Despite rising popularity of social media, there is still a lot of mileage left in traditional email marketing. Current research and trends indicate that small businesses need to integrate email marketing efforts with social media and mobile marketing. Below is a recent eblast done for Curt Butler/Butler Studios, a fine artist in Gastonia, NC.

I am using my talent in graphics to design my new wordpress Fine Art website. As soon as I have it presentable, I will launch it, but until then here is a peak at the portfolio page. Would you say I have a cow fetish.

Since I was young, one of my all time favorite things to do is make homemade valentines for my family and friends. With the help of City Graphics (for the die cutting of the paper) I had a little fun. And as you can see from the mess in Eryn’s playroom, the tradition carries on, albeit she is even more creative. Hope your February 14th is wonderful.

I am a fan of Curt Butler and am happy to have the opportunity to help him market himself and his work. He has a show opening this Friday at Providence Gallery from 6-9. Come see his new collection titled “Uptown Charlotte” and meet Curt. He captured these statues on the corner of Trade and Tryon beautifully.

What an opportunity for me and my two daughters to travel to Africa this summer… see the country, meet the children of City of Hope Orphanage and admire the animals. But best of all, spend two solid weeks, day in and out with my awesome girls, Becca (21) and Eryn (16). Please enjoy a few of my photos.

Working with Sheryl of Marketing Extension, I had the opportunity to develop a new logo for one of her clients, Financial Freedom Strategies. Creating a logo is exciting, but also very challenging. There is no right or wrong. You could design forever. I presented 3-4 roughs (ok, maybe more, as it is hard to stop!) and then we narrowed down. See what I presented below and the final refined choice.

When my church, Myers Park Presbyterian had it’s “Every Member Has A Ministry” campaign I found Brookstone School, a K-6, non-denominational Christ-centered school for inner-city children . When I started to work on the Annual Report, I called on Michael Harrison Photography to see if he would donate his services. Having worked with Michael for over 20 years, I knew he was the talent we needed and that he might have a soft spot for these kids and this school. (He has two beautiful little girls and his wife is a elementary school teacher! How could he say no?) As I suspected he too offered to donate his time and talent and has once again, for the third year now, photographed these precious kids. Thank you Mike.

Brookstone Schools, a private k-5 school, serving low-income children and families in Charlotte, is having their annual Friend and Fund Raiser the end of March. I produced a “Save the Date” mailer and the invitation, along with an email marketing reminder for this event at the Randolph Mint Museum. Thanks to Michael Harrison for the beautiful photography of the children.

*3 out of 10 African American males will serve time in jail. (The High/Scope Perry Study)

If you love live music, be sure to check out the new club, Music With Friends in Charleston, SC. Legendary entertainers perform for you and your friends in a very intimate venue. Imagine being close and personal to Jackson Browne, Steely Dan and Loggins & Messina. Act quickly and you can catch the Queen of Motown, Diana Ross.

Wedding invitations are so creative today!  I had the fun opportunity to help create a destination wedding invitation package for Charlotte and Brooks. In keeping with the bride’s wish for something clean, simple and earthy, we created a pocket folder with three invitations. If you are headed to Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, I bet you are planning to attend all the functions: the Welcome party, the Rehearsal Dinner and the Wedding and Reception. It is all in the details, and the entire package was tied with twine, sealed with a BBI stamp and addressed by Coco Killian. Happily ever after starts here…