aLouCreations -- the blog --

The Graduate (no…not the movie)

2011-05-04T10:40:00.001-04:00

Here are some of my totally awesome graduation cards. Either click on the picture to see them in my Etsy shop, or visit my Artfire shop to support a starving artist on a venue that doesn’t charge any fees. Cheers!

Technorati Tags: graduation,graduate,funny,silly,handmade,greeting cards,cards,paper goods,congratulations,awesome,etsy,artfire

I have a tumblr

2011-05-01T01:32:00.001-04:00

(and its awesome)

www.aloucreations.tumblr.com

You Oughta Know: Storibe

2011-04-29T14:20:00.001-04:00

This Massachusetts based artist has an amazing command over color. She is able to capture movement and stillness, and uses strong lines in contrast with the fluidity of watercolor. I simply love her work. Check it out below, click on any of the pictures to get to her listings, or click on her shop name: storibe.

Fresh Pick No.17, original watercolor

Worcester Sketchbook Fire Truck on Water St., limited edition of 50 fine art giclee prints

Worcester Sketchbook No.141, limited edition of 50 fine art giclee prints

Fresh Pick No.167, original watercolor

Worcester Sketchbook No.57, limited edition of 50 fine art giclee prints

Technorati Tags: handmade,etsy,artfire,art,painting,watercolor,you oughta know,beautiful,brilliant,awesome,color,line,composition,new england

New England Love

2011-04-27T00:47:00.002-04:00

I was born and raised in the great North East, and I think that it is high-time I show that area some love. Without further adieu, here are some awesome New England themed items for sale on the one and only Etsy. Click on the pictures to find out how to buy these awesome goodies.

Lobstering - 8x10 Photography Print by CityWifePhotography

Map of Manchester NH Area Cuff Bracelet - Ready to Ship by Victoria Camp Designs

New England Fall-Scape No.26, limited edition of 50 fine art giclee prints by storibe

Wicked Smat -- Graduation Greeting Card by Me!

Clambake Definition on Vintage 1928 Poker Chips Christmas Ornament by ArtSincerely

Technorati Tags: new england,north east,new hampshire,maine,mass,nh,me,ma,nor east,handmade,etsy,greeting cards,funny,silly,unique,awesome,one of a kind,original,just because

Don’t Forget Mother’s Day (seriously…don’t forget it)

2011-04-18T23:00:00.002-04:00

Mother’s day is right around the corner. Get your mom a card, otherwise you’ll be just another shitty, ungrateful child.

Tell your mom how much you love her on the big day (and every day), otherwise you are a total tool.

Technorati Tags: mother's day,mom,mother,mum,mommy,super mom,tattoo,geek,zombie,nerd,eat their young,wild,awesome,fabulous

Greeting Cards for the People You DON’T Like

2011-04-14T19:48:00.002-04:00

That’s right, I’m making greeting cards for the people that you don’t like. There are plenty of people that get on my nerves, and the perfect way to tell them to eff off is with an innocent looking greeting card. If they get offended, just tell them you were joking (in that sort of not joking way). Otherwise, maybe they’ll get the hint that they are big ol’ jerk face.

Let me know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to check out the cards for sale at Etsy and Artfire.

Technorati Tags: Cards,Paper Goods,handmade,greeting cards,funny,silly,unique,un greeting cards,awesome,friendship,frienemy,enemy,jerk face,suck it,eff off,horrible in bed,go to hell

Peepsus Christ: A Savior for the rest of us

2011-04-13T23:21:00.003-04:00

This Easter season I’ve made a few new cards and brought back some oldies but goodies. Granted, most of them are incredibly inappropriate, or slightly offensive. But why not have fun with Easter? Why not embrace the fact that modern traditions don’t jive with the actual purpose of the holiday? Take a gander at my cards for the season, and be sure to check ‘em out at Etsy or Artfire. Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of the post and let me know what you think!

Technorati Tags: easter,cards,greeting cards,card,handmade,happy easter,zombie,bunny,rabbit,egg,peeps,jesus

I’m Back Bitches

2011-04-12T16:20:00.001-04:00

I’m officially returning to the blogosphere. After taking a long hiatus I’m back, and I so know you missed me. Here’s what I’ve been working on:

Be sure to check back daily, as I’ll be posting a hell of a lot.

Technorati Tags: nerd,geek,handmade,greeting cards,paper goods,cards,zombie,ninja,cowboy,pirate,birthday,anniversary,congratulations,graduation,mother's day,easter,love,i love you,friendship,thinking of you,thank you,un greeting cards

Inspiration: Raindrops

2010-04-26T22:05:00.007-04:00

Technorati Tags: art,illustration,artist,drawing,line,color,book pages,rain,drops,storm,etsy,handmade,one of a kind,unique,greeting cards,aloucreations,inspiration

Artist Profile: 1EyedJax

2010-04-11T00:13:00.001-04:00

1EyedJax is a really original and interesting artist. Her work is a combination of illustration and collage and I just love her approach. Scroll below to see some of her awesome artwork and also to read her Q&A!

