Meet Donna Karan, American fashion designer and the creator of the Donna Karan New York and DKNY clothing labels.  Growing up in NY, Donna Karan was influenced by fashion from a young age by her step-father, a tailor and her mother who was a model.  After attending Parson’s School of Design for two years, she began designing for Anne Klein and eventually head of the Anne Klein design-team.  In 1985 she left to start her own company that quickly became known for her Essentials line, which offered 7 easy pieces every woman should own.  Three years later, in ‘88 the DKNY collection was introduced,  as a modern, moderately-priced young collection, drawing from the spirit of big city life.

Karan’s clothing is designed to enhance and look good on every woman, not just coming down the runway.  Donna Karan is known to support the needs of modern women with her clothing. The saying goes, that before the production of a piece of clothes is approved by Karan, it has to look good on her! 

Find Donna Karan’s fashions at Donna Karan New York.  This desinger’s information was acquired at Fashion Infomat. 

Designer: Jill Stuart

Designer Jill Stuart was deep into the fashino industry since birth, as her parents owned a popular ’60s Manhattan clothing store called Mister Pants, dressing stars including Natalie Wood and Lucille Ball.  Leveraging those connections, Stuart was able to  jump-start her own career.  At 15, this Manhattan native designer had jewelery and handbags displayed in the windows of high end stores including Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel and Neiman Marcus.  

The Jill Stuart label became well known for innovative ad campaigns with top fashion photographers.  While other designers were going grunge in the early 90’s Stuart turned to preppy and plaids, which became notoriously linked to the popular teen movie, Clueless.  Stuart’s feminine, sometimes frilly collections can be found in her Soho flagship, as well as in higher-end department stores, and has come to include handbags, shoes, and perfume. In 2007, Stuart launched a secondary line called Jill by Jill Stuart featuring ready-to-wear pieces at lower prices.

You can find Jill Stuarts beautiful collections at JillStuart.com.

All designer information was found from an article featured in New York Magazine. 

Designer: Tia Ciabani, Ports 1961

Designer: Rachel Roy

Originally from California, Rachel graduated from Washington DC then moved to New York to pursue her passion for design, working freelance – styling magazine shoots and music videos ultimately landing an internship at Rocawear where she was able to master her craft and build several influential relationships.  In Fall 2004, Roy introduced her own collection, RACHEL ROY, which debuted in department and specialty stores for Spring 2005. Using her sophisticated aesthetic to her own collection, incorporated with striking silhouettes, a sophisticated color palette and day-to-night pieces, Roy has attracted editorial acclaim in publications such as Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, W and Vanity Fair.

Dressing icons and starlettes including the likes of Michelle Obama, Kate Hudson, Lucy Liu and Penelope Cruz, also featured on The Oprah Winfrey show, RACHEL ROY is making a prominent and influential mark on fashion.  

RACHEL ROY NEW YORK has grown to include four full collections each year and recently created a joint venture with Jones Apparel Group Inc. in the hopes of expanding the wholesale business globally, introduce new product categories and open stand-alone stores in the United States and abroad.  To date, the RACHEL ROY collections are available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and top specialty stores worldwide.

Click HERE to find stunning RACHEL ROY collections.

All of this designer’s information was found at RachelRoy.com

City of Hope:

Hundreds of fundraising events are held for City of Hope across the nation each year. Every dollar raised advances our mission to transform innovative research into treatments that save lives here and around the world. Hundreds of thousands of people share your desire to make a difference by driving us to work even harder to conquer cancer and other serious diseases. On behalf of patients and their loved ones, we invite you to join the effort.

Such Events include: Walk For Hope, Eggleston Desert Gold Classic , Fight For Life and the Sierra Madre Wine and Jazz Walk.  

Breast Cancer Facts:

The seriousness of invasive breast cancer is strongly influenced by the stage of the disease; that is, the extent or spread of the cancer when it is first diagnosed. There are two main staging systems for cancer. The American Joint Committee on Cancer classification of tumors uses information on tumor size and how far it has spread within the breast and nearby organs (T), lymph node involvement (N), and the presence or absence of distant metastases (spread to distant organs) (M). II, III, or IV is assigned, with stage I being an early stage and stage IV being the most advanced. The AJCC staging system is commonly used in clinical settings.

