Interview: The Shiny Squirrel
Thursday July 17, 2008
Today we have a special guest — it’s Jessica from The Shiny Squirrel. I’ve been following Jessica’s gallery/shop for a long time now and am so, so happy to see some of our participants’ work at her gallery (Brian & Denise Simon!) If you’re wondering what it’s like to be a Shiny Squirrel, then read on!
Tell us more about yourself!
My name Jessica and I live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in a really quaint apartment. I studied art history in college and have always had aspirations of opening my own art gallery/ boutique. I currently work in the fashion industry, but my heart is with The Shiny Squirrel.
What inspires you?
I get inspired by New York and the great artists who live and work around here. I am also have my daily blogs that I look through that help me to find new artists/ designers to bring into the shop.
Solar Polar Gocco print by Wonting
And how did the Shiny Squirrel came about?
I have always wanted to own my own business and knew that at this point in my life I probably couldn’t open a regular store. I realized one day that I wasn’t truly following my heart and knew that this was the perfect outlet to express my creativity. The site was put together by some really amazing designers who helped me along the way and I am immensely grateful for that.
What’s the best thing about being surrounded by such lovely art?
My walls are never bare!
Ice Cream Cloud Plant Heaven; Backbend, both by Betsy Walton
Is there a certain style that the Shiny Squirrel is looking for? And are there any helpful tips you’d like to give out to readers?
The Shiny Squirrel looks for new artists with a quirky sensibility that is slightly off the beaten path. We want the gallery to be diverse yet look like a cohesive collection.
Trees and Waves by Christina Vantzou; Picnic by Chris Gregori
Tell us something random about yourself!
I play pool on a weekly league in Brooklyn. I hope to own my own table someday.
{Thanks Jessica!}
Comments [3]
Interview: RJ of Bailey Doesn't Bark
Friday July 11, 2008
I’m very pleased to kick off our interview series again with RJ of Bailey Doesn’t Bark — I’m in love with her beautiful black and white lines that she paints on home wares — the lines oftentimes look like ink dispersed in water and frozen in time. Magical.
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Suffocation I and II, a black and white print
Name: Re Jin Lee (RJ)
Location: New York
Website/Shop: www.baileydoesntbark.com, Etsy shop
Blog: www.baileydoesntbark.blogspot.com
Media: brushes, pens, ink
Tell us a little more about yourself.
I was born and raised in Brazil. Moved to L.A. for a bit after college and finally planted a few tiny roots here in New York City – which I love. I studied fashion design – designed denim for a few years in L.A. and I realized I was unhappy because I was doing something that wasn’t in me. So I switched to fashion styling, which I adored. I packed my bags and moved to NYC. Styled for a couple of more years and soon realized that was not me either! Finally, I decided it was time to do what I really have the passion for and that I knew was in me: draw. So here I am.
How did you get your start in illustration?
I’ve been drawing all my life… I believe it’s in my genes – My mother is an artist, my father can doodle and my brother as well. I still have sketch books from when I was about 7 or 8. They are quite wild and scary, as in: how can a child think of such things and draw them! Probably just trying to express my emotions – rebel child :) Anyway, I’ve taken tons of art classes, played with watercolor, oil painting, mosaics, etc. It was only just a few years ago that I discovered my favorite technique: lines. I started drawing lines to interpret my dreams…
Look Up Sometimes, a set of 5 Wall Plates
…And how did it progress into painting on homewares such as cups and plates?
I wanted my drawings to be in things that are useful… I’m still experimenting. Home wares are my favorite canvases as of now :)
What do you think about when you put pen to paper? Is there a thought process behind your art?
The ideas come out of the blue. Once I have it I need to write it down or start drawing immediately, otherwise, I forget. Just like dreams. If you want to remember your dream, you need to write it down as soon as you wake up…
Sometimes, I can just start drawing on a piece of paper without having anything in mind. Most times it turns out terrible and I tear it apart.
The Four Seasons Wall Plates
What or who inspires you?
