Who Is Art: le animale

It’s hard not to fall in love with the hand sculpted and illustrated animals that populate le animale! Artist, sculptor and photographer Laura has created a delightful world of miniaturized creatures full of spirit and personality to fulfill her own wish for a personal zoo. Read on for more about Laura and le animale.

Your wee animals are so full of spirit and personality. How do you inject so much life into your little creations?

I think it’s a result of how I see animals, coupled with my detail-oriented work style. Animals are cute, they’re comforting, they’re funny, clever, and full of personality. They each have their own energy and fun traits. I try to translate those characteristics in the details of each animal I make.

One of my favorites is your little anteater. Do you ever have a hard time to giving up any of these sweet sculptures?

Well, I have a collection of miniature animals that I’ve collected from other artists and from my travels, so sometimes I do get attached to an animal I’m creating and want to keep him and introduce him to the rest of my mini zoo. But I remind myself that part of the reason I started le animalé in the first place was to share the joy of these little guys, and that helps me part with them.

As a sculptor and an illustrator, how does your creative process differ for each art form?

My creative process in either medium starts solely with deciding on which animals I want to make. Some translate nicely to 3D and some translate better to paper, so I make my decision based on that. My 2D work develops very organically; there are fewer predefined steps involved. I sit down with paper and draw/paint. With the clay, there are more steps that must be followed: after sculpting the clay must cure in the oven, then it is prepped for finishing, painted and varnished

You are also a photographer and I had a chance to browse your work in your photography shop, LauraJohnston, where you seem to focus on people, as opposed to animals. Do you feel that the various forms of art you work in allow you to focus on and express different aspects of what you find interesting and beautiful?

That’s exactly what working in those various mediums does. I’ve been a professional portrait photographer for the past 5 years and I really enjoy working with people. I’ve always had a great interest in people and I see great beauty in them. But I’ve always really loved animals too, and before le animalé I was missing a good outlet to express that. Le animalé allows me to bring my love of animals and my humor to life… and share it with others!

Would you like to share a story of a great success or, if you are willing, a time when you were able to turn what seemed like a failure into a success? 

So I opened my first Etsy shop in October 2010. I really dove into it: I joined teams, I talked to other Etsians, I read about having a small business online, I used social networking. I worked very hard on my shop, my exposure was good and people seemed to like my work. People always said, “Just wait, the sales will come.” Long story short… they didn’t. One day while my sister was up visiting and we were making things in clay I decided to open another Etsy shop: le animalé. It was more or less an instant hit (thanks in part to my hard work networking with my first shop). Moral of the story, Etsy is a wonderful venue and you just have to find what works best for you there. 

Anything else you would like to share about yourself, your work or your life?

J’ai étudié le français (un peu) and ‘le animalé’ is not intended to be French. Or any other language… it’s just fun! 

Continue to follow the lovely Laura and her le animales at the links below...
Shop: leanimale.etsy.com
Facebook: facebook.com/laurajohnstonphotographer
Blog: laura-johnston.tumblr.com

Twitter: twitter.com/ljohnstonphoto

For the complete Who Is Art series, click here or if your work has a story to tell, feel free to get in touch with us here.




Much (Petal) Love,


Brianne
PetalPetal and VintageChild:Modern
www.PetalPetal.com
www.VintageChildModern.com

Who Is Art: Ruby Red Design Studio

The creative force behind Ruby Red Design Studio, Linda Misiura, has pulled together a collection of historical images and ephemera to craft an inspired line of handmade note cards and calendars.  Vintage pictures from pre-1920’s books combine with modern font and style in a truly delightful way. Read on to learn more about Linda and Ruby Red Design Studio.

What inspired you to create a line of stationery, including note cards and calendars?

I love all things paper! Paper in notebook form, paper in wrapping form, paper in doily form... It's a bit of a difficult obsession to balance with my other obsession: being green. But because I see correspondence (actual handwritten notes!) as integral to any relationship, be it between friends or lovers or family, I wanted to create notecards that people could send any time, just because, even just to say hello. Finding mail in your postbox is just so much more exciting than opening an email. I wanted to encourage everyone to start sending the important people in their lives little hellos. The calendars I made as a gift one year and then they turned up in my shop! They make such excellent gifts for teachers and friends... And anyone! I've also customized them with logos so that small companies can hand them out as beautiful promotions.

Note and letter writing has seemingly all but died out, although I believe it may be ready to make a comeback. Do you hope to inspire others to continue this “lost art?”

Ha! Yes. I guess that I should have read your second question first! For me, it isn't really about bringing a lost art back to life, though I do believe that letter writing can be classified as such. I think its really, really integral that we keep the concrete. While Google has made it possible to keep every email you are sent, how many people go back and read them? Letters, notes, something you can hold in your hand... You're much more likely to pick that up and smile. I want my notecards to survive as mini pieces of art and as tangible testimonials to relationships. Other than paper and being green, i'm also a big fan of all things tangible, including wind and gossamer and prickly cucumbers from the garden...

