tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60307440988843925682024-03-13T09:28:39.534-07:00the moon from my atticMy Life as a Designer & ArtistAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-46345559331669343682016-10-28T17:15:00.002-07:002016-10-28T18:02:57.137-07:00In Memory...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-size: medium;"><b>Dear Friends and Followers of The Moon From My Attic...</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-size: medium;">I have the immensely sad duty to let this lovely community of artists and creative professionals know that on October 26, 2016, my best friend and wife Alex Colombo left her body behind. She has been fighting a prodigious war with a triple-negative breast cancer for the last three years. While initially mastering it, it metastasized this last spring in her lungs.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-size: medium;">Her particular cancer is basically untreatable under traditional therapies, so she bravely became a member of the most promising alternative treatment research study we could find. While initially effective, other complications eventually overcame her efforts. As her doctor said, he has never seen a more diligent, committed human, not only willing to comply with whatever new change was required in diet, treatment, or procedure, but often suggesting improvements herself that have become part of the evolving protocol; she was the perfect research participant.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-size: medium;">She approached her condition with the same conviction that she approached life; work hard, do the right thing, and try to help others. She kept the situation mostly to herself and to me, as she did not want to burden or stress out others.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-size: medium;">She passed without any pain, and I was able to hold her in my arms as her heart and breathing stopped. While I am saddened beyond words and miss her terribly, I am also heartened to have been her partner in life, love, and happiness for the last decade. She brought so much into my life and the lives of all those she touched, in her selfless devotion to simply make the world a better place, help others grow and develop, and bring beauty into the world.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-size: medium;">This blog itself was somewhat unplanned initially, but she quickly realized that it could allow her to bring her curiosity about others into the light, help her promote other artists, and build a community of sharing and appreciation for a discipline all too often undervalued. She has helped give voice and exposure to hundreds of artists in the process, and many of you have become her good friends.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-size: medium;">One of her last requests to me was to encourage those who knew and loved her to try not to be too sad, but to instead try to remember her smile, her good works, and the delicate joy and happiness she tried to bring into the world. She much prefers the idea of a celebration - and she plans on seeing many of you again in her next life, so trust me, you better do it!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-size: medium;">After a period of recovery, our daughter Ming Platt and I hope to honor Alex's dedication to promoting the creative process by continuing to give artists a chance to share their stories, their inspirations, and their insights into manifesting their creativity using this blog.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-size: medium;">Alex, my dear wife and love, thank you for all you have done for me and for the world.</span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-size: medium;">Your best friend and husband, P.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-84033868650154675462016-05-11T19:59:00.000-07:002016-05-12T08:40:43.064-07:00Blueprint and Surtex 2016 Promos - Part V<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">To all of you going to Blueprint and Surtex,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">have a wonderful show!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ The End ~</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-71513477739211046742016-05-10T19:35:00.001-07:002016-05-11T08:41:05.178-07:00Blueprint and Surtex 2016 Promos - Part IV<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">To all of you going to Blueprint and Surtex,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">have a wonderful show!!!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-46759483298101608042016-05-09T09:21:00.004-07:002016-05-09T09:34:19.802-07:00Blueprint and Surtex 2016 Promos - Part III<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">To all of you going to Blueprint and Surtex,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">have a wonderful show!!!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-24698568663124048542016-05-05T20:42:00.000-07:002016-05-06T09:18:03.318-07:00Blueprint and Surtex 2016 Promos - Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To all of you going to Blueprint and Surtex,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">have a wonderful show!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NwBxVHH0tvQ/VywPOtvVOSI/AAAAAAAALHE/QhYBhs6vrs4vSERN750IpmzuEvehWIeVgCLcB/s1600/AMY%2BSIA%2BSURTEX%2BBANNER%2BFLEUR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NwBxVHH0tvQ/VywPOtvVOSI/AAAAAAAALHE/QhYBhs6vrs4vSERN750IpmzuEvehWIeVgCLcB/s640/AMY%2BSIA%2BSURTEX%2BBANNER%2BFLEUR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-76098391334700814192016-05-05T20:25:00.001-07:002016-05-08T18:58:59.613-07:00Blueprint and Surtex 2016 Promos - Part I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To all of you going to Blueprint and Surtex,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">have a wonderful show!!!</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5ORPk5-O9M/Vylx8EPTh2I/AAAAAAAALF0/Sscd2xTpSzoNyQQDNk7-pjQ51UAnSm34QCLcB/s1600/TatyanaStarikova_PromoMoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5ORPk5-O9M/Vylx8EPTh2I/AAAAAAAALF0/Sscd2xTpSzoNyQQDNk7-pjQ51UAnSm34QCLcB/s400/TatyanaStarikova_PromoMoon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-63608272642358625282016-05-01T22:12:00.000-07:002016-05-02T10:02:02.490-07:00Field Trip, Bluprint and Surtex - The Best Design Shows in Town!