What: Life
Who: Harry Clarke, Kay Nielsen
What keeps you motivated?
Love for creating.
What’s your favourite tool?
A really good pen and/or brush.
Are you a full-time artist?
Yes and loving every minute of it! (this was a recent change, hence the excitement)
Original Series Tea Bag String Cup
What advice would you like to give people who would like to sell their works online?
Just do it, now. I really mean it. If you’ve already had the thought of selling online, then your product must be great, so why wait? There are a few great places to set up your online shop. There are amazing + helpful communities in these websites.
Shhh Series It’s Crowded Bowl and Tea Cup Set
Where do you see yourself within the next few years?
Doing the same thing I’m doing now, drawing, but in a much bigger space with much bigger projects :)
What message do you want to send out to people about your work?
I’m not much of a writer, nor a speaker, so I draw to share with you my thoughts and my dreams.
I hope you enjoy them, I really do!
{ Thanks RJ! }
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If you missed our earlier interviews, see here for other wonderful artists that we have profiled so far!
Comments [6]
Mattias Adolfson on Interviewr
Friday May 16, 2008
Have you read an interview with Mattias Adolfson over at Interviewr?
He’s my moleskine hero! :)
{Image from Mattias’ flickr site}
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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.
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Jill Bliss on My Love For you
Saturday April 26, 2008
Meighan has an interview up with one of my favourite artists: Jill Bliss. I’ve been a fan of hers for more than four years now, and am so inspired by her work.
{ Image from My Love For You is a Stampede of Horses }
Lisa Congdon interview
Saturday April 19, 2008
One of Lisa’s shadowboxes from her Flickr stream
Wonderful interview with the lovely Lisa Congdon over at Seanwoolsey.com.
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Interview: Julie Knoblock
Thursday April 17, 2008
Our next interviewee is the lovely Julie Knoblock, who has big secret plans in store for the next few months which I’m excited to find out about — all I know is that it involves a book… and well, that’s all I know.
The Bird Keeper print
Name: Julie Knoblock
Location: Victoria, Australia
Website/Shop: tummyache.etsy.com
Blog: julieknoblock.blogspot.com
Illustration media: Acrylic, coloured pencil, pens & the computer.
Tell us a little more about yourself.
I am (almost) 30 years old and living in Victoria Australia with my partner (who is my fiance, but I don’t like that word at all) and my two big dogs Bender and Leela. I love hanging out with the three of them. I love creating, whether it’s sewing clothes or toys, making a quilt, mosaicing a sculpture or drawing & painting. I am annoyed about the lack of creativity and culture in today’s society and feel you really have to search to find creative gems. For instance, all the really good interesting shows on TV here are mostly on the less popular channels on really late at night. What’s up with that? So yes, I’m a bit cynical and baffled by mainstream trends. But when I can switch my mind off to the things that bother me I am generally happy and like to have fun with my mates and my family. I am also a little lazy so it takes some effort to get me going and creating.
Content Being Me Necklace; A one off original art-purse in In.cube8r Gallery
How did you get your start in illustration?
At first I trudged around town with (what I think now was) a less-than-perfect folio trying to get work. I was so scared and nervous, as I am quite a shy little thing and not really up to the task of selling myself and talking myself up. The first job I landed was drawing cartoons for a business type book. Lots of offices and men in suits. Although I was grateful for the work I didn’t enjoy it as I just put so much pressure on myself to perform. It worked out in the end though I guess!
What’s your favourite tool?
Can I pick two? Ok then! A paint brush with acrylic paint on the end, and a long thin shaped tool that you hold in your hand which can come in the form of a pencil or a pen. Oops, I think that’s 3!
Horse Stack print
Are you a full-time artist?
Yes I am. When I’m not working on illustration jobs I’m working on my own personal artwork. There’s always something to do to keep me out of mischief.
What or who inspires you?
