Hi there. If you still haven't gotten around to framing and hanging all of your 20x200 prints, here is a little more inspiration to get you going. Consider this link a little footnote to Art Hanging 101.

PS
If you'd like to send me a photo of you and your 20x200 print(s) on your wall(s), please email me.

Good day, collectors! It's Sara, writing from sunny, snowy Colorado. I flew the coop for the holiday and Jen's on a flight right this very second. She's southbound for all the festivities of Basel Miami, the stateside art fair extravaganza. Jeffrey Teuton, Associate Director of the JB Gallery is in tow, and I'm perched here in the high country until my return to NYC tomorrow. Knowing that daylight would bring a scattered 20x200 team, Jen and I worked out the details of today's introduction to Jane Mount's 132 Birds Leaving the AMNH (response to Jason Polan) in the wee hours of the morning over IM:

1:14 AM
Jen: sorry
i'm warning you right now
that you might be pressed into newsletter service for tomorrow
me: ok, thanks for the head's up
Jen: jane's tomorrow
so you could like, link to flavorwire

1:15 AM
Jen: it could be a funny email about everyone in airplanes
ACTUALLY
haha
this is the seed of the newsletter right here
because the birds are leaving AMNH
we're all flying
me: everyone leaving NYC
Jen: every one of us!
me leaving, jane coming, you coming back a day later
the thrilla starting
all of us heading out to sf, migrating west
me: we're a very confused flock
Jen: oh it's something else
yes
and jane and jason are nesting in the gallery all week
me: global warming (why we're so confused)
Jen: while I'm out foraging
me: I think you could write it right now

1:17 AM
Jen: i think we just wrote part of it
this transcript will come in handy for you tomorrow
you know IM newsletters are almost as popular as birds on 20x200
and you can quote me on that :D
me: I just might

Since our thoughts at 1:00 a.m. might not be as clear and succinct or as funny as we think they are, it's a good thing Jen and I have already done a little writing about Ms. Mount and these birds. Jen gave a glowing introduction to Jane and her work back when we released Bookshelf 29 and Bookshelf 20 and I previously penned 132 words about why we love Jane and our friend Jason Polan for Flavorwire.

All of you in NYC will likewise have the opportunity to know and love and Jane and Jason as they'll be holding down the JB Gallery in Jen and Jeffrey's absence and hosting a draw-a-thon, Thrilla in Manila, to benefit the non-profit 826NYC, this week, starting tomorrow! Jane is likely crossing jet-streams with Ms. Bekman this a.m. as she flies home herself to warm up her drawing arm to duke it out with Jason.

It was, in fact, this painting by Jane that inspired the Thrilla in Manila meeting of the minds, and pens and pencils. She loved Jason's 132 Birds at the American Museum of Natural History so much that she decided to paint them a day of freedom from the museum. Painstakingly, she re-rendered each one of the birds Jason drew... with a couple exceptions. She knows and we know where the sleeping dogs (or birds, in this case) lie but do you? It'll take a keen eye, so Jane's included a key for you to download here and decipher the difference.

If you're the first to figure out which bird joined the flock and which one fled, Jane will send you a small, original painting. Email artist at 20x200 dot com asap and we'll see who's in the running. One hint: the turkey talk is over, it's not the little guy that became an adult that we're looking for!

So download, study, and seek for your chance to receive a lovely little painting by Ms. Mount. This contest isn't the only surprise we have in store for the coming weeks. As mentioned, Thrilla in Manila will be going on at the gallery, tomorrow through Saturday, with a benefit reception for 826NYC concluding the event next Monday, December 8th from 6-8 p.m. at 6 Spring Street. And, yes if you deduced that we're all bound for the West Coast, you were right, but know that we'll still be here, in newsletter-land, with great goodies for you. Jen, of course, will be back in spite of her southern migration, tomorrow, with this week's photography offerings.

Image by Carlo van de Roer from his project, The Aura Portrait Machine

20x200 photographer Carlo van de Roer is curious about the most unusual things. You might recall my post about Carlo's Orb project. For those of you yet unfamiliar with the body of work, I'll warn you now, it may well lead to a few hours of clicking through site after fascinating site of believers in lens flare as something greater than, well, lens flare. Some wholeheartedly take lens flare to be evidence of the paranormal.

Carlo is currently making images with a Aura Camera 6000, a camera that possibly "can pick up your spiritual energy. The camera can then display this information as a colorful field around your body. The colors actually reflect your spiritual and auric state."

Read more about his new adventures in auraphotography on the T Magazine blog and on the Interview blog.

Carlo, if you are reading this, I'm ready to volunteer for my aura close-up.

Carlo's site
Carlo's 20x200 edition prints:
Untitled (Bondi Baths, Sydney, Australia) 2007
Untitled (Astoria Park, Queens, New York)

Far-flung Wednesday greetings, collectors. As Sara mentioned yesterday, the 20x200 crew has been criss-crossing the nation. Jane returned to our fair metropolis yesterday evening, leaving her just enough time for a full night's sleep before today's Thrilla in Manila kick-off. Sara heads back to NYC today, and me? I'm in Miami till Saturday, checking out the art fairs and putting faces to the names of all my friends from the interwebs. PLUS: new editions for you! Not just today, but tomorrow and Friday as well. More on that after I give you the lowdown on these two photographs from Justin James Reed.

Norristown, Pennsylvania, from Justin's Paradise series, and Idaho Springs, Colorado, from his series Westward, both capture the incongruous beauty that lurks in the modern American landscape. And capture is really the right word here; utility wires and that particularly motley assemblage of roadside signage are subjects both mundane and unforgiving. Justin's landscapes are majestic and painterly — their luminosity and composition are transformative, thoughtful and almost celebratory.

With the 70s color fellas as his progenitors and formidable contemporaries like his former boss, Mr. Alec Soth, working in the same milieu, Justin's got some big boots to fill. Fortunately, Justin's well aware and is inspired rather than imitative.

He might not have had homage to Sternfeld's classic Maclean, Virginia on his mind when he shot Norristown, Pennsylvania, but he surely needn't click through on that link to know which photo I'm referring to. I'd also hazard a guess that he owns a well-thumbed copy of American Prospects. (If not, I bet it's on his wish list.) As for The Soth's influence, I'll bet folding money that Justin's got a fondness for Cemetery, Fountain City, Wisconsin 2002. (A fondness I share, having shown it at my gallery in 2004 and more recently citing it as favorite on Personism.)

In discussing these images with Ms. Distin, she didn't come around to Idaho Springs, Colorado as quickly and enthusiastically as I did. Its Western roadside tableau is exotic to me, an East Coast city girl, but it's her terribly familiar everyday. In fact, she's going to be driving by it on her way to the airport this afternoon. And yes, she'll be driving carefully (very carefully, please!) as today's road is similarly snowy, but I know she'll look a little harder, seeking the beauty captured in Justin's image.

