April 2013
Newsletter Banner
A Note From Ara

 

Greetings! 

April is my birthday month (the Ara Photomonth of bulls and rams...I'm the Toro). Those that know me, know I will use any reason to celebrate! I'm shameless for stretching out any opportunity to have someone sing to me, act goofy or take me out for a coffee or lunch.  

It was a of couple years ago, I was working and nobody knew it was my birthday. So, I bought my own birthday cupcakes by Dana (the master of desserts) and invited folks, some I didn't even know, they just happened to be shopping that day to come sing to me and I divided up the desserts. Okay, I knew one of the special guests was Esther Lovely, one of the owners of Penn's Place who has a beautiful voice, so I just wanted to hear her sing to me-lol. I have been blessed with some really fun birthdays. 

I remember one I spent with my parents at the DuPont Theatre and on the menu was a flight of Aged Ports 5, 10, 20, and 40 year old and it was my 40th Birthday (okay that was awhile ago) but what fun, I started with the 40 and worked backward. I also love getting homemade cards from my  grandchildren and I also have hanging on my wall in the studio several posters filled with hand drawn portraits of me made by my co-workers from Gore when I turned 25...they are so funny, I go and look at them all the time, they make me smile.  

Birthdays are one excuse to celebrate, but you don't need an excuse, make up a reason and just do it...surprise someone-even if it is you! 

Blessings, 
Ara
For One Special Person

 

Do you have a special person in your life that might be getting ready to graduate, celebrating milestone birthday, first home, performing their first solo performance, taking a championship, etc? You know the event is coming up and you are struggling what to get them. Now is a great time to considering honoring that someone special with a personal poster or canvas that combines your photos, awards, articles and any other mementos to capture their moment in time.

Here at Ara Illustrated Studio, we have a couple suggestions for giving that special person something very thoughtful and personal we can create a Create A Story Collage™ or illustrate a Whimsical Caricature Illustration. Both of these products are totally custom one-of-a-kind artworks and both use your collections and information to depict one person. The difference is the Create Story Collage™ is a little more photographic with some designer flair and the Whimsical Caricature Illustration is more fun and light-hearted, both will get rave reviews from the recipient that you have taken the time to honor them in such a personal way that be kept as a treasure then be even handed down to other family members.

Click here to see some fun Special Person Gifts
Stand Out with Illustrated Book Covers

Your cover, the Pi�ce de R�sistance for your valuable works or important information should be designed and illustrated with careful consideration. Depending on the subject matter, purpose of the material and the desired audience, you want to be.

The options in illustration and design for manual/book covers are endless; the only limitation is your imagination. I enjoy working with clients who have written creative books, written and compiled important product information or workshop/manual materials that will be used to educate their readers or make a product sale. I always feel honored to be selected and entrusted to bring out the author/creator or art director's intended vision.

I have had the privilege to work on a variety of covers
intended for many different purposes and audiences. I thought I would share an example and how it was developed.

This cover was one of many marketing and technical booklets I designed and illustrated for W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. during my 23 year stint as their corporate designer. Most projects were handled with a creative team. My challenge on this project was not only to design the cover, but layout and design the whole Sales booklet. So, as in so many projects, research is always the most important step, gaining as much information
TGT Inside
as possible with very basic questions. But, what is the purpose for the booklet and who is the intended audience and then, of course, what makes this product different from any other product that claims to offer similar benefits? Since I was employed with Gore, there are certain advantages of knowing what the features and benefits are, especially the Gore-Tex� membrane properties. So the answers were, this would be used as a sales tool for sales people who work in stores where the Gore-Tex� Footwear is sold right alongside of other footwear products and in some cases, twice the price. So this piece needs to be educational on the value of the product booklet for the salesperson and possibly the consumer. Now I was ready to get creative.

Clothed in My Right Mind Book of Poetry Debut flossie3

Flossie


When: Thursday, April 18
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Where: YWCA
153 E. Chestnut Hill Road, Suite 102. Newark, DE 19713

Light Refreshments Provided. Click here to RSVP.

Come out to hear Flossie Davis (aka Flowrite) share her  poetry with special readings and live performances. Meet and Greet book signing by the author and Ara Atkinson-Skinner (Cover Illustrator). Cash and Carry books will be available along with CD (special combination Package available).

Have a little fun, network and support Flossie's first book. This book does use adult language and deal with adult subject matter, so please use your discretion.
In This Issue
 
A Note from Ara
For One Special Person
Stand Out with Illustrated Book Covers
Clothed in My Right Mind Book of Poetry Debut
In The Spotlight
Our Birthday Gems
Inspirations by Justine
Events
___________________________ 

            Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View our profile on LinkedIn
            Find us on Google+  Find us on Pinterest  View our videos on YouTube
 
blog
 Click here to visit our Blog
__________________________
In The Spotlight
   
Check out her testimonial here!

Flossie Davis (aka Flowrite)
Author of Clothed in My Right Mind
WriteHealing.com
_______________________________ 
AprilBirthdayGem
Shaun McCoy 4/7
Flossie Davis 4/9
Caroline Coulet du Gard 4/14
Arleen Higgins 4/20
Debbie Van Dyke 4/22
Ara Atkinson-Skinner 4/23
Gail Townsend 4/27
Michelle Woodson 4/27
Lacy Holly 4/28
Kitty Lyons 4/28
Roxanne Porter 4/30
Sue Pritchard 4/30
_________________
_____________

Inspirations by Justine 

 Justine New

"April showers bring May flowers."  How many of us have heard that saying as a kid?  Aside from April Fool's Day, I look forward to seeing the plant life renew itself during this month. It's also a reminder of how life, if we let it, allows us to renew ourselves.  The sunshine invites us to come outside and enjoy the sweetness of its warmth.  The moonshine and stars whisper for us to step outdoors, and bask in the temperate nights while trying to locate the Big Dipper.  As we do these things, we get to enjoy the simple things in life.  It's easy to overlook the little things when we're always focused on the big picture.  It's good to have your billboard-sized ideas in mind every day, but don't forget to stop and smell the peach blossoms once in awhile.  It's okay to have your head in the clouds, as long as you remember to keep your feet on the ground!
_____________________________ 
Events

Clothed in My Right Mind Book of Poetry Debut
When:
Thursday, April 18
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Where:
YWCA, Newark, DE 19713
 Click here for more information

Earth Day
April 22, 2013

Mother's Day
May 12, 2013

Father Day
June 16, 2013

The Third Annual Reiki Day
When:
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Time:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Where:
Purple Sage, 41 West Main Street, Middletown, DE
Click here for more information.
small
Click here to enlarge