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Every year I post many beautiful <a href="http://www.surtex.com/" target="_blank">surtex</a> promo pieces by new and established artists - for those new to the industry, the show is known as the premiere event for sourcing original art & design. I have reported on it for several years and you can find my articles on past surtex shows <a href="http://creativeconceptsdesignstudio.blogspot.com/search/label/surtex" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://blueprintshows.blogspot.com/">BLUEPRINT</a> is another popular surface design and print show that will take place on May 12 through May 16 in NYC. I will start posting their promo this week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">But there is a new show in town called <a href="http://www.fieldtripshow.com/">Field Trip</a>. It was created as a new pattern and illustration event and it will be hosted by a group of talented and established designers: <a href="http://ampersanddesignstudio.com/" target="_blank">Ampersand Design Studio</a>, <a href="http://jansdotter.com/" target="_blank">Lotta Jansdotter</a>, <a href="http://www.elizabetholwen.com/" target="_blank">Elizabeth Olwen</a>, <a href="http://emilyisabella.com/" target="_blank">Emily Isabella</a>, <a href="http://www.katezarembacompany.com/" target="_blank">Kate Zaremba</a>, <a href="http://www.kellyventura.com/" target="_blank">Kelly Ventura</a>, <a href="http://www.victoriajohnsondesign.com/" target="_blank">Victoria Johnson</a>, <a href="http://nottene.net/" target="_blank">Nottene</a>, and <a href="http://www.bikinisouslapluie.com/" target="_blank">Bikini Sous La Pluie</a>. The curated event will take place on Monday, May 16th - the same time as Surtex, NSS, and ICFF at a gorgeous loft apartment in Manhattan's Garment District. The event is invitation only and invites can be requested by clients via the Field Trip <a href="http://www.fieldtripshow.com/" target="_blank">website here</a>. Clients will be able to license or purchase artwork, establish collaborations and enjoy cocktails and nibbles in a lively, informal setting.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Their promo pieces below start the 2016 parade of artists!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhEqT6GpchU/VybHYWbRkoI/AAAAAAAALEU/8eal7-uDGv4hLTWF0cTVPsSbFjZQERsSQCLcB/s1600/FIELDTRIP_BlogPromo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhEqT6GpchU/VybHYWbRkoI/AAAAAAAALEU/8eal7-uDGv4hLTWF0cTVPsSbFjZQERsSQCLcB/s640/FIELDTRIP_BlogPromo.jpeg" width="466" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-86639022029488596462016-03-27T19:10:00.002-07:002016-03-27T19:10:33.438-07:00Live Life as if Everything is Rigged in Your Favor - Artist Kim Smith<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Sometime ago I started a new series of painted florals in watercolor on paper, just for the fun of it.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I had forgotten about them but seeing the lovely artwork of <a href="http://kimmyerssmith.com/">Kim Smith</a>, it reminded me how much I love art, painting and creativity!<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Let me introduce you to Kim. She is an artist, designer, business owner, mom and more. Kim says her life is crazy busy but somehow she is able to squeeze in time to follow her passion every single day (or at least close). That alone is very inspirational and a great example to follow for all creatives who don't have much time to pursue their dreams.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Artist Kim Smith</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Kim says, "With three kids and a business in Advertising & Design, I felt like I never had time to paint and follow my creative flow without feeling guilty about the 'more important' things that I should be doing with my time. So several years ago I made a commitment to get up around 5:00 am every day and paint. And I love it. It brings me peace and happiness. What a great way to start any day!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Moon from My Attic: What's exciting about your creative work? </span>I feel that, although my painting sessions are very short, and often sporadic, I am continually growing and learning. I make the most of every precious minute I get. I never sit in front of a blank canvas and wait for inspiration to hit. It's always there. I guess that's a positive of not having enough time to do what I love, it's forced me to be super efficient with the time that I do have. I don't have time to overthink things, which is a good thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">TMFMA: What's your favorite medium or tool/s you create with? </span>I love so many types of mediums, watercolor, acrylic, oils, hand lettering and more. I painted with oils when I was very young (6th grade), but never really enjoyed it. I worked mostly with watercolor years ago (before kids), and then had a dry spell when I really had absolutely no time for art. Then when I decided that it was now or never to get going again with my art, I really wanted to loosen up, so I tried oils again and now I absolutely love them! Oil paints are so delicious and buttery and oh, so much fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">TMFMA: Who or what has inspired you in your art?</span> I went to school for graphic design, which I've been doing ever since in my "real job." But I never had the opportunity to take an oil painting class back then. So I'm self-taught. I find inspiration everywhere. That's a wonderful benefit to the internet. I am often listen to podcasts while I'm painting (the savvy painter and the jealous curator) and have found an endless amount of inspiring artists to follow. I was especially inspired by the daily painting movement, with some of my favs being <a href="http://carolmarine.blogspot.com/">Carol Marine</a> and <a href="http://karinjurick.blogspot.com/">Karin Jurick</a>, who made me realize that I could fit painting into my life, even with very limited time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">TMFMA: Tell us a story about one of your paintings.</span> Last year a friend gave me a vase of zinnias for my birthday. I went outside on the side walk behind work and did a five minute photoshoot. I've painted and sold many, many paintings from that tiny inspiration that created happiness over and over again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">TMFMA: What's in store for your future? </span> I would love to have my work in a gallery someday, or perhaps in a group show, or it would be fun to try an outdoor show with a booth and the whole nine yards. I hope someday to paint full time. That's such a scary thing to say since I have a great business that I'm not ready to be finished with. So I am just working in that direction with the faith that everything will just work out as it's meant to—when it's meant to. Live life as if everything is rigged in your favor, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">You can find out more about Kim here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Website: <a href="http://kimmyerssmith.com/" target="_blank">http://kimmyerssmith.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Advertising & Design Website: <a href="http://tcgad.com/" target="_blank">http://tcgad.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Blog: <a href="http://kimsmithfineart.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://kimsmithfineart.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kimsmithfineart/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/kimsmithfineart/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kimmyerssmith/">kimmyerssmith</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/kmyerssmithart?lang=en">@kmyerssmithart</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Pinterest: <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kimmyerssmith/" target="_blank">https://www.pinterest.com/kimmyerssmith/</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-14185004336567855352016-02-21T21:55:00.000-08:002016-02-22T08:34:37.611-08:00A Curious Mind - Artist & Designer Natalie Woo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.nataliewoo.com/">Natalie Woo</a> and I met last year and discovered that we both share a common passion for design and illustration.