SNS Rides Again!

We made it to the Shore and back! I for one did not think a strong ride was going to be possible this year (my doubt stemmed from my whopping total of two 10 mile training rides ALL YEAR)...but then I went and posted my best time ever. Neat.

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate each member of Team Screens 'N' Spokes for your hard work and tenacity. You are awesome.

UPDATE: Jay Ryan and Dan McCarthy Collaboration

Good morning,

I wanted to post a follow up to our sale yesterday. The response was overwhelming, and the Jay Ryan and Dan McCarthy Collaboration Print sold out in literally minutes.

We will be responding to absolutely everyone who emailed us (if we have not already), but I am confirming exactly what we have left. There are a couple more people who qualified to purchase, and they'll be getting emails today. Also, as I had mentioned in the original sale details, we are going to reserve 1-2 copies to auction off based on the overwhelming response we received. Details will be posted in the next couple days.

Like I said, we will be contacting everyone who emailed us, but please be patient, I've got a full day ahead of me, but you'll hear something from us later today if you haven't already.

Thank you all so much for the support yesterday, between this on-sale and sales on our etsy shop it was a huge day for us.

2010 Screens 'N' Spokes On-Sale Information

After an awesome opening night, I'm happy to announce that the 2010 Screens 'N' Spokes prints will be going on sale today, Monday, September 13.

General On-Sale Information

Throughout the day we'll be adding the new prints to our Etsy Shop, so if you don't see one of the new prints there, just give it a little time, and by the evening they should all be up there.

There is one print that will not currently be sold through Etsy.

Jay Ryan/Dan McCarthy Collaboration On-Sale Information (9/13, 12:00 PM EST)

This stunning collaborative print will be sold via an email queue on Monday, September 13. The prints will be available first-come, first-served (based on the time of each email) depending on the number of prints that are available following the show opening. To purchase the Ryan/McCarthy Collaboration please email screensnspokes@gmail.com, with your name and mailing address at 12:00 PM EST, Monday, Sept 13. The price will be $150+shipping. 1 Per Customer.

We sincerely hope that this time will work for most interested parties, however, we understand that it may not work for all. Should the prints sell out rapidly, we will reserve 2 copies to auction off, to allow anyone who missed the original on-sale the opportunity to purchase a print.

Additional information on the Jay Ryan/Dan McCarthy Collaboration:

The prints are signed by both Jay Ryan and Dan McCarthy, and numbered out of an edition of 50. The print is 18x24, and the blues are faintly metallic. As with all Screens 'N' Spokes prints, they were donated by the artists, and 100% of the proceeds go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Screens 'N' Spokes Opens Tonight!

The day has finally arrived! Screens 'N' Spokes opens tonight. We're still running around doing last minute errands (ie picking up beer and wine...), but the hours are counting down.

Screens 'N' Spokes Opening

Mugshots CoffeeHouse

21st and Fairmount

6:30-Close

As an added bonus (as though you guys needed more than the opportunity to hang out with us), we are offering the beautiful Jay Ryan/Dan McCarthy Collaborative prints at a one-night only price of $115 before they go on-sale to the general public. So come hang, grab a beverage, buy some awesome art prints, and help out a really great cause: The National MS Society.

Screens 'N' Spokes 2010 Print Preview - No. 4

Hello!

As promised, included within the confines of this post are previews of the final 5 2010 Screens 'N' Spokes prints. If I will allow myself to pat myself on the back for a second, this year's show may be our most diverse yet, and the final previews today really bring home that fact.

I know you're all anxious, so I'll just get right to the art.

1. Bobby Dixon has been collaborating for the past two years, but this is the first year you'll see his printed art. Last year we invited him to design our Screens 'N' Spokes Bike Team jerseys. He did an awesome job and we got a ton of compliments out on the road. We knew we needed him to design our jerseys again, but he wanted to raise the stakes and design a print of the show as well. The result is a bold composition that commemorates old-school cycling.

