Yo. This week at Ello we’re announcing a new Ello Guest Editor, two new iOS features, two new badges, doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work on our various publications, watching the submissions roll in for all the Artist Invites currently running, and sharing some dope giveaways (as always).
Meet Ello Guest Editor Natasha Wilson
We're excited to welcome Ello's newest Guest Editor, Photographer & Creative Director Natasha Wilson. You'll be seeing Natasha's curated posts on the Ello homepage and via the @elloguesteditor account.
Hey, guys! My name is Natasha Wilson, @deanastacia, and I will be the Guest Editor this month for Ello! I am a photographer and creative director, residing in Los Angeles, CA. My interests include color theory and art mathematics. I am inspired by creatives and non-creatives alike. When creating a new series or message, I put together a team that can build off of each other, and roll with the punches. This month I am going to be sharing artists from my creative community in Los Angeles who are changing the game.
Artist Invite Badges
This week we released two new badges. One if you’ve had an Artist Invite submission accepted and one if you’ve had a submission selected.
We’re also working on showing these badges on post details so you know the status of the of the post you’re viewing.
iOS Lightbox
You can now navigate any stream (that is in list mode) via a slick new Lightbox. Just tap on an image and swipe away. Behind the scenes we are scrolling you down as you swipe, so when you exit the Lightbox you will be where you expect.
Coming soon: interact with posts (love, repost, comment) from inside the Lightbox 
iOS Persistent Back Button
We added a new persistent back button to certain iOS experiences. You can always swipe back to navigate back as well, but now you have a nice little reminder.
Venus vs Mars Artist Invite with Papercut Magazine
Submit work to explore and start a dialogue of the issues that women, men, and all genders face around the world.
If Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, then 2017 kicked off the start of an interplanetary battle of the sexes. From the women's march on Washington to female drivers in the Middle East, and now the fall of Hollywood male royalty, the matriarchal rebellion has found the Death Star plans.
For our very first Ello Artist Invite, we're seeking creative work that explores the gender wars across cultural, political, physiological, international, and economic battle lines. No topic is off limits (but do be sure to follow Ello's Community Guidelines). We want your creativity to kickstart a dialogue and open minds to the issues that women, men, and all genders face around the world.
Opportunity
• A minimum of 10 artists will be selected and published in the Venus vs. Mars Papercut Digital and Print On Demand Issue
• All selected artists will receive a print version of the magazine
• All selected artists will be promoted and tagged across Papercut's social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)
Learn More & Submit
Meural: The Art Of Love
Submit work to show in a Meural digital exhibition and receive $500.
Meural and Ello have teamed up to give 4 artists the opportunity to have their work featured and promoted on the Meural platform and to be enjoyed by tens of thousands of people on walls across the globe. We are looking for artwork (traditional, GIF, video, photography, and illustration) on the theme of “love” to coincide with Meural’s Valentine-inspired February art and editorial program. The theme is totally open to creative interpretation.
Each of the 4 artists will be paid $500 for a collection of 5 works which will be available to Meural subscribers for 3 months. Each will also have a dedicated artist page on the platform, along with a featured playlist, with promotion done via email and social channels.
Learn More & Submit
Artist Invite: RELISH VOL.2 – Los Angeles
Calling Los Angeles, California artists of all mediums: submit your work to be featured in RELISH VOL. 2 print magazine and exhibition. RELISH is a series of submission-fueled print magazine releases paired with exhibitions celebrating unsung and pioneering creators, one city at a time. A collaboration between @gross_mag and Ello.
1 city | 35 artists | 2,000 magazines | 1 gallery show
The second volume celebrating artists in the Los Angeles creative community, RELISH wants YOU to get your ass in gear and submit your artwork so they can get you published and shown in a rad showcase. The GRØSS team has partnered with Ello and naturally, we’re psyched to empower and give recognition to as many people as we can. RELISH will allow us all to enjoy the crazy, creative flavors in our hoods.
Opportunity
• 10-15 artists will be selected to appear in a weekend pop-up show in Los Angeles, California
• 35 artists will be selected to be featured in a limited-edition publication
• Artists will also be interviewed, featured in GRØSS and Ello newsletters, and have access to video and photo assets of the gallery show
Learn More & Submit
This Week’s Giveaways
Samuel B. Thorne Giveaway
@samuelbthorne is an artist, illustrator and designer based in London. Thorne brings us another exciting giveaway; comment through Thursday to win 1 of 5 of his “Super Bodacious & Terrific Colouring Books”. View more of his work here.
Jan Bauer Giveaway
Currently based in Austria, German-born designer and illustrator @janbauer creates beautiful, pensive artworks combining more traditional drawing practices with digital design and color blocking. Comment Thursday through Saturday to win a print of “Portrait of E.” by the artist. View more work here.
Adrian Landon Brooks Giveaway
Texas-based gallery artist @adrianlandonbrooks creates contemporary illustrations and paintings of the female gaze using found materials like wood, metal and old photographs. Comment Saturday through Tuesday to win a print of “Magic Hands” by the artist. Check out more of his work here.
Awesome background image by @trajkovic.
Missed a previous update? Find them all here.
Love,
@lucian 
#productupdate
