Camp Pikaland: Back to Basics with Jamie Shelman
Posted by Jamie Shelman on Thu Nov 24, 08:47 PM
Art by Calder
Jamie Shelman’s Back to Basics: Visual Communication class is the perfect antidote to brush up on your art basics! Perfect for those in need of fresh weekly exercises to get you inspired and creating new art this Winter, Back to Basics starts Monday Nov. 28th!
Join Jamie as you explore deceptively simple concepts such as shape, color, space and pattern to imbue our art with visual power and umph together! Weekly assignments are playful, quick studies in visual exploration. From ink to acrylic paint, pencil or gouache she’ll use artistic medium to loosen up your hand and get creating! You’ll also be given a look at numerous examples from past and present artists to inspire you as you go along, including Calder, whose work you see above. You may be familiar with his famous mobiles but did you know he also created these playful works on paper?
His ability to electrify both the positive and negative space in his piece with mark making and shape alone is exciting, fun, and fresh! One gets a sense of movement and vibrational frequencies which makes the piece active and alive. So take this opportunity to infuse your own work with life this Winter. Whether abstract or figurative, develop your artistic voice by building your own artistic vocabulary!
The class is open to anyone who wants to experience the pure joy of making art again, and you can sign up here!
Calder mobile
Stories of Bunnies
Posted by Jamie Shelman on Wed Feb 16, 07:30 PM
Because it’s the year of the rabbit I’ve been seeing bunny art everywhere and I have to say these portraits by Runaway Dreams are my absolute favorite!
Created by Julia and David of Mexico City, a self described “couple of designers/illustrators/crafters in love,” these stumpy little bunnies with their pint point eyes and fuzzy bodies (look how their hair looks electrically charged and stands on end!! eeee!) have me hopping with joy!
I love the apron of the The Little Chef and his hand held items which are as much weapons as cooking utensils, watch out for that stumpy bunny! Bet he makes a mean grilled carrot!
Or watch out for Marcel, The Mushroom Collector (who’s actually a felt bunny!) he’ll collect your heart too! Especially with his designer savvy wallpaper selections!
And The Perfect Pair You can’t take a carrot from a bunny! Also might be a weapon of choice, keep your eyes closed at night he might poke ‘em out while you’re sleeping!
Lots of love and safety glasses! This year of the rabbit’s going to be cute with an undertone of murderous intent (ok, maybe only if you’re a carrot!!)
Jamie
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Etsy Team Cat Attack!
Posted by Jamie Shelman on Thu Jan 20, 10:55 PM
Some of my recent favorite cat art is coming from my new Etsy Team Cat Attack members! Strange I just realized they all have blue backgrounds! HUH!
In order of appearance:
Esme, caught by surprise by vivstrauss
Custom oil painting of your pet by katep and
Seasame by Hawaiicats.
See more great cat art from Etsy Team Cat Attack members here and if you make and sell cat inspired work on Etsy, consider joining our team, there’s always room for more cool cats!
~ Jamie
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Simplicity
Posted by Jamie Shelman on Wed Jan 5, 07:30 PM
Wishing you all a simple New Year!
:D
Jamie
*Print by Typeposters
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Christmas Ornaments
Posted by Jamie Shelman on Tue Dec 21, 10:09 PM
As Christmas nears I’ve become obsessed with vintage and handmade Christmas ornaments. A quick search on Etsy pulled up some terrific finds. Including a Blown Glass Ornament Ball by Texas based artist wolfartglass that looks like a soap bubble, so delicate and fragile!
A Vintage German Cuckoo Clock Ornament by smilemercantile for your favorite Teuton. And these Vintage Radko Shiney-Brite Ornaments listed by geeminycricketts to make your tree, well… shiny and bright! I think a handmade or vintage ornament makes the best gift, something that will be treasured and admired year after year! So put on Jingle Bell Rock, whip out the egg nog and get decorating or at least sending some really unique ornaments!
(Plus I came across these Scottish Highlands Finger Puppets by NYC based artist babyanimals which I love and thought would make fantastic stocking stuffers!)
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Books that aren't books but are still books
Posted by Jamie Shelman on Thu Dec 16, 08:39 PM
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When making your book selections this holiday season put handmade books at the top of your book selection list! Book away from your book store and book it to these books! More works of art than reading material, you might have to give those you’re sharing them with white linen gloves, don’t want any gravy or oreos on these! A few of my recent favorites include All my neighbors are trees by UK artist Sarah of littlepaperbird , a forest on Vellum! Waves Small Art Book and Envelope by California based artist teambluebicycle textural tour de force! Or have New York based artist Jane Mount paint your own customized bookshelf!
Holiday Eats!
Posted by Jamie Shelman on Wed Nov 17, 07:30 PM
One of the best things about the holidays is the food! And the art work it inspires :D In order of appearance Turkey Collage Card by Chicago artist Esther Ramirez , Jello Print by Mrs. Loaf and Santa’s Cookie Plate by San Fransisco artist raedunn.
What’s your favorite holiday treat? And how would you choose to illustrate it?
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Because two is better than one
Posted by Jamie Shelman on Wed Oct 13, 10:46 PM
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A recent round up of my favorite pairs.
In order of appearance:
by Chinese artist Fifi’s Toy Station
Tourist by Finnish artist Mikko Walamies
The Merfolk- Sea Kings by German artist Herzensart
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Celebrate your animal self
Posted by Jamie Shelman on Fri Sep 24, 02:56 AM
A roundup of a few of my favorite animals on etsy. ha-cha! If you were an animal which one would you be?
In order of appearance:
DIY Paper Puppet- BEAR by furzechane
Lettuce eaters block print by amandakindregan
Earless tiger and tail-less tiger celebrate by pingshop
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D.I.Y. Art Kits
Posted by Jamie Shelman on Wed Sep 8, 10:12 PM
Lately I’ve really been drawn to D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) art kits and was so excited to stumble across, like a drunken sailor, these beauties!
I LOVE the Letter Press Paper House Kit- Chandler Lane by 1canoe2 I want to buy a whole series and set up a small village in my bedroom. I’ve also been admiring these D.I.Y. Collage Kits by Anthony Zinonos @Little Paper Planes and am seriously tempted to purchase just to see what’s inside! (Would also be perfect source material for our current Visual Journaling class!)
And I’m imagining embroidering hundreds of alligators on my bedspread using the A Alligator and Albatross PDF File Embroidery Pattern by penguinandfish. Pretty soon my whole room would be filled with D.I.Y. Art kit related works which I would take pictures of my 15 cats in the middle of, or at least try not to trip over on the way to the bathroom at night!
If you were to package and sell a D.I.Y. Art Kit what would it be?
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