I’ve been salivating over the Ginkgo print from Daniel Baer since I first saw it, flicking through the graphic design magazine Grafik. This morning I unwrapped my gift from Coulson, and Ta Da!

A gorgeous A3 poster of ginkgo leaves by the super-talented Daniel Baer.

Kevin Roberts, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide wrote this lovely piece about us on his blog KR Connect,

“A few weeks ago, I discovered Coulson Macleod, an art business making waves from Northamptonshire. It’s the creation of Mark Coulson and Hannah Macleod, a couple who share a striking design aesthetic, radically positive ambition, and, most importantly, love.

I’ve bought several of their pieces, which are all hand-finished in limited editions. The works in the Love Collection are favorites of mine – bold typographic designs featuring declarations of feeling and famous romantic lines from classic movies. Other collections celebrate the pop culture of decades past, the icons of music history and the spirit of Cool Britannia – all topics close to the heart.

After I sent the team a note of encouragement, Hannah Macleod shared the company’s “simple little love story” with me. It’s also a story of smart, down-to-earth entrepreneurship. After falling in love, the couple began working together. Wanting new art for their home, but not able to afford high-end prices, they decided to design their own rather than deign to buy mass-produced prints, and thus Coulson Macleod was born.

Starting small in March 2009, Hannah and Mark didn’t have big dollars for promotion, but built their own website and showcased their designs online. The work spoke for itself, and with growing sales they could soon begin advertising in top interiors magazines. Now, Coulson Macleod fields orders from all over the world, and tracks the buzz on their blog. Brides-to-be have contacted them to ask if they can read out the quote from the “What Is Love?” piece at their wedding – a special request as this was written by Mark.

As Hannah described it to me, the company is “built on love and driven by passion”. The world needs more entrepreneurs like this. Here’s to spreading the Love.”

The idea to sell art popped into our heads just over a year ago. And by the 4th March 2009 Coulson Macleod became an official business.

We launched our website on the 20th, and celebrated our first sale of a limited edition print two weeks later. Now, in the normal world of retail, two weeks would be rather a long time to wait for a customer. But at this stage you couldn’t have found us by searching on the internet. And we hadn’t advertised. We were ecstatic!

It’s been a brilliant year.

We’ve shipped prints to far away lands. Australia. New Zealand. Canada. And to practically every state in America. Customers sometimes buy more than one print at a time. Customers are coming back to buy more. For birthday gifts, wedding gifts, or another print for their own walls.

So we’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers. And to everyone all around the world who has taken the time to write about us. Whether you’ve just posted an image of our artwork with a link back to us, or written a gushing wordy article, we still get totally excited at seeing our name out there.

We’ll be drinking a toast to our next year, which we’ve already got heaps of plans and designs for.

Cheers!

Our canvas prints are finished by hand, by experienced local craftsmen.  We use a natural (100% cotton), textured canvas, complemented by a chunky (45mm deep) Dutch spruce frame.

Let us know what you think.

Coulson Macleod limited edition typographic art

The ultimate romantic gift. Written by Coulson for Macleod when he fell in love with her.

If any of you received a Coulson Macleod Love print for Valentine’s Day, do let us know. x

Coulson Macleod limited edition typographic art

The perfect gift for Valentine’s Day.

Coulson Macleod limited edition (x 250) vintage-style typographic art print. £149.

Free delivery within the UK.

Coulson Macleod limited edition typographic art

The perfect gift for Valentine’s Day.

Coulson Macleod limited edition (x 250) vintage-style typographic art print. £149.

Free delivery within the UK.

Kevin Roberts very kindly gave Coulson Macleod permission to use his name.

In fact Kevin (yep we’re on first name terms!) sent me a handwritten note that basically said well done and that the world needs entrepreneurs. He also said that I could tell the world that he’d bought our art and that if I sent him our story, he’d put it on his blog.

Saatchi & Saatchi is one of the world’s leading creative organisations, and Kevin leads a team of 6,000 people in 150 offices across 86 countries.  And yet  he somehow found the time for Coulson Macleod. It’s nice to have friends in high-up places.

Saatchi & Saatchi created Lovemarks. They wanted to know what makes some brands inspirational, while others struggle?  Their answer was “future beyond brands”. They write on their website, “Lovemarks transcends brands. They reach your heart as well as  your mind, creating an intimate, emotional connection that you just can’t live without. Ever. Lovemarks are a relationship, not a mere transaction. You don’t just buy Lovemarks, you embrace them passionately. Lovemarks inspire.”

Now we like to think Coulson Macleod is a Lovemark. And maybe, just maybe, so does Saatchi & Saatchi.

Coulson Macleod limited edition typographic art

The perfect gift for Valentine’s Day.

Coulson Macleod limited edition (x 250) vintage-style typographic art print. £149.

Free delivery within the UK.

Coulson Macleod limited edition typographic art

The perfect gift for Valentine’s Day.

Coulson Macleod limited edition (x 250) vintage-style typographic art print. £149.

Free delivery within the UK.