We think you will be swept away by our newest graphic that is full of fantasy, drama and beauty: Breathe by Toronto-based artist Sarah Joncas.

Sarah created the wall graphic from her painting ‘Breathe,’ which was inspired by the Pink Floyd song of the same name. It has an underwater theme to illustrate a moody, yet peaceful atmosphere. A closer look reveals Sarah’s intricate details including ice cream cones, money signs, lamps, and fish. The doodle work and the fish are trademark symbols from her paintings.

GIVEAWAY: To celebrate this new launch, we are giving away 10 signed prints of Sarah’s “Heart of Glass.”  The 10×13 print is on a paper size of 11×14. What do you have to do to be a lucky winner? Answer correctly the question below and email your answer to giveaway@whatisblik.com by 11:59pm PST on September 3rd, 2010. We’ll pick 10 winners at random on September 7th, 2010.

Trivia question: Name the album that Pink Floyd’s “Breathe” is on.

SARAH JONCAS SHOW IN LA: If you live in LA, make sure you stop by her show “Siren” at the ThinkSpace Gallery in Culver City. The opening reception is on September 3 from 7-10pm. We’ll be giving away a few of the Breathe graphics on the opening night as well. Don’t live in So Cal? Take a look at her website: Sarah Joncas and get a sneak peek of the show in this recent Arrested Motion article.

Our latest custom project takes us just down the street to our neighbors at the Boys & Girls Club of Venice.

Wanting to create a one-of-a-kind mural that spoke to the center’s kids and teens, the 45 ft x 9 ft graphic was designed to express the energy and excitement needed to communicate the positive influence of the BGCV within the Venice community. The use of bold color, silhouettes of kids, abstract elements as well as organic forms, takes shape to create a funky yet playful design that shouts both Venice Beach and the BGCV’s mission as a positive place for kids and teens. The design is intended to inspire, motivate, and amaze those who enter the club. The mural is located in the community center - during the school year the room is used for the Kids Café, karate, chess club and special events. In the summer, the space is utilized for everything under the sun.

As you can see from the photos, the completed mural serves as a bold statement that encourages kids to be diverse, energetic and artistic. Plus the kids love it! Thanks BGCV for letting us keep our creative juices flowing. We look forward to working with you again soon.

Have you heard? Blik just turned 8 and we’ll be celebrating our birthday with you all month long.

Over the past eight years, we’ve launched so many great products and fantastic designs (even we forget some of them) that for 26 days in August, we’ll be retracing our steps and sharing a few of our favorites from A to Z. On each of the 26 days, we’ll be matching a letter of the alphabet to a featured graphic or in some cases an artist. The featured graphic will be 25% off for that one day only.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook to see if your favorite graphic is on sale.

The small print: Blik’s A to Z runs August 2 - August 31, 2010 (excludes Sundays). Discount only applies to online orders with shipping to the U.S. and Canada.

Happy Birthday to us! August marks our 8^th birthday. Can you believe it? Time flies when you’re having fun. Starting on Monday, August 2 we’ll be offering special discounts all month long. Think of it as your birthday present from Blik.

Just make sure you are follow us on Twitter or liking us on Facebook for daily details. Stay tuned…

]]> http://www.whatisblik.com/blog/2010/07/30/celebrate-bliks-birthday-in-august/feed/ http://www.whatisblik.com/blog/2010/07/29/blik-custom-art-center-college-of-design/ http://www.whatisblik.com/blog/2010/07/29/blik-custom-art-center-college-of-design/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:38:33 +0000 Blik http://www.whatisblik.com/blog/?p=5806

Last spring, Blik participated in the Art Center College of Design’s Advanced Illustration Studio class. Fourteen students at the Pasadena campus enrolled in the course, which is part of the illustration design curriculum that focuses on design beyond the printed page. Led by the chair of the illustration department, Ann Field, the upper term class taught applications for illustration including wall graphics, fabric, ceramic plates and interior design.

According to Field, part of the magic was how quickly the project with Blik was pulled together. Each student created one design and submitted it to Blik to be turned into a printed wall graphic. During the process, Blik tutored the students in how to create and set up their illustrations as files for print production. The final designs were presented and installed in the classroom.

“One of the great things about this class is the opportunity to work with companies, like Blik, who have a high-design aesthetic and impeccable attention to detail,” says Field. “These qualities combined with Blik’s contemporary products and history of working with established artists makes for a good working partnership.”

Blik also worked with one of Art Center’s star graduating students, Patrick Hruby to manufacture his final project, “Imagine Something Beautiful.” Each year, the Art Center faculty gives a wall in the main school entranceway to one student to display their final project. Patrick’s project was selected for the space and he approached Blik to help execute his vision.

Blik is proud of the students’ work and looks forward to continuing our relationship with Art Center again in the future.

Art Center student, Shanghe Shin's graphic.

Patrick Hruby's "Imagine Something Beautiful"

The Los Angeles Times calls them: “The ultimate drought-tolerant houseplant.”
Juxtapoz talks about how “Dei’s inspiration for the botanical graphics came from his love of nature combined with his clean design aesthetic.” And according to Urban Flea: “I think I should just officially declare today “Wall Day…” I can’t seem to escape it!”

Check them out for yourself and start Blik-ing your walls with these botanical graphics today.

Blik was featured in the July Issue of Ladies’ Home Journal in the Home: Living Beautifully section. The magazine showcased Blik’s Classic Chair Backs from Studio Jan Habraken and how the decals can be cleverly used to spruce up lawn furniture. Old chairs can instantly be transformed into charming backyard conversation pieces with an ammonia-based cleaner, spray paint, and Blik of course! Sounds like a good summer project to us.

Hey, Threadless, the party was a blast! Thanks for stopping by Blik on your Everywhere Tour this afternoon. And thanks to everyone who came out to meet Threadless! You all impressed us with your bean baggin’ skills. We had a great time hanging out with some familiar faces and making new friends.

It was a gorgeous Venice, CA afternoon and thanks to Lake Street Creamery, we were able to cool off with free scoops. We screamed for flavors like Pancake Breakfast, Black Jack and Donut. And special thanks to Tami and her team at Pardee Properties for letting us use their lot. Location, location, location.

Don’t forget! All Threadless graphics are 15% off off today, July 16, from 12:00am to 11:59pm PST. Prices reflected on the product pages. There’s still time to start shopping!

Don’t let the summer heat get you down. Chill out at the Blik x Threadless Everywhere Tour Party in Venice on Friday, July 16^th from 12-2pm. We’ll have free ice cream from Lake Street Creamery to keep you frosty along with tons of prizes from Blik and Threadless. To get a free scoop of ice cream, print and bring the above party coupon with you. For more details on the event and to RSVP: click here.

NEW LOCATION: The party will be at the SE corner of Abbot Kinney & Venice Blvds in Venice. Look for the Threadless airstream trailer.

15% off: Can’t make it to the party? All Threadless graphics will be 15% off on July 16 from 12:00am to 11:59pm PST. Prices reflected on the product pages.

New Threadless: Need another reason to cool off? Blik to the rescue with three new graphics. Whether it’s the penguins in The Choir of Antarctica, the snow topped mountains in Grandma’s Hot Air Balloon, or the spine chilling ghosts in The Ugly Duckling, these graphics will turn up the A.C. in your space.