As for me, I'm seeking sunshine and new artists to work with, so I'm gonna wrap things up and get going. Speaking of wrapping, 'tis the season for gift-giving and we've got gift greatness in store. Tomorrow I'll be debuting our special holiday series, which is sure to be a crowd pleaser. And you? You're sure to please your gift-receiving crowd with a 20x200 print in its plain brown wrapper, fancied up with a festive bow. Why not skip that more odious crowd, the holiday shopping one, and do your shopping here?

AAA Editions: Jason Polan

Extra special holiday announcement greetings, collectors. I'm still in Miami, where it's not just sunny but downright hot in the sun. The chilly weather of the past few days had me kinda wondering what all the fuss was about, having never been to here before. Now, after a sun-kissed morning, I kinda get it. And yes, I feel a little guilty that Jane and Jason are drawing furiously at the gallery, all in the name of the Thrilla in Manila, whilst I gaze upon the turquoise sea. Not terribly guilty though — by all accounts it seems like the JBG is a pretty great place to be right now.

The truth is that Raul and David are the ones most in need of some sun, fun and relaxation at the moment. (Not to mention a stiff drink or three.) They've been slaving away, quite literally night and day, so that I could unveil our new holiday offering to you today: AAA.

Who better to kick off the AAA series with than the aforementioned Mr. Jason Polan? Nobody, that's who! These Rocks, Dinosaurs, Sea Creatures and Insects and Myriapods are the enchanting result of Jason's enjoyment of drawing at the American Museum of Natural History. Those familiar with his 132 Birds at the Museum of Natural History knew about Jason's affinity for the AMNH, but I doubt you knew just how much he enjoyed it, and how delightful the results would be.

Like the Birds edition, the smallest print of each image in the series is 14"x11". It's the smallest size appropriate for the level of detail that they contain, and with a price of $50 each, they're still art for everyone. You can buy each edition singly, but if you're like team 20x200, you'll probably have the urge to get all of 'em. That's why we're offering a super duper special BOX SET which contains all 5 14"x11" prints.

Now for a bit about AAA... Originally conceived as the Agnostic Art Advent, AAA quickly evolved into something that will be a permanent feature on 20x200. We've still got an advent thing going on, albeit an accelerated one - our gift to you this holiday season is a dazzling array of choices from your favorite 20x200 artists, introduced daily through December 18th.*

Our holiday AAA editions are comprised of 2, 3 or 4 images from the same artist. You can buy just one, or purchase them as a set. Like our regular offerings, each image is available in three sizes, and prices range from $20 - $5000. As always, we're committed to art for everyone, so every single edition has a $20 or $50 version. (Some even have both!) At the request of collectors wanting to live large, we'll have some editions available at dimensions of 40"x50" and higher. For the traditionalists among you, we've also got plenty of terrific 20x200 editions queued up for the month.

It's a lot to look forward to, but don't worry — I don't plan on keeping you waiting for long! I'm back tomorrow with our second AAA release. While I wouldn't suggest that you hold your breath, it's totally understandable if you're feeling inclined to count the minutes and keep a careful eye on your inbox.

*The last day we'll ship for delivery before Christmas.

Image by Nina Berman from her series, Homeland

Hello dear collectors! Good news! Photojournalist Nina Berman is getting more attention for her images of homeland security efforts. AlterNet has an interview with Nina Berman in support of her new book from her series, Homeland.

Read Theater of War: Portrait of a Homeland Security State here.

Also be sure to read more about Nina on the The NYMPHOTO Blog.

Nina's website
Nina's 20x200 editions:
9-11-02
G.I. Goat
Nina's images on JenBekman.com

Sunshine State greetings, collector friends. I'm here for a hot minute to introduce our second AAA editions, then Jeffrey Teuton and I are off to get our art on. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Thrilla is proving to be quite the sensation, one that I'm sorry to be missing entirely. The drawing is getting more and more heated as the hours dwindle down. If you're in NYC be sure to stop by and join in the fun. Jason and Jane are there tomorrow from noon-6pm. And of course, come Monday evening's reception and benefit for 826NYC, we'll all be there — the whole gang of us!

As I said yesterday, we're going to be bringing you lots of new editions from your favorite artists* this month. Today's releases ny.08.#06 and ny.08.#14 are by 20x200 superstar Jennifer Sánchez. The editions are twist on our traditional structure, with prints available for $20 (11"x8.5"), $50 (14"x11") and $200 (22"x17").

For the gift-giving minded, we have a limited edition set of both prints available in the 14"x11" size, priced at $100 and delivered in a lovely portfolio. For the large-living (someone's gotta be living large somewhere these days... right?) among you, there are 40"x30" prints, priced at $2000. And, and, and! As of this writing, both original paintings are available — drop a line to collector@20x200.com to inquire about those pieces. Simply put, we're doing what we do best: making sure that there's art for everyone.

The talented Ms. Sánchez has been with us from the very beginning, debuting in newsletter numero uno, and she was one of the first artists we thought of when planning our AAA editions. Her colorful abstractions are amongst the most coveted of our editions — she's had not one, not two, but three fabulous, not to mention fast-selling, editions. With this new duo of prints, lucky collectors who scored earlier editions can add to their trove and we're hoping for far fewer "I can't believe I missed it!" emails from those who missed out.

Speaking of missing out, Mr. Teuton and I have an ambitious art-viewing agenda and I want to get to every single thing on it. So, I'll take my leave till Monday's AAA arrival. See you then!

* We've got plenty of new artists too! Just wait till next week — you'll see!

me.06.#01
mixed mediums on paper
22 " x 30 "
by Jennifer Sánchez

Hello collectors! Consider this a footnote to the post beneath. Beloved 20x200 artist Jennifer Sánchez recently started a blog that promises to shares her favorite artists and inspiration behind her bubbly and merry paintings: Jennifer Sánchez: news and stuff that inspires my paintings

But wait, there's more:
20x200 interview with Jennifer
Jennifer's website
Jennifer's 20x200 edition prints:
ny.07.#32
ny.07.#34
ny.07.#20
Jennifer's AAA edition

Frigid Monday greetings, collectors. Holy smokes, it's wicked cold outside! Since I've just returned from the considerably more tropical climate of Miami, it's particularly jarring. It's a little weird to be piling on the woolly layers when I've got mosquito bites that need scratching, along with flip-flop inflicted angry blisters that are crying out for attention. I won't be ch-ch-chattering for long though — with a Wednesday morning JFK-->SFO departure in the offing, I'll be swapping out my flip-flops for hiking shoes. (The fantasy version of my trip includes not just many Very Important Meetings, but an outdoorsy afternoon in Pt. Reyes to boot. A girl can dream, can't she?) Packing, flying and meeting aside, announcing additional editions (alliteratively, even) is also in the offing.

