Wednesday Item Feature: Revisiting robots

Back in March, I featured a digitally colored pencil sketch of Patter, the little blue robot by Maggie Hurley. It was both beautiful and cute at the same time. I finally was able to meet Maggie at the North Oakland Phat Beets Farmer's Market this past weekend where some members of the EBAC team were selling their goodies. These robot prints are even more amazing in person. I could stare at them all day.

If you've recently joined the EBAC team or haven't been following our blog, you can read my original post about Patter here. Maggie (also known as hushmouse on Etsy) creates her little world of wonders and ships out her art ready to hang from Berkeley. From my last feature on Maggie's robot prints, she has since then thought up and conjured up more whimsical characters, including Spin, the musical robot.

While not as round as Patter, Spin is just as calming, soothing, and bright in his own way. Attached to gramophone parts, Spin saves the day with his musical ability, boppin' along and bringing the beats to those he passes. His droopy eyes tell you he's a laid back sort of dude and will take requests: feeling like some oldies? How about some classical? He's got what you're looking for.

Colored with more neutral tones, Spin is still a cool fellow. He may not be blue and watery like Patter, but if you really need some liquid vibes, just wait until he comes in the mail ready to hang in your music studio to keep you company while you practice your flute or violin, compose new tunes on that sweet keyboard you just bought, or even just sing your heart out. This is a perfect gift for your musical friend or young niece really getting into music for the first time and really passionate about the new instrument she's picked up. Or if you just need that piece of art that serves as inspiration when you're in the middle of a creative block, he has imaginary records waiting to be played; get him now before you miss out on this little friend!

Check out hushmouse's listing on Etsy now: Spin brings the beats - on Wood

Tune in next week for the Wednesday Item Feature!

Love & donuts,
Mayene

Patter, the little blue robot

Robots this and robots that: they're things that conjure up an image quite mechanical, right? Maggie Hurley from Berkeley (also known as hushmouse on Etsy) begs to differ, with her beautiful original robot prints.

Sometimes I think robots are "cute", but when I was browsing in Maggie's shop, I actually saw robots as creatures, not just "things", and purely beautiful. Maggie's prints are from digitally colored original pencil sketches on a scanned wood panel background; they are printed on heavy matte paper for a outstanding finish and mounted on wood, ready to hang in your house! To give the robots a little extra protection, a coat of gloss is added.

As a designer, I browse art and prints with a fairly critical disposition. Of course, I have my own biases and preferences. Questions that generally come to mind are, "Will this fit in with the rest of my room or house?" and "Do I have to shop for a frame to go with this as well?" and lastly,"Can I afford this?" Fortunately, for Patter the robot, the calming shades of light golden yellow dandelions makes the round blue robot pop out in a most reassuring manner, saying, "You'll definitely enjoy my company in your house," and with Maggie's presentation, once the print arrives at your doorstep, you can open up your package and hang it up right away.

Fine art sometimes sell for hundreds of dollars, but these whimsical prints are very affordable and can serve as extraordinary gifts for robot lovers, art aficionados, and color enthusiasts alike. Maggie's robots are a unique set; Patter has other robot friends that would go well around your house with each other. "Patter is off watering" is a limited edition print of 50 — get yours now!

Check out hushmouse's listing on Etsy now: Patter is off watering - on Wood

Tune in next week for the Wednesday Item Feature!

Love & donuts,
Mayene