Nicole LaRue

Creating Keepsakes November 2008

So I suppose I'm trying to catch up, one by one, and this was the next on my list to blog. Last November, Creating Keepsakes decided to mention me in their Outside Inspiration column that Brian Tippetts does at the end of the magazine. Yea for me… and thank you to them, they're truly some great folks!

AIGA100 Show & Grand Adventures

Okay, so this has to remain a bit of a secret until May 16 (when it is officially announced; saltlakecity.aiga.org, but my latest project, and book, was just accepted into this year's AIGA100 Show! It's written by my partner, Naomi Lee, and hand illustrated and letter press printed by me! 32 pages of illustrated, letter press printed goodness! You'll love it if you love anything by Edward Gorey, it's quite the tale and a choose your own adventure at that. It's an editioned book of 1000, all hand illustrated and letter press printed. They'd make the perfect, little gift to be sure!

The 100 Show, this regions most prestigious juried competition, honors and showcases this years best design, advertising and digital media. Both print and interactive entries were judged by three of the highest recognized names in the design community. Of the 100 pieces selected, only 10 entries are awarded the Copper Ingot, one of the most sought-after communication awards in the Intermountain West. Work selected for the show will be on display the night of the event and for an extended period of time during the month of May at the main branch of the Salt Lake City Public Library.

We are selling the book on etsy if you're interested! nicolelarue.etsy.com

Symbiotic Relationships Anyone?

I was commissioned to do a bit of illustration for a great design studio here in salt lake last weekend. It was intended for a Novell piece showing symbiotic relationships. This one is one of three. Decently fun, little line drawings anyway!

A Bit More Drawing

I thought I'd post a bit more tonight and add another drawing to the mix. This is one of 10 others that will be flourishes for my pattern line at Surtex. I honestly can't believe how much drawing I've done in preparation and what amazing fun it has been. I just wish I wasn't so desperately nervous about all of the preparation I have yet to do. Anyone know anything about being a rock-star at a trade show?!

I Call it Balentines…

Its been some time since I've posted anything, so I thought this was as good an excuse as any… Valentines, also known in my world as "Balentines"… at least, that's what my best friend, Tracy, and I call it! So I'm posting the drawing I've started for this year's card. Not traditional, not pink or red or white, letter press printed on aqua paper with tiffany blue ink… and awesomely good fun. Happy, Happy Balentines all of you non-sappy friends of mine!

Happy Trees!

I thought, since I was on a roll with updating images that might actually show up, I'd post a few more current drawings that are getting me one step closer to the Surtex Licensing Show in May in New York City. These are a series of great little tree drawings… hoping to become amazing holiday patterns! And there's definitely more to come!

Holiday Madness

So I wanted to be sure and document how crazy I get every holiday with my Christmas card… I took pictures of the stacks of cards as i letterpress printed, had them die cut, punched them out and put them together. And, after 5 card impressions and 3 envelope impressions (4,150 in total), 2,100 glassine envelopes and ornament hangers, 900 small little photographs and nearly $150 in postage, they're just about ready to be put in the mail (oh, the non-machined mail that is!). And there you go, once again, it's all in the details. But really, could it get much cooler than that?!

Gobble Gobble!

…well, actually, maybe it's more like: Hoot-Hoot! I thought I'd share what I was drawing today. Happy Thanksgiving friends!

Stencil Art Fun:

So I just returned from a fantastic trip to Central Europe… and along the way I had some good, good fun scouting out the great stencil art in each city. So, if you're ever in Warsaw Poland, keep your eyes open, I think they have some of the best! I love it!