There was a whirlwind of activity around our tower in the weeks following my birthday. When everything settled down, my present from Ty was finally delivered:

It is a Wendy Jane Bantam original, and I love it. She did a fine job with the piece “Puppet Show on 2841 Fox Hollow Road”. Her abstract style, thick/thin/shiny paint, and knack for houses combine to make this one of my favorite gifts ever.

A family of opossums hang out of the tree as a big ball of yarn rolls out of the front door. The place is surrounded by bunnies and other special blooms, just like it is in real life.

I was also excited by this gift because of the Buy Handmade movement. In this time of cheap imports from China, buying handmade supports local artists and crafters. An added bonus is that the artist or crafter may be in your own community, allowing for customization if you wish!

In this economic downturn, buying handmade locally keeps money in your community. It allows people to earn a little extra money on the side, even while their jobs may be in question and companies are cutting back.

It is that time of year again. Getting close to our anniversary date, I start thinking about gifts for Tyrone, my friend Katie’s birthday in September, my mother’s birthday in October, and my sister’s birthday in November. It is that slow uphill road that leads us all to Christmas gift-giving.

This year I am way ahead of the game. I found Katie an awesome Miller High Life clock at a yard sale in upstate New York, and have already gifted it to her. On a shopping trip with Katie, I found my sister’s birthday gift, and it is even very shippable to her new address in Valentine, NE.

The gifting season also means my birthday, and I get asked what I want. The truth is that I’m never that sure most of the time, but when I see something, I know, and usually I just buy it myself. It may be a piece of art or a tool or a piece of technology I’ve been wanting. Yesterday was one of those moments.

My favorite painters are bizarrely all guitar players and vocalists and songwriters who have been in a number of different bands: Jon Langford, Wendy Bantam, and former Guided by Voices band member Tobin Sprout.

Buying art can be complicated, there is usually a big upfront expense, followed by a necessary reorganization of wall space. I feel I’m finally at a time in my life where I know what I like, but the paintings I like were sold years ago. This brings me to prints. Yesterday I found out that one of my favorite paintings was available as a print!

The print is “Ten After Four” by Tobin Sprout. The original painting is a photo surrealistic. The watermelon at the top makes me happy, the General Electric stove reminds me of my childhood, but the painted metallic reflections is what really attracted me to the piece. Years ago, I printed out a really terrible copy from a gif online, had it laminated, and hung it above my desk at home and work. It will be so nice to have a real print.