Here’s to the Moms!

O Mother, where art thou?

With Mother’s Day coming up this Sunday, we’re all thinking of gift ideas, where to take her to dinner, what cards to get for her…it’s the day to honor all the Moms out there so I thought I’d share with you some of the Mother’s Day greeting cards I’ve designed.  Some were commissioned by card companies and others I did for my own line of cards, but I own the (c) to all of them so all are available through yours truly.  I hope they inspire you to come up with nice ways to celebrate this special day with your mother.

Enjoy the day!

~Lauren

Original Mother’s Day Cards (c)Lauren Curtis

T(shirt) Time!

Would you like some T?  Not the beverage but unique artistic T-shirts and just in time for Spring/Summer!  Now that it’s FINALLY warming up it’s time to refresh your wardrobe with these cool shirts featuring original artwork by, who else?…me!

These 100% pre-shrunk cotton shirts come in all sizes, kids and adults!  Available colors are white, gray and black (white only for women’s cut T’s).  And they start at only $20 ea. (INCLUDING s/h)!!  Add +$5 each for XXL.  Add +$5 ea. for gray shirt,  +$7 ea. black shirt.   Add +$6 ea. for women’s cut.  Here’s a sampling of my designs:

T-shirt Designs (c)Lauren Curtis

You can see more samples on:

http://www.facebook.com/LaurenCurtisArtTalonArt

http://www.laurencurtis.imagekind.com

Custom design orders welcome!  Reply to this blog or email me at forestwalker333@hotmail.com with any questions!

PAYPAL accepted to me at forestwalker333@hotmail.com  (please use GIFT payment option if possible).  Checks/$ Orders mailed to:

Lauren Curtis

P.O. Box 193

Franklin Park, NJ  08823

Happy T-time!

Shameless art plug

Happy March, everyone…Spring is almost here and people will be coming out of hibernation so I thought it was time for a little shameless self-promo! I’m a full-time freelance artist who creates unique logos, promo/marketing material designs, book & CD covers, illustrations for publications (including children’s books) & more! So if you need to hire an artist for these services, I have reasonable rates, keep in regular communication w/ clients & always meet deadlines! You can see work samples here:
http://www.LaurenCurtisArt.com/ (commercial & fine art)
http://www.laurencurtis.imagekind.com/ (cards, T-shirts, photography, illustration)

That’s all for now but I’ll be posting a BIG art announcement next week!

Have a fun weekend.

A few design samples:

Design & Art Samples (c)Lauren Curtis

Holiday Hopes, Winter Wishes

This year, like most before it, has been filled with ups and downs, but this time  some of the “downs” were more extreme and dramatic than in former years.  Even if we don’t believe the Mayan predictions for tomorrow’s prophesied date of 12/21/12, I think deep down we’re all curious to see what will happen by the time the clock strikes midnight!  So, in light of the tragic events that have occurred this year, as well as the good things that have happened, I’d like to send all of you positive energy of hope and peace this holiday season and for the new year, and winter wishes of happiness, health and prosperity!  I hope you enjoy this set of holiday images I’ve created over the years.  Happy Yule/Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas & Happy 2013!!  See you on the other side of 12/21/12…

Holiday Images (c)Lauren Curtis

 

Oct. Art Features!

Autumn has been crazy busy so far between the usual freelance commissions and exhibits but then there’s also all the fun Halloween events going on too!  I LOVE this time of year and the crisp air, sunny days and brightly colored trees…and spooky Halloween decor!…really get me in full creative mode so I’m excited to have various types of my work featured on 3 very different but equally awesome art websites!  So, while you’re sitting in the comfort of your home, check out these sites for advice from artists on getting into galleries, to purchase very affordable holiday scrapbooking stamps and to see some seasonably gothic, dark artwork and literature!

Samhain/Halloween greeting card illustration (c)Lauren Curtis

ARTFUL VAGABOND BLOGSITE:  Featuring a post with one of my quotes and artwork is published in the “Ask the Artists” series. http://www.artfulvagabond.com/ask-the-artists-approaching-galleries-day-285/
STAMP-N-DOODLE STAMP WEBSITE:  Scrapbooking art challenge using my stamp designs:  http://stamp-n-doodle.blogspot.ca/
FRIDAY FRIGHTS:  My artist feature on this cool gothic art/literature website:
http://www.fridayfrights.ws/horrific-visions/lauren-curtiss-artwork/

BOO!  Have a Happy Halloween!

~Lauren

New Sc-fi book “FOUR” kids

As a long-time  fan of sci-fi, and as an artist, I was thrilled when author Elmo Adams contacted me to illustrate his new book for kids (tweens – teens)!  I was equally as happy that he wanted hand-drawn artwork…too many people request computer generated art, which is awesome, but it’s nice to go “old school” and draw by hand.  My illustrations for this book were done in pen & ink with watercolor.

