Jen Renninger Illustration :: Please Be Still Printshop blog

AMAZING

2011-07-14T16:19:00.002-04:00

Home

2011-01-10T09:34:00.002-05:00

so sweet!

Life in a Northern Town..

2010-12-06T23:19:00.000-05:00

It's really cold here for the first time this fall.

Hopefully it won't be as frosty this year.

Our January was quite the bear for a Sunshine state!

One of my favorite videos...

2010-11-19T07:49:00.000-05:00

Fifty People, One Question: New York from Fifty People, One Question on Vimeo.

Design Observer : My collection of boxes

2010-11-19T07:24:00.001-05:00

I’ve been collecting boxes for as long as I can remember. Jessica Helfend sent out the call to some friends for a peek at our collections so I started shooting....

To see the full slideshow visit the original post on Design Observer or click one of the images above for my Flickr set.

ps- what do you collect? I'd love to hear about it! :)

I can't stop listening to this song..

2010-11-18T08:06:00.003-05:00

2010-11-15T13:41:00.000-05:00

There Will Be Miracles

2010-11-02T13:28:00.001-04:00

Its raining today for the first time in well over a month!

I know, it's not a miracle.

But it does feel like a good time to introduce a new print.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

2010-10-29T11:21:00.000-04:00

lovely

2010-10-28T11:26:00.000-04:00

The fine art of craftsmanship

2010-10-11T13:16:00.000-04:00

There is nothing finer than an organized workshop, manned by craftspeople who believe in time worn methods.

The Anthropologist. Just lovely!

2010-10-08T13:32:00.000-04:00

New work for Harpers Magazine

2010-10-07T09:21:00.001-04:00

New Work for the Wall Street Journal

2010-10-04T12:57:00.000-04:00

New Work for Bitch Magazine

2010-10-04T12:52:00.000-04:00

I got a chance to work on something a little bit darker than usual this summer. Channeling my inner teen angst led me to this drawing of a tattooed modern Alice in Wonderland for Bitch magazine. Thanks to the lovely AD- Kristin Rogers Brown, for collaborating with me. ...

Illustrations for Harpers Magazine - "Paradise Swamped"

2010-07-21T11:16:00.006-04:00

Over the years I've had the pleasure of working with Stacey Clarkson at Harpers magazine on a number of incredible jobs. She has a knack for sending articles that never cease to strike a person chord and this recent job was one I felt incredibly connected to.

"Paradise Swamped", written by the extraordinary Paul Reyes, is an excerpt from his upcoming book "Exiles in Eden: Life Among the Ruins of Florida's Great Recession" . It's the story of Florida's part in the foreclosure mess of today, rooted in a personal narrative starting in the 50's during a optimistic land purchase by his parents.

As someone who grew up here (raised by Grandparents and deeply entrenched in the idea of the promise of Florida) Reyes story is a mirror to my life long love affair with my state. We moved here into a life that felt idyllic: a blissful vacation mecca, with lazy waterside evenings, orange groves in the backyard, a sort of haven that made up my childhood views on life. How can you not be an optimist growing up in the Sunshine State? Fast forward 35 years and the answer becomes obvious: buy property during the housing boom and watch it all fall apart. As an adult living in Tampa, the contrast is palpable. Empty molded foreclosed homes abound, often left with the residents personal items still lingering in the rooms. It's heartbreaking. And this excerpt straddles those 2 views just beautifully. He's captured a part of Florida that those of us who live here can instantly recognize both with nostalgic affection and adult remorse.

.
ps- Thank you Stacey, for trusting me with a camera. And Thank you Paul, for trusting me with your parents picture. I hope I did them and your story the justice they deserve.

You can read part of it right here, and here (if you happen to have a subscription).

Gulf Coast Restoration Benefit

2010-06-24T12:37:00.003-04:00

Gulf Coast Restoration Benefit, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

A few weeks ago I received a heartfelt email from Meighan - The wonderfully talented lady of 'My Love for You is a Stampede of Horses..." She wanted to put together an on-line benefit with 100% of the proceeds going to the Gulf Coast Restoration Network. Who can say NO to that? Certainly not me. So.. heres my addition to the benefit: 4 separate prints...

A little more info (directly from Meighan) and a list of all the artists:

"As I mentioned yesterday, over 80 artists have donated their work. On Monday, June 28th at 12 pm PST (3 pm EST) a Big Cartel Shop will open. It's first come first serve. Prices will range from $15-$350+. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to The Gulf Restoration Network."

