This photograph illustrates what I love to do as The Art Journalist. Here, Valerie of Val'Idees is wearing her "I bought it in Paris" outfit. I have gotten her to remove her glasses and pose with the elegant hotel as a back drop. I feel like I have really captured her essence here. I hope she uses this shot for her bioshot. Below is a snapshot of her very cool card, which she shared was from overnightprints.com.
Here is Valerie with Rochelle Rawson.
Crutch
who the artist is: My name
is Abi McCannon and I am a fashion and accessories designer. I live in Oakland,
California, originally from Iowa.
what's your story: I am working on producing my
own line, but I needed a way to earn some money to get it started. I had a
fashion show and I knew I really wanted to make a stand out piece. Without
funds, I had little fabric choice. Around my apartment there were tons of old
clothing and fabric scraps, so I knew I had to come up with a solution using
what little I had. The result is my Ruffle Drama Mama Dress in white. That
piece took so long to make that I knew I had to come up with something using
the same technique that didn't take hours upon hours to make, and the ruffle
drama collar was born!
where:
www.yourcrutch.com
(where I will be showing my new summer collection soon!)
www.crutch.etsy.com
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Crutch/99605668443?ref=nf
and facebook, of course.
why this
artist stands out: Abi’s designs are romantic, modern and wearable
for the drama mamas in all of us. Creative people are always looking for ways
to express themselves and I think simply wearing her designs is a great start.
Not all could pull these dramatic treasures off but I would certainly like to
try. The
artist adds: My passion for clothing came pretty late in life and my
admiration only after I didn't know how I could use my talent to make a living,
I just chose clothing. I went to school to learn basic sewing and construction
and quit when I had enough knowledge.
how to make a ruffle drama collar:
1)
First to make a base, I make a pattern of a
scarf.
2)
Then you will need around 2 yards of similar
colored fabrics.
3)
Rip the fabric into 3" strips (Doesn't need
to be perfect.)
4)
Then sew
the strips onto the base gathering as you go.
5)
I usually
line the whole thing with silk to cover up any stitch lines.
6)
Then sew a snap on and you are ready to go!
CindyG’s Quirk’s of Art
who the artist is: I'm Cindy Gillick from CindyG's
Quirks of Art, creator of original mixed media collaged canvas creations and
bracelets. I live in beautiful Vancouver, BC Canada (10 min walk to the beach)
with my hubby, my adorable 1 yr old daughter and my 5 yr old Labradoodle (also
known as my "other kid"). I have been creating since forever, but I
opened my etsy shop in 2006 and haven't looked back!
what's your
story: I LOVE to create...I NEED to create!! I grew up in a home
where the appreciation of the arts in it's many glorious forms (music, theatre,
sculpture, pottery, painting, & photography) was instilled in me at a very
young age, so it's only natural that I have continued that passion of the arts
to this very day! I was working in the cosmetic industry for the last 15 years,
and recently took a hiatus to start a family. With more free time and a new
house with a lot of bare walls, I was able to incorporate a few of my passions
(art, fashion, travel, photography) into one medium...collage art! As a makeup
artist, faces, moods, expressions and colours are what intrigues me, and is
often a focal point in a lot of my pieces. Vintage images, portions of old
documents and images from my vast collection of rare, foreign fashion
magazines, are also often combined in my work (hubby is now glad that I am able
to do something creative with the ever-growing piles of magazines and that I
have managed to fill up our once bare walls)! As a "girly girl",
adornments like Swarovksi crystals, metallic/opalescent paints and gold
leafing, are common elements in my works. As a result, I like to call my canvas
pieces "jewellery for your walls"!! They are sure to add a touch of
elegance and sparkle into your home! And my new collage art bangles...well, I
simply consider them "art for your wrists"!!
where:
www.cindyg.etsy.com
why this
artist stands out: {cassandra’s words:} The use
of her secret transfer technique is one to experiment with. Image transfer is
always tricky, but is done so romantically well here! The artist adds... The end
result is a creation which tells a story, a beautiful dichotomy of old and new.