Q: How long have you been creating art?
I began serious creating art fifteen years ago and it's been my passion ever since.

Q: What inspires you the most to create? How do you find inspiration?
Inspiration is a strange thing, it bounces around with my life and the twist and turns it takes. Most often I find inspiration in my emotions whether it's humor, grief or happiness.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you face with your art?
Time.....it is always a battle to find it.

Q: How would you describe you color palette?
It's odd but I am always drawn to yellows and the warm color palette.

Q: What is your favorite medium? Least Favorite?
I am an impatient person, acrylics are my best friend....instant satisfaction.
watercolor....uuurggghhhh....so unforgiving.

Q: How do you work best? Do you have access to a studio?
I work best in controlled chaos. I'm working on trying to get a studio up and running.

Q: What is your favorite subject matter? Least favorite?
Lately I have been drawn to birds. The pieces are a collaborative with my husband. He brings the industrial urban feeling while I bring the fluid natural element. It's awesome when we work together.
Least favorite......puffy dogs.

Q: How do you decide what to focus a piece on?
Usually the painting will lead me to the natural focus. I come to the canvas with a thought but ultimately it is the painting that decides.

Q: Would you say that your pieces tell a story/have a narrative?
I like to think up crazy fanciful stories to narrate my work, but I prefer to keep them to myself and have the viewer develop their own meaning.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Laugh with everything you have. Life is too short not to pee your pants at least once.

Be sure to check out 1EyedJax on Etsy by either clicking on any of the pictures or on her name 1EyedJax.

Technorati Tags: art,artist,collage,illustrate,dog,acrilic,paint,octopus,squid,jelly,fish,color,etsy,handmade,one of a kind,funky,awesome,female,aloucreations,greeting card

You Oughta Know: carlilynn

2010-03-28T23:46:00.003-04:00

Carlilynn is yet another super talented artist! I love both her black and white pieces, as well as her color pieces. Her lines are strong and I love her color palette. Check out some of her work below, or click on her name to see more of her stuff. Also below is a Q&A. Enjoy!

How long have you been creating art? I have been creating ever since I was little. My parents designed hand painted clothing in the 80's, so there were always artists in our house. I was always making something. I was surrounded by artists tools, so I was drawing, sculpting, sewing and painting in some form. From a young age it was clear that art was always going to be in my life one way or another.

What inspires you the most to create? How do you find inspiration?
Nature is my main source of inspiration. I take pictures of interesting things I see, trees, flowers, colors and textures.

What is the biggest challenge you face with your art?
The biggest challenge I have is getting the things I need to do finished. My time gets split between my regular job, painting, projects, trying to get my art out into the world, daily duties, and eating! It is hard to be focused and inspired when you are being pulled in other directions.

How would you describe your color palette? I like to think that my color palette is always changing depending on my mood or what I am trying to express in a particular piece. When I use black and white your attention is on the subject matter. When using color I like to play with color schemes. Let the colors tell the story and dictate what is going to happen next.

What is your favorite medium? Least favorite? I would have to say my favorite medium to work with is oil paints. Acrylics can be a headache because of how fast the paint dries, you have to have a plan for what you're painting and stick to it. I think that takes some of the fun out of painting. The aspects of acrylics that I do like are the way you can manipulate the paint to look like watercolor or even oils.

How do you work best? Do you have access to a studio?
Right now I am painting out of my home. It is nice to have constant access to my art space. Whenever I am moved to paint all of my supplies are there waiting for me. But it is not always easy to paint at home. There are always distractions and sometimes I find it hard to get inspired. The best environment for me to work in is with other artists. I would love to one day have a studio where I could work freely and make a huge mess.

What is your favorite subject matter? Least favorite?
My favorite subject matter is nature. I use natural elements to create a flow through the piece. I am not as interested in using geometric forms.

How do you decide what to focus a piece on?
When I am painting I start with some idea as to what the piece is going to be about and as I continue to work on the piece I use the elements of design to enhance my focus.

Would you say that your pieces tell a story/have a narrative?
My pieces tell stories about my life. The pencil pieces I have done are filled with symbols and elements that have many meanings for me. The trees are my newer pieces and they are more of a color story. My goal is to evoke emotion from the viewer and let them create a personal connection with the piece.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you for looking at my work. I am open to comments or critiques. If you have anything you would like to share with me my email is CarliStaffainc [!at] mac.com
You can see more of my work at http://www.carlistaffa.com/ or visit my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/carlilynn

Again, please visit Carlilynn on etsy or click on one of the images above to see her listings directly.

