Bluebirds and Blossoms

Autumn fades to Winter...

2009-11-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to curator Nansglam for including us in her latest Etsy treasury "Autumn Fades to Winter." One of my new hand knit scarflettes or neck warmers as some would call them is included in the collection, which you can see here. This treasury ends this Thursday Nov. 12th.

In the Studio with artist Philippe Fernandez

2009-11-09T11:21:00.000-08:00

This week we'll talk with artist Philippe Fernandez and visit another world through his paintings...

Please introduce yourself and give us a little background on your art…
My name is Philippe Fernandez, and I am a full time self-taught artist. I consider myself to be a Passionate, fairy tale artist. With a great love for landscapes, trees, and creators of the night. I love fantasy art with a Gothic, primitive, peaceful somewhat unsettling feel. I mostly work with acrylics, either on canvas or watercolor paper. I paint strictly for the art of fairy tales, and love it.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A lawyer, doctor, or working in business. I have always been more of a office professional type. However when it comes to my career, my talent has always over come everything else. So here I am a full time artist now, I would NEVER have guessed it in a million years. ( I discovered my talent as a visual artist by accident in late 2007)

By accident? So how did you discover your talent?
Winter of 2007 my family and I decided on having a “primitive holiday” themed Christmas. Which involved making all the cards and wrapping paper from scratch. I had the best time of my life! And found out in the creative process that I could actually paint. For the fun of it, I decideded to start listing a few of my paintings on eBay, and found that I coud actually make a living doing something I love and from the convenience of my own home. I’ve been painting and selling online ever since.

What inspires you to create? Your artistic influences? And how do you stay motivated?
I think painting in it’s self is really my only true influence! I can be totally in the dumps and have zero inspiration. But as soon as I put paint to a canvas, and start mixing some random colors together, I begin to see shadows form and take shape. Just then I’ll become inspired to finish that shape that magically appeared. Before I know it, I’ll have a completed painting with no thought to it at all. Painting in it’s self amazes, excites, and inspires me every signal day.

Describe a typical day at your studio…
Painting, painting and more painting! If I am not painting I am taking photos and updating, managing all my websites. Not to mention advertising, packing, and shipping.

On the business side… how do you let the world know about your art?
I have a face book fan page which I update my fans on a daily basses. I also use twitter, myspace, etsy, and eBay, (only to name a few) If you Google my name you’ll get the idea. However I must admit that 100% of my clientele is internet based. I have yet to explore the real world.

How do you balance being an artist with the rest of life?
I have not yet found a balance. I think I tend to slow down and take time off when the weather is too hot or too cold. I don’t enjoy working in harsh conditions.

What else are you passionate about besides art? Any hobbies?
I love to collect silver and gold coins, rare plants, and garbage pail kids.

Where do you like to go to discover new art?
Online! I have yet to explore a real gallery or museum. I know it’s important for all artists to be involved in the art community. But I am still working on that balance that I so desperately need.

***

Thanks to Philippe for sharing his work and letting us take a peek inside his studio.

You can see more of Philippe's work at:
Etsy: Fairy Tale Art By Philippe Fernandez
Blog: www.fairytalebuzz.com

In the Studio with DZFANTASY - Fiber Fantasy Sculptures

2009-11-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Art is such a subjective experience. One of the things I've always found interesting, not only as an artist, but also as someone who enjoys and collects art, is getting to know the artist and their philosophies and experiences behind their art. So I thought I'd interview some fellow artists for a new series here on the blog… "In the Studio". It’s a way to share with the readers new artwork, meet the artists, and take a peek inside their studios and the ideas behind their work. Hope you enjoy it! :)

***

Our first interview is with Donna, a Fiber Artist, and her studio/shop is DZFANTASY

