Cartoon Salon launches online art gallery for prints from its award-winning film slate

The Academy Award nominated animation studio, Cartoon Saloon, has launched a new e-commerce art gallery, featuring limited edition framed prints from a slate of its award nominated and award winning films, including WolfWalkers, The Breadwinner, Song of the Sea, and The Secret of Kells.

Originating from Cartoon Saloon’s Studio in the medieval town of Kilkenny, Ireland, the series of artwork is now available, ranging in prices from €450. Each print is signed by the films’ directors and numbered and is printed on museum quality paper.

Brian Tyrrell, general manager, brand development with Cartoon Saloon, said: “The launch of our new art gallery offers us a tremendous opportunity to share the magic of these outstanding movies with fans around the world. We are extremely proud of our films, particularly with the most recent recognition WolfWalkers is receiving with Academy, Golden Globe and BAFTA Award nominations.

“We are thrilled to offer these carefully curated state-of-the-art limited edition numbered prints that are sure to become a valuable collector’s items in the years to come.”

2021 Academy Award, BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated WolfWalkers, directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was heralded by The Hollywood Reporter as “a visually dazzling, richly imaginative, emotionally resonant production,” while IndieWire headlines read, “Cartoon Saloon’s Irish Folklore Trilogy Ends with the Best Animated Film of the Year.”

The film opened theatrically in the U.S. on November 13, 2020 and is now available on Apple TV+.

WolfWalkers follows Robyn Goodfellowe, a young apprentice hunter who journeys to Ireland with her father in a time of superstition and magic to wipe out the last wolf pack. While exploring the forbidden lands outside the city walls, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. As they search for Mebh’s missing mother, Robyn uncovers a secret that draws her further into the enchanted world of the WolfWalkers and risks turning into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.

Meanwhile, nominated for an Academy Award in 2010 for best animated feature and winning awards at festivals worldwide, The Secret of Kells is a bewitching animated fairytale for children and adults alike that is a spirited retelling of the provenance of Ireland’s most cherished artefact, the Book of Kells.

With the Viking hordes approaching, the monks of Kells are forced to turn their attention from transcribing manuscripts to building barricades. The future of the precious book is in jeopardy and it falls to Brendan, young nephew of the abbot Cellach, to save the day.

The Secret of Kells was Cartoon Saloon’s first feature film and was directed by Tomm Moore with Nora Twomey as Co-director.

Song of the Sea tells the story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse – the last Seal-child – who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land.

Finally, based on the best-selling children’s novel by Deborah Ellis, the award-winning and multi-award-nominated The Breadwinner, directed by Nora Twomey from a screenplay by Anita Doron and Deborah Ellis, is a celebration of children.

The movie tells the story of 11 year old Parvana who gives up her identity to provide for her family and try to save her father’s life. Every day is a challenge as Parvana tries to bring home enough food and water to support her mother, sister and little brother. She meets a fellow girl in disguise called Shauzia and together, they form a bond that will give them the strength to endure the war that comes to their doorstep.

Sesame Street becomes first brand to launch on Blank Slate platform as artists recreate iconic characters

Sesame Street has become the first brand to launch as part of a new platform curated by Champion Athleticwear and Foot Locker that taps notable creators to bring exclusive collaborations to life.

Called Blank Slate, the platform will make its debut with the launch of a limited edition collection of styles based on Sesame Street’s iconic characters, brought to life by the artists Jason Freeny and Naturel.

This week, the Jason Freeny collaboration debuts with adult t-shirts, hoodies, shorts, and pants featuring Cookie Monster, The Count, Bert, Ernie, Big Bird, and Elmo. Freeny, a New York-based sculptor, is known for his anatomical character dissections.

Meanwhile, the first Blank Slate drop with adult Sesame Street t-shirts and hoodies was released in December and designed by contemporary artist Naturel, a Maryland native who draws inspiration from pop art, cubism, and surrealism.

“Sesame Street is a multi-generational brand, and we are always looking for new and unique ways to create inspired products for our adult fans,” said Kerri Estreich, senior director, licensing, Sesame Workshop. “We love the stylization that Jason Freeny and Naturel bring to the table. They offer fun, dynamic, yet very different models for how the Sesame Street characters can be creatively interpreted while remaining true to our brand essence.”

