25 March 2011

matouenpelouche : Creative Interview

Australia's calling this week meeting great and interesting artisans such as Sam Battersby aka Matou en Peluche who's principally herself, chief artist, illustrator and drawing machine!


Sam is also assisted by a partner who's a technical genius and all round good guy - Matou en Peluche means Plush Tomcat and under this banner produces original drawings, cards, posters, prints and badges.


Sam's been drawing and making things enthusiastically since whenever. Favourite thing is to spend the day drawing - preferably lovely looking girls - drinking cups of tea and listening to music. She thinks she's a bit of a closet hermit! 
Mermaid Art

Why do you do what you do?
I've always enjoyed making and creating! I've worked in many different mediums, oils, clay, decoupage e.t.c. but I always come back to drawing. I think I like the absolute control you get with a pencil in your hand! I also find the actually process both rewarding and very relaxing.
A walk in Provence
Do you work in silence or music blasting or ......?
When I'm initially nutting out an idea, silence. If I've got the basics down and am doing the final bits then a bit of music never goes astray!
Cute Girls
What's your routine before you create ?
My routine is I don't have one - it's all a bit in the lap of the gods!


Who's your favourite designer / artist / musician or song at the moment?
I'm very inspired by Mad Men actually at the moment. I'm watching season 4 episode by episode on I-tunes and it's just the best thing since sliced bread in my opinion!
Ursula
Chocolate or cheese?
Cheese most definitely! Preferably brie, camembert, jarlsberg or blue castello!


What is your PLAN B?..
I teach English as a second language to students from overseas.
Queen Nefertiti
What have you learned about being a creative?
I've learned that you must above all be patient and persevere.


Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions and I wish you lots of success and happiness in everything you do!


Sam's links    

Etsy Shop


Blog


Website

24 March 2011

Amazing Etsy Treasuries


2027 views! Thank you so much Brooke for including my work!

1600 views! Thanks to houseofoliver too

Thanks AnnalisJewelry for over 1873 views

And finally whitelilliedesign for creating 1309 views - all of these on the same day!

18 March 2011

Hattie Stewart : Creative Interview

London based Hattie describes herself as a bit of a doodler.  An illustrator who describes her work as a rainbow in grey skies and likes to use her work for escapism so she can disappear into her own little world. And I have to agree with her explanation - a talent to watch!!  A huge great big thank you to Hattie for taking the time to answer these questions and being part of my Creative Interview series.

Describe yourself in five words and how would your friends describe you?
me: Silly, Loud, Creative, Loyal, um fun?
Friends: Vivacious, Individual, Talented, Eccentric, Passionate
What do you love most about what you do and is there a down side?
The best thing is just being able to do what I love, and for other people to enjoy it also. Down side? Plagiarism.
In your portfolio what are most happy with?
Franklin. He's a human skull I have had for years and during that time he unfortunately lost some teeth and his cranium broke into 3 pieces. Fixing him up and giving him new life was probably the most satisfying thing I have done.
What's your ideal working day?
When I have a new project to sink my teeth into and some new music to act as the soundtrack.

What's your PLAN B?
There is no Plan B. Yet anyway!?
Where's your favourite place to work?
On the floor
How is work (and this year) for you at the moment?
Awesome really. I graduated last year and so far have been very fortunate with what I've done and am currently doing. I'm just happy people are liking my work and I hope it continues!
Any advice for ziggy?   Follow your instinct

Links:
blog: hattiestewart.blogspot.com
web: hattiestewart.com
twitter

11 March 2011

Paul Revie : paulofnavarone Interview

I'm on my home territory this week with fellow 'Weegie' Paul Revie, who's shop comes under the title of 'paulofnavarone'.  A great big thank you Paul for giving me the opportunity to interview you and allow me to show some examples of your work! Many thanks Paul! So here are the questions:-
Ah a fellow weegie - what's life in Glasgow like for a maker/designer like yourself
Glasgow is a great city for designer/makers because it has a good mix of cultures, building styles and people. Diversity is the perfect environment for thinking up ideas.
Just now it’s great to be coming out of winter. Every year I forget just how cold and dark and miserable the winter can be. This year I’m going to make the most of the summer and try and appreciate the long days more.

