A mural by artist John Zaccheo was featured on one of the Wheel of Fortune sets last week, during Wheel’s “Fabulous Food” theme week. The mural was produced by one of our licensing partners. Wheel of Fortune – created by Merv Griffin is the longest-running syndicated game show in United States television history, with over 5,000 episodes aired. This is excellent exposure for both the artist and manufacturer.

Wheel of Fortune, Fab Food Week

Read the whole story on www.stavepuzzles.com/Staveland

Staveland

Talented artist, Ms. Lucie Bilodeau has a diverse portfolio of African Wildlife, photo-realistic kittens as well as florals and landscape.... Lucie’s favorite model is her companion, Max. Below are photos of Lucie at her home and studio in Massachusetts.

View her entire portfolio.

Lucie at workLucie en plain airLucie's work

Our talented artist, Ms. Susan Brabeau was awarded the BEST OF SHOW Prize at the N.C. State Fair held in Raleigh, NC from October 12-23.  The winning image is titled “And the Ribbon for Best Cake Goes To...”

View all of susan’s humorous, nostalgic images.

Susan Brabeau best in show

Charlsie Kelly el Sur Sign

While in Costa Rica, watercolor artist Charlsie Kelly, was hired to redecorate a small hotel in San Jose. This opportunity has opened other doors for such a talented artist.

"The first wall paintings I did in Costa Rica were at the Hemingway Hotel in San Jose.  A small and charming hotel, it looked as if either hard times had hit it or maybe the management didn't visit the rooms very often.  What I discovered was that the manager was a gentleman in his early 20's from the States, and decorating wasn't a priority; besides, he was working full time at all the other necessary duties that come with running a hotel.  I suggested to him that I would be happy to dress up some of the rooms as an "inter cambio", barter in Spanish, and that I could be his Costa Rican version of Martha Stewart.  He didn't seem to pay much attention to my idea, but later in the month, when his mother came down to visit from Virginia, I got a passionate plea by e-mail asking me how fast I could make it back to the Hemingway.  It seems that his mother had come down on him hard for clearly lacking a woman's touch, oboy!"
 
"That young man became a good friend, and I was welcomed at the Hemingway anytime!"

Charlsie Kelly Rec Room Mural

Charlsie Kelly Rec Room Mural 2

Charlsie Kelly Bedroom Mural

Charlsie Kelly Bedroom Mural 2

Charlsie Kelly with Volunteers

"While painting at the Hemingway I met a wonderful woman who was working with a multi-national volunteer organization, and she invited me to a tiny mountain village to mentor young people and paint murals.  So cool, the community of el Sur de Turrubares has only 57 people, most of them related in some way, and it's only accessable by horse or major 4 wheel drive, still easy to be stuck in the mud for hours.  A beautiful, beautiful village with a clear and cold river, wild orchids, mangos, frogs, you name it.  Total paradise.  I've been there many times to paint in the volunteer quarters, the towns only business  (the general store owned by the "mayor"),  worked with the kids on paper mache projects, and even painted a life-sized crucifixion scene in the church."
 
"Another friend I met at the hotel invited me to her vacation home in a small village on the Caribean, and after that first trip I made sure to bring my paints with me each time I visit.  I've painted the front of the house with a jungle scene and done faux bamboo in a rental apartment that's there as well."
 
"The Hemingway then had a new manager and I continued to paint for him, and when he moved on to a position at a Spanish language academy he asked me to meet the owners there and paint some murals.  Inter cambio for Spanish lessons, and a bit of money too.  So now with my Spanish improving I felt easier in presenting myself to other hotels, restaurants, etc."
 

Charlsie Kelly Dining Room Mural

"One thing leads to another, and right now I've got 4 jobs lined up in Manuel Antonio and Quepos, beautiful beach towns on the Pacific.  And when I return to California at the end of the month I'll continue with murals in a great seafood restaurant in Moss Landing.  I  approached the own

er of Phil's Fish Market and Eatery after seeing Phil win the throwdown with Bobby Flay on the Food Network after getting my first television in Costa Rica.  I turned on the set and saw faces I recognized from my home town area, and thought it must be some kind of sign - and I've been painting there for almost a year.  Too much fun, for sure!"
 
"The folks working at these hotels and restaurants have become extended family for me, and I am so lucky to be surrounded by wonderful people wherever I go.  I think it's all about making people smile and be happy, and I am the happiest of all."

ArtLicensing.com Licensing International Booth 2011

Artlicensing.com showcases new artists and best selling properties at the Licensing International show in Las Vegas. We had one of the busiest booths in the art & design section with a completely packed schedule, thank you to all that attended.

Cory Carlson signingFor all those that did not attend. We featured art by new artists such as Dennis Lewan (who was in attendance), David Russo, Jodi Berlin, Sara Catena, Tine Wiggins and Allen Jimmerson. New works by our best sellers were represented along with wildlife artist, Cory Carlson in person signing prints. In the spirit of Vegas, a giclée print of his was given away on a lucky draw to Ms. Jane Trumble of Leanin' Tree.

