Tile Tuesday : UK

Lovely UK makers and designers' work -

Top Left - Paulofnavarone

Middle Left - Flyingcheesetoastie

Bottom Left - Cutcopypaste

Top Right - Littlebirdesigns

Middle Right - LifeCovers

Bottom Right - ACrookedSixpence

Scottish Food!

Would you put up artwork in your kitchen - let me know. I think it might brighten it up and add interest ..

MimiLove Forever Interview

I'm always delighted that these talented artists, designers and makers have taken the time to answer some questions. And, this week is no exception as I'm pleased to introduce you to our English rose - Karen and I want to thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions and wish you lots of success and happiness in all your ventures and adventures!

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started?

I'm Karen Grenfell aka MimiLove Forever... at your service! I have been painting and messing about with art since I was knee high to a spacehopper. After a spell at uni, various jobs and the advent of internet Mimilove was born! I had always provided a portrait service but it was mainly word of mouth etc that I gained clients so the internet opened up a whole new world for me and I started selling on ebay with a range of paintings mainly large portraits and abstracts for both individual and commercial clients.

In 2004 and 5 a selection of my work appeared at the Birmingham Nec as part of the Memorabilia UK show, it was here that several paintings were signed by celebrities including David Carridine and Britt Ekland. The sporting heroes World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst MBE and boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper OBE also signed pieces and the Henry Cooper painting was eventually sold at Sotheby's later that year!

Since then I have been involved with providing illustrations and artworks for various companies including Blast Recording Studio's in Newcastle and Surrey based Brand New Films.

A collaboration with promoter Steve Wraith and former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock helped to raise funds for children's charity The Bubble Foundation UK. I have also worked with former Scorpions keyboard player and prog rock musician John Young and graffiti/street artists Id iom

Over the past 2 years I have moved away from the large scale "pop art" pieces and have combined my love of embroidery with painting to produce mixed media works including a range of Cockney Sparrows and Budgie Stufferies and a unique pet portrait service which can be found around the globe from Alaska to Australia!

What item could you absolutely not live without as far as your work goes?

Apart from endless supply of tea and cake? My paint brushes...I've had some of them since I was 14...(they've aged better than I have) and I have a few fave colours on the paint front that I'd be lost without, but on the whole I'm pretty casual and will use whatever comes to hand, although I'm constantly losing things like rubbers, pencil sharpeners, general bit's of kit, so some sort of locator beacon would be useful.

Are you an early bird or a night owl worker?

Well I'm always up at the crack of sparrows but really just tend to getting cracking when the moods strikes, but once I'm in my stride I'll be at it 'til kitty and Mr.Mimi start muttering about feeding, sleeping etc!

This might be difficult to answer but, right now, who, at this very moment, is the one particular person who inspires you?

Oh now that's a toughy! It's so hard to say one particular person. This will probably sound soooo corny but I'd have to say my folks, they died quite young but they're in my thoughts every day and a constant source of inspiration in my work from their advice, humour and drawing on their experiences and memories. But I've met some fantastically talented folks out there from all fields, painting, textiles/stitching, street art/graffiti and so on, who are not only an inspiration but great friends too!

What do you love most about what you do?

All of it! I love the painting, it's where I'm most comfortable and you can't whack sloshing a bit of paint about! The stitching is the bit where I can sit quietly and really go for it on the details, it's the most time consuming part of the process, although that is partly because it takes me so long to thread a needle :)
And I've said it before but I do love the commission pieces; I cannot explain how much I enjoy working on these, gathering as much info as I can and then incorporating it all to make it extra special for the recipient.

Henny Detail

If you didn't do what you do what else would you be?

Gawd knows! I've never really been a career gal; I've had loads of different jobs in the past from window dresser to art/craft tutor for adults with learning difficulties to graphic designer and even a shampooist in hair salon... (I've washed the hair of both Caprice and Justin Haywood..him out of the Moody Blues...bit of Mimilove trivia there! ;D ) So I guess i'd just go with whatever is thrown in my path but I'll always paint, it's just in the old ticker to do it

3 wise words to help new talent out there?

Tea! Cake! Nap! I know people think I'm probably just a big lazy lump who spends most of her time shoveling down copious amounts of darjeeling and Mr.Kipling's in between snoozes...and they'd be right...but! Point I'm grasping to make is don't fret or panic if sales are slow in coming or beat yourself up if you're not spending every waking hour strapped to sewing machine/canvas etc. Sit back, relax and enjoy/love what you're doing and if it's starting to become a chore and you're losing heart step away from the stressiness and have a drop or two of something yummy....mind you I'm 2 slices away from a muumuu so don't take too much notice of my advice!

