Last week’s birthday contest was won by Taylor in Charleston, SC. She ordered 3 copies of The Only Magic I Still Believe in is Love.
This morning, Joe headed out (with the prints) in an original 1962 Lincoln Continental. He’s traveling without any maps of navigational reference. Instead, he’s relying on you to help him get to Charleston via interesting people, places and sites. Check out MakeJoeDrive.com for details and to find out how to contact him to tell him where he should stop.
We recently re-launched our No Profit Friday program. One Friday each month, we release a new print and all the proceeds from that print go to the cause. This month, the cause is Walk4Hearing, a fundraiser which supports the Hearing Loss Association of America. I could tell you about it, but I figured it made more sense for you to hear it directly from Chris Stern, this month’s No Profit Friday photographer.
My name is Christopher Stern. I have been hearing impaired all my life and wore hearing aids until I experienced additional loss of hearing in February 2005. After numerous hearing tests, I was approved for my first Cochlear Implant in June 2006. A year later, I received approval for my second implant in July 2007. I am happy to say that both implants were a success and I am hearing more than ever before.
Here is an example of I how privileged I am to receive this technology. Soon after receiving my first cochlear implant, I was on a ride with my in‑laws. We pulled over to the side of the road and my mother‑in‑law asked if I heard the sound outside the vehicle. The sound was of a cricket chirping and it was the first time I had heard one. The power of this technology is amazing and I can only imagine what is in store for the future.
After receiving this great gift of technology, I have decided to give back to the hearing loss community and I will be supporting the Hearing Loss of Association of America by completing a 3.1 mile walk for Walk4Hearing through your donations.
Thank you for your time and remember, “Hear Now and Always.”
There are two prints available, with all proceeds going to Walk4Hearing:
We’re hosting 8 local artists (whose work you’ll be seeing on WallBlank.com the next few weeks) for this incredible show in our gallery space.
Featuring: Nicholas Dal Pra, David Decastris, Matt Jeske, Javier Jimenez, Matt Johnson, Greg Lang, Dan Moorman & Jen Mullin
Food and Drinks provided by The Olympic Tavern.
Map: 200 Prairie St, Rockford, IL 61107
Questions? Email info@wallblank.com
Other shows at the same time in the building:
Big Thanks to Greg Lang for designing the poster!
Starting this week, each Monday we’re going to be re-releasing one of our past prints – not a new edition, simply releasing any prints from the initial edition(s) that haven’t yet sold. We think it’ll be a great way to bring additional exposure to some of our past prints from the vault.
We’re kicking it off this week with Metropolis.
A carpenter once told me that one of the best ways to make a product feel custom and handmade is to not use standard thicknesses of wood. You can start with a standard thickness, but plane it down a bit and it’ll completely change the character. A 1” tabletop feels a lot different than a 3/4” top.
I think that prints are much the same way. There are many other sites online that sell prints and in almost every case they print them on “standard sizes” of paper – 8×10, 11×14, 16×20, etc. The artwork often doesn’t match those dimensions, so you’re left with odd borders around the art, really only half-solving the framing dilemma.
Each of our prints is printed one at a time (after choosing the perfect paper for the print), trimmed by hand, individually labelled & numbered, hand-wrapped in glassine paper, hand-packed and prepared for shipment. Your prints aren’t printed in a factory and other than the printing, nothing in the process is done by machine. Reflecting that process, we’ve chosen to use print sizes that feel right for the prints, preserving their ratio along the way.
In response to your feedback, very soon we’ll be offering custom framing for our prints – every frame will receive the same attention that our prints do and in fact the frames will each be made specifically for the print, one at a time. And believe it or not they’ll still be reasonably priced.
We are also considering offering a ‘just matting’ option – we’ll cut a custom mat for your print that will allow it to be placed in a standard size frame. There are definitely benefits to standards and we do realize that; a simple matting option may be the perfect solution – custom size prints in a standard frame.
What do you think? Looking forward to the frames? Is the matting option a good idea? Let us know in the comments (or email us)!
The idea for this came from a customer (thanks Mike!): “Both times I ordered prints I had to carefully watch and time my order such that I got all of the prints I wanted. It would be convenient and easier to dump items into my shopping cart and have them all shipped at once without having to hunt and peck my order.”
