The Peace Project

Launched last year by The Whole 9, The Peace Project called on artists to come together for a cause. This year on September 21st, World Peace Day, The Peace Project will lead a coalition of partners (including UNICEF), to get the country of Sierra Leone off the ground by providing 10,000 pairs of crutches and mobility devices to everyone in need throughout this entire post-conflict country (home to over 20% of the world's amputees).

The project collects a small submission fee from artists when they submit their vision of peace, and the "peace mosaic" exhibit tours the country to further collect monies for the cause.

My submission is shown above. Though the reference of the lion and lamb "lying down together" is based on scripture, I prefer to view this metaphor as hope for a peaceful world in which enemies harmoniously coexist so that all nations may live without fear.

Pint-sized Advertising

The best advertising is often very inexpensive! Business cards are affordable and their back panels can do double-duty as referral programs, coupons, meeting dates, and frequent-user programs. These "pocket ads" are a must for businesses of any size.

There have been changes in how cards are used ... that is, primarily to drive potential clients to social networks or websites. Therefore, address and location have become less relevant. Most cards include some combination of phone number, website URL, email address, and Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter locations.

Many online sites print high-quality, inexpensive cards with quick turn-arounds. I like ModernPostcard!

The All-Important Side Project

The "side project" is an important part of an illustrator's tool kit. Not only does it serve as creative soul-food, but it allows the freedom to explore new techniques and styles. Through "The Wormwood Press" I've been able to try my hand at collage, fine-line, and graphic styles. What fun! Check out The Wormwood Press on Facebook!

Dr. Gilda's New Book

It was fun to work on this book cover for Dr. Gilda's Second Edition of her popular book on relationships "Don't Bet on the Prince!" And, since I had to have a copy of the first edition for the redesign, I got to read up on some topics of interest! The book is available online at Dr. Gilda's site, www.DrGilda.com

Welch Design is now on Facebook

Our Facebook page is super accessible, and a quick way to view samples of work. Please join Welch Design on Facebook by clicking the "Like" button at the top of our Facebook page to receive occasional, real-time updates.

“Hope for Haiti” Fundraiser

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, killing over 300,000 people and leaving over a million more homeless. Almost a year later, 1.3 million Haitians are still displaced. Park United Methodist Church in Bloomfield, NJ held a night of music to raise funds to be used by the United Methodist Committee on Refugees (UMCOR) to assist the people of Haiti in building the schools so desperately needed for its children. I was pleased to be able to donate package design for the resulting album of the recorded performances

Conferences, Conventions and Trade Shows

Integrated conference materials provide the "face" of the event while offering information and providing event details. National Coffee Association's Fall Education Conference was recently held in NYC. Brochure, internet branding and on-site signage were part of the cohesive package that helped to identify this conference as fresh, all-inclusive (the coffee chain from growers to retailers) and forward-thinking in terms of sustainability.