Technorati Tags: art,artist,paint,painting,wood cut,portrait,tree,illustration,etsy,handmade,one of a kind,original,interesting,unique

You Oughta Know: KcIllustration

2010-03-19T18:13:00.002-04:00

KcIllustration creates truly unique work. Some of her pieces are filled with vibrant color while others are more subdued. All of them, however, have life as well as personality. Read below to find out more about KC.

How long have you been creating art?
I have been creating art ever since I was a small child. I had tons of journals and sketchbooks where I would write down poems and snippets of prose (sometimes original but more often from books I loved) and illustrate each page accordingly. All of my fondest memories of childhood have to do with either art or books (or both). I decided I wanted to be an artist when I grew up when I was in middle school. My parents warned me I would be poor in between giving me praise and more art supplies, so of course all I heard was the praise. For a little while I thought I wanted to be a photographer. My father gave me a manual Cannon camera and I had began taking black and white photos and developing them myself in the school photo lab, but eventually I realized I was not destined to be a photographer because the photograph was never the last step for me. I always found myself wistfully imagining the photos as paintings, so I began to copy them. When I went to art school I majored in Illustration and minored in Painting. And yes, I am poor, but my life is rich in so many other ways.

What inspires you the most to create? How do you find inspiration?
I am inspired by just about anything but it takes more than that to apply myself and create without giving in to distractions. Being a good Illustrator also means having a good work ethic. You can't sit around and wait for inspiration when there are deadlines to be met!

What is the biggest challenge you face with your art?
I would say I have two challenges I face with my art. The first challenge I face is just getting started. A blank canvas is kind of a terrifying thing to me. I have discovered I can remedy this problem by painting the canvas a pretty color that will beckon me instead. In the finished product often nothing remains of that first color I put down but that's the only way I can deal with all that glaring, empty canvas.
The second challenge is deciding on a style. There are so many ways to do one thing that when you really start to think about them it can become so overwhelming its difficult to do anything at all. A teacher told me once that you find your style by just working, and it will come to you naturally...I feel like I am still waiting for one, but for now not having one can be a strength too, it means I am versatile!

How would you describe your color palette?
I don't believe I have settled on a color palette yet...it really depends on what I am doing. I feel like I tailor things like style and color palette to each particular project/story.

What is your favorite medium? Least favorite?
My favorite medium is whatever I was last using because my hand will still have a feel for it, which is why I go on using the same medium for long stretches. Right now I am oil painting and I love everything about oil paint. The smell, the sheen...the fact that you can never get it off your clothes or off your dog...
But I hate using chalk pastels and vine charcoal.

How do you work best? Do you have access to a studio?
My house has a second bedroom that is currently my studio. It's a lovely room with big windows and built in cabinets and I have a drafting table but somehow I always end up working on the cold, bare floor hunched up in a little ball over my canvas. I choose to be uncomfortable when I work but I do not know why this is.

What is your favorite subject matter? Least favorite?
My favorite subject matter is anything alive—people, animals, plants—soft, organic shapes. My least favorite subject matter would be anything involving straight lines like precise, architectural drawings. Hell day for me was when we had to sit in the hallways at school and draw them with a ruler to practice two-point perspective. Rulers are instruments of torture. I would literally turn around and walk out of class on those days.

Would you say that your pieces tell a story/have a narrative? If yes, explain.
My pieces definitely tell a story. Everything I sell on Etsy is an Illustration of some sort whether it be of a fairy tale, a Bible story, an opera, a personal memory etc. If you cannot figure out what someone is trying to say through a work of art it is perfectly fine to come up with another story in order to understand it better. Besides, I always fall in love with other people's pieces that connect with a narrative I carry inside myself. It's how you make them your own...

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I suppose I should add that I recently started taking commissions on Etsy to do pet portraits and am truly enjoying it more than anything else. It would be lovely to be able to paint such sweet faces all the time.

To see more of her work or find out more about her, you can click on KcIllustration or on one of the pictures above.

Technorati Tags: art,artist,painting,illustration,collage,color,modern,etsy,hand made,crafts,custom pet portraits,kcillustration,animal,mixed media,interesting,unique

You Oughta Know: Sayaka Kajita Ganz

2010-03-17T00:09:00.002-04:00

This Japanese-born artist now resides in the USA. She creates amazing sculptures out of found objects (think spatulas and scrap metal). She is absolutely amazing! All of the images and more information can be found at her sight: http://www.sayakaganz.com/Home.html. Check her out!

Technorati Tags: sculpture,sculptor,japanese-american,found objects,metal,plastic,art,artist,unique,unusual,Sayaka Kajita Ganz,Indiana

Dirty Pretty Things

2010-03-15T16:30:00.003-04:00

Dirty, grungy, filthy things are all-too often taken at face value. You may think that layers of ick and uck take away the beauty of most objects. Some people see things differently. Look below to see artists who are inspired by the otherwise overlooked dirty, pretty, things.