The week gets underway with Hot Shot and 20x200 favorite Carlo Van de Roer, who's bound to make quite a splash with his two new AAA offerings. Untitled (Bondi Baths, Sydney, Australia) and Untitled (Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik, Iceland) are from Carlo's fantastic Swim series. His two earlier editions struck quite a chord with the 20x200 collector crowd, and we expect that the bigger prints we're offering today will encourage even more collectors to dive right in.

Like last week's releases from Jennifer Sánchez and Jason Polan, these AAA images are editions which offer a twist on our traditional structure. With prints available for $50 (11"x14"), $500 (20"x24") and $2000 (30"x40") sizes, Carlo's aqueous expanses look incredibly inviting. They're also digital c-prints, which lends them a luminosity befitting water's reflective nature.

With the gift-giving minded in mind, we're offering a limited edition set of both prints, available in the 11"x14" size, priced at $100 and delivered in a lovely portfolio. If you can't possibly get enough Carlo, a) I can see why and b) we've got 40"x50" prints available for $5000 each. (Jot a note off to collector@20x200.com to inquire about those.)

Carlo's been quite the sensation as of late. His new series, The Aura Portrait Machine, has captured the hearts and vibes of many, and just today we got word that he's one of the top 50 photographers selected from this year's crop of Critical Mass competitors. In other words, editions from this Hot Shot are quite a hot commodity. Lucky us and lucky you!

I'm back tomorrow with some more double trouble, form of: fine art, from a 20x200 artist most fine. Look for me then!

Images of folks drawing at Jen Bekman Gallery Saturday night

Happy Monday! All of you lucky enough to be in New York City should surely plan on swinging by the gallery tonight to see the results of the Thrilla in Manila draw-a-thon. I dropped by Saturday evening to see how Jane and Jason were fairing, and found a table filled with art supplies and focused artists. I've got my eye on at least two drawings that I'd love to take home with me tonight, and I'll cross my fingers that they are still available by the time I make it over to Spring Street.

See you there!

Thrilla in Manila
Reception and Benefit Sale
Jen Bekman Gallery
6 Spring Street
6 - 8pm reception and sale to benefit 826NYC
Work will be available to take right off the wall at affordable prices from $50 to $1,000.

Wrap, 2006
oil on canvas
by Sarah McKenzie

Halloa! 20x200 artist Sarah McKenzie is part of a group exhibition, Infrastructure, that opened this past Saturday in the Windy City. The show is at Zg Gallery, and will remain on view through January 3rd.

In November I mentioned that Sarah is in a concurrent group show, curated by Andrew Blauvelt and Tracy Myers, Worlds Away: New Suburban Landscapes. The touring exhibition which opened at the Walker Art Center is making the rounds of some very distinguished spaces.

Worlds Away: New Suburban Landscapes is presently at the Carnegie Museum of Art through January 18, 2009. It will then travel to the Yale School of Architecture until May of 2009.

The show has garnered some nice press; here are two articles:
The suburbs as a museum piece
Last arts frontier: Walker exhibit explores, explodes suburbia myths

Sarah was also recently interviewed by myartspace.com, read it here.

Zg Gallery
300 W. Superior Street
Chicago
Gallery Hours: Tu-Sat 10-5pm

Sarah's 20x200 edition print:
Site
Sarah's website

Image from Nina Bermnan's Homeland series

Congratulations to photojournalist extraordinaire, Nina Bermnan, whose recently published book, Homeland, was named on The Times Christmas Books 2008: Photography list. From the review:

Between 2001 and 2008 Berman photographed some of the simulation drills, involving thousands of ordinary participants, in which various war scenarios are imagined: Islamic terrorists with nuclear bombs, bioterrorists, shopping mall terrorists. In her photographs, happy families creep through the suburbs clutching anti-nuclear pills, evangelical Christians dress in Afghan burkas, even senior citizens become extras in a War on Terror script.

Read the rest of The Times Photography Book picks here.

Nina's website
Nina's 20x200 editions:
9-11-02
G.I. Goat
Nina's images on JenBekman.com

Beneficent Tuesday greetings, collectors! I'm really excited about today's edition, which is comprised of 222 original drawings created by Jane Mount + Jason Polan during last week's Thrilla in Manila draw-a-thon at Jen Bekman Gallery. For those who haven't been following along via the Thrilla Blog, proceeds from the sale of the draw-a-thon's fine art products are benefiting 826NYC.

Many intrepid collectors braved the frigid elements last night, all for the love of art and literacy, making their way down to Spring St. to attend our reception and benefit for this fine organization. For those of you not in possession of a proper winter coat and/or a NYC address, I humbly present to you today's Thrilla in Manila Benefit Edition. Like I said, every piece in this edition is an original drawing — each is unique and hand-signed by both artists.

After shaking the sand from my flip-flops on Sunday morning, I made my way to the gallery to inspect the wonderfulness that had transpired in my absence. And wonderful is exactly what it was. I selected 200 5"x7" drawings ($20 each), 20 11"x14" drawings ($200 each) and 2 22"x30" drawings ($2000 each) to include in today's edition, laughing all the way.

Now it's time for me to make your spirits bright by releasing them into the wilds of the interwebs for your collecting pleasure. Be forewarned, however, that a spirit of adventure is required! The drawing you get will be randomly selected from the pieces I assembled. You'll just have to trust me, but really that shouldn't be hard, right?

As savvy list subscribers, you're certainly familiar with the oeuvres of Jane Mount and Jason Polan, not to mention how they inspire each other. Output and inspiration aside, I can think of no better reason to throw fortune to the wind. Great art, great prices, great cause — shrewd move, you savvy collector, you!

Speaking of moves, we've got some slick ones up our sleeves here at 20x200 HQ. I'll be back very soon, perhaps even later today, with more on those — do stay tuned.

Image by HHS winner Donald Weber

Hey, Hot Shot! (volume iv, edition ii) has announced five winners:

Yijun Liao
John Mann
Cara Phillips
Park Ho Sang
Donald Weber

Each of photographer will be awarded a $500 honorarium and will exhibit work as part of the Hey, Hot Shot! (volume iv, edition ii) Showcase.

Hey, Hot Shot! (volume iv, edition ii) Showcase
Opening reception: Friday, January 30th, 2009,
6-8 pm at Jen Bekman Gallery
6 Spring Street, NYC.