All of your maritime images, from ships to knots to deep sea divers, were what initially really made me fall in love with your collection. Are you especially attracted to the sea and the idea of travel over the oceans?

Wholly and completely. Traveling lends itself to stories, and I believe that stories make the world go round. I've been fortunate enough to have traveled to the UK several times now and perhaps maybe the next time it would be lovely to make the trans-Atlantic crossing via ship! (Here I have to interject a new question for Linda: May I please come????)

There is a very scientific feel to many of the images you work with and almost a sense of discovery or investing the world, which you then turn into art. Do you view the natural sciences as art? 

Everywhere I look, I see something beautiful or at least something I find visually interesting, especially in nature. I'm definitely a cloud watcher, and I tend to carry things home with me after walking my dog Lucy, like interesting ferns or twigs. Some of the things you see when you're just looking are simply incredible. We all need to slow down a bit, I think, and marvel at our surroundings. 

I love that you walk a line between vintage and modern. What is it that makes you want to share these vintage images and bring them back to line in such a fresh, modern way?

First of all, I'm thrilled that you think the images are both vintage and modern! It's definitely my personal style and something I wanted to bring to my stationery line. It goes back to wanting to share little bits of discovery and also to my recycling habit: these pieces were created a long time ago, but they are still so fabulous! Why should they sit, forgotten and unloved? I want to share the intricacies and the history.

Do you have a success you would like to share with other handmade artists who may be struggling to continue with their work?

Oh, this is going to sound corny... but do what you want to do, what you really love. The first collection I did focused more on what I thought others wanted, and it didn't sell all that well. This one had more of me and my personal style in it and because of that, I think, it's finding a life of it's own. And! Don't be afraid to pursue many ideas at once... That may be a dangerous suggestion, but it's what's allowed me to support myself for the last two years.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself, your life or your work?

Until I got to this point, I never imagined doing this for a living. But now that I am here, I realize I was always going to be here. Like one of those corny posters on Pinterest that I love so much. If you have no idea what Pinterest is, google it! Truly, truly fabulous place to find beautiful things. (Wow, again I am taking over, but seriously - Pinterest is my FAVORITE right now!)

How can we continue to get in touch with you and your work?


Let's see: I'm starting a wedding & invitation studio, but the site is not live yet. You can visit my design site at www.rubyreddesignstudio.com and find me on facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Ruby-Red-Design-Studio/136992259657755. Anyone who likes me today will get a coupon for free shipping on their order!

For the complete Who Is Art series, click here or if your work has a story to tell, feel free to get in touch with us here.




Much (Petal) Love,


Brianne
PetalPetal and VintageChild:Modern
www.PetalPetal.com
www.VintageChildModern.com

Who Is Art: Bylina

With a background in the fashion industry and an emphasis on Slovak folk cultural heritage, Katarina of Bylina Studio has crafted a stunningly colorful line of home décor with a focus on vintage embroidery. I instantly fell in love with her embroidery hoop wall hangings and began plotting where I could squeeze another pillow into the house. Read more on Katarina and Bylina Studio below…

You mention you are originally from Slovakia, now living in Barcelona. Is Bylina a way to stay connected with your Slovak heritage? 

Yes, it is. It is a great way to keep in touch with my heritage. Slovakia is also where I get all my embroidery from.

http://etsy.me/jOlUhn

http://etsy.me/mC7k5n

Your work begins to give me a sense of the beauty of the Slovak folk culture. Are there any favorite traditions you have or pieces of the culture you would like to share? 

Slovakia is a country very rich in folk tradition. There is wood carving, glass painting, weaving and many more. But my favourite is obviously the embroidery, wonderfully rich in colour and diverse in techniques. I am by no means an expert but I have been collecting vintage embroidery for years now and with each piece I learn something new.

http://etsy.me/l66kJ9

I think there is something so beautiful about giving new life to items that seem to have a place in another world and finding a home for them in our lives today. Where did the inspiration for turning these vintage pieces into modern art come from? 

I think the inspiration came from necessity. I have collected so many wonderful vintage needle-crafted pieces over the years and I wanted to incorporate them into my own interior …and that is where the idea came from. The largest part of my collection are embroidered tablecloths which I find are not very practical for every day use. So I started to repurpose them into objects that could easily be incorporated into a modern day home. I have started with pillow covers, wall art and there is much more to come.

http://etsy.me/k6QfuS

http://etsy.me/lx1QfF

You mention a background in the fashion industry. Can you elaborate on your experience and how your previous work helped form or influence Bylina? 

