Congratulations to all of the illustration art print winners from 2010! I was still trying to round a few of them up which delayed the posting of the winner list. You can get in on the action for 2011 again too! Hop on over to the entry page now and get signed up.
Here's how it works... Sign up for the RTD mailing list and be entered for the monthly drawing - a FREE, signed, 5"x7" art print of your choice. You'll also be entered for the grand prize - a full sized 16"x20" limited edition, signed and numbered print that will be given away at the end of the year. RTD pays for the postage, so you've got nothing to lose. Sign up here.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported East Side Community High School this week. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The response to this was rather overwhelming. I've received so many wonderful emails and positive responses to this effort. I can assure you that Mark and everyone else over at East Side High is eternally grateful and sends you their thanks as well.
As of right now I have a little over 400 prints to sign and ship out! And many many others also voted, but declined the offer. I'll get these all shipped off as soon as possible, but it will probably be two to three weeks before I'm able to do so. If you are in the Chicago area and would like to pick yours up at the Renegade Craft Fair (booth 210) I'll be attending September 11 + 12 you are more than welcome to do so.
Unfortunately this Kohl's Cares challenge looks like it will largely (maybe entirely) go to private schools that already have substantial budgets, huge endowments, and donors in place. And were able to market themselves the best (via free iPad incentives, helicopter rides, and paid advertising) with those budgets and not the schools that really could have benefited so profoundly with this money. This school can’t even afford new computers for themselves let alone give them away in exchange for votes like many of the leading schools are doing. A most unfortunate scenario and major oversight on Kohl's "strategic planning" for this campaign.
A really nice write up in the East Villager just came out and can be read here. It gives a great background on East Side Community High and all the noble issues that they stand for. I highly recommend checking it out. ESCH is a pretty special place. http://www.thevillager.com/villager_384/principalintent.html
I feel very fortunate to have discovered East Side Community High the way that I did. No matter what the outcome is, I’m proud to be able to say I was involved with their mission and extremely grateful to know that I'm connected to so many wonderful supporters. I've been very fortunate as an artist and a business owner the past few years. It only seemed right to start paying that forward when this little "happy interruption" entered my life, and I look forward to continuing to support ESCH in the future.
I wish you all the greatest, and continued success in your lives, and hope that you are able to find ways to do this in your communities too.
And it ain't over til it's over! So if you haven't done so, please go vote and tell everyone you know! You have until midnight to show your support. http://bit.ly/cKkdkW
Be well and all good things to all of you!
Best,
Jesse
Emperor, Lover, Picture Maker The Republic of Rawtoastdesign http://www.rawtoastdesign.com http://rawtoastdesign.blogspot.com
I know this is supposed to be where I would normally post an illustration for this weeks IF topic, "dessert," but my time has been consumed with giving away my work for free this week to help raise awareness for a local school. So my "dessert" to you is a free print of my work if you would kindly give them 30 seconds of your time. All the details are here: http://rawtoastdesign.blogspot.com/2010/08/giving-away-my-work-for-free.html Hurry though voting ends at midnight, Friday, September 3rd.
I had the pleasure of sitting down and really getting to hear Mark Federman, the principle of East Side Community High School, speak passionately about education, the arts, his school, and most importantly near to his heart, his students. This guy is the real deal. He's been living out of a tent on the street in front of his school for over a week now to raise awareness for his school. All because of a promise that he made to his kids as a mentor and leader that they all look up to and admire. KOHL's is giving away ten million dollars that will be split up between 20 schools, each getting 500,000 and Mark really wants this for his. It's a voting game. Unfortunately they're on the low end of the technology spectrum(due to current funding) which makes promoting this cause all that more of an uphill battle against many of the private schools currently holding the top 20 positions. It would be really unfortunate to see all of these awards only go to privately funded schools and not deserving Title 1 schools like East Side High that really are desperately in need of a boost like this to change the lives of the students there permanently.
Mark and I spoke for about a half an hour, but it didn't take more than a few minutes to see the energy in Mark's eyes even though he'd only had three hours of sleep the night before. He introduced me to their current arts program and all of the things they currently pull off with a non-existing budget, including a full gallery that they do student exhibitions in for the community to help raise money for the arts. In fact, pretty much anything that is outside of the lean and stripped down "norm" has to be personally funded out of his own pocket and other teachers at the school. We both conversed on our passion for a solid balance of technology with the arts in the classroom. This money would help fund a new mac lab where his students can access the equipment they need for a proper introduction to the graphic arts, computer illustration, and video production. In addition to this he has a pretty extensive list filled with after school programming, some fine tuning, and just making the overall experience a better one for his students.