Work will be on view until Saturday, February 14th, 2009

Wednesday Edition: Combined Shipping + Ky Anderson

High-flying Thursday greetings, collectors! I'm typing this missive aboard the slightly delayed AA Flight 179, which is both good and bad. Good because banking on in-air wireless meant I got 2 hours of sleep instead of no hours of sleep. (These newsletters take time, you know?) Bad because, well, even shoehorned into a seat with the laptop screen thisclose to my nose, I've still managed to procrastinate 50% of its battery life away. Incorrigible, that's what I am! The BEST part of being connected? Not being incommunicado when we announce that we've launched THE single most requested 20x200 feature of all time: CARTS aka combined shipping aka time to stock up on art for the holidays. We are excited, exhausted, but excited. We hope that you are too.

The carts are up and running right this minute, which means that you can acquire both of today's editions by Ky Anderson in one short sweet transaction. And what a lovely duo they are! Fingerprint and Handing are both great, and even better together. You know what else? You can go nuts and get yourself (or some lucky loved one) a trio of Ky's lovely prints. A few prints from her previous edition, Many Mountains, are still hanging around waiting to be popped into your shiny new cart.

Adding carts required some major under-the-hood and behind-the-scenes machinations. David and Raul have been the most hard-working elves the world over. They're seriously sleep-deprived, and yet: elated! (A recurring theme at 20x200 HQ.) We're totally psyched that we were able to roll out this new functionality in time for the very apex of the holiday season. Ultimately, this new way of doing things will make things easier for everyone, but there may well be some hiccups in the meanwhile. Please be patient, and definitely let us know if something seems amiss!

There's a lot more I could say, but alas I'm running out of juice and there's not a power outlet in sight. Enjoy Ky, and carts and look for me tomorrow, when I'll return with a double good photo edition that you for sure do not want to miss.

searching for armillaria death rings # 0611-1129 (2,400 + years old; malhuer national forest, OR)
by Rachel Sussman

20x200 photographer, and Spring 2005 Hot Shot, Rachel Sussman was named in New York Magazine's Year in Art recap. Along with Polixeni Papapetrou she was drafted into the Best Photography Shows That Slipped Under the Radar category. The said show was Sussman's first solo Chelsea show which opened in May at Michael Steinberg.

Also of note, Sussman's ongoing project The Oldest Living Things in the World is on view at The Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The Oldest Living things in the World "is simultaneously a photographic exhibition and an interdisciplinary study of the oldest continuously living organisms on the planet. Sussman's research ranges far afield from her training as a photographer, bringing her into dialogue with experts in mycology, dendrochronology and microbiology, amongst others. At the completion of this project she will have traveled to over twenty countries and every continent to photograph and work with biologists. Her subjects, all a minimum of 2,000 years old, include such diverse life forms as trees, predatory fungus, and ancient bacteria."

Read more about her project on her blog.

Rachel's 20x200 edition print:
Towards Christiana (Copenhagen)
Rachel's site

By far the biggest feature request over the last year of 20x200 has been a shopping cart. This was initially difficult for a number of esoteric reasons, but we've finally solved all the kinks in the system and are happy to be able to allow our collectors to group prints and save on shipping (Thank David, he did most of the heavy lifting). Note that medium and large prints will still ship separately. In order to protect them properly we have to ship them individually in tubes.

The shopping cart is a new feature so if there's something that is not working for you, or you think could be better, let us know.

Hello collectors, it's Sara, and as always, so happy to have the opportunity to share new art and artists with you! To brighten an otherwise terribly dreary day here in NY, I'll be quick to introduce today's double edition, a double double edition of sorts. Hank Williams' Bed, Georgiana, Alabama and Leonard's Bed, Niland, California come to us from identical twin brothers Scott and Steve Eiden. The Eidens spent hours in the darkroom to make these prints by hand for you dear collectors; they are luscious, traditional c-prints.

Like the brothers themselves, the photographs of these beds are quite a pair, hinting at tall tales from the past and present, reminders of legends living and long departed. I have a feeling you could sit down with Scott and Steve over dinner and they'd have stories a plenty to share about these photos and the others they've shot along their ways. But for now, these photos will have to suffice for us all.

Because, as Jen mentioned yesterday, it's been utter craziness at 20x200 HQ; we've been preparing for important announcements of all sorts, combined shipping, here on 20x200, of course, AND, the new round of Hot Shots over at Hey, Hot Shot! No rest and no square meals (just BLTs and cupcakes!) for the weary around here!

This fresh crop of Hot Shots will join ranks with Scott who was a Hot Shot in the fall of 2007. In every round of Hey, Hot Shot! competition, we see more than a few photographs of beds. They're an oft shot subject, so much so that they're named in Geoff Dyer's list of common subjects in the history of photography, along with road signs, benches, and hats (if you want to brush up on your photo knowledge, Dyer's The Ongoing Moment, is a good book to pick up, read, and pass on to a good friend, photographer or not).

That being said, some photographs of beds are better than others and these two are among those that are better. Scott's photo of Hank's reminds me of Walker Evan's Bed, Tennant Farmhouse, Hale County, Alabama. It's a humble accommodation for certain, for a farmer, or a future radio singer. Leonard's bed and a comparison of the two, make me think of a whole slew of beds (and the photographs of them) and what is above and below them and what that says about their respective sleepers. In Leonard's bed, there's not much separating him from the sky above and the sand below. Again, a pretty humble, but grand (if you ask me), way to sleep. And appropriately so, Leonard is the most devoted at Salvation Mountain, making a tribute to love and faith his life's work.

The beauty and detail in both of these photographs are due, in part, to the large format 8"x10" negative the brothers favor. Like, Scott's previous 20x200 edition, the small prints are traditional contact c-prints; all the prints in both editions were carefully printed by Scott and Steve themselves. They are a treat for the eyes for sure, so pick up one, or pick up both! We've made it easier than ever for you to do so and just in time as these prints are sure to go fast! Get to it! I'm going to, too. And I'm off but Jen will be back sooner than you may think!

Newfoundland 7 by Carrie Marill

Newfoundland 1 by Carrie Marill

Friday greetings, collectors! I am writing to you via a tethered, achingly slow internet connection whose expense is entirely unwarranted. So it goes when you're a captive hotel audience, I suppose, but I wonder nonetheless — if I can get affordable, zippy wireless on an airplane, why can't the hospitality industry get with the program? Annoying! Especially considering that I'm here in Monterey to attend a very future forward conference called The Entertainment Gathering. Along for the ride is the multi-talented Ms. Mount. We're looking forward to a day full of amazing presentations, but the first order of business for me is to introduce our fourth AAA edition from Carrie Marill.

Newfoundland 1 and Newfoundland 7 are from Carrie's amazing Newfoundland series, which depicts threatened or endangered flora and fauna existing in an imaginary world. Like our AAA editions from Ms. Sanchez, there are editions available for $20 (11"x8.5"), $50 (14"x11") and $200 (22"x17").

