aRtSVP
aRtSVP is a collaborative art project in which I send greeting cards I’ve made—mixed-media, analog collage, and embroidery on paper using handspun yarn—to artists, makers, crafters, designers, and/or generally rad people for them to respond to. Each correspondent fills the interior of the card with something entirely and thrillingly unique. I could not have imagined how amazing these artworks would be, and I am unendingly grateful to these incredible collaborators. ALL THE POSITIVE ADJECTIVES!
P.S. All the artists wrote their own fantastic and clever bios.
Christina Grushkin has been immersed in the video game industry for two decades, fueled by a passion for creative freedom. From a young age, her love for art served as her escape, where she'd breathe life into her stories through illustrations, inspired by the likes of Bob Ross. Recently, Christina embarked on a project close to her heart, paying homage to Marie with a bumblebee creation. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant watercolors of Little Heart Creates (Chitha Shaan), Christina ventured into the world of watercoloring, guided by online tutorials and lessons from her mother-in-law. While mastering watercolors proved challenging, Christina's determination shone through as she recreated the intricate details of Chitha's bumblebee. Completing the piece with a touch of personal flair, Christina layered the bee atop faux flowers, culminating in a project she truly cherished.
Alexis Wong got her degree in architectural design at Berkeley. And while she no longer uses that degree for anything, she still likes to dabble in the skills she honed professionally doing things she’s loved since childhood including drawing and painting. While at Cal, (a place Marie also knows well!) professor Chip Sullivan’s layered watercolored technique for renderings became a peaceful meditation on top of stressful coursework and Alexis still practices it today. During the pandemic, she started creating sketches of her leftovers and random recipes while stuck inside. It probably helped her be less antsy. Marie’s original piece of art inspired a call and response akin to a reverse whale song—which resulted in the sea floor scene. Please note Chomp the Snail just trying to enjoy his lunch. Alexis lives in Portland with her partner and two pupperonis.
Roderick Quiros is a surgical oncologist (cancer surgeon) who lives in the Allentown/Bethlehem area of Pennsylvania, less than an hour's drive from Philadelphia. He has been on staff in the St. Luke's University Health Network and a clinical professor of surgery at Temple University Medical School since 2007. He spent most of his childhood in Texas and has known Marie since she was 8 years old, since his and her families were close friends and part of the local Filipino community in the small town of Borger in the Texas Panhandle. Roderick enjoys painting and drawing when time permits, but has other creative pursuits including music (piano, violin, guitar, bass), visiting museums, travel, and running. He and his wife Emily are parents to 3 lovely daughters, as well as two (mostly) well-behaved standard poodles.
Amanda McKenney is an AuDHD maker from Midcoast Maine running her crafty endeavors under the name Fueled By ADHD. She spends her days working for a software technology company (in the healthcare industry) and her nights petting all of the pretty fabric she wrangles into quilts, bags and other quilted items. Her love of fabric is behind everything she creates, but it’s the hyperfocus that keeps her making.
Ben Rosen is a professional silly billy who specializes in business doodles. He’s also over 6 feet tall. That’s about as tall as two koala bears stacked on top of one another! Anyway. No more writing in 3rd person: the inspiration for my card art comes from a childhood filled with video games and stickers. It was so much fun to take what Marie had done on the front of the cards and find the natural video game pairing that matched the vibes. 10/10 would do again.
Check out Ben’s Panic Projects.
Kaitlin Knapp is the artist behind Knapping Press, a shop that makes sustainable cards and artworks using antiquarian imagery and natural dyes (paints made from coffee beans, avocado skins, onion skins, and tea leaves).
In Marie’s piece, the essence of the mountains is captured through warm tones, shape, and form. The calm serenity of the forest draped in sunshine builds a mountainous landscape. To harness this meditation on nature, I used natural elements — plants (coffee beans) and minerals (graphite) — to also build an organic, contemplative scene. The smell of burnt coffee, rough texture of the painted scene, and smooth and shiny wavy line invite the senses to pause and reflect, and to just be.
Sue Carr writes:
I’ve always loved art and photography and with my background in science and finance, I found I was always focused on the details. The ability to see and focus on the details in nature are why I pursued a Certificate in Botanical Illustration after I retired. The program spoke to my love of nature and taught me how to capture some of the abundant natural beauty that surrounds me in Colorado. I especially enjoy using watercolor to express the elegance of plants, birds and other wildlife. The bohemian waxwings were a rare visitor to Colorado last year and I felt their visit needed to be recorded. The wildflowers were inspired by the beautiful bounty of wildflowers we enjoy in the summertime.
Mandy Jouan
Born from a love for Large Marge, Where's Waldo, and the fear of being stuck inside the McDonald's Playland Burger Jail at a really young age, Mandy has always been the eccentric one in her family. It suited her perfectly when she discovered and thrived in a career at LEGOLAND, where she currently serves as the Design Lead specializing in creating Minilands worldwide. Mandy takes pride in her childlike spirit, and believes she never grew up by her still having one baby tooth! Therefore, it felt natural for her to craft a childlike card for Marie. Drawing from her fond memories of spending time in libraries as a child and the sheer joy of stumbling upon an intact popup book, she went back to her roots of using simple markers, poster board, and the delight of unexpected discoveries.
Rex Kare is an artist and professor of art living in Dallas, TX. Dabbling in many mediums, from stained glass, to sculpture, Rex produces mostly commissioned works for public and private clients. So, when he gets a chance to collaborate with his sister, Marie, whom he has known since she was 0 years old (cuz she’s his sister), he jumps at the chance.