52 Pieces Blog

The New 52 Prints Site Is Here!

It's been a long time coming, and the new 52prints site is up and running!  Besides the super cool new look of the site, I'm excited to share the following changes:

• All prints now come matted:
 
Yes, the scaling price model was for a limited time only, but now all prints come matted for a flat $75, regardless of the print number.

• Buy multiple prints at a time:

You can now add more than one print at a time to your shopping cart!

• Sale prints:

Occasionally, selected prints will go on sale for a limited time, so make sure you sign up for alerts to stay in the loop.

• Other sizes:

Each image is available in several sizes. The size offered on 52prints.com is a 7" x 7" image in an 8.5" x 11" archival mat.  The edition for this size is 100.

Other sizes are available as large giclees on canvas, in limited editions of 52.  I'll be posting more on this soon, but in the meantime if you are particularly interested in a larger print on canvas, let me know.

• Originals:

There are only three originals left from the 52 pieces project, and you can view them here.  I'll be working on larger original pieces throughout the year, and keep you posted on all the latest art. 

Check out the new 52 prints site to see all the developments.  Hope you are all enjoying the warm weather and approaching summer!

Time for Action

The recent catastrophic earthquake in Haiti is a tragedy of yet unknown proportions, afflicting a country in dire need to begin with.  There are many ways you can help, and I decided to dedicate a blog post to this urgent cause.

My future in-laws are from Port-au-Prince, and I feel compelled to do all I can to contribute to relief efforts as a blogger, artist, and human being.  Whether or not you have family or friends in Haiti, it's crucial we all unite to make a difference RIGHT NOW.  

I am honored to join in the Bloggers Day of Action for Haiti, a relief effort organized by the awesome blogger Jeanine Hays, author of AphroChic.  Art and design bloggers from all over the country are dedicating their posts to helping the people of Haiti.  In addition, Jeanine is conducting a charity auction on her website with items donated from fellow creatives, with 100% of the proceeds going towards Haiti earthquake relief.  You can read more about the Bloggers Day of Action in a recent article by Carolyn Rubenstein of the Huffington Post.

I'm excited to announce that I'm currently working on a piece of artwork inspired by Haiti for Jeanine's auction.  I will let you all know as soon as the piece is up for auction, and hope that you will all bid.

In the meantime, there are numerous ways you can contribute.  In our age of technology and social media outlets, it's easier than ever to make a donation.  

DONATE VIA TEXT:  It takes 5 seconds to do, and the charge is added to your next phone bill.  

Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.  

Or

Text "YELE" to 501501 to donate $5 to Haiti native Wyclef Jean's foundation, Yele Haiti.

DONATE VIA WEBSITE:  Make your donation online.

Red Cross

UNICEF

Yele Haiti

Partners In Health


DONATE VIA PHONE:  Pick up the phone and give.

American Red Cross:  1-800-257-7575


Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this information, and I hope you all find it in your hearts to help our dear neighbors in Haiti.

New Year's Countdown!

Hello friends,

I know it's been awhile and you've been missing your weekly piece of art!  There are two pieces left to wrap up the project, which I'll be posting this Sunday January 3rd and the next Sunday, January 10th.  

I've been a busy little bee... working hard on exciting new developments for 2010.  Of course, it's hard to focus during the holidays when you've got an abundance of family, friends, and food!  But I'm back to work, putting the finishing touches on an updated 52prints.com, as well as creating a new site featuring larger pieces of art.  

There's a lot to look forward to in 2010... Although I'll miss bringing you a new original every week, my energy will be focused on canvas prints of all the pieces to date, as well as new large originals.  Every artist has to mix it up, or you get stuck in a rut... and that's no way to start the new year!

Wishing you all a positive and creative 2010...

Renee

Update: Changes in the New Year

Hello art lovers,

With the new year comes a lot of new exciting changes for 52pieces and 52prints...

I will be putting the weekly paintings on hiatus at the end of 2009 in order to focus on expanding 52prints.  It's definitely been a challenge to create a painting a week, and I'm happy I was able to accomplish it for a year and a half.  Now it's time for me to concentrate on making the most out of all 78 paintings to date... this means a coffee table book, gift card sets, calendars, and more!  

For everyone who has asked about larger pieces, I'll now have time to work on big canvases.  Soon, there will be a special offshoot called 52Select, which will allow you to order your favorite image as a large giclee.  There will also be a commission request link, for clients to request custom original works of art.

Keep in mind, 52prints.com is currently undergoing changes which will be in effect by the end of this year.  All prints will increase to $75, and come matted... so scoop up your favorite prints while they're still under the scaling price model!

I'm looking forward to 2010 and sharing more affordable art with you... Thank you for taking this journey with me!

