In cities, strange things happen
Sunday July 20, 2008
Chapter 2 Marlene why are you sad
I’m loving the lino prints from Judith of the Little Print Store’s series called “In Städten geschehen seltsame Dinge”, (translated to mean in cities, strange things happen). She’s from Vienna, Austria, and the series is a study about how lonely it can be to live in a big city — but everyone is connected to each other, if you look closely enough.
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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!}
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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!
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Rachel Caiano
Tuesday June 24, 2008
White square figure nº 1, a collage original still available in her shop
I am in love with Rachel Caiano’s work. She’s an artist based in Portugal, who illustrates regularly for Gingko magazine and Domingo magazine; her simple lines made even more beautiful with strategic, yet minimal placement of bits of fabric and paper.
White square figure nº 51, Collage and drawing on paper, Private collection
She has a shop too, where she sells her original collage + illustration creations. My favorite has go to be this one.
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Leafty
Tuesday June 24, 2008
Clockwise from top left: Cloud People; Earthworm Love; Felicity Speckled Robin; and Sunbloomer miniature art toys
Have you seen the adorable miniature art toys made from reinforced paperclay by D.Platypus and Cocoakoala (yes, those are their monikers!) at Leafty?
You can see more at their Flickr and also read their blog for more cutesy goodness.
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LONO Japan
Thursday June 19, 2008
While I was in Japan, I was constantly searching for beautiful things to photograph, and sometimes, I do stumble into small, pretty and quaint little shops helmed by the creator themselves. Although my Japanese is poor (VERY, VERY poor), I do manage to make enough sense to tell them how much I love their work.
This little shop here is called LONO, and is created by Kazuyo. She makes each little doll by hand and paints them in her little studio in the Duce Mix building on Sanjo Street. She does wedding dolls too, and she paints on almost anything that can be painted on!
Ateliers in Japan are usually small in size, so I was very inspired by how she used her space — it is her studio (although I didn’t manage to take a shot at it, she has a small table with a iMac on it, and a lot of acrylic paint bottles with brushes), and also a small little mini shop-front.
A small table with her painted goodies — dolls, shakers and other toys
A close-up of her painted toys — she pays great attention to detail
A wall of softies!
I’m going to be sifting through my photo pile in the next coming weeks, so stay tuned! (The pile is BIG, and sometimes I forget what I have in there!)
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Moonswallow
Thursday June 19, 2008
Pasion original drawing
Waiting for the Shadows to Speak original drawing
Brianna Lamar does amazing things with a black ink pen. There’s no planning involved, no pencils — she just moves her pen.
Roadside Projects
Monday June 16, 2008
Project 002/ Part 017, Balloon Travel — Sold out
I remember trying to make a 3D illustration box once — something like a shadow box that’s illustration based. Of course, my first foray into the medium ended up far from being perfect. In fact, it was quite the disaster. So when I saw Jayme McGowan’s fantastic three-dimensional box construction with intricate cut outs, my jaws dropped.
Project 002/ Part 007, Huge Hands — still available
The artist and illustrator working in Sacramento, California, is now working on her second series called Dreamscapes, where most of her work have already sold out, except for this.
You can read more on her blog, or keep a close watch via her Flickr stream.
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Annie Swincinski
Monday June 16, 2008
Moonlight Gingkos, a limited edition woodblock print
Annie Swincinski is a part time artist, part time waitress, working on becoming a full time artist in State College PA. I’m loving her woodblock prints that are all handmade and individually pulled, with a very soothing palette. Most of her work are limited editions, and originals so no one ever receives the same print — and is part of the beauty of woodblock printing.
Damselfly, an original woodblock print
You can browse her shop called Sweet Annie Jeanne, and read her blog (although it has been awhile since she has posted up new entries).
A stuffed bear
Tuesday June 10, 2008
Ok, so this isn’t a stuffed bear (thank goodness!), but this hand-painted bear plushie by Mary Catherine Garrison of Little Red Fox sure does make a convincing plea to be taken home. :)