Love Stamp 2014

January 18, 2014

This little tiny poster of love is coming to market this week. I have been a bit overwhelmed by the public relations by the US Postal Service along with phone calls from the local press, the regional press and sneaking around on the various stamp forums to see if anyone out there likes this little snip of cut paper to put on your envelope. Before I go any further, let me link you to some of the cool things out there.

First off, there is this sweet, sweet article by Hilary Oswald on the stamp. I have the most fun talking with Hilary about the stamp and inevitably, about a lot of stuff--and she took all of our verbal scraps and wrote this touching article that made me tear up (just a little). I was so thrilled to see her energy in the piece--which captured my thinking and emotions around getting this amazing project with such a kind >> generous art director, Antonio Alcala. I am not one to squeal, but it was close with this article (plus, look at what a bang up job they did with the layout of the article). Love all around!

Heart with a History by Hilary Oswald

There is a lovely overview on the stamp here:
Cut Paper Heart

And should you want to buy a sheet or a commemorative goody to fill those needs:
USPS Celebration of Love! Please note that they have First Day of Issue programs, Covers, sheets of stamps, big collectible sheets of stamps..it is quite impressive. All are ready to buy in advance of the 21st. and will not be shipped out until then.

The first day of issue is going to be celebrated at the Time Warner Building in NYC. For more information and the invitation>>

Cut Paper Heart Press Sheet with die cuts.

Advent Day Twenty One

December 21, 2011

Advent Day Twenty One, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink

Motors running

September 27, 2011

Vector Messing around, Q. Cassetti.Working away. Sending all sorts of illustration derivative projects out…they come back, I amend, they go out again, I amend, they go out, they come back…you get the idea. And, inch by inch, sketch by sketch, we get closer and closer to finish! Now, to the holday card that is not “holiday”, a portrait and a pile of thises and thats.

Having a little time to be stupid has lasting postitive effects. I am feeling energetic and “can do” unlike the last 3 months. Time off is no longer a “nice” but a necessity. A day or two more would have erased my brain enough that I might be able to think in a fresh manner again. Just when I was so stunned, I thought I would never be jazzed up again, I cracked open this book yesterday…and away we go.

I am looking at the work of David Lance Goines (b.1945) ( David Lance Goines Posters 1970-1994 from Ten Speed Press) and am challenged and excited by his work. I think we graphic designers claim Goines more than the illustration community…so as hybrid to hybrid, I am happy to wallow through his enormous body of posters with his lovely, bibliophile inspired layouts and colorways, and the pile of work that he cranked out on a regular and consistent basis. Goines came to posters through publishing, running his own letterpress shop (waaaay before it was as chic as it is now)—Saint Hieronymus Press (1968) and getting into poster making to showcase his loves and passions in the most exquisite way. My attraction comes from his deep understanding of classic page design, typography and form that is the quiet underpinnings to his elegant work. To see some examples>> I love his link and gifts of image to Alice Waters and her Chez Panisse Restaurant. Goines put a face on that extrordinary enterprise…crafted as finely as her cuisine. Another prompt to keep working with the local food producer community here…it DOES add up.

A great article featuring Mr. Goines: Collectors Weekly, Featured Interview: An Interview with Poster Designer David Lance Goines by Maribeth Keane, Collectors Weekly Staff

People for the Ethical Treatment of Typography (July 29, 2009) surfaces some lovely text and images>

I am working with a big fat pen, a big juicy pentel whiteout pen (Presto!) and seeing how fast, how bold, how graphic I can go…could be fun. Maybe some barley, some grains…Maybe some florals and birds. Little miss fluffybug. That’s me. Line work and flat color…really basic stuff would be cool. Need a little illo vacation..a style change might do the trick.

Rain promises. Rob is in Toledo. Alex will be running. The CSA promises tiny turnips, carrots and lettuce. I think I might cook a bit (and freeze a bit) tonight. I am feeling the energy.