What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Lauren Alexander

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.

In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people.

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about Lauren Alexander.






Lauren Alexander
Watercolor Artist
Overland Park, KS



What do you do?
I am a watercolor artist and I paint fun and colorful things for your home, nursery, or office. I love to use color in new and interesting ways. I am most influenced by nature, animals, music, and kids. I am an art teacher too, so being around people and art every day is a great way to stay inspired.


I love making people happy with my work.

It is the greatest feeling in the world to do something that can make someone smile.





How do you do it?
I generally paint really small 9"x12" or smaller. It makes it easier for me to paint a lot of different things at once. My favorite thing is to paint really small - ACEO size; 2.5"x3.5". I love to do many layers of paint - probably more than a typical watercolor artist, and I think that is how I get my colors so vibrant and bright. I like it when my watercolor paintings don't really look like watercolor anymore!

For a step by step visual of my painting process visit this blog post: Photo Diary of My Painting

Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?
I use iPrintfromHome.com because I don't print from home! I am frustrated by all that goes into home printing with the ink, paper, etc. I have found that iPrintfromHome.com has an amazing quality print that is extremely professional. When I needed a way to print my small ACEO paintings, I went to iPrintfromHome and decided to have them printed on 3.5"x5" paper - a perfect fit for framing. People really like that size and they are a big part of my online store! Fast and friendly service is also a plus - I am big on customer service and I love working with a company that operates on that high of a level.

Contact Information:
Lauren Alexander
www.laurenalexander.etsy.com
www.laurenalexanderart.blogspot.com

Love is in the air.

Although we're not even into February yet, people are already talking about Valentine's Day.

Love is in the air, but Valentine's Day isn't just for sweethearts.

It's for mothers and children, brothers and sisters, best friends, buddies, & classmates.

It's about taking a day to let the people around you know that you care, to shower your friends with compliments, to thank them for making a difference in your life.

In the spirit of love, appreciation and gratitude, we've got something special planned for the entire month of February (because we're so excited about it, we're actually starting a little early).

Starting today (January 22nd) and running through February 2010, we are going to double the number of "Thank You Dollars" you can earn for spreading the word about our company. That means you can earn $12 in account credit for each person that you send our way.

An overwhelming majority of iPrintfromHome.com customers first came to our site because they heard about us from a friend, which means a bunch of you are already out there talking us up. We want you to know that we really appreciate every little thing that you do to help spread the word about our services. This month, we're putting our money where your mouth is. :o)

While we're running this "Love is in the air" promotion, we're also going to be sending you eNewsletters featuring iPrintfromHome.com customers as part of our "What, How & Why" interview series. We're excited to share their stories with you and hope that you find them as inspiring as we do.

Here's how "Thank You Dollars" work:
As a small token of our appreciation, you will be awarded "Thank You Dollars" that can be applied to orders placed at iPrintfromHome.com when you refer your friends, family and colleagues to iPrintfromHome.com.

You will receive $1 $2 in "Thank You Dollars" when your friend creates an account at iPrintfromHome.com and enters your name in the "Referred by" entry box.

You will receive another $5 $10 when they place their first order. As you earn "Thank You Dollars," they will be automatically deposited into your account and you will receive notification by email.

To redeem your "Thank You Dollars", please click on "Use Thank You Dollars" just before placing your next order. You can also review your "Thank You Dollars Account" by going to the "My Account" section of iPrintfromHome.com.

What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Jamie Ribisi-Braley

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.

In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people.

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about Jamie Ribisi-Braley.




Jamie Ribisi-Braley
Artist & Owner of Sweetland Retreat
Manchester, Maine




What do you do?
I'm an artist working primarily in encaustic paint (beeswax, resin, & pigment) and oil paint. I live in Manchester, Maine where I have just opened up Sweetland Retreat, an artist retreat where you can create in a relaxing setting. We currently have workshops available and are renovating our home to become a Bed & Breakfast for artists and art lovers.



How do you do it?
I make my own encaustic paint and medium from the finest ingredients of pure beeswax, damar resin, and artist ground pigments. I melt my paint on a hot plate and brush it onto my surface, fusing each layer together with a heat gun. It's a very ancient technique and I love that it's making a comeback! It's the best mixture of painting, collage, sculpture, & photography.

My oils have been a bit neglected since I fell head over heels for encaustic. But I'll always love oils for their luminosity and preciseness. The difference between the two are great and that's why I'll always use both of these mediums- oils are great for the Virgo in me who needs to have control; encaustic is perfect for just letting go and following the nature of the wax, never knowing what will happen next.




Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?
My colors are very important to me! I work very hard to have pure vibrant colors and I would only use a print company who cared about it as much as I do. I had tried others in the past and none made me as happy as iPfH does! The care that they put in to their packaging alone is enough to make me drool. But their quality is outstanding and their prices can't be beat. I use the Giclee printing option as an affordable way for my customers to have top of the line prints of my work. I know that the color will match perfectly to my specs and that they layout will be exactly as I had ordered. Most of my customers think my Giclees are actually paintings! They look so real. And as if all of that isn't enough-- their customer service is the highest caliber I've come across in a long time.

I have sung the praises of iPfH from the rooftops for a long time now and I'm not about to stop anytime soon!

Contact Information:
Jamie Ribisi-Braley
http://SweetlandRetreat.com
http://jamieribisi.etsy.com
http://jamieribisi.com