Michael Katz and myself, Nick Virgilio, were there to provide comic relief for Hong and Ryan and to attend the Disney company's annual North American sales event. McGaw Graphics is a licensee of Disney for poster & prints, framed art, canvas and other décor based products.

SURTEX2011The whole world of surface and textile design will converge on New York City May l5-l7 to observe the 25th anniversary of SURTEX, the only business-to-business marketplace in North America devoted to the sale and licensing of original art & design for product development across all categories.

ArtLicensing, (representing artists from Applejack Art Partners, McGaw Graphics, Interlitho, Soho Editions, Washington Green and New Box Licensing), has been exhibiting at SURTEX as one of the show staples since the late 1980's. Attending the show this year will be CEO Jack Appelman, Director of Licensing Hong Campbell, and Licensing Associates Ryan Cameron and Ray Phelps. We will be showcasing our latest Artist Porfolio catalog with over 300 artists (featuring 40+ NEW). Our full archive available for viewing on iPads.

Feel free to drop by our booths 463-465 but it's best to setup an appointment with Ryan, Ray or Hong (please call 802.362.3662). Do hurry as time slots are filling up fast.

Over 2800 new images have been added to our archive in preparation for the event. Visit our "what's new" page weekly for an update.

David Russo: Bio photoRusso studied at the Parsons School of Design and The School of Visual Arts in New York City. Numerous industry publications in the United States and abroad have featured articles on his work, including: Print (twice), Idea (Japan), Studio (Israel), Art Direction, and Upper & Lower Case.

Russo is recognized as one of the world’s premier interactive artists. In 1990 he signed the largest book deal for a first time author in Simon & Schuster’s history. His intricate maze designs, original alphabet lettering, and high detailed scenes have toured museums for years, been featured on QVC, and licensed throughout the world resulting in 75 different product designs.  His ad for Absolut Vodka, “Absolut Amazement”, was an 8 page foldout poster that challenged readers to participate and complete the maze. MAD hired Russo to create a cover portrait of Alfred E. Neuman for its 1993 Collector’s Edition. His most recent ad campaign (2007) was for Sony’s Playstation 2, featuring three full pages of his unique mazes

In 1996, Russo enhanced his career and began creating television/movie properties in Hollywood. To date he has sold a dozen television properties, three of which were reality shows that have already aired: “Combat Missions”/USA Network (2002)/Mark Burnett Productions, Magic Johnson’s “Who’s Got Game?”/MTV (2003) and “Hey Paula”/BRAVO (2007). Russo is credited with discovering Donald Trump for television via his unaired NBC show “The Billionaire.”

At present Russo continues to create original television and movie properties. His maze artwork
is touring the country via Minotaur Mazes and his latest works are currently being featured through 2011 at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. David Goldman Agency has recently re-started to license the vast collection of Russo’s book art for the first time since 1996. New Russo maze books and products will be back on the market in 2011, along with the launch of new TV properties. David's published books The Great Treasure Hunt, Around the World: The Great Treasure Hunt, Go for It!: Races, Rescues, Treasure Hunts and More, The Ultimate Maze Book can be found on amazon.com.

The Mazemaster Childrens MuseumRusso has been training in the martial arts since 1977. Russo Sensei holds a fourth-degree black belt in Jujitsu, and has studied Tae Kwon Do, Hopkido, Aikido, Go Ju Ryu, Chigong, wrestling, grappling, and Judo. He is also proficient with the Houbo(short staff) and the cane. Along with the Jujitsu curriculum, Russo also teaches police tactics, including handcuffing techniques, non-violent restraint, and takedowns. His dojo, Goshin Tsugiashi Do Jujitsu Intoku, is located on Maui. Russo Sensei has been teaching women how to stay safe from harm since 1990. He instructs them in techniques for rape prevention, for various physical defenses against an attack, to know their environment through awareness, not fear, and to use easy-to-learn Judo and Jujitsu moves.

View David's portfolio.

