Happy Mother's Day

This Sunday is Mother's Day. And it got me thinking. 

I'm a mother (Michael and I have two children) and I'm a car girl. Surprising, really, because I was raised on the idea that cars are for guys. Not that women couldn't or shouldn't own transportation, but that that's just exactly what a "good" car should be ... transportation. As my dad would say, "to get you from A to B ... what else do you need?" My dad does not get the whole "CAR" thing at all. It's a bit embarrassing, really. But, that's not what I wanted to talk about.

It struck me, that although muscle cars are still more a "boy's" thing — I mean how often do you hear of a "woman cave" or "woman garage" — lots of marketing by the big three has been geared at the female of the species. 

Women, not men, featured in many of the advertising campaigns, may have been sexy and attractive, but not sleazy or garish. Making me realize, I don't want to be the chic on the arm of the driver of that car ... I want to be THE driver, myself!

In fact, I'm inspired to drive one, and even be a passenger — we are fair, right ladies —well into my sunset years!

So, this Mother's Day, I think I'll go for a drive. Now, which car will I take ... eeny, meeny, miny, moe ... :) Happy Mother's Day!! — Linda

Certificates of Authenticity for Your Art

Is a Certificate of Authenticity important when collecting limited edition artwork? In a word, YES. For several reasons:

• it certifies that you are buying a "real", authentic, authorized reproduction of the artist's work
• it certifies the quality of the printing and inks used, and of the archival, acid free paper or canvas the work is produced on
• it states the limited quantity of the production run
• it guarantees that the prints are produced in limited quantities as a limited edition, therefore making it known that no additional prints will be made, once the stated number are sold out

The Certificate of Authenticity, should be numbered (to match the print) and hand-signed by the artist. When framing your print, the framer should mount the Certificate in an envelope on the back of the framed piece. That way, the Certificate is always with the art. Should the frame ever become damaged, the art print can be re-framed, and the Certificate moved to the new backing.

All of Michael's work, with the exception of his very early pieces, are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. If you have any questions, about the Michael Irvine prints in your collection, please do not hesitate to contact us. — Linda

SOLD OUT GALLERY EDITION CANVAS SETS!!!

You heard right, it's official. The Gallery Edition Sets of "They Came With The Farm", "They Came With The Farm Too" and "They Came With The Farm Free" are sold out! Our last set was actually sold at Barrett Jackson in Arizona in January. As far as I know, that's it ... no dealers have any left either.

Shown on display in Toronto, Canada. (Fall 2012)

Wow, that was fast.  Thank you and congratulations to all our clients that were able to add these to their collections. They are a truly magnificent set and I, for one, am sad to see them go. Now we'll just have to wait and see what Michael comes up with next!  — Linda :)

Cool Car "Accessories" Made in the USA

Okay, so I'm on a bit of a "roll" ... with the accessorizing for the car girl. But, in my defense, I just couldn't help but spot these guys at Barrett Jackson Arizona (check out the cool Airstream and you'll know why - so much chrome!) this January. That's what happens when you get to go to these big automotive shows and collector auctions!! And we just happened to be set up again this year. Going to Arizona in January, being surrounded by hundreds of classic cars, talking to old friends and making new ones ... ya, that's rough :) Anyway ....

At Indy, but same Airstream - hard to miss.

These guys don't just sell girl stuff, they sell accessories for kids and men too. Apparently the Harveys' got their start in 1997, after making a handbag out of scrap seatbelt material when installing seatbelts in their 1950 Buick. That's awesome. I love hearing stories (especially success ones) that have interesting beginnings. Not dreamed up, analyzed, scrutinized, projected, etc, in some stark boardroom, but ones that come from the heart. From the creative minds of regular folks like us. Sometimes, you just have to give it a shot ... and go big or go home! So, congrats to the Harveys' for doing just that and pulling it off so well.

Today, the Harveys' designs are functional, fun and elegant. The collection has something for just about everyone! It includes wallets, purses, totes, over the shoulder sling bags, iPad cases, men's wallets and more.  

Their site is easy to navigate, with tons of great images. There are hundreds of products on their site to choose from. Just thought you might want to check it out. I know what's on my Christmas list. — Linda

Here's a link to the on-line store: Harveys Seatbelt Bags

One For The Ladies – PeggyStella Totes

Their brochure reads, "Need a bag as durable as your classic car?" Oh ya!

PeggyStella display at a Mopar event.

An Amercian company, PeggyStella Totes offers a vast variety of handbags, messenger bags, wristlets, wallets, dog collars, belts and laptop bags. Each piece is handmade, and they are impressive. I first discovered PeggyStella at the MCACN (Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals) in Chicago this fall. I couldn't resist and bought a couple of pieces for my daughter and myself!! I went with the classic car interior look (black and white hounds tooth), but the selection was vast enough to meet pretty much any taste.

How cool is this ... PeggyStella Charger bag??

They've got the car theme down pat, using authentic automotive interior replacement material. There's no doubt, that no matter what classic or muscle cars you have in the garage, they'll have a bag to match!!

But that's not all, they offer exotic skins as well as Coach, Gucci and other designer looks. If you can dream it, they can make it ... just for you, custom to order! They'll even take that piece of interior vinyl or leather that you just can't part with, and create what you can use with it!

I think their website is still in the works, but you can follow them on Twitter and Facebook and contact them to find out where their next showing is at!