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I invited her for an interview to share her lovely art. Some of it has been published by numerous inspiring websites like <i><a href="http://www.designsponge.com/">Design Sponge</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.theydrawandtravel.com/">I Travel and Draw</a></i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">The Moon from My Attic: Tell us about yourself and your art.</span> I've had a passion for illustration since I was a child and continue to approach life with a curious mind.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">My art strives to celebrate connections and diversity through all types of experiences and mediums - watercolor, ink, pencil and pastels.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The first icon I created was Sunni, a simple yellow sun, intended to bring some smiles. I remember being so excited, I shared this with all of my friends, specifically my friend Arthur who worked at a psychiatric hospital and shared this printed image with a patient. The woman was depressed, suicidal, and he shared this with her. It turns out she kept Sunni by her side and in times of darkness, he was there with her to make her smile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Arthur gave me an update in 2010: <i>'She is doing well; she is actually working with a group in Hawaii doing some type of marine work/study. Maybe the sunshine you brought into her life that day subconsciously encouraged her to head towards the sunny, happy, islands of Hawaii (who knows).'</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">At that point, I knew my art was meant for something more - as a way to heal but also connect with others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">TMFMA: What is exciting about your creative work?</span> When I keep a "child's mind" and stay curious, there are endless places to find inspiration - be it from random people I meet, to my travels, culture, fashion or food. The work I create is an amalgamation of the little and big things I find joy in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">TMFMA: What inspires you?</span> My Chinese heritage, my husband who has introduced me to the French culture, fashion, travels, nature and food! I'm also inspired by people who have a story, use creativity, curiosity and passion to create meaning in their lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">TMFMA: What are the most recent art projects that you have published?</span> I recently bought a home with my husband last year and he really wanted me to have a space I could call my own. We decided to build a small art studio in our garden where I could do my work. My in-laws visited from Paris and helped me set up the electrical, flooring and drywall. I created a sanctuary to really make it my own. I was recently published on <i><a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2015/09/before-after-an-art-studio-garden-retreat.html">Design Sponge</a></i> as part of their DIY stories. This was truly a dream come true and it meant so much since family contributed to the space.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">In 2015 I quit my job, took a sabbatical and proceeded to design my own wedding. It was such a fun experience since I had total creative flexibility to design one of the most memorable days of my life. It was a spring wedding in Half Moon Bay and I really enjoyed choosing the fresh color scheme and creating the overall decor. The wedding was featured in <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/california-weddings/half-moon-bay/2015/03/15/colorful-half-moon-bay-wedding/"><i>Style Me Pretty - California Edition</i></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">More recently, I contributed to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/They-Draw-Travel-Illustrated-American/dp/1519375530"><i>I Travel and Draw's</i></a> compendium of 100 illustrated maps of the nation along side talented illustrators from all over the world. This was the first compendium of it's kind and I was fortunate to be chosen from among 400 artists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">TMFMA: What art project are you currently working on?</span> I'm expecting a baby in a few months so I'm focused on designing the baby room which is really exciting. I'd like to make the space soothing and inviting so it'll be a challenge - since there's so much baby inspiration out there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">TMFMA: Share with us of your experience in the commercial art industry.</span> Much of my art has been a personal passion and I'm gradually branching out and would eventually like to be represented by an agent and do more lifestyle and fashion illustration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">TMFMA: Anything else you'd like to share? </span> My favorite quote: Curiosity is greater than knowledge - Albert Einstein</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">TMFMA: What are your future aspirations and goals?</span> My art is about celebration and I'd like to create a community where it's shared for its beauty around the world. I hope to travel, draw, eat and inspire others to do what they love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Find out more about Natalie's art here:</span><br />
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Art: <a href="http://www.nataliewoo.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.nataliewoo.com</a></span></div>
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FB: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nataliewoo" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>nataliewoo</a></span></div>
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Blog: <a href="http://www.goodstuffandthings.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.goodstuffandthings.com</a></span></div>
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Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/nataliewoo_artwork/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">@nataliewoo_artwork</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-45523847003588070252015-12-16T21:21:00.000-08:002015-12-17T07:20:34.756-08:00Art for Little and Big Moments - Artist Tatyana Starikova<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Tatyana Starikova and I briefly met at Surtex last May. My first impression was that she really liked to be there and that art licensing was a perfect world for her. This interview will tell you more about her and her lovely work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>The Moon from My Attic: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your art?</b></span> I was born in Ukraine where I grew up and received an education in Fine Arts. Now I live with my husband and daughter in New York's beautiful Hudson Valley, creating art for licensing and editorial illustration.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I work in a variety of styles — from whimsical art for children to sophisticated florals — bringing my passion for illustration and surface pattern design to products for everyday, holidays and special occasions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">TMFMA: What is exciting about your creative work?