Results tagged “artist”


AM Make Stuff

You must see this artist's beautiful website.  She's so cool... she makes swings.

AMswing

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I've seen a lot of these "Top 10 Reasons" something or other sucks so I thought I'd take a crack at it myself... and at myself.  Let's face it, even if we love what we do, we have plenty of reasons to gripe about it too.  That's just life. 

When you're done reading, take a moment to think about it and let me know you're least favorite thing about what you do.

We're broke.
Let's just go ahead and start with the obvious.  Chances are, if someone asks you what you do and you say "artist," you're broke.  Or close to broke.  Unless you're very very lucky and have someone to support your habit.  And hey, kudos to you if you do.

Creative block.
This is definitely the worst. When I asked a few people what the worst part about being an artist was, this was always the first answer.  It really stops being fun when you just can't find the motivation or inspiration to create. These are those moments we all have and eventually start to question why we started doing this in the first place.  Luckily, it always passes.

Real jobs.
This goes hand in hand with being broke. Not all of us are lucky enough to have sugar mamas/daddies.  Like me, most of us have to hold down "real" jobs.  This means sometimes you'll feel that sudden and rare burst of creative energy right when you have to hop in the shower and get ready for work.  By the time you get home, the thrill is gone.

Explaining ourselves.
I honestly have yet to meet a single artist who actually enjoys writing artist statements or explaining their work without feeling like a jerk.  I'm sure they exist, but I'm certain they're in the minority.  To me there's nothing more obnoxious than having to write out who I am, what I do and why, let alone holding a conversation about it.  Can't I just create and be done with it?  My favorite quote on this subject is from Robert Frost: "You want me to say it worse?"

Business brain.
If you're an artist, your business is yourself.  I know when I'm in full on creative mode, having to prepare the business side of things is a total buzz kill.  Suddenly you have to do a 180 and think about finances, branding, customers, viewers, galleries, prints, fees... all when you'd rather be producing more work.

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Finding an artist like Elene Usdin reminds me that it's a great thing to be multifaceted and we don't always have to concentrate on that one avenue of our work.  Expanding and trying it all can produce some seriously fantastic work.  See for yourself:

Elene Usdin
Elene UsdinElene Usdin
Elene UsdinElene Usdin

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Pledge to this week's featured Kick Starter and help an artist keep a long term promise to his mother.

How can you resist this one?  Rick Pierce made a promise to his mom when he was 16 that he would take care of her 1972 Super Beetle as he grew up.  So far, he's managed to do so.  However, as you can imagine, over the years it's gone from old to older to just not workin' anymore.

I'm sure you've guessed by now what this Kick Starter is asking for, but I'll tell you anyway.  Rick wants to get the ol' clunker back up and running again and that takes a good chunk change. 

$2,000 is the goal and (as with every Kick Starter) you get a little something depending on how much you pledge.  You can get a couple fun little things for $10 and under, but the real prizes (besides knowing you helped out of course) start at $50+. 

Pierce is a graphic designer and he will design an advertisement for you at $50, design a logo for $100, album cover or letterhead package for $250 or an entire site for $500 (limited to 10 people).  So basically, you're not just helping a guy's dreams come true, you're getting an insane deal on some professional graphic design for your brand/site. 

Dude.

FYI, before you wonder if he's planning to sell the car or anything like that, check out the Kick Starter page for some FAQ. The short of it, he's gonna keep it for his family and pass it on to the next generation.

__________________________________
Follow Up on past featured Kick Starters:

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This week's Kick Starter is just too unique (and a little bizarre) to pass up.

After seeing a billboard with a famous artist collaborating with a famous clothing brand,  Cate White came up with this really incredible idea: buying ad space on a panhandler's sign. (See the video on the Kick Starter page to hear more about how the idea came to life).

She will pay these pandhandlers whatever they request, as long as she can afford it, to slap a sticker on their signs displaying her website.  It's a win/win situation with the homeless getting a little money in their pocket and Cate driving traffic to her website: CateWhite.com.

So the dough you pledge is going towards the website (designer fees), the stickers, the "advertising" budget and a little extra to give those who appear in her videos food/cigarettes, etc. 

White is asking for a modest $2000 to complete her project.  What do you get in return for your bucks?  $5 gets you behind the scenes videos of panhandlers discussing the project, blog entries and your name on the donor list.  $70 gets you the above, a URL on the donor list, a copy of her zine, a postcard of Cate's art and a surprise piece of her artwork. There's way more, so please go check it out.

With only 13 days left to go as I write this and 85% funded so far, she's only got a little ways to go. So pass up that dollar menu today and send it Cate's way.  It's a pretty damn amazing cause.    

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Missed Connection

Thanks to New York Magazine, I found this awesome artist, Sophie Blackall, that draws missed connections.  You know, those little ads where people search for other people they passed but didn't connect with.

Click the image above for the super large version. It reads:

"Sunday, April 26, 2009
- m4w - 24
You wore an awesome color changing dress to the BBQ on Skillman Ave in Williamsburg, but someone spilled wine on it.
You left too quickly...I'd like to see you again."

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I can not tell you how excited I am for this new video conversation project, Dialogue, on Design for Mankind.  Just the other day I was thinking there needs to be something like this for artists after watching a couple of "Momversations", which I like but don't relate to all that much since I am not...y'know...a mom. 

The first question discussed on Dialogue is how we balance our time and of course this applies not just to artists, but everyone.   Bloggers, you know how it is. One second you're buckling down to write your next post and the next thing you know, it's 2 hours later and all you've done is catch up on other people's blogs. 