 A simpler system used for staging of cancers is known as the SEER Summary Stage system and is more commonly used in reporting to cancer registries and for public health research and planning.  According to this system:

– Local-stage tumors are cancers confined to the breast.

– Regional-stage tumors have spread to surrounding tissue or nearby lymph nodes.

– Distant-stage cancers have metastasized (spread) to distant organs.

This information was provided by the American Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Facts and Figures 2009-2010.  Find the PDF version HERE.

Auction Details:

Visit www.sharpieuncapped.com to participate in the auction and bid on designers’ Sharpie art work  and be sure to read Works of Art From the Heart for more info on the auction and Know the Facts 1 & 2.

Sharpie, Uncap What’s Inside!

Designer: Prabal Gurung

This designer has made his mark on the world of fashion as an artistic designer and visionary.  Born in Singapore, raised in the kingdom of Nepal’s Katmandu, studying in New Delhi and working working all over the world, Gurung’s inspiring travels have helped him to develop impeccable taste and an eclectic style.   

Currently residing in NYC, fusing an old world-technique with cutting-edge modernity, Prabal Gurung creates beautiful pieces.  “He is an artist whose mission is to bring his unique vision to the force of the industry and lease an indelible mark on the work of fashion.”  Gurungs collections are found in select Bloomingdale’s stores in NY and CA as well as internationally.

 This information was acquired from the brand’s website.  For more info on this ground breaking designer and his line please visit www.prabalgurung.com

Designer: Rebecca Taylor

This well-known New Zealand native has grown to be one of the most well known designers in the US.  Coming fro ma humble background, Taylor got her start in her hometown of Wellington, New Zealand where her first job was making outfits for Viet Cong frog puppets for director Peter Jackson’s movie Meet the Feebles.  Taylor claims that this job “put her on the right road” — and lucky for us because today we get to buy her beautiful creations, ranging from accessories to dresses, tops to bottoms, even jackets and candy!  Shop Rebecca Taylor’s collections HERE!

This information was acquired from the brand’s website.  For more info on this designer and her beautiful line please visit www.rebeccataylor.com.

Designer: Michelle Smith, Milly 

Michelle Smith designer behind Milly is taking steps in defining the new young luxury niche with smart, sexy and feminine style.    her line consists of ready-to-wear and resort collections of sleek and timeless silhouettes that compliment her own wardrobe as well as her large customer base.

Milly is known for exquisite colors and prints, luxurious fabrics and beautiful details.  With shops all over the world, including London and Tokyo, Milly is building global recognition for its functionality, detail and high quality. Combining her creativy, love of fashion, couture techniques, and striking prints,  Michelle Smith continues to create beautiful, functional pieces that easily move from day to night.  Click HERE to view and shop Milly’s collections.

This information was acquired from the brand’s website.  For more info on this lovely designer and her line please visit www.millyny.com.

City of Hope Fact

City of Hope’s breast cancer services and technologies provide women with the best care available. Breast Cancer prevention, early detection and genetic counseling are a priority. City of Hope offers advanced imaging technologies for breast cancer detection , including digital mammography, breast MRI and more.

For women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, City of Hope provides state-of-the-art surgical, medical and radiation therapies, including many that are not yet available to the general public.

Many breast cancer services at City of Hope are provided at the Rita Cooper Finkel and J. William Finkel Women’s Health Center. Staff members at the center are committed to enhancing each patient’s well-being, both physically and emotionally.

Breast Cancer Fact

Doctors estimate that 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to gene mutation passed through generations of a family. A number of inherited defective genes that can increase the likelihood of breast cancer have been identified. The most common are breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), both of which increase the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or other cancers, blood tests may help identify defective BRCA or other genes that are being passed through your family. Consider asking your doctor for a referral to a genetic counselor who can review your family health history. A genetic counselor can also discuss the benefits, risks and limitations of genetic testing with you.

Auction Details

Visit www.sharpieuncapped.com to participate in the auction and bid on designers’ Sharpie art work  and be sure to read Works of Art From the Heart for more info on the auction and Know the Facts featuring Tory Burch and Tracy Reese.

