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
Comments [67]
Giveaway #28: Anthony Zinonos' loot
Posted by Amy on Tuesday December 1, 2009
I love getting a loot (yes, that’s right) of stuff. Especially when they’re rad and filled with illustrate-y goodness, like this bounty from Anthony Zinonos.
Inside you’ll find one A4 Giclee print, DIY collage kit, ‘Le Dot’ zine, notebook made from vintage and recycled paper and handmade collage badges. I’d say this would make one heck of a stocking stuffer for the lucky winner, wouldn’t you? :)
Comment below to be in the running and be sure to enter by 8th December to be in the running. Did I mention that December 8th is my birthday too? Pity I can’t enter because I would definitely give the birthday girl a big upper hand. Sigh.
Giveaways on Pikaland are global – meaning that EVERYONE from ANYWHERE can enter!
UPDATE: Commenting has now closed, thanks for participating!
Comments [122]
Bang bang you're thread
Posted by Amy on Sunday September 6, 2009
Allison Cole, an artist and illustrator based in Providence, Rhode Island just opened up an Etsy shop filled with all sort of printed goodies, buttons, and more! If you’re like me, then you might probably remember her best for her yeti character in Little Otsu’s The Tour Diary by Allison Cole.
If you need a stronger reason to have one of her works in your home, well you’ll be happy to know that she’s giving away a free Bird Postcard Set with the first 10 orders (she’s now up to 4, so better hurry!)
Comments [7]
Giveaway #9: Matou en Peluche set!
Posted by Amy on Wednesday September 2, 2009
Sam of Matou en Peluche is giving out a package filled with goodies from her shop! There’s one big print, three smaller prints, two buttons and a set of two cards + envelopes and they’re all so gorgeous!
Comment below to enter, and the winner will be emailed after the giveaway ends on 8th September!
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And yes, Tuesdays are officially giveaway days from now on, so there’s another giveaway from Vitoria Usova happening right now too!
UPDATE: Commenting has now closed, thanks for participating!
Comments [63]
Gemma Latimer
Posted by Amy on Sunday August 30, 2009
Loving the works of Gemma Latimer who is based in Nottingham. Central to her works is an assortment of strange creatures and characters; images of which were collected at flea markets and charity shops lovingly put together and revealed with the aid of a photocopier.
Read up on her blog for her latest news & works, and also take a peek into her online portfolio while waiting for her website to be ready.
{Thanks for the intro, Amy!}
Comments [1]
Giveaway #6: memo's cube chap set
Posted by Amy on Saturday August 22, 2009
Helen of memo is giving away this cube chap keyring and also a cube chap writing set for one lucky commentor!
The writing set includes 5 sheets of paper, 5 envelopes and 5 stickers to seal the envelopes, and as for the cube chap, you can string him around everywhere you go.
Giveaway ends on 28th August 2009, and the lucky chap will be emailed!
Happy Friday to everyone!
UPDATE: Commenting has now closed, thanks for participating!
Comments [30]
Anna Bond: interview
Posted by Amy on Saturday July 4, 2009
You might remember the last time when I posted about Anna Bond’s work, and for the fans out there, you’ll be happy to know that Evie has an interview with the lovely Anna up at her blog.
P/S— I’m still very much in love with ALL her work, particularly the wedding invites she did.
{Thanks Evie!}
Comments [2]
Artist Interview: Susie Ghahremani / boygirlparty
Posted by Amy on Thursday May 28, 2009
I’ve known about Susie’s illustrations since 2003, which was when I was first introduced to the handmade community. Since then I’ve seen countless shops closed down which made me very sad, but Susie is going strong and growing like there’s no tomorrow. Needless to say, she’s one of my heroes and is also a big reason why I love illustration (although I never quite put a finger on it back then!)
Name: Susie Ghahremani
Location: my sofa, my house, Normal Heights, San Diego, CA, USA, world, universe
Websites:
www.boygirlparty.com (website)
shop.boygirlparty.com (shop)
boygirlparty.etsy.com (other shop)
boygirlparty.livejournal.com
www.boygirlparty.com/wordpress
Illustration media: gouache usually. and sometimes ink, and sometimes Y
Tell us a little more about yourself!
I’m a painter of tiny paintings and keeper of tiny pet finches. I’m from chicago originally, and miss the flatness of the midwest. i also miss being bored and feeling like summers & vacations are too long, instead of too short as i do now.
Could you tell us what is your daily schedule like?