So here's whats up. I need you to vote for very a deserving school that really needs our help and has lit up many faces on a street nearby where I live. In exchange I'm going to give you my work for free. This will not cost you a penny (I'm covering shipping costs too). Only about 30 seconds of your time will be needed for the voting. Mark has literally been camping out and living in front of the school for the past week in order to raise awareness for the needs of his school and the students that walk it's hallways. His ambition and determination has inspired me. He's out there doing exactly what every person in a leadership role should be doing in their community. He's lit a flame in everyone around him, brought together the community with his students, faculty, and parents and given them all hope and a dream worth coming together for. Bottom line, it's always near and dear to my heart when I see someone that's willing to go the extra mile and show the world they care... especially when it's for the kids.
I realize that we are bombarded by proposals on the internet non stop which is why I understand the value of a little bribe in order to elicit action. So go vote for East Side Community High School in the KOHL's Cares For Kids contest on Facebook to help them realize this dream of winning $500,000 and I will ship you a print of your choice that is hand signed and dated completely for free to anywhere in the world.
Here's how it works...
This must be done by Friday, September 3rd in order for it to count.
Now Vote for East Side Community High School!... and make sure you vote 5 times for them. You can vote 5 times for one school.
Awesome.
This is important! Take a screenshot of the webpage that shows your name and picture proving to me that you voted. (How to Take a Screenshot in Microsoft Windows: http://bit.ly/eMVb | How to Take a Screenshot in Mac OS X: http://bit.ly/X70NJ )
Now email that screenshot picture file as an attachment to rawtoastdesign@gmail.com along with the name of the print you want from the RTD Store http://bit.ly/1549YG as well as your mailing address.
And don't forget to go tell all of your friends!
Done. And thank you kindly :)
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Why am I doing this? I've got a few reasons.
1. I've walked by here at all hours over the past week and whether it's morning, afternoon, or night, this school's steps have been lit up with smiling faces and people who genuinely care about their futures. And that makes me care. I also had the opportunity to sit down with Mark Federman, the principle of East Side Community High, and listen to him passionately speak about how profoundly this money would benefit his students, especially in the arts and technology.
2. I'm just a sucker for people who give a damn. All great things that materialize start off as an idea. An idea that is then fueled with emotion, heart, and perseverance by someone who cares. East Side High is a perfect example of this. Let's give these kids the recognition they deserve and make believers out of each and every one of them that have volunteered their time for this cause.
3. It's in my best interest to care about this school because every afternoon these kids repopulate my neighborhood. And the better educated and well rounded they all are the better chance that the future of this area that I live in will be a positive and fulfilling environment for all.
4. I am still just plain fascinated by the power of the internet and humans. How the influence of a few can generate a tidal wave of reaction. And that just maybe, if I send this on to the people that I know and then they forward it on to there friends. A little public school in the East Village of NY, that caught my attention through a 7 year old volunteer with a blue flyer and a principal sleeping in a tent, can see this dream materialize. Something like this will be more profound than we could ever imagine for these students.
Please leave comments on the blog here too! I would love to hear other ideas from you on how we can help this school. This is New York, the center of the world. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to put this extremely under served school in the spotlight and get them the votes that they need to change their world forever. This school needs us to be their voice! I believe in all of you.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the FREE monthly print giveaways in 2009 and thank you to everyone who blogged, twittered, and facebooked about it too! The Grand Prize of a 16"x20" RTD print of their choice is getting shipped out and over the pond to Jade Boylan in the UK. Congratulations Jade :) It's still on for 2010 so enter monthly and tell your friends! Details and this past years winners are posted below...and good luck!
Sign up for the RTD mailing list and be entered for the monthly drawing - a FREE, signed, 5"x7" art print of your choice. You'll also be entered for the grand prize - a full sized 16"x20" limited edition, signed and numbered print that will be given away at the end of the year. RTD will even pay for the postage too, so you've got nothing to lose. Sign up HERE.
You can see what prints are currently available HERE.
FREE art for your naked walls! This is your last chance to enter in 2009! Sign up for the RTD mailing list and be entered for the monthly drawing - a FREE, signed, 5"x7" art print of your choice. You'll also be entered for the grand prize - a full sized 16"x20" limited edition, signed and numbered print that will be given away at the end of the year. RTD will even pay for the postage too, so you've got nothing to lose. Sign up HERE.
You can see what prints are currently available HERE.
Congratulations to Merrijoy from Bowie, MD. A signed 5x7 of WAITING FOR A BELIEVER is gettin' all wrapped up by my team of holiday elves and yard gnomes. All of the current prints available can be eyeballed here. Thanks to everyone who participated and stay tuned for the December winner and the annual Grand Prize winner who will receive a large 16"x20" print of their choice!
PLEASE NOTE: Dec 17th is the DEADLINE for all print orders to arrive by Dec 24th. Anything ordered after that may still make it on time, but can not be guaranteed. RAWTOASTDESIGN STORE
Happy Holidays!
Jesse / RAWTOASTDESIGN
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Details on how to enter for a chance to get yours below...