Tory Burch prides itself on being an attainable, luxury, lifestyle brand defined by classic American sportswear with an eclectic sensibility.  The line embodies the personal style and spirit of its co-founder and creative director, Tory Burch.  Opening her first flagship store in February 2004 in NYC, Burch designed the boutique to feel more like a room in her own home versusa traditional retail store, with key design elements to include orange lacquer doors, mirrored walls, and Lucite fixtures.  Graphic prints, bold colors and ethnic detailing are all signatures of the brand.

Burch finds draws creative influence from her mother and father’s unique personal styles, in addition to art, photography, films travel, and the work of interior designer David Hicks.  Tory Burch is available at 16 free-standing Tory Burch boutiques across the US, over 400 select department and specialty stores worldwide, and online at www.toryburch.com. 

This information was acquired from the brand’s website.  For more info on the fabulous designer and her line please visit www.toryburch.com.

Designer: Tracy Reese

This Parsons School of Design alum has apprenticed under Martine Sitbon, worked for the small contemporary firm, Arlequin, and has worked at some of the industry’s top fashion houses, including Perry Ellis where she was the design director for Women’s Portfolio.  In Spring 1998, Reese launched her collection.  Known for her distinctive look of ultra-feminine pieces layered with intelligent nostalgia, charm and luxury, the line is perfect for the modern woman who simply loves to be a girl.  That same year, the designer introduced her second line, plenty by Tracy Reese, a bohemian, ethnic-inspired collection that is of-the-moment, yet never trendy. The collection is both eclectic and adventurous, featuring Reese’s signature detailing.

Since their initial launches, both Tracy Reese and plenty by Tracy Reese have expanded into several brand categories. Tracy Reese footwear, handbags and belts feature ladylike silhouettes in luxurious leathers with exquisite detailing; while the whimsical, feminine and eclectic, plenty brand now includes a home collection, candles, cosmetic cases and handbags. Reese added a third collection to her line up, frock!, comprised of fun and flirty occasion dresses that easily transition from day to evening.

Bright colors, unique prints and intricate patterns define Tracy Reese, plenty and frock!  All three lines! are sold nationwide in top department stores and specialty boutiques including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Anthropologie and Scoop as well as retailers throughout Europe and Asia.

This information was acquired from the brand’s website.  For more info on the wonderful designer and her line please visit www.tracyreese.com.

City of Hope Fact

City of Hope is one of only 40 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers nationwide and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. An independent biomedical research, treatment and education institution, City of Hope is a leader in the fight to conquer cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.

Visit www.cityofhope.org for more details on how you can get involved and more information about the organization.

Breast Cancer Fact

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. between the ages of 45 and 55. Although breast cancer in women is a common form of cancer, male breast cancer does occur and accounts for about 1% of all cancer deaths in men.

Auction Details

Visit www.sharpieuncapped.com to participate in the auction and bid on designers’ Sharpie art work  and be sure to read Works of Art From the Heart for more info on the auction! 

Uncap What’s Inside!

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Sharpie has teamed up with some of fashion’s finest designers in a charity initiative to benefit City of Hope, a Breast Cancer research, awareness and education center. 

A host of top fashion designers including Tracy Reese, Milly, Prabal Gurung, DKNY, Tory Burch and many more, have joined Sharpie to create works of inspiring art with a theme to empower women!  These amazing sketches, along with a t-shirt designed exclusively for Sharpie by fashion icon and breast cancer survivor Betsey Johnson, will be donated to City of Hope, a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer and other life threatening disease. 

The auction begins Friday, October 23th @1pm (PST) & ends Sunday, November 2nd@  1pm (PST).

Visit us at www.sharpieuncapped.com to learn more about how to participate and bid on one-of-a-kind art pieces created by fashion’s finest!  Pictures of the designer’s canvases will be featured on Sharpie Uncapped ,the Sharpie Fan page on Facebook and bid on these exclusive designer canvases at www.auctionsforhope.org.

 A big THANK YOU goes out to all the fashion designers participating in the auction!  Your designs are beautiful and your contribution will help to touch millions!

Be sure to pick up your Sharpie Pink Ribbon markers and highlighters this month, benefitting City of Hope. Check out the Pink Ink at www.sharpie.com

The Total Body Boot Camp and Nostalgic Catering took group fitness a step (a lunge and a push-up) further with the 1st Annual Total Body Pumpkin Bootcamp on October 18th at OZ Park in Chicago, IL.  Ten challengers were asked to bring one pumpkin weighing between 3 and 10 lbs. to assist them during the morning workout and were put through an hour of intense cardio, strength and core excercises.

