Monday, September 20, 2010

Mouse of Zen and Knell Studio Works

GIVEAWAY DETAILS BELOW

 
Last month, I received a tweet from J.B. (Brad) Conway (AKA @mouseofzen) asking for the picture I was using as my Twitter avatar.  He said he wanted to write a haiku based upon it.  It's a really special photo to me and I liked his work, so I was excited.  I edited the color as requested and emailed it over.  During the next couple of days, we came to an agreement upon:
baby steps to dreams
closer to becoming my
wish of a princess
I won't get into my love/hate relationship with the Princesses, but I'd like to thank Brad for graciously changing a word from the original version with which I was uncomfortable.
The picture and haiku were sent to John Knell to work his graphic design magic.  The resulting image is above.  Isn't it fabulous?!?!
Below are some other examples of the collaboration of these two talented guys.  The images below combine John's photography and graphic design with Brad's haiku poetry.



Brad and John will be selling these pieces of art soon on KnellStudioWorks.com.  These are just a few of the creations they plan to make available.  Here's a link to even more.  Or if you have your own very special moment captured in a photo, contact the guys for a custom piece. Brad had this to say about the project, "We are moving towards producing WDW-inspired artwork that will touch you emotionally and delight you visually. They will be complete/self contained moments of magic that will not only be based on our passion/ideas/vision but we are also hoping to add a customized element which will make it even more personal and special."

I asked John how their collaboration began and he said, "Wow...the collaboration came about fairly simply and organically. Started following each other on Twitter thanks to our mutual passion for Disney. Brad found out that I do graphic design for a living so he asked me to design his Mouse of Zen logo. We worked well enough together that he wrote haikus for some of my photos that I have been posting on Facebook and Flickr. I did a few quick layouts, combining his words with my images, and we got some positive feedback from our respective audiences. Encouraged, Brad wrote some more haikus and I did more photo illustrations, which yielded more positive responses, and now we are looking to build on what we've started and see where it goes."

This isn't the only big news from these guys.  Brad's first book of Disney-themed haiku poetry, Mouse of Zen, was recently released and is available on lulu.com.  Inspired to write after his children's first trip to Walt Disney World, Brad chose haiku to express his creativity.  Haiku compels the poet to follow a 5 syallable,7 syllable, 5 syllable pattern.  This very short format requires words to be chosen carefully to convey the desired message.  Brad's work does that beautifully, taking you to the place in Walt Disney World he is describing and stirring your own memories of a special vacation.  What I consider to be "Audrey's poem" is #5 in the book and I am glad it is being shared.  My other favorite is #83 since I love Epcot and IllumiNations.

reflections of earth

fire dancing in the sky

tugging on heart strings
 
With 350 poems, the mood ranges from sweet to sad and covers practically every WDW topic.  He's even written poems on the marathon, IllumiNations cruise, and the Partners statue.  Below are a few more I couldn't resist sharing.

340.

eyelids of kids drop

after counting mouse shaped clouds

dancing in their dreams

251.

upon my shoulders

my son takes rightful place as

king of his kingdom

205.

raise those mickey ears!

fought a hell of a battle

and won lifetime friends!

This book of "mouse-sized" poetry would make a great addition to any Disney fan's collection.  While you could sit down and read this book fairly quickly, I think you'll find yourself reaching for this book over and over,flipping to a page and taking a little meandering trip down memory lane as the poems take you back to the mouse. 

Best wishes to John and Brad on these creative projects!

Use the code "autumn" to receive 10% off Mouse of Zen at lulu.com.

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Ready to enter to win an 8x10 print of this beautiful castle art?


You get one entry for each of the following. Please note each as a separate entry in the comments section below so I know what you have done.  (If you are already following us through any of these channels, just note that. Hey, free entry!)
  
This contest ends at midnight Central time on Monday, September 27 and is limited to residents of the United States and Canada.  The winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries. You'll be notified via email and have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Good luck!
  
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of Mouse of Zen for reviewing purposes. No monetary compensation was received or offered. All opinions expressed are my honest thoughts on these products.

****The winner is Lisa Battista.  Congratulations!****

37 comments:

  1. I "Liked" Knell Studio Works on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  2. I "Liked" Mouse of Zen on Facebook

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  3. I "Liked" Growing Up Disney on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  4. I Follow Knell Studio Works on Twitter

    ElGeorgia@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I Follow Mouse of Zen on Twitter

    ELGeorgia@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I Follow Growing Up Disney on Twitter
    ELgeorgia@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I tweeted about the post and giveaway! Good luck everyone :)

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  8. i liked knell studios on fb

    ReplyDelete
  9. i liked mouse of zen on fb

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  10. i like growing up disney on fb

    ReplyDelete
  11. i follow knell studio works on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  12. i follow mouse of zen on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  13. i follow growing up disney on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  14. i retweeted about the post on twitter (as always lol)

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  15. i follow growing up disney on google friend

    ReplyDelete
  16. i have liked knell studio works on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  17. I liked Mouse of Zen on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  18. I liked growing up Disney on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  19. I follow Knell Studio Works on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
  20. I follow Mouse of Zen on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
  21. I follow Growing Up Disney on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  22. I tweeted about the contest on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  23. I follow Growing Up Disney on Twitter.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I follow Knell Studio Works on Twitter.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I like Knell StudioWorks on facebook
    suelee1998 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I like Knell Mouse of Zen on facebook suelee1998 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I like the Growing Up Disney blog on facebook suelee1998 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I follow Knell Studio Works on Twitter.
    suelee1998 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I follow growing up disney on twitter.

    suelee1998 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I follow mouseofzen on twitter. suelee1998 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I follow your blog via gfc suelee1998 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I follow Growing Up Disney on Twitter @DVCMom

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  33. I also follow Mouse of Zen on Twitter! @DVCMom

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  34. Congratulations, Lisa! It's a great photo and haiku! Hope you have a special place to display it! :)Enjoy...El

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