Colour Your Worlde

Many artists have learned the advantages of reproducing their art by printing on to canvas, commonly called giclée printing. What is giclée printing? Giclée (pronounced “zhee-klay”) is a French word that means “to spray or spurt liquid.” One distinction between giclée printing and using any old ink-jet printer to print on to canvas is that giclée prints are created using professional 8-Color to 12-Color ink-jet printers. The technology of a professional printer sprays incredibly small pixels of rich, vibrant archival inks onto the canvas at a very high rate of speed. This system produces amazingly smooth and vibrant images true to the colors of the original painting with such precision that no dots, blurs or lines are discernible to the eye.

There is a multi-stepped process that goes in to creating a quality giclée print or art reproduction on canvas. First, the image is digitized, either by a scan or a high resolution photo capture. The image file is analyzed for color balance, contrast, brightness, and any scratches or dust specks are removed using imaging software, like Photoshop. Before printing the final product, the image is proofed. Test strips are run to ensure color accuracy and see if any additional corrections need to be made. When satisfied with the proof, the final giclee art prints are sized and printed. The final print is coated with a liquid UV protective laminate and often finished by stretching around a wooden frame to give the appearance of an original painting.

Giclée art reproductions are a great option for artists and photographers who would like to mass produce their work, but print only as needed, or on-demand. Once an image is digitally archived, an infinite number of additional giclée reproductions can be made with minimal effort and will appear the same as the original giclée produced.

To learn how Artisan Colour can print your artwork on to canvas visit our website.

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Looking for something fun to do this weekend? The 13th annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour and Sale presented by the Sonoran Arts League will begin tomorrow and will run through Sunday the 22nd, 10 am to 5 pm daily. If you can't make it this weekend there is a second chance to attend over the holiday weekend November 27, 28, & 29th. It is a free self-guided tour through the Sonoran Desert Foothills with 46 studios and 150 artists participating in the event. Art being displayed will range from painting, jewelry, ceramics, pottery, photography, to sculpture, glass, and even gourd work. It is a great chance to meet the artists, learn about their process, and support our local art community.

We wish friends of Artisan Colour who will be participating in the event a successful show. For more information on the studios that will be participating, a map of the tour, and more; visit the Hidden in the Hills website. Come out and enjoy some art!

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Tonight is the grand opening for a new venue in Mesa launched by Julio Cesar Chavez. The 30,000 square foot facility is a boxing themed entertainment complex that includes a restaurant, bar, arcade area, a World Boxing Council Legends of Boxing Museum, and event center that will eventually host their own boxing cards. Chavez says it will be "The first of many" with hopes to open similar complexes in other cities.

We were honored that to be selected to print the posters for their museum as well as other wall installations in the building. Being involved in the design process, we know that that working on this project has been a real labor of love for everyone involved and they are very excited for the opening. We wish them the best of luck and success!

Opening ceremony is scheduled for 6 pm tonight. Julio Cesar Chavez Campeones is located on the southwest corner of Country Club Road and Southern Avenue in Mesa. For more information visit their website.

Cesar Chavez opens Mesa complex - Odeen Domingo for Arizona Republic

What more can he do? His toughness, pride and lightning-quick yet thunderous hands already had led him to glory.

Julio Cesar Chavez, 47, is considered the greatest Mexican boxer in history. He won 108 of his 116 fights, earning six world titles in three weight classes. A star in his sport. A hero to his country.

What more can he do?

Yet there he was Monday - in a white, pinstriped suit - standing inside a boxing ring at a 30,000 square foot venue in Mesa. The $4.5 million venue Chavez was promoting was "Julio Cesar Chavez Campeones"...

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Flickr has expanded their relationship with photo-licensing giant Getty Images. In July 2008 they launched Getty's Flickr Collection. When it was created Getty alone decided which images were commercially viable, collecting more than 60,000 images. Now Flickr members can nominate their own images to be added to the program.

"A submission should include exactly 10 images that represent what you consider to be the best of your work. The Getty Images creative team will evaluate submissions based on style, subject matter, and technical skill," Andy Saunders, Getty's vice president of creative imagery, said in a statement. "If some or all of the photos--or other images from your photostream--are selected for the Flickr Collection on Getty Images, you will receive an invitation via FlickrMail. This invitation will clearly show Getty Images' initial selection of images and introduce the enrollment process."

