Society6 Artist interview: Aurelie Grand
Posted by Amy on Tuesday March 2, 2010
Awhile back I posted about collaborating with Society6 to pick out an artist every month (it’s more like a bi-monthly thing though!), and our third pick this time goes to Aurelie Grand. There were tons of applicants, and while it was no easy decision to make, Aurelie stood out because of her sense of style, and the various media that she uses. Here’s definitely one lady to watch!
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Name: Aurelie Grand
Location: Montreal, Canada
Website: www.aureliegrand.com
Shop: socuute.etsy.com
Blog: lilyk.canalblog.com
Illustration media: ink, digital, photography, acrylics, fabrics
Tell us a little more about yourself!
I was born in Toulouse «Pink City», France. I grew up in a small village closer to the Pyrenees. My dad has always been an illustrator (though he was also a full time dentist for a while) and I used to spend hours in his studio either watching him or doodling. As far as I remember drawing’s always been my number one occupation. I honestly never stopped. How nerdy is that?
I currently live in Canada with my boyfriend Max who’s also an artist.
Where do you live? What stands out about living where you are, and what is your daily schedule like?
I spent 3 fun years in Vancouver, Canada and I recently moved to Montreal, Quebec because I wanted to experiment the North American East Coast for a while and we have long-time friends here. Montreal is culturally rich, there’s a lot of artists, parks and bikes (and snow), that’s enough to inspire me.
I like to wake up early and start my day by sketching ideas, new projects etc… Then I have to say I’m not very productive in the afternoon so I’m networking, reading, having a nap, or just hanging around . My favorite shift at the studio is 9pm-2am. I guess I get more focus at night. I also like to take the bus home from the studio with drunk people.
How did you get your start in illustration?
I wrote and illustrate a book when I was 9 or 10. It was an elementary school project, a sort of novel inspired by a school trip. It was about 2 detectives (a dog and a hamster) who were investigating on missing horses in a farm. We sold the books to parents and friends at the school annual show. Ha!
I didn’t go to art school right after high school, even if I really wanted to (I wanted to be a graphic designer actually) mainly because my family did not seem to agree with the idea but I know now that I wasn’t ready anyways. So I went to university to study cell biology and animal behavior for 4 years which was seriously interesting but I soon realized life’s too short and I was wasting my time there.
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Review + mini giveaway: Idea Log
Posted by Amy on Friday February 26, 2010
I love notebooks, sketchbooks and boy am I a list person. I’m always hunting for the next best thing in combining the three, and somehow it always involves a pair of scissors and later on, heartbreak at doing a terrible job at massacring modifying a perfectly good notebook.
The people at Knock Knock must have heard my howls of regrets over the untimely demise of the books and sent me the Idea Log – it’s a handy-sized notebook that has a few sections that will make jotting down your next big idea a cinch. My favorite so far is the Idea Log section where you can write down ideas (alphabetically, I kid you not), and also the Sketch Log section where you can actually draw stuff ideas out — which is normally what I do when words fail me.
If you’re as mad about lists and planning as I am, then you’d want to get your hands on a copy for all your creative outbursts. And here at Pikaland, I’m going to make it easier for you!
I’m giving away ONE copy of the Idea Log to ONE lucky commenter who answers this in the comment section:
Describe Pikaland in three words.
You have one week to submit your answers, and this mini-giveaway ends on the 5th of March.
Have a great weekend and I’ll see you on Monday! (also, did you enter Fawa’s giveaway yet?)
UPDATE: Commenting has now closed, thanks so much for participating. The winner of this giveaway is when skies are grey
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TEDTalk notes
Posted by Amy on Thursday February 18, 2010
The above is a page of notes taken down by Nina Khosla real time as she attended TED2010. I love looking through what others have scribbled down – more than just the information presented, it offers a tiny glimpse of how their minds work.
TED is an annual event that brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes). For more images of other people’s notes, see Robert Scoble’s flickr set.
{Via Scobleizer}
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Recipelook
Posted by Amy on Tuesday February 16, 2010
Emilie Boudet sent in a link to Recipe Look, and the idea behind the site is to provide an alternative way to writing out recipes: by drawing them instead! Anyone can enter the fun project, and to find out in detail about how to go about doing so, see their illustrated guide right here.
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In other food related matters, Pikaland’s Good to Eat flickr group now has 300+ members, and is growing steadily too! Be part of the group and show off what’s keeping your tummy nicely filled via photos or illustrations!
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Frédéric Noël
Posted by Amy on Wednesday February 10, 2010
Frédéric Noël is a self-professed newbie at illustration who LOVES drawing (he does it all the time!) Look at the detail on these paper plates. Amazing.
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Sponsor giveaway: Oh My Cavalier!
Posted by Amy on Tuesday February 9, 2010
Julianna Swaney of Oh My Cavalier (featured previously) just opened up a new Bigcartel shop, where you’ll find wonderful exclusive items, such as these Mechanical Animals paper dolls.
She’s giving away one set of these lovely set of 6 cut out and assemble paper dolls, made from her original watercolor drawings and inspired by an antique toy set of the same name to ONE lucky Pikaland reader. Enter by commenting on this post by 16th February to be in the running!
UPDATE: Commenting has now closed, thanks so much for participating. The winner of this giveaway is Flora May!
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mike lay
Posted by Racheal Anilyse on Monday February 8, 2010
“An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.” -Buddha
Mike Lay may create wild imagery, but he deserves your friendship. Support his artwork, please.
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Simon Wild
Posted by Amy on Friday February 5, 2010
I am beguiled by the gorgeous swirls and heady colors on Simon Wild’s work. Everything’s fun and organic! I’m loving how his style is strongly reflected through a variety of media — he has previously worked as an animator, filmmaker, video editor and street performer before pursuing a career in illustration.
Watch his silent video above, inspired by a working trip to Iceland to explore the glacial lagoon of Jokulsarlon, at the foot of the Vatnajokull glacier, and you’ll know what I mean.
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Introducing the Good to Eat flickr group!
Posted by Amy on Friday January 29, 2010
I’m inspired by all things food lately, and with a good rest at the end of the year, it culminated in lots of ideas for the coming months! So the first new project on Pikaland for 2010 is the Good to Eat flickr stream — a fun look at what artists, designers + illustrators all over the world eat! Nothing is more universal than food (besides music!) so share what fills your creative tummy by posting all your food and drinks related illustrations/photos on the Good to Eat page!
{Loving this new blog too: Norwegian food illustrated by an Italian by Vesle Serena, a graphic designer who loves to draw and cook!}
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Emilio Santoyo
Posted by Amy on Thursday January 28, 2010
Emilio Santoyo seems to be having lots of fun, and this shows through in his work. He dabbles in lots of things – editorial, comics, and even sewing. Take a look at his screen-printed pocket pouches. YOWZA! His website is a treat, so make sure you head over and take in all the happy vibe.
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