A vision, better than sugarplums, has been dancing in my head since we planned this release. Perfectly arrayed in my mind's eye is an utterly delightful salon style hanging of all Ms. Marill's 20x200 editions. Anchoring the arrangement would be The Faceted Couroucou and A Dream World Glimmers in the Background of the Soul, each of which have just a single 30"x40" print remaining from their entire editions, along with a 17"x22" print of Space and Illusion, an excellent reference for Carrie's distinctive palette that illuminates her virtuosity with abstraction. Today's two Newfoundland offerings look fantastic at our recently introduced 14"x11" dimensions, and 11"x8.5" versions of House Plant 2 and House Plant 3 would provide delicate yet emphatic punctuation.

That'd be quite an amazing gift of art to give, or receive! And now, of course, with combined shipping, it's easier (and cheaper!) than ever, to pick up all these prints in one fell swoop!

As for me, I'm off to another day of mind-expanding conference attending. I'll be back on Monday with tales to tell and editions to announce. Bon weekend, and see you then!

Image from the series World Beard & Moustache Championships by Luke Stephenson

Good Friday morning to you, collectors! The time has come for me to bring you a little insight into the life of one of our esteemed (and clever) photographers, Luke Stephenson.

Favorite dish to cook:
A Curry

Pet peeve:
People filing there nails; the sound is awful

Aisle or window seat?
Window

Favorite TV show:
You've Been Framed! or Homes Under the Hammer

Image from the series Budgies by Luke Stephenson

Internet time per week:
Far too much

Homepage on your computer:
Just Google

How many people do you know who own an iPhone?
Not one

Best attribute around the house:
I am very good at adding to clutter

Image from the series Spectacle wearing folk

White or wheat bread?
White for a bacon sandwich otherwise wheat

Favorite place to travel?
Italy is very nice

Biggest fear:
Being trapped a long way underground in a little tunnel. That would be horrible.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?
I feel guilty about most things that bring me pleasure, but I'd say mostly cigarettes and alcohol.

When did you decide to be an artist?
I suppose at school I didn't really know what I wanted to be, but I knew I would have to be something creative.

Can you remember your first photograph?
No, but I have a photograph which is the first photograph I took when I was about 3 or 4 years old of my Mum, Dad and Grandma on holiday in Tenerife. My Dad looks scared because I'm holding his new camera.

Where would you like to live?
I'm quite happy where I am.

What is your idea of an ideal day?
Waking up late-ish and have 2 boiled eggs with soldiers (toast fingers), then receiving a phone call telling me I had been commissioned to take a portrait of the Queen. Then I would go somewhere I have never been before, potter around for a while find some charity shops (where they would all contain wonderful things). Then I would buy a lottery ticket and then just happen upon a flying machine which was invisible not unlike Aquila which was a kids tv show when I was young. I would probably meet ALL of my friends in a nice pub and eat drink and be merry, go home and fall asleep in my bed and have very odd dreams.
Oh yes, I would have won the lottery with the ticket I bought earlier in the day. That would be my ideal day.


Who are your favorite characters in history?
I can't think of one.

Who are your favorite heroines in real life?
My Mum and Dad!

Your favorite painters?
David Hockney, George Stubbs.

Your favorite photographers?
Stephen Gill, Charles Freger, Philip Lorca di Corcia, Andy Warhol.

Your favorite musician?
Far too many it changes every week

Your favorite author?
Roald Dahl

Do you collect art?
I am not sure you can call it art but I buy a lot of pictures from junk shops, car boot sales and charity shops. If it is a photograph, I can't help myself, it has become a bit of a problem.

Which 20x200 artists do you most enjoy?
Amy Ross, William Lamson, Kent Rogowski, Carrie Marill.

Image from the series Budgies by Luke Stephenson

What are you working on?
A music video, it's going to be an animation of a factory in a forest, and it should be interesting to make. I have made one or two little films before, and they are good fun. I don't really know what I'm doing or how its really going to work but I think that is what makes it fun.

If I were to walk in your studio right now, what is the first thing I'd notice?
A cardboard forest and me sitting on my computer writing to you.

If you didn't make photographs what would you make?
Bad paintings.

The End.

Luke's 20x200 edition prints:
Yellow Canary #1
White and Grey Canary #1
Luke's site

Birds of A Feather
by Echo Eggebrecht
Add one to your cart here

20x200 is in many ways your one stop shop to find gifts for everyone from your best friend to your dog walker. As Raul mentioned, we've added a new feature of combined shipping (on our small $20 and $50 editions) so, you'll now be able to group prints and save on mailing. To honor this new feature, our own Sara Distin has selected some of her most wanted edition prints to fill up her virtual cart. Let's have a look:

132 Birds Leaving AMNH (Response to Jason Polan)
by Jane Mount
Add one to your cart here

Many Mountains
by Ky Anderson
Add one to your cart here

No. 6. 8/6/2005 (plane)
by William Lamson
Add one to your cart here

Hank Williams' Bed, Georgiana, Alabama
by Steve Eiden
Add one to your cart here

Far and Wide
by Ann Tarantino
Add one to your cart here

Leonard's Bed, Niland, California
by Steve Eiden
Add one to your cart here

Feeling inspired to fill up your own cart now?
Hop to it!

Untitled (Geese, London)
by Dana Miller
Add one to your cart here

After having a peek inside Sara's Dream Cart yesterday, I couldn't help myself from making my very own. Today I've focused on 20x200 photography edition prints, and here is what I've found:

Untitled (Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik, Iceland)
by Carlo Van de Roer
Add one to your cart here

Panda
by Charlie Crane
Add one to your cart here

Untitled, Swamp #2
by Dorthe Alstrup
Add one to your cart here

Fence by Railroad Parcel, Ashland, Oregon
by Jeffrey Krolick
Add one to your cart here

Yay! Fun and easy gift shopping! I think these would all look very wonderful on a wall together. I suspect I am going to have a difficult time giving them away!

Identical wonder twins, Doug and Mike Starn, are about to unveil their installation, See It Split, See It Change, underground at the new South Ferry station.

From the press release:

Sandra Bloodworth, Director of MTA Arts for Transit said, “The Starns’ installation is brilliant in its simplicity and clarity as it captures the historic context of the new South Ferry Terminal. Viewed from the southern tip of the island the work compares and contrasts the veins and arteries of the natural world to the routes and lines of the transportation system, the similarities are stunning. Likewise, the flanking silhouetted trees are portrayed in fused glass that powerfully evokes the Park at the Battery - in breath-taking beauty.”

Read the complete press release here.
Read Making Artistic Connections at a Subway Station in the New York Times here.
Curbed, also has this review.

More images here, and here.

