lello news

Hey gang, we stopped by Sparkhouse Kids not too long ago and snapped off a few photos of lello merchandise in the store. If you don’t know already, Sparkhouse Kids is an awesome toy store in South Orange, NJ that carries a wide range of unique toys, costumes, books, and other childrens’ products, including our favorite - playmobil! We’re proud to be among a small group of artists whose art is adorning the store walls. So if you’re in the area, stop by, and make sure to pick out a lello zebra, monkey and/or butterfly t-shirt or canvas :^)

On May 16, the lello gang packed up its wares and participated in the annual Springfield Avenue Mayfest to share a preview of our upcoming line of canvases. We’ve had a booth almost every year since our business was born, and it’s been fascinating to go along for the ride as the festival has grown and really found its groove. The Springfield Avenue Partnership deserves enormous props for pulling together an amazing assortment of activities for kids, diverse food options, and local merchants representing the impressive diversity our town has to offer. My wife came home with a stack of literature from new businesses that we can’t wait to learn more about - Parteaz tea parties for kids, Emily’s Acting Class (people keep telling us we should sign our son up for improv classes, so maybe there’s something to it?) and iLand Breeze Caribbean food.

Come hang with us on Sunday, May 16th at this year’s Maplewood MayFest. The Fest is on Springfield Avenue and starts at 11am. We’ll have plenty of kids tees with us in addition to new canvases that are almost dry and ready to be hung on your walls.

Hope to see you there!

6:23 is roughly the time that I arrive back in town each night. The train I take is perpetually late. I’m generally fried by the day’s onslaught of deliverables. And navigating the evening obstacle course, known as Penn Station, has left me on edge. So as you can imagine I was not in the best of moods as I walked up the hill to retrieve the truck for the last leg of my commute home.

But tonight’s drive home will be different. Tucked under the windshield wiper of the truck is a note from my son. It’s by far the best thing that’s happened to me all day. All negative feelings have melted away as I sit here writing this post. I’m happy and I can’t wait to get home and see my family.

It’s the little things you know :)

Earlier tonight I helped prep student artwork to be hung in this year’s Tuscan Elementary spring art show.  Along with Mary, Karen and JoEllen Petronzi (Tuscan’s art teacher) we started the arduous task of mounting, labeling and organizing roughly 900 works of art.  Sounds like fun right?  Actually, it was a blast!  I was seriously blown away by the talent, imagination and creativity of these kids and their teacher.  This is going to be one amazing show!  The following pictures highlight some of the kindergartner work.

If you can spare some time and want to get involved, I know JoEllen is looking for more help.  Give me a shout and I can get you in touch with the organizers.

Hey gang, it certainly has been awhile since our last post, but we’re still here and we’re still working all the time.

This year has been especially busy… in addition to new illustrations, cards, paintings, etc. I also decided to earn my certification to teach art in New Jersey public schools. So for the last 6 months I’ve been studying, taking classes and passing tests in my spare time to meet the State’s certification requirements. Well… last weekend I finally completed everything and submitted my paperwork to Trenton (Yah!). You may be wondering what I’m planning to do now, and where I’d like to teach. And I can look you in the eyes and honestly say… I have no idea! It’s a tough time to be starting out as a teacher these days with so many already qualified teachers out there losing jobs in NJ. I know I’m happiest when i’m teaching kids of any age, and I’ll consider myself lucky if things work out just about anywhere within commutable distance.

In the short term, I think I’ll take a little breather and focus on some paintings I’ve been wanting to complete. Maybe I’ll find that Zen place up in my studio (maybe not… it’s pretty messy). Now that I have some spare again, I’ll post a few more things that have been happening as of late. Until then, thanks for the continued support and I hope you’re all enjoying this beautiful spring weather!

Have a safe and happy holiday season! We’ll see you in 2010 with new art and fun.

Go easy on that Eggnog.

They’re on the way… hopefully we haven’t missed anyone. If you’d like one, shoot us an email and I’ll drop one in the mail.

Introducing our Snowy Night Puppy and Christmas Tree card sets just in time for the holidays.  Each set includes 8 fold-over cards with matching white envelopes. Cards measure 6 1/2″ x 4 3/4″ and are blank inside, perfect for you to add your own special message.

Christmas card sets are available for purchase from our Etsy store at:  www.etsy.com/shop/lello

The other day I gave my son Jackson a sketchbook and a red pen.  He’s at that age where he really likes to draw and he’s often asked me about the sketchbook I carry around, so i thought giving him is own book might be a fun gift.  I explained to him that he could draw and/or write anything in the book that he wanted… that it was his book to do with what he pleased.

Apparently this gift made quite the impression on him as he’s taken it to school with him every day.  Each night he shows me his days’ work.  When my wife went to pick him up from school yesterday, she found him drawing horses with a bunch of classmates gathered around watching.  Can’t say it doesn’t bring a smile to my face when I think about it.