Paintings Sold to Help Preserve Wetlands and Virginia Heritage

An original oil, "Fall Flock, Virginia Piedmont in Fall," by artist Allan Guy, was sold at auction to help raise money for our nation's wetlands.

The gala dinner/auction event, held by Ducks Unlimited, the premier wetland preservation organization in the United States, with foreign chapters in Latin America, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia, was sponsored by the Greater Manassas, Prince William chapter, in Manassas, Virginia.

The new owner, Prince William County Supervisor, Wally Covington III, is a long time participant in Ducks Unlimited events, an avid conservationist and Virginian farmer, as well as a respected public official.

--"Fall Flock, Virginia Piedmont in Fall." Mr. Covington has graciously allowed museum-quality, limited edition prints of this painting to be offered for sale. They are available singed (remarked), numbered, matted and framed, upon request. Please contact Allan Guy at aguy@aguystudio.com or 703 331 0492, for further details.

He also owns another Allan Guy original oil painting, "June Smith's Farm, Nokesville, Early Winter," also provided by Allan Guy to benefit Ducks Unlimited.

Mr. Guy started his tradition of combining art with preservation, by working with Philip Carter Strother, of Fauquier County and Richmond, Virginia.

Mr. Strother is the owner of Philip Carter Winery, of Hume, Virginia, one of Virginia's premier wineries, located in the beautiful piedmont region of Virginia's Blue Ridge. Having grown up in this historic area, Mr. Strother wished to create a wine featuring art by Virginia artists, depicting the beauty of the Commonwealth. Donations from each bottle of wine go to local organizations that help preserve this region's resources and unique culture.

Hence, "Governor Fauquier" was born, an exemplary, locally produced white wine whose packaged was not only designed by Allan Guy, but features his oil-on-prepared-paper painting, "Crooked Run Valley as seen from Valley View Farm." This painting, and it's specialty packaging, continues to help preserve the land today, via stellar sales of Mr. Strother's fine wine.

Here, Mr. Guy is seen presenting the original oil painting "Crooked Run Valley as seen from Valley View Farm"to Mr. Strother at the prestigious Virginia Wine Expo, held annually at Richmond, Virginia. Press coverage is from The Piedmont Virginian magazine.

(The wines of Philip Carter Winery are available at the winery-see link on right sidebar-online and also at Wegmans. It will soon be available at Giant, Harris Teeter, Fresh Foods, Martins and BJs. Help preserve! Buy art! Shop "PC" at these fine stores!)

Further samples of Allan Guy's artwork may be seen online at: www.aguystudio.com/aguyfineart/, as well as on display at Robert ad Susanna Barolin's delightful City Square Restaurant, in Old Town Manassas, Virginia.

His works currently hang in private collections in Virginia, Florida, Colorado and Connecticut. Selected commissions accepted.

George Washington's Historic Rye Whiskey Launched

For the first time over 200 years, First President George Washington's authentic un-aged rye whiskey has been distilled and bottled at the site of his original distillery. The real thing made at the original site, the way George and his distiller, Scotsman John Anderson, produced it way back in 1797.

A Guy Studio was asked to create the period-style packaging for this historic product!

A Guy Studio's packaging, which features the first president's portrait, was designed with frames, borders and colors reminiscent of the architectural embellishments used in colonial Virginia plantations at the time. The bottle, heavy european glass, has a domed shoulder, like a small, specialty decanter. Hand-crafted wooden stoppers where used to cap the product and the labels themselves were printed on Estate #4, 100% cotton rag, wine-labeling paper stock. All of these elements combine to create a design that highlights the special nature of

this one of a kind, collectible whiskey.

This un-aged rye whiskey was made in a limited quantity, with only 475 bottles produced in this run. All are hand numbered and sell for approximately $85 per bottle.

The initial run has been practically sold out! With tastings at the on-site launch a success, bottles have been well received by the public.