</span></b> Creating art for products is especially rewarding to me, not only because it is beyond exciting to see my designs in stores, but more importantly, it allows me to share the way I see the world, who I am as a person, and at the same time to be a part of their lives when people buy products with my art and bring them home.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">When I work on a new design, I imagine who might enjoy it – maybe it will be an image on somebody's favorite coffee mug, a pattern on a tablecloth at a family gathering, or a design on a nurse's scrub that could make a child smile. Thinking about it leads me to many new ideas and gives my art purpose. I believe that art for products is not just for decoration, it’s for celebrating the little and big moments in our lives, for making memories, expressing our taste, and making statements about who we are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">TMFMA: Briefly share with us about your experience in art licensing and any art show you exhibited in.</span></b> My first steps into art licensing began when I discovered Tara Reed's "ASK Calls" and started to learn more about the industry. In 2013 I took Surtex seminars and walked the show. In order to bring my art and business to the next level, I signed up for Lilla Roger's and Tara Reed's classes which equipped me with knowledge and confidence and brought me to the decision to show at SURTEX.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The upcoming Surtex 2016 will be my third time exhibiting at the show. It's a great place to meet manufactures and art directors face to face and start business relationships. I am happy to say that I have quite a few deals with paper, gift, fabric and tabletop companies since stepping out into the art licensing arena.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I would like to add that I had a great opportunity to meet energetic, wonderful agent Brenda Manley, at <a href="http://brendamanleydesigns.com/">My Favorite Designs</a>, who represents some of my work at shows like Printsource and Blueprint.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">TMFMA: What's your favorite art style, if any?</span></b> I enjoy so many art styles, I can't name them all; folk art, children's book illustration, mid century modern, painterly, graphic, bold or delicate, as long it is a great art. I appreciate beautiful lines, interesting or sometimes unusual use of color and strong design.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Recently I discovered iconography. I am taking classes from my 80 years old Russian (French born) amazing artist and teacher <a href="http://studio.poloukhine.com/">Olga Poloukhine</a>, who unlocks ancient egg tempera icon painting secrets of masters like Andrey Rublev. It is quite an experience to make everything from scratch; glue, gesso, paints! It inspired me to create my own Angel collection, that I am currently working on now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">TMFMA: What inspires you?</span></b> I find my inspiration in almost anything that excites me and I never know where it might come from. Sometimes a quiet walk in nature, travel to a new place or country, taking a class to learn something new, talking to an interesting person of any age, or an unusual color combination could spark a new idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">TMFMA: Any useful tips that you'd like to share about art and licensing?</span></b> While staying connected with other artists through social media is very important for support, I would suggest to go deeper and find an artist friend who would be your accountability partner as well. I am lucky to have <a href="http://equinoxart.com/">Marsha Rollinger</a>, who is my friend and colleague.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Even though we live on the opposite costs of the country, we found out that we are very close in spirit. We support each other in our art licensing journey through our weekly phone meetings, emails, and texts to keep each other accountable in our weekly goals, give each other encouragement or kick in a pants when needed, share tips and laughs, and maybe sometimes a tear or two. I highly recommend having an artist friend who "gets it" and is on the same path as you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">TMFMA: What are your future aspirations and goals?</span></b> The thought of seeing products in stores with my art on them makes me very excited! My goal for 2016 is to get new deals in paper, gift, and tabletop markets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">You can find more about Tatyana's art here:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Website: <a href="http://www.tatyana-starikova.com">http://www.tatyana-starikova.com</a></span>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Tatyana-Starikova-IllustrationDesign">https://www.facebook.com/Tatyana-Starikova-IllustrationDesign</a></span>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tatyana_starikova">https://www.instagram.com/tatyana_starikova</a></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Wishing everyone a Happy Holidays!</span><br /><br /></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-36309651039186266362015-12-03T22:57:00.002-08:002015-12-04T10:52:21.878-08:00Painting as a Visual Communication - Fine Art Painter Felice Panagrosso<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I know, I know. I've been away for several months. I have been taking care of a couple of important family/personal life events in Europe. Fortunately all is well and I couldn't be any happier!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">So I decided to resume the publishing of my blog interviews along with some other creative concepts, although I won't be able to publish as much as I used to do before - at least for the next couple of months, but it's a start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">In my next blog post I will share with you some of the art and design I saw while I was in Europe this past summer. Meantime I want to welcome my first guest of this month. He is an American painter, <a href="http://panagrosso.com/about-2/">Felice Panagrosso</a>, who has lived and worked in Paris since 2001 but is originally from New Haven, CT where he grew up in an Italian-American family. He returned to the United States for two years in 2006 to receive an MFA from the New York Academy of Art. Previously, Felice attended the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, Connecticut, and Parsons, Paris. He has also studied drawing in Italy with the New York Studio School.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b >Tell us about yourself:</b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I've shown at The Forbes Gallery and The Windham Fine Arts Gallery in New York, held two solo shows in Paris and participated in an exposition entitled "A Bi-Cultural Palette: Les Artistes Franco-Américains" at the Mona Bismarck Foundation, also in Paris. My paintings have twice been accepted at the Annual Salon Exposition in the 15th Arrondissement in Paris, in 2009 and 2010, receiving "Mention d’Honneur" in 2009.