Any advice for Ziggy??

So advice for Ziggy... hmm? Well maybe he should think about knocking the thumb sucking on the loaf cos he'll cream cracker his Hampstead Heath (let me know if you should need translation) x ; )


Links to Karen :-

Web - MimiLove

Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mimilove4ever/

Blog - http://mimiloveforever.blogspot.com/

Etsy Shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/mimilove

Tile Tuesday

Some inspirational illustrators with a focus on fashion.

Top Left - Cedric Rivain 

Middle Left – Mia Rosenthal

Bottom Left – Nikki Farquarson

Top Right – David Downton

Middle Right – Johnny Cheuk

Bottom Right - Laura Laine 

Etsy Treasury

Thank you Amber of redtilestudio for including my mixed media wall art 'from the outside'!  Much appreciated!

Mariska Wright Interview

I'm over in Two Rivers, Alaska this week asking questions to doll maker extraordinaire Mariska Wright how's kindly taken up the interview challenge. Thank you so much for this interesting insight into who you are and your work.

So, Mariska, what's it like where you live?

I live in Two Rivers Alaska, a small community about 30 mile outside of Fairbanks. I live in a land of extreme opposites. Summers are very short but hot with 24 hour daylights, our winters are very cold (-40 / -50 degrees) and a period of no daylight.We have an abundance of wildlife and wilderness. In the winter I spend many sleepless nights waiting for the northern lights to dance in the sky. Photography is one of my passions.

How would your friends describe you in 5 words?

big animal lover, funny, creative, a little crazy but compassionate

Favourite artist/designer or maker and favourite musician or band?

I couldn't realy tell you who my favorite is. If I had to mention some doll artists I would say Jack Johnson, Beth Robinson, Nefer Kane and Loopy Boopy. There are so many amazing artists out there and I really like all kinds of music from rock to classical. It all depends on what mood I am in and what I am working on

What's an ideal day like for you?

Waking up early, good cup of cofee, going outside feeding the cows and the horses, then taking the dogs for a nice walk, coming home to a nice woodfire in the stove and then spending the rest of the day in my studio creating.

Describe your working space?

It's pretty messy. I have never been a very organized person. But I know where everything is. (most of the time)

Any plans for 2011?

I hope I can keep working from home as an artist. We are hoping to finish building our house this year and maybe enjoy a few more luxeries. (indoor plumbing would be nice) You would be suprised how many people here in Alaska live without electricity or running water. I hope to attend the local farmers market again this summer, every Saturday and Sunday. I really enjoy meeting the people that buy my work.

How do you get inspired?

Most of my inspiration comes simply from watching the people around me. Alaska is full of interesting people.

What would you do if you weren't creating your wonderful people?

I have spend most of my life working in animal welfare. I have always worked in animal shelters and veterinary clinics. My artwork has always been an escape from the often depressing reality I had to deal with on a daily basis. I think I would still be doing something in that line of work. Or I would love to work in a garden center.

Where would you most like to visit and why?

I am not a warm weather person and tropical countries are not my cup of tea. There are so many places here in Alaska I would like to visit. I love to explore more of Canada. I would love to visit Nova Scotia, New Foundland and I would love to visit the Isle of Mull

In your life, what are you most proud of?

My dedication to animals

Are you a tea Jenny or a coffee drinker?

Growing up in Holland I used to drink a lot of tea. I do treat myself to a good cup of tea every now and then. But for the most part I am a coffee drinker.

How do you network your work and do you think the new social networking tools have helped you in any way?

I use Etsy and Facebook and it has been great. I think both are a very good way to get your work out there. I have also sent out mass emails with pictures of my work and that has been productive too. I am in the process of setting up a website.

Mariska's links - 

Facebook

Etsy  Under the name of dinjik

Tile Tuesday : McEtsy

Just been made joint captain of McEtsy - anyone who is involved in Etsy and has a connection with Scotland can join.  Here's just a few that I've found so far.

Top Left - Littlebirdesigns

Middle Left - Aileenclarkecrafts

Bottom Left - Ovgilliesdesigns 

Top Right - AeFondKis

Middle Right - Dragonflightdesigns

Bottom Right - Red2white