Here is the current list of contributing artist, designers and print shops:

Alex Lukas, Alex McLeod, Alexis Amann, Allison Sommers, Allyson Mellberg Taylor, Andrea Daquino, Amanda Michelle Smith, Amy Casey, Amy Sol, Amy Ruppel, Andrea D’Aquino, Annie Koelle, Ashley Anna Brown, Ashley Lande,Audrey Erickson, Ben Venom, Bill Dunlap, Breanne Trammell, Casey Jex Smith,Catherine Campbell, Catherine Ryan,Chad Chesko, Chris Koelle, Chris Piascik,Christian Rex Van Minnen, Corey Corcoran, Crystal Morey, Dan Gluibizzi, Danna Ray, David Galletly, Derek Weisberg, Dolan Geiman, Ehren Reed, Elbow-Toe,Elisabeth Timpone, Emily Barletta, Esther Pearl Watson, Hannah Stouffer,Happy Owl Glassworks, Hilary Pecis, Irana Douer, Jason Brammer, Jenny Hart,Jennifer Renninger, Jesse Draxler, Jessica Cannon, Jill Bliss, John Casey,Josie Morway, Julianna Swaney, Justin B. Nelson, Justin Richel, Kate Bingaman-Burt, Kate Miss, Kenn Goodall, Kevin Earl Taylor, Know Hope, Kyle Ranson, Lane Collins, Lena Wolff, Lindsey Carr, Lisa Congdon, Lisa Hanawalt,Lisa Romero, Little Paper Planes, Lizzy Stewart, Luke Ramsey , Mark Todd,Martha Rich, Mary Kate McDevitt, Melinda Josie, Michael McConnell, Mike Maxwell, Mon Petit Fantome, Other, Porous Walker, Raul Gonzalez, Remi Thornton, Roll and Tumble Press, Shannon Rankin, Stacey Rozich, Sub-Studio Design Store, Tara Lisa Foley, Tristram Lansdowne, WAFA, Wendy McNaughton, Will Bryant.

our hearts reside here

2010-06-17T09:41:00.001-04:00

our hearts reside here, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

Photoshoposaurus!

2010-05-30T14:42:00.000-04:00

My husband teaches Photography and one of his recent projects was to create a new animal by combining several different creatures into one. We spent a few hours playing around and these are the first 2 we came up with! Fun, right??

Printshop collections - Graphic Women

2010-05-27T08:39:00.002-04:00

Printshop collections - Words to Live by

2010-05-27T08:37:00.002-04:00

the fertile mind is lush ground

2010-05-11T13:24:00.002-04:00

Hello Bluebird tweet tweet

2010-04-06T13:53:00.002-04:00

wonder-wander-lust

2010-04-02T17:11:00.003-04:00

Open Road Biking

2010-03-24T14:38:00.001-04:00

Open Road Biking, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

Another variation on the open road theme...

Ride the Open Road

2010-03-24T07:40:00.002-04:00

I think spring is inspiring me.. Color and the wide open road!
Maybe it's time for a brief trip?

Pure Magic..

2010-03-22T08:24:00.002-04:00

Natty skull, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

My friend Natty makes wonderful painted skulls. They are really amazing, with thin delicate pinstriped lines and flowers flowing round and round. Just beautiful.

We have one sitting on a stand in our living room. I noticed a few weeks ago that the light hits it just right at 5 pm everyday. Over the course of a few minutes if transforms from a small sculpture sitting to a light enveloped glowing ember. It looks like the light is coming from within. Pure Magic..

daily desktop - winter losses

2010-03-17T16:39:00.002-04:00

daily desktop - winter losses, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

The thin line of connection

2010-03-16T16:57:00.001-04:00

The thin line of connection, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

Isn't funny how you sometimes find gems in things set aside for the trash? This is an outtake from an illustration job from last year. It was going to be dumped then a sneak peek rescued it. I've been itching to do a lot more by hand lately. I'm taking this as a sign :)

I'll start posting actual work again soon, I promise!

daily desktop- the fifth lesson..

2010-03-16T16:27:00.001-04:00

the fifth lesson.., originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

Illustration cutouts

2010-03-16T16:12:00.001-04:00

ny times illo 3-14-10, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

New illustration for the NY Times - week in review cover

2010-03-14T00:38:00.001-05:00

in context right here. Thank you every so much Kelly! I'll post pics of the cover itself tomorrow...

languid tulips

2010-03-11T07:36:00.002-05:00

languid tulips, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

It's warm again today! Spring is here.. I'm hoping for flowers blooming soon...