Aloha,

Renee

Time Change

Just a quick note to let you all know that I'm changing the posting time for original paintings from 11:52 p.m. to 10:52 p.m. (EST).  I'm trying to reset my clock and get to bed earlier, so the extra hour should make a big difference!

Important News!

Big changes coming to 52prints.com...

When it comes to scooping up affordable art at 52prints.com, have you been twiddling your thumbs?  Well, don't wait for long because our pricing model will be changing in the near future.  Here's what we have planned for the site:

• All "archived" images (prints on the browse page) will increase to $75 each, for any print number

• All archived prints will now only come matted

• Each week, the new featured print will be on sale for only one week using the scaling price model (print #1 for $1, print #2 for $2, etc). 

• After the initial week that the image makes its debut, the print will go into the archives for $75, and a new print will be on sale in its place

• New shopping cart will allow you to buy more than one print at a time

We want to give our loyal customers plenty of advance notice to browse the archives before the price increases.  There are still low numbers on many of the prints... decorate your home or office, buy a print as an investment, or give someone the gift of art.

We'll send out a final reminder before the new prices go into effect.  Happy shopping!

52 Pieces!

A message from the artist:

It's officially here... the one year anniversary of when 52 Pieces began!  I started this endeavor in July of 2008, and steadily created a painting a week, sometimes just barely meeting my Sunday 11:52 p.m. deadline. Those of you who have followed my progress have seen a year's worth of changing themes-- cows, flowers, fruit, fish, portraits, horses, Hana-Maui, surfing, collage works, and palm trees. 

52 Pieces began with one VISION, art for everyone.  I've been able to share my affordable art line with people across the globe, making the vision into a reality.  Isn't it nice to hang something pretty on the wall without breaking the bank? 

Also, this year was noteworthy because we launched 52 Pieces' sister site, 52 Prints.  I love the idea of having every piece available as a limited edition print, and a super affordable print is even better!  Somehow I managed to put down my paintbrush and fill print orders in between creating each week's piece... it's been a balancing act but I'm doing what I love, so no complaints!

I'm looking forward to creating 52 more pieces, and having you all along for the ride.  I have a lot in store for this next year... I'll be working on expanding the 52 project with some exciting new ideas, as well as squeezing in some larger commission paintings for those people interested in my other artwork.

I've made so many friends (virtual & face-to-face) on this journey, and thank you all for your support, encouragement, and interest.  52 Pieces wouldn't be where it is today (over 10,000 page views, which is a big deal for lil' ol' me) without word of mouth, so please keep talkin'!  There are multiple ways to share a piece with a friend... for instance, links to "Email this" or "Share on Facebook" are underneath each image on 52 Pieces.  I can't do it without you!

*Cheers* to another 52...

~Renee

p.s.  Check out the anniversary video below!

Calling All Collectors!

Hey collectors... we know you love your affordable art, and we have a favor to ask.

Do you have your art from 52prints.com or 52pieces.com displayed with pride on the wall?  Take a picture!  We're setting up a special page to showcase what our collectors have done with their art.  Here's what we need from you (it's super easy):

1.  A photo of the art in your home or business

2.  Your first name

3.  Your city & state

4.  A few words about your piece (optional)

That's it!  Email the info to us (renee at 52pieces.com) and we'll include you on our showcase page...  keep collecting & show off your art!

Check out what Marti sent us below:
 
"Rose Song"  -Marti, Lahaina, HI

Give the Gift of Art

Out of wall space?

Don't know what to give someone for a special occasion?

We're pleased to announce our new gift wrapping feature at 52prints.com!  Now any print can be gift wrapped and sent with a personalized card for just $6.

Art truly is the gift that keeps on giving-- it doesn't wither away like flowers, or put on unwelcome calories like chocolate!  Selecting a limited edition print from 52prints.com shows you put thought and creativity into your gift, and your recipient will enjoy a high quality piece of art that will last a lifetime.

Give the gift of art for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or Mother's Day (which is right around the corner!)  Browse our selection of prints here...  The gift wrap option is available during checkout.

Happy gifting!

Have your print gift-wrapped and sent with a card for any occasion.  Prints are wrapped in a neutral green wrapping paper with a gold ribbon, and accompanied by a 52 Pieces greeting card.  Card image will vary.

Get A Gig

This ugly economy has affected just about everyone, and it seems like no job is "secure" anymore.  It's tough out there folks.  But believe it or not, some companies are still hiring, and it helps to think outside the box.  If you're an artist, musician, photographer, illustrator, designer, or otherwise creatively inclined, we've got an ever-changing list of interesting jobs, er...gigs, in those fields.  Search all over the U.S.A. for part-time work, full-time employment, contract, or paid internships.

Also, if you're an employer looking to post a gig, you can do so here.

Because no artist should be a starving artist:  www.52gigs.com