Thus started our partnership on FOUR, which is now available for purchase!  Here’s more information that Elmo provided along with links to the book & sneak previews:

FOUR – the BOOK

Have aliens visited Earth? Do they continue to do so?
I am sorry to say I donʼt know. Many people say they have and continue to do so.
Four is a story about two middle school students and two of their teachers. These four are rather “normal” citizens of Central Florida. They do not live far from the premier Fantasy Vacation World on Earth, but their lives are not screen plays. They are normal.
Until that all changes. A violent Florida afternoon thunderstorm causes the change when it cripples the vehicle of a spaceman.
The FOUR meet the man from space, and there is no going back to the world of normal.

Here’s the link for the book:  http://tinyurl.com/cfzc4r9

Click on “GOOGLE PREVIEW” for a sneak peak into these exciting adventures!

About the Author: (in his own eloquent words)

ELMO ADAMS, Born Kansas City, Missouri 1945.
A liberal arts Grad from Stetson University, Elmo is well qualified to listen to Public Radio and can often be found doing so. Put under pressure, he can also craft an English sentence and does that most weeks. This is often done at www.steampunklanding.com where he is the Viscount and Elmo would welcome a visit from you there.  (note: your blog host is the artist for Steampunk Landing!)
In addition to NPR, Elmo likes the great outdoors. He likes the Great OD best when it is of a civil nature as opposed to when it is manifesting its majesty by being a tornado, hail storm, or some such.

Likewise, the Viscount likes the Great Indoors. Again he is most charmed by the Great ID when it is managed by some efficient climate control.
Thanks for getting to know Elmo Adams a bit. Drop him a line and he will likely write you back as he does not have that many friends. Also his name is not very common so he is easy to find. For example there are only 12 people named Elmo Adams on Facebook. Two of them are black women. Elmo is not a black woman but thinks it is fine thing to be.
Ciao

On the radio & other art news.

They say all press is good press but I still prefer GOOD good press…so I’m very happy about the recent airing of my radio interview with well known herbalist & holistic practitioner Susun Weed!  Last year she asked if she could interview me about my artwork since much of it relates to nature and Earth-centered spirituality and she felt it would be an interesting topic for her women’s radio show (but of course you don’t have to be a woman to enjoy it!).  So, here’s the link of where you can hear it and see some of my artwork on her website.   And while I’m at it I might as well post info. about some other art exhibits I’m a part of this month:

Susun Weed features healers, herbalists, artists, etc. whose work has a connection with Nature.  My interview is up now and here’s the link to check it out:  http://wisewomanradio.com/interviews/curtis.html

HYPER-REAL JURIED EXHIBIT; Visit Caladan Gallery online for the newest show…I have several photos in this ONLINE exhibit along with artists from across the US & abroad.  Of my work, gallery director Marjorie Kaye says: Photographs by gallery member Lauren Curtis (Franklin Park, NJ) examine, with an almost microscopic eye, the senses associated with natural forms. The viewer is drawn into the photographs, which are otherworldly, as if depicting plant forms that don’t occur anywhere but in the realm of the artist’s observation. We feel the coolness, the damp reality of growth.
You can view the show on www.CaladanGallery.com   Show runs 4/1/12 – 5/9/12. 

ZOOANALIA JURIED NJ ART EXHIBIT; Join me and other NJ artists for the opening reception for this animal art influenced exhibit!  Show opens Tues. night, 4/10/12, 6:30pm-8pm, South Brunswick Arts Commission Gallery in the Municipal Bldg., 540 Rt. 522/Ridge Rd., Monmouth Jct., NJ 08852.  732-329-4000 ext. 7635  Show runs thru June 26, 2012.  Gallery open weekdays…call for more details.

HOLISTIC ZINE COVER ART
My artwork, a pen & ink drawing (shown below) originally commissioned by a major crafter company for national craft expos, was selected to be the Spring cover art for INNER REALM MAGAZINE!  Have a peek:  www.InnerRealmMagazine.com

More updates soon…June is booked solid with art shows and fests all around NJ…stay tuned!

Lauren

March with ART!