2. I mentioned diversity in styles earlier, and that was one of the reasons I was so excited to have Mat Daly participate last year. Mat is back again this year, and probably represents the most abstract artist in the series. Despite the abstract printing style though, Mat's work sends up lush landscapes that feel like something out of a memory.

3. Diana Sudyka is back for the first time since 2008. Bicycles have always played a major role in the daily life of Diana and her husband (and, oh yea, fellow S'N'S contributor Jay Ryan). This year Diana shares the tale of her beloved Banana Bike. I've also included a detail shot of the print, so you can see how the story was incorporated.

4. The Half and Half's second print in this year's show brings a completely different style. Nick, Sara and Thomas have experimented with designing in CMYK in the past (see S'N'S 2008), and this year they utilize the process for ghostly effects.

5. The final print, and I think one that a lot of people have been waiting for, is the collaboration between Jay Ryan and Dan McCarthy. When I first introduced the idea of collaborative prints I wasn't exactly sure what I had in mind. I wanted to let artists find partnerships that would really motivate them to create great work. When Jay suggested working with Dan, I was immediately thrilled. I had wanted to get Dan involved since the very beginning, having been a huge fan of his iconic print of the month club. Still, I wasn't sure exactly how their wildly different styles would blend together. But they definitely achieved it. Those McCarthy trees really set the scene, while Jay's night riders bring a story to life.

And that closes out the 2010 Print Series. Well, in preview form only. If you've purchased our prints before you know they really come to life when you see them in person. So I encourage anyone who can to come to ourOpening, this Saturday, 6:30 at Mugshots Coffee (21st and Fairmount) in Philadelphia.

For those of you who cannot join us, fear not. All 2010 Screens 'N' Spokes prints will be available starting Monday, September 13. We'll send out a price list and any and all ordering directions on Friday.

Thanks for following along and thanks for all of your support. It's always a lot of fun for us to unveil the show to you folks. As always, if you have any questions at all, shoot us an email.

Very Best,

Sam

Screens 'N' Spokes 2010 Print Preview - No. 3

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

I hope everyone is enjoying their last summer weekend. Down here in North Carolina I don't think the heat is going anywhere, but sadly classes for us start on Monday.

Just a little reminder...

Screens 'N' Spokes 2010 Opens Next Saturday, Sept 11 at Mugshots CoffeeHouse!

The show is being hung tomorrow evening, and if you'd like an in-person preview by all means check out Mugshots this week. The Opening will be next Saturday, starting at 6:30 PM. We'll have snacks and drinks, and yes lots of prints. If anyone has been to our openings before, you know this is the best time to purchase framed and unframed prints in person. We will primarily be selling 2010 prints, but will also have select prints from previous years with us as well.

That said, you still haven't see all the great prints this year, so allow me to preview 5 more for you, right now!

1. Last week I showed you one half of Cricket Press' contribution to Screens 'N' Spokes, and today you'll see the other half. Brian Turner has been a long-time contributor to S'N'S, designing prints in '07-'08 as well as designing our jerseys those two years as well. For those of us whose bikes are less transportation and more in-house (or apartment) statues, this one is for us.

2. A newcomer to Screens 'N' Spokes family, Justin Helton and his Status Serigraph studio has been pumping out fantastic posters for the past 5 years. Recently he's memorialized gigs for bands like Phish, Wilco and the Avett Brothers. In his S'N'S debut, Justin gives us a seriously sweet cruiser.

3. Columbia, South Carolina's The Half and Half have supported Screens 'N' Spokes from the beginning. Like Cricket Press, they are upping the ante this year with two excellent, and completely different prints. Today I'll preview one of them. Everyone knows riding in the rain is rarely fun, but sometimes you just have to break out your umbrella and keep on moving.

4. I've got two Collaborations to share today. The first comes from officemates Kevin Mercer of Largemammal and Dan Judge. This print feels like Mercer's style, but with Judge's flair for color, and as Dan told me: "Two bikes for two guys."