I always leave my special mark with a bit of whimsy, style, and a touch of
sparkle.
tell us about your creative process: I
don't feel comfortable giving too much info away on my process, as that what
makes my work unique. After experimenting with so many techniques that are out
there and common, I finally found a transfer technique that works for me, a
technique I can't share unfortunately. But having said that, one should think
outside the box and experiment with many different tools and materials, as you
never know what the end result will be until you try it! As I mentioned in my
bio info, I often use images from fashion magazines, usually a face or a mood
it evokes will strike me and I will start from there. I will often use
foreign/vintage script as a background, laying the transferred image of a face
on top, allowing the script to show through...I typically work with metallic
acrylic paints, crayons, and gold leaf. Swarovksi crystals, vintage ephemera
and dried flowers are commonly used as a finishing touch. My works are all one
of a kind, finished by hand, no digital process is used.
Cultivar
who the artist is: Hello fellow craft lovers! Cultivar is
created by me, Katie Reim, in Philadelphia PA. My wonderful boyfriend, Steve,
and awesome dog, Hazmat, have managed to find space to live in our
art-craft-supply-explosion of a house. I went to University of Delaware for
Illustration and usually call myself a Freelance Illustrator, but Cultivar has
managed to take over most of my creative time since February.
what's your
story: Cultivar was pretty much a happy accident. I had brain
surgery in January 2009, and wasn't permitted to do much of anything during the
first 6 weeks of my recovery. Sitting on the couch got boring real quick, and
painting wasn't really an option. I began to cut up some formal dresses I had
hanging around from high school and experimented with turning them into hair
accessories for my short new hair-do. Pretty soon I had a living room full of
fabric blooms and decided I may as well try to sell them on Etsy. To my
surprise, I sold quite a few very quickly and things just evolved from there.
where:
www.cultivar.etsy.com
, illustration prints: www.katiejeannereim.etsy.com , my professional portfolio www.katiereim.com
why this
artist stands out: {cassandra’s words:} Katie has reclaimed romance with her fabulous
unexpected eco layered floral accessories.
The artist
adds... All of my blooms are made by recycling fabric, so there is
little waste involved. Turning out-of-style blouses, most likely never to be
worn again, into beautiful accessories is something I can take pride in. My
favorite part of the business is working one on one with people to create the
perfect custom piece so they can feel special on any occasion.
how to make
a simplified handmade recycled poppy flower:
1) Take a scrap piece of synthetic fabric and cut out three circles,
each a slightly different size.
2) Burn the edges carefully using a candle.
3) Sew the three layers together, adding some fun beads to the center.
Fishstiks
who the artist is: My name is Debi Harris Babcock and I live in
Las Vegas Nevada. I have been dabbling in artistic endeavours for most of my life and even did a
number of years airbrushing t-shirts in the mall. I never really got a
'direction' until I discovered ATC's which are Artist Trading Cards. I then
branched out into canvas work and my current love which is paper mache.
what's your
story:
The big eyed bird was born one day when I was doing a page for a
tip-in page for my swap partner in Spain. It was a simpler cruder version of my
birds I have now but I loved him all the same. She adored him and has asked for
me to do a newer version for her.
where:
http://fishstikks.etsy.com
http://fishstikks.blogspot.com/
Is where I keep track of my life’s musings.
why this
artist stands out:
{cassandra’s words:} Paper mache is a difficult medium to master. It
takes a love of detail and sculpture. The beauty of it is that it allows you to
create your own forms to embellish and lots of room for personal expression.
Debi’s houses show how one can make so many different designs for the same
form.
The artist
adds...: I've had people tell me that the most striking thing about
my birds are their eyes and also that my creations are rather quirky. I'm
pretty sure that was a kind way of saying that Ralphie the cat had that look on
his face that made people...nervous, but thought he was adorable all the same.
How to make
a simplified paper mache heart:
1) I always start with a basic form by crumpling up newspaper into
the shape that I like and taping it down with masking tape.
2) I then cover my form with my mixed Celluclay and if I'm
in a hurry to paint I usually pop them into the oven to speed my drying
process.
3) I then gesso my hearts and paint them. I usually add many
layers of different colors, scrubbing them on and wiping them off to give lots
of depth and character.
4) Then it's off to my vintage dictionary for a great word
to add. I use modge podge for this step.