Please introduce yourself and give us a little background on your art…
I've been designing and creating my one-of-a-kind fantasy sculptures for about 12+ years. I'd have to say I always loved things magical, fantasy, and things unseen...even as a little girl (which is a long, long time ago!). When I first started creating my fabric creations, they were more along the lines of cloth dolls with just hand drawn faces...no needle-sculpting. They were much larger than my designs today. My largest doll back then was about 30" tall. I also designed all their clothes. As the years evolved, and I found I wanted to exhibit in better art shows, my styles changed until they are what you see today. Tiny fairies, mermaids, sea nymphs on magical fish, leaf fairies, fairy face pins and more. My larges sculpture today is 15" tall (wall style), and the smallest is 6" tall (3.5" if sitting). I have always designed all of my own patterns, create my own accents, and get to be a hair stylist as well.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
If I remember right, way back then I thought it would be fun to be an archaeologist..exploring ancient tombs, especially in Eygpt!

What inspires you to create? Your artistic influences? And how do you stay motivated?
I'm inspired by seeing things in nature, birds, flowers, trees, also colors and textures in fabrics or yarns. The real inspiration comes from within, and it is just something I "need to do". Creating is as important to me as breathing. It might sound crazy, but it is true! When you truly LOVE what you do, there isn't any need to stay motivated...it just happens! It is with me all the time.

What is your creative process from start to finish?
The first step is the "spark from within" giving me the idea of what I want to create. Sometimes I've had so many ideas whirling through my mind, I can't get to sleep. It may also be a piece of beautiful fabric that I see, or a wonderful yarn, a big leaf, or a beautiful flower. I then find the perfect fabric, yarn and accents for the piece, and then create the figure itself. It is when I'm doing the face on a figure that they start to come alive and it's almost as if they are telling me what they want to be. Each one has its own personality.

Describe a typical day at your studio…
I don't think any day is the same for me....other than my "workspaces" are usually a total mess!! I get so engrossed in creating, that things can get really messy, until I have my current figure finished. Then I clean up a bit and start on something else. I love being able to stop working on something and then pick up again later. I might have several figures started at one time, and work a little bit on one, and then switch to another. You will find me working at things at all times throughout the day or night.

On the business side… how do you let the world know about your art?
I've been doing art shows for the past 10 years, and that is my favorite mode for letting people know about my work. It is fun to talk with people on a one-on-one basis. It can give people a better idea of just how much work goes into each creation. There is nothing like being able to see the art in person versus photos on the internet. I also have my own web page, my DZFANTASY shop on Etsy, DZFANTASY blog , and my newly created Face Book Fan Page. I have monthly "giveaways" on my DZFANTASY blog, which makes people aware of my work, and have had sales through that venue.

How do you balance being an artist with the rest of life?
At this point in my life, I don't really have to worry about balancing it that much, because I'm retired and my time is my own!! While at times my husband gets a little jealous of time spent on my art, he is really pretty good about it. Even when we go on vacation, and I haul all my stuffing, bodies, paints, etc. along. I like to work in the car while traveling!!

What else are you passionate about besides art? Any hobbies?
I love photography, especially taking closeups of flowers and other things in nature. It makes one stop and realize how many truly unique a beautiful things there are in this world.

Where do you like to go to discover new art?
I love to go to art shows, and see things in person. Second, best would be seeing it on the web, as there is such a huge variety and it is an easy way to see things that you wouldn't get to see.

***
Thanks for sharing your work and allowing us to take a peek inside your studio.

You can see more of Donna's artwork at:
Etsy: DZFantasy shop
Blog: DZFantasy blog
Website: Young at Heart- http://dzfairies.com
Donna's Facebook Fan Page

Fashion show of the latest hand knit scarves for this season

2009-11-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Check out the new fashion show video of the latest hand knit scarves for this season. They are also available in my Etsy shop.

Its been busy around the studio these days, but I should have a new 2010 calender of my artwork available soon as well as some holiday themed cards.

Also, I'll be featuring interviews and artwork with select artists here on the blog in the coming days and weeks. So stay tuned! :)

Weekend Deals! BOGO Buy one get one at discount

2009-10-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

With this weekends BOGO deal you can get yourself that cozy handmade scarf you've had your eye on and get one for someone on your holiday shopping list too.