Wait.. What is this, a fitness blog? Show me the Sharpie!

Ah ha, well my Sharpie loving friends, here is the cherry on top of the non-fat, zero cal. sundae!   Sharpie markers were provided to all the participants to uncap their Fall festive mark onto their pumpkins.  The bootcamp not only pushed physically but also creatively, encouraging the challengers to write down favorite excercises and give each pumpkin a personality of it’s own!

Not only were creative minds at work making Sharpie Pumpkin art, but after the workout Nostalgic Catering provided Homemade Chili and Fresh Apple Pie, putting those taste buds to work as well!  (OMG,where can I sign up?)  Now this is what I call a total body workout! :)

For more information on The Total Body Boot Camp, visit www.thetotalbodybootcamp.com. 

Be sure to also check out the delicious food and great service Nostalgic Catering has to offer at www.nostalgiccatering.net

Sharpie! Uncap What’s Inside

Now crank up ”Thriller” and let’s put those Sharpies to work!

Jack of All Trades This year, think beyond your traditional Jack O’ Lantern! Take it a step further and use Sharpie markers as your #1 pumpkin decorating tool.  After picking the perfect pumpkin, draw Halloween images, spooky sceneries and creative designs with all different Sharpie markers.  Stencils are also a fun and easy way to copy your favorite images.  Take a look at Stencil1 for cool Halloween stencils and tips. While you’re there take a peek at other stencils for more holiday craft ideas!  In the mean time, here are some ideas to get you started…

images from: Random Ramblings, House of Thrill and Homes & Gardens

It’s Tricky to Rock a Rhyme That’s Right on Time It’s Tricky… It’s tricky tricky tricky (or TREAT!) A fun activity for kids is to customize and decorate their own Trick or Treat bags!  Pillow cases, paper bags, and buckets are all great options.  Supply them with Sharpie markers to decorate their “loot sacks” in any way they please!  Decorate to match a costume or stencil names in a spooky font, either way your little goblin will be ready to rock n’ roll and make the rounds on Halloween night!

Are You Afraid of the Dark? Don’t get caught wandering in the dark on Halloween night; you never know what could be lurking past midnight! Light the way with these ghostly Sharpie lights and lanterns.   Use recycled milk jugs and buckets, like these, to brighten the pathway for Trick or Treaters, or get plastic flashlights to carry around with you. 

images from: Family Corner and BrokenSteps.com

How about a faux lantern for day time? Image from Country Living

Think Outside of the Box The budget is a little tight this year and I don’t have a ton of cash to throw out for a Halloween costume.  No way, not another ghost costume again this year (I can’t spare anymore white bed sheets)…   With a few Sharpies you can easily cook up great Halloween costume and save a bundle! After looking at pictures of costumes, I came to this conclusion: Sharpie + Cardboard Box = Endless possibilites!  In literally seconds I thought up all sorts of costumes to make with a box and Sharpie markers: Robot, Phone Booth, Zack Morris’ Cell Phone :) , Skateboard, iPod, Movie Theatre Box of Candy, Go-Kart, Dart Board, Refrigerator, Rocket Ship, a SmartCar.  (Look at me getting all creative!)  Here are some pics that I like of “Lego people” costumes.  Round up friends and you could be an entire group of Lego people!!

images from: FamilyGo and DavidBau.com

Know Your INS and OUTS Can’t last all night wearing a bulky box? I hear ya partner!  Plus, I’m pretty sure that wearing a box, my “Thriller” dance would look more like a scene from “March of the Penguins!”   Well here’s a clever idea that I thought up to get a 2 for 1 deal out of a Halloween costume and a sure fire way to be the life (or death) of the party!

Choose a costume theme, such as a Race Car or Computer, design your box accordingly.  Next, on a solid colored onesie or a t-shirt and pants, draw your “insides” with Sharpie markers (Race Car: driver’s suit/Computer: inner wiring)!  Let me explain: Say you are a Refrigerator - Draw items that are found inside of a refrigerator all over your shirt and pants.  Or how about you are a Casket or Grave site- draw a full skeleton on a onesie with Sharpie.  *Don’t stick to black and white either – the 80’s are back baby and I want to be a hot pink skeleton this year!) By wearing both, if you want to take off the box you are still sporting a killer costume that will knock those zombies right off their feet!

