Featured Etsian Artist~JudiPaintedit

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JudiPaintedit
"10% of ALL sales on and off Etsy go to various AIDS related charities. If you would like more information on this please e-mail me. This is a subject very near and dear to my heart. "

Hello all, well obviously name is Judi and I LOVE painting!! It all started when I was about 10 years old. Family members introduced me to painting ceramics. I did this and pretty much only this till I was about 25. When I got to my late 20’s I found Donna Dewberry and her One Stroke Painting… That is when I really took off and expanded my crafts. Next thing I knew I was painting anything and everything. Whether its pottery, glass, furniture or faux walls, that is my escape and passion. I do a lot of reading on color and decorating and always looking for something new to create and make beautiful.

For the last 10 years people have been telling me I should do this for a living. Although this is not my full time job, I do put a lot of time into it. I have always enjoyed creating unique hand painted gifts for friends and family members. I have a knack for colors and design that has been passed down from generations of family. Hopefully it will be passed onto my three children and two Grandchildren. At the ripe old age of 33 my Son welcomed two babies into this world...;o) Hailey Lynn and Christopher Noah.

This shop was born as another outlet for my creativity, and to fulfill the requests from friends. In December of 2008 I attended a party and met a girl who married a childhood friend of mine, she told me all about etsy. So here I am. Thank you antoinettes.etsy.com

Anything crafty, creative, colorful, whimsical and different I am drawn to.I get bored easily and change my crafts every few months, So check out my web page frequently and add me to your favorites to see what creative work I’m up to at the moment. Painting is my passion and I’m always doing something new.

Featured Etsian Artist~thelulubird

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thelulubird

BLOG

I am a full time grad student studying Art Therapy. I go to the Art Institute of Chicago, and while that takes up most of my time, I still try to be at least a part time maker of arty and crafty things.

I feel the most like myself when I'm making things.

More about me: I am a fan of hardwood floors and bowtie pasta, I could listen to Joni Mitchell all day long, and I'm infinitely amused by llamas.

I Joined Etsy in 2007, but didn't become a seller until about a year ago. My favorite things in the shop right now are the clothespin dolls and the "seated girl" woodcut print.

Also, I have recently started blogging . I blog about lots of different things, from art and craft to social issues and sustainability - just snipits of the world that are inspiring and thought provoking

Male Etsian Artist~ phillipesarts

I love love love this art! It's so imaginative and unique :) I'm really amazed by the trees, I like trees. My favorite has got to be Trail of Love.

"Here you will find unique Prints and Originals of Spooky Dark Paths, Fairytale like Lands, wicked witches, creepy cottages, mystical fairy like trolls, and lots of magical Trees. It’s a long way from home!"

Phillipe is a Featured Award Winning and Published Artist!

His art is available in poster prints, greeting cards, postcards, magnets, mouse pads, postage stamps, stickers, mugs, and shoes. All collectables can be found Here.

philippesarts

Visit his Myspace!

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  What or Who do you think is the most important influence in your work? 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 paired. 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.
  

• Does any of your art have a deeper meaning? Nope! I wish that I could say that my art is an expressions of my inner feelings or images of life experiences. But I can’t, I believe that my paintings are a refection of what I don’t have and want. I see most of my paintings as peace found in those dark areas that most are to scared to embrace. The feeling of content while being completely and totally along in a land that you know nothing about. The thought of feeling safe no matter what goes on around you. Like a child with that great sense of innocence. Not yet able to know or understand fear. Sort of like a fairytale.
  
  


• What is your favorite piece and why? “Behind Locked Doors” I love this piece for several reasons. One, it’s my very first door knob. Two, it feels like a beginning or an end to an amazing tale. What’s behind that locked door? What will happen if I open it, or let alone even try to! It’s cute, innocence, unsettling and tells a story. That’s pretty much what my art is all about.
  

• Where do you feel your art and yourself are going? As of right now, 4 different children’s books. I cant get too deep on the topic, however I will keep clients updated via myspace blog.
  