Doug and Mike Starn's edition prints:
Structure of Thought 6b
Structure of Thought 6a

Starn Studio site

Passage, Levens Hall by Beth Dow

The Pinetum, Wakehurst Place by Beth Dow

AAA Editions: Beth Dow

Greetings collectors! I'm typing to you from Ritual Roasters in San Francisco, in the midst of coffee and talk with several key players from team 20x200. We're off to a day full of meetings, so I'm going to keep my introduction of today's AAA editions short and sweet. With prints by Beth Dow to announce, my job's a cinch!

Passage, Levens Hall and The Pinetum, Wakehurst Place are from Beth's knockout In the Garden series. There is just one 30"x40" print left from our previous edition from this series, Clearing, Wakehurst Palace and I happen to think it'd look just smashing flanked by the 16"x20"($200) versions of these two. Another option would be to stack the 11"x14"($50) prints beside it. Last but not least, the 8.5"x11"($20) would make a sweet pairing on their own, and collectors lucky enough to have scored the $20 edition of Wakehurst will have a fine looking trio. As I said when introducing Carrie Marill's newest offerings last week, the fact that we can now combine orders has me really fixated on salon-style hangings of our artists' work, and I suspect it'll be an ongoing fixation.

Viewing Beth's beauteous hand-made platinum prints in person is another thing I have a fixation about, and once you see them you'll understand why. If you are going to be in or around NYC on April 3rd, you'll have the perfect opportunity to see these amazing objects and meet Beth in person — her second solo exhibition at Jen Bekman Gallery, Ruins, opens on that date. It might sound far off, but it'll be here before we know it. (Which is kinda great, and also kinda scary.)

If, like me and everyone else I know, you still can't get enough of the In the Garden series, I suggest taking a gander at her book by the same title, recently awarded the Grand Prize in Blurb's Photography.Book.Now. competition.

And now, I need to turn my attention to the meetings at hand. We're releasing new editions tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday, so there's lots of arty goodness in the pipeline. Thursday (that's December 18th) will be our last edition release before Christmas, and it'll be the last day that we can guarantee that your artwork will arrive in time to be tucked under the tree. So make your lists and check them twice, but be sure to get your orders in by then!

A magnificent wall arrangement of 20x200 Carrie Marill edition prints

Wishes do come true! Last week 20x200 debuted an AAA Edition by Carrie Marill. In Jen's newsletter about the release, she wrote about the possibility of a Marill dream wall, "an utterly delightful salon style hanging of all Ms. Marill's 20x200 editions". Well, artist Jane Mount heard this wish and made it come true for Miss Bekman using the powers of Photoshop. It truly does look delightful, but who could doubt the Bekman eye?

Perhaps you've been thinking of a dream wall of your very own. AAA Editions make this desire super simple to realize as they are comprised of 2, 3 or 4 images from the same artist. You can buy just one, or collect the whole set!

To date we've offered you 5 AAA Editons:
Jason Polan
Jennifer Sanchez
Carlo Van de Roer
Carrie Marill
Beth Dow

Which one are you dreaming of?

Wednesday greetings, collectors! Team 20x200 is leaving on a jet plane in a few short hours, putting the wintry weather of San Francisco behind us and heading back to NYC to get our own holiday celebrations underway. I'll announce one more edition tomorrow, and then it's time for me to get cracking on my own shopping. The 20x200 elves have been working around the clock for weeks now, so Santa Jen had best make a list and check it twice!

Snowfall #6 is from Minneapolis-based photographer Paula McCartney's gorgeous new series A Field Guide to Snow and Ice. Paula and I have a lot in common. We both love birds and books and count New York, San Francisco and Minneapolis among our favorite cities.

I've been talking to Paula about doing an edition with us since 20x200 was a twinkle in my eye. We initially discussed doing a print from her fabulous and witty Bird Watching series, but having the bird oeuvre well-covered as we do*, I jumped at the chance to feature an image from this new project.

I love the subtle simplicity of these images, and the pairing is just genius. I'm deeply suspicious of diptychs, often finding that the individual images fare better on their own (or worse yet, fail miserably) but Paula's pairings are perfect, enhancing the individual qualities of each frame and using the duality to support the ideas that inform the project.

The statement that accompanies her image is really terrific — she's working with some big ideas, but is funny and self-effacing in her approach. You can read it when you go buy your print but I'll repeat it here for good measure:

I moved from San Francisco to Minneapolis several years ago. After spending the first winters holed up and in denial of the fact that I now lived in what felt like an arctic tundra, I decided to brave the elements and explore the snowy landscape.
Not one to jump right into things, I began by making snowflake photograms in the safety of the summer months. Later, I ventured outdoors to capture the first snowfall of the season. The results are these snowfall diptychs: on one side, a snowflake (OK, a pressed specimen of the abundant wildflower, Queen Anne's Lace) and on the other a snowfall at night (which also nicely references the cosmos, turning the snowflake on the left into a starburst). With this series, I am interested in constantly reinterpreting natural forms with reference to multiple ideas on both a micro and macro level.

And now it's time for me to get packing and hit the road. See you tomorrow!

*Yes, that IS an understatement.

20x200 artist, Fernanda Cohen, is featured in a short video, Far From Home, which spotlights seven illustrators who live and work abroad.
Check it out here.
Fernanda graces the screen around 5:18

Above is Fernanda's scrumptious 20x200 edition print, Hotdog and I, which is still available in all 3 edition sizes here.

Speaking of awesome illustrators, here are a few more that you might consider adding to your collection, or giving as gifts:

Boundless
by Linzie Hunter
Add one to your cart here

Untitled (Black Blocks)
by Todd St. John
Add one to your cart here

Color Study #4
by Dustin Amery Hostetler (UPSO)
Add one to your cart here

Untitled
by Mike Montiero
Add one to your cart here

Attenzione, California collectors! 20x200 artists (and married couple) Jacob Magraw and Rachell Sumpter are participating in Giant Robot LA's 3rd annual Post-It Show.

Giant Robot magazine and stores is proud to present Post-It Show 3 at GR2 in Los Angeles. Curated by artists Mark Todd and Esther Pearl Watson and Giant Robot, the exhibition is slated to feature nearly 2,000 works by over 95 noted contributors each starting at only $20. These pieces will be on standard-sized 3" x 3" Post-It notes. (Larger sizes of 4" x 4" and 6" x 6" will also be available.) GR2 will offer them on a cash and carry basis, so they'll make great holiday gifts.

Can't make it to LA? Watch the video here.

Post-It Show 3 at GR2
GR2
2062 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

Incidentally, Rachell and Jacob have edition prints available:

AA, 2007
by Jacob Magraw
Buy one now

Cave Dwellers
by Rachell Sumpter
Buy one now

P.S.
Don't wait if you're ready to buy! December 18th (today!) is the very last day we can guarantee Christmas delivery to you!