5. Our second collaboration comes from previous S'N'S contributor Mike Munter and his recent partner Jessi Preston. Mike always ties his Screens 'N' Spokes prints to the ride, and has done so again with Ed Roth style caricatures of Philadelphia forefather Ben Franklin and, well... the Devil.

We've got 5 more prints to go, including a fantastic collaboration from Jay Ryan and Dan McCarthy. That'll be coming at you right after you get back from your fabulous Holiday Weekend.

Screens 'N' Spokes 2010 Print Preview - No. 2

We're back with the second installment of previews from our 2010 Screens 'N' Spokes show. Today I've got 5 totally new prints to share with you including a crazy collaboration between old Philly favorites Tim Gough and Greg Pizzoli.

1. John Vogl, the crafty and creative mind behind The Bungaloo joins Screens 'N' Spokes for the second straight year. Fresh off a turn on the Tiny Showcase, John has given us what looks to me like the yeti as a commuter biker. I love the little birdie on his shoulder.

2. Dan Khulken and Nathan Goldman, aka DKNG Studios, collaborate daily on everything from websites and packaging to incredible gig posters. In fact, they've been the resident poster artists at the world famous Troubadour in Hollywood, CA since 2007. For Screens 'N' Spokes, they've interpreted the City and the Shore of our Bike MS ride as a crisply rendered road bike and cruiser.

3. Cricket Press has designed awesome prints for Screens 'N' Spokes in the past, but we've always worked with Brian. This year, Brian and his creative partner/wife Sara both decided to get into the fun. Today I'm showcasing Sara's really beautiful print. The light from the fort really feels like it's glowing, leaving you to create the story of what's going on inside. It has youthful fun written all over it.

4. Adam Turman has been crafting his illustration skills through screen-printed gig posters since at least 2003. His two favorite subjects? Bikes and beautiful women, so he was a natural fit for Screens 'N' Spokes. For his first S'N'S print, he combined the two subject matters in a print that could easily commemorate the MS Society's other major bike ride: the PA Dutch ride.

5. Back in 2007, Greg Pizzoli and Tim Gough met for the first time at our inaugural opening. They had both been printing in Philadelphia and had exchanged admiring emails, but hadn't yet met in person. Fast forward four years and they're opening a joint show in mid-September. When we announced that we were interested in collaborative prints this year, they were a natural fit. Their 2010 Screens 'N' Spokes print is a completely hand-rendered wonderland.

I hope you've enjoyed the previews thus far. We still have 10 more prints to unveil before our Opening Night on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Mugshots CoffeeHouse.

Screens 'N' Spokes 2010 Print Preview - No. 1

With the 2010 Screens 'N' Spokes Show opening in 2 weeks (holy cow!), it's the time of the year when we preview for you our latest crop of inspired, and inspiring, prints. In 2007 I wasn't sure if Screens 'N' Spokes would continue past that initial show, four years later, I'm happy to say I think we've hit our stride. This year we'll be presenting to you 20 prints from old friends and new.

We'll preview the show for you in 4 easily digestible installments, all leading up to our opening at Mugshots CoffeeHouse in Philadelphia on Saturday, September 11.

1. Judge is one of only a couple artists who have been with S'N'S from the very beginning. She's developed quite a portfolio of ocean-scapes over the past three years, and this year's entry continues the trend.

2. Mark Forsman may just be entering his senior year of college, but he's already built up an extremely impressive portfolio of art prints and gig posters for the likes of OK GO, The Tallest Man on Earth and The Appleseed Cast. Mark's first Screens 'N' Spokes print in 2008 has been long sold out, and this one may go pretty fast as well. Thank goodness we don't need to navigate any mountains like this on our our City to Shore ride.

3. Now that Jess and I have relocated down to North Carolina, it was important for me to include some local talent. Chris Williams, who prints under the Plastic Flame Press moniker, is my favorite poster designer in the area. His style combines playful illustrations with handmade edge and can be seen advertising upcoming shows all around town.