(Final Thought) *4 out of 5 Dentists Approve: Instead of handing out candy, give Sharpie markers to your trick or treaters this year!

Send in pictures of how you incorporate Sharpie markers this year and they will get posted on the Sharpie Blog and Facebook page!

Sharpie markers were spilling out from every nook and crany (does anyone still say “nook and crany”) in our little DIY lounge where we let creative juices flow by adding Sharpie flare to all kinds of fashion accesories. 

So much fun, right?!  Well I don’t know about you, but I’m not necessarily the best at “crafting,” let alone designing something to be worn on my face (ie: wayfarers)!  How can I possibly make a canvas bag look cool when I still can’t even draw a decent heart?! 

BEHOLD!! STENCILS to the rescue!

Our new friends at Stencil 1 came up with a full array of stencils just for us; and let me tell you, these are super cool!  While I don’t really get this one there are tons that I do love and cannot wait to put them all to use.  Among the bunch are music notes, high heels, a horse, bird, letters & numbers, not to mention a boat load of shapes, designs and patterns! 

My absolute favorites are the boom box, tape cassette and the spray paint can.  (For those who may be to young to know what a ”tape cassette” is: It’s the only option for music in a rental truck.)

These are some of the “stencilings” that I’ve made with my Sharpie markers:

Check outStencil 1 for more tips & tricks of the trade: http://stencil1.com/

Click HERE to read Stencil 1’s posts about Sharpie!  

…Take a tip from Karen Edwards, a wife, mother, and full-time college administrator who has taken her hobby to a whole new level! Making old things new again, Edwards is the chief operator of SHARPWOOD, a line of re-worked home décor, musical instruments, utensils and more, all of which are designed by hand!  Her very first designs can be found on basement pipes, switch plate covers, old dresser drawers, however since then Edwards has graduated to front doors, table settings, even guitars! Check out how Karen Edwards uses Sharpie Permanent Markers to turn drab into fab!

“SHARPWOOD products have been salvaged from their misguided fate because of their inherent beauty and potential for re-design!”

Where does the name SHARPWOOD come from? SHARP refers to the Sharpie markers that I draw with, and WOOD refers to the medium I usually work on.  In our household, “SHARPWOOD” has become a verb!  The other day, I was wearing a dress with a lot of detailed designs in the fabric and my 6 year old asked me, “Mama – did you SHARPWOOD your dress?”

Where do you salvage these items from? Do you stick to your hometown? Stumble upon them?  Travel to find pieces?  Most pieces were found at second-hand shops or garage sales. I have a hard time driving by either without making a quick stop. My extended family is also in the habit of noticing treasures when they second hand shop. Sometimes when walking into a 2nd hand shop I feel like a kid in a candy store, how do you decide among pieces that you want to re-design? I’m picky about the pieces I buy. I look for unique shapes and features. If the piece doesn’t inspire me, it just sits in the basement and gets passed by as I pick the next thing to work on.

How long have you been “re-designing” items? I’ve only been doing this for a couple years. I picked it up when I was between jobs. I’ve done at least 60 pieces… I started with a pair of candle sticks – I just looked at them and thought “I could make those look better!” The next thing I knew, I wanted to draw on everything in the house!

You mentioned that SHARPWOOD is your hobby, what other things are you interested in? I’m a wife and the mother of two active boys. I’m also a full time administrator at a selective liberal arts college, working to support our international student population. I love culture and travel and my art is inspired by my interest in ethnic arts, designs and colors.

What is your favorite piece that you have worked on? A number of favorites are in my home – chairs, light switch covers, even my front door. My favorite piece on my site is the Masai Chalis – my father-in-law found this very unique piece at a sale in Minnesota. In the end, though, my absolute favorite project was a guitar that I decorated for a friend.

I LOVE the SHARPWOOD Treasure cup! What kind of treasure would you fill this vessel up with?! I like that one too. I imagine it holding unique stones or coins from someone’s travels…

 Your designs are beautiful, so detailed! Where do you draw inspiration from – A certain culture or era, perhaps? I notice designs and patterns in things – fabric, wrapping paper, stationery… I love ethnic food, clothing, art, and culture – especially with South Asian or African origins, so some patterns come from that. I can’t really trace a specific source.