I am so inspired by other artists. The work they achieve really motivates me to keep going. That includes musicians and comedians as well, anyone doing something creative. I have an ever changing list of favourites, with a handful that always seem to be on the list. I also imagine images, so thoughts and dreams inspire me and I sometimes come up with images that I just have to get out onto paper. Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places too so I’m always attune to this.
What keeps you motivated?
I don’t really know. I think sometimes I have a love-hate relationship with art. It causes me so much frustration and I wonder how much simpler and easy life would be without it! But for some reason it is just a part of me and something I have to do. I cannot turn off the artistic thoughts and desire to create. I do go through stages of having lots of ideas, then sometimes I’ll have nothing. I think my motivation comes from my moods and where I’m at in my life at the time. And other artists.
Nesting Limited Edition Gocco serigraph print; Opposites Attract print
What advice would you like to give people who would like to sell their works online?
Keep at it. It can be slow at first but if you stay focussed with a goal in mind you’re on the right track. Always try to better your methods and ask others for advice. It depends on how you’re going to sell your work, but certainly time and effort put into it whatever way you’re going about it is an investment.
Where do you see yourself within the next few years?
Focusing on more of my own personal work and Etsy shop. Hopefully happier & healthier too!
Snap print
What message do you want to send out to people about your work?
My artwork comes from personal experiences, fleeting thoughts about life, things I hear, stuff people go through. Life in general. I like it so much when people say they can relate to my work personally. So I guess with each image there is a different message, and I don’t mind if people interpret the message differently, as long as they can draw something from it personally then I’m happy. I also love to hear what these personal interpretations are. Although sometimes my works don’t have any meaning really, they are just artworks for the sake of creating something aesthetically pleasing. Or sometimes they can have a myriad of meanings, like a meditation on a certain area of life. Sometimes people get meanings from my pictures when I didn’t even know they had any! And I’m happy when they do. That’s a good thing. Art is a personal experience.
Thanks Julie!
Interview: Cori Dantini
Thursday April 3, 2008
This week we interview Cori, and for those who are currently making the leap into illustration/art as a full-time career, well, I can only tell you that it’s a great read! :)
Buggy Reader archival print
Name: Cori Dantini
Location: For the moment… Pullman Washington, soon to be moving to Salt Lake City, Utah
Website/Shop: www.corid.etsy.com
Illustration media:
It might be easier to talk of the things I don’t use, but here goes: walnut ink, pen nibs, golden acrylic paints, watercolor, pencil, colored pencil, eraser, Photoshop, scanner, heat gun, wax, sewing machine, Photoshop textures (created and found) scanned into computer and used to build images.
Tell us a little more about yourself.
What can one say about oneself? I suppose I could start with the specifics. I am the wife of a lovely man called Liam, we have a son Henry(also wonderful), who is just about to turn 5 and a sweet border-chowbrador called Lucy.
Currently we are living in Pullman Washington, which is a little town that resides in the wheat fields on the Palouse. This is where Liam and I both grew up, and where my side of the family is still living (which is why we are here). We moved to Pullman a little over a year ago after Liam finished up his PhD in Neuroscience at UCHSC (Denver), but we are planning to make a move to the Salt Lake City area (soonish) for Liam’s new job.
Beyond that my life is crazy. I find that the wish I made years ago… the one that goes, I wish I could do illustration/artwork for a full time living… I wish people wanted me to do work for them, AND they would call me out of the blue. I wish I could make enough money to buy fancy shoes! It has ALL come true. But I say now, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR… because wishes DO come true. So I am busy, and I love it… but find myself now wishing for time to spend with my little guy Henry.
She Was a Bird Lover archival print
How did you get your start in illustration?
My road to a career in illustration has been unusual at best… it feels more like it knocked on my door and I answered, let it in… gave it a cup of tea. Made it a cake… and then it decided it wanted to stay and I let it.
I graduated with a BFA in Fine Art with an emphasis in painting. A painter is what I was going to be when I grew up. It seemed like I had known this since I was 9, and that was my plan. Graduate college, wait tables, and try to show my work… get [into] a gallery… and of course “get famous”.