So, Drawer Service was born. Here are the details (which you can also find on the newly updated FAQ page):
What is Drawer Service?
Drawer Service allows you to buy prints over a period of time and have us keep them safely stored in a drawer with your name on it until you’d like us to ship all of them to you at once. It helps you save on the cost of shipping with every order. It’s great if you frequently order prints but aren’t in a hurry to receive them.
How do I get my own drawer?
Simply reply to your order confirmation email and mention that you’d like to start a drawer. You’ll get your own drawer, labelled with your name on it, and we’ll keep your print safely stored in there until you’re ready for your prints to be shipped. We’ll send you a unique coupon code to use for free shipping for any orders you want put in your drawer (you only pay for shipping for the first order).
How do I add additional prints to my drawer?
If you use the unique coupon code we send you, we’ll see that and automatically put the print(s) in your drawer. If you forget to use the code, just reply to the order confirmation email that you’d like the print(s) added to your drawer.
How do I get the prints from my drawer?
Send an email to info@wallblank.com anytime and let us know you’d like your prints to be shipped. We’ll get them sent out right away.
You’re Special!
If you have any special requests, just let us know – this is intended as an extra benefit for our many customers who frequently order prints from Wall Blank. We’re pretty young and flexible (for now) and are happy to bend over backwards for you.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, we started working on several major projects that have been on our to-do list for a while. We were getting so much done that we decided to take this week off from putting up new prints and focus on a few of those behind-the-scenes projects. Short-term you’ll notice a few new features and minor changes to the site, but most of the difference will be long-term. A few of the changes will increase our efficiency dramatically, allowing us to better serve artists and continue bringing great new artwork to you every day.
For the rest of this week, last week’s prints will remain available, as well as the prints in the Wall of Fame. We’ll be back with a great new print for you on Monday, June 1st.
Today marks our 5th print offered from photographer Joe Lieske.
Three hundred and seventy-three days ago, he set out on an unknown journey. He knew where he was starting – Vancouver Island, BC - but not where or when his trip would go or end. He’s written on his blog every one of those 373 days (!) and is about to return home, at least for the time being.
Today’s print, more than anything, is a symbol of his journey and an idea or inspiration that is within so many to do as he has done and just go – roll with the punches, travel where opportunities and friendships lead and see what happens.
To commemorate his journey and highlight a few of the shots he’s taken along the way, we’re doing a ‘buy one, get one’ offer. Buy today’s print and we’ll throw in one of the other four he’s had up on Wall Blank. Simply reply to the order confirmation email and let us know which of the other four you’d like.
Map: 200 Prairie St, Rockford, IL 61107
Questions? Email info@wallblank.com
Other shows at the same time in the building:Big Thanks to Dave Decastris for designing the poster!
We’ll be hosting our first gallery showing on Friday, April 17th (5-9pm) and Saturday, April 18th (3-9pm). The show will be in our studio located at 200 Prairie Street, Rockford, IL 61107.
New Showing at the Old Brewery
Four local photographers take on the century-old brewery on the river. Featured artists include Pablo Korona, Brian Milo, Cari Ann Wayman and Ryan Davis. We asked each of them to spend time exploring and shooting in their own style amidst this massive, old, mostly-vacant brewery which now houses our studio (in one corner).
Two other shows are going on at the same time in the building – it’ll be a great place to come, hang out and check out some stellar work in an amazing space.
Feel free to let us know you’re coming or invite others on the Facebook event page.
We constantly scour our sources to find the gems - the vintage prints that we think will look great on your walls. Don't worry - we're just guessing. We haven't seen your walls. But they're probably a lot like our walls. Our goal is to keep a fresh collection of vintage artwork that you'll love. Our hope is that you'll come for a unique print and return because of the great experience.
We are confident that you will be thoroughly pleased with your order. If you have any problems or concerns, please let us know and we'll make it right.
Prints are carefully printed one at a time by our Printery and hand-packed (either flat or rolled, depending on size) then shipped via USPS from Rockford, IL.
Shipping to US/Canada is free for orders over $30 (and a flat $6 for smaller orders).
International shipping is only $12.
Be notified when new prints are posted!