</span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">In March and April, 2015, my painting "Rooftops from Atelier" was on exhibit at the Salon Aguado in the Mairie (City Hall) of the 9th Arrondissement of Paris, in support of Paris' bid to have its rooftops included as one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. I've also shown my work at Studio 7 Fine Art Gallery in Bernardsville, New Jersey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I have a monthly blog called "<a href="http://panagrosso.com/blog/">The Art of Felice Panagrosso</a>" (<a href="http://panagrosso.com/">panagrosso.com</a>), where I write about painting, family, and Paris, always including one or more of my paintings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>What brought you to art in the first place?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I should answer this question by telling a story about the first painter I ever met in New Haven, Connecticut. Well, I didn't actually meet him. I saw him when, as a child, I was riding in the backseat of my father's car. There under a highway overpass was a man with a portable easel set up and painting on a canvas. I knew what that was because I had seen painters on television. Was he painting the streets? I didn't think so. Was he painting the cars? No. Was he painting some Grand Vista? Definitely not. Then what was he painting? His easel was set up so that he was facing the concrete highway abutment. It had rained the night before and he was painting, as far as I could tell, the water stains running down the concrete face of the abutment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I only saw that man a few times after that, and only after a rainstorm. I never learned his name, but he taught me something that day. He was SEEING something that I had not seen. Something I was unaware of before I saw him and his painting. He was appreciating something that I had not appreciated before. He was seeing it and painting it and in the process showing it to me. So, when I see a broken down neon sign selling rubber stamps, the litter in front of some bicycles or even a triangle of sunlight on a patch of concrete, I am moved to paint it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">That's what brought me to painting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I'm excited by communication, and to me that's what painting is, visual communication. If I am captivated by an image, a configuration of buildings or a stand of trees I trust that someone else in the world will be too. I think that that's why I love to write a monthly blog. The images and words compliment each other. I must add that, in spite of this, I still paint for myself, for my own pleasure and astonishment, and experimentation. Every painting is different and comes from a different place.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Who/What Inspired you?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I am inspired by the work of <i>Les Nabis</i>, a group of Post-Impressionist French Artists including Édouard Vuillard, Maurice Dennis and especially Pierre Bonnard. "Les Nabis" means The Prophets in Hebrew and Arabic. I lived within walking distance of Maurice Dennis' home in Saint Germain-en-Laye where I was able to study first hand much of his work. The Musée Gustave Moreau, perhaps my favorite museum in Paris, is just around the corner from me. Gustave Moreau, a Symbolist, was one of the teachers of Pierre Bonnard.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Tell us about a recent art project/series.</span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">© Felice Panagrosso</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">My current series is called "Sign Language". These are neon signage from the 40's and 50's, mostly found in the United States but also a few in Europe. For me they evoke a sense of permanence, confidence, and solidity from the past, even in their present decaying state.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">They also display an unabashed sense of commercialism and modernity. I try to capture their unique combination of art and technology in my paintings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Find out more about Felice Panagrosso's paintings here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://panagrosso.com/">Website: http://panagrosso.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Art-of-Felice-Panagrosso-144954328897508/?ref=br_rs">Facebook Page: The Art of Felice Panagrosso</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; "><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-83602060835962596982015-07-06T23:11:00.003-07:002015-07-07T09:11:25.998-07:00Putting the "U" in Unique! - An Interview with Margo Tantau, Vice President of Design & Creative at Midwest-CBK<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I have been traveling around Europe for sometime and am seeing some new trends and innovative designs. I will post more about this adventure but in the meantime it's my pleasure to publish this exclusive interview with the wonderful Margo Tantau, Vice President of Design & Creative at <a href="http://www.mwcbk.com/">Midwest-CBK</a>! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I met Margo at the Atlanta Mart last January and walked through her beautiful showroom. She is one of the most fun, loving and professional people I've met in the design world, a pleasure to talk to! I share with her a few passions: art & design, traveling and helping artists find their ways. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Here are some very inspiring insights she shares with us today: </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Margo Tantau</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Tell us about you, your background and your own experience as an artist and art director.</span> I come from a creative family. My Mom has spent over 40 years as an Interior Designer, so from early on there was always lots of talk about color, pattern, shapes, rooms, details...and my Dad was a pilot, so we were able to take advantage of very low fares and see things in far away places. Plus someone was always singing. That combo just puts color in one's step.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I was the "creative one" growing up, always asked to hand letter the signs and draw the pictures. I was encouraged all along the way, which I truly appreciate. Career-wise, I have done several different things...retail, wholesale, selling, entrepreneurial and corporate forays, creating, and more creating. These have all added up to more years of experience than I sometimes care to admit. My passion, though, is helping other artists and makers further their own careers. Watching someone grow and flourish and find personal success is just my favorite and most rewarding thing.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>© Amy Rice - Cottage Bloom</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">What is exciting about your work, what inspires you as artist and art director?