Lazy Soosan
Monday May 12, 2008
Lazy Soosan is the work of Laura Stimpson and Lucy Davidson, two illustrators based in London. Together, they publish The Alphabet Series zines, where they already completed a zine dedicated to the letters A and B.
You can read the Lazy Soosan blog here for more details, and watch out for the rest of the lineup to roll out pretty soon!
{Discovered via Rebecca Horwood}
Interview: Amber Alexander
Sunday May 11, 2008
Amber was one of our lovely contributors for our PikaPackage Project, where she sent in her watercolour prints and cards. This interview was done some time ago, but I never did get around to putting it up, until now {sorry Amber!}.
Enjoy!
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Name: Amber Alexander
Location: Middlesex, Vermont
Website/Shop: amberalexander.etsy.com
Blog: no blog yet!
Illustration media: watercolors, acrylics
Tell us a little more about yourself.
I live in Vermont, which is a little state in New England, USA. Some refer to it as “next to New York”. It’s considered the “Green Mountain Street” and we are surrounded by beautiful mountains. I live with my husband and two insane standard poodles, Olin and Izzy ( brother and sister) who are just over a year old. We live on 5 acres in the country in a house we had built a few years ago. It’s beautiful here… if you can stand the 6 month long winters…
We adore trees and nature. We are tree-aholics and are constantly collecting and planting new trees every summer. :)
Soon, we’ll have an arboretum!
How did you get your start in illustration?
I’ve always loved to draw. I remember in high school getting very excited to get a new sketch book and the possibility in a blank white page! When I was very little, I drew lots of kitties in clothes. The kitties are back, and they are (again) clothed ! I worked for a while at a teddy bear company but grew tired of drawing only stuffed bears. :)
What’s your favourite tool?
A watercolor brush, and water, of course ;) I love being able to make the water and pigments move around the paper and take on a new life.
Are you a full-time artist?
No, right now I am also employed as a paralegal (snore) which will hopefully soon end so I have plenty of time to PAINT MORE!
What or who inspires you?
In short, nature. The long answer: animals, trees, wind, water.
I am a true animal lover, through and through. Beatrix Potter and Maurice Sendak inspired me as a child and still do. I’ve always loved animals, loved drawing animals, loved painting animals. Finding human qualities, quirks, personalities in animals also inspires me.
I imagine animals having full lives, with little houses, doing housework, expressing jealousy, (like my two standard poodles, who are siblings and compete with each other constantly for our affection).
My family and all the amazing people I’ve met selling my artwork also inspire me. I’m happy and honored to have people all around the world who can relate to, and enjoy my art.
What keeps you motivated?
People. Good, honest, supportive people. People who love art, people who love animals, people who appreciate the work and energy that goes into creating. I’m constantly thrilled and happy to meet new people who love and support ART.
What advice would you like to give people who would like to sell their works online?
Be persistent. Stay focused. Try not to let negative thoughts take over.
Put yourself out there.
Create what you love, “do what you love”.. and people will find you. Corny but true. Nothing is instant, but if you are inspired and being true to yourself, others will see it.
Where do you see yourself within the next few years?
Painting more, creating more and growing!
What message do you want to send out to people about your work?
Respect and appreciate animals. They are amazing creatures. They have lives that matter. Respect and appreciate Art, and of course, respect and appreciate people!
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Thanks, Amber! :)
If you missed our earlier interviews, see here for other wonderful artists that we have profiled so far.
Fox in the woods
Sunday May 11, 2008
This Ghost Bear print by Erin Paisley of Fox in the Woods caught my eye a few days ago. Love the fur on the bear, and how it’s subtly replicated in the artwork.
You can read more about her in her blog, and browse her Etsy shop here.
Hello from Kyoto!
Saturday May 10, 2008
Loads of packages that are happily making its way to their new home!
Hi everyone, I’m popping by to let you know that my internet connection is up and I’ll be blogging again very soon. But before that, I also wanted to let you all know that the PikaPackages were sent out to the participants + buyers this Thursday (right before my flight!) and will soon be showing up at your doorstep. :)
For interested buyers of the PikaPackages, rest assure your order will still be fulfilled, albeit sent by my lovely fiance, who is at home. {Thank you Mr. T!}
As for emails, I’m slowly sifting through everyone’s one by one — I’m very, very grateful for all the support I’ve received!
Super hazy pic of dishes eaten in a small restaurant in Japan. This one was a tempura set (the tempura is hidden away on the right upper corner).
xo
Amy
Comments [1]
In Japan!
Friday May 9, 2008
Hi everyone, just a quick note to let you know that I am going to be blogging from Japan for a month! I just arrived in Kyoto, and won’t have internet for about a day. I haven’t had time to reply to everyone yet, but please keep them coming — I’ll have internet real soon.
xoxo
Amy
Comments [2]
Sandrine Mercier
Thursday May 8, 2008
Polar Bear Under the Water print
Un herisson dans la brume print
Sandrine Mercier is an illustrator living in France who loves to mix a variety of techniques in her art, such as digital, textures, collage, painting, miniature model, puppet, and photo manipulation.
