Fine Prints
Georgia illustrator and artist Sarah Neuburger is known for her playful and colorful work, especially her city-cool prints of Atlanta neighborhoods and hot spots.
The artist & illustrator: Grew up in Irmo, S.C. and earned a master's degree in studio art from the School of Visual Arts in New York. She has lived in Jersey City, Savannah, Atlanta and Augusta.
The company: Includes three branches: Sarah Neuburger (illustrator who creates logos and branding); The Small Object (her popular online shop); and Atlanta-based Paper Ghost Press (a retail/wholesale print company created with friends).
What's popular: Atlanta-themed prints ($25), including Inman Park, Ponce City Market and various landmarks around the city.
Claim to fame: Her online shop, The Small Object, which started 13 years ago. The company sold Neuburger's handmade art objects, custom wedding toppers and small rubber stamp sets. Today, the shop focuses on her illustration work and custom design work.
Big break: Illustrated and authored a stationery collection with San Francisco-based Chronicle Books that now includes nine different titles.
Where to buy: Paperghoststudio.com or at Paper Ghost Studio, 1393 McLendon Ave., in Candler Park, on May 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Size matters
A fascination with miniatures inspired Alabama artist Karen Libecap to think big. But paint small.
The company: Tiny Paintings is based in Hoover, Ala. Libecap started doing tiny paintings in 2015.
The artist: Grew up in Dayton, Ohio and was encouraged by her mother, an oil
painter and sculptor, to pursue her passion for drawing and art. She attended Kent State University for graphic design and worked as an art director in Chicago, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. In 2009, she moved to Alabama and four years later entered her first art competition, where she was awarded the Hoover Arts Alliance Award from the Alabama Pastel Society.
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The goods: Realistic with keenly observed details, the tiny paintings ($100 to $200) are no larger than 1.25 inches by 1.25 inches (about the size of a quarter or postage stamp). Random and popular subjects include animals, books, celebrities, favorite foods, places, and vintage toys.
By the book: Learn how to draw and paint the art of the miniature in Libecap's guidebook, "The Big Book of Tiny Art ($21.95)."
Most unusual request: Paint a lathe machine.
Big breaks: Being featured on Huffington Post six months after she started miniature painting and then on MTV News, 9GAG and in other blogs and publications. She later was hired by Zillow to do a live painting session for a Christmas advertising campaign at its home office in Seattle.
What's new: Working with the Eagle Pen Company, a company which makes handmade pens. For a limited edition series of pens, she is painting the cap or body with historic scenes.
Where to buy: www.karenlibecap.com
Word play
With its retro-inspired prints and clever word play, Unusual Occasion Cards are fun to send. Or keep and frame.
The company: Unusual Occasion Cards is based in Austin, Texas. The company is
comprised of two divisions: one, dating from 1993, handles private client work, including Laura Bush’s birthday luncheon as first lady. The commercial greeting card division launched in 2001 at the National Stationery Show in New York.
The owner: Cindy Bell Morgan, who has lived in Austin, Texas most of her life. A self-described conceptualist with no formal art background, she co-authored an article about Art Yucko in "Texas Monthly" magazine in 1978. The next year, she (and her now ex-husband) opened a small vintage store in Austin called Morgan's. She then started producing cards and invitations for store events. When the store closed after 11 years, she was asked to create cards, invitations and branding that was unique.
The goods: The pointed wit card collection includes 100 cards, each with a nostalgic looking graphic with a printed word, similar to a rebus. If read together, they create a slang that is embedded in the culture. For example, bucket list, bride-zilla, and mommy dearest. The cards retail for $4.50 to $6.
Popular new card: "hey girl."
Old standard: "puppy love," for new puppy owners.
What's new: Screen Printed Posters ($36) in limited styles.
Where to see & buy: unusualoccasioncards.com. View the line and order a minimum of 10 cards. Promo: log on
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