The partnership is an interesting confluence between the old-school world of stock photography and the nouveau era of digital photography and the Internet. With digital SLRs and the Internet, high-quality photos are easier to come by, leading to the arrival of several "microstock" companies that sell photos on a royalty-free and relatively inexpensive basis. It's hurt professional stock photographers, but it's provided extra income to any number of enthusiasts and amateurs.

This acknowledgment of the average user's merit is a big step in the global reach and marketing of images. It can also help reduce unauthorized usage theft and giving the images monetary value. Found [Via]

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This is a question we get asked almost on a daily basis: How big of a print can I make with a image that was taken by a 8, 10, or 12 megapixel camera? The answer is two fold. Yes, there are limitations of each camera and the maximum file it will produce, in turn limiting the size enlargement you can produce without showing any file loss. However, the other factor to consider is the viewing distance of your print.

The human eye has a good, but limited perception of resolution. This means that beyond a certain level of detail there is nothing much to be gained by ever higher resolution images. The trade-off that occurs depends on how far your eyes are away from the print. Did you know that the average billboard print is produced at 2 to 20 dots per inch? For that format the lower resolution is acceptable because the print is viewed from yards away, and your eye fills in the detail.

Of course, much of this has to do with the expectations you have for your print. If you are do not want to see any file loss or pixelation in the print, even when viewed up close, it is best to try to stay above 125 DPI at your final output size. For a quick reference, take a look at the chart below.

MP Count	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22
Print size (125 DPI)	16x24	18.4" x 27.6"	20.5" x 30.9"	22.7" x 33.9"	24.3" x 36.7"	26.1" x 39.2"	27.6" x 41.7"	29.2" x 43.8"	30.7" x 46.1"

If necessary you can push your file larger than those restrictions, often with amazing results. Typical areas that will show file loss first are large areas of one color or gradients, like a sky. The gradient may not transition smoothly and start to band, or you may see pixel noise in parts of the sky. Other things to keep an eye out for are halos. Those can usually be seen in places where the detail of an image meets a large area of gradient, like the horizon line of a landscape image. Most of these can be caught on screen. Remember to zoom in and view your image close to look for any artifacts. If you can see it on screen, you will see it on the print.

There are also softwares available that can optimize your file for output, like Genuine Fractals. The thing to remember when using softwares like these is that it will not fill in the detail of your image. What it does do an amazing job at is making the transition from a small to large image smoother. Instead of the jagged pixel lines left over from a overly stretched file, it will fill in the dots so to speak, and keep the lines more even.

Print size, file resolution, and viewing distance work hand in hand with digital printing. One ultimately affects the other. Remember to consider where and how the print is going to be used when you determine the size you would like printed.

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The Big Picture Magazine featured a recent display put together for perfumer Mandy Aftel. What made it so unique, and literally stand out, was the fact that they used the board itself cut in to shapes and layered to create their low impact environmentally friendly display. The project was put together by Brandimage for Mandy Aftel's new line at Henri Bendel in New York City. The inspiration was based on "layers of nature". Since Aftel uses natural essences for their perfume, the company wanted to keep the display as natural as possible. They used a recycled cardboard that contains no VOC, called X-Board. The final display was cut from 150 full sheets of the material stacked 11 feet high and 8 layers deep. They also created display cases out of the same material.

With our own Zund G3 digital router, creating and cutting displays like this one can be possible for anyone to do. Layering and assembling cut shapes can make your display distinctive and can be used in many ways. Imagine your logo layered for a 3 dimensional effect, or sign holders and frames that look like city skyline. If you can imagine it, we can help you make it a reality. For more details about our digital routing capabilities, visit our website.

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Last week the local ASMP chapter had a meeting about how to protect your images under the new copyright laws. The most significant change came with the establishment of the Orphan Works law. This law makes the image public domain if it is difficult or impossible to contact the copyright holder. With the proliferation of unlicensed usage of images on the web, it is very important to copyright your images and be diligent about where they are published. Without taking those protective steps, you may have a hard time proving your case, should your image get used improperly. The ASMP website has a step by step guide to the definitions and best practices of the current copyright laws, how to register your images, and what to do if your work has been infringed.