4. Rich Kelly's unique illustration style immediately caught my eye when posters for Yeasayer and The Mountain Goats popped up on the internet. For his first S'N'S print, Rich chose to immortalize the legendary Marshall "Major" Taylor, who won the world one-mile track cycling championship in 1899 and became the first African-American world champion.

5. This year we are also featuring 5 collaboration prints. The first we'll preview is by the duo of Gina Kelly and Justin Santora. Gina paid a visit to Justin's studio last month during a visit back to the States. The outcome is a subtle yet beautiful print that melds both of their styles seamlessly. This is the Lemuel Gulliver of Bicycles.

We'll be back tomorrow with another five prints for your viewing pleasure.

Epic! 8 states in 8 days for MS!

Hey everyone,

We're working feverishly to bring you the 2010 SNS show, and will start previewing each print shortly. In the meantime, I wanted to let you know how teammate Ian has been preparing for the City to Shore Ride.

Ian joined the MS Great 8 Foundation, a group of 10 riders that rode through 8 states in 8 days and with the goal of raising $100,000 to fight MS. Despite the August heat, the ride went on, and the team successfully made it from Washington, DC to Plymouth, MA.

You can read Ian's story here: http://iansmsgreat8ride.blogspot.com/

And find out more about the MS Great 8 Foundation here: http://www.msgreat8.org/MSGreat-8/Home/Home.html

It's the most wonderful time of the year

No, no. It's not that time of the year, far too hot and muggy for holiday cheer. But it is the time of the year when we start receiving all of the new prints. I reached our HQ this afternoon to find 9 fantastic new prints waiting for me (with still many more to come). Honestly, it's like Christmas morning or the first night of Hanukkah (or insert your own metaphor), tearing open serious packaging to see what our old (and new) friends have put together this year.

Over the next three days I'll be organizing our inventory, working on show details, and framing these new beauties for our upcoming show at Mugshots on September 11. More importantly though, we'll begin officially previewing this year's crop of prints on Wednesday, with weekly previews to follow.

Back to the S'N'S cave for me, but I'll check back in shortly.

PS - In case you haven't been by our Etsy Shop recently, until our 2010 prints are in the store, we're offering a bonus print (selected by us) with every order!

Bike MS celebrates the big 3-0!

Join the Screens 'N' Spokes bike team today! The finest cycling team around, for all levels, shapes, and sizes. Riding to Ocean City and back on September 25 and 36, 2010.

Can't make it? Won't you consider making a donation in support of our work?

And check out Bike MS as it gears up for its 30th year as the premiere biking event in the Delaware Valley.

PS....The SNS 2010 prints are coming soon! Watch this space.

S'N'S Teammates training like pros

Last week, Screens 'N' Spokes teammates Ian Harris and Barney Leonard rode one circuit (approx 15 miles) of the Philadelphia International Bike Race. The pros do this 10 times at much higher speeds!

"We set off at 7.15 am and had the opportunity to feel like a pro racer. There were barriers protecting all the intersections and some early spectators were ringing cow bells particularly at Manyunk Wall. The air was cool as we set out in the morning for what was going to be a steamy 90+ degree day.

The shotgun went off and all the amateur riders spurted forward. It was an easy flat ride along Kelly Drive and Schuylkill River into Manayunk. Then came the big challenge – the famous wall! We cycled with utmost focus for about 10 mins up the wall and into the narrowing ‘tower’, standing up and feeling our thighs burn to make it all the way up without stopping. Key was to avoid falling riders. Relieved at the top we then had a glorious ride on Ridge Ave downhill to the Schuylkill River. However, some more hills snuck up on us. Finally we reached the finish in a total time of 45 mins.

After resting up a little we made our way to the start of the pro race at 9 am. Seeing these cyclists is truly amazing - their lithe bodies all in unison and a huge peloton that whizzes by in a flash. They started with 2 mini circuits to Logan Circle and then headed out to Manayunk. They rode for the next 6 hours.

All in all a great morning!"