I think it's safe to say that without a little help from our friends, artists have a tendency to dive in without a good schedule.  After all, when that burst of inspiration happens, you kinda have to respond...schedule be damned. 

What I love about this video is the sense of relief I get.  I'm not the only one struggling to balance my days, wishing for more hours and sometimes neglecting my loved ones because I have to concentrate on this or that.  And wouldn't you know it, I find myself relating the most to photographer Jen Gotch.  Go figure. 

Maybe artists of specific mediums think alike?  I guess that's a topic to explore some other day.

Anyhow, watch the video with Lisa Solomon, Jen Gotch, Kelly Lynn Jones and of course the hostess, Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind.



Design For Mankind - Dialogue Episode 1 from Design For Mankind on Vimeo.


So how about you?  Have any great tips for keeping balance in your life?

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Coney Island
"Coney Island"
Property of Larry Nicosia

It was obvious to me that I should feature a photographer for this week's Etsy Wednesday, you know...in celebration of my new toy, but once I start to look through other people's photography, I just can't stop.  Hence the late-in-the-day post.

When I finally came across Larry Nicosia's Etsy Shop, it was love at first sight.

The first shot that drew me to Larry's shop was "Sandstorm on the Beach", another minimal yet provocative piece like the one above.  However, it's very important when I feature an Etsy artist that the entire shop be something I want to promote, so I scanned through most of the photos. 

There isn't one single shot that I wouldn't mind having in my home.   Some more so than others of course, but they're all beautiful.


It's the same way I feel about any visual art. I want it to be beautiful and make a statement but even more importantly, I want to tell my own story.  So in the end, I usually find myself lingering on the more minimal pieces.  Like this amazing print you see above. 

You know by the title that it's Coney Island, one of the loudest, brightest places in Brooklyn, NY.  What's unique about this shot is the sense of calm I get at first glance and then a little excitement creeps in when I think about what was going on over there in the park. 

The only issue I have is that I want it as a giant print.  Y'know, one of those pieces that's 5 feet long and covers a wall.  This gorgeous 6.5x16.5" print will do just fine however, and it's only $29.  For that price you could easily purchase another one of his prints and pair them up. 

Oh, and as an extra added bonus, this weeks artist is from my current hometown of Brooklyn and he's very new to Etsy. So why don't you head over, check out his stuff and even drop him a line to let him know you like it, even if you can't buy your own print today.

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Lucy Lepidoptera
Property of Luulay Inc
One of the main reasons I wanted a press pass to the NYC Comic Con was to be able to feature some of the fantastic artist's who put their work on display there. Particularly anything unique...and of course, just a touch daft.

When I came across the Entophilezzz! table, I knew I'd found an instant winner. 

When co-creator Michelle was in college, she had a homework assignment that had her putting "two completely incongruous words together."  When she came up with "butterflies and high heeled boots," her brother Peter saw an opportunity, and thus Luulay Inc and their first line of t-shirts, The Entophilezzz!, were born.

When I asked if there were any other plans for the gorgeous little bugs, Michelle told me a web comic was in the works. I'm really looking forward to this.  You really have to head over to the site and see the ladies for yourself. They're brimming with personality and there's definitely a story to tell. 

Until then, you gotta go snag a t-shirt.  I saw them up close and in person and they're awesome.  The artwork is beautifully done and truly unique.  You'd be hard pressed to find anything else like them.

And if you happen to be at the NYC Comic Con, head over to booth #2830 and get one there.  They're also selling some adorable "funderwear" and some lip balm (bug balm) which I got to sample myself and it's delish!

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Nakata
"Nakata"
art by and property of Jeannie Lynn Paske

It's the last week of January's theme "Visual Art".  I'm so glad I was able to feature some of the amazing artists over on Etsy, especially right now when we're all a little broke and could use some affordable pick-me-ups to make our days a little brighter.

Par for the course, the works in the Obsolete World shop are not only unique and beautiful, but easy on the pockets (unless you're going for an original of course).  Jeannie Lynn offers up her art in many shapes and sizes like 8x10 prints, 5x7 prints, limited edition prints, originals and even notecards.  Prices range anywhere from $5 - $500 so you're bound to find something to suit both your financial and creative needs.

Enough about money already.  The piece above is only one of many that caught my eye.  I had the hardest time figuring out which one to feature and in the end I chose "Nakata" because I think it shows off  this artist's diversity.  She certainly has a very specific style and feel to her work, but the moods range from a little scary to sad to relaxed and so on with each piece.  To me, "Nakata" can be interpreted in a number of ways.

The original was done in watercolor, charcoal, pastel and ink and the 5x10 print is on archival professional quality premium luster paper with archival inks. That means high quality and a long life span for your purchase.  The artist also left a small white border for easy framing.  Oh, and they're all signed!

I insist you check out the rest of the shop. It's definitely another case of "something for everyone".

As a new edition to Etsy Wednesday, I'd like to encourage you to let the artists know how much you like their stuff, even if you can't buy it today.

as usual, if you have an Etsy find that you think should be feature or are an Etsy shop owner that wants to submit their shop for an "Etsy Wednesady", please email me at oda[@]daftcrafts[dot]com

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It really doesn't get much more "arts and dafts" than this.  Watch as Daito Manabe (artist, programmer and designer) makes his face dance with little electric shocks in just the right places.

There's a good chance that watching this will make your eyes water a little, at least it did mine, but it's well worth getting through it.  In fact, it gets pretty comical...


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