What are Mini Print Clubs?

"Art is for everybody..."
Keith Haring (artist, 1958-1990).

What Inspired Me to Make My Mini Print Clubs

Why did I create my print clubs? I am a hyperrealism dessert painter, but I think that part of an artist's job is to create work that connects with people of many walks of life and find ways to make it accessible. That's a big reason why I make prints in the first place. I want my prints to make my work accessible to a wide range of people. I make them exceptionally high quality and put a great deal of care into them. 

But I wondered, could I provide an option for even more people to enjoy my hyperrealism dessert paintings? Could I do it in a way that forges a long-term relationship between me and those interested in my version of realism desserts? Okay, I thought, let's make some mini prints, and let's include a letter from the heart, while we're at it. We'll send out envelopes every month and maybe include some extras along the way. And so far, I've had exceptionally positive feedback on both mini clubs.

What exactly are the mini prints?

Mini prints are essentially tiny versions of my larger fine art prints of hyperrealism desserts that ship exclusively via snail mail. This helps to keep the price of mini prints very affordable. They range in size from 5" x 5" to 7" x 5", with a few size variations depending on the individual painting proportions. Mini prints are the same quality as my large prints -- individually printed in my studio on heavy museum-quality art paper with archival inks, inspected, then signed in pencil. Since mini prints are small, I usually only sign KimT on the front, and then on the back I title the work and sign Kim Testone. 

I wanted these to be real signed prints, not just postcards. I slip each one into an archival plastic sleeve before adding it to the mailing envelope, just as I would for my larger prints. You can display the mini prints simply in their protective sleeves or frame them. They also make really nice gifts!

What are the Mini Print Clubs?

If you are a member of one of my two clubs -- my Mini Ice Cream Print Club (featuring my ice cream paintings) or my Mini Sweet Escapes Print Club (featuring my trompe l'oeil foodscape paintings), then you can receive a signed mini print each month via snail mail, along with an uplifting letter and sometimes an extra surprise or two.

In part, I drew inspiration for this from my grandma. Many years ago, when I was in college, she wrote to me every week. She also wrote many letters to me when I moved from Pennsylvania to Florida. They weren't letters about anything earth-shattering -- just life, the weather, her and Pap's garden. But I saved every one of them to this day. I want to send uplifting letters and uplifting art because I think the world needs a little bit more connection, especially nowadays. 

Which paintings are available as mini prints?

I release a new mini print each month for each club. Once the sign-up period for a mini print has passed (you must sign up by the end of the month to receive the following month's print), I add the prints to my "catch-up prints" sections on my website. Not all paintings may become available as prints or mini prints. 

What do mini prints cost?

If you are a member of either of my print clubs, new mini prints are just $19 a month. Catch-up mini prints are $25 each. 

Where to learn more...

Mini Ice Cream Print Club

Mini Sweet Escapes Print Club

Catch-up Mini Ice Cream Prints

Catch-up Mini Sweet Escapes Prints 

For more information, please also check out my blog post, "I launched two mini print clubs. Here are 8 reasons why you should consider joining...) 

How to get in touch with me

If you have questions about my mini print clubs or any of my other work, you can reach out to me on Instagram or TikTok. You can also stop by and visit me during one of my Twitch live painting streams. I'm there four days a week: Mondays, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, from about 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.  EST.