5) After that is dry I them use my colored pencil to give my text some life and a little character too. Sit back and enjoy!
FunkyJunky Art
who the artist is: Kerri Anderson.
I’d say I’m a mixed media artist. I love to work with paper, buttons, jewellery,
anything vintage, and I look for funky cast off treasures to refashion and
recycle into pieces of art.
Growing up in Iowa influenced my drawing, being surrounded by nature and
wildlife, which I still enjoy drawing today. I love living in beautiful, sunny
California, but you can never take the mid-west girl out of me. A wonderful
Great Grandmother's collection of vintage buttons sparked a young girls’
imagination and has never left me.
what's your
story:
I studied drawing, painting, jewelery making, and I am formally
trained in graphic design.
With all of my art influences, I love to combine them all and be creative. So I
started making gifts for family and friends, who encouraged me to sell my
items. It has turned into an exciting adventure that keeps me busy!
where:
funkyjunkyart.etsy.com
www.funkyjunkyart.com
why this artist
stands out: {cassandra’s words:}It takes a an especially creative
mind to refashion, recycle and transform cast offs into these marvelous treasures.
The artist adds: I am always creating something, I enjoy making
each piece using all of my art influences.
how to make
a simplified heart:
I used card stock to make two hearts, attach two sides to make a
pocket, then cover in fun papers. Cover a small match box with similar papers
and glue in the middle of the heart. Add some glitter on the edge, and punch
holes at the top for ribbon to hang.
Tabi Designs
who the artist is: I’m Tabitha, a 22 year old
artist/designer/student from Sydney, Australia. I am an illustrator and I also
sew various textile products including bags, purses and tea cozies. I am also
studying graphic design and working casually at a fabric store in Bondi.
what's your
story: From a young age I have always wanted to do something
creative. My mum is an artist, she designs wrapping paper and cards. So my
brother and I grew up in a very creative environment as she worked at home and
we would do a lot of craft and painting.
I did art, design and textiles in High School. I really enjoyed textiles and
decided to go on to study Fashion and Textile design at the Whitehouse
Institute of Design in Sydney.
Not long after graduating I discovered etsy. I had some bags I made years ago
for a school project and thought I may as well try selling them on etsy and it
has grown from there. My range then expanded into clothing and art as well.
Although, the bags and purses are still my most popular items.
At the beginning of 2008, I decided to go back to college. I have been
interested in Graphic Design for a while and thought I would use the
opportunity of not being committed to full time work to learn it.
So my work has become a combination of the two things I
love, art/graphics and textiles.
I started my business in March 2007. After graduating fashion college, I worked
part time in the industry for a few months. It was only a temporary job and I
found it difficult to find full time work in the industry afterwards. I soon
discovered etsy and decided to have a go at selling my wares, as I had dreamed
of starting my own business, and it seemed an easy way to get started.
where:
You can find me on etsy at http://tabidesigns.etsy.com
I also have a website http://tabithaemma.com and a
blog http://tabithaemma.blogspot.com.
why this
artist stands out: {cassandra’s
words:}She shows us how to combine simple fabrics and graphics to create
a stylish look and into sweet ornamental art pieces that would be a great thank
you gift.The
artist adds...My work is unique, whimsical and playful. It evokes
childhood memories. It is also very feminine. It appeals to a wide rage of age
groups.
Matilou
who the artist is: Hello Anne Cresci, french freelance
illustrator, I live in Lyon, France. I have 2 kids.
what's your
story: I studied 4 years in a graphic design school in Lyon, then
spent 7 years working in Paris for many Editors, then moved back to Lyon and
opened a "shop/atelier" there where I work as a freelance still.
where:
www.matilou.etsy.com
.......www.dessin.fr
why this
artist stands out: {cassandra’s
words:}She reminds us of our inner child with her flowing illustrations.
Her use of a limited palette on a larger piece seen in her alphabet art above
is one challenge worth trying. The artist adds...It's hard for me to work in
"monochrome" but it usually make softer illustrations which I tend
to.
how to make
a simplified alphabet art project: Choose one color and work from
there. I usually work from the heart so it's hard to explain the process. I'm
always experimenting new ways so I don't really know ....