IsaFerreira

Passton

MichaelChilcutt

ArtbyResolution

AbandonednHouses

VincenZorizzo

Be sure to click on the pictures or their names to check out more of their stuff. Thanks for looking!

Technorati Tags: dirt,dirty,pretty,bathroom,grunge,ugly,art,artist,photography,photo,gross,filth,illustration,paint,painting,black and white,color,etsy,unique,unusual

You Oughta Know: PalePreoccupation

2010-03-11T23:25:00.003-05:00

PalePreoccupation is another amazingly talented artist that I’ve discovered on Etsy recently. Her distinct style is bold, crisp and feminine. The hints of color exaggerate the unique subjects of her pieces. Look below for her Q&A, and feel free to click on any of the pictures to navigate to her shop, or on her name: PalePreoccupation.

How long have you been creating art?
Oh, like most artists I have been making art as long as I can remember. In terms of how long I have been really obsessed with creating, I think since about 2005. I've only been doing it for money for a few years now.

What inspires you the most to create? How do you find inspiration?
Old things, secret things, things that don't quite fit. Long conversations with my brilliant husband about what should go into the giant "combining machine." Often my mind starts at my Grandparents' old Victorian home before it goes anywhere else. Other artists amaze and inspire me constantly. I work in an art gallery, so fortunately there is no shortage of other creative minds in my life to share with.

What is the biggest challenge you face with your art?
As I started the "Pale Preoccupation" series it had been a long time since I had really challenged myself at all. I had been doing a lot of things that came easily and was getting comfortable with that. I decided it was time to move beyond the comfortable into something...well...uncomfortable? heh. I had something VERY specific in mind in terms of the look, the feel of what I wanted to create. The fact is that I wasn't really up to it technically at first. It took a lot of mucking about with paints and ink before I got something I was happy with. I'm still developing it, really. I have elements I want to add that I haven't figured out how to pull off yet. I still get intimidated before beginning every piece. I have to reassure myself every time that there are other art supplies in the house if I screw it all up and have to start over! I guess in the end my biggest challenge is that I'm attempting things I'm not really qualified to do. :)

How would you describe your color palette?
It is nearly black and white, just a touch of color. I typically use reds and greens to give it life and then leave it open for a third color depending on what the
piece calls for.

What is your favorite medium? Least favorite?
I love ink and watercolor most, but I don't think I've ever met a medium I didn't like. I paint in watercolor, ink, acrylic, oil, and wax. I make jewelry in copper and glass enamel. I like to always be learning something new. If I had to pick a least favorite, it would be oil, only because I don't have room for a lot of wet paintings to be laying around.

How do you work best? Do you have access to a studio?
I work best with no one around, when I can talk to myself and not feel self-conscious about it. I also tend to make a mess, so I need a bit of room and a rug no one cares about. I have half of the bottom floor of our tiny house as my studio, so that's about 200 sq feet for me to get messy in! My husband is a big enabler of my fickle-media tendencies and is constantly bringing me home new supplies to play with in my little space.

What is your favorite subject matter? Least favorite?
Boy, there are so many cool things to paint, that's a tough question. Anthropomorphic images might be my favorite, I just love mixing human and animal! I definitely prefer to paint a figure of some kind. Machines are nice, too. The art collection I have at home is such a hodgepodge, but it is mostly figures of some kind. I find landscapes and commissioned portraits the most tedious to paint.

How do you decide what to focus a piece on?
I usually have a very clear idea of that I want a painting to be focused on when I begin. That doesn't always mean that it turns out that way. For instance, when I started painting "The Oracle" I was determined to have the egg be made from a glass and copper mixed-media element. Later, I really liked the detail in the bird-head and didn't want to distract the viewer from that. In the end I decided to save the enamel for another time when I'm using canvas. I guess I make compositional choices as I go along. Each piece is as much born of mistakes as it is born of careful planning.

Would you say that your pieces tell a story/have a narrative? If yes, explain.
Certainly my paintings are narrative. I aim to get across something in my mind using visual associations, but I always try to leave them open enough to let the viewer in. I want the viewer to see Themselves in my paintings, not just me. I want a timeless feel for a universal thought, even though the style is rather modern.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I would just like to add that sometimes I think I might just die from an overdose of satisfaction. Being an artist is great. Challenging. Exciting. It makes me happy. Thank you to everyone that continues to support my art and the artwork of others. Buying and promoting things that have a history is noble and right. You're doing a very good thing. :)

A big thank you to PalePreoccupation for allowing me to feature this week on my blog! Be sure to check out her AMAZING work at her Etsy store, which you can get to by clicker her name or any of the images.