If you are looking to brighten up your bare walls, this deal also applies to all the artwork in our Etsy shop too.

This weekend, 10/30-11/1/09, we are offering a Buy One Get One at discount deal.

Buy one item in our shop and receive 50% off another item of equal or less value. Use code "weekend deals" in message to seller at checkout to receive this great deal.

Hand knit brown alpaca scarf for him or her

Blueberry dreams original design soft & warm hand knit scarf

Halloween fun with Extreme Pumpkins

2009-10-29T00:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a treat just in time for Halloween... some really imaginative carved pumpkins from Extreme Pumpkins.

More pumpkin pictures can be seen in the pumpkin carving photo gallery.

Color Feature of the Week: Stormy Grey

2009-10-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Charan over at Creative with Clay for featuring our "Shades of Gray" handknit scarf in his feature of the week. Check out his blog for a new featured color each week.

Weekend Deals! 20% off entire order in our shop

2009-10-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Get an early start on your holiday shopping...

This weekend, Oct. 23 - 25th, 2009, we're offering 20% off your entire order from our Etsy shop. Enter "weekend deals" in the notes to seller section at checkout to take advantage of money saving deal.

Berries hand knit scarf

Cider! A few of my favorites...

2009-10-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

The bold green and red colors in this treasury are fresh like sipping apple cider on crisp autumn day.

Be sure to check out the treasury titled, "Cider!" put together by curator Nansglam. Thanks for including our "Bowl of Green Apples" painting.

This lovely treasury ends Thurs. Oct. 22, 2009 at 2:55pm.

Weekend Deals! Halloween Discounts

2009-10-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for Halloween? Why not keep warm and cozy while trick or treating with one of our hand knit scarves.

This weekend, Oct. 16-18th 2009, we're offering 20% off your entire order on anything in our shop. Use code "weekend deals" in message to seller to take advantage of this deal.

Red and Black hand crocheted scarf

For the Diva, and for my first love, the opera Stage

2009-10-14T17:53:00.000-07:00

Oh how I long for a night at the theatre... this treasury For the Diva, and for my first love, the opera Stage from curator Mulryjewels captures all the glamour of the evening. Thanks for including my scarf "Night at the Opera". This treasury ends tonight at 6pm.

Pretty in Pink on treasury west...

2009-10-14T17:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks for curator tmariepenrose for including our rose colored mohair hand knit shawl in her Etsy treasury titled, "Pretty in Pink". You can see the treasury here, before it ends Fri. Oct. 16, 2009 at 2:30pm.

Art Event: Santa Fe Artist Studio Tours

2009-10-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

The aspens are golden, the days are crisp and clear and it's autumn in Santa Fe, NM. The perfect season for the famous fall Artist Studio Tours, held in historic, scenic villages surrounding Santa Fe.

Visit the Santa Fe Artist Studio Tour page for a list of participating artists and more information.

Weekend Deals! FREE Worldwide Shipping

2009-10-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is a perfect time to acquire that painting you've had your eye on... In conjunction with Etsy's "Weekend Deals" promotion, from October 9 through 11th, 2009 we are offering FREE Worldwide Shipping on any painting in our shop. (Thats up to a $120 saving for our European collectors!)

Simply use code "weekend deals" in the message to seller at checkout to take advantage of this savings.

"Checkered Bowl"
16 x 20" acrylic on canvas

New Art: Full Moon Over the Bay Landscape Painting

2009-10-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Here's one of my latest paintings, titled "Full Moon Over the Bay." Its 11 x 14", acrylic on canvas.

Its part of a series of seascape paintings I painted over this past summer. The ocean is one of my favorite places... where the land, the sea, and the sky meet. For people who live in the city, we're soo use to street lights lighting up the evening, that many don't realize how dark the ocean is at night. Its pitch black with the sound of the moving waves. While a full moon illuminates the scene, there is still the mystery of what one can't really see just beyond the light of the moon.