The entire project, from the re-creation of George Washington's distillery on the actual site, to the distilling of the whiskey according to his original mash bill, using authentic copper pot stills, to the design and production of quality whiskey, has helped raise the awareness of the life of George Washington and the craftsmanship of our colonial forefathers.

It has been a distinct honor for Allan Guy Design & Illustration to have been allowed to be a part of this important, historic event.

Special thanks go to Mrs. Julia Mosley, Director, The Shops at Mount Vernon, Dennis Pogue, Director of Preservation at Historic Mount Vernon and Barton Groh, CFO, Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union, for their support and leadership in this ongoing series of unique, historic projects

As always, many thanks to Master Distiller Joe Dangler, of Virginia Gnetleman's A. Smith Bowman Distillery, for his exemplary knowledge of craft, time and attention and unfailing willingness to explain the intricacies of his art to others.

Please take a look at the news coverage of the launch of George Washington's Un-aged Rye Whiskey (2 video clips) a the bottom of this post:

Client Vino Curioso Featured in USA Today

As a part of a six week series in the money section of USA Today, Vino Curioso is being featured as one of five start up businesses forging ahead with creativity and passion in our current recession.

The series, "Entrepreneurs Face Challenges of Starting a Small Business," will be tracking the path of Vino Curioso during it's challenges in opening up a winery and wine bar, "The Virginia Wine Factory." Organization, marketing and funding details are reviewed by USA Today's panel of respected "coaches," providing objective advice along the way.

Owner Michael Matthews is highlighted in a series of web vids in these articles, so you both see and read of his progress. Good luck Vino Curioso!

http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/startup/small-business-challenge.htm

http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/startup/2010-01-29-michael-matthews_N.htm

A. Guy Studio Asked to Speak at Darden School of Business-UVA Wine Beer & Spirits Symposium

Recently, Allan Guy was contacted by Jennifer Drapisch, of the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, to speak on the creative challenges of packaging and branding for the beer, wines and spirits markets. This request, initiated by the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office, was gladly accepted.

His talk was to be given as a part of Darden's first annual Wine, Beer and Spirits MBA Conference. The conference included a round table with such participants as Folio, international wine marketer for Mondavi Wines, Brown-Forman International and Anheuser Busch.

As the only artist and designer specializing in the development of premium goods speaking at this symposium, Allan Guy discussed the development of visual brand worlds for companies large and small.

His talk included a case study contrasting two very different spirits brands he developed: Bacardi Limon, the largest selling new product of the decade and George Washington Rye and Colonial Rum Spirits. Bacardi Limon is important for it's role in revovating the entire Bacardi brand world while George Washington Rye Whiskey comes from the small, influential Mount Vernon Distillery, which has a specialized audience and therefore unique communication needs.

Creative solutions used for these projects were explored, providing practical explanations of how to successfully create a visual presence on shelf, how to create in relation to the marketplace and how to develop an expandable brand world that anticipates future marketing changes.

The challenges of creating a new "wine world" was discussed, using Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery as an example. This successful winery, branded by A. Guy Studio, was a totally new business and therefore had no visual identity. The value of various branding elements, such adaptable logotypes, packaging, signage and an easily identifiable "RBU," (a proprietary, stand alone brand icon) was discussed.

Kudos to Jennifer Drapisch, the primary event organizer, as well as Annette Boyd and Amy Ciaramentaro of the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office for their help and hospitality.

Allan Guy Featured in the Press

This past week the Manassas Observer did a wonderful write up of Allan Guy, focusing on his present creative interests and how they relate to his "hometown" upbringing in Manassas, Virginia.

Some of the topics included in this article are the influences of illustrator and painter Richard C. Guy, father of the artist, the history of Virginia, including the work of the Manassas Museum, as well as the skilled producers of wines, beers and spirits, that help make the culture of the Northern Piedmont region one of unique interest.

