My intention for the 2016 Minneapolis College of Art and Design Art Sale was to provide a variety of whimsical and sophisticated high quality animal prints. For the most part, the target market was children 10 and under, and their urban middle class parents ages 20 to 35.
The above print is for lovers of fantasy. It is entitled "Let Sleeping Dragons Lie." As a father of two children I felt this image resonate with parents. The metaphor is playfully proposed: children are lovely, yet they can be little dragons at times! Here they are presented at once as both precious and in the form of dragons.
This next print is entitled “Blue Cat.” Cats are always a reliable staple for animal prints. This sleepy feline's minimal line and color design was intended to produce a calming effect for its audience. It’s versatile in its simplicity, as it would work well in a young child’s room or in a college student's apartment.
Foxes, like cats, seem to be a perennial favorite in children's design. Simply called "Red Fox", this image is inspired by contemporary Japanese style painting and drawing. The gestural, flowing lines and the softness of the blue background is contrasted with the boldness of the reddish orange hue of the fox, creating a slight sensation of tension. The petals of the dandelions are blown by a momentary gust of wind. These elements contribute to create an image that inspires a feeling of introspection or contemplation.
Entitled, "Cat of Babylon", this piece is tailored to a unique audience, a slightly older audience as well. It is meant to resemble a medieval print. Here we have another blue cat, but this image is inspired by the ancient Biblical myth of Babylon the Great, a human figure riding a fantastical beast mentioned in Revelations. I replaced the person in the myth with a serene and regal looking cat. The patterned border is inspired by Mid-Eastern motifs. The subtly worn and stained surface treatments are intended to give it the illusion of being aged.