Daily Desktop 5- these bright shining boys

2010-03-10T13:38:00.001-05:00

Daily Desktop 5- these bright shining boys, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

Spring Bursting forward.

2010-03-10T08:57:00.001-05:00

I just came across this on Etsy this morning. It's really lovely isn't it? At first I thought it was a quilt (imagine waking up to that every day.. glorious!) and then found that it is a paper collage.

I absolutely love it!

Kelly Lynette is the artist and her shop is Box64studios.

daily desktop 4

2010-03-09T23:55:00.002-05:00

daily desktop 4, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

Thank you Andy Dufek, where ever you are.

daily desktop 3

2010-03-09T23:54:00.001-05:00

daily desktop 3, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

daily desktop 2

2010-03-09T23:53:00.001-05:00

daily desktop 2, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

daily desktop 1

2010-03-09T23:52:00.001-05:00

daily desktop 1, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

The two boys

2010-03-09T11:42:00.003-05:00

The two boys, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

A few years ago, on a trip to an amusement park, I witnessed one of the most amazing things:

A little boy walked into the Chimpanzee viewing area wearing a chimp mask that could be bought just a few feet away from the exhibit. He walked to the window to peek in and immediately a young chimp ran over to the glass wall, seemingly quite upset about the boy being there. He was jumping up and down and yelling, calling over the others.

Soon 4 chimps were at the window, very disturbed by the apparent escapee on the other side. It was upsetting to watch the process of them figuring out that they weren't looking at a chimp but something .. else.

Eventually the older animals left to return to their previous spots in the exhibit, leaving the lone young chimp. He was transfixed, as was the human boy. I took the picture then, as they were staring into each others eyes. Making some sort of connection that, I'm sure, will last both of their lives.

The BEST Envelopes

2010-03-08T08:52:00.006-05:00

The BEST Envelopes, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

M. Yagoobian swears by these envelopes. And he left a hidden letter to prove it.

I love it.. and love the name. These were found at the closing sale of an old printshop a while back. I had the good fortune to not only buy boxes of these, but also to have a tour of the printshop by the man who opened it nearly 70 years ago. I fell in love with printing that day. With the details, with the sense of tradition, with the knowledge that you are working in a process that has been around for centuries and has changed the world with it's presence. The written and printed word is alive and well, even if it is sometimes hidden in the things we find around us everyday.

Thanks for the letter of certainty Mr. Yagoobian.

Specimen No. 10

2010-03-08T00:12:00.006-05:00

Specimen No. 10, originally uploaded by Jen Renninger.

Once upon a time I used to take pictures all the time. These days it's not uncommon to go months without touching a camera. Today though, I noticed that our garage has great light. Beautiful, soft box light. So I grabbed some things from a table in our dining room and began to shoot. One quick hour and I was reminded again that I love LOVE LOVE photography.

ps- the lovely teardrop shaped bowls were made and designed by the incredibly talented Asya for her shop Gleena, which you can find right here.

Current Colors

2010-03-05T15:24:00.003-05:00

I've been painting a lot lately.
Nothing to show just yet, but I thought the way the paint looked on the palettes was fairly lovely.

Have you ever seen such lovely smiles?

2009-12-10T11:48:00.003-05:00

I'm interrupting our regularly scheduled pictures with a charming bit of life.. enjoy!

Fifty People, One Question: New York from Fifty People, One Question

swoon

2009-09-22T08:10:00.002-04:00

Its been a busy few days around here. I'd like to thank everyone who came by Etsy while I was a featured seller. Your notes were all SO kind! How could I not be smitten... ?

Thank YOU!

Metamorphosis

2009-09-16T14:40:00.000-04:00

think of this every minute

2009-09-16T14:31:00.000-04:00

beauty as far as the eye can see

2009-09-16T14:30:00.000-04:00

happiness in color

2009-09-16T14:29:00.000-04:00

you are lovely

2009-09-16T14:17:00.000-04:00

What will you make today?

2009-01-15T23:36:00.000-05:00

I wrote about "The beckoning of Lovely" last week. I think it might be my favorite find so far this year...

Today is the deadline to get involved and the video above is how it all started.
It's simple and lovely and makes me wonder:

What will I make today?

What will YOU make today?

Le Love. Because we can all use more love in our lives.

2009-01-14T00:42:00.000-05:00

Le Love is an amazing blog devoted simply to l o v e.

With small snippets of text and filled with images of soft intimate images you will always leave with a smile on your face, a light glow of love around you , and the urge to kiss someone.

Now, Go + be smitten!

Lets Make Something together!