Anyway, after I graduated from WSU, I moved from Pullman to Seattle. I got various jobs waiting tables and in the end found myself tending bars. This is where I met a liquor rep who in the end hooked me up with a job painting signs. One job turned into two, two to three… and it just kept going. The money was good. It was enough a month that I started to realize that one really could make a living doing something other than… doing something that seemed like work.
Then we moved. Sign connection gone. So I sat in Denver thinking about what I could do to make a living there… and I saw an ad in the newspaper, wanting artists to design clipart. So I went in, and they gave me a test… Draw a piece of fruit. Draw a car. Draw a realistic car. Anyway I did the exercises, and handed them in, and those silly folk hired me! I was so excited. I got a computer (my first), learned how to run Corel Draw and Photoshop. At one point I was designing (and processing) 200 images a week. Slowly that turned into greeting card design for CD ROMs… and that got me thinking that I should look into doing “real” greeting card designs. I bought a book, made up a few samples and sent them off. I think I sent off 10 sets of samples, and it started me down my next road. Those 10 sample sets hooked me up with Great Arrow, Allport, Paramount, Marion Heath… and believe it or not, 6 years after sending them out I was contacted by Madison Park Greetings, and now I have my own little line of cards with them too.
While all this greeting card stuff was moving forward I was putting portfolio’s online at guru, monster, portfolio.com… anywhere I could find really. This is how I got hooked up with a fabulous art director (Gale Venosdel) in Denver. He wanted to work with someone local, and he found me… and THAT is when my life as an illustrator took off. He was looking for someone to do work for a company called McStain (a green homebuilder in Denver), and that alone has kept me very very busy over the years … it has been really wonderful. Over the years they have let my style grow and change, and it is just getting more and more fun all the time.
Eventually Gale left Denver and went to work elsewhere, but he took me with him. Through him, I have completed a project for Dole, and a few ads/posters for Starbucks (when THAT first Starbucks phone call came, I was nearly in tears). He has had a wonderful influence on my career, and without him… who knows where I’d be.
I should add that through ALL of this, I was still creating paintings…and selling them as prints in Denver. I suppose that this is why when I found Etsy I was so into the idea of it. I could hardly wait to get started! Originally I set up a shop with my modern style painting. They are VERY different from what is on there now, and I didn’t sell a thing. Basically I started a shop and had no idea I had to do anything, and couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t working. So I pulled everything off and sat back and watched and watched and looked (and looked). And one day I saw a piece by CHEVALIER… a girl drawn on a piece of paper from an old book. This is where the light bulb went on in my head. I had been collecting books/paper for years and years (15 or so)… the collection just kept getting bigger, but I had no idea what I was going to do with it. Until I saw that piece, And then I knew… ooooooooooh it was so exciting.
Originally I created about 12 pieces and while I was making them I found out that there was a call for artists, for a little art show out in a town called Palouse. So I took them out there and put them in. when we went out to see everything that next weekend, what I discovered was every piece had sold… then I hurried home, made more and listed them on Etsy. And now I find I never know what might happen due to Etsy… interviews (like this), being featured on blogs, galleries approaching me for paintings. It is all SO exciting.
Little Monster; Miss Britta and Her Goose Go To Market archival prints
What’s your favourite tool?
It’s a toss up between my walnut ink and these Japanese pen nibs (can’t read the label) or my MICRON .005 pen’s. And how can one forget Photoshop?
Are you a full-time artist?
Yes.
What or who inspires you?
I love sentences… that sounds weird, but I love (in particular) fragments of sentences. They get me thinking about “moments” I suppose.
I love Calef Brown
I love Amanda Blake
I love Camilla Engman
I love Gina Triplett
I love music… I love the way air can smell sometimes, all clean and fresh… full of possibilities. Wide open.
What keeps you motivated?
I want to get better. Everyday, I want to get better at what I do.
The Conspiracy archival print
What advice would you like to give people who would like to sell their works online?
Use Etsy… Etsy is an amazing tool. Use it.
