Modern Bird Studios – custom art with soul

Every now and then, through these great mediums we call social media, I make a really, truly wonderful connection with a blogger, a reader, and occasionally a company. I call so many of these small business owners and entrepreneurs “friends” now, and I’m excited to introduce you all to Megan and Gregg, my friend and her amazingly talented husband who is the artistic master behind Modern Bird Studios.

Megan reached out to me on Twitter just a few weeks ago. I took a quick moment to check out the link in her bio, and was blown away by the art featured on their website. I said to myself that I would LOVE to have something like that for our house someday. I loved their style. They turn nearly any photograph into a modern, simple piece of art. I was honored when they offered to send me a custom piece for review, and even more thrilled when they said they want to give one away to one of my readers.

Over the next few weeks, countless emails flew back and forth, and I had the chance to really get to know Megan and all about her family. Not unlike so many of us, they have been affected by the recession- Gregg lost his job. Not ones to sit and sulk, they turned their misfortune into inspiration, and a swift kick to get Modern Bird Studios up and running. In Megan’s words, “The economy sucker punched us about 5 months ago, and we are trying to retaliate with a bitch slap and two big, fat middle fingers.”  You can read more about Gregg and their business here.

What I can tell you all for certain, over just the small amount of time I’ve known them, is they are incredibly kind and soulful. At first glance, their art may look like something you might be able to reproduce on your own with some creative Photoshop skills, an inexpensive print studio and a piece of canvas, but look deeper. I will tell you this is ART with a soul. This comes from someone’s dreams and desires, hard work and sweat. It’s quality. It’s painted on maple/birch composite, not canvas. It’s sturdy, and there’s no need to frame it. It will be around 20 years from now. You’ll have to note in your will who gets the piece when you die. Gregg even signs the back!

They can work with any picture taken with lots of natural light, which means you don’t have to submit anything taken professionally. In fact, I love how they can take any “ordinary” picture and make it so artistic.

After much hemming and hawing and annoying the shit out of Scott, we (well, I… of course, *I* had the final and basically only say) decided on the colors and the picture. There are SO MANY color options! Really, the possibilities seem endless (I’m sure they actually do have an end, but math major I am not). We decided to keep it pretty neutral with gray and black. It goes great with the color of our walls now, and I can see it matching at least some part of our house for many years to come. For the picture, I submitted one of my absolute favorites of my chubby cheeked little man. He was maybe 3 or 4 months old, I think? I just love, love, love this one.

Megan and Gregg sent me a digital proof within a day, and about a week later I received this beauty. (Their usual processing time is about 2 weeks, including shipping, but may be longer due to volume. If that’s the case, they will let you know.)

Are you done Ooohing and Awwwing yet? It’s 12×24 and seriously freaking amazing. The craftsmanship is superb, and yet I love that it has a bit of a rustic, handmade feel, telling you it’s got SOUL.

I had the best of intentions to have it beautifully hung on the wall in our work and play room, but unfortunately Scott had to go out of town for the weekend, and I haven’t had the courage to try to hang it myself.  Here it is sitting directly below where I think I want to hang it, just to give you some perspective. It will be the first thing people see when they walk in. O hai!

This size piece sells for $280, and they have several other sizes starting at $165 for a 6×12, up to $620 for a 46×46. Yes, I know this is not your everyday purchase. It’s certainly not an impulse buy for many, and something that much thinking and saving up for is needed. That being said, consider the following:

This is not just for baby pictures. It’s not even just for people pictures. They can do pets, skylines, or your favorite snapshot of the mountain range you grew up seeing out your bedroom window.

This is an investment piece of ART that you happen to be able to customize.

The just launched the first of many predesigned series “Bloom”, giving you the same quality art at a lower price (not customizable).

Also, you can get 15% off your purchase with the code “BABY RABIES” until February 26th! (This includes the predesigned Bloom Series.)

Now for the really fun part, the giveaway!

Modern Bird Studios is giving one 12×12 piece to a lucky winner who will be randomly chosen on Tuesday, February 23rd by Random.org. To enter, please do one, a few, or all of the following.

THIS IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE ENTER ONE COMMENT FOR EACH THING YOU DO. Also, please understand that I moderate comments and it may take a while for your comment to show up. Before submitting a duplicate, please wait a couple hours and see if your first shows up. This makes it easier for me to operate this in the fairest manner possible.

1. Comment telling me what color combination you like the best based on their color chart. (You will not be held to this if you win.)

2. Become a fan of Modern Bird Studios on Facebook

3. Follow Modern Bird Studios on Twitter (@Modern_Bird)

4. Become a fan of Baby Rabies on Facebook

5. Follow Baby Rabies on Twitter (@BabyRabies)

(If you are already following us or a fan, just let me know.)

6. Tweet about the contest- something like “Just entered to win a custom piece of art by @Modern_Bird on @BabyRabies”

7. Blog about the contest (feel free to lift the button in the left sidebar if you’d like).

8. Make a donation to Haiti relief or The Lance Armstrong Foundation. (Note: If this is how you win, you will be asked to provide a receipt for proof.)

After the winner is chosen, Megan and Gregg will work closely with them to design their custom piece.

This contest is only open to residents of the lower 48 states.

Good luck everyone!

Modern Bird Studios sent me my custom piece of art at no charge for review.

Contest is closed and winners have been drawn and notified. Thank you for entering!