Drew Beckmeyer
Wednesday July 23, 2008
I love the work of Drew Beckmeyer — he’s a 25-year-old artist based in Los Angeles and produces pieces that are a mix of quirky and dark (check out his color palette too!).
When We Were Restless zine at LPP
You can purchase some prints and zines made by him from Little Paper Planes. There’s an interview (in 2007) here, or you can keep up with him on his low-profile blog.
Oh, and Tiny Showcase just released a limited edition of 100 prints by Drew!
Kaela Graham
Monday July 21, 2008
Row-boater boof rubber stamp
Kaela Graham, purveyor of all things cute, makes these lovely limited edition series of stamps with adorable names to boot (what’s a boof? Click here to find out…)
They’re all limited editions of 100, so hurry and get one at her Etsy shop!
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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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Stacey Louise Joy
Thursday July 17, 2008
Percy Loves Ice Cream
Mr. Sausage Meets a Hungry Dog
There’s something very raw about Stacey Louise Joy’s illustrations — which she does with pencils and colored pencil in between. I find them endearing because of the plot of her stories — which she also illustrates. It mostly involves a penguin, a cat, a dog, and a sausage (although not necessarily in that order).
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Kit Mason
Monday July 14, 2008
Boys – a limited edition print
By stroke(s) of luck, I seem to be finding a lot of wonderful artists and illustrators that are based in the UK, which is ace (I love how they use the word ace!)
One of them is Kit Mason, an illustrator based in Brighton, UK. He’s still studying, and has been drawing since he was 16 (and if you’re keen to know, he’s 21 now).
I don’t have much posts on today because it’s my mom’s birthday, and there’s a fair bout of eating to be done to celebrate; so I’ll catch you all tomorrow!
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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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Joshua Gorchov
Wednesday July 9, 2008
Joshua Gorchov is an artist based in Northern Carolina, and lives between the mountains and the ocean with his wife. His medium of choice is acrylic paints on wood panels, and his work has been recognized by Communication Arts, American Illustration and The Society of Illustrators. He has a website, a blog, and a shop too.
I just love this print of the Arborists Analysis, because it reminds me of the time when I studied forestry for a year before I took up my degree course. It was the most fun year I’ve ever had outdoors.
P/S — one more day before the giveaway ends, so chop chop and enter! The mailing list is getting longer every minute! ;)
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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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