Technorati Tags: art,artist,female,illustration,color,black and white,etsy,craft,handmade,print,ooak,beautiful,talented,modern

Inspiration: Mustard & Aqua

2010-03-08T10:45:00.001-05:00

Toxicguineapig Lori411

MicheleMaule Carambatack

LuciaJohnson DayDreamers

Technorati Tags: art,artist,painting,print making,illustration,photography,etsy,crafts,aqua,mustard,inspiration

History Lesson: Peggy Bacon

2010-03-06T20:06:00.001-05:00

In honor of National Woman’s History month I’ve decided to do a little digging into the wonderful world of art in order to honor the occasion. Each week I’ll be featuring one female artist that I find interesting and talented.

Peggy Bacon was an American illustrator and etcher. Born in 1895, she successful made a legacy for herself through her art in a time when men dominated the field. Over the course of her life, she illustrated over 60 books and became a much-loved and highly recognized print maker.

Scroll below to see some of her work.

Technorati Tags: Peggy Bacon,Art,Artist,Print,Printmaker,Illustration,Illustrator,Female,Feminism,Woman,Women,Painter,History

You Oughta Know: SR Sopha

2010-03-02T23:39:00.002-05:00

SR Sopha is a wonderfully talented NH artist. While some of his pieces are reminiscent of the surrealist Salvador Dali, others are boldly abstract. His vibrant color choices and organic shapes make a strong and visually stimulating statement.

Read the Q&A below to find out more about SR Sopha!

How long have you been creating art?

I started painting in oils in 1986, at 15 years old. I would consider that the time I began to consider myself serious about art. It wasn’t until 1990 though, that I would say I considered myself an artist, in the sense of inner philosophies. Of course, as a child I was a huge daydreamer and doodler and purportedly, a very good draftsman.

What inspires you the most to create? How do you find inspiration?

It depends on what form I am working in. It all begins with an inner urge, like something needs to be expelled. That just comes when it comes…that’s what I consider to be the actual artistic bent. During the time that that fire is burning, it can be a word, a random thought, a psychic extrapolation, or even just a desire to smell paint and experience the tactility of process.

What is the biggest challenge you face with your art?

The biggest challenge I face with art, right now, is coming to terms with my remaining removed from the iconography of art, probably forever. It’s probably similar to finding out your dying soon, but I’m not, so the feeling will continue until I do die. Other than that, I have a wife and two toddlers, so the ability for me to go in the studio and work for hours on end and come out exhausted are gone for now. These are closely related.

How would you describe your color palette?

Serious.

What is your favorite medium? Least favorite?

I love oils: the smell, the texture, the movement and the amount of focus it gives me when I work at the easel. I also love my water mediums (mixed) because of their expediency, expressiveness and how much concentration it takes to remain unfocused. I also love the good ole pencil. There is nothing more nostalgic than the smell of a pencil! I really have no least favorite medium. Maybe those I have never tried.

How do you work best? Do you have access to a studio?

I have a small studio 12’x13’, in the middle of my house. Everything I own is in that room. People tell me it is like a museum in there. It’s cluttered with my life and all its possessions, and my mixed medium work is very large and I work on the floor with it, so it gets tough to work in there. Plus, I have a lot of stuff I don’t want to get paint on. In the summer I move it outside and I can get an eight foot sheet of paper rolled out and really get lost and sloppy. Of course, then it needs to go back into the studio for protection. So when I am working

big, it is very hard to maneuver around in there. And if I want to get out the guitar, it’s absolute torture. In school I had a good studio space that I was able to get really wet and messy and it was just great to have that sort of freedom.

I need music to draw me out of the day. Headphones work the best, but then I have to deal with the cord yanking on my head when I move around. I don’t like to be disrupted/removed from the groove, especially when I am working in an AE form. It is so time based that if I get removed from the stream there is a noticeable imbalance in the work.

What is your favorite subject matter? Least favorite?

The intangible. Politics.

How do you decide what to focus a piece on?

It’s decided somewhere where I am not concerned. With the AE stuff I am often surprised when I am completed, because I am so removed from the interpretation of my sight.

Would you say that your pieces tell a story/have a narrative? If yes, explain.

Yes, of course, although, probably not individually. Together, all my work is probably the most complete idea of me. I really don’t know how to describe that. My work is very personal, inner, so as a whole, my work is that reflection.

I do think, though, that some of my works can be ascribed a story, individually. They can be taken at their face values too, I mean.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I hope I can teach my children to not waste their lives looking for love. I love my wife, but it swallowed an enormous amount of time trying to find her. They should find what they want in life young, and pursue that only. Love themselves above all else, because it’s with themselves that they will die. They are the only solace I have in my failures as an artist. If they fail too, well….then I will be really depressed!

Be sure to check out SR Sopha online by clicking www.srsopha.com, or on any of the images.

