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In honor of Pride Month in June, Erin Condren is adding a new Pride collection to their Heritage and Awareness Months series. When I saw this collection was launching, I just knew I had to be a part of spreading the word about it. I am so thrilled to have received this box, as a gift, from Erin Condren so I could personally get my hands on it all and see the wonderful and beautiful art created by these fantastic artists! We all know pictures just can’t do justice to such things.
When you make any purchase from this collection within the month of June 2021, 35% of the proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is a not-for-profit organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth. When I was in college, I volunteered for a local organization that housed young people following a hospital stay due to a suicide attempt. All I did was provide a creative outlet, through writing, for them and it made a huge impact on their week. I truly believe art heals. But not everyone has someone. And not everyone knows how to channel their emotions into something constructive or has someone to show them how. It is so important that young people receive help and support because it is so easy to feel so alone in the world at any age, but especially in adolescence.
This is why this collection means so much to me. And this is also why I love Erin Condren’s Heritage and Awareness Months series. I use art as a way to cope and manage my anxiety and depression – even writing this blog helps. I also use it as a way to express myself when I am unable to use my voice to do so.
A few years ago, my neighbor put up a confederate flag during the month of June. I placed a Pride flag by my side door and this neighbor moved his flag to his roof. I could do nothing but stare at it out my window because it seemed clear this was in direct response to my act of love and support. As a black woman, living in New England, I felt unsafe in my own home for the first time. I wondered if something would happen next time I left my house or walked down the street. I wondered how I would react or what I would say if confronted. Luckily, I never had to find out any of these things. But not everyone is able to avoid unsafe altercations due to the color of their skin, their ethnicity, their heritage, or their sexual orientation. It’s frightening. But building awareness and helping to foster acceptance is the right path. This collection not only helps these artists express themselves, but it also shows others they can express themselves, truly express every part of themselves, in ways that are loud, bold, and beautiful.
Each design I will show you includes sticker kits, art prints, and interchangeable notebook/planner covers. And they also each come in various color schemes.
The first artist I will tell you about is Rae Senarighi (he/they):
This collection, “You Are Magic” features the words “You Are Magic” among gorgeous, large flowers and comes in three different color schemes.
Rae’s website notes his “trust in himself is vital to him in his journey of understanding and accepting his own identity, reminding all of us to not only love ourselves, but to celebrate and lift up one’s community.” He is a non-binary, cancer survivor and activist who seeks to ensure accurate representation of the transgender community through his vibrant art. You can follow him on IG: @transpainter. And check out (and even buy) more of his art on his website!
Graphic Designer Shanee Benjamin is the next artist!
This collection is “Star Girl” and I am obsessed. Representation is SO important and I see myself in this art. These pieces are vibrant, bold, colorful, lovely, and peaceful all at once.
Shanee is an Art Director and Illustrator in Brooklyn who has worked with some really big names like Netflix and Spotify! Her website notes she also enjoys looking for second-hand furniture around her city! In addition to her website, you can check out more of her art (and purchase it) on Society6! And definitely follow her on Instagram: @shaneebenjamin
The next two artist work for Erin Condren!
Chalise Varner is the Lead Creative Designer at Erin Condren:
This is called “Supporting Each Other.” It’s beautiful because all the people are holding and embracing each other – for love? warmth? support? acceptance? All of the above. I so strongly believe we need to help each other through life because it isn’t easy. If we aren’t open, honest, and supportive it is way too easy to feel alone.
You can find out more about her on her Linkedin Page (I really wanted to learn a little something about these artists so I definitely went hunting!). In her “About” she writes, “that pen continues to spiral through my mind fostering my passion for creativity.” Creativity and art is such a clear show of emotion and it is so wonderful when people are passionate enough to share with the world! I also have to note how one of her followers commented how happy he was to see queer art in his favorite stationary products and thanked her for sharing… that has to be what art is about. Follow on IG: @inkandvectors
Jenny Mendoza (she/her) is one of the Art Directors at Erin Condren.
The wonderful and cheery prints are called “Rainbow Doodles.” Obviously a perfect name. She posted a sneak peak of one of these designed to Instagram and wrote: “You ever draw the perfect O, or write the number 3 so nice and just think, “damn, that’s perfect.” This is one of those moments, lol. My perfect little scribble blob.” This made me smile and giggle. These doodles ARE perfect!
She clearly loves bright colors, but she is also an award-winning graphic artist! No surprise there. She’s drawn to all kinds of art and you can find out more about her on her website – jennmendoza.com. Jenny notes she would love to chat over coffee about design and I wish I could take her up on that! Maybe someday I will own my own company and have a need for her wonderful and amazing graphic design skills!! Follow her on Instagram! @jennymendoza.art
I hope you love this collection as much as I do! And I hope you follow, like, comment, purchase (if you can) to show these artists your support!! Putting your heart out for the world to see isn’t easy! But showing how much you appreciate them and what they do goes a long way and helps them keep creating!! And, as a reminder, 35% of the proceeds from this collection, thought the month of June, goes to The Trevor Project!
Be sure to check out my Instagram page, @meganbplansitall, because I will be doing a giveaway with a BUNCH of winners!!
Peace & Cookies!!
Megan
meganbplansitall 