Red Bat Press-- June-Dec 2006 NEWS

12/10/06 If you are one of the first 100 people at Crafty Wonderland tommorrow, you'll receive 1 of 100 Origami Red Bats in the goody bag. Click image to see all the bats!

12/09/06 PDX Magazine mentioned the "handpainted calendar cards" in their Made In Portland gift guide in the December 2006 issue (pg 19, no picture, under Co-ed). I really like this free glossy magazine found here and there in Portland. The editor Liz Hummer, is super nice, and the magazine has interesting features, and all around an great freebee whenever I come across it. Click the Image to enlarge.

12/05/06 Last month, I checked out Portland's Give Green gift fair and I met the lovely Michelle Schwegmann who has opened up a 'cruelty free' boutique in NE Portland called Herbivore. She sells animal-free products plus cards, books, etc. I asked what makes a card line cruelty-free, and she said that the maker must be vegan or vegetarian. I've been vegetarian for 16 years (half my life). The store has just ordered 2007 calendar cards & blank books so stop on by at 5519 NE 30th Avenue or call 503-281-TOFU.

12/05/06 Red Bat Press' new letterpressed stationery line made it's debut at Riches at Rimsky's sale last weekend. The Stationery won't be up in the online store until after the holidays, so if you can, come to the holiday sales to pick up the following three designs: Bike Haiku (pictured), Good Luck Dragon, & Oo La La Dancing Girl. All the imagery comes from old type cuts that have ended up in my hand & designing the new line was a fun & challenging project. The stationery sets are still being fine-tuned, so look for more about this in the new year.

12/05/06 Red Bat Press' first national press! The Steadfast Ship 2007 Calendar Card is featured in the winter 2006 issue of Venuszine on page 64 in the "Get Carded" feature by Susan Beal. Ten holiday cards are featured. Click on page picture to enlarge.

12/04/06 Check it out, City of Roses & St. John's Bridge Art Postcards are featured on Portland's Art & Transportation Commissioner, Sam Adam's blog for the First Thursday art event that includes BikeCraft. Photo on the left is of Sam Adams at the recent Bike Light Parade on Alberta St. in Portland. Photo by Jonathan Maus.

12/04/06 Either you love bikes or someone you know does, so why not check out BikeCraft, the 2nd Annual Art/Craft fair devoted to the bicycle. I myself, ride my bike everyday - to work, for errands, to socialize. Year round - Portland is mild so it helps. So over the years, I've come back again and again to bicycling in my art. And what's cool is this event is at City Hall - because our elected officials appreciate bicycle culture. And in Portland there is plenty, just check out Bikeportland.org, Jonathan Maus' blog - the organizer of this event. Details: First Thursday, December 7, 2006, 4 - 7/8 pm, City Hall (1221 SW 4th Ave.), Downtown Portland, Oregon.

11/22/06 Skip the Mall & Buy Handmade! Riches at Rimsky's, 5th annual Holiday Sale is this Sunday at the Rimsky Korsakoffee House (707 SE 12th Ave Portland, Oregon) from 11 - 4 pm (one day only). This is an artist-run sale and this year I took on lead organization. So please come and support local artists. This year we have 12 artists and a table by Church of Craft. Free cookies and coffee and street special prices from me. Also debuting my new line of letterpressed stationary ! 2007 Calendar Cards are ready!

11/17/06 New Seasons Market, a local chain of natural food stores that have carried my line since last March, have started a 'homegrown' campaign. I'm delighted so far to be one of three from the Homegoods dept. who are highlighted vendors. Check out my page

11/16/06 Handmade Bazaar & BikeCraft have announced dates! Both of these holiday sales are really fun.

Handmade Bazaar is huge at the Holidays - there are so many crafters to meet & greet - and lots going on. The dates are Dec 10 & 17. I'll be in the Sunday, December 17 sale at the Wonder Ballroom at 128 NE Russell from Noon to 5 pm.