With less than 4 months remaining until the 2010 City to Shore Ride, Ian, Barney and the rest of our squad will be shifting into high gear on training and fundraising.

A weekend filled with Flatstock in NYC

I'm back in NYC for the summer, and I'm thrilled about it because of weekends like the one starting tomorrow. If you are a fan of art, crafts, paper, screen printing, cool people, film or any combination thereof, this is a fantastic weekend for you. Take a look below for some awesome upcoming events.

Rock Paper Show book release party at The Strand

Friday, June 4 | 7:00-8:00 pm | The Strand - 828 Broadway, NYC

First up is a party for the newly released Rock Paper Show, a compilation of posters created for Flatstock, the American Poster Institute's ongoing rock-poster exhibition. The book was curated by Geoff Peveto, President of the API and partner in The Decoder Ring Design Concern (Screens 'N' Spokes 2009). Geoff will be on hand along with a bevy of other S'N'S favorites including strawberryluna (S'N'S '07-'08, '10), Hero Design (S'N'S '08-'09), Mat Daly (S'N'S '09-'10), Tara McPherson and Michael Michael Motorcycle. They'll be there to sign books and chat about the past and future of gig posters.

Renegade Craft Festival at McCarren Park

June 5-6 | 11am - 7pm | McCarren Park, Brooklyn

You might ask why all these great artists are in town, and the primary reason is the 6th annual Renegade Craft Festival which begins Saturday and runs through Sunday. Over 300 artists from all over the country will be converging on McCarren Park to sell there goods. You'll find printed matter, t-shirts, sculpture, carving, jewelry, knitting, and just about anything else you could think of.

Atlantic Avenue Art Walk

June 5-6 | Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn

Going on simultaneously to Renegade is the Atlantic Avenue Art Walk. Tons of artists will be opening up their studios this weekend. I'm not too familiar with most of the artists, but I highly recommend stopping by Axelle Fine Arts where you can see the work of Master Printer Luther Davis and his crew. I always find it awe-inspiring whenever I get to check it out.

Died Young Stayed Pretty - Brooklyn Premiere

June 5th | 7:30-11:30 pm | UNION DOCS, 322 Union Ave., Brooklyn

Finally, if you have had your fill of gig posters, check out the Brooklyn premiere of Died Young Stayed Pretty at UNION DOCS. The LA Weekly calls it "The Citizen Kane of underground rock poster art documentaries." So what's not to like??

I'll be trying to hit up most, if not all of these events, so say hi!

-Sam

The Heart of Etsy

“Life is like riding a bicycle.
To keep your balance you must keep moving.”
~Albert Einstein

Screens 'N' Spokes was featured yesterday on Wildblueberryink, in the weekly column "The Heart of Etsy."

In her post Shirley shares a poignant account of MS, through the eyes of a college freshman.

Give it a quick read. Sometimes we ride together, and other times...we need to ride alone. Either way, we inspire each other by as we gain momentum through uneven terrain.

-Jess

Ride Together

As we began to plan for Screens 'N' Spokes 2010 (our 4th year running), I wanted to introduce something new to the mix, something to change things up a bit. At the same time, I didn't want to mess with the formula too much.

I had a few faint thoughts floating around, tandem bicycles, teamwork, quotes from Lost (yes that Lost), when it hit me: Collaboration. I had long admired some really great collaborations between some of my personal favorite artists like Aaron Horkey and Emek, and the entire Decoder Ring Fine Art Print series. Collaborations can take the art in new directions, or bring out the finest in an artists' particular style.

So when Jess and I sent out our invitations this year, we gave artists the option, they could work alone, or, if the wanted, give the tandem bike a spin and collaborate with someone else.

Of course, not long after we announced our collaborative efforts, two awesome things were apeared. First was the incredibly exciting collaboration between Jay Ryan (Screens 'N' Spokes superstar) and the incredibly talented Aaron Horkey. The best part? They documented the entire print making process in painstaking detail (which can be seen here, skip over most of the comments though...). The final piece? A triumph of screen printing (25 screens!!!) and two distinct illustration styles coming together in a print aptly titled "Versus."

