Beck Wheeler
Posted by Amy on Thursday September 2, 2010
From Kate McCarthy I stumbled on the work of Beck Wheeler — an artist who is living in New Zealand. She combines toy making, textile and woodworking techniques to produce sculptures and her work has been exhibited in Melbourne, Spain, UK, USA and Canada.
She is continually inspired by the tradition of folklores and since her move back to New Zealand from Melbourne, Australia – she is inspired by patterns and textures found in nature. She’s also experimenting with digital media and will bring painting, sculpture and digital media together through installation which will culminate in an exhibition entitled The Swanndries Guys, which will be held at High Seas Gallery in Auckland starting 22nd October 2010.
Kate McCarthy
Posted by Amy on Wednesday September 1, 2010
Ever looked at child-inspired art that’s well, grown up?
Take a look at Kate McCarthy’s work and you’ll see what I mean. Inspired by early childhood memory of pure shape, color and intent, Kathy’s managed to dissect the colorful (and sometimes fleeting) world of play into a 2D interpretation mixed media work with a spot of humor thrown in.
I could detect a hint of innocence in her works, and also a sense of wonder as she wields her brush – I love the playfulness that shines through!
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Laurie Hastings
Posted by Amy on Wednesday September 1, 2010
Laurie Hastings is an Edinburgh-based illustrator, and I’m really fascinated by her use of cool colors for her work. There’s lots of blues in there, but they work beautifully for each of her commissions.
She’s collaborated with with poet David Troupes, has done book covers for Random House, magazine illustrations and also runs a small online shop, which you can find silk screen prints and other little bits and pieces such as cards, matchboxes, cotton shoppers and purses!
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Dasrotesrabbit
Posted by Amy on Tuesday August 31, 2010
Loving the strong visuals behind Sarah of Dasroterabbit’s work. She’s a freelance designer since 2003 (with a Masters in Visual Communications from Danmarks Design School) who resides in Sweden. Dasroterabbit is a brand
she created that pulls together her love for graphics and arts and embraces graphic design, illustration, art direction and handmade plywood (wall hanging) artworks.
Right now in her Etsy shop there’s lots of colorful posters available that’s guaranteed to add some zing to your walls!
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My Favourite Weather
Posted by Amy on Monday August 30, 2010
I think that the weather is getting better over here. For the past few weeks it’s been nothing but hot scorching sun that birds won’t even come out for lest they burn (I’m pretty sure that birds don’t really burn though…)
But I do hope that birds are chirping wherever you are!
{Bird Chirping Weather by Katie Daisy}
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Special giveaway: A spot in our class!
Posted by Amy on Saturday August 28, 2010
I think a lot of people are already informed about the Pikaland Artist Bootcamp — Fall classes will be in session in little over a week and we’re getting ourselves ready for the mind-blowing sessions ahead!
For those who are new though, the Pikaland Artist Bootcamp will enable artists to cement their personal style and also help them thrive and have fun as an artist online – with weekly exercises and personalized, constructive, one-on-one critiques to help emerging artists find their footing and ways to set themselves apart from others in the vast online world. No matter if you’re just starting out, or have been doing this for a long time, all are welcome!
Since we’re going to be running three classes in the span of more than two months, we’d like to offer ONE reader a very special chance of winning a spot in the class of their choice (see the full listings here)!
All you have to do, is to head to the Pikaland Facebook page and comment over on this post!
For more chances of winning a spot, you can retweet this Twitter status as well: I want to go to Pikaland’s Artist Bootcamp! http://tinyurl.com/29rs7l8 #pikabootcamp — we’re going to pick a winner on Wednesday, 1st September Thursday, 2nd September — call for entries will close at 12am PST Thursday!
Have a lovely weekend and I’ll see you back next week!
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These I steal for you
Posted by Amy on Thursday August 26, 2010
“Chase your dreams until you catch them…and then dream, catch, and dream again!”
~ Dee Marie (Sons of Avalon: Merlin’s Prophecy)
I forgot about that quote for the longest time, but remembered it again after looking at Brooklyn-based artist Dan-ah Kim’s print called These I steal for you. I am absolutely in love with this print – it’s really romantic in an uplifting yet poignant way.
What dreams are you trying to catch?
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Artist interview: Laura McKellar
Posted by Melanie Maddison on Wednesday August 25, 2010
This week’s interview is with Laura McKellar, an artist living in Melbourne who has an amazing series of work – digital prints on fabric, which she then hand-embroiders. There’s more to this crafty lady than meets the eye, so read more about her in this interview with Melanie Maddison, our chief interviewer on Pikaland!
Website: lauramckellar.com
Blog: lauramckellar.blogspot.com/
Online Shop: www.lauramckellar.bigcartel.com/
Zine: iloveokay.com/
Zine blog: www.iloveokay.blogspot.com/
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/sirseven
Hi Laura, could you tell us a little about yourself, and what are you currently working on?
I am a freelance graphic designer living in Melbourne, Australia. I’m currently working on artwork for exhibitions, album artwork, illustrated ceramic brooches, some logos and thinking about my next issue of my zine Okay.
How long have you been creating art, embracing your creativity, and working towards developing your current style and output?
As a little girl I was encouraged to be creative. My sisters and I would spend a lot of time drawing and painting and using mum’s Derwents.
My uncle and grandfather were both photographers and I was influenced at an early age by them. I collect film cameras and use my photographs with illustrations. I am drawn to images I find in old 50s & 60s pattern books and have collected many which have had a significant effect on my work.
I studied graphic design for 5 years at college but I’ve been making things for as long as I can remember. Learning to use design programs on the computer has definitely influenced how I design my artwork.
How did you first learn to access your creative and artistic talents, and gain the confidence to make art your career?
I grew up in a very creative environment. My aunt is a professional illustrator so from a very early age I learned with a lot of hard work and dedication that it is possible to make art your career. I also learned at school that I could make a living from being creative and have since pursued it!
CLICK HERE to read the entire interview!
Kristin Nohe
Posted by Amy on Tuesday August 24, 2010
Kristin Nohe is a junior Illustration Major/Book Arts Concentrator at the Maryland Institute College of Art, and I’m amazed at what she has come up with so far. Though she has a website, her blog serves as a portfolio-in-progress and it’s where you can find lots of new, fun work. Things like sketchbook spreads from her trip to California (can you imagine if she had gone for a trip around the world?) and also her fun, random hand-letterings has earned her a bookmark on my Google reader.
Though she has confessed to struggling with shifting her work from traditional methods (like painting) to digital techniques, watching her progress is truly inspiring. Her future is indeed shining bright!
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The Apples Of Youth and The Living Water
Posted by Amy on Tuesday August 24, 2010
If you haven’t heard already, Arrow to Arrow is a new online gallery and shop that sells beautiful, exclusive and limited edition prints by various artists. Jess sent me a link to a print called The Apples Of Youth and The Living Water by Sophie Alda that’s based on a Russian folklore of the same name, and now I’m in love.
Isn’t her work fabulous? Her style is wonderfully unique and very memorable as well. Her color choices, the way she renders people (critters too!) and the interplay of patterns in each illustration is top notch. See more at Sophie’s website!
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