FEATURED ARTIST

Our features focus most often on craft - here we have a feature on art - a painter.




Here is our interview with the artist, Krishala.
Briefly describe what you make?

I am primarily a painter, and initially started by painting pop art works. Lately this has developed into a line of prints in my Etsy shop. Recently, i have picked up a camera and am enjoying photography. I have my 2 year old son all day with me so photography tends to be easier to do while looking after him. We go for wolks and I capture the landscapes. I will get back to painting in the fall, and will be creating larger pieces, still working with oils, and also experimenting with acrylics. I also have a clothing line, Jalousie, which is in my shop - this was created for the fun of designing a 'line' but my true passion is painting.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I used to only work with oils. Lately i have been experimenting with acrylics. one thing I don't like about acrylics is that you cannot manipulate your piece over and over again as you can with oils. I do intend to try watercolour in the near future, after seeing a wonderful local exhibition which inspired me which was entirely watercolour.

How long have you been creating craft?

Only sine 2008! Just after the birth of my son, Leon. I was at home all night and he just slept and slept. so I needed something creative to do! I enjoyed art classes in school, but really my passion for art started in the summer of 2008. When I was nineteen I was very into abstract photography. I lived in Santa Monica, California and the landscapes and greenery were amazing.

How did you get started?

My boyfriend who was a photographer kept pushing me and pushing me to try and do something creative. I think he wanted to live with a like minded artist! I tried one night with a small canvas panel on the kitchen table, and was very proud of what I created. Around the same time I discovered Etsy and as soon as i started gaining hearts on my first few items, I was hooked. (Literally, Etsy is addictive people!) I would paint at night at the kitchen until one night my boyfriend came home with a huge industrial easel.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

Acacias is where i used to live. It's a suburb of Geneva, Switzerland. I added gallery as I thought it would seem more professional. The region is named after the tree Acacias.

What would you most want people to know about your work?

That I am constant exploring and trying new things, and that I put my heart into my work! I don't have formal art training, but I have been thinking of finally taking some lessons to further develop my work. I would like people to think my work is edgy, some of it isn't and I go through phases of just painting 'pretty things' but then I always have the desire to be a bit more rough, and towards the style of pop or modernism. I like the idea and hope that some people are following what I do, and seeing me grow as an artist.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Something that I struggle with is that I don't have a distinct style. You don't yet see a piece of mine and instantly recognize it as mine. That is something i believe can really work for you, having a signature style. Also, take good photos of your work. My earliest works which have since sold, some of them I took slightly blurry photos of them. This means sadly that I can never sell them as prints. If you take crisp excellent photos of your work, your work can live on in pendants, prints, postcards, you name it!

Also have faith in what your producing. I am getter better at believing in my work. I used to be insecure as I hadn't gone to school for art, but now I realize what I am creating is unique and precious, even if it won't be to everyone's taste, someone out there will hopefully love it.

Lastly, as another artist on Etsy told me, don't forget to paint! Then paint some more! You can get so caught up in twitter, the forums etc that you forget to produce. Sure marketing is important but try to produce new work as often as you can.

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Krishala does very nice work. Come and see her shop!

FEATURED ARTIST

We have a glass artist to meet. You will enjoy getting to know






Here is our interview with the artist, Steena -

Briefly describe what you make?

I specialize in fused glass bowls, platters, and trays. Fused glass is considered “warm glass” work meaning it is fired in a kiln to usually no more than 1450 degrees. To fuse glass two or more pieces of glass are cut, shaped, ground and cleaned into the desired shape and pattern. Then these pieces are fused together in the kiln. The fused piece is now placed over a mold and put back into the kiln to be “slumped” into the mold shape.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I use Bullseye Glass exclusively for my work. Bullseye makes beautiful glass that is specially designed for fusing. It always turns out lovely. I have worked with many mediums in art throughout my life, but glass is by far my favorite. Its versatility and wide array of colors is wonderful to work with.

How did you get started?