Clark Hulings Ob photoClark Hulings, an Artist who Pursued Timeless Beauty, Dies at Age 88 Clark Hulings, whose paintings are prized by art collectors worldwide, died on Wednesday, February 2, 2011, in Santa Fe, N.M., where he lived. He was 88. As one of the leading American realist painters, Mr. Hulings traveled the world looking for rural and urban landscapes and genre scenes that became the subjects of paintings reflecting the vibrancy of the human spirit. Mr. Hulings' subject matter was gathered throughout North America and Europe, notably France, Italy, and Spain, where he lived as a child and frequently visited as an adult. Among his signature subjects are complex Mexican and European market scenes and donkeys - his trademark. Throughout his career Mr. Hulings maintained a personal profile far lower than his national acclaim. Born in Florida, November 20, 1922, Mr. Hulings was raised in Westfield, N.J. Over his lifetime, he resided in New York, Louisiana, and throughout Europe before settling in Santa Fe in 1972. His art training began as a teenager with Sigismund Ivanowsky and George Bridgman and continued at The Art Students League with Frank Reilly. With a degree in physics from Haverford College, Pa., Hulings pursued an initial career as a portraitist in Louisiana, followed by freelance illustration in New York, notably paperback book covers, during the 1950s. By the early 1960s, Mr. Hulings devoted himself to easel paintings. In 1965 he debuted in New York, N.Y., at The Grand Central Art Galleries. In 1976 he was the subject of a solo exhibition at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Center, Oklahoma City, Ok., which was documented in the book HulingsA Collection of Oil Paintings (Lowell Press), followed in 1978 by a retrospective at the Museum of the Southwest, Midland, TX, and a 1981 exhibition at the C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Mt. Most recently, Mr. Hulings' work was the subject of a 2007 one-man exhibition at J.N. Bartfield Galleries, New York, and Morris & Whiteside Galleries, Hilton Head, S.C. His scheduled exhibition of paintings at the Forbes Galleries, New York, takes place March 23 through June 18, 2011. In 1986, Mr. Hulings authored the book A Gallery of Paintings by Clark Hulings (White Burro Publishing). The book was updated and reissued in soft cover in 2006. His paintings have been included in countless articles and surveys such as The Majesty of the Grand Canyon: 150 Years of Art (Pomegranate Press) and Landscapes of New Mexico: Paintings of the Land of Enchantment (Fresco Fine Art Publishing). He is the recipient of awards from organizations such as The Allied Artists of America, The Salmagundi Club and The Hudson Valley Art Association. In 1973 he received the Prix de West award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, where his painting Grand Canyon, Kaibab Trail is in the permanent collection. In his adopted state, Mr. Hulings was recognized with his first one-man show in 1945 at the New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe. In 1985, the museum installed a Hulings plaque on its artist walk of fame; and in 2004, he received the New Mexico Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. Mr. Hulings is survived by his wife Mary Belfi Hulings, daughter Elizabeth Hulings Diamond, son-in-law Patrick Diamond, grandson Nicolas Diamond, one sister, Susan Ottinger, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600 Please sign our guestbook for the family at: www.berardinellifuneralhome.com

Clark Hulings is featured at The Forbes Collection March 23 - June 18, 2011. The Forbes Galleries, located in Forbes Magazine’s headquarters in New York City, will present a rare glimpse into the remarkable career of the American Master, Clark Hulings (1922-2011) March 22nd through June 18, 2011. The collection will encompass twelve countries and five decades, including figurative, still life, landscape and architectural subjects.Twenty-one oils and drawings will be available by minimum bid silent auction through Morris & Whiteside Galleries, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. For information on these paintings and drawings please contact the gallery via email or call 843.842.34433. The selection will also include an unprecedented group of twenty-two paintings from the artist’s personal collection, (not for sale) many never before seen publicly.  Paintings from selected private collections in Connecticut, Ohio, Michigan, New Mexico and Texas will also be featured.

KEITH HARING: DOUBLE RETROSPECT!

This puzzle isn't just big, it's HUGE!  At 32,000+ pieces, it's the largest commercially-available jigsaw puzzle
in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.  The Keith Haring: Double Retrospect from
Ravensburger, the first name in high-quality, beautifully designed puzzles, is a breathtaking masterpiece of pop
art icon Keith Haring's signature bold colors and free-form artistic designs that comes to brilliant life – piece by
piece!  This tribute puzzle gives art lovers, collectors and families the opportunity to own a "piece" of the late
artist's celebrated work.  Keith Haring, who believed art should be available to everyone and was known for his
many large-scale creations for charities, hospitals and orphanages may well have enjoyed this super-sized
challenge himself…!

Keith Haring Ravensburger Puzzle

Made in Ravensburger's state-of-the-art factory in Germany, the Keith Haring: Double Retrospect puzzle:
 
     • Features a retrospective with 32 individual, brightly-colored images of Keith Haring's artwork!

     • Includes 32,256 precision-cut pieces packaged in eight separate poly bags!

     • Consists of just six colors plus black and white, adding to the already incredible challenge!

     • Should take about 400 hours to complete, according to Ravensburger's estimates

     • Measures more than 17x6 feet!

     • Weighs 42 lbs – and comes with its own hand truck!

     • Is available at retailers nationwide for an SRP of $299.99.

To learn more about all of the "masterpieces" in Ravensburger's extensive lineup, please visit www.ravensburger.com.

About Ravensburger
Newton, NH-based Ravensburger is the U.S. subsidiary of Ravensburger Spieleverlag GmbH, a German toy and game manufacturer with a 125-year history of tradition.  Founded in Ravensburg, Germany in 1883, Ravensburger is a leading producer of toys loved the world over and celebrated for its meticulous commitment to detail, high production standards and superior quality control.  In addition to Ravensburger-branded puzzles, games and arts & crafts, the company is the exclusive distributor of WOW Preschool Toys and holds licenses for such well-known brands as Thomas and Friends™, Animal Planet™, The Twilight Saga™, Hello Kitty®, Highlights™, Iron Man® 2 and more.

A Strong Relationship
Artlicensing.com has been a long time partner with Ravensburger and has licensed many images over the years. Artists such as Sam Park, Joh Naito, Tricia Reilly-Matthews, William Vanderdasson, Nicky Boehme and many more. We enjoy working with their company and look forward to a strong 2011.

Posters
Many of Keith's prints can be purchased through our partner site McGaw Graphics.