Wrap it up
Oklahoma artists donate designs for wrapping paper, which is sold to help the homeless.
The Flaming Lips has celebrated Christmas on Mars, and your living room could be next.
Lips frontman Wayne Coyne recently contributed fresh artwork to the Curbside Chronicle's annual Wrap Up Homelessness gift paper project.
If you're unfamiliar with the Curbside Chronicle, it's published with help from the Homeless Alliance nonprofit and it employs people who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness. Ranya O'Connor, the magazine's director, said Coyne's been a supporter of the monthly print product for a couple of years.
"We did an interview with him because of his local ties," O'Connor told The Oklahoman on the phone. "He's super friendly and open, sharing personal photos from his childhood and why he wants to continue living in Oklahoma. He's a regular, and he buys the magazine. He'll often share picture of him with our vendors."
O'Connor said Coyne didn’t hesitate to contribute artwork.
"It's like a psychedelic take on his latest album artwork for
'Oczy Mlody,'” she said. "Wayne gave it a holiday twist, and we're super excited he worked with us."
Wrap Up Homelessness has entered its third year and features illustrations from several Oklahoma-based artists.
2017's wrapping paper designs also highlight the work of Ashley Dawn, Edgardo George, Lance King, Gayle Curry, Jack Fowler, Lauren Miller, Natalie Kent, Peggy White, Sean Vali, Steven Paul Judd and Tiffany McKnight. Each package of wrapping paper ranges from $15-$20 if you buy online.
"We have phenomenal artists in Oklahoma," O'Connor said. "We give them creative reign and freedom. They take it from there. Artists have always been excited to be a part of this. I think that it's great for our creative community and to have something so tangible and useful.
"I love the murals in