Only a small percentage of photographers register their images with the Copyright Office. ASMP is working to change this, but ultimately it is up to you, as the creator of your work, to take action and register. Our power defending copyright law for the independent working artist is increased with each copyright registration you file.

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Found this article in all places, Psychology Today. They analyzed how a people shop, and found patterns and trends in the way the average consumer navigates a store. Their findings can be utilized by retailers when designing and laying out their space to maximize and encourage sales. For example; since most people are right handed, they tend to turn right when first entering a store. That high traffic area may be the best area to place high-profit items.

The Urge to Splurge

Putty-colored mannequins and quaint window displays are so 1950s. Today's retail stores map out the shopping experience with a precision that starts the moment you walk through those double glass doors.

Can't help but reach for one of those V-neck sweaters so neatly stacked in the middle of The Gap? It may be the work of a savvy retail consultant like Paco Underhill, founder and CEO of Envirosell and author of the book Why We Buy.

PT investigates how retailers nudge you toward that cash register.

First Impressions

The Landing Strip

The first 10 feet inside a store are the "transition zone." Because most shoppers walk at a brisk clip from the parking lot, store designers seek to slow the shopper down, using a table of clothing, a sign or perhaps a salesperson "greeter" as a speed bump. Few retailers put important merchandise next to the entrance because most shoppers aren't yet in browsing mode.

Sweetest Spot

Most shoppers turn right, probably because most are right-handed. The right-hand thoroughfare attracts the highest traffic anywhere in the store. It is the perfect location for high-profit merchandise.

Look Here

Signs with just two or three words work best. At most, a sign registers for all of two seconds with a shopper.

We have also found with our own customers that striking images along with the one or two worded sign leaves a lasting impression with today's media overloaded consumer. The old adage that a picture can speak a thousand words holds true. It can add continuity to the message you are trying to convey, as well as aid in the brand the persona of your store. Inventive displays can help draw a shopper to a specific area of your store, or in the case of a window display, pull them in to your store. Get creative with your signs and merchandise presentation to help promote profitability.

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Through Each Other's Eyes (TEOE) continues their tradition of cultural exchange and enrichment through photography with their latest show featuring work by local Arizona photographers Karen Shell and David Schmidt along with Chinese photographers Yu Xin Li and Ying Hui Bao. The photographers from China visited Arizona in April of last year, while the American photographers traveled to China in September of '08. The resulting images are nothing short of fantastic. We have come to expect nothing less from this amazing group of artists. It is always interesting to see our country, and the country they travel to, through different perspectives. We were privileged that TEOE selected us to print the images for their exhibit.

The show opens tonight, Thursday September 10th, at the ArtSpace on Sixth Gallery in Scottsdale. There will be a Grand Opening and artist reception on September 17th from 6-9 pm. Each of the four artists will each be displaying 20 prints. Please join us in the celebration of the 2nd TEOE exchange with China. The show will run until September 29th.

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In this past Sunday's A&E section of the Arizona Republic, Richard Nilsen gave us a preview of some exciting shows coming up at the Phoenix Art Museum. As part of the continued collaboration with the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, the P.A.M. will hold three separate exhibits that extending through June of 2010 highlighting the Center's expansive collection. Curator Rebecca Senf, who splits her time between the Center in Tucson and Phoenix, put together the new series of exhibits.

First up, in September, is Face to Face: 150 Years of Photographic Portraiture.

"Part of what we endeavor to do is teach people about the history of photography," Senf says. "It's an extension of our mission at the center. I want it to be lively and dynamic and varied and to capture the incredible span of the history of the medium, from the 19th to the 21st century."

The show includes 60 prints from early practitioners, including the 19th-century Boston studio of Southworth and Hawes, through the breakthrough of such early 20th-century artists as Gertrude Kasebier, and later artists, such as Diane Arbus and Avedon.

"Photography is an art, but we acknowledge the many ways the medium has been employed over history," Senf says, "including journalistic purposes, magazine and fashion purposes, publicity purposes for movie studios -- all represented in the center's archives. That complex history is what the center is all about: all the wonderful eddies and whirlpools, not just one stream."

The second exhibit beginning in January of 2010 at the Steele Gallery is entitled Ansel Adams: Discoveries. The show will feature 120 photographs and other exhibits that will include proof prints, alternative views to some of his most famous prints, negatives, video footage, original correspondence, photographic equipment, and portraits of the photographer. Senf uses her expertise as an Adam's scholar to compile a more complete examination of the artist's work. The show will also feature something that Adams is not necessarily known for, color photography.

