Catalina Estrada, Emiliano Ponzi and Red Nose Studio illustrated posters for the 15th Annual Croquet Ball benefiting the Penfield Children’s Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Croquet Ball is the signature fundraising event for the center that helps infants and children, both with and without disabilities, reach their full potential through education, therapy services and family programs.

Held annually at the Milwaukee Country Club, the event includes a cocktail reception, exclusive croquet match, gourmet dinner and silent auction, where guests are invited to bid on the illustrators’ posters. Past illustrators that have contributed to the event include James Jean, Josh Cochran, Travis Lampe, Frank Stockton, Jon Han, Ronald Kurniawan, Eduardo Recife, Pomme Chan, Laura Plansker, Sam Weber, Jessica Hische, Chris Buzelli and Chris Silas, just to name a few. Nearly $310, 000 was raised last year.

The 15th Annual Croquet Ball takes place on Saturday, September 11th, 2010.

Hennie Haworth recently collaborated with Link on their premier product, the Furoshiki cloth. Her graphic hand-drawn objects cover the the traditional Japanese folding cloth and are inspired by the wide range of items one could carry in the Furoshiki. “I also wanted it to act like a visual shopping list, the pictures reminding you of things you need to buy, then wrap in the furoshiki and carry home,” says Hennie.

Link is a Los Angeles and Tokyo-based collective that aims to cross cultures and generations by bringing beautiful and functional products from Japan to the world, and from the world to Japan.

Visit www.thelinkcollective.com for purchasing information and tips on how to use and care for the product, including step-by-step instructions for simple wrapping and tying techniques.

Ana Bagayan is exhibiting a piece in Get the Lead Out at Ronin Gallery in Los Angeles, CA. The show, which is being presented by swoongallery.com, features the work of more than 40 artists with a percentage of all proceeds going towards the purchase of blankets for The Lunch Bunch. The Lunch Bunch is a Los Angeles-based charity started by Ana and a friend that delivers homemade meals and other necessities to the city’s homeless.

Saturday, August 28th, 2010 6-10pm
Get the Lead Out 4210 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Emiliano Ponzi’s cover and opening illustration for Middlebury magazine’s Spring 2010 issue received two Awards of Excellence from the University and College Designers Association. The magazine won five awards in total. Congratulations go out to Emiliano and everyone at Middlebury magazine!

HOW magazine recently blogged about Red Nose Studio and the great cover he illustrated for the magazine’s 2010 Self-Promotion Issue. The cover was inspired by Chris’ early encounter with a very famous illustrator who accused him of strutting like a peacock in his own self-promotion efforts. I guess that strutting has paid off as this is his fourth cover for the magazine since his first in June of 1999, trumping design legend, David Carson, in number of HOW covers. This issue also features over 100 winners from the magazine’s Promotion Design Awards and loads of tips and ideas for finding new clients.

Bella Pilar’s illustrated character, Fleur, is the spokeswoman for Italian beauty retailer La Gardenia. She recently made an appearance in Italian Vanity Fair to promote one of her favorite beauty brands – Lancôme.

Catalina Estrada’s checkbook wallet is part of Poketo‘s new collection for Target. The exclusive line also includes bags, umbrellas, water bottles and keychains illustrated by top international artists like Marco Cibola, Mike Perry, Camilla Engman and Pietari Posti, just to name a few. Since 2003, Poketo has been taking art off of gallery walls and making it part of everyday life with their fun and accessible wares – and this collection is no exception. Although the line just launched, items are already flying off of shelves so hurry down to your nearest Target store because they’re only going to be available for a limited time.

Check out Catalina’s recent interview with Poketo.

Bella Pilar’s illustrations can be seen on adorable handmade skirts and dresses from Los Angeles-based designer, Lanya. The fabrics are part of the Girly Girl collection from Studio E.

Ana Bagayan is exhibiting a drawing in JEST in Time: The Phylogenesis of Clowns at Distinction Gallery in Escondido, CA. For the show, 36 international artists were invited to submit their own clown-inspired pieces, with no piece measuring more than 12 x 12 inches. The opening reception includes a silent auction with all proceeds benefiting ArtHatch, an organization that provides young artists with a unique environment in which to create, exhibit and blossom, as more and more schools lose funding for art programs. The show runs until Saturday, September 4th, 2010.

Opening Reception and Auction: Saturday, August 14th, 2010 6-11pm
Distinction Gallery 317 E. Grand Ave, Escondido, CA

It’s that time of year again – vacation is over and the kids are back to class. Luckily Catalina Estrada’s Back to School collection is now available. Her trademark florals are sure to make kids smile as days grow shorter and temperatures cool.

The collection, her third with Stationery Team, includes everything from ringbinders and notebooks to pencil cases and tote bags, ensuring that the trendy girls step into fall in style. Available in Europe.