How would you describe yourself in five words and how would you like people to describe you
I’m probably ‘very, lazy, unambitious, content, daydreamer’  But I wish people saw me as ‘Dependable weird rich talented cagefighter’
Give me the names of 3 objects or things you dislike most and why
I don’t like hoovers. You know how a dog will immediately get up and leave the room? I feel the same way.I don’t like Watership Down. Creeps me out. I don’t like fireworks. They are basically little artillery and in Glasgow bonfire night really lasts 2 months. If they were silent I would go for it. Someone should invent a silent firework. This makes me sound like a grumpy old man but it took me a long time to think of 3 things I don’t like.
Tell me about something you've achieved?
I got to level 12 of the old Prince of Persia on the commodore Amiga. In those days there was no save game on my copy so you couldn’t turn the machine off or you’d go back to the very start. Had to keep the machine on for days. Seriously that’s quite an achievement - It was a hard game. It has lovely blocky pixelated graphics and looks and sounds really nice and retro 20yrs on.
What materials do you most enjoy working with and what gives you the most pleasure
I normally work with micro thin vinyl, it’s similar to a papercut style. I was a signwriter and engraver for 7 years and now I use those skills to make little things. There’s nothing nicer than when you get a delivery of vinyl or a new batch of glass to work on and you can experiment and just play around with your new stuff, try things out that you’ve been thinking about and see what works, confident in the knowledge that when it all goes wrong you’ve still got lots of stock left.
Where or what in the world would give you inspiration
mmm. Japan. Paris. French films. Internet. Really good libraries, children, Jack Lemmon, I should analyse when I’m inspired actually and record what I’ve been doing or what I’ve eaten, because I think I eat certain foods and it’s like brain food. Stuff just starts firing right - Don’t you find?

Are you usually late, early or right on time?
Usually early but sometimes I can be all three. It’s good to keep people guessing. A good cowboy never goes the same way twice.
Did you ever have a plan B
I read recently you shouldn’t have a plan B, it subconsciously promotes the failure of plan A. But yes. I wouldn’t mind working for the forestry - being outside on my own, in the drizzle, away from the computer.

Any advice for Ziggy
Ziggy, try and buy property while you’re young and don’t ever watch Watership Down.


Paul's links:

www.etsy.com/shop/paulofnavarone

twitter.com/paulofnavarone

http://paulofnavarone.tumblr.com/

4 March 2011

Jennifer Kinsley Interview

Creative Interviews takes me closer to home this week interviewing Jennifer Kinsley an award winning artist & sculptor. She is originally from El Salvidor, but now lives in Scotland. Jennifer has a score of prestigious awards under her creative belt as well as a wide range of exhibitions all over Scotland. I do believe that Jennifer has given us a sneak peek at her latest work!
A huge thank you for taking the time to answer these questions Jennifer and I wish you continuing success in all your ventures!
Describe yourself in five words and how would your friends describe you
Wise, Angel, cool, loving, happy.
What do you love most about what you do and is there a down side
I am connected to the force when I make and no there aren’t any.
In your portfolio what are you most happy with
My work is an insight of how I found the force, they are stepping stones, arrows.


What’s your ideal working day
Mondays, I am refreshed and ready after a lovely weekend being a mum.
Who influences you creatively
I make a point of not looking at other peoples work, because they have already found what I have been looking for. We are all unique. The question I have been asking my self for years is, whom am I? what can I create that is unique to this world?


What’s your PLAN B
There is no plan B this is it I am ready, I have been waiting for this moment my whole life. I came across this quote the other day (always haunted by the thought that I am not good enough) “I raised you up for this purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Romans 9/17.
Where’s your favourite place to work
My shed, it’s the sunniest part of the garden.


How is work (and this year) for you at the moment.
I am rocking!!!
Any advice for Ziggy
He is in the dark once he learns to seek the light he will start to feel better. Get the book call the Power of Now then practice not thinking like your life depends on it and you will find the force.

Oooh! and above is a sneak peek at one of Jennifer's latest pieces - thank you so much for sending this to me and I can't wait to see it finished especially as your work goes through such a series of difficult processes before you can say it's ready to exhibit!


Jennifer's links:-

Website

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