My love of glass goes back many years. During a college trip to Europe, I became fascinated with the stained glass in the cathedrals. Upon returning home, I took my first class in glasswork and learned how to make stained glass windows. This served as a wonderful introduction to the world of glass art. From there I began to learn glass bead making and became intrigued by the amazing transformation that takes place in glass once heat is applied. These glass beads became parts of handmade jewelry that I gave to friends and occasionally sold at small craft fairs. A cross-country move and new neighbors served as my introduction to fused glass. My new neighbors commented on a glass bead necklace I had made which turned into a discussion about kiln formed glass. My neighbor’s mother taught fused glass. We talked about my fascination with glass she suggested I try one of her mother’s classes. I signed up for her class and was immediately captivated by kiln formed glass. Shortly after the class, I purchased my first small kiln and began perfecting the art of fused glass in my basement. After several years, I decided to relocate back to the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle area is renowned for its glass art and is a wonderful location to continue to pursue fused glass.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

I had a cat many years ago who would sit with me while I made stained glass windows. He was fascinated by the glass and the way the light reflected on it. Also, this cat was quite large. He would sit up next to me with his back legs straight out and his front paws to the sides. His large belly would spill over to the sides and this reminded me of the laughing Buddha pose. When I started my shop, I wanted to honor my now deceased kitty who hung out with me on my first glass projects.

What would you most want people to know about your work?

Most people do not allow themselves to do more than look at glass art, perceiving glass only to be something fragile that must be admired from afar. To me, glass should not be just a flat object experienced only with the eyes--glass is beautiful both seen and touched. For this reason, I endeavor to take fused glass from a two-dimensional object to a three-dimensional experience. To achieve this, I add glass dots, which are tack fused onto the glass base, adding both dimension and texture. My glass dots come from pattern bars that I have built, fired, cut into pieces on a tile saw, and re-fired into dots, creating tactile embellishments for my fused glass pieces

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Make the art you like, not what you think will sell. Your art will find its audience.

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Glass is an ancient art and Steena does it so well! Go now and take a look at Budha Kitty Glass Then come back and tell this artist how much you appreciate the work!

FEATURED ARTIST

The first shop to be featured on this site for the New Year is Squirrelonaledgetop


Come meet the artist -

Briefly describe what you make?
I make decorative pillows!

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I have a fabric obsession! I love to make my pillows with high quality designer fabrics and/or interesting vintage fabrics and trim. I love adding a touch of vintage to my sewing creations, even if it's only some old buttons. An item that has journeyed through time and passed through many hands is special. It is a great thing to be able to renew a vintage item, to be a part of it's history, and pass it along for more generations to enjoy.

How long have you been creating craft?

I started making pillows in 2008 so that I could beat the winter blues. I own a farm, which means working until I could fall down all spring and summer, and then lots of down time in the winter. I needed to have an outlet for my creativity and to occupy my time during the long cold winter!

How did you get started?

I love to sew and have always loved decorative pillows. A friend told me about Etsy, so I joined, and so the pillow mania started! Since I have tons of fabric stock piled, I went right to town sewing up my pillows! Now that I am making so many pillows, I have an excuse to hunt down and buy really cool fabrics for my "collection".

Where does the name of your shop come from?

The name of my farm is Ledgetop and not only do I love squirrels, but there seems to be a large population of them here. So it was natural for me to name my shop Squirrel On a Ledgetop!

What would you most want people to know about your work?

I create my pillows with attention to detail and I LOVE creating them. I have an eclectic kind of style that influences me to create a diverse collection of beautiful pillows! I am excited to find new (or old) fabric and come up with new designs to share in my shop!

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

A good piece of advice would be to never give up! If you put in the time and have the determination you will be rewarded! It may seem slow at first, but keep creating and adding to your shop and things will pick up. Reach out to the Etsy community if you have questions. The most important thing is to stay positive!

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What a nice way to start the new year. Go now and take a look at Squirrelonaledgetop and then come back and leave a comment to let this artist know that you really appreciate the work!