Christy Cullen

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T23:21:00.003-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope today finds you surrounded by your favorite people. As I mentioned in my last post, I am celebrating the holiday in Lousiana with my boyfriend's family. I always have so much fun seeing/sharing the way other families "do Christmas". Its such a nice time of year to meet friend's relatives (especially the ones you've heard all those hysterical stories about). Of course, I do miss being away from my own family on Christmas but honestly, last Christmas was so perfect that there was no way we were going to top it this year.

The entire 2008 Christmas season was so memorable for me. For starters it was the first year I had any Christmas illustrations in stores. Then I received the incredible compliment of having one of my original gift wraps chosen as the foundation for Target's entire Christmas promotions theme. It was even animated as the background for a commercial shown during my favorite prime time TV show, The Office! You can imagine how exciting it was to go from laughing at Jim, Dwight and Michael to the completely unexpected surprise of seeing my artwork come alive during the commercial break. From there my gift wrap was adapted for use on Target's classic coke bottles, for placement on their giant shopping bag, printed on instore signage and in advertisements for Time magazine and the New York Times newspaper. It was everywhere! It truly felt like all my years of hard work had finally paid off!

Just when I thought things couldn't get better, they did! My entire family ended up celebrating Christmas morning together at my home in Grant Park, Atlanta. My Mom (in from Chicago), my Dad (in from Saint Simons Island), my brother and me spent the day sitting together around the same table eating the same Christmas morning breakfast and exchanging gifts in front of a warm fire just as we had for years in Dunwoody. It was as close as I'll probably ever come to my own personal Christmas miracle!

Make a gift card even more special with an adorable gift card pocket!

2009-12-22T09:59:00.012-05:00

Greetings from sunny New Orleans, Louisana! I wish I could share photos of this beautiful city but unforunately I broke my camera the week before my trip. The colonial parts of New Orlean are filled with charming architectural nuances. It almost feels as if I've stepped back in time.

Speaking of time, Christmas is almost here! I can barely believe how quickly this month has gone by. If you're down to the wire and still in search of a few more Christmas presents then I'd like to suggest the old-gift-card-standby packaged in my new gift card pockets. They're available exclusively at Michael's Craft Stores. Most stores have them placed on their own display at the front of the store.

These card holders were one of my favorite assignments of 2009 (mostly because I was given complete creative freedom). I had originally drawn the polar bear for a Target greeting card in 2008 (part of the mitten, stocking, ornament series). But when the bear wasn't selected I saved it in my archive for future use. The same is true for the Santa; he was originally created for a gift wrap that didn't make it to retail. So when the gift card holder assignment landed on my desk I was anxious to give the little bear and happy Santa a second shot. And hooray! This time around they found an even better home. I hope you'll check out the entire series*!

*Take a close look at the ornament trio, you've seen it here before.

Better then bills: Christmas cards are in the mail!

2009-12-06T13:34:00.000-05:00

Advent calendars across the globe have started their count downs. Just three weeks left until Christmas! Now is the perfect time to drop something simple in the mail that is 100% sure to make it's recipient smile. What's easier than a holiday greeting card?!

Last Christmas I had three original illustrations for sale as diecut Christmas cards available exclusively at Target. This year I have one at Target and two (from the same series) at Home Goods/TJ Maxx.

They were originally presented as a series of four but were ultimately selected by different buyers for different stores. Both of the buyers made requests for color changes so that the product fit within their proposed planograms. The tree is currently at Target stores across the country (although I've noticed its sold out at some Atlanta locations). I've checked my local Home Goods for the ornament and gift cards but because of the scattered way Home Goods stores spread their inventory I realize I might not find the cards. Please let me know if you happen to find them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T13:37:00.005-05:00

While on my way to meet up with my Dad, who is visiting from Saint Simons Island for the Thanksgiving holiday, I stopped by my local Target to pick up a few of the items I mentioned in my last post. Here you'll see the tiny take out container, the "happy meal" style box, and a "cub" size bag. All three are my own original illustrations. (Although they're an example of a very commercial, generic style. Left to my own devices I'd have created something a bit "sweeter").

The take out containers come 3 to a pack and are so great for giving little foods gifts to co-workers. Just fill with your Christmas cookie speciality, attach a thoughtful note about how you'd never make it through the week without your "work-wife" and slip it into someone's cubical before they arrive. Going to a Christmas party and need a hostess gift? Fill the "happy meal" box with ___ (ok, I never know what to bring as a hostess gift). Or, if you're like my awesome younger brother and the concept of wrapping a gift sounds as bad as sitting in traffic then pick up a few simple gift BAGS. Drop the gift in the bag, crumble some pretty tissue paper over it and go!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

Watch out! Black Friday is sneaking up on you!

2009-11-24T21:25:00.000-05:00

I'm amazed that its ALREADY that time of year again. Black Friday is only days away! If you're one of the people who plan to pack the stores just as the last delicious bites of Thanksgiving dinner happily settle into your tummy then I hope you're also planning to stop by your neighborhood Target store. Why Target? Because THAT is where you will find a wide variety of my artwork perfect for wrapping up all your special holiday gifts. From small take out containers sized just right for homemade sweets to whimsical-yet-modern premium wrappings papers to gift bags fit to hold scarfs, sweaters or a fruit basket.

Seriously, if you shop at Target for your gift wrapping needs then I've got you covered. I promise to post photos as soon as I have them! Until then, my personal favorite (out of dozens the Christmas designs I created for 2009) is featured in Target's Christmas catalog. I hope you'll pick up a roll or two. (Its the one on the far left. Lots of "FA LA LAs" mixed with trees and snowmen.)

Hello and welcome!

2009-11-15T14:20:00.000-05:00

Hello! My name is Christy Cullen and I am a full time, professional illustrator living in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the last few years I've been a designer for three of Atlanta's international creative companies. These jobs have given me the exciting opportunity to see my illustrations mass produced on everything from gift wrap and greeting cards to quilting fabrics and infant overalls. Products have been available at Target, Kmart, Walmart, Micheals, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, and Dollartree.

Working behind the scenes with such fantastic creative companies has also given me a glimpse of the licensing world. A world populated with illustrators I've long been a fan of (Mary Englebreit) as well as "newer" ones of whom I was very excited to learn about (Jill McDonald, Nancy Wolff, Amy Butler). Everyday I find myself super inspired by these successful women and I've decided the time is right for me to combine my inspiration and momentum. My goal for 2010 is to start building a collection of my own work, completely separate from my day job, available for licensing.

My artwork is inherently sweet, bright, cheerful, lively, and simple. It just is. Its something I've heard from every art director and teacher I've ever had. Usually at some point as a type of criticism (as in "I like it, its good, but its just so CUTE".) But I'm okay with sweet and sunny. Actually, I LIKE sweet and sunny! Its me. (I'm the kind of person who loves a good joke appropriate for a five year old.) So please, continue to check back for an occasional dose of happy. I'll be updating with current product throughout the holiday season.

Cheers!