Thursday greetings, collectors, and welcome to our sixth and final AAA Holiday Editions release! It's also the last day of our free shipping on $50 prints promotion, so if you've been eyeing any of those 11"x 14" prints, be sure to snap a couple up before midnight tonight and enter code free2xship50 at checkout for FREE SHIPPING. You may well want to use said code when purchasing Spades and Diamonds from the rad design duo Superdeluxe.

In addition to being an art and photography fiend, I'm also an avowed design nerd. As the founding editor of Unbeige, I had bully pulpit from which I was able to go on about architecture, design and typography. Being on the spot to talk about those things day after day broadened my horizons considerably: I discovered new talent, found my voice and learned lots. 20x200 takes it a step further, giving me the chance collaborate with the creative people I admire. Even better? When people I admire, like say, the typography geniuses of Hoefler & Frere-Jones admire those collaborations!

Doing a second edition with these talented women gives me warm fuzzies; their first two releases, Bonaparte 9 and Ziggurat 5, were created in honor of 20x200's one year anniversary which gives them all sorts of wonderful associations. Their visual appeal aside, those editions remind me of what a fabulous anniversary it was. Karin and Adrienne joined team 20x200 for a really spectacular celebration that evening, presenting a rare opportunity for me to actually hang out with the artists on the day their edition was released. I was so honored that they'd done the editions, and they were thrilled by all the buzz and attention the prints got (no surprise there!) It was a total love-fest.

As evidenced by the arrival of Diamonds and Spades, the love fest lives on! And it has a future too — our house of cards won't be complete till they're joined by the other two suits, whose arrival you can count on in the new year.

A couple of notes about these new prints before I take my leave: The 18"x14" sizes ($200) include a letterpress a layer. Since those pieces are done by hand, they take more time, which means that they'll arrive to collectors after Christmas Day. Hand-screened 40"x30" prints (edition of 2) are also available for $2000 each - drop a note to collector@20x200.com to learn more about those.

All right my friends, that's it for me, for now. Like I said, today's are the last new editions before Christmas, but you haven't heard the last of me — I'll be back next Tuesday with a year-end recap. Look for me then!

Koolman
by Kevin Cyr
Buy one now

'Tis the season to take advantage of excellent art buying options that Jen Bekman is offering! The gallery will open X Marks the Art, this Saturday, December 20th. X Marks the Art, promises to be a unique opportunity for our darling collectors to see original works and framed, limited edition prints by 20x200 artists:
Ky Anderson
Kotama Bouabane
William Crump
Kevin Cyr
Beth Dow
Scott Eiden
Don Hamerman
Gregory Krum
William Lamson
Carrie Marill
Christina Muraczewski
Kent Rogowski
Jennifer Sanchez
Aili Schmeltz
Kelly Shimoda
Luke Stephenson
Todd St. John
and
Bert Teunissen

Now is the time to see 20x200 edition prints and original works up close and personal. Even if the weather outside is frightful, there are plenty of places to grab a warming cup of hot cocoa on the way to the gallery.

I'll see you there!
6-8pm
X Marks the Art will be on view Saturday, December 20 through January 24, 2009
Jen Bekman Gallery
6 Spring Street
New York

In addition to being your humble bloggerina, I am also a preschool art teacher. I mention this now because the above video that Luke Stephenson has made for Bare Teeth reminds me of the beauty that comes when simple materials are transformed into magical things. Paint and paper combine to represent a new world where cardboard and pipe cleaners are suddenly a functioning part of a Good Luck Factory!

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Luke, and when I asked what he was working on, he had this to say:

A music video, it's going to be an animation of a factory in a forest, and it should be interesting to make. I have made one or two little films before, and they are good fun. I don't really know what I'm doing or how its really going to work but I think that is what makes it fun.

Fun to make and fun to watch!
The video reminds me of something Stéphane and Stéphanie might have made in The Science of Sleep. And the music? Well, the music is delightful--makes me envision elves playing on a sunny snowy mountaintop.

If only Luke didn't live an ocean away I'd be begging him to come and spend the day making videos with my 4 year olds.

Enjoy Luke's other videos here

Luke's 20x200 edition prints:
Yellow Canary #1
White and Grey Canary #1
Luke's site

Monday greetings, collectors! NYC already has that "it's a holiday" feeling; fewer people are on the streets, and the hardy souls who are braving the chill — invariably standing stock still in the middle of the sidewalk, right in my way — are turning their heads this way and that, examining some guidebook or map. Every single conversation I overheard yesterday had something to do with this attraction or that museum and did I mention that everyone was in my way? Because they were, and I was trying to shop! For gifts! Which was making me a little grouchy because I couldn't find just the right thing for anyone, and getting gifts right is important to me.

I went home empty-handed and updated my Facebook status thusly: "Jen has no talent when it comes to Christmas shopping." A friend immediately IM'd me and said: "a) I don't believe it! and b) Why don't you just give everyone 20x200 gift certificates!? I bought practically everyone on my list 20x200 prints for the holidays." For the record, I am NOT making this up — the conversation really happened, and yes, as I was having it I did realize that today's newsletter was materializing right before my very eyes and a) How awesome is my friend? and b) How excellent is her taste?*

I hope to dispense with my most major apprehension about gifting our certificates, here in front of you thousands of people, via this disclosure: I pay retail for 20x200 art, just like everyone else! As I've been known to say on multiple occasions, our prints are ridiculously affordable to begin with and I have zero interest in diminishing the proceeds, which we split with our artists. Aside from that — newsflash! — I am 100% completely all-in with this art for everyone idea, and every sale we make helps us do more.

Everyone's freaking out about the economy (for good reason!) which has made this gift-giving season particularly challenging. Part of what made yesterday's shopping excursion so impossible is that, in all honesty, I can't think of a better gift to give than what we've got to offer. As you collectors well know, 20x200 prints are affordable but they certainly aren't cheap. Where else can you spend so little money on something that's so special? Our prints are an amazing value and they're limited editions. You're not just getting something great, you're getting something scarce and — in defiance of all laws of economics and reason — you're paying less for it than you would anywhere else.

With regards to this economy stuff, it sure doesn't help that our captains of industry are seemingly incorrigible. They're laying off people left and right, but bonuses and private jets remain offensively intact. I'm offended at least, which means that I am thinking a lot about not only how much I spend, but to whom my money is going.

In case you haven't noticed, 20x200 is so totally not The Man. We're a bunch of obsessive idealists who really believe that art makes the world better, and are absolutely certain that others will agree if only we can get some great art into their hands.

So, yea, if I know you and I love you and you're on my list, be on the lookout for a small flat envelope that has the potential to totally rock your world. And if you're a fellow frustrated shopper, the perfect solution is right here.

*Answers: a) Really freaking awesome. b) Beyond excellent — it's impeccable!