Matt Waterman, general manager, Champion North America, added: “We are excited about the launch of the Sesame Street Jason Freeny Collection. Champion is the perfect canvas to bring together iconic partnerships like Sesame Street and artists in a creative way. Freeny’s creative designs for this collection are fun and unique to appeal to Champion and Sesame Street fans.”

The Jason Freeny program is Champion’s third release with Sesame Street to date.

Frida Kahlo socks it to the man in ‘rebel style’ with new Calzedonia partnership

Art Ask Agency is continuing to grow the Frida Kahlo licensing programme – and socking it the restrictions of the pandemic –  having secured a new collaboration with the global legwear and beachwear retailer, Calzedonia.

Under the new deal, Calzedonia will launch a range of socks featuring seven different Frida Kahlo designs to cater for differing consumer targets and styles, including casual, elegant, and sports. The firm will also launch a collection of four embellished tights in a campaign that will be supplemented with marketing communications in stores worldwide.

“We are extremely proud and honoured to be partnering with the amazing team at Calzedonia for this licensed product collection and we can’t wait for the launch,” said Maria Strid, owner of Art Ask Agency.

“Kahlo’s signature style, from long circle skirts to embroidered blouses and intricate floral compositions in her hair, is rich with aesthetic imagery and has allowed the artist to resonate with audiences even in the 21st century, becoming the focus of international fashion and inspiring the collections of haute couturiers and the fashion world in general, from runways to streetwear trends,” said the Calzedonia press team in a statement.

“Socks, entirely on-trend today and stars of countless cool outfits in recent months (loungewear and otherwise), come alive with fun, bright prints in true ‘Rebel’ style.”

Rights & Brands signs ‘Master of horror’ artist Hans Arnold with portfolio of 2,000 illustrations

Rights & Brands has signed with Hans Arnold Productions to represent the ‘Master of Horror’ artist and illustrator and his portfolio of surrealistic, horror, mystery, and fantasy art.

A Swiss-Swedish artist who died in 2010, Hans Arnold has often been referred to as the ‘Swedish Salvador Dali’, recognised for a style that makes everyday items appear ghostlike and unsettling.

Having grown up in a strict and conservative Catholic area in Sursee, Switzerland, Arnold has attributed his obsession with horror, fairytales, and women, to his upbringing.

“My sister adored nuns and dragged me to the Catholic church,” he said of his childhood. “Mother was a protestant and dragged me to the Protestant church. My grandfather was a train driver and took me to the pub.

“In church, I learned all about hell, at the pub I learned all about beer, swearing and telling filthy stories.”

After finishing art school in Luzern and traveling Europe, Arnold settled in Stockholm in Sweden where he worked as an illustrator for magazines, papers, and children’s books. He finally got his big break as the ‘Master of Horror’ while illustrating short stories known as Veckans chock in the women’s magazine Veckorevyn.

Alongside children’s book illustrations, Arnold is well known for ABBA’s Greatest hits cover. He also made a name for himself in animation, TV vignettes, opera, theatre, and TV scenorgraphy.

Rights & Brands now represents a portfolio of over 2,000 illustrations created by the artist.

Anne Stokes partners with What’s Your Passion Jewelry for fantasy collection

What’s Your Passion Jewelry has partnered with the fantasy artist, Anne Stokes to create two new pieces designed to embody the unique and magical in the Celtic Dragon Necklace and Dragon Medal Necklace.

The collaboration marks the latest addition to What’s Your Passion Jewelry’s growing portfolio of licensed that includes partnerships with the likes of Marvel and Shield Hero.

The jewelry is hand crafted in the USA by a team of skilled artisans under the What’s Your Passion brand – a name that has been making fine jewelry for decades. Each item is shipped carefully in a collector’s box that can be used as a display. All items in the collection are .925 sterling silver.

“What’s Your Passion Jewelry make some really elegant jewelry in gold and silver. This delicate pendant is a really lovely rendition of my Celtic Dragon motif that features in many of my fantasy artworks. Silver has often been associated in folklore with protection from evil. For example, it’s only with a silver bullet that you can kill a werewolf,” said Stokes.

Anne Stokes posts weekly online video content exploring how the artist uses fantasy myths and legends in her artwork. The content has built up an audience of fans, while licensees benefit from having their products featured alongside the artworks.