Wanna win some FREE art for you walls? Sign up for the RTD mailing list and be entered that month for a FREE, signed, 5"x7" art print of your choice. You'll also be entered for the grand prize - a full sized 16"x20" limited edition, signed and numbered print that will be given away at the end of the year. I'll even pay for the postage too, so you've got nothing to lose. Sign up HERE.
You can see what prints are currently available HERE.
Congratulations to Laura from Bronx, NY. A signed 5x7 of Full Moon Tonight is makin' it's postal journey uptown and over the river. All of the current prints available can be eyeballed here. Thanks to everyone who participated and stay tuned for the November winner!
Best,
Jesse / RAWTOASTDESIGN
Details on how to enter for a chance to get yours below...
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Wanna win some FREE art for you walls? Sign up for the RTD mailing list and be entered that month for a FREE, signed, 5"x7" art print of your choice. You'll also be entered for the grand prize - a full sized 16"x20" limited edition, signed and numbered print that will be given away at the end of the year. I'll even pay for the postage too, so you've got nothing to lose. Sign up HERE.
You can see what prints are currently available HERE.
Congratulations to Jennifer (sassypackrat) from Homewood, IL. A signed 5x7 of Unlikely Lovers is on its way from NYC through the snail mail system. All of the current prints available can be eyeballed here. Thanks to everyone who participated and stay tuned for the October winner!
Best,
RTD
Details on how to enter for a chance to get yours below...
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Wanna win some FREE art for you walls? Sign up for the RTD mailing list and be entered that month for a FREE, signed, 5"x7" art print of your choice. You'll also be entered for the grand prize - a full sized 16"x20" limited edition, signed and numbered print that will be given away at the end of the year. I'll even pay for the postage too, so you've got nothing to lose. Sign up HERE.
You can see what prints are currently available HERE.
Congratulations to Amandine she is now an official owner of a Steve Was Not Double-Jointed print. Also to Jeannie who chose a Let the Horns Blow print. RTD was a month behind on this one which is why two winners were chosen (we're taxed one winner per month that we're late on the draw here at The Republic of RTD). September winner TBA very soon!
Details on how to enter for a chance to get yours below...
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Wanna win some FREE art for you walls? Sign up for the RTD mailing list and be entered that month for a FREE, signed, 5"x7" art print of your choice. You'll also be entered for the grand prize - a full sized 16"x20" limited edition, signed and numbered print that will be given away at the end of the year. I'll even pay for the postage too, so you've got nothing to lose. Sign up HERE.
You can see what prints are currently available HERE.
Wanna win some FREE art for you walls? Sign up for the RTD mailing list and be entered that month for a FREE, signed, 5"x7" art print of your choice. You'll also be entered for the grand prize - a full sized 16"x20" limited edition, signed and numbered print that will be given away at the end of the year. I'll even pay for the postage too, so you've got nothing to lose. Sign up HERE.
You can see what prints are currently available HERE.
Congratulations to Juana from Scottsdale, AZ. A signed 5x7 of Gardener On Potato Island will be making its way from RTD headquarters through the snail mail system in the next day or so. Thanks to everyone who entered and we encourage you to enter again for each monthly drawing here. Anyone who has entered even only once will be automatically entered in to the yearly grand prize drawing for a limited edition, signed and numbered 16"x20" print of their choice. All of the current prints available can be eyeballed here. Thanks to all who participated and showed love this month... stay tuned for the June winner!
Congratulations to Ojay Juarez from Fort Worth, TX. A signed 5x7 of Tiny Pimp will be making its way from NYC through the snail mail system in the next day or so. Thanks to everyone who entered and we encourage you to enter again for each monthly drawing here. Everyone who has entered even only once will be automatically entered in to the yearly grand prize drawing for a limited edition signed and numbered 16"x20" print of their choice. All of the current prints available can be eyeballed here. Thanks to everyone who participated and stay tuned for the April winner!
Wanna win some FREE art for you walls? Sign up for the RTD mailing list and be entered that month for a FREE, signed, 5"x7" art print of your choice. You'll also be entered for the grand prize - a full sized 16"x20" limited edition, signed and numbered print that will be given away at the end of the year. I'll even pay for the postage too, so you've got nothing to lose. Sign up HERE.
You can see what prints are currently available HERE.
This illustration blog is a collective of visual ramblings, points of interest, and byproducts of Jesse Kuhn's noggin. He is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer, and has always loved making and eyeballing images... some of which you can find here. All illustration art posts are available for sale as high quality, limited edition, signed and numbered prints that desperately want to make love to your walls. Enjoy and your feedback is always appreciated!
As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. ~ M. Williamson
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Wanna win some FREE illustration art for you walls? Sign up for the RTD mailing list and be entered that month for a FREE, signed, 5"x7" art print of your choice. You'll also be entered for the grand prize - a full sized 16"x20" limited edition, signed and numbered print that will be given away at the end of the year. I'll even be paying for the postage too, so you've got nothing to lose. Sign up HERE.
You can see what prints are currently available HERE.
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