As if we could forget our favorite gift of this year. From Moth Magic to Forest Blue, the original Red Cap Cards notebooks are 5×7 inches, with 56 unruled pages, and boast an offset printed, heavyweight linen texture cover with foil details. Click over to our shop to see them all.

4. For your best friend’s daughter, who loves art work and sketching: a Castle Pencil Case for all of her charcoal pencils by Red Cap artist, Lesley Barnes.

5. For your girlfriend who loves to have a glass of wine and get in some calm coloring time: a 2017 Wall Calendar by Red Cap artist, Anke Weckmann. She can leave it black and white or color it in!

6. For the grandkids, who adore a whimsical story about friendship and triumph: a signed copy of Jill & Dragon by Lesley Barnes, available from her Etsy shop. This is a great nightly read, and has a surprising and sweet ending!

7. Don’t forget to grab something for yourself while you’re shopping around Lesley‘s shop. This bone china Knight Parade mug will hold cup after cup…after cup of very dark, caffeinated coffee for when  your spouse’s family is in town.

Happy gifting!

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