I have adapted some of my photography, art and graphic designs plus entirely new custom designs into print-on-demand clothing and totes. A few examples are shown in the slide show to the left. These items and others I haven't included here can be purchased at the VIDA website here. I'll add other designs as the spirit and sales move me.
The VIDA website explains their business model. Artists receive a royalty on sales and have no involvement with the manufacturing. Let me know if you would like a custom piece designed as a one-of-a-kind article just for you. Another possibility is that I can design clothing that complements your existing jewelry or a planned purchase. I'll happily accept commissions for custom jewelry and clothing now.
The VIDA website explains their business model. Artists receive a royalty on sales and have no involvement with the manufacturing. Let me know if you would like a custom piece designed as a one-of-a-kind article just for you. Another possibility is that I can design clothing that complements your existing jewelry or a planned purchase. I'll happily accept commissions for custom jewelry and clothing now.
The Louisville-based artist is the creator of the 2012 Governor's Award in the Arts. The 2012 award, ‘Art is the Tree of Life,’ is sculpted of aluminum, plastic, glass and resin, with an LED backlight and a removable ART brooch - a piece that is synonymous with Needham's name.
from the Awards Catalog
Kentucky Governor’s Award in the Arts
In 2012 I was honored to be awarded the commission to create the Kentucky Governor’s Award in the Arts. The award features LED lights that illuminate metalfiori discs. Hidden among the discs is a removable brooch, custom designed for the award recipient, two of which are included in the slide show. Each award, like my jewelry, is different from its siblings.
"In any abstraction one can find a connection to a memory, sensation or object, whether in a cloud, an ink splatter, or a shadow. Perhaps you'll see a butterfly or galaxy, a letter or flower, a cell or a cherub, or a face or numeral within this piece. What I hope can be seen, but which must also be said, is that the Kentucky Arts Council and these honorees are to be thanked and commended for their efforts in advancing, representing and promoting the arts. They are assisting artists in their task, as Wordsworth advised, of '...creating the tastes for their own works.'"
"In any abstraction one can find a connection to a memory, sensation or object, whether in a cloud, an ink splatter, or a shadow. Perhaps you'll see a butterfly or galaxy, a letter or flower, a cell or a cherub, or a face or numeral within this piece. What I hope can be seen, but which must also be said, is that the Kentucky Arts Council and these honorees are to be thanked and commended for their efforts in advancing, representing and promoting the arts. They are assisting artists in their task, as Wordsworth advised, of '...creating the tastes for their own works.'"
–from the Awards Catalog
But few can measure up to his one-of-a-kind jewelry in all of its geometric shapes, sizes and overall aesthetic quality.
RoundAbout Entertainment Guide
Festival of Arts at the Summit
In addition to being featured in this interview, I was interviewed on the local Fox affiliate WDRB41. The slide show has a few of the on-screen graphics I made for the station.
His work is simple and geometric, and he plays up its presence by displaying it on architecture tools…
Lexington Herald-Leader
AFB Art Fair at Woodland Park
Woodland Park is a charming spot nestled among older homes in Lexington, Kentucky. I’ve done the show several times and have received Best in Show and Cutting Edge awards.
I was featured in this 2010 article in the Lexington Herald-Leader Weekender cover story: “The location also attracts Louisville artist Mark Needham, a 2009 award winner for his unique and striking jewelry.
‘The people in Lexington really like the work.' Needham said.
His work is simple and geometric, and he plays up its presence by displaying it on architecture tools and posting large photos of the work on the walls of his booth.
Needham and Lackey both appreciate the way the fair gives
exposure to the artists. Needham attends a number of fairs and finds they often lead to other venues where he can ‘get the work out there.’”
I was featured in this 2010 article in the Lexington Herald-Leader Weekender cover story: “The location also attracts Louisville artist Mark Needham, a 2009 award winner for his unique and striking jewelry.
‘The people in Lexington really like the work.' Needham said.
His work is simple and geometric, and he plays up its presence by displaying it on architecture tools and posting large photos of the work on the walls of his booth.
Needham and Lackey both appreciate the way the fair gives
exposure to the artists. Needham attends a number of fairs and finds they often lead to other venues where he can ‘get the work out there.’”
The candle and flame, cake layers and plate are all there making a literal 18.
Mark Needham, in Today’s Woman
18 Design Contest
Today’s Woman magazine celebrated its 18th birthday with a design contest. My entry was modeled after a deconstructed birthday cake which I remade with different scale and perspective, similar to a cubist painting.
Come see what’s hot in Kentucky.
Show Brochure, 2008
Kentucky Crafted - The Market
An annual showcase of Kentucky Crafted artists, Kentucky Proud food producers and select other guilds from neighboring states, Kentucky Crafted - The Market chose one of my rings for their brochure.
Mark Needham's "Carnival necklace" is among the works in the "Artful Adornment: Kentucky Jewelry" exhibit opening Thursday at Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft.
Louisville Courier-Journal article, July 2007
Artful Adornment
In Louisville
Teeny tiny sculptures comprise "Artful Adornment: Kentucky Jewelry,” which opens with a 5 to 7:30 p.m. reception Thursday at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, 715 W. Main St.
The jewelry by 40 regional artisans represents every technique you can think of, from bead-weaving and metal-smithing to stone-setting, according to Mary Ellen Furlong, KMAC associate curator and organizer of this exhibition. The exhibition continues through Oct. 6. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The jewelry by 40 regional artisans represents every technique you can think of, from bead-weaving and metal-smithing to stone-setting, according to Mary Ellen Furlong, KMAC associate curator and organizer of this exhibition. The exhibition continues through Oct. 6. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
–Louisville Courier-Journal article, July 2007
My work was well-represented in the visuals for the mailer, brochure and newspaper account of this exhibition.
The solitary-themed works are outstanding as well. Jewelry designed by Needham is actually wearable sculpture.
LEO magazine
Immortals: Images & Icons
In 2007 I was invited by Pyro Gallery members Ann Stewart Anderson, a painter and John McCarthy, a ceramicist, to join them in this collaborative theme show. They gave me small pieces of art which I incorporated into jewelry. Additionally I interpreted the theme into pieces of my own. I also designed the invitation.
A few pieces are shown in the slide show.
A few pieces are shown in the slide show.