Where do you see yourself within the next few years?
If it’s in the cards, I’d like to have another baby. And once those first couple of (hard) years are over, I’d like to get a rep and do MORE. More. More. More. OH- and books. I would love to illustrate children’s books.
What message do you want to send out to people about your work?
Each piece is a thin slice of me. Oh, and they look better in real life. REALLY.
Comments [4]
Interview: Iris Schwarz
Wednesday March 26, 2008
I’m really happy to announce a section dedicated for interviews with fellow artists and illustrators, inspired by Patricia’s Crafty Synergy interviews. I’ve made many friends here and I’ve always wanted to hear their stories about their work, and thought of sharing it with everyone here for inspiration. Enjoy!
Name: Iris Schwarz
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Website/Shop: irisschwarz.etsy.com
Illustration media: Mixed media
Tell us a little more about yourself.
I am an illustrator and graphic designer, living and working in Zurich. After my graduation in graphic design/illustration I’m now self-employed for about ten years. For me graphic design always was more of a job, but illustration/drawing/painting is my real passion. My studio of almost two years is situated in the old city, next to the conservatory. It’s an everyday pleasure to come here and work. Sometimes the sound of a violin passes my window while I’m working…. But more real is my good old radio. It’s on all day long and plays – most of the time – classic music. I love this atmosphere, it’s calm and concentrated. I can work like this for hours – mostly alone. I’m not a big talker and I’m not a team worker. I tried it before, but I found out I get things together best on my own. But I love to listen and to watch… people.
Lately my husband and me moved to a very old house, a bit outside of town, close to the lake. It’s beautiful to just to step out the door and take a long walk.
How did you get your start in illustration?
Up until now, in my professional life I was twice employed as a graphic designer. I was really lucky because they supported my love for drawing and painting and didn’t push me into advertising or too much into design. They even encouraged me to work freelance for several magazines and newspapers. So I slipped more and more in to the illustration world, especially editorial illustration. Today I work more as a freelancer, selling my art and illustrations online or direct to my audience.
Silence print; Thought print
What’s your favourite tool?
A pencil, a brush and paper. But, I must admit my iMac (Photoshop) and me became really good friends too!
Are you a full-time artist?
Yes.
What or who inspires you?
Art – contemporary, but even more the old schools (Italian renaissance, the Dutch school – I adore this accurate work), fairy tales, craft – I’m impressed by certain skills people have, Victorian illustration. Almost everything old… illustrated books, textiles, furniture (antique shops or flea markets are my obsession, specially in Paris!), nature is very important to me, sometimes a conversation, beauty.
What keeps you motivated?
I couldn’t be without drawing. So there is no need for a special motivation. But I know there are days when nothing comes. I can feel it the moment I put the pencil on the paper sheet. Completing other things, like cooking, long walks, restoring furniture, cleaning up my studio (!), swimming always brings me back to my pencil and paper…
At this point I want to mention too, how important and motivating it is for me to be surrounded by supporting people like my husband, my family and friends.
Jai oublie print
What advice would you like to give people who would like to sell their works online?
I discovered Etsy – the place where I run my online shop – last year by surfing the web. I have never heard of it before. And I was hooked to it instantly! Of course I wanted to start listing items right away. But then I sat down and started to build myself a concept. I really took my time and started – more or less – well prepared. This helped me a lot. I think it’s important to have a certain line and then to develop it constantly.
Selling online can be just recommended! It opens so many doors, you get in touch with new, interesting people. It’s very inspiring.
Prince print; There Is, an accordion book
Where do you see yourself within the next few years?
I wish there won’t be to many changes… I really love my life now as it is. I hope I’ll stay curious and restless! And of course I hope to be still into art!
What message do you want to send out to people about your work?
I do not believe so much in a message through art. Or let me put it in another way, there are so many messages like people are looking at it. It makes me very happy when people are touched by my work… but why this happens I don’t know – it might be the secret of the beholder…
Thanks so much Iris!
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