One photo included in the article shows Allan Guy with some of the products he has designed for various Virginia concerns: A rare Martha Washington Rum for Mount Vernon, white wines produced by Philip Carter Winery in Markham, Virginia, and Potomac Point Winery in Stafford, Virginia, A table wine produced by Vino Curioso of Manassas, Virginia and a "7" port style wine produced by King Family Vineyards of Crozet, Virginia.

Also discussed are the paintings of Allan Guy, which are in private collections from Connecticut to Florida, though many remain in the collection of the artist. Some of these oils and watercolors, inspired by open views of the land and the remote buildings they contain, can be seen viewed online, at: www.aguystudio.com/aguyfineart.

The Manassas Observer is the local newspaper of note and to have such an article run is personally rewarding as well as professionally beneficial. Kudos go to Gretchen O'Brien for her writing and photographic talents, as ell as the editing talents of Randi Reed, owner and publisher. The efforts of both these individuals made this article a success and are greatly appreciated.

Vino Curioso: Manassas Fest a Success!

The annual fall street festival, in Manassas, Virginia, has but a few wineries displaying their wares and Vino Curioso Wineryis one of those wineries in attendance.

Featured Vino wines include the signature "Franc the Tank" Cabernet Franc and their Sangiovese, one of the hardest types of quality wines to produce, given the Virginia climate.

Other wines produced by Vino Curioso include a cabernet sauvignon, a red wine blend called"Assemblage," a chardonnay and a chardonnay blend," "Chardontage," and a Viognier, among others.

The Vino tent was a hit, with customers of all ages and types being drawn to the quality vintages. Even the mayor of Manassas, "Hal" Parrish, stopped by for a quick hello!

This dog doesn't belong to Vino Curioso. He is just a cool pooch that came and hung out.

To learn more about Vino Curioso, and especially their soon to open facility/tasting room, The Wine Factory, please contact owner/winemaker Michael Matthews (seen in these photos as the man in glasses and a black shirt): 703 447 0648.

You may visit their site, for information and shipped orders, at www.vinocurioso.com.

The Cultural TImes: Designing for the Arts in the Rocky Mountain Region

A. Guy Studio, L.L.C., was asked by Mr. Stewart Mosberg to create a magazine in a style that communicated the open, wide-ranging spirit inherent in the arts of the Colorado High Country. Developing a unique visual style, A. Guy Studio gladly completed this charge. The result, "The Cultural Times," was an eye-catching publication that quickly became known throughout the region for it's visual communication as well as it's valued content.

Upon reflection, it became apparent that a simple, functional layout, along the lines of most magazines, would not be adequate for this type of publication. Rather, the content, look and feel of The Cultural Times had to be just as expansive as the high peaks of Breckenridge, Colorado. Therefore, sophisticated layouts were developed in a tabloid format. Expanses of negative space were handled with deliberation, thus making positive design elements, such as headlines, articles and photographs, all the more effective.

The design of this arts magazine required, among other things: a corporate logo, a "masthead" logotype for the contents/publishers page, an eye-catching "swash logo," used for promotional purposes such as signage and vending machine frontages, and spread layouts for contents, running articles, feature stories, editors pages and advertising pages. Attention was given to the smallest details, such as the design of individual page numbers.

The design of The Cultural Times magazine helped to spread its readership from the High-Peak Country and Denver to Colorado proper and beyond.

The Cultural Times publisher, Stew Mosberg is a design legend. A long time corporate leader in the branding, design and marketing fields, he has created successful campaigns for many national and international markets. He has headed too many design and marketing organizations to count. All the while, Stew has served as a compassionate mentor to may "up and comers," including myself.

Hailing from Brooklyn, N.Y., Stew now lives in Colorado with his Husky, Shayna. He writes for various publications statewide and also is a talented voice-over artist. Throughout Colorado, he is a known and respected art critic. A creative writer, Stew headed a group that of other, published "High Peak Authors" and now has a novel of his own in development.

This city boy now journeys upward! Stew has learned the joy of fishing and combines the pleasure of catching wild brookies with hikes up to their lairs, often wetting a line by streams that are over 10,000 feet high.