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September 10, 2004/Elul 24 5765, Vol. 57, No. 1
Directory artist creates with her conscience
JENNIFER GOLDBERG
Staff Writer
The Judaic art of local graphic designer Amanda Blum will soon be a fixture in the homes of thousands of the Valley's Jewish families, in the form of her cover illustration for the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix's 2005 Community Directory (which will debut later this month).
What the public may not know is that Blum has used her talents for the Valley's Jewish community for years, through her de- sign, public relations and marketing company, Howling Zoe Productions. She does advertising work for Temple Solel, Temple Chai and the Jewish Free Loan Association. Blum also donates approximately 3,000 hours of work an-nually to nonprofit or-ganizations.
"I work exclusively in the nonprofit sector," Blum states. "Nonprofits are stable. They show great appreciation for my work. There's an obvious dedi-cation."
Blum's connection with the Jewish community goes deeper than just ad design, though. She grew up in the Valley and was raised Jewish; today she attends services at Temple Solel and Temple Chai.
"I think I will always be involved in the Jewish community," she says. "As I get older, I look at it as more of a tradition than (as) a religious obligation. I'm very fond of the traditions that are involved."
The cover of the directory reflects Blum's affection for the symbols of Jewish traditions. In a vibrant, dreamy style, inspired by the stained-glass windows of Jewish artist Marc Chagall, Shabbat candles and a Torah float amid a melange of bright color.
Blum explains that the piece was created using both traditional and con-temporary artistic methods. She creates the various elements using watercolor pencils, "which are then scanned and digitally collaged through a number of programs online." The result is a seamless tribute to the energy and passion of Judaism.
Energy and passion are also required to accomplish all that Blum has accom-plished at the age of 28. Howling Zoe Productions has been in existence for about 10 years, although it did not become Blum's full-time business until three or four years ago. The com-pany was named after the family dog and Blum says, "I can't tell you how many times people have called up asking to speak to Zoe. Often, I am tempted to let them."
Blum attended the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, then worked in Boston before returning to the Valley in 1999.
Early in her career, Blum decided to devote numerous work and volunteer hours to fight AIDS, a cause she deeply believes in.
"My earliest news mem-ories are back in the very early 1980s of HIV and AIDS, before they knew what it was. ... I've recognized that the cause I am supposed to devote my life to is HIV/AIDS," she says. "In any way possible, I will devote all my resources and time to raising money for the cause."
Blum is the acting public relations director for the Arizona AIDS Walk, and Howling Zoe Productions is the founding organization of Dark for a Day, an inter-national 24-hour design marathon on World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) for HIV/AIDS service or-ganizations. She recently donated all the design work for the Empire State AIDS Ride, a New York bike ride that donates proceeds to Doctors Without Borders and AIDS Rochester.
"Despite being in graphics, I still consider myself a classical artist," she says. "I want the things we design to look like nothing that anyone has ever seen before. 'Never be afraid to be bold' and 'creativity on demand' are the company creeds."
Visit Blum's Web site at www.howlingzoe.com.
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