2009-01-05T02:53:00.000-05:00

I came across this on Penelope Dulligans blog and fell in love. It might be impossible to watch it and not smile.

For more info on the project visit The Beckoning of Lovely

To see how it started take a look here.

ps- It makes me want to move to Chicago too...!

Old school roughs

2008-08-13T19:28:00.000-04:00

Old School A

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Old School C

2008-08-13T19:19:00.001-04:00

Old School B

2008-08-13T19:19:00.000-04:00

Old School D

2008-08-13T19:18:00.000-04:00

Old School F

2008-08-13T19:13:00.000-04:00

Pure Joy : photos by Brown Cannon lll

2008-08-12T08:06:00.005-04:00

My earliest memories involve water.
The shore for the summer. My Grandfather teaching me to be
comfortable in the ocean.

I go to the beach once a week, for a few hours.
In the water the world settles and quiets
and the day is exchanged for some timeless moment
that could be 30 years or 3 days ago.

For me it's pure joy.
Find some of your own
right here, with Brown Cannon lll.

via Daily Candy, of all places!

2008-08-04T11:55:00.000-04:00

OK, I am a sap. There. I said it.

2008-07-23T17:19:00.000-04:00

More info here

Thank You!

2008-07-07T11:14:00.003-04:00

Over the past few days a bunch of nice people have
taken the time to post about a few of my new prints:

Thank You SO MUCH!

Urban Outfitters, PoppyTalk, More Ways to Waste Time + Bloesem.

New Prints are up in the shop!

2008-07-02T08:51:00.003-04:00

Stop by for a look-see!

I found More hearts out there!

2008-07-01T16:27:00.003-04:00

I just came across this wonderful video on the Uppercase Blog.

Beau is a designer and this is his presentation to Ideo. He has a lot of heart..

The lost hearts

2008-07-01T06:43:00.004-04:00

On my 365 blog I have a visitor map that shows a heart whenever
someone visits my blog. I Love it! Those little hearts blink in unison
when people are actively on the blog
and then
leave little heart remnants
after they've gone.

Then one day last week a server went down and
those little hearts were gone. Just like that. Pooof.

And the world looks empty again.

sigh.

You can read my original post about the maps here

2008-06-26T17:26:00.000-04:00

2008-06-25T16:02:00.000-04:00

Inspirations.. I came across this today and was so inspired! I'm only adding in the first 12 but if you follow the link there are around 40 and each is well worth the read. It's the perfect companion for anyone trying to be creative each and every day!

An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth by Bruce Mau

Written in 1998, the Incomplete Manifesto is an articulation of statements exemplifying Bruce Mau’s beliefs,strategies and motivations. Collectively, they are how we approach every project

Allow events to change you.You have to be willing to grow. Growth is different from something that happens to you. You produce it. You live it. The prerequisites for growth: the openness to experience events and the willingness to be changed by them.

Forget about good.Good is a known quantity. Good is what we all agree on. Growth is not necessarily good. Growth is an exploration of unlit recesses that may or may not yield to our research. As long as you stick to good you'll never have real growth.

Process is more important than outcome.When the outcome drives the process we will only ever go to where we've already been. If process drives outcome we may not know where we’re going, but we will know we want to be there.

Love your experiments (as you would an ugly child).Joy is the engine of growth. Exploit the liberty in casting your work as beautiful experiments, iterations, attempts, trials, and errors. Take the long view and allow yourself the fun of failure every day.

Go deep.The deeper you go the more likely you will discover something of value.

Capture accidents.The wrong answer is the right answer in search of a different question. Collect wrong answers as part of the process. Ask different questions.

Study.A studio is a place of study. Use the necessity of production as an excuse to study. Everyone will benefit.

Drift.Allow yourself to wander aimlessly. Explore adjacencies. Lack judgment. Postpone criticism.

Begin anywhere.John Cage tells us that not knowing where to begin is a common form of paralysis. His advice: begin anywhere.

Everyone is a leader.Growth happens. Whenever it does, allow it to emerge. Learn to follow when it makes sense. Let anyone lead.

Harvest ideas.Edit applications. Ideas need a dynamic, fluid, generous environment to sustain life. Applications, on the other hand, benefit from critical rigor. Produce a high ratio of ideas to applications.

Keep moving.The market and its operations have a tendency to reinforce success. Resist it. Allow failure and migration to be part of your practice.

hi there..

