Friday, September 23, 2011

Meet the Artists and Giveaway: Melissa and JW from Little Friends of Printmaking

I feel like I'm on a giveaway freenze, not that I'm complaining. 
In fact, I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to offer
one lucky reader the print of their choice 
from my new favorite Etsy shop,
Little Friends of Printmaking!

Flight of the Conchords silkscreen poster
Buy it here
Melissa let me pick out a print, and I think it took me over an hour to devour every amazing image on their website. Still, I knew EXACTLY which one I was going to pick because I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. The funtastic Flight of the Conchords print is a must have! Check out the amazing detail.



I don't always talk about the great customer service I get from my sponsors, and I've had some pretty good experiences, but this one is just over-the-top outstanding. Melissa sent me a print and unfortunately the post office crushed it (a rare occasion for lfop). I sheepishly reported it to Melissa and she immediately offered to resend it. That just didn't seem fair! Reluctantly I asked if she could send one to my newly married sister-in-law, a screen printer as well as Flight of the Conchords fan (perfect wedding gift, right?) Without hesitation Melissa sent it. You won't believe what happened next. I gave her the wrong address! It hadn't arrived after a few weeks and she offered to send ANOTHER! I simply couldn't take advantage. Well, it ended coming back to lfop, and Melissa resent it with the correct address! BEST customer service EVER. 

And I don't have to tell you how amazing the art is, you can see for yourself! Don't get lost on their website, make sure you come back when you're done shopping! Get to know the talented creators of these unique creations:

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: We're The Little Friends of Printmaking (or LFOP), a husband-and-wife team of illustrator/designers living in Milwaukee. We're known primarily for designing concert posters, which is how we got our start, but it's become a sort of ill-fitting definition—These days, we mostly do editorial illustration, graphic design work, and make and sell art prints.

Q: How did LFOP come to be?
A: We met in art school and were collaborating on everything, back when that could more accurately be called "cheating." But, in printmaking, you need a buddy and so people mostly looked the other way. Working together was so natural, and as a team we could accomplish so much more, that it was almost like waking up with super-powers. We had all this energy. Eventually, we were hired by a concert promoter to make some posters, and we were blown away by the genuine thrill of making something that people would see and talk about and have an opinion on (and we were getting paid, no less). Up to then, art for us existed in the classroom or the gallery, and the only people who saw it were other artists. That experience transformed us, it recalibrated our ambitions.

Q: I could spend hours looking at your prints! Tell us a little about the creative process behind the art.
A: Thanks! There are prints of ours that we're assigned to make by a client (or a gallery), and I say assigned, because it's not unlike an assignment in school—We're looking for the most novel, most apt solution that fulfils their needs. The assignment is like a puzzle that need solving. And, to be sure, there's an element of creative expression, the application of our own visual style, but our approach is to come up with a killer concept that we know will work before we ever put pen to paper (or cursor to artboard, as it were).
Then, there are other prints that are self-initiated, and with those, the process is to just make something we'd like to see. Our art prints, more than anything, are our opportunity to try things out and advance our aesthetic. Clients and art directors see our art prints and use them as a point of reference for new design work. Those prints are more likely to start from a sketch or a doodle, to evolve visually.


Q: What design has received the most attention?
A: Maybe "Tastee Treats" or "Pacific Jammzzz," which are art prints that have sold hundreds (or thousands) of copies. The Flight of the Conchords poster we sent you just won a design award, so maybe it sort of qualifies? [Definitely!]

Pacific Jamzzz screenprinted art poster ORANGE VARIANT
Buy it here
Q: What piece holds the most personal meaning?
A: Probably our "Rescue Pets Will Love You Better" poster, because we love our cats.

Rescue Pets Will Love You Better silkscreen poster
Buy it here
Q: What are you currently working on?
A: We've been doing a series of posters for Columbia Records artists; Over the summer, we designed a cheese label (cross that one off the ol' Designers' Bucket List); We're heading out to Maine soon to do an artists' residency thing; We're designing the promo stuff for our great hometown hipster craft fair, Art vs. Craft; We're doing some super-secret prints for one of our very favorite TV shows (hopefully those turn out well); And we're making a bunch of new art prints for the holidays, so be sure to check into the shop.

