STUDIO CP

A Fresh New Start for a Fresh New Year!

2012-01-10T10:45:00.000-08:00

"Jen & Chris" - Modern Design Style Wedding Print

Happy New Year!

After a few technical issues, the new UniquePawPrints.com is finally live and working well!

There are still a few bits sand pieces that need editing, but we’re very excited to offer you many more products, options and resources.

Here are just a few new things to check out –

We have a new “Modern Design” option for your wedding prints ::

http://www.uniquepawprints.com/design_styles.html

See our “Doggie Winter Weather Tips” and a funny video of our cat Pepper trying to catch a bird on TV - in News and Buzz! ::

http://www.uniquepawprints.com/news_and_buzz.html

We now offer gift certificates to make buying a cool, unique gift super easy! ::

http://www.uniquepawprints.com/gift_certificates.html

Visit our Facebook page for more cool and funny videos – and while you’re there be sure to “like” us and feel free to comment ::

http://www.facebook.com/UniquePawPrints

We hope that you will join us here, on the new UPP site, Facebook, and Twitter for informative articles, ideas and of course for fabulous modern art prints!

We hope you have a wonderful 2012, and we hope to hear from you soon!

Charlene,

Artist

INK… PAPER… & PURPOSE

2011-06-28T11:14:00.000-07:00


Women's Press Collective - Collective Endeavor Magazine Sp 2011

When I need a little cheering up these days (which is a bit more often than it used to be in an era of incessant gloomy news), I look out for stories about people and organizations that are doing great things to help others anywhere in the world.

I came across one such organization earlier this year- or actually they came to me- with a chance meeting of Lisa Daniell, the Operations Manager, 10 years ago. I was asked to create the cover art for the Spring 2011 issue of their Collective Endeavor Magazine earlier this year. The women of this organization inspired me for what they do and how they make a difference to so many, marginalized by the mainstream media. It was a wonderful experience working with them.

Operating from a tiny, humble, store front office in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, the Women’s Press Collective is an all-volunteer association of professionals in the publishing industry with a commitment to alternative publication resources. Catering to low-income, working communities, women and minorities, they offer free, or low-cost access to training in publication production, desktop publishing, writing, printing press operation, job information, referral services and more.

The WPC gives a voice to the voiceless at a time when big media cannot be relied upon to publicize the serious issues faced by low-income, working women today. WPC also do community organizing, host speaking engagements, assist in providing resources for budding organizations, among many other efforts. Their members churn out eye-opening newsletters, posters, leaflets, resumes, and business cards and more.

The Women’s Press Collective is currently in need of professional Art Director(s), Sr. Designers, and Illustrators to volunteer their expertise for their fantastic magazine.

Why not contribute to a good news story?

You can contact myself, or the organization directly for an issue and more information.

Charlene | Charlene@CharlenePotts.com | (212) 387-8415

Lisa Daniell | Women’s Press Collective | (718) 222-0405

Spring Travel

2011-06-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

Practical Traveler, The New York Times, May 1, 2011

New Unique Paw Prints Breed Print!

2011-03-09T19:25:00.000-08:00

Visit UniquePawPrints.com

New, redesigned website coming soon!

Happy International Women's Day to all!

2011-03-08T11:57:00.000-08:00

Women's health protest, NYC. February 26, 2011

Here's to moving forward - and not back - with women's rights.

Health and freedom for all women nationally and internationally.

A Few Recently Completed Portraits...

2010-11-20T16:02:00.000-08:00

Still taking holiday orders... for now!

Breed Prints at Unique Paw Prints

2010-08-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

My latest breed print.

All breed prints are available starting at only $30.

http://uniquepawprints.com/BreedPrints.aspx

UPP FREE Breed Print Contest

2010-08-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

Unique Paw Prints Free Breed Print Contest has been extended to 8/16/10!

"Like" our Facebook page and be automatically entered.  

   http://uniquepawprints.com/Contest.aspx

The Strong Women Exhibit Opening Reception

2010-03-24T12:01:00.000-07:00

A fabulous time was had on Friday at the opening reception for the Strong Women exhibit at Newark School of the Arts. There was such a diverse and creative energy that filled the room that evening. And It was incredibly inspiring to be surrounded by such talented women artists and their passionate works of art! The show featured both literal and abstract works, with a broad range of interpretations on the Strong Women theme. I am honored to be a part of this great show. The exhibition will be up until April 23, 2010.

Armisey Smith, one of the curators and fellow artists. That's her great painting behind us.

STRONG WOMEN

March 19 - April 23, 2010

Viewing hours: Tues-Sat 3-6:00pm

Newark School of the Arts

89 Lincoln Park Newark, NJ 07102

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

A pub near my old apartment in Dublin, Ireland in 2007

Here are just a couple of my favorite photos from when I lived in Ireland...

I hope you enjoy the craic (meaning, good times in Irish) today!

"Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you."

