Pitchin' & Bitchin'

   Everyone's entitled to their opinion. Even our local alternative weekly 'zine (free, because no one would pay for it?), The Pitch. I was looking for photos of today's event and a Google search turned up an unnecessarily sarcastic story. Yes, it's true that we are artists, and we work for Hallmark. That doesn't make us sell-outs. It doesn't mean we couldn't make it on our own. Maybe, just maybe, we enjoy working in the company of 800 other fantastically-creative and talented people? That being surrounded by almost incomprehensible talent five days a week is fun? That working in a building with an art collection that rivals most museums is a pleasure? That working for a family who has been a powerful force for good in Kansas City for 100 years is inspiring?
   I could go on, but what's the point? The Pitch has some unspoken vendetta against Hallmark, which was especially transparent a few years ago when they did an "expose" on our company; an article riddled with misinformation. (I'm talking facts like the names & faces of the company's leaders, not simply differences of opinion.)
   Working for the purpose of helping people make deep and genuine connections with the people they care about is a lot better than purposefully spreading ill will. At least in my opinion. But I'll leave the staff of The Pitch to their own.

Hallmarket part 2: Update

   This Saturday, Hallmark artists will be selling their work at "Hallmarket," an art fair in the square outside headquarters in Crown Center Square, downtown Kansas City, MO. I was originally thinking that I wasn't going to be able to participate, but Steph & Jack graciously invited me to share their booth, and I've got some plush that recently returned to me in a big box after they've been vacationing in LA & San Francisco for a while (lucky plush!), so I'm going for it!
   The majority of what I have to sell are from my "Catattack" series (monster cats of all breeds: catbats, mercats, cyclopticats, reptilicats, yeticats, robocats, etc.) Shaun & Ed of Shaun of the Dead may also make an appearance. These are some of my favorite plush that I've ever created, so it's bittersweet to offer them for sale. Good homes only! All are 100% hand-sewn, one-of-a-kind art pieces, not intended to be toys for kids or pets.

   It would be nice to make a lil' extra cash, for an upcoming trip-of-a-lifetime that I'm *hoping* I'll be able to take this year... more to come on that!

My photos of last year's event

Information about the event from the Hallmark newsroom

KC Star article

Hallmarket part 2: Electric Boogaloo

   For the second year in a row, Hallmark artists will be selling their work at "Hallmarket," an art fair in the square outside headquarters on Saturday, October 1. I'm not participating myself (too many extracurriculars to make time to create all that artwork!) but will be there with my checkbook for sure. Last year's was great—don't miss it!

Information about the event from the Hallmark newsroom

KC Star article

Random Hallmark Moments: Christmas is coming

   I had an early meeting this morning & got to watch the sun rising as I was driving to work. It's pretty bouncing off the buildings downtown. (Not as nice as the fall leaves were, which are almost gone now.)

      The meeting was in the 2420 building, and I don't get over there very often anymore. It reminded me of how much I miss that view from the walkway. The Mayor's Christmas tree is already erected & decorated and looks very festive in Crown Center.

   It will be lit on Thanksgiving night, but I won't be there.

Because I have a secret...

SUSHI SUSHI SUSHI

   Today I enjoyed a delightful sushi lunch with Miss Maureen to discuss some cartoons she's having me draw for her presentation next week. Talking with Maureen over sushi & drawing through lunch = Best lunch ever!
   Unfortunately, though, something I ate became problematic pretty quickly, and when I finally regained composure & joined the CVS conference call, Gary F was ready, pen in hand. Watch out for that sushi. He'll cut you. 

 (Top drawing is Gary's; bottom is mine)

Random Hallmark moments: fear of heights

   I had a meeting across the square at Fleishman-Hillard's offices this morning. On the way, I spotted these window washers and said a silent thanks that THAT isn't MY job! Although...

   If their view is anything like the one from F-H's 7th floor, maybe it does have its perks! Following the meeting during which I was mesmirized by the view, I resisted leaving & returning to my own windowless cubicle. Security almost had to escort me out. Possibly by throwing me out a window. Which would be totally ironic.

Hallmarket

   It was a stunning day in Crown Center Square, and over 70 Hallmark artists filled tents with their arts & crafts, in celebration of our company's 100th anniversary. Kelly & I had cooked up a fun plan to collaborate on some work, but I had to bow out due to a scheduling snafu (had already committed to speaking at Japan Fest), so cross your fingers that there will be a Hallmarket 2: the Revenge of Hallmarket! I do have this to say: I have some freakishly talented friends!!!

   Mark Franzke makes INCREDIBLE handcrafted instruments (and that's Henry in the back, of KCCC fame):

   Diane & Madeline had a very impressive display of their cut-paper-turned-letterpress prints (which were featured in a photo in a recent Crate & Barrel catalog, uncredited):

   A whimsical beaded snowman pin by Cindy Ross:

Gorgeous, nostalgic paintings by Larry Degraff:

My favorite booth design:

Flora Chang's booth was mobbed! (Duh, her work is so cool):

Kelly bought a couple of Flora's button packs & shared them with me:

   Shenanigans from a "miniature shiba" puppy, Swifty, and her Boston terrier buddy. Made me wish I'd had time to bring my two goofballs. Taylor would have enjoyed a birthday romp with them:

Dick's booth was cool (and jam-packed!) as always:

   It looked like a very successful sale. Wish I could have stayed longer to visit with everyone. It was a great reminder of just how talented Hallmarkers are—inside & outside of work!

Summer is officially here

It's fun walking past the fountains in the square at noon on Wednesdays, with the Hallmark band playing live, the water jets moving in time to a piece by the Kansas City symphony, and a whole bunch of happy kids playing in the fountain!

Memorial Day Celebration, part 2

   I was at Screenland Crown Center this afternoon to see "The Secret of Kells," an Oscar-nominee for best animated picture by the makers of Persepolis. The character design was a dead give-away, and made the film worth seeing. Literally every frame was a work of art, beautifully composed, with rich textures and color palettes. I'll write more later, but for now I'll just say: it should have won the award!

Trailer  /  image downloads  /  Ghibli interview  /  review & poster

   Then I grabbed dinner at Panera & walked over to the lawn between Union Station & Liberty Memorial (WWI museum). Thousands of my closest friends were already there! This was the 8th annual Memorial Day Celebration with the KC symphony. They sounded great... or at least, they would have, if the sound system were more powerful.  It was worth going to see the spectacle, though. When I started seeing lightning, I headed home. They may not have gone ahead with the fireworks anyway. So, a slightly anti-climactic ending for both the movie & the concert!

JC Hall's "OK Committee"

Can you imagine having the founder & CEO of your company personally reviewing & approving all artwork? That's what Mr. J.C. Hall used to do back in the day. No pressure.

Random Hallmark Moments: lunch edition

Today in the Crown Room: lasagna, and GARLIC BREAD AS BIG AS YOUR HEAD! (Or bigger than your head, if you're me.) I felt a little sick after polishing off this baby! Can you say, "Carb coma?"

Random Hallmark Moments: Centennial banners

Check out the giant banners that were just installed along the east side of the "C" building (where I work). I love them so much that I hope we'll leave them up after 2010. They brighten up the whole square, and it's fun to see them as you're walking through the links between the three main buildings. (The two photos below are from Nate Lewis's FB page; he was one of the guys who designed the banners. Nice work!)

And speaking of Nate, he says this is the view from his office. Holy cow is his office better than mine!!! My "office" is decked out with an accent wall on one side, and full views of my coworkers down the aisles... no windows anywhere in sight. (No offense, coworkers, but this is QUITE a view!)