Buy it here
Q: Where do you promote your shop?
A: Nowhere! Really, we should be better about that. While it's not an advisable business strategy, in our experience, good work leads to more opportunities to make good work, which leads to attention and more people discovering our work (and so on and so forth). Frankly, it's a minor miracle that people end up in our webstore or our Etsy shop at all, but the internet works in mysterious ways.

Q: Just for fun, what are your favorite Etsy stores to window shop?

Alright, now go ahead, go get lost in their amazing work! Then head on back over here and enter win your pick of the litter :)

How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog (Mandatory)
and leave a comment here saying you did.

2. Visit lfop on Etsy or their website
and leave a separate comment here 
about your favorite print(s).

3. "Tweet" about the lfop giveaway
and leave a separate comment here saying you did.

Fine Print:
Only 3 entries per household please
1 winner will be chosen October 3rd at midnight PST
Winner will be chosen by random.org
Entries will be validated
Winner will be announced here
Winner will have 3 days to contact me, 
after which a new winner will be chosen
Must be 18 years of age or older to enter 

81 comments:

  1. I follow via GFC as Debbie and via email

    DESPINA
    deb_oro@yahoo.gr

    ReplyDelete
  2. My favourite from their store is the BICYCLE RIDE silkscreen print

    DESPINA
    deb_oro@yahoo.gr

    ReplyDelete
  3. I follow through email
    yana_ven@yahoo.gr

    Ioanna

    ReplyDelete
  4. My fav is the BICYCLE RIDE silkscreen print -love it!!

    yana_ven@yahoo.gr
    Ioanna

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the Lost - Not Penny's Boat silkscreen print.

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tweeted.

    http://twitter.com/#!/kiddo47/status/117312521681108992

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am a follower of this blog.
    heidig@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love so many of the prints! Crafty Fox and Beaver top the list.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/digitalmisfit/status/117321894398668801 (@digitalmisfit)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am a follower of this blog! Thanks for doing such a beautific giveaway.

    katie

    jogblogjog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I follow with GFC as A. Tolar.

    supaflychikenpi2 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like the Birthday silkscreened art print

    supaflychikenpi2 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I tweeted.

    http://twitter.com/#!/AFTolar/status/117335203697008640

    supaflychikenpi2 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am following your blog
    Fantastic prints!
    (wendyhatton@yahoo.com.au)

    ReplyDelete
  15. THE MAGIC CITY is my favourite.
    (wendyhatton@yahoo.com.au)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I LOVE the Flight of the Conchords silkscreen poster! That is one of my fave shows!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/FrugalAKMom/status/117368850504368128

    ReplyDelete
  18. I follow your blog!

    kellybrown28021@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. already follow this blog by email =3

    kuharo-again_mizumoto@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. so cute prints...tweeted it here http://www.twitlonger.com/show/d8u491

    kuharo-again_mizumoto@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. love and friendship
    gfc
    jessicawedwards@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. GFC
    deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  23. fave: http://www.etsy.com/listing/65200999/love-and-friendship-silkscreen-poster?favorite_user_id=5029508&show_panel=true
    deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  24. tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/dlw447/status/117428231820423168
    deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi their,

    First of all I am simply awestruck and curious to see how you guys make up those amazing prints.Would love to learn these awesome techniques one day. ^_^

    Thank you for this wonderfull giveaway to have a piece of what you make...<3 your art


    I am already a follower of your blog :) SO my 1st step into your giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  26. 2nd part....To be honest...I love all of your designs, they are just mind boggling and need to run your head and your eyes both at the same time to grasp what amazing art you have created, with lots of stuff happening in it.But still to be specific I like :
    1.We'r all normal
    2.Guided by Voices
    3.Happy Happy Birthday Card
    4.Sprint Finish
    5.Belly Itcher
    6.Kevin Smith
    7.Rescue pets (adore since I am also an animal lover)
    8.Inside Trip
    9.Flight of the Conchords
    10.Inside Trip

    ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  27. I tweeted about it with a Tiny URL Link to your blog.....

    http://twitter.com/#!/apurva_27/status/117466807044022273


    here :D

    Now I keep my fingers crossed and hope to grab this awesome piece of your art work :D

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm following you on GFC

    danaan at gmx dot at

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love the AUTUMN ALMANAC print!