Technorati Tags: New Hampshire,NH,Artists,Art,Painter,Oil,Mixed media,abstract,bright,surrealism,surealist

Birds & the Bees

2010-02-20T03:18:00.002-05:00

This week I’m doing something a little different. I searched the internet and found a ton of paintings/mixed media pieces that dealt with a similar theme. Since Spring is right around the corner, I thought “Birds & Bees” would be appropriate. Enjoy!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/joojoo

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RozArt

http://www.etsy.com/shop/behjat

http://www.etsy.com/shop/unitedthread

http://www.etsy.com/shop/amberalexander

(my own)

Technorati Tags: birds,bees,spring,artists,art,painting,mixed media,etsy,craft,handmade,beautiful

You Oughta Know: SpareGus

2010-02-19T10:12:00.002-05:00

SpareGus creates intimate and earthy portraits. Her strong lines and bold use of colors create a distinctive illustration-type style. She creates more than just paintings, and techniques and creativity translates to all of her other creations as well.

Read the Q & A below to find out more about SpareGus.

How long have you been creating art?
I've been creating things since I can remember...I always had the crayons out or some other project. What I would consider my first "real" art didn't happen until probably late high school, beginning of college; it's all subjective, though.

What inspires you the most to create? How do you find inspiration?
I'm often surprised by the things that inspire me. It can be anything, really, and when I see or experience it, I get that feeling that I need to express whatever it is that caused an emotion in me.

What is the biggest challenge you face with your art?
Time. Full time jobs and now a 2 month old really restrict the hours left in the day for creating. I try to always keep a sketchbook handy so that I can jot sketches when I get the odd minute, and hopefully come back to them later.

How would you describe your color palette?
Currently, earthy. I used to be really into bright, saturated colors. My palette definitely evolves depending on where I am in my life.

What is your favorite medium? Least favorite?
I've always had a fascination with paint, and I adore using oils, though more and more I'm using acrylics and watercolors for the safety reasons. Printmaking is right up there, too. I don't think I have a least favorite, which I suppose is another challenge for me, constantly switching gears like that.

How do you work best? Do you have access to a studio?
My ideal work environment is a shared studio, music playing, with a cup of coffee (or a small gin). Currently, finances prevent me from that ideal, so I work in my kitchen. My husband is also an artist, so I do get a little of the social aspect of a studio.

What is your favorite subject matter? Least favorite?
I like to do figurative work, people or animals, even if that is just a part of the whole picture. I don't usually do still life unless it is something that seems like it could be living. I pretty much never do landscapes.

How do you decide what to focus a piece on?
At the risk of sounding flaky, I feel like the pieces decide on the focus for me. I don't do a lot of analyzing before working on a piece. It does result in a good number of failures, but when it works, it really works, and I'm willing to fail from time to time in order to get that feeling that a piece just sort of happened.

Would you say that your pieces tell a story/have a narrative? If yes, please explain.
I think all my work has a story to tell...I don't always know what it will be when I'm starting out, but it's always there by the time I finish. Part of what drives me to create is to convey some type of emotional story or journey. I try to stay away from telling the viewer what to see or get out of a piece, though, I prefer to let a person interpret a story of their own, I think their connection to an image is much stronger that way.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you for your interest! I wish that I could be more articulate or verbose, but I suppose that's why I make images instead of writing.

Be sure to visit her shop on Etsy to see more of her work. You can either click on any of the images, or on her name: SpareGus.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
spareGus.etsy.com

Technorati Tags: etsy,artists,art,mixed media,canvas,painting,crafts

You Oughta Know: jhartphotography

2010-02-17T01:03:00.002-05:00

Julia Hart of jhartphotography (a.k.a.melpomenesmusings) is yet another amazing artist selling on Etsy. The images she creates are dark and delve deep into your psyche—forming connections between your brain and her work. All of her pieces tell a story, not only for her (as the artist) but also for anyone observing her work. Her pieces are emotional triggers—allowing viewers to connect to them on a personal and thoughtful level.

Read the Q&A below to find our more about her, and see some more of her pieces.

How long have you been creating art?
I've really been creating art since I was a kid but it was in high school that I became more interested in photography. My mother is a very talented designer and she dabbled in photography. I used to get out her projector on the weekends and spend hours flipping through her slides.

What inspires you the most to create? How do you find inspiration?
My emotions probably inspire me to create more than anything else. It's rare that I go out looking for inspiration.... the inspiration comes to me. If I feel particularly sad I might happen upon something that relates to that in my mind and I photograph it.... or I will seek out something to try to describe my feeling. Of course, there are times I'm feeling completely uninspired and if I think I should create something I do have to dig for it... but again, it's mostly digging through my brain.

What is the biggest challenge you face with your art?
Hmm... I think the biggest challenge is getting out there with my work. I was a closeted artist for many, many, years. I'm very modest and tend to be more of a wallflower. Along with that is feeling emotionally exposed since my work at times can be very personal.