Overlooking the Wicklow Mountains, Ireland September 2007

Enjoying the summer sun in St. Stephen's Green, Dublin Ireland 2007

Grazing in the countryside, west of Ireland, early spring 2007

"Strong Women" Exhibit and Opening Reception

2010-03-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

“Indomitable Courage” 9” x 12.5” Gouache on paper

“Unconquerable Force” 9” x 12.5” Gouache on paper

“Indestructible Spirit” 9” x 12.5” Gouache on paper

Happy Spring to you all!

In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, I have created a series of paintings, which will be exhibited in a group show opening on Friday, March 19, 2010. The exhibition is being hosted by Newark School of the Arts, in Newark, NJ and will run from March 19 – April 23, 2010. All are welcome to attend!

I have to say that digging into paint, brushes and paper once again was such a refreshing departure from the digital world that I usually live in. And the subject matter... right up my alley! It was a blast, really. Thanks to Armisey Smith, curator and artist for the opportunity to be a part of this great show.

Hope to see you there!

Exhibition announcement and info :

The Newark School of the Arts is presenting an art exhibit in celebration of Women’s History Month March 19, 2010 - April 23, 2010. The exhibit, titled “Strong Women” celebrates the artistic achievements of women through various media including painting, photography, collage and drawing. The opening reception will take place at the Newark School of the Arts, Friday, March 19, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Viewing days and hours are Tuesday-Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

The exhibit will feature works by 29 women artists from Los Angeles, Maryland, New York and New Jersey, including notable women artists Virginia Block, Sadee Brathwaite, Mona Brody, Kathryn Eddy, Ellen Farren, Tamara Fitzpatrick, Leslie Ford, Rayna Gillman, Chris Kelsaw, Rachel Leibman, Jen Mazza, Francesca DeMasi Mucciolo, Sylvia Ortiz, Kaaren Patterson, Marsha Pickett, Luisa F. Pinzon, Charlene Potts, Patricia Rivera, Jacqui Rocker, Lisa Ross, Gail Slockett, Armisey Smith, Nettie Forne Thomas, Toni Thomas, Deborah Ugoretz, Lisa G. Westheimer, Philemona Williamson, Regina Wilson and Terri Norton-Wright. The exhibition was curated by Kathryn Eddy, Painter/Teacher and Armisey Smith, NSA Director of Public Relations.

The artists participating in “Strong Women” embody the power and vision of the female perspective and spirit. Both literal and abstract interpretations of the meaning of “strong women” will be represented through an eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional works of art. The new exhibition and studio space utilized for this event was designed to maximize on arts learning and exhibition opportunities for students, faculty and professional artists.

Newark School of the Arts offers a range of visual arts classes for children and adults. NSA visual arts classes are held Wednesday-Saturday. They include: digital photography (adult), acrylic painting (adult), jewelry-design (adult and teen) and drawing/painting (child-adult). The visual arts program at NSA provides quality arts instruction in a supportive and creative environment for all ages and levels of experience.

NSA provides instruction in the performing (music, dance, drama) and visual arts for people of all ages, regardless of their financial need or artistic ability. The School has been an incubator for artists and for professional people in many fields. A significant number of NSA alumni have made arts their careers, including dancer Savion Glover. The School has been recognized by the New Jersey Council on the Arts, which designated NSA a “Major Presenting Organization” for 2007-2009; and awarded the School a “Citation of Excellence” and designated the School a “Major Service Organization” during 2003 to 2006.

Newark School of the Arts is funded in part by New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, A Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and is supported in-part by a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the National Endowment for the Arts, administered by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Other major support for the School’s arts education programs comes from the City of Newark (CDBG/HUD), The Prudential Foundation, The Victoria Foundation, Turrell Fund and The Hearst Foundation.

Postcard front: LISA ROSS, Sky Blue Bed 2009

pigment on rag paper, 40” x 60”

“STRONG WOMEN”
Opening reception:
Friday, March 19, 2010 6:00-8:00pm
Exhibit:
March 19, 2010 - April 23, 2010
Newark School of the Arts
89 Lincoln Park Newark, NJ 07102
The event is free and open to the public.

Happy February To All!

2010-02-21T17:10:00.000-08:00

I had a fabulous opportunity to be a part of the Star Wars/Adidias
event, held a few weeks ago on February 4^th. It was very cool!

To promote the launch of a new limited edition Adidas Skywalker
shoe, an “Imperial March” took place from Harald Square to Times
Square in New York City. Everyone was so great to work with.

I assisted in the event that went off pretty well I think. The
march included Adidas promo models, Storm Troopers, Darth
Vader and even Snoop Dog! We got lots of press including
The Huffington Post, New York Magazine, YouTube
and across the blogosphere.

Enjoy the photos and please check back again soon.

I’ll be updating with lots of stuff going on!

Cheers!

“Buy What You Love” Show Update

2010-02-09T11:07:00.000-08:00

The Rema Hort Mann Foundation’s “Buy What You Love” show was a great success! The show got lots of PR and press. Over $40,000 was raised with more than 350 people in attendance, benefiting cancer patients and artists.

My piece was sold in the second round of bidding. 100% of the

proceeds from the sale will be going to the foundation.

There are still some works available if anyone is interested in supporting the cause.

For more information, go to: http://www.rhmfoundation.org/

(Me and the hubby)

See you soon!