I have worked in buying and quality assurance but I always craved the creative side. So in terms of experience it is definitely helpful to understand the technical side of textiles.

http://etsy.me/m9Ry6U

Many of your pieces are one of a kind and all of them are hand crafted. Do you ever feel a reluctance to give them up or is Bylina an opportunity to share the Slovak folk cultural heritage with the world? 

Well all of my pieces are one of a kind because they are made from vintage textiles. But I think the hard part is selecting the piece for upcycling. Once that is decided it is easy.

http://etsy.me/ipL7Y9

http://etsy.me/mm1bYj

Continue to keep up with Katarina and Bylina Studios at the links below...

www.facebook.com/BylinaStudio
www.flickr.com/photos/bylinaphotos/

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.com

Who Is Art: Sloe Gin Fizz

Nicole Ray of sloe gin fizz brings colorful whimsy and a hint of retro to the world of illustrations, prints and paper goods. Her subjects range from the simple to the scientific, but somehow always evoke in me a feeling of cheerful memories.

Read on about Nicole and sloe gin fizz below…

First, I have to know what the meaning behind your name is.

The name comes the song "Portland, Oregon" by Loretta Lynn and Jack White. It's one of my all-time favorites and how could you not love a line like this: "Well sloe gin fizz works mighty fast when you drink it by the pitcher and not by the glass…" I'd like to have a similar effect on people with my art work.

Going Home http://etsy.me/mNkucg

You have such a variety of subjects in your work. What is it that provides cohesion? What is the connection between rubber boots and the “Opening Doors” illustration, for instance.

I think a focus on line work is the common thread running through my work. I draw inspiration from so many different sources and in so many different ways, but it is always about capturing the essence of the design in a simple way through line quality. I never know where or when inspiration will strike -- it seems to come like a flood in those moments when I am open to it. The Wellington boot drawing, for example, was an act of desperation as my very favorite pair of boots was quickly disintegrating. I wanted to capture them before it was too late. On the other end of the spectrum, the "Opening Doors" illustration leapt out at me while exploring the work of others: I write a monthly feature I write called "Eye Candy" for the blog of a local craft space. (abluehouseblog.wordpress.com/) In the first month I present a variety of images related to a theme. The following month I return with a drawing inspired by those images. This is how "Opening Doors" happened. 

Opening Doors http://etsy.me/jJCkAK

My Favorite Yellow Boot http://etsy.me/l4TWJJ

I get the sense that many of your illustrations are like little memories. What in your life has inspired your art?

People and travel. I got the travel bug earlier on and my favorite part about it is the people you meet along the way. I've met so many people following exactly the path they want--or extremely unconventional life paths -- rather than what is expected. I find this endlessly inspiring and encouraging and it is what has helped me choose to make art and be an artist -- and to take a new direction when the whim dictates.

Dreaming http://etsy.me/jP5TRq

You seem to have a bright and bold color palette, which I love. Are you drawn to the bright and bold in all areas of your life?

Hmmm, I think that was probably more true of my younger self. I've had some truly wonderful adventures so far, but find my tastes are mellowing in an extremely pleasing way. I certainly enjoy the bright and bold but also find pleasure in the calm and constant. I've been known to dive in and throw caution to the wind just for the sake of doing and movement, but in recent years I think I revel in the everyday a bit more. 

Masked Birds Sticker Set http://etsy.me/gQyk06

Under the Sea http://etsy.me/iqIyyf

I mentioned the fact that your colors are bright and fun, but many of your subjects are simple, everyday objects that other artists might find uninspiring. Somehow you are able to take a French Press and a Stanley Thermos and draw me into your art. What about these objects attracts you and make you want to give them life?

So many everyday objects are so well-considered and well-designed without us ever thinking about it. I like to really look at them and as I draw I inevitablly see and discover new details I hadn't noticed. It helps me really see. 

French Press http://etsy.me/m9V5zW

Classic Stanley Thermos http://etsy.me/kmFhNx

It’s always interesting to hear about an artist’s background. How long have you been creating art? Where does your artistic nature come from?

I have been drawing since I was a little kid, but it's been about 2 1/2 years that I have been focusing on it as a business. My mother is convinced that my artistic nature is based purely in the fact that she didn't let me watch television as a child, but I also grew up in a town that really appreciated and supported art and music in the schools and greater community. 

On the Breeze http://etsy.me/lT3sTQ

More ways to connect with the fabulous Nicole and sloe gin fizz...

SHOP: sloeginfizz.etsy.com
BLOG: sloeginfizz.blogspot.com
TWITTER: twitter.com/sloe_gin_fizz
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/SloeGinFizz 




For the complete Who Is Art series, click here or let us know if your work has a story to tell!

Much (Petal) Love,

Brianne

PetalPetal designs and VintageChild:Modern

www.PetalPetal.com

www.VintageChildModern.etsy.com