2008-06-23T11:35:00.000-04:00

I've got a ton of new things to post this week, just have to process all the images. One quick question though: I've been thinking about writing a little about the intent behind some of the images. Is anyone interested in hearing about them in addition to seeing them? Or would you all rather just see them as a gallery of pictures? Let me know either way.. I'd love to know what you guys think!

Have a great day!

Jen

2008-06-23T11:00:00.000-04:00

In the sky..

2008-06-04T08:18:00.000-04:00

We were at a birthday party / picnic this weekend.
The seagulls arrived just in time for a photo op.
Those silly birds were trying to outdo the Birthday girl!

2008-05-19T10:31:00.000-04:00

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color my walls..

2008-05-16T07:49:00.002-04:00

The lovely Kelly from the much loved Paper Stories shop always has some of the best things:
If you've never had the pleasure of seeing her work first hand,
I can't stress enough how beautiful it is.

These are some of my favorites..
Paint chips letterpressed with beautiful modern room silhouettes.
They even come matted and signed! So lovely.

On my desk.. and in the studio.

2008-05-16T07:35:00.003-04:00

Linzie Hunter (illustrator extrodinaire!) has a wonderful blog
that invites other creatives to share whats on their desk and in their studio.

It's called, appropriately enough: On My Desk.

My little spot was listed this week.
You should go and see all the other lovely places too!

This past weekend..

2008-05-14T12:46:00.008-04:00

Barley wanted to go swimming

so we filled up the tub

and he prepared the toys.

to collect.

and watch.

and contemplate.

and gather - even underwater.

it's so exciting.

that he has to bark.

loudly!!

and celebrate

even on his back!!

The End!

breaking down walls..

2008-04-25T01:15:00.000-04:00

we've all heard this.. But I like seeing this version so much better!

2008-04-23T10:20:00.000-04:00

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2008-04-22T10:27:00.000-04:00

Just Lovely

2008-04-22T03:03:00.000-04:00

irregular flow from 4khz on Vimeo.

Via Carolina Eclectic

2008-04-21T10:28:00.000-04:00

best advertisment around.

2008-04-20T23:33:00.000-04:00

I {heart} Miranda July.

I love the whole world

2008-04-20T21:23:00.003-04:00

via swissmiss

Yesterday..

2008-04-19T08:50:00.004-04:00

This was the beginning of the drawing I was working on yesterday.
I held it up to my face, to show Bill .. and then he snapped this unusual picture.

Color

2008-04-16T08:38:00.006-04:00

I've been painting a lot lately..
These are some shots of the egg crates I use to rinse my brushes in.
They might be nicer than the actual paintings. hmmm.

New updates on 365 later today. Stop by if you have a chance.

The Last of the Oatmeal Days..

2008-04-14T09:22:00.004-04:00

It's cold here today, at least by April in Florida standards.
Right now, this very minute it feels like it's 64 degrees.

Thats unheard of this time of year!!

If thats not inspiration enough to paint, I don't know what is.

Updates to 365 happened over the weekend. More later today.

2008-04-12T23:47:00.000-04:00

2008-04-12T22:17:00.000-04:00

2008-04-12T19:51:00.000-04:00

2008-04-12T18:41:00.000-04:00

Lovely Lies...

2008-04-08T15:10:00.000-04:00

LIES I'VE TOLD MY 3 YEAR OLD RECENTLY by Raul Gutierrez

Trees talk to each other at night.
All fish are named either Lorna or Jack.
Before your eyeballs fall out from watching too much TV, they get very loose.
Tiny bears live in drain pipes.
If you are very very quiet you can hear the clouds rub against the sky.
The moon and the sun had a fight a long time ago.
Everyone knows at least one secret language.
When nobody is looking, I can fly.
We are all held together by invisible threads.
Books get lonely too.
Sadness can be eaten.
I will always be there.

via SwissMiss

Black Sun..

2008-04-07T16:13:00.000-04:00

"During spring in Denmark, at approximately one half an hour before sunset, flocks of more than a million European starlings (sturnus vulgaris) gather from all corners to join in the incredible formations shown above. This phenomenon is called Black Sun (in Denmark), and can be witnessed in early spring throughout the marshlands of western Denmark, from March through to the middle of April. The starlings migrate from the south and spend the day in the meadows gathering food, sleeping in the reeds during the night. The best place to view this amazing aerial dance is in the place called "Tøndermarsken," where these pictures were taken (on April 5 from 19.30 to 20.30 local time). "

Via Earth Science Picture of the Day

photo by Bjarne Winkler

Lately..

2008-04-03T10:36:00.000-04:00

I've had water on my mind.
Waves and salt and the way your feet feel after walking along the shore.

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