• What does your art say to you and how do you hope it is interpreted by others? I would hope that it brings out the inner child in all of us. To feel that childhood adventurous feeling again. Have you found any pros or cons to being a male artist? Cons? No! pros, well I get to count this interview as a pro, so yes there are pros! I think all artists and artisans are in the same boat. We are all trying our best to make it, while utilizing the gift that god gave us. There is truly no better life then knowing your talent, and getting to share it to all you know and love.

• Do you feel that you should be promoted on Etsy for being male? No thanks, I want people to buy my art because they love it! Because they can relate to it on some personal level. Not because I’m some sex symbol. “You better hide ladys! I have read those etsy forums, and I know exactly who’s saying what! LOL :-) xoxo
  
  

• What do you do to promote yourself? Blogs:-) and spread myself incredibly thin. I’m all over the place :-(
  


• Is there anything you would like to add?Yes, I work full time as an artist, and I would love to do so for the rest of my life.It takes people like yourself to help make dreams become a reality. Please support your local artists and artisans, with just a few extra dollars you can tell yourself, what I have is an original! One of a kind! Handmade treasure, that was made with love, energy, imagination, and time. Not only are you reviving a treasure that can not be replaced. You are also helping to support living artists, artists that utilize there strongest talent. Just to decorate your life!
  


• Thanks for your support!Philippe Fernandez Fairytale Artist

Male Etsian Artist~ mattsart

BLOG GIVEAWAY IS 3 POSTS DOWN

I'm in love with this art!! I want to buy just about ALL of his art to cover my walls in. It was very difficult for me to choose favorites here, I probably could have filled my entire blog with them... I had to fight it. I am in awe of the color usage, the lines, and details. Please check out his shop, you probably won't want to leave!

mattsart

• How and when did you discover your talent? I don't know if I'm talented, but I do love painting. I've worked at it for many years, and I feel that I've found my greatest joy and bliss in life. So as far as talent, I feel talented every time I make a sale, because I know someone loves my work enough to buy it. Otherwise, I just enjoy what I do. People are also very kind to me and compliment my work a lot, and that feels good too.
• What or Who do you think is the most important influence in your work?Many of my contemporary painting colleagues have influenced me regarding technique. I've never been one to really enjoy the old masters, but I do love a lot of what's being painted these days. I think of God and nature while I'm painting. I get my best results when I'm at peace. That's also what I'd like people to reflect on when they view my work. Landscapes and sunsets are big with me, and I want people to reflect on the intense beauty that is to be found everywhere on Earth once you get away from the day to day. My hope is to bring that beauty into their lives so maybe they can enjoy a little mini-vacation that never ends without ever having to leave home.
• Where do you do your work? At home in my studio.
• When do you feel the most creative and motivated? Weekends, absolutely. It's the only free time I have to really get 100% into what I'm doing. I don't do as well when I try to paint during the week.
• Where do you feel your art and yourself are going? My only goal is to be able to paint every day, and to be able to get my work into the hands of any and all who want it.
• What does your art say to you and how do you hope it is interpreted by others? My art reflects the beauty I feel toward God, nature and Earth. I also hope that is what others see in it, and that it simply takes them to a nice place in their mind and heart. I hope in some small way that my paintings make the world a better place. I think we all want to do that somehow.
• Have you found any pros or cons to being a male artist? Or does it even matter? Well, due to the mere presence of that question, one would gather that it is an issue. I've actually been asked that very same question quite a few times during interviews, and without any prompting on my part, so unfortunately yes, I'd say it does matter whether I want it to or not.I think it especially matters on Etsy, but not on any other venues. I'm lucky, because many people have bought from me there regardless, so although I do sense that I miss out on a ton of sales because I'm a male, I am blessed that so many people on Etsy are just wonderful people, and have the intellect to look well beyond sexism and simply buy work that they love because they love it. After all, I am not my art. I merely create it, and if you enjoy it, it just shouldn't matter at all what sex I am, should it?
• Do you feel that you should be promoted on Etsy for being male? No, I absolutely do not believe I should be promoted because I'm a male. I very strongly believe it shouldn't matter at all one way or the other, and it's unfortunate that men do feel the need to band together there at all. The reality seems to be that Etsy is very much geared toward the ladies, and I think THEY even feel pressured by all the feminism there. I love Etsy very much, but it is sort've a weird place in my book.
• Is there anything you would like to add?I hope you love my art!