    danaan at gmx dot at

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love the cosmic cat print; though my 20 year old son would love the flight of the concord print
    robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. follow you on gfc
    Robin Scott
    robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/robinlscott/status/117495328390922240
    robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sheree said:
    I follow you via e mail
    shereepo@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  34. Sheree said:
    Love the cosmic cat! I have 3 cosmic cats:)
    shereepo@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  35. I follow this blog :) Would love to win one of the prints :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Flight of the Conchords is my favorite - love the bright colors

    ReplyDelete
  37. Just tweeted about the giveaway here: http://twitter.com/#!/kateandcolette

    ReplyDelete
  38. following your blog via gfc
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Love the Record Collector screenprinted art poster
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. https://twitter.com/#!/BeeWBedard/status/117653645922807808
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I LOVE the Rescue Pets Will Love You Better silkscreen poster. So cute :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Following you as meki :)

    melody_1504(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I am already a follower of this blog. c:

    alexipharmiccyanide@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  45. I actually cant decide! It's a very hard tie between The Crafty Fox and Love and Friendship, although I think that, the more I look at them, the more I lean closer to the Fox.

    alexipharmiccyanide@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I am following via GFC. :)

    faymara(at)ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I follow you on GFC as zaira_faith

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  48. It's really hard to choose! But I LOVE the Kevin Smith SMODCASTLE silkscreen poster!!

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  49. I follow you via GFC. Thank you for offering yet another fun and generous giveaway. :)

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. My favorites are the Rescue Pets Will Love You Better silkscreen poster and Cosmic Cat silkscreen print.

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Tweeted!

    https://twitter.com/#!/normawatson/status/118143989072396288

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hello there! I follow your blog through GFC!

    ReplyDelete
  53. My favorite print is the Record Collector one!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I follow you via GFC! Great blog! :)

    Best,
    Danielle
    http://loveandlookpretty.blogspot.com
    loveandlookpretty@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I checked out their Etsy page and I love the We're All Normal print! So great!

    Best,
    Danielle
    http://loveandlookpretty.blogspot.com
    loveandlookpretty@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Hello, great prints! HA! KEvin Smith love!
    Pitcher pitcher, not a belly itcher, can't help but love that one! Great work!
    XX,
    Sari
    http://www.sariblue.com/
    sari@sariblue.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Of course following along with your blog and wonderful giveaways!!
    Fun!
    Sari!

    ReplyDelete
  58. following your lovely blog via GFC

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I absolutely love the cosmic Cat silkscreen print!

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Following this blog as Spark N' Rouge Raven and by email!

    ReplyDelete
  61. This is my favorite print for sure!
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/53121638/rescue-pets-will-love-you-better

    ReplyDelete
  62. I tweeted about this:
    http://twitter.com/#!/Jill_Hogan/status/120284068897243138

    ReplyDelete
  63. Following the blog via GFC.(panicxduh)
    panicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  64. Their Rescue Pets Will Love You Better silkscreen poster caught my eye! I'd love to donate this to the animal shelter I volunteer at!
    panicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Tweet Proof!
    http://twitter.com/#!/erinxduh/status/120380440845623296
    panicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I am a blog follower!


    taylorgketchum@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I like the love and friendship print


    taylorgketchum@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I already follow Modern Typography on email.

    kdavis1@centurytel.net

    ReplyDelete
  69. I follow them via Twitter as FotoMacro and tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/120838387711217664
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I love love love this company and have enjoyed their art for a while now. My fav print of theirs is "Rescue Pets Will Love You Better." Love the artwork and the message! I also really like "LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP," "CYCLE CAT," "AUTUMN ALMANACK," and "Cosmic Cat." Man I love so many!!!
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I already follow Modern Typography.

    ReplyDelete
  72. SMODCASTLE silkscreen poster is my favorite. :)

    ReplyDelete
  73. I'm a follower - thanks!

    walindeman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. "Birthday silkscreened art print" is my favorite, although I LOVE the FOTC poster, too!

    walindeman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. This giveaway is now closed, stay tuned for the announcement of the winner! In the mean time, please visit the giveaway tab above!

    ReplyDelete
  76. Thank you so much. You have explained with a lot of tools and effects that i wondered. I changed it a little to make a greating card. Few times i got confused(My mistake not yours). So cute pictures...Thanks for such a nice post.typography art prints

    ReplyDelete