Namguga
Monday May 19, 2008
The Fisherman limited edition print
Namguga is the shop of Brian Kim who resides in New Jersey, and is home to a lot of prints with curious characters.
He is now selling a limited edition of 50 prints of each of his characters — there is a total of six in all.
You can also read up on his blog and see his collection of prints for sale at his Etsy shop.
Comments [1]
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.
Comments [2]
Heather Smith Jones
Wednesday April 23, 2008
A Rainbow Reflection
Stickin’ Together
I’m loving the work of Heather Smith Jones, especially her original one-offs that employs the use of the pinhole technique — a method that she started during her research into Australian Aboriginal art. She translated their use of painted dots by piercing tiny needle sized holes through paper to create pattern, text, and image in her own work.
Right now, she and Alicia Alferman are running a daily photo blog called the Noticing Project where they post photos and imagery from fragments and moments of their lives.
You can see more of Heather’s one-off original drawings – signed, dated and titled here.
Jenny M
Monday April 14, 2008
Sleeping Cat: A matchbox original
This is rather clueless of me, but Jenny (of Flickr’s greenfemale fame) recently started a shop called Be Happy Now on Etsy selling her art. I’ve been a fan for some time now, but most of her illustrations were only available for viewing, so I’m happy that she now has a shop of her own.
Tiny Books
3 characters drawn on toilet paper rolls!
She’s one of my favorite artists on flickr who draws her whimsical illustrations on almost everything! She is also currently studying, and posts up illustrations based on the topic of old classics – her transformation of text and narration into illustration is very inspiring, mainly because I love storybook illustrations.
A page from her Moleskine sketchbook for the Moleskine Exchange Project
She hails from Israel, and there’s wonderful clips of her Moleskine sketches on YouTube as well. My favorite one so far is her tiny books filled with her illustrations, encased in a felt casing of their own.
Comments [7]
Flossy Particles
Thursday March 20, 2008
Sacrifice print
Flossy Particles recently moved from Sydney, Australia, to a small coastal town on the north coast of New South Wales, and is now (very) happily freelancing in illustration while exploring other crafty ventures.
Mini print: Whalesong
She mentioned to me in my other blog, about her leaving a full-time job 18 months ago, and although the money wasn’t as much as it was before, it definitely made her a happier person.
The teacup tiger — a commisioned print; Camellia illustration from her portfolio
She now uses her time to stock her Etsy shop that has some of her prints, and she also sells her originals and her handmade bags over at Artstream studios. I’m also a fan of her blog where she talks about her projects and her journey so far.
Thanks for the inspiration flossy-p! :)
Rosiemusic
Friday March 7, 2008
I’m a fan of Rosie Music’s happy-go-lucky style, which you can see in her Etsy shop, and for more details, on her flickr page.
A limited edition Piano — a cotton paper print
An Umbrella series
From the Too Shy collection, #3
Happy weekend everyone! :)
Comments [3]
Punked things
Thursday February 7, 2008
Jo of Desire to Inspire has a knack for design, and the blog that she shares with Kim is updated regularly and features interiors, architecture and design. She also has her own Etsy shop where she sells her prints. My favourite has to be the Punked Peacock 2 — the watercolour background and linework is really lovely.
From left:
Punked Peacock 2 (USD25); Tree of Life (USD15)