It truly depends on my level of motivation. sometimes I hop out of bed, put on a pot of coffee and do nothing but paint from 7am – 1am. some days, not so much. I’ve been trying to go with the flow more lately, instead of forcing myself to work, sweatshop-style, as i have in the past. Some days I wake up and go exercise for a couple hours, just so i can remember what it feels like to move. And then I paint, or respond to the insurmountable email pile, or excitedly design new products for my shop, or maybe read a chapter in a book, or watch a documentary about pale male…. the benefit to being self-employed is that you get to make your own schedule! but the downfall is that at some point, inevitably, you have to become that sweatshop i referred to earlier.
How did you get your start in illustration?
I played music in a few bands, and used to book a few shows around Providence, RI (my former home) and so I would illustrate posters, t-shirts, pinback buttons… I built a website to share my work back around 2001 or so, and word of mouth brought me some commercial work.
Could you tell us more about your thought process when you start a piece?
Depends on the piece, if it’s just for fun, i usually start by mixing colors. a certain color can remind you of a time, a place, a memory, and give you a foundation for an imagined world.
For commercial work, i always seem to start with reading: reading the article, reading the book, or reading the art director’s brief, and moving from there to many rounds of sketching, and from there, to a careful, calculated final piece in which i already know where every line and every color is going to be.
Such different processes!
Do you keep a journal/sketchbook, and would you mind if we had a sneak peek?
I try to throw a mini-sketchbook in all my bags so i always have one on hand. i don’t think of them as anything worth seeing, usually i just draw whatever’s around, like salt and pepper shakers on the table at a restaurant – and i often lose and misplace them. sometimes i find the book format restricting and end up tearing pages out (see attached photo). sometimes i just draw on computer paper. and when i write, i do so in my owl journal that chronicle books published (and i illustrated)
What or who inspires you?
Nature is always inspiring to me: whether it’s a walk in the woods, or watching close-up as a ladybug purposefully climbs around a leaf. i always feel a surge of inspiration after spending time outdoors, especially if it’s a place i’ve never been before where i can tune in surprised at everything i see. i recommend going out on a rowboat on a quiet lake for a few hours and see if you don’t agree!
also: polaroids and analog photography! the colors are always so unexpected. i could look at & enjoy photography (like lomography & cross-processed photos) for hours, days, years. also: vintage children’s books, letters from penpals, old timey cartoons (like ‘flip the frog’),…
What keeps you motivated?
An exciting idea i can’t wait to execute, or fresh art supplies! new supplies always make me want to use them, and if i’m having a hard time getting started on a project i have to do, sometimes the greatest remedy is to get a new paintbrush or a fresh block of wood to paint on so i become excited again about the act of painting.
lately i’ve been struggling a lot with motivation, and it’s helped me as well to just play with my work: doodle a little or a lot for no reason at all, motivation to get started on something i ‘have’ to do comes naturally once i’m on a roll!
What’s your favourite tool?
Opposable thumbs, or a 10/0 liner paintbrush, or the internet – the internet is the reason why i get to be a painter instead of, like, a video store clerk. (no diss to video store clerks intended)
Are you a full-time artist?
Yes!
What advice would you like to give people who are interested in being an artist full-time?
Know who you are & what your work feels like before you jump in! i see many young artists trying to follow in other established artists styles and what not, and it’s just very sad to see for all involved. also, be very good at managing your time! being self-employed requires extreme commitment and self-motivation and managing your time is the key to all that i think.
Where do you see yourself within the next few years?
Honestly, i’m not sure! i’d like to be more free: traveling some (my last vacation was for a week in 2007) and painting just to paint, not for a deadline or show in mind… i’m getting married this october, so i guess within the next few years, i will be living the probably-not-any-different-than-my-life-now married life!
You’ve been doing this for a long time now – are there any issues in the crafting/art community that you feel strongly about?
Be yourself!
Artists hurt each other and their community by failing to be creative, original and personal. art is all about offering a piece of yourself to the world, not what you think could make you successful…right?
What message do you want to send out to people about your work?
A website that wrote about my work a while ago (i forget which one) said this about my work & what they think i must think & i agree:
“‘sup, ma: i love the environment!”
Tell us something random about yourself!
I’m 5’2” and ate only pb&j for all meals during my childhood.
{Thanks Susie!}
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Susie is now running a special promotion in both her shops to celebrate her birthday! Orders placed now through Friday, May 29th will be entered in a raffle to win a $25 gift certificate, and the winner will be notified by Sunday, May 31st which is her birthday!