The Anne Stokes Collection covers a broad range of Fantasy subjects including Unicorns, Enchanted Forests, Gothic themes and Dragons, from the famous artist Anne Stokes. Assets include main artworks, patterns, elements and logos and is updated regularly with new content.

A solid, long standing brand with over 70 licensees and worldwide merchandise sales in mainstream, independent and online retailers as well as a massive following of loyal fans.

The deal was brokered by Anne Stokes’ global licensing agency, Art Ask Agency.

Poetic Brands teams with the National Gallery to launch art inspired apparel and accessories

Apparel licensee, Poetic Brands, has teamed up with the National Gallery to create a range of adult apparel and accessories based on its impressive and extensive artworks.

Incorporating a wide range of products, including adult daywear apparel and outerwear, swimwear, flip flops, beach bags and towels, adult nightwear and essentials, and accessories including caps and luggage, the move has been made in response to the growing interest in art in the licensed fashion sector.

The National Gallery was founded in 1824 and houses over 2,600 paintings from the late 13th to the early 20th century in Trafalgar Square. With one of the greatest collections of art in the world, the Gallery displays many world-famous works, such as van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait, Velázquez’s The Rokeby Venus, Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers.

Anne Bradford, director, Poetic Brands, said: “Over the past year we have seen a significant interest in art within the fast fashion segment of the industry and subsequent demand across the High Street. The National Gallery offers us a wealth of assets from a number of artists that translate beautifully onto apparel and nightwear. 

“We are also developing luggage which although isn’t hugely in demand at the moment, the time will come when we are all travelling again and this collection will provide premium, and easily identifiable pieces for consumers to be proud of on the carousel.

“Working closely with the team at the National Gallery, we have ensured that their art collection has in turn created a fashion collection that is already very much in demand.”

Judith Mather, buying and brand licensing director, the National Gallery, added: “We are very excited about the partnership with Poetic Brands which will bring old master paintings to a new audience. It is amazing to bring our collection to modern life.”

Lisle Licensing named exclusive UK agent for art and lifestyle’s Kate Smith Company

Lisle Licensing has been appointed as the exclusive UK licensing agent for the humorous art and lifestyle brand, Kate Smith Company. Based in the USA, the company behind the hugely popular brand ‘From Frank’ has briefed the team at Lisle to replicate its North America and Canadian success in the UK.

Lisle Licensing will work to establish Kate Smith Company as a recognised uplifting, entertaining, and positive brand with retailers and consumers.

Kate Smith Company specialises in social connections, with the objective of creating art and product to ‘make humans smile’. Established in 2018 following the success of ‘From Frank’, it has amassed a broad collection of art that spans its jokes, original character brands, phrases and art design that lend themselves to a variety of categories including publishing, greetings, stationery, home accessories, gifting and novelty.

The breadth of styles provides licensees with the opportunity to deliver a continuous flow of product and flexibility to tailor any number of bespoke collections, large or small.

Over the last two years, Kate Smith Company has been listed in Target, Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods, Paper Source, Wal-Mart and more. It has partnered its designs with US greetings cards heavy-weight, American Greetings, and in Summer 2020 launched an everyday collection in Target stores nationwide through Recycled Paper Greetings.

Francesca Lisle of Lisle Licensing, said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen by Kate & Ryan to exclusively represent their brand in the UK. It’s bold, fun, fresh, and already defined by its success in the USA. If the world needs anything right now it’s the Kate Smith Company’s wicked sense of humour and bright bold art design to make people smile.”

Aardman teams with British designer Julie Dodsworth to create unique new Shaun the Sheep designs

The British Artisan designer, Julie Dodsworth has partnered with Aardman to create a set of hand painted designs, taking inspiration from the colours of the British countryside and the popular Shaun the Sheep brand.

The new Shaun the Sheep x Julie Dodsworth collaboration not only renders the series’ hero Shaun in a unique new way, but delivers on Aardman’s ongoing ethos of ‘we do more’ buy extending the brand into new areas in new ways.

Painted in Julie Dodsworth’s signature style, the new patterns have been developed to suit a range of categories, from homewares, fabrics, and toiletries, to stationery and garden equipment.

