Trina writes us:

“Lilla,
A week or so ago I received some samples of the bag I illustrated last summer for BlueQ. We were staying at our friends’ house when I was working on the project. They have a long thin garden with apple and fig trees and a vegetable patch at the end. For three mornings in a row a squirrel came to the garden – I think he though I might need a model – because on the third day he tap-tapped with his little paw on the patio window! When I finished the project I didn’t see him again.

The other lovely thing about doing this project was it was a collaboration with Hallie a freelance designer based in New York. It was my first time of communicating on a project using skype – talking can sometimes be so much easier than writing and it’s so nice to feel you know someone a bit by the end of the project.“

Monday: Pics of Susy Pilgrim Waters’s house

For more of Helen’s work, click here.

Tomorrow: Super-charming new work by Hsinping.

How many commissions and product licenses have I given my artists over the years? A jillion. But every now and then, even jaded me gets excited about a project. Here it is. Helen’s bags for Blue Q.

Don’t forget to check out our Shop Page!

Tomorrow: New Work by Bonnie Dain.

In an old mill, Blue Q creates happy things.

Come back tomorrow and see how to purchase one of our artist’s most popular items (and get free shipping!)

Blue Q: What amazing products they make. I’ve admired them for years. It’s affirming to see that they design great work and buy great illustration and by doing so they do so well as a company. They don’t play it safe or pander to a mediocre cultural aesthetic.

In selecting artists to represent, I try to select the very best artists in an attempt to move the visual culture forward. It’s always a risk, but it’s in my blood. It’s worked very well for my studio and my artists, and I hope it helps other artists out there to not have to dumb down.

Thank you, Blue Q.

Tomorrow: See more photographs from the Blue Q visit.

Here are Helen’s stuffties which we showed to the Blue Q folks.

Dear Readers,
I love this aesthetic. I love how everything is laid out like a mosaic. The evenly-spaced items, which just happen to be stuffed little birdies and rocks. Do you like this kind of thing? It’s like science fair projects of my childhood.
These were taken at the Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Tomorrow: Alexander Calder’s toys from the museum.
In a few days, I’m going to show you my visit to the FABULOUS Blue Q. Please check back.