New Etsy Store For Artwork

We started an Etsy store for Joshua's artwork! So far there are 5 giclee prints available but he will be adding more as he paints and maybe some originals. 

www.joshuabowers.etsy.com

Acanthus Art

Last week I decided to play around with some of my husband's art supplies... this is what happened. 

I stained some 11 by 11 inch pieces of wood, painted parts of the wood and then screen printed our Acanthus designs on top.   

These two designs will be available on Etsy and at Vitae in early April.  I will also be making some for the Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention in April. I'm planning on selling them for around $35.

Acanthus Apparel in Philly

Joshua is in Philadelphia right now at the Philadelphia Tattoo Art Convention with a lot of Acanthus Apparel Merchandise. The convention started yesterday and he sold out of a couple of items... so find his booth today so you don't miss out on anything else. He still has some scarves left and art prints along with plenty of Indian and Abe Lincoln t-shirts. Check out the photo of his fully stocked booth below.

We also have denim patches available free with any Acanthus purchase at the convention.

Check out Etsy if you can't make it to the convention or email me for a custom order.

www.acanthusapparel.etsy.com

alyssabowers@live.com

Warpaint: Session 2

If you are in the Des Moines area then you don't want to miss Warpaint. Two artists battle it out with 1 black marker. The winner of each round advances and by the end of the day there is a Warpaint champion. So come out and watch some talented artists, including Joshua, and vote for your favorites.

Gift Ideas: Books and Tattoos!

A few months ago my 1st book was published. Busy Bee contains 80 pages of original artwork! This would be a great gift for the tattoo or art enthusiast in your life. It is available for purchase at Iron Heart in Des Moines and on my website, www.joshuabowers.com.

I also have gift certificates available at Iron Heart that can be redeemed for tattoos, art prints, books and apparel. If you would like to purchase a gift certificate online you can email me at joshuacbowers@hotmail.com.

For the Birds!

Joshua's art show and Vitae's 2 year Anniversary party were amazing! Thanks to everyone that attended and that have supported our venture for the last 2 years! I wanted to share a few photos from the event. Joshua still has some of the paintings for sale so if your interested you can email him at joshuacbowers@hotmail.com.

Old Photos

Here are a few old photos I just ran across.

Photo from Juice Magazine promoting our first fashion show, Catalyst State.

Joshua is always working on something... this is his tattoo convention banner.

Otto and Daphne, 2 of our 3 little dogs.

Joshua's Art Show at Vitae

Well, it's time to get off my suntanned be-hind (we're being hypothetical here) and get acclimated to the brisk Fall schedule taking shape before us. First of all, Happy Birthday to us! It's been 2 years since we officially opened the doors at Vitae & we're so happy that not only can our little town can support a concept store like ours, the Indie scene is THRIVING! I mean look at Market Day...geeze, kudos everybody.

Come have some cake already. Just like last year, our anniversary co-incides with Art Stop - so while here, you can take in some cultcha and enjoy the Artwork of Joshua Bowers. We're excited to bring you this powerful exhibit and show everyone what some of us know...he's immensely talented and very funny once he's had a few. Seriously.

-Article by Julie Punelli from the Vitae newsletter

Designer Spotlight

Designer Spotlight: Rock 'N Reconstruct

Vitae has not one, but TWO Sarah Johnsons! We figure this Collective's big enough for the both of 'em. This month's featured designer is the Sarah Johnson of Rock 'N Reconstruct - a local legend in Indie design. This bold and seriously flattering line has demanded international attention and continues to push forward with innovative twists on the vintage look. Like many of us Rip & Stitchers, she was a longtime thrift store shopper and began by modifying her finds to suit her personal taste. When she moved from the tall corn state to L.A. upon graduating college, she took a job with a designer while looking for a job in her field. What had always been a passion quickly became the career as she was noticed by other designers and west coast shoppers alike. R 'N R dresses have been spotted on celebrities and in magazines.

photo by: mG Photography

With her line established in boutiques in California & across the country, she's recently decided to make Iowa her home base once again. Some of you may know that it was Sarah who put together the first Indie Design showcase a few years back, doing much of the coordination long distance. Iowa Fashion Week, a series of style shows and fundraiser was the mama of Vitae's Runway Revue. Sarah's efforts, which she proclaimed to be a "Thank You" to Iowa, really opened a door for the local D.I.Y. community. We at Vitae are thankful to her for that, and have been happily paying it forward ever since.

-This article is from the Vitae July newsletter and written by Julie Punelli

Emergence Fashion Show

Emergence Fashion Show

Emergence, a fashion show & silent auction event to benefit the Ruth Harbor House, will be at the Des Moines Social Club on Saturday, July 11 at 8pm.  

The Ruth Harbor house offers shelter and support to young mothers and their babes. The auction will feature some fashions from the show. 

The show features pin-up style designs by Acanthus (this is a first for me), Magpie, Rok:her:roots, Jae Anonyma, Pink Revolver, and Rock n' Reconstruct.

$5 gets you in to the fashion show; VIP seats & after party tickets are $25. Available at the door or on IowaTix.com!

DIY Nights

If you like crafting then you will love D.I.Y. Nights. Every other Tuesday Leslie features a new craft. For more information go to urbanestics.blogspot.com.

We'll see you there!

Kill The Profits

This piece is titled "Kill The Profits". It is oil on wood and over a foot tall. The driving idea comes from the phrase, " Don't kill the Messenger".  The piece is created with a fair amount of irony since it is human nature to do just that, even to ourselves. The more we try to climb our soap box to be heard, the more vulnerable we are to falling. 

It will be displayed at Vitae Design Collective in early march along with work by fellow DSM tattooers; Paul Nycz, Mike Diamond, and Budha.  Come check the show out March 18th at the Art Noir open house.

-Joshua