The third exhibit Exposing Time will be back in the Norton Photography Gallery in March of 2010. This exhibit will examine how photography is used to document the passing of time. It will feature work by Adams, as well as Milton Rogovin, Harry Callahan, Frank Gohlke, and Andrew Phelps.

There are also a series of lectures, demonstrations, and classes associated with each exhibit that you can attend. With the Cézanne show coming up right up after the Exposing Time exhibit ends, it may be a great time to be come a Phoenix Art Museum member. For more information on these exhibits or the Phoenix Art Museum, visit their website.

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Undoubtedly, you have seen Apple's commercials promoting the many applications (apps) you can buy to do a variety of things on the iPhone. What you may not know, is that apps are not just for nifty games and sending digital postcards to your family and friends. There are many apps that can be used to aide the inspiration of photographers and designers.

CreativePro.com highlights some of the apps that could be very useful for creative professionals, who literally take their work with them where ever they go.

There is PhotoCalc by Adair Systems ($2.99) that can tell you whether your setting will give you enough light for your exposure, calculate depth of field distance limits, and even use iPhone’s internal GPS controls to tell you the time of sunrise for your location.

Font Shuffle is a free app by FontShop AG that allows you to search by font characteristics from a database of 650 fonts. If you are not happy about the results, simply tap the Shuffle button or shake the iPhone to display alternate choices. Rendering a sample view of the font is fast, and by picking the font of your choice you can immediately start typing with your selection.

Color Expert by Code Line Communications ($9.99) can be handy for color inspiration on the move. There are many options with this application. You can take a picture of something that you may want to use for an upcoming design project, tap the color out of the picture, and Color Expert will disect the color for you. The interactive color wheel will determine the RGB values, HTML named colors and Web-safe palettes, as well as give you options for different color palettes. The application can even tell you the closest Pantone color number, store the color set, or email yourself as an image attachment with all of the color numeric equivalents for later reference.

CreativePro also highlights some apps that can help in brainstorming, keeping track of your billable hours, and invoicing. Definitely worth checking out.

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Tony Blei has a background as a photojournalist working for the Associated Press, and has the opportunity to shoot multiple seated presidents - with his camera, I should say. He now adds that 'in the moment' style to his portrait and location photography. Tony has been in the photography business long enough to forge through the many changes the industry has experienced over the past several years; from the switch from film to digital, to the ebb and flow of our economy.

Tony recently posted an article on his blog that offered some shrewd marketing advise that can be applied to not only photography, but any one who is trying to attract attention to their business. Tony draws the correlation between successful dating techniques and successful marketing techniques. A funny and insightful article, the post has also brought Tony some national attention, he has been asked to speak at the next PMA conference.

Wisdom of the Single's Saloon

Here’s the deal: My friend wrote me on Friday and told me he was depressed and getting ready to crawl inside of a bottle of hard liquor. He was down in the dumps over some personal issues that are compounded by declining business during a depressed economy.

...He said that he had “tried to strike up a conversation with some ad designers at the coffee shop today and got the major stiff arm.” He also said, “Got a contact I was given on [fill in your own blank here] and got brushed off.” Captain Morgan and I are old friends, but he’s a solution, not psychologist. The only thing found at the bottom of a bottle is a worm. It is not your friend.

I seem to be seeing things like this more than I like. I, and several of my friends are displaced photojournalists who are reinventing their careers. Some have never had to deal with marketing and generating business. My friend, trying to attract clients, is the proverbial fat kid tryin’ to pick up chicks at the singles bar. Of course he got “the major stiff arm.” What I’ve learned is that it’s all about relationship. You need to be in this for the long haul.

...Just because you’ve got a nice portfolio doesn’t mean the art directors at the coffee shop are automatically interested — You’re a stranger. Besides, I doubt they were thinking, “I think I’ll go down to the coffee shop and meet a new photographer today. I wonder if Bob wants to go too.” They’re there because they want coffee — maybe to have an informal meeting. Few people will POSITIVELY react to you saying, “Hey babe, why don’t we jump in the back of your Gremlin and get our rocks off.”