'Fast' handbags for the lady that likes speed!!

• TWITTER: PeggyStella
• FACEBOOK: PeggyStellaTotes
• WEBSITE: http://peggystellatotes.com/ or peggystella.com
• EMAIL: PeggyStellaTotes@gmail.com 
• CALL: (317) 750-4277

Have fun accessorizing!! — Linda :)

MCACN Show & The Ultimate Mopar Farm Find

The Ultimate Mopar Trilogy (l-r): They Came With The Farm,
They Came With The Farm Too, They Came With The Farm Free.
Gallery Edition Canvases limited to only 50 s

In November we were setup, showing Michael's latest creative sensation ... "They Came With The Farm Free", in Chicago at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. I say 'creative sensation', because that's what the Mopar Farm set is turning out to be!! They look so amazing together that people were coming from across the convention center floor to check them out ... 9 feet of dream find Mopars can really draw a crowd!!

I think one of the main reasons for the set's success, aside from being  esthetically pleasing to the eye, is the incredible creative level that Michael has managed to achieve. Nothing like this (to my knowledge) has been attempted or created before. Creating one incredible scene from three independently painted works. Not only does each painting stand on it's own, but each works with it's partner (playing to the left or the right) and then as a whole, working together, they are simply spectacular!

They Came With The Farm

"They Came With The Farm" (released late 2006, Limited Edition Prints and Artist Proofs with Custom Remarque sold out early 2008) was a stand alone piece. Part of the Muscle Car Landscapes Series, it was not connected to any of the other paintings and was, at that time, the only Mopar piece in the series. Next, based on the popularity of the first one, and from comments like, "There just aren't enough Mopars in this painting!", Michael decided to do a second painting. At first, conceptually, it too was a stand alone piece.

They Came With The Farm Too

Always looking to challenge himself, Michael thought he'd try for something completely different — a continuation painting — starting "They Came With The Farm Too" (2010) where the first one finished off. This made the new painting that much more challenging —not only did it have to look good when on it's own, it now had to work with the first one. And of course, scale, size, proportion, color palette, all had to match. Layout too, became  more critical, because "Farm Too" had to work with "Farm", without being overpowering.

They Came With The Farm Free

This year, Michael decided to complete the scene, by releasing the third and final painting, "They Came With The Farm Free". This was the most complicated of the three. Not only did this painting have to work visually on it's own, it also had to  flow with "Farm Too" and balance with both "Farm" and "Farm Too" combined. The challenges: scale, size, perspective, color pallette, car choices and colors, layout, and interest, were now multiplied as Michael worked to achieve the 'ultimate car find' (for Mopar, Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler lovers that is!!). And, as Michael is not keen on the idea of just repeating himself, he wanted a different look and feel to the painting, while still fulfilling all the necessary restrictions that doing a continuation piece created. Very challenging. Very time consuming. And somewhat stressful. The result — wow! The consensus — success on all fronts!! They are truly incredible together!!

Close to Being Sold Out

Complete matching number sets are sold out in the Limited Edition Prints and Artist Proofs with Custom Remarque. At the time this was posted, we still had a couple of complete matching number Gallery Edition Canvas sets available. For those interested in the Limited Edition Prints or Artist Proofs with Custom Remarque, I am recommending matching numbers of the two available, "They Came With The Farm Too" and "They Came With The Farm Free". These opportunities are very limited, but there are still a few available.

Thank you to all that made this series of prints such a wonderful success. I, for one, cannot wait to see what Michael comes up with next!! All the best in the year ahead. — Linda

Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie

It's Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend. In North America we share many, many holidays, Thanksgiving being one of them. But for some reason, we celebrate ours a month earlier. Myself, I like celebrating both!! I mean why not, right? ... Turkey, gravy, stuffing and finally, pumpkin pie!! We have a small family gathering, just us and the kids and my parents. It's one of the few times we all collectively partake in dessert.

That's where it gets challenging ... both my parents are diabetic. My dad was diagnosed over 30 years ago and has managed the disease primarily through diet. To say he has a sweet tooth would be an understatement and his "treats" are few and far between. So, to me it's  important that I come up with sugar free alternatives in the dessert department.  I've taken a recipe traditionally made with lots of sugar and changed it to suit our dietary needs, without compromising on the texture or flavor.

Irvine’s Traditional Pumpkin Pie
Prep Time: 35 minutes, Cooking Time: 45 to 50 minutes
Yield: 2 pies

4 eggs
1 can (28 oz) pure pumpkin
1/2 cup Splenda brown sugar
1 1/4 cup Splenda granular
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup (approx 1 can) fat free evaporated milk
2 (9-inch) unbaked home-made or frozen deep dish pie shell

Beat eggs lightly in medium bowl. Add pure pumpkin, Splenda, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice and salt - mix on low until well combined. Blend in milk. Pour filling in pie shells. I'd recommend having some tart shells on hand, we had enough filling left over to fill 12 tart shells. These are a big hit with our kids — they really like the "mini-pies!"

Bake at 425ºF for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350ºF and continue baking 30-35 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool. Serve topped with whipped cream made with Splenda instead of sugar.

 As an added bonus, if you're watching your weight (like me) this pie will meet the low fat, low sugar test. If your diet is super strict, pass on the whipped cream topping.

Happy Thanksgiving, whenever you celebrate it.— Linda