How would you describe your color palette?
I definitely go with darker colors a majority of the time. Deep reds, oranges, blues, greens, when I do something in color. I also do a lot of black and white.

What is your favorite medium? Least favorite?
At the moment my favorite medium is... well, my camera and good photo paper. I also use clay, acrylic paint, found objects, and charcoal pencils. I'm not sure I have a "least favorite".

How do you work best? Do you have access to a studio?
I work best alone, quiet, no distractions (but good music in the background). I have a room in my house that is mostly my "studio" but I also have an old family friend who owns a frame shop when I need access to big tools and more space.

What is your favorite subject matter? Least favorite?
I'm not sure I know how to answer that question. I don't think I've ever thought in terms of a favorite subject matter. But I do think my least favorite subject matter is food. My boyfriend is a chef and he will sometimes ask me to photograph something he's made. I want to EAT IT not take pictures of it!

How do you decide what to focus a piece on?
I think this is related to the inspiration question for me. I don't think I consciously decide what to focus on. It just happens.

Would you say that your pieces tell a story/have a narrative?
Yes. All of them tell a story to me. Some are a bit more obvious to the observer and some are only apparent to me. Sometimes people interpret an image in a completely different way than I expected which I find very interesting. On occasion I add words to my images. I've had a bit of writers block for a while now but I've got some new things on the way (they can be seen on my website www.melpomenesmusings.com).

Don’t forget to visit jhartphotography on Etsy, or at her personal website at melpomenesmusings. You can either click on her shop name, or on one of her lovely images.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
jhartphotography.etsy.com

Technorati Tags: artists,art,photography,etsy

You Oughta Know: rosiemusic

2010-02-15T00:23:00.007-05:00

rosiemusic has a cute indie-style that is truly one-of-a-kind! The fresh color palette and quirky subject matter work together to create a sweet and sensible feeling to her pieces—its like a cupcake with sprinkles too! Check out the Q&A below as well as images of some of her amazing pieces.

How long have you been creating art?

I guess I considered myself an artist since I made my first comic boot at the age of 6 :P

What inspires you the most to create? How do you find inspiration?

Music, love, loneliness, colors!

What is the biggest challenge you face with your art?

that's a great question, I dunno, I guess It would be to take my painting to a more sophisticated place without losing the subtle, simple details of life I love to portrait.

How would you describe your color palette?

Like a bittersweet dessert.

What is your favorite medium? Least favorite?

Love acrylics, watercolors…my least fav would be oil painting.

How do you work best? Do you have access to a studio?

Yes, I'm so blessed to have my own studio but can work anywhere like in a coffee shop If I have my headphones on and there's good morning light.

What is your favorite subject matter? Least favorite?

Love! and least fav in opposition I guess would be hate.

How do you decide what to focus a piece on?

Depends on the mood

Would you say that your pieces tell a story/have a narrative?

I believe all art has a narrative, even the most abstract pieces, they do tell a story not in an obvious way. In my works I incorporate elements or details that help me tell that story, again, not in an obvious way. I love the spectator to follow the small clues like music references and such :)

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Well, I wish you had as much fun reading this as I had answering these questions, and viva handmade!

Be sure to check out rosiemusic by either clicking her name, or on any of the images above to visit her shop directly. Rosiemusic is one of many amazing artists on Etsy.

Technorati Tags: artists,art,painting,watercolor,indie,cute,funky,unusual,etsy

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
rosiemusic.etsy.com

You Oughta Know: TheHauntedHollowTree on Etsy

2010-02-11T10:32:00.002-05:00

TheHauntedHollowTree creates a world of monochromatic beauty with her pieces. Both the lack of color and the cohesive subject matter throughout her pieces draws the viewer into a state of mysterious half-shadows and ghostly, shimmering portraits. True to her name, her work is haunting, and yet holds a simple elegance.

Read below for her profile:

How long have you been creating art?
I have been into drawing since as long as I can remember. I remember drawing each and every character from this super thick Disney book I used to have when I was a kid. When I got serious about art, that was in 2002 and I have been self studying art ever since.

What inspires you the most to create? How do you find inspiration?
I have always had a huge love for figurative work. Tree's are also a recurring subject for me. It seems I have been bouncing back and forth between the two of those for many years now.

What is the biggest challenge you face with your art?
The biggest challenge I face, hands down, is time. I have a two children, ages 3 and 1 and I am still trying to find the best way to juggle my time between my kids and my work. I have never been good with schedules so I just end up running myself ragged each day trying to squeeze in the process of creating the art, self promotion and everything else that comes with it, between the obvious duties of being a mom.