What is the design process like? Give us the play-by-play! I don’t usually plan a piece, I just start working it and the design develops. Sometimes I find myself working with the wood grain, to trace a line in the wood or in the workmanship, but usually it is very random. I like to leave negative space so the color of the wood comes through, but that doesn’t always happen either. One design or color determines the next. I like to cover the surface, and then add texture and layers with dots and metallics.

Where do Sharpie Markers come into play? What kinds do you use? Favorite Sharpie? I’ve used a variety of permanent ink pens, but Sharpies are the most vibrant, last longer, maintain the tips, and offer great color variety. I tend to use deep colors, metallics, and a lot of black. I mainly use fine point markers, though the ‘big boy’ version works well on larger pieces (like my front door). I also like to use brush tip pens – but they are very hard to find.

At a dinner party, let’s say, do you ever find yourself having to hold your hand back from snatching up the salad bowl? YES! I’ve actually snagged a few pieces that way! One day I was in a meeting with a colleague and actually asked him if I could SHARPWOOD his lamp. It was an old ugly thing, heavy wood, and I was just sitting there distracted thinking “That is an ugly lamp that COULD be made really funky!” He didn’t let me take it, and I was bummed and slightly embarrassed. I also find myself wanting to do more inside my home, which was built in 1904. I would LOVE to SHARPWOOD our old oak banister!

 Is there any item that you haven’t been able to find or would love to work on? The guitar turned out really well – I’d love to do another.  It would need to come as a custom request, though, so I suppose that isn’t too likely. I also love to tuck words into the designs, so I enjoy custom pieces that can have meaning for people. 

Are you working on anything new at the moment? I usually have several pieces going at once. My front door is a work in progress, and I’m also working on a drum shell, a pair of book ends, and a headboard right now. Yesterday, I ran across a figurine of a mother pig with 2 baby pigs – I might start working on that one tonight (it will be very fun)!

You can Find & Purchase SHARPWOOD at etsy.com The full internet address is http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6051638

These pieces will not only liven up your own space but this is a great gift idea too! 

 Head on over to your local second-hand shop to see what you can find.  Better yet, take a look around your house – go back into your crawl space, climb up to the attic and pull out a piece that can be given a new life! 

For more DIY check out www.sharpieuncapped.com

Benson: My day job, I make art for video games.   

Q: How did you come up with the idea?

Benson: I was setting the kids’ lunches up, I wrote their names on the bags…then things just got fancier and weirder.

Q: Which bag has been your kid’s favorite? What’s yours? 

Benson: So far the kids like “Robot Dinosaurs that Shoot Beams When They Roar.”   I like that one okay, too.

Q: Why are Sharpie products a good fit for this? 

Benson:  I would love to give you a good reason, but it simply never occurred to me to use anything else.  Sharpie markers have been a basic art supply for me since I was a kid.  “Awesomeness” is the reason.

Q:What specific Sharpie tools do you use?

Benson: Markers, pens, etc.  I use the black markers, and also the oil-based paint pens.

Q: So you make these bags during your lunch break? When do you eat lunch? Multi-tasker eh?   

Benson: I make them during my lunch break, I make them at home while helping the kids with homework.  When I make them at home, I tend to get a lot of help.  My kids can’t resist art supplies.

 Q: What do your kids do with the bags once they have eaten lunch? (Save them I hope )

Benson:  Sometimes they bring them back, sometimes they toss them out. Our preschool teacher saves them, too.

Q: What was your reaction after learning that you would be apart of the “Sharpie Squad?”  

Benson:  I wanted a uniform, frankly.  With a cool hat that looks like a giant Sharpie marker.

Q: Is there anything you haven’t drawn on a bag that you are just itching to draw? 

Benson: Ha!  There are things I’d get in trouble for drawing and sending to school.  I try to keep it kid-friendly, unless a grownup relative has a request.  Sometimes people want images of classical art, which usually means naked people.  There are movie monsters I’d like to do, but they’re just too scary.  But other than that I don’t have a lot of filters, and grown-up stuff is never as fun to draw as kid stuff. 

See More Lunchbags http://lunchbagart.tumblr.com/

Contact  Lunchbagart@gmail.com

Q: Tell me a little about your business.