PAPAYA! BLOG

Papaya Artist: Pam Garrison's handmade Journals

(journal photos made from vintage ledgers by Pam Garrison above via: artnest blog)

I've been working with handrawn images from Pam Garrison's amazing artist journals here at Papaya this week, below is a peek at two of the pages from them.

 

I love her use of copic markers, and sense of whimsy! Going through all of her pages, has been very inspiring. To see more of Pam's work, and learn about her process take a visit to her beautiful blog, and flickr site, or learn from her in person at a future workshop!

Here's a sneek peak of a close up of a new wrapping paper design I created using her drawings. With more fun ideas currently in the works and coming soon. Cheers!

 

 

Best in Show

Papaya has been working hard from the road these past couple weeks showing people our newest products and spreading the Papaya love.

At America's Mart (Atlanta, GA) we unveiled the new booth we've been working on and were thrilled to receive the award for "Best in Show". 

We leave for NYC at 5:00 AM PST. Wish us luck!

Vintage Printable

If you're ever in need of a bit or a bop for your artwork, pop over to Vintage Printable for interesting out-of-copyright scientific illustrations and pre-1922 images.

Ephemera, maps, typography, science, and other categories to explore.

Passing on PLAY!

Many of you have wanted to know where to learn more about Mixed Media arts and how to get involved with the booming, grassroots art movement in our country on a personal level.  Just setting asside time for exploration and being around like minded people is always worth the effort and expense no matter what your skill level retreats are a wonderful way to literally PLAY.   The wonderful world of art retreats put on by Alternative Arts Productions, AKA Teesha & Tracy Moore & Co.) are having their annual PLAY retreat at the end of January this month! (Jan 28th-Feb1st) Play is a very different style of Art Retreat.  With far more emphasis on studio time and creating in a supportive and inspiring group setting. 
 There also many demo's and optional classes.  This retreat is intentionally far smaller and more intimate than Artfest, Journalfest or Art Fiber Fest. (Great to exolore)  They just announced there are still last minute spaces if you'd like to get out of town and get your art on! Click here for registration and more info andHERE for a cool video about the retreat.  Hurry though- only about 10 spots at the time of this post! 

2010: Life In Progress

As a thank you to our loyal customers for making 2009 a wonderful year for PAPAYA we're giving away a FREE 2010 weekly planner with all web orders over $50 until Jaunuary 31 (while supplies last). Use code: LOYALCUST09 at checkout.

Filled with a generous selection of artwork, an accordian pocket, and note pages... it's a great way to keep your days organized. I've been happily toting mine around for the past two weeks... I use the elastic band as a marker to keep track of what week it is, and the pockets for receipts, stamps, and things I want to keep easily within reach.

 

Or... If you spend $30, You can still get a FREE 12 Muses Calendar at checkout by entering the code: FREECAL12M-JANBLOG. It's packed with amazing artwork and glitter details on every page!

Self Portraits

 

Source

A few days ago I came across the Diego Goldberg: The Arrow of Time website. Diego, a photographer, and his wife Suzy (and eventually their children) have taken a self portrait of themselves once a year on the same day for the past thirty years. Scanning through the photographs got me thinking about self portraits. Although the photo was taken the same way each year, there was so much to see in each one. I'm not sure if I could ever get tired of looking at self portraits: professional or amateur. What do you say about yourself if you only have one frame?
Source: Top Left, Bottom, Top Right

Some of the portraits here are beautiful photographs because of the skill of the photographer but mostly I love the subject. Raw and beautiful.

Zach Inglas, I am Cheapskate, Mlle Mathilde, Miguel-Serrano, {natzfirefly}, @ mireia, pumpkinknits, kat's_eye, ♥*★ShebZ*★•, * GREEN OLIVE MAMA *,eeblet,ellsojala,a_brewley,Lisa sParks, ankelle

Book of Days

This week a lot of our up and coming product samples came in, which is an exciting point for us in the design timeline. A crucial time of making final revisions for me... but today it also means a special sneak peek for you!

Remember back in October when I was posting about one of my works in progress?! Here it is again, instead of print outs on my wall, now in the first sample stage. Exciting!

The Book of Days is a dateless planner. "Dateless", meaning you can start planning whatever day, month, or year you want to! Every page is full color, filled with unique designs, inspiring quotes, and the second half of the book is dedicated to notes, journaling, or whatever you can dream up!

It's cloth bound, dainty, and comes with a coordinating band, to keep it snug shut while carrying around in your purse.

Sarah graciously hand modeled for me today, so I could make this video to give a glimpse of all of the different types of artwork in the book... we hope you enjoy it!

Calendar Clips & 12 Muses Giveaway:

 We've really got to hand it to Etsy!  If you haven't popped over in a while you MUST have a look at what has now become a designers haven.  A world of self propelled creators who answer to their own artistic credo's and offer them up bravely to the public.  I have just spent a great deal of time enjoying the splendor over at Etsy.  This years line up for 2010 Calendars from truly independent artists is killer! I've listed my fave lineup and included prices because I am so impressed with the cost of these mostly-home spun creations & production at these prices.  If you want to own or sell original art Etsy is the best invention ever.  

 My favorites are: YeeHaw's Tree Calendar $35, Be Happy Now's painting calendar $18, Jen Skelley's owl illo $18, & a most impressive collection from Stephanie fizer- her Kokeshi Darling calendar set $20, Odd Ball Press & the Tidal Wave $5, Jen Hewett's Fishnet pocket calendar $13, & Pink Roses 1220 big prints $10.  

 

And if you are feelin our designs for 2010 then PAPAYA is offering a special program for the next two months for blog readers here and over at my personal blog.  You can receive a free 12 Muses Calendar (which has glitter on every page!) free when you purchase $35.00 or more on our website between today (Jan 2nd) & Feb 28th 2010.  Happy New Years blogaroos!

Just enter this code when you check out. :  FREECAL12M-JANBLOG                                                   

(Please remember this only applies to the 12 Muses Calendar)