Carterton poster art goes Stateside

Nikki King, Carterton, of Fuzzbox Designs, whose posters designed for Pokey LaFarge's NZ gigs will be displayed internationally for his world tour. Photo/ERIN KAVANAGH-HALL

From outside King Street Live to music venues and bars in New York and Las Vegas, Carterton designer Nikki King is going global.

Mrs King, founder of web design business Fuzzbox Designs, designed the gig posters for US blues artist Pokey LaFarge's upcoming New Zealand appearances -- which, at the musician's request, will be used overseas to promote his current tour.

She was also commissioned by LaFarge's management to make a poster to be sold at his concerts.

Mrs King, who started Fuzzbox last year after a 10-year break from the workforce, said the prospect of international attention was "overwhelming".

"I still haven't fully taken it in," she said.

"For someone from a little town in Wairarapa, who taught herself graphic design, it's huge.

"Pokey is a high-profile performer with a big following -- he could have chosen anyone in America to do his posters.

"He didn't have to choose me."

Mrs King designed posters for LaFarge's King Street Live gig last year, which the performer shared around his social media networks -- with Mrs King earning a favourable response from his fans and entourage.

"It was great -- the mother of the guy who plays the harmonica and washboard in his band tweeted me and said she loved it.

"I was asked to do the posters again this time -- but I didn't think it could get any bigger than last year."

After approving her poster design for the New Zealand gigs, LaFarge emailed and requested the same poster be used to advertise his world tour.

It would appear in New York City, St Louis, Charleston, Washington DC and Las Vegas, as well as various locations in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and the UK.

She was eventually contacted by his record company, Rounders Records, who said the poster would be used to promote LaFarge's new album in the US.

Finally, LaFarge's managers, 12x12 Management, offered her a commission to design an art print, in the style of a gig poster, to be sold at his New Zealand and Australia shows.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw their email on my phone.

"Designing posters can be an interesting process -- you can spend ages deciding what's going to go on a blank screen, and sometimes ideas go spectacularly wrong.

"I wouldn't say my work is anything out of the ordinary, but clearly Pokey feels an affinity for it.

"It's very flattering."

Mrs King said she had not heard LaFarge's music before designing his posters -- but was now "one of his biggest fans".

"He's an amazing showman -- as good as Freddie Mercury, I think."

Her advice to her fellow small business owners is "always do your best and have passion".

"You never know where you might end up."
Pokey LaFarge will be playing at King Street Live on Saturday, March 28.