Buy What You Love

2010-01-21T13:00:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010!

I hope that the New Year is finding you all well.

Back in the fall, I decided to donate a piece of art to the Rema Hort Mann Foundation- which is dedicated to cancer patient and visual artist support- for an upcoming show. The event - Buy What You Love: 8 1/2 x 11 Drawings, Collages and Mixed Media Works – opens next week and you are invited to attend!

All the proceeds will support the foundation's travel grant program for cancer patients and unrestricted grants to individual artists.

Thursday, January 29, 2010, 6:30-9 pm, in Chelsea, NYC.

It's $20. entry- but free drinks! Please click on the link for more information.

Should be fun if you’re in town and can swing it.

Hope to see you there!

http://rhmfoundation.org/jan28/

Charlene @ The Art Of Fashion 11/20/09

2009-11-30T11:35:00.000-08:00

A special - Thank You!- to all those that came out to see my work at

The Art Of Fashion- Webster Hall, NYC, 11/20/09.

(That's my work to my left.)

We had a lot of fun while enjoying some cool work at the show-

a big success!

Big Insurance: Sick of It!

2009-09-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

I attended the “Big Insurance: Sick of It” Rally yesterday in midtown Manhattan, across from Madison Square Garden. It was good, but it would’ve been nice to see more people. I was glad in the end that I’d squeezed it into my schedule.

This issue has me, and others in thrown into a tizzy…

People around the world just can’t understand it! They’re saying - “What the hell is wrong with Americans- why WOULDN’T they want a decent health care system that would cover their own people?”

I can understand why the Republican and the “Blue Cross” Democratic congress are against healthcare reform. They have been bought and pocketed by big insurance and big pharma. But what I just can’t understand is why the Republican base, or anyone else for that matter who claim to be Christian- why they would not support this country taking care of its own- and “the least of its brothers”?! That doesn’t seem very Christian to me.

That Darn Cat!

2009-02-09T16:16:00.001-08:00

Would you believe me if I told you that my cat Pepper is totally addicted to television?! It is the funniest thing ever!

We upgraded to a high-definition flat-screen television over the holidays. She rarely watched TV on the old set. But her fascination with TV really began recently with the Playstation hook-up. Now when she hears the noise of the PS3 starting up, she runs over to it. She especially loves the games Fifa 09 and Metal Gear Solid 4. (Is there a game rating system for fur viewers?!)

The love of the PS3 then quickly evolved into watching anything that moved on the TV screen! Her favorite things to watch are soccer games, YouTube, anything on Animal Planet, cat food commercials, hip-hop dancing, any puppet characters or cartoons, the movie That Darn Cat and the show Lost! She actually really watches shows in their entirety. Of course, when the arrow cursor is on the screen for the internet, she goes nuts! She chases it, runs and jumps after it. She even looks for it under or around the TV.

I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s been so hysterical and entertaining! We’re starting to think though that we should take her to TV Addicts Anonymous.

So since we hear so much bad news lately, I just thought I’d share a funny animal story with you! She’s been great comic relief for us here. Check out the video…

Peace, love and laughter,

Charlene

Ps- Newly updated- www.UniquePawPrints.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onI-GXJ2FKM&feature=email

Renewed… Unified… Inspired…

2009-01-24T10:55:00.000-08:00

Welcome!

The universe has shifted. It’s a new day!

Wow. I am still basking in the glow that was this incredible week! I can still feel the vibrations. Is this even real? I wonder what my grandmother Ophelia would’ve thought about this momentous time in our country, with all of the Jim Crow laws and discrimination that she experienced. A house built by slaves, is now occupied by an African American for the very first time.

One of my favorite lines from President Obama’s address:

“ For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth…”

We’ve been through so much as a nation and a global community in the last eight years. It feels like a colossal weight has been lifted off of us all. The air feels lighter. No more disastrous Bush administration policies and actions weighing us down and creating deep divisions! No more eradication of our civil liberties and eroding of our credibility as a nation!

Our new President, Barack Obama (my fellow mixed race south paw) has bought us all back together again! We have the opportunity now for a collective breathing- and healing. We have been called into action to help solve this serious crisis that we now find ourselves in. This is a very frightening, yet exciting time. Out of despair and hopelessness, comes a renewed faith, hope and optimism. There is nothing now to hold us back. Anything is possible!

I think that we are on the cusp of limitless possibility and have a chance to reach greater heights. We now matter once again, individually, collectively, black, white, Christian, atheist, here and around the world. President Obama with his accomplishments, has inspired us all to want to be better people. And we all feel the need to be apart of something bigger, this movement that is bigger than ourselves. I know I am not the only one who now feels inspired to be more, better, greater…

Let’s all join together in truly caring for each other once again!

I pledge… to reach out more, to help those in need more, friend and stranger alike.

MySpace Celebrity and Katalyst present The Presidential Pledge

...And get some healing laughter courtesy of Mr. Letterman… it’s REALLY funny!

And then there's the Starbucks pledge...

http://pledge5.starbucks.com/

Love, Peace and Happiness,

Charlene