She’ll also be in Marichelle of Heart Handmade’s Shop Live 30-Minute Sale on Thursday 28th at 7pm EST. I’ll be popping in to see what I can snap up, so I hope to see you there! ;)
Comments [10]
Lover Birds
Posted by Amy on Friday March 27, 2009
“So are you going to kiss me or not?”
“This isn’t even mistletoe NOR christmas.”
“So?”
“I’m just sayin’.”
Adorable new range of prints called Beautiful Birds by Able and Game, the shop manned by Anna and Gareth based in Melbourne, Australia. See their Etsy shop and see the other range of their cute little birdies in action (or lack thereof!) ;)
Comments [4]
March PikaPackage Giveaway!
Posted by Amy on Friday March 13, 2009
And we’re back! We had a little hiatus the beginning of the year, but we’re happy to announce 2009’s first round of giveaways for the PikaPackage Project!
The total participants for this round is 29, and as like the previous round, we’re going to pick TWO winners, and each one will get a 8-item package each containing at least one item from your favourite artists that you’ve commented about.
And for making this possible, I’d like to thank our participants for coming along for this round:
- Rosemary Travale sent in Gocco printed words of wisdom;
- Kate of PaperKate sent in pretty rub-ons and notecards;
- Helen of Memo sent in a screenprinted bag, notebooks, cards and brooches;
- Lertsis sent in a bevy of personalized postcard packs with her illustrations
- Pam of Zoetropa sent in her beautiful block-printed cards, stickers and moleskine notebooks;
- Luciana Carossia sent in her beautifully handmade bookmarks made from her illustrations;
- Suzanne of Silver Tree Art sent in an assortment of lino-printed goodies;
- Leslie of SparklePaw sent in her adorable cards and buttons;
- Holly of Good Bloom sent in more of her vibrant, happy prints and cards;
- Handmade Julz sent in her delicate prints, magnets and colorful coasters;
- Stephanie Fizer sent in her line of adorable characters on stickers, cards and prints;
- Victoria Usova does it again! This time she sent in special bookmark + button sets, mirrors and coasters;
- Rachael of Number Eight sent in postcard packs of her illustrations;
- Mika sent in miniature original artwork, brooches and earrings and a big stuffed creature!
- Sara of Sim Sima sent in her beautiful handmade screenprinted brooches;
- Candice of Cordial Kitten sent in these lovely limited edition springtime prints;
- Denise Ann Holmes shipped these beautiful limited edition prints, just in time for spring;
- Belinda of Gretchenmist sent in lovely original artwork and prints;
- Susan Schwake of the beautiful Art Stream gallery sent over these lovely limited edition prints;
- Sally Faulkner of Sally Illustration, the lady behind our cover this issue of the zine sent in load of items — prints, buttons and a zine too!
- Yali Paz sent these beautiful full-sized prints and ACEOs all the way from Israel;
- Melody Seal sent in these marvellous prints as well as beautiful hand-bound notebooks;
- Anna Wadham sent in a bevy of goodies! There’s prints, notecard sets, buttons and also mirrors!
- Kate Endle made more of her popular mini-prints for this round;
- Myrte of Mirthquake sent in these lovely bird prints, mini-prints and buttons;
- Christine Berrie sent in an original drawing, prints and posters of her work;
- Valerie Pensworth sent in delicate full-sized prints and portraits;
- Mitch & Lauren of 3CD Kidstuff sent in prints that would look great on your kids’ walls; and
- Jess Racklyeft of Jesses Mess sent in quirky prints of her work!
So here’s what you need to do to win each one of these packages:
- visit the shops/websites of our participants, and
- write down here in the comments which product is your favourite from the artist’s shop (include the links if you’d like).
Here’s are some ground rules:
- You can make one long list containing a few selections, but please DO NOT comment more than once. If you do, you’ll immediately be disqualified!
- Some of the artists don’t have shops yet, but that’s alright too, just let us know you liked what they sent in!
- The closing date for this is on Sunday 15th March, 8 p.m. PST/PDT. I’ll pick two random winners from the comments section, so be sure to leave your email addy!
To read more about our participants, remember to read up our March issue of the PikaPackage zine too! The cover art for this issue was done by the lovely Sally Faulkner of Sally Illustration! And if you’d prefer to view it online, head on over to see it on the Issuu page.
If you’d like to purchase a PikaPackage for yourself (and to support Pikaland!), hop on to our SHOP! This time, we’ll be donating to KIVA, an organization that provides micro loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries.
And if you like what you see, you can always sign up for our mailing list to get updates about special happenings here on Pikaland!
{UPDATE: Thank you for your responses everyone! The comment is now closed an winners will be up on the blog in a bit.}
Comments [148]