Close Call
by Coke Wisdom O'Neal
Buy one

20x200 photographer, Coke Wisdom O'Neal, is making new work for his ongoing project which involves a 18-foot by 25-foot wooden specimen box. Yes, you read that correctly. To make things more clear, here is an image of past subjects:

Untitled (25) 2005

Coke was recently on location in San Isidro, Texas at the request of Mixed Greens gallery owner, Paige West. High School students, farm hands and other bold souls all stepped in front of Coke's lens to be boxed and indexed. There is talk of a show of the work at Mixed Greens. I'll keep you posted...

The Brownsville Herald ran an article on Coke's arrival in town. Read all about it here.

Jason Polan and Every Person in New York from Abby Urban on Vimeo.

Words of wisdom from Mr. Polan are revealed in this snappy little video about his neverending project Every Person in New York by Abby Urban.

Jason Polan's 20x200 editions:
Insects and Myriapods at The American Museum of Natural History
Sea Creatures at The American Museum of Natural History
Dinosaurs at The American Museum of Natural History
132 Birds at The American Museum of Natural History
Every Person in New York
Hand Project

Jason Polan's sites:
Jason Polan
The Drawing Project
Every Person in New York
The 53rd Street Biological Society

Untitled (Max)
by Dorthe Alstrup
2008 1st place Color, Singular Image

Hello and Happiest Monday Greetings! Today I bring news of three opportunities for those of you who are collectors and photographers::

REVIEW SANTA FE
Event date: June 4-6, 2009
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: JANUARY 23, 2009
CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Review Santa Fe is a juried portfolio review event scheduled for June 4-6, 2009. It is a two-day conference for photographers who have created a significant project or series and are seeking wider recognition. Up to 100 photographers meet with esteemed curators, editors, art directors, publishers, gallery and agency reps, and alternative market professionals.

PROJECT COMPETITION
DEADLINE: JANUARY 23, 2009
CLICK HERE TO APPLY

The 14th annual Project Competition honors committed photographers working on long-term documentary projects and fine-art series. Three jurors reach a consensus on the First Prize and three finalists. Each individual juror also selects a project to receive one of the three Juror's Choice awards.

Jurors: Alice Gabriner, Time Magazine; Karen Irvine, Museum of Contemporary Photography; and Maarten Schilt, Mets & Schilt publishers

SINGULAR IMAGE (3 CATEGORIES)
DEADLINE: JANUARY 23, 2009
CLICK HERE TO APPLY.

The Singular Image recognizes outstanding individual photographs. We have updated and expanded this competition to include three categories with more opportunities to get your work seen.

NEW CATEGORIES AND JURORS
Categories are no longer seperated by technique (i.e. Black & White and Color); all photo-based techniques, medium, and subject matter are accepted into each of the categories.
• The Curator’s Choice award
Juror: Corey Keller, Assoc. Curator of Photography, SFMoMA
• The Editor’s Choice award
Juror: Simon Barnett, Director of Photography, Newsweek
• The Publisher’s Choice award
Juror: Michael Mack, Publisher, SteidlMack

The deadlines for all three of these opportunities is less than a month away, so hop to it!
Good Luck!

20x200 graphic artist Dustin Amery Hostetler (UPSO) is also a curator and publisher of the art magazine Faesthetic.

Issue #10, "Scams & Deceit", is available now.

Dustin's 20x200 edition print:
Color Study #4
Dustin's website

Second to last day of the year greetings, my collector friends. I trust you are all fat and happy and have been enjoying your holidays. Or perhaps you're just relieved to be back at your desk, away from malls and families and forced cheer? Regardless, I'm happy to see you! You look fabulous and seem poised for a fantastic 2009. We too are poised, or at least preparing to take our poses, but we're not springing into the next calendar year before sharing some more art with you in the '08.

Today's colorful edition, Saint-Pierre, comes to us from local abstractionist Ian Carpenter. His Chamonix, which we released back in April amid a stream of consciousness, was much beloved by our collectors. Saint-Pierre has a lot in common with its predecessor, and its higher amplitude seems fitting for the season.

Also fitting for the season: X Marks the Art at Jen Bekman Gallery, which opened last weekend. The show is comprised exclusively of works that have been featured right here on 20x200, and damn! It looks super.

The gallery's Associate Director, Jeffrey Teuton, has put together a very cool mix which includes original works from artists like Jennifer Sanchez and William Crump, along with 20x200 prints like Chateau Pool by Gregory Krum, printed at its largest (and oh so glorious!) dimensions, and Scott Eiden's Opp, Alabama, which is a traditional old-school darkroom c-print, meaning it's a pleasure to behold in person AND an absurdly amazing bargain.* Also on view: original puzzle collages from Kent Rogowski and Ky Anderson's Fingerprint painting, which is begging me to take it home. Since I'm running out of wall space, I might restrain myself and let some other savvy collector get a hold of it.

It's really a great show, which I can say unreservedly — I had nothing to do with putting it together, just ask Jeffrey! And speaking of Herr Teuton, he's over at the gallery today till 6pm. We don't usually have hours Tuesdays, but he's there working on our upcoming Hey, Hot Shot! showcase and has thrown the doors open for visitors. Go say hi, ok?

As for me, it's bye for now, but just till tomorrow when I'll be back with a cool photograph from a piping hot Hot Shot. Look for me then!

*A 20"x24" c-print for $200? Inconceivable! What's even more inconceivable is the fact that any of those prints are left. Same goes for his more recent Hank Williams' Bed print — get with the program people!

It's officially the last day of the new year, even though I'm still awake the night before. (That totally makes sense, think about it for a second.) I'm getting a jump on the day since I have a very busy morning tomorrow. Isn't that completely absurd? It's a good thing that I love what I do, so I really don't mind doing it all the time.

Bus by photographer Juliane Eirich got me on the hunt for snowy poetry, which there happens to be an abundance of. I rejected Billy Collins — too twee for me! I know people adore him but, as Cicero said, Suum cuique pulchrum est. All the poems about death and dying were ruled right out because why end the year on a bummer note, you know? (Sadly this ruled out all the poems by women that I'd come across.) Frost's Dust of Snow was a real contender for a minute, but lost out in an elimination round against his uber-classic Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.

Path by Pierre Reverdy and Mark Strand's Lines for Winter are fabulous, but neither were enough to unseat Frost. Ultimately, however — in spite of a vigorous campaign by Sara Distin, who memorized the poem as a wee lass — Woods eventually lost out to... The Snow Man by the venerable Wallace Stevens. (I'm a modernist at heart, you see.)

The Snow Man

One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;

And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,

Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place

For the listener, who listens in the snow,
and, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.

- Wallace Stevens (1921)

Now, having provided you with plenty of poetry to ponder, I wish you all the happiest of New Years and bid you farewell till 2009!