Thursday, September 4, 2014

Running for a Good Cause


Gold Leaf's (co-)Big Kahuna will be running the Chicago Marathon again this year. It is his tenth Chicago Marathon!  As many of you already know, he runs to support a local AIDS services organization.  For the third year running (ha!) he is raising money for Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN).  Our fundraising is very grassroots - this is not a large organized charity, Darren is the only person running the marathon for this organization, every penny raised goes directly to the services that TPAN provides.
Here's Darren: 
Over the 3 years that I have been volunteering with TPAN, I continue to be inspired by the difference they make in our community.  We have been working closely with local officials to bring education and counseling to the west side of Chicago.  This is the area where Gold Leaf is located, and it is a very underserved, underfunded area.
Please consider supporting us as we work to enhance our community. 100% of all donations go directly to AIDS education, counseling, testing and outreach. TPAN's mission is to empower everyone living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS to live open, healthy and productive lives.
To make a donation and support Darren's run, please visit his Marathon Page.

Charley Harper

Gold Leaf Design Group has always been heavily influenced by nature, and one of our favorite forms of inspiration can be found in the art of Charley Harper. His passion for the environment comes shining through in his artistic celebration of fish, fowl, insects and the niches they cohabit with humans in this modern world. In celebration of the life of Charley Harper, we’re currently highlighting our Charley Harper collection. For a limited time, every 6 birds you buy will get you an additional bird free. Buy 6 birds, get 7. Buy 12, get 14. And we do mean any Charley Harper bird. Mix and match to your heart’s content: any style, any material. See our whole collection.
Using graphic shapes and bold colors, Harper simplified complex elements, creating an utterly captivating style. Explaining how he arrives at his images, Harper said: “When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don’t see the feathers in the wings, I just count the wings. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced... and herein lies the lure of painting; in a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe.” Learn more at this awesome video!