Also BikeCraft - the bike artist & craft sale that debuted last year is back for round two. This time at City Hall on First Thursday, December 7th in the first floor atrium. After a very successful First Thursday July 2006 Bike Art Show, the bicyclists of Portland are invited back to City Hall for more fun times. If you or your friends love bikes come to this sale! I'll have my City of Bike 2007 Calendar Cards, Bike Art Postcards, framed prints, new Bike Haiku stationary (more on that to come!), and I'll be debuting the new bike-themed art postcard: "At Midnight, We Ride". Curious? Come! Hours and more details about this sale TBA.

11/03/06 I am very pleased to announce that my Calendar Cards & select art postcards will be part of Portland's Contemporary Crafts Museum "Handmade for the Holidays" show & sale in their Sales Gallery from November 18th through January 9th. It is an honor to have my work accepted in a venue were fine craft work & design is most important. There will be a 2-day open house on Dec 2 & 3 and from Dec 1 - Dec 23, the Museum will stay open until 6 pm, every day.

11/02/06 It's after Halloween, so you know what that means.. the holidays! Well I'm not sure it should start the day after, but the radio has been full of toy commercials and holiday sale announcements all week. You don't have to shop quite yet, but I'm here to give you a friendly reminder to buy handmade for the holidays. For the first time Red Bat Press history the calendar cards were designed and printed by August - so if all goes well, I will have a less hectic time keeping everything in stock for Holiday Sales. So far I'm confirmed to be in Three Holiday Sales: Riches at Rimsky's - Nov 29, The da Vinci Art Fair - Dec 8 & 9, & Crafty Wonderland - Dec 10. I also expect to hear announcements for dates for Handmade Bazaar & BikeCraft soon. More on each event will be posted in the next weeks.

11/02/06 Only two months left of 2006 - and just a handful 2006: Year of the Poodle Art Postcards are still available. Speaking of poodles, the poodle design for the print was inspired by two special poodles - 1 green and 1 red. The green one sits in at Red Bat HQ, but the red one is having adventures in Texas. Check out this Poodle Superstar's latest adventures.

11/01/06 We are pleased to report that the Red Bat was indeed caught on film on Hallow's Eve as a participant in the Scary Helmet Ride. Afterwards the Red Bat was seen having a pint at the Lucky Lab Pub with her friend the cow & other friends. Go to Red Bat Sightings for full report.

10/15/06 Red Bat Sightings always increase as we get nearer to Halloween. Petr Sorfa drew this illustration of the Red Bat after a close encounter. Click image to enlarge.

10/6/06 Nice plug on the awesome crafty blog, West Coast Crafty by Susan Beal showing her favorite of the new Halloween postcards: DJ Scare-D Cat.

10/6/06 Halloween is such a great time year because many bat-themed things are happening or of interest. Thanks to Joseph for sending me this link to a creative Bat costume. If You find a red umbrella, you can be a Red Bat. How cool is that! Then there may be more Red Bat Sightings!

10/4/06 Red Bat Chocolate! I discovered this special Halloween Bat chocolate at Moonstruck in Portland. The inside is strawberry. The poor little critter got a little smooshed in the scanner, but still tasted delicious. Click image to enlarge

9/26/06 More Stores! The new Beaverton Cedar Hills Crossing New Seasons is now open and carrying Red Bat Press. Also Powell's Garden & Home store on Hawthorne & the Double Tree Hotel Giftshop in the Lloyd District have added the Red Bat Press card line. Hooray!

9/25/06 On October 8th, Red Bat Press will be at Crafty Wonderland along with 40 crafty vendors at the Doug Fir. Make your own Seed Art with Cathy Camper at the DIY table. Stock up on Halloween art postcards. Also the 2007 Calendar Cards will be available.

9/15/06 TheAlberta Street Fair Is tomorrow Saturday, August 16th. Festivites go on from NE 11th to 31st on Alberta Street from 11 - 6 pm. Red Bat Press will set up from Noon to 5 pm on the usual Last Thursday corner at 29th across from Bernies, or nearby. Weather permitting of course!