And then? Diana Sudyka (returning to Screens 'N' Spokes this year!) decided to give Jay a run for his money, joining the Decoder Ring for their latest fine art print. The art of "Taiga" is all Diana's, but it's been painstakingly printed by the DRDC wizards.

Needless to say, I'm looking forward to seeing what Screens 'N' Spokes artists will come up with this year. As previously announced, Jay Ryan will continue his highly collaborative year, working on a piece with the awesome Dan McCarthy. Officemates, and past S'N'S participants, Dan Judge and Kevin Mercer will be working together (after hours I hope). The ever growing Half and Half will be collaborate amongst themselves, and may work with one of our favorite West Coast artists. And that's just to name a few, not to mention the return of awesome, and awesomely talented, folks like Judge, Mat Daly, Cricket Press and strawberryluna, and new S'N'S friends like landland, Justin Helton, and Adam Turman, to name just a few.

Can you tell I'm excited?

A Weekend in Lausanne

Team Screens 'N' Spokes (well, just Sam and Jess) took a short trip to see these cyclists in Lausanne, Switzerland. Ok, not just to see them...Jess is working in Geneva for the summer and we spent the weekend in Lausanne for her birthday.

If you ever get the chance to get out here, definitely head to the Olympic Museum! It's awesome, totally up to date with lots of interactive stuff and tickets/medals/equipment/uniforms from all of the games.

We planned on riding around Lake Geneva in free bikes from Geneve Roule/Lausanne Roule...but unfortunately the weather did not cooperate. All the reason to plan another trip?

I hope the weather stateside has been ok - I've heard it's been cold! It's time to get that bike out and start riding into summer...the preparations for SNS 2010 are well underway!

SNS featured on ShopDomestica

Screens 'N' Spokes and other bike-themed art has been featured on the blog from the ladies at ShopDomestica, a new venture from Des Moines, Iowa. ShopDomestica is focused on super cool home and personal accessories - valuable pieces to spruce up your nest and adorn your bod.

Domestica's goal is to promote the value of handmade craftmanship, planting the seed of great design that's kind to the environment, kind to the artist, and kind to your pocketbook. Sounds good to us!

Check it out here: http://www.shopdomestica.com/blog/2010/3/9/biking-and-crafting.html

Move it!

Hi everyone,

Yesterday kicked off MS Awareness Week, and the energy is infectious! Screens 'N' Spokes is celebrating its 4th year as a mover and shaker as it engages a community of artists, cyclists, and young professionals in a cause that impacts so many of us.

This year, we are focusing on collaboration among our team: artists such as Jay Ryan and Dan McCarthy will be designing original prints TOGETHER exclusively for SNS. This is a rare occurrence, folks - so get stoked for September!

To get this week going, our amazing teammate Joanna Lopinto wanted to share her personal MS story and how it's made her even more kick-ass:

"I was diagnosed with MS when I was 26 years old, just months away from completing nursing school. At the time, I thought my life was over. I stopped doing triathlons, and didn't do much physical activity at all for the next 4 years. Finally, in 2008, I was tired of just donating to the MS City to Shore - I wanted to ride! I found Team Screens 'N' Spokes through a friend who had seen their prints, and managed to complete the one-day ride in 2008. In 2009 I rode both days (150 miles!) and it was HARD. I am very vocal about my diagnosis in all my athletic endeavors because I want to erase the stigma that having MS means being in a wheelchair. MS hasn't limited me - it's actually pushed me to do things I never thought I could."

We'd like to celebrate MS Awareness Week by learning how YOU are touched by MS. Many of you have friends or family members who live with this disease - how do they inspire you? Or you may have MS yourself. How has this experience changed your perspective?

Please send me YOUR STORY to share with the Screens 'N' Spokes community at screensnspokes@gmail.com. We're happy to make submissions anonymous - feel free to let me know!

We look forward to hearing from you this week,
Jess
Team SNS