</span> The best part for me is twofold. Finding great talent and then working together to turn ideas into fresh, interesting products. I completely enjoy the learning curve. I like to have my nose to the ground, so to speak, and discover what feels new and interesting. I push myself to be aware of what is happening in the market and to trust my gut and push for great style. I love to travel (cue Pilot's daughter!) and therefore having my hands involved in the creative process, wherever that takes me in the world, is truly inspiring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">What are your views in regards to trends and art styles?</span> Style and trend are subjective to the market. I look at it kind of like the food triangle with "high trend" or the latest newest coolest things at the tippity top. That's a very exciting place to play and is highly creative. It's where one can try things and see what sticks. It's hot and happening, and often expensive. Then as you move down to the wider bits of the triangle, the trends grab a broader market share. They become more the norm, more affordable. You start to see the subject matter showing up in many more places, more markets.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E6aIW534mbo/VZqNJPSB2KI/AAAAAAAAKrI/PqVKyoNtcOE/s1600/ZoeDecor_TS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E6aIW534mbo/VZqNJPSB2KI/AAAAAAAAKrI/PqVKyoNtcOE/s320/ZoeDecor_TS.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>© Zoe Ingram - Decor</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Think of the last few years; owls, foxes, indigo, shibori, Moroccan rugs, quotes on everything. The bottom of the triangle, in my mind, is Mass Market. Big box stores that sell to the masses. Lower prices, cheaper product, the trend is becoming old. New things are always brewing up at the top of the triangle, and making their way down. There is room for good product every step of the way! People are buying, and companies need design. It's an endless cycle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Tell us about your new e-course in collaboration with Lilla Rogers. What are you hoping to achieve through it?</span> I'm super excited and honored to be collaborating with Lilla and Beth Kempton on the new Make Art That Sells course. It's called <a href="http://makeartthatsells.com/courses/mats-creating-collections-for-home-decor/">Creating Collections for Home Decor</a>. What I hope to pass along is the idea of designing for three dimensional product, as well as techniques and information about different materials and how to use them. I want to demystify the process.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUjrKm7EemU/VZqNQo-dQNI/AAAAAAAAKrQ/fYOA7MAwfRE/s1600/ZoeDecorCloseup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUjrKm7EemU/VZqNQo-dQNI/AAAAAAAAKrQ/fYOA7MAwfRE/s320/ZoeDecorCloseup1.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">© Zoe Ingram</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We're playing with the concept of taking flat art, learning to visualize how to dissect and shape it, and beginning to think about product. The industry needs more diverse and better goods. We rely too much on the familiar. This class will produce people who will have the power to shake it up. That's pretty thrilling to me. The talent is definitely there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">What's your philosophy about commercial art and licensing?</span> I think many artists consider licensing to be the end-all, the pinnacle. For me, the most meaningful creative practice is that of doing something you are proud of and of putting products you believe in back into the market. There are several ways of doing that and licensing is only one. Licensing is a fantastic way to go if you have the right connections and/or agent. If you are going to make a go of it yourself, you do need business sense, a stick-to-it attitude, and a way to pay the rent as you get your work out there and grow your business. It's a balance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">What is some key advice you can give to an artist who wants to make a living through their artwork?</span> Network network network. Understand your competition. Pay attention to the market. Stay fresh. But above all, more important than anything else to me, is BE UNIQUE. It may feel daunting, but if you continually put your own creative energy into the world, there will be a payoff. If you keep it to yourself and just timidly play in your studio, who will know your intentions? Who will see your talent?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCCPVIVtyJY/VZqNatwKVYI/AAAAAAAAKrY/XqZ5gKUNOxQ/s1600/SusanBlack_TS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCCPVIVtyJY/VZqNatwKVYI/AAAAAAAAKrY/XqZ5gKUNOxQ/s320/SusanBlack_TS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">© Susan Black</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I can think of many artists now who post on social media a lot. They get noticed. They are trying, they are growing. That kind of energy and dedication goes a very long way. When people can see that you are trying, you gain respect, and you grow your own talent. You might be thinking, "How do I make the time? I have kids, I have another job..." If you want to make money eventually with your own art, MAKE THE TIME. Take classes. Meet other people who can support you and who you may be able to collaborate with. Push through the scary bits. That's the golden ticket...you are already holding it in your hands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Anything else you'd like to share about art and licensing?</span> The creative community is amazing. My best and dearest friends are part of this global community and most of them don't live anywhere near me. But we share the same passions, goals, challenges and defeats, and we can therefore knowingly support each other. I have great respect for anyone who is putting their creativity out in the world. After all, one of the hardest things is to share of yourself. But it is also one of the most generous and rewarding. The world will always need product. There is a new groundswell of appreciation for art, for artists, for good, fresh design that will set a company apart. Artists are the keepers of that talent. What do YOU want to see out there is the world? Your ideas hold great value. Find your boldness. Share it. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-89881097915101614532015-06-03T13:59:00.001-07:002015-06-04T04:01:37.795-07:00Ramp It Up! An Exciting New Consulting Panel of Seasoned Professionals in Art Licensing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium; color: #555555;"><a href="http://meehandesigngroup.com/about.php" target="_blank">Sheila Meeham</a> and I met at the AmericasMart Atlanta last January and again at Surtex this past May. She's been in the art licensing business for many many years now. She has a strong background in marketing and sales in the greeting card and gift industries where she quickly discovered to be passionate in the 'art' of doing business, as she calls it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium; color: #555555;">She was the Vice President at Determined Productions, Inc., representing <i>Felix the Cat</i> and <i>Peanuts</i> to name a few, and then she moved to Schurman Fine Papers (now Papyrus) as Director of Licensing. In 2002, she opened her own agency while also consulting with emerging and seasoned artists on growing their business.