How would you describe your color palette?
My pieces are mostly muted neutrals. I haven't put color into a piece in I don't know how long. All of my mixed media paintings are compromised of white casein paint, graphite pencil and japanese kitakata paper, which is cream in color. My woodburnings are mainly brown by virtue of the burn, and then I usually add in the white casein and graphite. So you can mainly expect to see most of my work created in white, brown and gray. I love to decorate my home in neutrals and when I collect art, I am always drawn to neutrals and simple monochromatic pieces.

What is your favorite medium? Least favorite?
I would say that my favorite medium is Pyrography. Though my Pyrography works take substantially longer to complete (and are much smaller then my paintings) the end result of the originals is really unique. My least favorite medium to work in is watercolor. I really admire watercolor artists and their works, but I am terrible with watercolors myself.

How do you work best? Do you have access to a studio?
Oh, well how I work best is however I can manage to get the work done at all! We moved into a big house 3 years ago that needed a lot of work. We are going through and completely redoing each space one at a time. The chaos of having one room completely destroyed at any given time definitely factors into the madness. I am happy to report though that by the end of this weekend I will have my very own, fully functioning studio, which just so happens to be our current project. I am really excited to have my own organized space to work in that is far away from little hands.

What is your favorite subject matter? Least favorite?
Favorite subject for my paintings are figuratives, and for my Pyrography works, tree's. Least favorite subject would be animals.

Would you say that your pieces tell a story/have a narrative?
I definitely think my Pyrography pieces tell a story. Like "Companions", "Homegrown" and "Safe Keeping" for example. Many of my figuratives do as well, but I am usually more guarded with that information, which is why some of my more recent works are left Untitled.

Make sure to check out TheHauntedHollowTree on Etsy. You can either click on TheHauntedHollowTree, or on one of the beautiful images in the profile to get to her shop directly.

Technorati Tags: art,artists,thehauntedhollowtree,etsy,painting,pyrography,figurative,monochromatic,beautiful,haunting

You Oughta Know: dylanmurphy

2010-01-21T15:24:00.004-05:00

dylanmurphy creates beautifuly haunting images. His work is the very definition of artistic photography and it explores both emotions and environments. His work takes you on a journey that invites exploration. To see more of his amazing work click on his name, or on the pictures below.

How long have you been creating art?
Well I used to draw when I was younger and took art classes in high school but was never that great. I started taking photos for fun in 2005 and then started to become "more serious" about it in 2008. I would say I have been creating real art for 2 years or so.

What inspires you the most to create? How do you find inspiration?
After a while I start to feel like a failure if I don't create, I just have an urge to create things, I can't really explain it. I find inspiration in lots of places...music, movies, words, other photographers, other artists, people, things..almost anything has the ability to possibly inspire me... the internet is definitely a minefield of inspiration.

What is the biggest challenge you face with your art?
Creating something that I am happy with is probably the biggest challenge. Other challenges for me are doing certain photo shoots in public and getting new people to model for me.

How would you describe your color palette?
I think it varies. I try to use color to create a mood or evoke a feeling.

How do you work best?
That's hard to answer...I'm not really sure to be completely honest.

Do you have access to a studio?
I have my own traveling light setup which is limited but I think I push it's limits quite well. I also have access to some studio bays and studio equipment at school (Southern Illinois University Carbondale).

What is your favorite subject matter? Least favorite?
Hmm my subjects vary and I tend to get bored easily so my work is kind of all over the place in some aspects. My favorite is probably myself and other people in various ways. My least favorite is probably documentary.

How do you decide what to focus a piece on?
It depends on the project. It's really hard for me to explain my process as it is for me to explain almost anything about myself.

Would you say that your pieces tell a story/have a narrative?
I think most of them do in one way or another. Some are more literal than others. I like to tell stories and pose questions in a lot of my work. Sometimes I know the stories and sometimes I don't. I like the viewer to draw their own conclusions.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I just started my etsy shop not too long ago so there is still A LOT of my work that has yet to be listed, especially my work with models other than myself. You can see much more of my work on my website at http://www.dylanmurphy.net/

Etsy Finds: Yellowfield7

2010-01-18T17:16:00.001-05:00

I have a little-known obsession with hats. Which, considering I can almost never find a hat that fits or looks good on me, is a bit odd. While fueling my obsession for both hand-made goodies and hats one day, I stumbled across this amazing shop: yellowfield7. Not only are her hats some of the most amazing and beautifully hand crafted creations that I have seen thus far on Etsy, they also hearken to an era in which hats saw their most popular years. Her vintage-inspired designs are feminine and bold, classic and modern. In a word, they are wonderful.

In addition to Yellowfield7’s strong designs, her shop as a whole has a definite continuity to it. The stunning photography is reminiscent of 1930’s portraiture photography. The lighting, coupled with the stunning designs (and equally stunning model) are exquisite. Both her shop and her pieces are gorgeous, and I invite you all to take a look.

Please click on a picture to see her listings, or go directly to her shop by clicking: yellowfield7. Thank you for looking!