9/13/06 Halloween Cards! Four new art postcards for 2006 plus 4 classic designs to choose from. You can order online or stop by September's Alberta Street Fair (Sept 16) or Last Thurs (Sept 28). Also you can find selected varieties of Halloween cards at the following stores mostly in the Portland, Oregon area: Alberta Co-op (in October), Blue Bottle Art (Seattle), Food Front, Friends of the Library Store, Ivy Studio, New Seasons Raliegh Hills , New Seasons Orenco Stn (Hillsboro), New Seasons Sellwood, New Seasons Seven Corners and, Reading Frenzy (in October

8/31/06 The I (Heart) Portland group art show runs Sept 7 - Sept 28 at Reading Frenzy Enjoy great works by some of my favorite artist friends: Greg Means, Susan Beal, Cathy Pitters, Ryan Berkley, Justin "Scrappers" Morrison & more. For this show I have three works. Two framed limited edition bike prints and a framed "Greetings from Chinatown" postcard.The latter is out of print with just a few left. 30% of sales go back to supporting this awesome independent bookstore.

8/30/06
A new commissioned art postcard for SHIFT to BIKES. Hand-colored & Limited edition of 200. Info on how to order them online coming soon or stop by art sales. Proceeds benefit SHIFT [Click image to enlarge]

8/24/06 New Shops & recent stock-ups: New Seasons Orenco Station in Hillsboro is a new addition, carrying art postcards, bird notecards, & holiday items. Also if you live in Michigan, Book Beat (26010 Greenfiled, Oak Park), a small fine arts bookstore will have a selection of art postcards by the end of the month. Also Food Front, Reading Frenzy, Alberta Co-op, Blue Bottle Art (Seattle), Friends of the Library Store, Ivy have recently restocked their Red Bat Press line.

8/23/06 The Handmade Bazaar returns this weekend at ACME Food & Drink in SE Portland (SE 8th & Main off of Hawthorne). After rainy Junes, organizers Meredith & Katie moved it to August. There will be different vendors each day. Red Bat Press & friends will be there on Saturday Noon to 5 pm.

7/31/06 Once Again I'm giving the First Thursday Street Gallery a try - Last year I enjoyed setting up with the Junktown folks and while the socializing was fun, it was a lot of work for not much reward. My artist friend Carla Forte mentioned she participated in the art walk last month, so I thought it would be fun to take part again in a new booth. Look for us on NW 13th near Johnson by PNCA in the Pearl District on August 3 from 5 - 10 pm. Carla's a great painter - I'm not sure what she's bringing out to show. Also her friend Craig will be showing a sculpture or two.

7/31/06 At Crafty Wonderland in July, Caren of the Velveteria stopped by and bought a few sailor & mermaid postcards for her museum shop. Why? The upcoming art show is called "Sailors, Mermaids, & Chickens: Seed Art of Cathy Camper" The opening artist party is this Friday, August 4th 6 - 9 pm at the Velveteria (518 NE 28th) 6 - 9 pm, $3 admission.

7/31/06 The Friends of the Library Store Manager Babs Adamski has been a great support and fan of Red Bat Press. And with a recent reorder, starting Wednesday you'll find all the bridge postcards, Union Station, bike cards, globe, cats & more!

7/21/06 Two events just announced - The Handmade Bazaar will be on August 26th & 27th from Noon - 5 pm outdoors at ACME food & drink. And on September 7th the "I (heart) Portland group art show opens for First Thursday at Reading Frenzy - I've been invited to submit a couple pieces - you know how I love Portland so this shouldn't be hard.

7/11/06 The new 2006 - 2007 Catalog is now available to retail shops for wholesale or individuals. Please contact Red Bat Press if you would like one mailed to you. Please specify wholesale or individual price list.

