We’ve been so involved in different projects recently. Everything from redecorating the storefront to collaborating with other artists to designing new shirts and posters to conceptualizing a line of greeting cards. It’s been an overwhelmingly productive winter but we have so much more to do before we can share the screen printed fruits of our artistic labors.
Tristan silk screening some new Free Bird shirts
We have decided to switch our online store over to Etsy. Tristan has been amazing, he designed our blog and current online store but it has been nearly impossible to keep the online and in store inventory working together smoothly as we travel to shows and festivals and try to keep up with all our Pomplamoose orders. We have a couple interns lined up to come and help make this transition easier and in return we will help them refine their silk screening talents. We’re very excited to have our first batch of interns in the studio next month.
Ladies organic cotton shirts on display in the Mystery In Common storefront
One of our goals for this year is to have a new theme throughout the storefront each month. The theme for February is not so sublet or unique bit it’s beautiful all the same: connection and love.
Grace snaps a photo of recycled C&O menus in the Mystery In Common dressing room
The C&O restaurant was kind enough to give us their old paper menus to use. Elaine writes the new menu out in her beautiful, sculpted handwriting and photocopies the original onto thick, antique looking paper. These menus are too beautiful to be discarded. We also cut and folded extra poster paper from the French Paper Co and tied it all together with hot glue and ribbons. The result is a chaotic cloud of cuteness that has been a big hit with the little ones who wander into the store.
Recycled paper hearts and flags hang from ribbons around the Mystery In Common storefront for February
We also wanted to thank everyone who helped musician Wes Swing raise money through Kickstarter to produce his newest album Through A Fogged Glass. We saw a big jump in pledges after we mentioned him on the blog and through Facebook and Twitter and we wanted you to know your generosity did not go unnoticed!
A Mystery In Common celebrates handwritten and handmade ways to lift the winter spirits and spread some love
Wes Swing teamed up with Devon Sproule in early January for a dual CD relsease concert at The Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia. We were both so stoked when they asked us to design and print an edition of 50 posters for the show. Devon Sproule is one of my all time favorite musicians and being able to work with her was a real honor. Most of the posters were sold at the show but we kept a few to sell in the store. If you’re not in or around Charlottesville and want to buy a poster just send an email to orders (at) amysteryincommon (dot) com.
Devon Sproule & Wes Swing concert poster for their January 2011 CD release concert at The Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville, Va
We also printed some concert poster for Wes Swing and Nelly Kate’s performance at The Mockingbird. The poster was designed by Nelly Kate and we really love how they turned out and the energy between the contrasting colors.
Posters for Wes Swing and Nelly Kate's concert at The Mockingbird in Staunton, Va
We’re currently finishing up a limited edition tour poster for Wes Swing and we’ll be posting pictures and information about it in the next two weeks. It’s really been a pleasure working with Wes and we hope we’ll have more opportunities in the future to collaborate with him.
Alp of Budala Pottery in the Mystery In Common studio
Another collaboration we were very excited about this month was with the local potter Alp Işın of Budala Pottery. His work stands apart through his precise execution of small details and unusual angels and his glazes bring an unique aesthetic to life.
Fractal formations design by Alp of Budala Pottery and printed by A Mystery In Common
Fractals and crystal formations are repeated themes throughout his pottery and so it was no surprise to use when he approach A Mystery In Common about screen printing a fabric banner with a fractal pattern he had designed.We made a short film of the printing process with Alp. We had a really great time with Alp in the studio. He has a good understanding of the process and skill behind any artistic craft and his patience and kindness was only topped by his laughter and homemade chocolate chunk cookies.
Test printing fabric to find the write ink color for Alp's fractal design
Our experience with Alp has made us excited about possibly offering some small silk screening classes in the future. It helps us learn how the communicate our processes to others which in turn gives us a new perspective on what it is we’re doing. We find interdisciplinary work and collaboration offers up new inspiration and feeds the artists soul.
Alp and Tristan, delighted and exhausted after a long and experimental print run
We are also introducing other artists work into our storefront. We recently hung three photographs by Dan Katzman. Dan does portrait and wedding photography but his recent body of personal work focuses on patterns found in nature.
Photograph by Dan Katzman hanging in the storefront of A Mystery In Common
Like Alp he is focusing in on a few small details and then repeating it over and over again to form a fractal pattern very reminiscent of a Rorschach test.
Photographs by Charlottesville based photographer Dan Katzman on display at A Mystery In Common
The three pieces we currently have hanging in the store are for sale. For a list of prices and other available work you can email Dan Katzman at KatzmanPhotography (at) gmail (dot) com or orders (at) amysteryincommon (dot) com. We will be carrying more artists work in our store and continuing our collaborations through 2011. It’s going to be a great year.
