Sure, most of us know the alphabet, but not all of us know the Kentucky Alphabet. With this print hot off the Kentucky for Kentucky presses, you'll never need spellcheck again! We are stoked to announce that our wildly popular "ABCs of Kentucky" print by illustrator Robert Bridges is BACK!–just in time for the holidays.
Our "most pinned" print on Pinterest, this poster sold out in record time last holiday season. That's why we decided to run a second edition of this uniquely Kentucky abecedarius. On Friday the 14th, 500 signed and numbered prints will be available for purchase on our website. Check out the video below for a behind the scenes peek of the printing process.
Kentucky ABC's Print By Robert Bridges from Kentucky for Kentucky on Vimeo.
This print is perfect for any wall space- be it in a classroom, kids room, or your office. Each letter represents its own uniquely Kentucky image.
A – Ali, B – Bluegrass, C – Kentucky Colonels, D – Derby, E – Ernest, F – Fried Chicken, G – Goldenrod, H – High Five, I – Isaac Murphy, J – John Jacob Niles, K – Keeneland, L – Lincoln, M – Mammoth Cave, N – Natural Bridge, O – Opossum, P – PawPaw, Q – Quilt, R – Rosie the Riveter, S – Shaker Village, T – Turtle Man, U – United We Stand, Divided We Fall, V – Vault (Fort Knox), W – Wigwam Village, X – Moonshine, Y – Y'all, Z – Zombie.
Originally born in California, 'The ABCs of Kentucky' illustrator Robert Bridges credits his life in Kentucky with allowing him to become closer to a rustic, wooded sense of place that has changed his artistic style. As with the images that he's created for Kentucky for Kentucky, Bridges primarily works with gouache on watercolor paper, giving his illustrations a lightly antiqued, but detailed, feel.
Bridges also credits his move to Kentucky with helping to shift his art in a direction that is less dark and more playful, "I think a by product of living here and spending more time with my family has caused me to be a bit more introspective about what I wanted my work to say. I always felt that my work had to be 'serious' to have any sort of artistic merit. I have had time to see life for the good thing it is and to experience wonder and realize that it is okay to lighten up." Though he has done commissions for clients in places as far away as England, Japan, and Norway, Bridges has found an artistic community in Lexington that nurtures his work; he has made many connections through the Lexington Art League.
Bridges' illustrations often seem as though they have been extracted from a larger story, allowing adults and children a peek into snippets of scenes. "My goal is to leave the events somewhat vague and to leave it to the viewer's imagination to fill in the rest. Imagination is key."
Get yours on FRIDAY the 14th at 10:00am on our website.
Printed by on 18×24 French Paper with a special "2nd Edition" stamp on the corner by Thoroughbred Press in Lexington, KY.
Words by Hannah LeGris and June Tate. Video and Images by Stanley Sievers.