7/11/06 Fremont Bridge at last! This bridge is so well known, so big, and sleek, and apparently hard to capture in a wood-cut. After several attempts and false release dates - the bridge now graces a card you can buy. I've made it dark sea-blue - the color the Fremont Bridge looks at dusk when I'm biking home from the studio.

7/11/06 The Everybody Bike art postcard makes a special appearance in the new San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Video! Thanks to Elizabeth M for the heads up. About 3/4 through the video, a close up is shown of the print framed up - presumably in the SBFC office! Check out the video clip: Here.

7/10/06 The City Hall Bike Show opening was so much fun - Even Sam Adams ordered a print. See the Red Bat Press Show photos & the Event Opening photos. The bike art show is up for the month of July and my work may be found in Sam Adam's office wing near reception.

7/05/06 I'm just back from hanging a show at City Hall in Commissioner (Transportation & Art) Sam Adam's office. Everyone was so nice there, and my work will be hanging on the left wall next to reception for the month of July. Tomorrow is the big opening party from 5 - 8 pm for First Thursday. Come on down to 1221 SW 4th in Downtown Portland for free food & drink and bike art. Also frame builders of all sorts will be there as well. The pieces in this show are: Limited edition 3rd Annual Bunny on a Bike Poster, Bunnies Tandem 8 x 10" print, Set of 6 Everybody Bike/Bike Character postcards framed in red, and also two new limited edition ink jet prints of "Explore" (2004 Calendar design) and "City of Bikes" (2007 Calendar design) in 11 x 14 " frames. The glorious Portland City Hall pictured right.

7/4/06 Happy 4th of July! The real news here however is you'll notice a price increase on all items in the SHOP. All of Red Bat Prints have gone up in price averaging $1 - Many of you will understand, and many more of you have been telling me for years my work is too cheap. I was planning to wait until 2007 to up prices, but the time seemed right to make the change now - with a new catalog just finished, and the start of a new fiscal year. However, if you are a regular and on my mailing list (already) I will honor my One More Cheap Summer (3 cards for $5 special) at any show I personally am selling. That means this Saturday at Crafty Wonderland and the summertime Last Thursdays on Alberta. So come and get them while they are cheap - make sure you remind me of the special you are entitled to.

6/26/06 New Crafty Wonderland Poster for July through October shows. Click to Enlarge. Drawn by local artist Ryan Berkley. I'll be set up on Sunday, July 9th at Doug Fir from 11 am - 4 pm. Stop on by! Especially cool is at the DIY Lounge there will be a collaborative quilt project with the Contemporary Crafts Museum & Gallery called "Stich-O-Rama."

6/25/06 Red Bat Press going to City Hall. Jonathan Maus of BikePortland.org is organizing a Made in Portland Bicycle Show for Commissioner Sam Adam's First Thursday, July 6th from 4 - 8 pm. Please Join me, and others to celebrate bicycle art & bicycle frame builders here in Portland.

6/18/06 On Saturday the 17th the City put on the first ever Bike Summit in Portland - with a focus on bike tourism & business. I have to say I felt a little famous after attending this historically important event - During one of the key note speakers and slide presentations - a slide came up showing bike related retail in Portland - The Everybody Bike postcard displayed! Then during Evan Manvel (Bicycle Transportation Alliance Executive Director) speech - The Bunny on a Bike Ride was mentioned twice! Wow what a day!

6/03/06 Red Bat Fame! Tour de Fat is coming to Portland August 9th - Look who is on their website!

6/02/06 Art Show update:

June 17 & 18 - Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn, New York. Never Twice is representing several Portland crafters & artists. I will not personally be attending this event

June 29 - Last Thursday on NE Alberta St in Portland. Weather permitting. I usually can set up around 29th.

July 9 - Crafty Wonderland in Portland is the next 2nd Sunday sale I'll be in

Also Note that Handmade Bazaar is being moved to August this year, the dates have not been set. There will be a BikeCraft at Multnomah County Bike Fair (June 24), but I will not be participating this time