Greeting Card Artist Mike Scovel Signs with the 'Good Guys' Westland Giftware to Introduce Y-ME Ranch Collectible Figurines in 2006

Artist, Mike Scovel's hilarious paintings of rural and western life have graced millions of greeting cards, mugs, posters and other gift products for over twenty five years. His crusty but lovable family of characters pioneered a style of fine art humor that anchored the western greeting card line produced by Boulder based Leanin' Tree Publishing. Now, thanks to a newly signed agreement with Looking Good Licensing (LGL), and a new deal with Westland Giftware, many of those familiar characters will take on a new life as collectible figurines.

(PRWEB) September 30, 2005 -- Artist Mike Scovel's hilarious paintings of rural and western life have graced millions of greeting cards, mugs, posters and other gift products for over twenty five years. His crusty but lovable family of characters pioneered a style of fine art humor that anchored the western greeting card line produced by Boulder based Leanin' Tree Publishing. Now, thanks to a newly signed agreement with Looking Good Licensing (LGL), and a new deal with Westland Giftware, many of those familiar characters will take on a new life as collectible figurines.

Scovel, along with his wife and business partner, Dusti, handed the licensing reins over to LGL after managing them in house" for nearly thirty years. It's a scary but exciting transition," says Scovel, but Dusti and I have the utmost confidence in Paul Wheeler and Tim Good."

Scovel's artwork has been as much a part of western life as the hoedown and the rodeo. Since 1977, the Idaho native has supplied the greeting card and gift industry with a steady stream of cowboy humor, portraying the people and perils of rural ranch life, in comedic exaggeration.

Ed Trumble, founder of Leanin' Tree says, No other artist among the many hundreds that we have published has been represented on so many Leanin' Tree greeting cards for so many years. Many folks across the nation would agree, Mike Scovel has become, in his modest manner, one of America's truly great humorists ranking with the likes of Charles Schultz, Norman Rockwell and Dr. Seuss."

In August, LGL and Scovel signed an agreement with Westland Giftware to introduce collectible figurines based on the popular Y-ME Ranch Hand characters that have become Scovel's calling card. The collection, which will be introduced mid-year 2006, will include several of Scovel's most popular characters including the ever-in-trouble D.L. Feller (Danged Lucky), the crotchety but lovable Zeke Appleby and feisty top cowhand, Maxie Sparks.

Scovel is pleased to be associated with the folks at LGL. It took us four months to finally sign on the dotted line," Scovel says, but after checking around, we were certain this was the best choice for us."

Looking Good has enjoyed a reputation as one of the most focused and sensible art based licensing companies in the industry. Paul Wheeler, President of Licensing and New Sales says, We often have to remind ourselves that this is the art business we're in -- not rocket science ...we're bringing a little joy and brightness into people's lives. In the end, it is art and it should be fun."

And if Mike Scovel has anything to do with it, it will definitely be fun!

Contact:

Stormi Evans

Artpro

512-756-7731

12-756-1186 (fax)

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