The Giraffe Who Wants To Be a Deer box
What strikes me the most about her drawings are the subjects’ eyes — which are always very detailed and ethereal. Read up on her blog and visit her shop where her work also ends up on boxes and bookmarks.
Comments [1]
I'm over at DFM's The Dailies!
Thursday May 8, 2008
The very lovely Erin of Design for Mankind invited me to take part in her Dailies. Read up about what I did last Saturday here!
Comments [3]
Aliette
Thursday May 8, 2008
Rose print
Pink Her print
Whoa, that was one whirlwind week I had! But I’m very happy to start posting again, and I’m loving the wonderful organic lines found in Aliette’s work — she is a graphic designer based in Paris.
Giveaway closed!
Wednesday May 7, 2008
Wow! After 57 comments and lots of signups for the mailing list, the PikaPackage giveaway is officially closed! I’m going to randomly pick 2 winners — and I’ll announce it in a little while.
The lucky peeps are:
- Zime
- Elizabeth Soule
Congratulations to the lucky two, and thank you everyone who participated, and for the shoutouts we received — THANK YOU! :)
If you missed out on our first giveaway, subscribe to our mailing list to receive emails about our next edition of our PikaPackage Project!
If you want to get a PikaPackage of your own, head here to pick up a limited edition package for yourself with a selection of fabulous works from our contributors — specially gathered in one package!
Comments [3]
The PikaPackage GIVEAWAY!
Monday May 5, 2008
The moment you’ve all been waiting for is here! I’m so happy to announce the giveaway for our very first PikaPackage Project! And instead of ONE big winner, I’m dividing it into TWO for this round! Here’s how you can win yourself a goody bag containing great art from:
- Caitlin from Pepperminte who sent in her beautiful work in 4’ x 6’ matte prints;
- Manyi from Mau Studio who sent in an assortment of buttons, postcards and stickers;
- Iris Schwarz who sent in beautiful full-sized prints, tags and cards from her Paulette Editions;
- Cori of Corid who sent in her precious original artwork on wood;
- Norma of Crankbunny who sent in an assortment of fantastic pop up cards;
- Raphaella of Heartful Art who sent in inspiring postcards;
- Annette of Carambatack who sent in full-sized prints of her work;
- Susan of It’s a Whimsical Life who sent in full sized prints featuring her adorable characters;
- Enna who sent in postcard packs, envelope packs and her beautiful matrioshka wrapping paper;
- Amber Alexander who sent in full-sized prints and beautiful cards from her watercolor drawings;
- Kristiana of Krisblues who sent in beautiful full-sized prints of her illustrations on wood;
- Marianne of Appleseed who sent in a wonderful array of postcards (prints of her collage works) + paper packs filled with inspiration;
- Katrine K who sent in full-sized prints and glossies;
- Gemma Correll who sent in her very funny and lovely illustrations printed on zines, buttons, a coloring book, stickers and a pop tart brooch;
- Rachel from Elephantine who sent in adorable notecards and stickers;
- Justin of Justmadbooks who sent in his first issue of his Breathers comic books, and Birch, a small picture book;
- Heike of Felicitate88 who sent in linocut prints, collaged and printed postcards;
- Amanda Kindregan who sent in her lovely full-sized prints and cards;
- Kate of Charmfoundry who sent in her beautiful waxy postcard sets;
- Kajsa of Syko who sent in pretty sketchbooks and lovely postcards inspired from her quilts;
- Sarah+Ryan of Labpartners who sent in their 3-color letterpressed San Francisco print and many other yummy screenprinted prints;
- Junkyard Sam who sent in his wonderfully quirky full-sized prints, mini-prints and tags;
- Mo of Bismo080 who sent postcards, magnets, buttons, clips and notebooks all the way from Bangkok, Thailand;
- Blanca Helga who sent us her lovely collage print postcards;
- Olivia of Restlessthings who sent us mini-prints of her work plus a button set;
- The funky Stuart Kolakovic who sent in his illustrated comics titled “A Gosling”;
- Natasha of BubboTubbo who sent in her specially made prints from her new shop;
- Jo of 12fifteen who sent in a beautiful screenprinted linen cushion cover, prints and letterpressed card sets; and
- Jessie of Unicorn Kids Studios who sent in her lovely City Life prints!
So here’s what you need to do have a chance to win each one of these packages:
- Visit the shops of our participants, and write down here in the comments which product you like from their shop (plus the links); and/or
- Sign up for our mailing list.
You can do both — you’ll have more chances of getting one of the packages! The closing date for this is on Tuesday 6 May, 8 p.m. PST/PDT. I’ll pick one random winner from each (comments + mailing list) then!
Remember to read up on our participants in our PikaPackage zine too — you can download one here.
And if you want to purchase a PikaPackage for yourself (and to support Pikaland!), click here!
P/S — Those who have already signed up for our mailing list will already be in the running, no worries!
Comments [57]