Win A Monster A1 Canvas!

Do you want to win some free canvas? Yeah, we thought you might! In keeping with our artsy vibe for our recent newsletter (if you're not already signed up to it, head to our homepage and sign up so you're in the loop!), we want you to get creative and show us your art.

Send us an image of whatever you consider to be your ‘art’, and you’ll go in the draw to win massive A1 canvas. Entries close September 20th 2012. 

We're only accepting submissions via email so send 'em through to hello@pixelpaint.co.nz with a brief description and a bit about yourself. 

PS: Please don’t feel like you need to send us the actual art itself, a digital copy is what we’re after!

Here are some links to some amazing illustration sites that we are in love with to get the creative juices flowing:

Etsy
Strongstuff
The Beat Is BackFify 24 SF

Society 6

Inspiration: Street Art!

Remember when everyone was obsessed with Banksy? We do. We've printed approx. one zillion Banksy canvases since we've been in business, and there is a good reason why.

Street art is freaking awesome, that's why! There are loads of extremely rad, extremely talented street artists for you to obsess over too. Did I mention that street art looks totally badass on canvas? Because it does. Here are some of our favourite artists for you to check out:

Owen Dippie is a kiwi dude with major steez, his work is amazing, check out his blog here: http://owendippie.blogspot.co.nz/

The GBAK crew are a multinational collective from New Zealand, Australia and Germany. 

Check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/GBAK-CREW/259551327476733

Miles "Mac" Mcgregor is an LA artist and my personal favourite. His realism work is actually stunning. As in it will literally stun you. Do yourself a favour a visit his website: http://elmac.net

Christian Guémy is a French graffiti artist known to the public as “C215″ who has garnered some fame for his intricate, colorful stencil works. Take at look at some of his work here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/c215

Who's your favorite street artist? Comment and let us know!

Canvas for dudes.

So you wanna buy a canvas for a guy. Or maybe you are a guy who wants to buy a canvas for himself. Either way, you might find yourself confused about what image to choose, because life is confusing sometimes.

We really hate stereotypes. In fact, we firmly subscribe to the idea that most men are NOT emotionally crippled sports fanatics with remote controls for hands and are actually normal humans with feelings and emotions. But here are five canvas ideas that we consider to be a little more 'masculine', just in case that's what you were going for...

1. Muscle cars. This is a total shout out to my Dad who has been a muscle car fanatic for as long as I can remember. This passion also extends to most of the males in my family. They do look kind of cool though right? Some might even say they are 'sexy'...
If you're not a fan, you probably will be after taking a look at these photos:
http://thethrottle.thechive.com/2010/09/10/classic-muscle-cars-are-back-on-dirty-friday-21-hq-photos/



2. Bands/Musicians. I live with four guys in their 20's and I have since gathered that their main hobbies are: to annoy me by listening really loud music ALL the time, and xbox. I also heard a rumour that most people in the world enjoy music, so... Check out these awesome vintage rockstar photos to get the ideas flowing: http://www.buzzfeed.com/scottm27/20-vintage-rock-star-photos-you-have-to-see-54cb

3. Movies and/or Superheroes. No one is to cool for Batman. For real, all of the cute nerd boys read comic books, trust me. Take a look at the marvel website and flick through some digital comics, there's a superhero to suit every personality type: http://marvel.com/

4. Nature. Mother nature is a crazy mofo. There are so many amazing pictures available online of erupting volcanoes, thunder storms, tranquil beaches and lush rainforests. I could literally go on forever. Check out this awesome photo blog for some inspiration: http://iheartnature.tumblr.com/

5. Out of control babes. I guess some people might think this is bad taste. But seriously you guys. Megan Fox. Have you seen her? You should see her. Better yet, you should print her on a canvas and take her home to keep forever. I tried to find a gallery of hot girls that wasn't dodgy but couldn't, so I'll leave that up to you!

Pixelpaint customer of the month for August 2012!

What’s your name? Ruth Lowe

Where are you from? Auckland!

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the art work you chose: My son Ethan is 22 year old mechanic with an amazing ability to capture art on camera. I don't think he realises how good he is and I’m so proud of him! He inspired me to cover my walls on canvas instead of re-wallpapering.

What is your favourite thing/favourite thing someone has said about your canvas: The images make you feel like you’re actually there, you can just keep looking at the canvas and it never gets boring. It’s like you are really there.

What are you planning for your next canvas: My next canvas will be another photo taken by Ethan, because I am so proud, and all of my kids want one for their rooms. Better than wall paper any day!

Canvas for a cause.

Pixelpaint recently donated some canvas to help support the lovely Natalie Sisson, aka the Suitcase Entrepreneur in her latest fundraising venture.


Natalie recently completed a 4,000 mile bicycle ride from Kenya to South Africa to help support WomenWin.org and raise awareness for this wonderful non-profit organization. WomenWin.org works to empower young women, pushing for their social and political rights through sport, athletics and physical education.


Here are some of the shots we printed for her:

Keep with with Natalie on her blog via her website, she's awesome!

Canvas Inspiration: Typography!

My love affair with typography began back in 2009 when I had just begun studying.
I had to make a poster for an event I was helping out with and someone suggested I check out some typography online for inspiration. Luckily, I stumbled across this guy, and his work totally blew my mind. My approach to using type was NEVER the same again! It totally revolutionised the way I saw art and posters and I think it may or may not have made me a better person.


Typography prints look amazing on canvas, so if you're ever stuck for an idea for your next print, here are 30 different and amazing typography tutorials for beginners:


http://ijaar.com/30-great-typography-tutorials-for-beginners/


 Check out these typography prints we did a few weeks ago for our mates over at Trade Me:

We're completely addicted to and obsessed with typography, and we feel like you will be too once you take a peak at these amazing typography illustrations:


http://www.inspirefirst.com/2011/11/01/typography-illustrations-collective/


And these amazing typography blogs:


http://www.typographyserved.com/
http://blog.typoretum.co.uk/
http://tdc.org/