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium; color: #555555;">Sheila is relentless in helping her artists and strives <i>to make the world a better and more artistic place</i> to live. I share with her the same purpose, which is to help artists make beautiful things and ultimately to make the world a better place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium; color: #555555;">As <a href="http://www.meehandesigngroup.com/licensing.php" target="_blank">Meehan Design Group</a>, Sheila represents six wonderful artists: <a href="http://www.meehandesigngroup.com/cori-dantini.php" target="_blank">Cori Dantini</a>, <a href="http://www.meehandesigngroup.com/linda-solovic.php" target="_blank">Linda Solovic</a>, <a href="http://meehandesigngroup.com/studio-frivolite.php" target="_blank">Studio Frivolite</a>, <a href="http://www.meehandesigngroup.com/valerie-randall.php" target="_blank">Valerie Randall</a>, <a href="http://meehandesigngroup.com/pinkytoast.php" target="_blank">Pinky Toast</a>, and <a href="http://www.meehandesigngroup.com/brian-love.php" target="_blank">Brian Love</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium; color: #555555;">Sheila, together with three other art licensing and product development veterans, also recently launched a new and exciting venture called <a href="http://rampitup.nationbuilder.com/" target="_blank">Ramp It Up</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium"><a href="http://rampitup.nationbuilder.com/" target="_blank">http://rampitup.nationbuilder.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium; color: #555555;">In their words, they "offer expert advice for growing your creative business." They "are a platform where artists, creatives, designers and product developers/inventors can share their designs and concepts with our expert panel in order to get them to the next level."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">THE REVIEW PANEL</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; color: #505054; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://rampitup.nationbuilder.com/about_the_panel" target="_blank">Sheila Meehan, Meehan Design Group<br />
(Art Licensing & Product Development)</a><br /><br />
<a href="http://rampitup.nationbuilder.com/about_the_panel" target="_blank">Lori Siebert, Olika Studios<br />
(Art Creation, Licensing, Product Development)</a><br /><br />
<a href="http://rampitup.nationbuilder.com/about_the_panel" target="_blank">Linda Simpson, Imagination Network<br />
(Creative Direction, Product Development & Overseas Sourcing)</a><br /><br />
<a href="http://rampitup.nationbuilder.com/about_the_panel" target="_blank">Andy Meehan, Christian Inspirations<br />
(Card & Stationery Product Development & Manufacturing)</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium; color: #555555;">I found their program to be very inspiring and more comprehensive than many others on the market because they provide a personalized consulting service which covers a broad array of developmental needs, from portfolio reviews to marketing art work to product development and placement in targeted markets. They are professional, experienced and lovely to work with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium; color: #555555;">Check it out their site for more information on advancing both your art and your licensing business!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-59652925679724152372015-05-26T09:24:00.001-07:002015-05-26T22:10:16.936-07:00The Surtex, NSS and ICFF 2015 Shows - A Year of Flexibility and Transition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mqZAnpuLls/VWKS8QdEC9I/AAAAAAAAKio/dUuntkGUt7E/s1600/Surtex3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mqZAnpuLls/VWKS8QdEC9I/AAAAAAAAKio/dUuntkGUt7E/s320/Surtex3.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">After 3 consecutive years of exhibiting at Surtex, this year we decided to take a break and take care of some personal affairs instead. However, we did walk the shows - <a href="http://www.surtex.com/" target="_blank">Surtex</a>, <a href="http://www.nationalstationeryshow.com/" target="_blank">NSS</a> and <a href="http://www.icff.com/" target="_blank">ICFF</a> - as Press. Why did we do that?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Last year we started to publish some interviews and editorials in an <a href="http://creativeconceptsdesignstudio.blogspot.com/2014/07/art-on-road-series-cathy-heck-studio.html">On-The-Road Series</a> and we will continue doing so as we travel around the globe. We also wanted to find out what's going on in the world of commercial art and share our findings with this very generous community of amazing artists. Many have asked me to report straight facts, so here we are, with no embellishments.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I also always advise to read up on all blog editorials to get the full view of what's going on. You'll find down below several links to posts I have found so far.</span>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>SURTEX 2015</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We walked the show all three days and the traffic seemed to be pretty much the same as last year and the year before. Yet some manufacturers said to me that they felt that the energy was different from earlier years, that the show was missing something this time around. Exhibitors told me that they had better quality clients approaching them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">So what changed? Several things changed and I will list just a few that were the most obvious. To begin with, Surtex was smaller and was sandwiched in between the NSS and the ICFF.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMu5OlQESgs/VWNwFoXSvOI/AAAAAAAAKls/2j-ytNyWkZ8/s1600/SurtexDirectories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMu5OlQESgs/VWNwFoXSvOI/AAAAAAAAKls/2j-ytNyWkZ8/s200/SurtexDirectories.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The Furniture show expanded and in addition to the first floor, it took over part of the 2nd floor where the Surtex Atelier section used to be. Many veteran and non-veteran artists chose not to exhibit this year, for whatever reason. The show management changed, manufacturers were newly qualified by the show management, and fewer artists walked the show because of the higher entrance fee.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We gathered some informal and rough data by counting the number of booths for the past three years out of the Surtex Directories for 2013, 2014 and 2015. Below is the chart that shows the results, and although this graph is not the only way to measure whether the show was a success, it does indicate that it is in a transitional phase.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0aHIAU6GA8/VWNwPKzE4II/AAAAAAAAKl0/UXxpQ_y0Tyg/s1600/Exhibitor-Trend-Graph2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0aHIAU6GA8/VWNwPKzE4II/AAAAAAAAKl0/UXxpQ_y0Tyg/s400/Exhibitor-Trend-Graph2.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I am not sure how this transitional phase will play out, but Surtex is indeed changing, for better or the worse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">In my opinion, the transition with Surtex is but a piece of the larger transition enveloping the whole design industry as there are many other ways to sell or license a design now. New technologies allow for faster communication but that's not the only change. Artists are collaborating more and more amongst themselves in the form of collectives or joining in an exclusive partnership with manufacturers.</span><br />