Despite the fact that NJ and the surrounding areas have had a very mild winter, I’m still looking forward to spring…and it’s just weeks away!  And now’s the time when not only the Earth awakens but the art world as well.  The exhibits and events start really rolling again and I’m in THREE shows this month!  Plus, St. Patrick’s Day fast approaches and I some fun and CHEAP (as in low cost, not low quality!) St. Pat’s rubberstamp designs available so you can create your own cards, scrapbook pages and more….so read on, dear bloggers, for the info…

1. To celebrate Women’s History Month  the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs is hosting a juried photography exhibit, The Female Eye, of women artists from the NY/NJ area & I have a photo in this show!  It opens Monday March 5 (6-8pm) and runs through  March 30, 2012; there’ll be a CLOSING PARTY on 3/30, 6-9pm as well at The Brennan Gallery in the court house, 583 Newark Ave., Jersey City, NJ  201-459-2070

2. Please join me for the opening reception of AWAKENINGS!  Original, affordable art, live music and more…and all for a good cause (% of proceeds go to people recovering from traumatic brain injuries)!  Artwork all $500 and below so come out for an evening of creativity and help others!  Friday, March 16, 6-9pm,  Gallery U, 80 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ.  Show runs thru 4/16/12

3. ONLINE NOW!  The new juried art exhibit, ISOLATION, hosted by Caladan Gallery of MA.  I have several  photos in this show along with other artists from across the US & abroad!  And you don’t have to leave home to see it…just go to http:www.CaladanGallery.com and take a look.

4. I’m happy to now be working with the rubberstamp/crafter company, STAMP-N-DOODLE!  They’re selling digital stamps for scrapbooking and other craft projects on their website!  I have sets of Victorian holiday collages and more so check it out..VERY affordable & a fun way to create your own art!  http://www.stamp-n-doodle.com/Shop.aspx?_pc=2&_cc=43

Take care,
Lauren
http://www.LaurenCurtisArt.com (commercial & fine art)
http://www.laurencurtisart.mosaicglobe.com (fine art, photography, art updates)
http://www.laurencurtis.imagekind.com (cards, T-shirts, photography, illustration)
http://www.facebook.com/LaurenCurtisArtTalonArt (Facebook Fan Page)

All Aboard! Steampunk Landing is taking off!

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving, Everyone!  This time of year we join with family & friends to celebrate the changing seasons and give thanks for the positive things in our lives.  Well, one thing I’m thankful for is being able to be a part of a community of like-minded, creative people and to further build this community, my friend & client, Elmo Adams (aka The Old Goat) & I have launched our new multifaceted, unique project,  STEAMPUNK LANDING!!

Now, the Steampunk scene has been around for a while but just recently has really started to take off and the reason I love it is because it combines so many things into a unique sub-culture; Victorian era, sci-fi/fantasy, meets goth meets anachronism meets art….it combines a love and longing for times gone by with a sense of curiosity with what the future holds!  So, we created Steampunk Landing which is not only a Facebook fan pg.   (become a fan here:)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steampunk-Landing/310620972287031?sk=wall

but also a FREE e-newsletter  (to sign up, click on the chimp icon on the upper left side of the fan pg. listed above) and a beautiful, old-fashioned, printed, glossy, hard-copy quarterly GAZETTE!  To subscribe, go here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steampunk-Landing/310620972287031?sk=app_234980643231536

We’ll be featuring all things Steampunk, including artists, designers, costume-play, jewelry, crafters, writers, musicians and much more…and we’re always looking for people to feature in our publications so if you’re interested feel free to contact us via our fan page or you can reply/comment to this blog post!  We want to build a community and network with like-minded, creative folks so come on board and sail the zeppelin with us to The Landing!  See you there!

~The Goddess of The Landing

 

Grandmother of Herbal Medicine

I’m inviting you spend a week reading a wonderful book by Juliette de Bairacli Levy, the Grandmother of Herbal Medicine - A Gypsy in New York.  You’ll love sharing her wanderings among the Gypsies in New York as she discovers and learns of many natural cures.

Read more!

In this richly detailed memoir, Juliette de Bairacli Levy – one of the founders of American herbalism – offers us a rare and compelling documentary. It is at once a travel book, and herbal guide and a compendium of Gypsy lore and Gypsy ways. Juliette gives us river winds, strange characters in the streets by day, rats scurrying by at night, and legions of cockroaches in the apartments, against whose window the blossoms of apple and pear trees toss, even in the great city’s cement heart. In this richly detailed memoir, Juliette de Bairacli Levy offers us a rare and compelling documentary.

And when you buy this wonderful and highly acclaimed book, you’ll also receive dozens of wonderful downloadable bonuses that you’ll lov including a discount on my  Earth-centered greeting cards, CHILDREN of the FOREST..all printed on recycled parchment card stock with a % of your purchase going to animal/environmental protection groups!

Don’t miss it! 

http://grandmotherherbalmedicine.com/gifts.html

Juliette de Bairacli Levy (1911-2009) is honored as the grandmother of modern American herbalism. She has devoted her life to the health and wellbeing of domesticated animals.  Join the Gypsy herbal veterinarian and mother of two toddlers as she ventures to New York City to live among the Gypsies in A Gypsy in New York. Juliette details with lovely descriptive prose her adventures while working to help the people and animals who come her way.