Several years and lonely nights later, I became known at my little singles bar. I played pool, danced and had fun and bought drinks when appropriate. And then one day it was as if I had been sprinkled with magic dust. I had the ability to talk to every girl in the joint. Suddenly I could dance and laugh and carry-on all night long. People were buyin’ me drinks! I think because the girls knew who I was they were able to see that I wasn’t there to take advantage of them. I just wanted to have fun. In the end, I had to learn how to be interesting.

...So why am I talking to photographers about past nights of debauchery? Because I see parallels. You and I both know that your talent is the very reason why you should be hired to shoot a project, but you and I also know that “birds of a feather flock together.” People want to work with people with similar interests and personalities; people they know and like. It makes things flow better. It’s fun to work with your friends.

Here is what I suggest: stop chasing. Go to the coffee shops and social gathering places. Be cool and casual. Be interesting as you meet the people who will eventually hire you. Hand them a card, talk to them, be genuinely friendly. Let them lead the conversation and don’t talk about the day you photographed Keith Richards unless it’s a natural part of the conversation. Leave your agenda in the car (it’s probably not working for you anyway). As you take their card, ask if you could call in a couple of days. Tell them that have a new portfolio that I’d like to show. Chances are, they’ll agree to a phone call.

New options with digital fabric printing have changed the way that many businesses design their displays. There are are an abundant choice of fabrics available — from sheer taffeta, shiny silk like weaves, upholstery, outdoor rated flag and awning canvas, to gaming felts, and everything in between. There are even fabrics available that are made from recycled soda bottles.


- Fabric advertising can add an impression of quality to your product.
- Fabric banners can attract more attention. They move with even a slight breeze, which will draw the eye to your display.
- They can be used over and over and still look good. Many of the fabrics available can even be thrown in a washer and dryer.
- Green fabrics are available that are made from recycled plastic materials.
- Fabric prints do not give off an odor.
- They travel well. They can be folded, put in a suitcase and still look good at a tradeshow or event.
- Fabric graphics rarely (if ever) curl, and in most cases can be ironed.

Best of all, is being able to create your own design to be printed. For more information on our fabric printing capabilities please visit our website.

Richard Buchbinder travels far and wide to capture his beautiful photographic landscapes. Much like any good real estate agent would tell you, a key to ingredient to success is location, location, location. Richard holds workshops on various locations to share his knowledge what it takes to get that perfect shot. His next workshop is at the Sandstone American Ranch in Larkspur, Colorado. Our Display Graphics Division recently printed the image seen here that was taken at the Sandstone Ranch.

For more information about Richard's work or to sign up for the workshop, please visit his site.

The Sandstone American Ranch is a 2000 acre working cattle ranch located 35 miles south of Denver, a short distance from Interstate 25. This setting provides the opportunity for creating exquisite photographs of green mountain grasslands, Ponderosa Pines, streams, ponds and red rock formations. Since this is a working ranch, we will also have the chance to shoot barns, wagons, stables and all of the accoutrements of ranch life. Shooting on the ranch will include cattle and horses, as well as possible encounters with deer and elk. Our time at the ranch has been chosen to take advantage of the beautiful Colorado autumn. Richard will be in the field to work with you during the group shoots, and you will also have time to roam, explore and photograph independently. We will use the morning and afternoon sweet light to imbue our images with the warmth of this magnificent landscape. Time will also be taken for photography discussions, as well as image review and presentations. On Saturday evening we will enjoy a cookout on the ranch, complete with open fire and night photography opportunities.

After several months of fine tuning, we are proud to announce the launch of the newest version of the Artisan Colour website.

Artisan has gone through many changes since the last version of their website. Maybe one of the biggest is the recent addition of the Display Graphics Division with the merger with Mighty Imaging and the purchase of two new pieces of equipment; The Oce Arizona 350 GT U/V curable roll to roll and rigid hybrid printer and Zund router cutter. These machines can do amazing things! The U/V inks on the 350 GT are environmentally friendly (no VOC emissions) that can print a truly Green and sustainable product. The Zund cutter can create custom shapes and packaging to complete a corporate identity or make displays with distinction.

We're not done yet. We do have plans to further expand the site and add more features. Check back soon for the latest additions.

Our thanks to Don Giannatti of SteelID, who designed the site.