You can see the painting here in our Etsy shop.

Indie Craft Corner feature

2009-10-06T18:19:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Indie Craft Corner for featuring my landscape painting "Rising Sun" on the October 3rd post.

From the feature...
"Currently, "Rising Sun" is one of my favorite paintings that is available in my shop. It reminds me of the times when I go hiking in the local foothills… that brief time in the early morning where everything is still relatively quite and peaceful and the world has yet to wake up. And we can get in a nice hike before the heat of the day sets in."

Pears in a checkered bowl...

2009-10-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to curator EfiaFair for including our still life painting "Checkered Bowl" in her treasury. This treasury ends 10/6/09 @ 9:30am.

Art Event: Museums FREE-FOR-ALL in Los Angeles

2009-09-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

If you are located in Los Angeles, California... then mark your calendar for this weekend... its the museums free-for-all.

MUSEUMS FREE-FOR-ALL
24 Los Angeles and Orange County Museums
Free Admission Days October 3 and/or 4, 2009

In a joint effort to present the arts and culture to the diverse and myriad communities in Southern California, the Museum Marketing Roundtable announces the fifth annual "Museums Free-For-All" Saturday-Sunday, October 3 and 4, 2009. The following museums - presenting art, cultural heritage, natural history, and science - will open their doors wide and invite visitors free of charge.*

A list of participating museums is at: http://www.museumsla.org/news.asp

New Graphic Design Services...

2009-09-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

If you are just opening a new shop or starting a new blog or if you already have a shop or blog that could use a graphic make over... then stop by our new shop on Etsy featuring our graphic design services. Right now we are posting some premade shop sets (the banners and avatars), they're an affordable and inexpensive way to dress up your shop.

Many craftspeople ask about our images so we are also offering digital collage sheets for people to use in their own projects.

The shop is just a few days old, so we're still adding to it. Be sure to stop by and check it out.

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose... stop and smell the flowers

2009-09-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to curator jpstyle for including our contemporary floral painting "Pink Roses" in the Etsy treasury titled, "A Rose is a Rose is a Rose... stop and smell the flowers". The treasury ends Tuesday Sept. 22, 2009 at 11:58pm you can see it here.

Wrap yourself in...

2009-09-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

As the warmth of summer dissipates and the cool weather of fall starts to set in, thoughts turn to the joys of autumn and preparing for the coming winter...

A couple of our warm and cozy handknit scarves from our new fall and winter designs are currently being featured...

Over on foundhandmade.com they featured our brown and white striped scarf on their blog.

Curator AnnieKDesigns featured our multicolor autumn scarf in her treasury titled, "Wrap yourself in... these beautiful scarves and brooches!".

Thanks to both of them for including our work! Be sure to check out both of their sites for more handcrafted and handmade items.

Falling forward in a blaze of glory...

2009-09-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the curator over at Intentions for including our miniature landscape painting "Fall" in the treasury titled, "Falling forward in a blaze of glory." The treasury ends this Wedsnesday morning Sept. 16, 2009 at 7.32am. You can see it here.

New digital collage sheets for assemblage artists

2009-09-10T16:50:00.001-07:00

I've been getting quite a few requests from other artists about using parts of my artwork in their creations. So I'm introducing a new item specifically for those who enjoy scrapbooking and other artists... digital collage sheets.

You can see all the latest images available and read about the terms of use, and purchase these sheets over in our Etsy shop.

Reach for the moon...

2009-08-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

Thanks to curator stefny68 for including our miniature landscape painting "October Moon" in her Etsy treasury called "Reach for the moon." The treasury ends Monday morning at 8:11am. You can see the whole collection here.

Softer Side of Sage - A few favorites from the CCCOE Team

2009-08-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Softer Side of Sage - A few favorites from the CCCOE Team is the latest Treasury West curated by jessiemccann.

Our thanks for including our green and white hand knitted scarf in the treasury! The treasury ends Thurs. Aug. 27th @ 2:16am.