I've been tweeting and chatting about this on the Fly FB fanpage but wanted to make sure I made a mention here.
Last year I was commissioned to illustrate an I Love My Hair Mother's Day card for Hallmark's Mahogany line, and last week the card finally hit stores. I've always been of the mind-set of keeping things to myself until they happen so I literally told about three people — which meant the excitement has been boiling up inside for the last six months.
I'm so very honored for this opportunity because:
1. who knew that a graduate thesis project would end up as inspiration for card product for the number one card retailer in the world?!
2. having worked at Hallmark (many years ago) I know how selective they are about choosing artists/illustrators to commission so the fact that they reached out for this opportunity blew me away, and
3. taking the writer's words and forming them into a 'fro of coils is a great way to celebrate natural hair!
I'm so happy with the final piece. I love how the message is highlighted in gold foil, and the heart shaped lips are in a fuschia foil. Then you open the card to a bright pop of color, a complimentary swirly type-face and some fun hand-lettered type for the main greeting "Happy Mother's Day." These were all decisions executed by the card designer.
If you'd like to support this collaboration you can purchase the cards at most Hallmark locations that sell the Mahogany line. The card is in the Mother's Day section under "sister."