Danny Heffer, creative lead, sales and marketing at Aardman, said: “We are really pleased to be working with British talent like Julie Dodsworth on this new design collection. Julie is known for her floral hand painted style, which translates nicely into Shaun’s rural world.

“It’s been refreshing getting a new perspective on Shaun the Sheep and it we think it will be popular with fans not only in the UK, but in a number of territories around the world. We are currently looking for a range of licensing partners to take along with us on this design journey and help to bring Julie’s interpretation of Mossy Bottom Farm to the retail market.”

Julie Dodsworth added: “I’m thrilled to have been invited to work with Shaun the Sheep and all the team at Mossy Bottom. From the viewpoint of being a genuine fan it has been fantastic to create designs that reflect Shaun’s humour and colourful character. My thanks to all the team at Aardman.”

Industry trio forge new art, culture, and science focused business ARTiSTORY

Licensing industry specialists Dave Collins, Tamara Dixon, and Natasha Dyson have united their expertise and combined experience to launch the new licensing business venture ARTiSTORY, a new unit focused on developing content in the art, culture, and science sectors.

ARTiSTORY will aim to translate objects or artistic, cultural and scientific significance into usable assets for the consumers of today, doing so through its three key areas of business: IP asset development, IP licensing, and content development.

The founder trio are each experts in their respective fields and the new venture will see Collins take on the role of co-founder and commercial director, Dixon as co-founder and creative director, and Dyson as co-founder and licensing director.

By tapping into treasured collections at world’s top museums and heritage institutions, ARTiSTORY creates annually refreshed trends, themes and original design assets including illustrations, prints & patterns, which in turn, can be applied onto product and packaging design.  

ARTiSTORY licenses these design assets to consumer brands and retailers and assist them to introduce compelling products, engage shoppers via digital marketing and offer immersive shopping experiences. Each product comes with a unique story that consumer brands and retailers can attract more shoppers by leveraging the power of storytelling.  

“Storytelling is central to human existence. That it’s common to every known culture and research shows that messages delivered as stories can be up to 22 times more memorable than just facts. Storytelling is the future of marketing and there are no better ingredients than art and culture which transcend time and geographic barriers,” read a statement from the new business.    

“By working with ARTiSTORY, consumer brands, manufacturers and retailers will acquire new customers more effectively, both through their online and offline stores, turning shoppers into your loyal fans while providing them with unique shopping experience.”

The team at ARTiSTORY are pioneers in art and culture IP licensing with track records working with the Natural History Museum, British Museum, the MET, V&A and many world’s top retailers and consumer brands such as Uniqlo, Amazon, Max Factors and Nestle etc.  

“We are constantly looking to partner with new IP in the art, culture and science sector. We serve as a creative design studio, act as a joint licensor and roll out design led licensing programmes across Europe and North America,” said ARTiSTORY.  

ARTiSTORY will work from a design led studio in London and a sales office in Barcelona.

Contact: Natasha Dyson on natasha@artistorybrands.net +44 7855 858711.

www.artistroybrands.net

The Pokémon Company partners with US artist Daniel Arsham for ‘fictional archaeology’ project

The Pokémon Company has partnered with the American artist, Daniel Arsham to unveil a new project featuring icons of the Pokemon franchise presented within the artist’s creative concept of fictional archeology.

Through his work, art and pop culture fans are invited to imagine the unearthing of Pokémon a thousand years from now and experience the passage of time.

“The fictional archaeology is really an idea of taking all of the objects from our present day and imagining as if we were an archeologist in the future and looking at these objects from our everyday life or our everyday experience,” said Arsham.

“I think there’s something kind of prolific and impactful about trying to step outside of our own time frame. It gives us a perspective of our own experiences and lives. Through these works, I hope to be able to shift people’s understanding about time in general.”

Tsunekazu Ishihara, CEO of The Pokémon Company, added: “Pokémon evolved as a brand by embracing new technologies and collaborating with partners from new fields ranging from data communication systems and geolocation-related technologies to partners in fashion and art.

“I’m delighted to welcome Daniel Arsham as our collaboration partner. Through his work, my wish is for people around the world to ‘dig deep’ into their imaginations and think about what Pokémon would look like in a thousand years.”

Additional details about the collaboration will be announced later this spring.