Male Etsian Artist~ mindlesspursuits

BLOG GIVEAWAY IS 2 POSTS DOWN

I put my store in vacation mode today, yay! It was hard to do, but I definitely felt less stressed today. I've been working on my crochet and was able to leisurely do it, while playing with my girls. Here are two of Shay's new hats that I made! I'm so proud :) (I love huge flowers) I've made a few others but don't have photos yet. But I can't seem to figure out how to size booties correctly. :( They all come out too small or too big, its frustrating. Any advice??

mindlesspursuits

I just adore the painted cherry blossoms and aster flowers! It's beautiful art like this that can really brighten up a room. The mountain river painting is so peaceful, it really reminds me of the mountains around here in WY.

I love his answer below, please make sure to read the red-very admirable! :)

• How and when did you discover your talent?That depends upon how you define talent – some might say I’m still looking! But I’ve liked doing many different things, and since what’s mostly in my shop right now are paintings, I’ll focus on that. I hadn’t painted anything at all since junior high, and the last thing I painted then was a 2D color version of one of those line drawings from the back of a TV guide – you too can go to art school and all of that jazz. But I was a Bob Ross fan, and so as I grew older, I kept watching his shows and getting them on tape then DVD. In early 2008, I was on a medical leave from work and going stir-crazy so I finally decided to try painting again. I did a few various trial pieces, then after watching some more Bob, jumped in. I still have a long ways to go, though. Even by my own standards, my technique is basic.



• What or Who do you think is the most important influence in your work?Well, in painting it would have to be Bob Ross, no doubt! That said, it’s really my mother and father. My mother loves flowers and flower painting, and my father has sketched landscapes all of my life. He’s actually the one who got me started watching Bob in the first place.



• Does any of your art have a deeper meaning?None that anyone sees in my shop today carries any deeper meaning than to provide the visual uplift that pretty flowers or landscapes do. I’ve been told that means it’s not art. Whatever. I still enjoy doing it. That said, I’m a writer first and foremost, and I’m trying to make the transition from using words to provide meaning into explorations of how to do that visually. I don’t feel my technique is mature enough yet to want to display or show any of the pieces I’ve been working on yet, but eventually I’ll be happy with the results. Then my response will be much more interesting!



• What is your favorite piece and why?Well, for what I have displayed in my shop today, it’s definitely the hand-painted cherry blossom pillow covers. They make me smile to look at them. My favorite piece to date hasn’t been photographed to show – it’s one of my attempts to put a thought-provoking concept to canvas. It’s my favorite because it’s driving me to better my technique and refine my way of thinking in order to visually express it.



• Where do you do your work?My living room. I have a fairly small apartment that I share with my daughters and ALL of my various crafts and computers (I’m a Geek) and so I have to set up and tear down in the living room when I want to paint. I also only like to paint in natural light, and the living room is the only space that gets enough to paint in.



• When do you feel the most creative and motivated?Just before bed, which is problematic as I need to sleep! I keep a ‘project journal’ with me though, and I write down ideas in as much detail as I can before falling asleep so that I can work on them later. I also tend to get more motivation when I’m listening to club music. If you need somber music to create thought-filled paintings, I’ll never complete one!



• Have you found any pros or cons to being a male artist? Or does it even matter?Frankly, I haven’t found any pros or cons to being a male artist. Other than I seem to garner more discussion with other sellers at craft shows.



• Do you feel that you should be promoted on Etsy for being male? I don’t think Etsy should promote anything other than on the basis of the work itself. While that may leave me out of the running for the front page, Etsy is a venue not unlike going to your local mall. The mall itself doesn’t promote sellers within. The sellers need to promote themselves. As such, I would just expect Etsy to list my work in the way that I pay for, and to keep their ideas on themes and promotions out of it. That’s my job to do for my shop.



• What do you do to promote yourself?I don’t promote my shop, for a few personal reasons. I do promote my writing, so if I ever publish any writing on Etsy, I’ll have to figure out how to address this question.



• Is there anything you would like to add?I’m very much about making the world a better place and putting self-interest aside as much as you can in a healthy fashion, so I encourage everyone to find ways to get involved in doing so.