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Agents are in demand, as the costs to exhibit through an agent are generally less if they bear all the fees. And of course, if they do so, they want a guaranteed return, so they pick the best selling artists to be in their portfolio. Or, some also share the costs of exhibiting with their represented artists. Some don't show at all but they are internet savvy and do online marketing instead. Today, there are many different business models being used.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8ypKxpGbHo/VWO7-hrAqCI/AAAAAAAAKos/VIkMeqSrtPA/s1600/Surtex33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8ypKxpGbHo/VWO7-hrAqCI/AAAAAAAAKos/VIkMeqSrtPA/s320/Surtex33.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">There are also other design shows that have successfully increased their marketing, affiliates and exhibitors. Take for example, the newly launched virtual world of the <a href="http://artlicensingshow.com/" target="_blank">Art Licensing Show</a>, where artists virtually show their work for a fee. There are many online POD sites as well as professional sites like Linkedin, Pinterest and Instagram, where visuals are the key to connecting with clients.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Yet Surtex has positioned itself as the premiere event for selling and licensing original art and design. Many independent artists still prefer to exhibit there in addition to the above venues or other shows, like the <a href="http://www.americasmart.com/#/" target="_blank">AmericasMart Atlanta</a> or the <a href="http://www.licensingexpo.com/" target="_blank">Licensing Expo</a> in Las Vegas to name only a couple. There are so, so many more. It would be interesting to do a survey of who sells, licenses or freelances but I think it would be safe to guess that some combination is the new business model for most artists starting out and perhaps for veteran artists who need to keep relevant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">In short, the competition is fearless and <i>flexibility</i> is the password for such transitional times. Even the trend conferences we listened to at the show stressed the mix of styles and trends, the transition, and the flexibility of doing business.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I took some quick notes about the themes and trends, although I am sure other blogs have done more in-depth analyses and more will be talked about in upcoming weeks - don't miss the <a href="http://artlicensingblog.com/2015/05/need-questions-for-ask-paul-brent-call/" target="_blank">Ask Paul Brent</a> on May 27, hosted by <a href="http://artlicensingblog.com/2015/05/need-questions-for-ask-paul-brent-call/" target="_blank">Tara Reed</a> - Paul will be doing his fabulous SURTEX trend review as usual.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Aside from the still going strong birds (including owls !!!), butterflies, sheep, dogs, cats and other cute animals are all over the market. Lettering and editorial art is still strong. Humor and cuteness was displayed by many. Abstracts, geometrics and florals are everywhere. Black and white, a classic, is again on the rise and adult coloring book line art is highly desired by the Publishing market. In short, nothing particularly new that I could tell with the exception of more hand painted art, which is finally strong enough to compete against the flat digital art that started flooding the licensing arena some years back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The most exciting thing about Surtex this year was to meet with many artist friends, agents and exhibitors. Here are some photos, although I wish I have taken many more!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_b8UTP4e524/VWKW_lSuG_I/AAAAAAAAKj0/uQQ8hstwiJ8/s1600/Surtex26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_b8UTP4e524/VWKW_lSuG_I/AAAAAAAAKj0/uQQ8hstwiJ8/s400/Surtex26.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.kellyventura.com/" target="_blank">Kelly Ventura</a> - Surtex 2015</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Kelly's fine art is very fresh and colorful. Her contemporary take on florals and abstracts is for sure unique amongst the numerous hand painted artwork at Surtex this year.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aOJwSfkLcGQ/VWKXpjBaf5I/AAAAAAAAKkk/rA397NNB2y0/s1600/Surtex25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aOJwSfkLcGQ/VWKXpjBaf5I/AAAAAAAAKkk/rA397NNB2y0/s400/Surtex25.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.calebgraystudio.com/" target="_blank">Caleb Gray Studio</a> - Surtex 2015</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Caleb Grey's art is so much fun and uniquely modern in style with a fun, retro vibe. In Italian we say "simpatico"!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ty_vHGg1ePM/VWKX5zZuKKI/AAAAAAAAKks/fYmdNUZOYHQ/s1600/Surtex12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ty_vHGg1ePM/VWKX5zZuKKI/AAAAAAAAKks/fYmdNUZOYHQ/s400/Surtex12.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.giordanostudios.com/Giordano_Studios_LLC./Home.html" target="_blank">Giordano Studios</a> - Surtex 2015</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Bob Giordano is a veteran of art licensing. Every year he exhibits at Surtex, Licensing Expo and AmericasMart Atlanta. I will publish a full interview with him this summer. I can't wait to have him as our guest! You can find his lovely work here: <a href="http://www.giordanostudios.com/" target="_blank">www.giordanostudios.com</a>.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lA8YMO2ggfw/VWKXHRcMVUI/AAAAAAAAKj8/amBPKUsZFs8/s1600/Surtex18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lA8YMO2ggfw/VWKXHRcMVUI/AAAAAAAAKj8/amBPKUsZFs8/s400/Surtex18.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.walkyland.com/" target="_blank">Monika Forsberg</a> - Surtex 2015</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I recently interviewed both <a href="http://creativeconceptsdesignstudio.blogspot.com/2015/04/drawn-to-art-that-evokes-emotions.html" target="_blank">Monika</a> (above) and <a href="http://creativeconceptsdesignstudio.blogspot.com/2015/03/dont-be-afraid-to-show-your-work-artist.html" target="_blank">Jennifer</a>(below), who exhibited at Surtex as part of <a href="http://www.cloverlyart.com/" target="_blank">Cloverly Art Collective</a> - such lovely and unique work!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6awFSDope5s/VWKXO6GOqbI/AAAAAAAAKkE/gjz-fK0BAeo/s1600/Surtex21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6awFSDope5s/VWKXO6GOqbI/AAAAAAAAKkE/gjz-fK0BAeo/s400/Surtex21.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://augustwren.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Orkin Lewis</a> (August Wren) - Surtex 2015</span></i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyEN8zu_QpA/VWKXV-yPipI/AAAAAAAAKkM/V3ut_1d4jzk/s1600/Surtex22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyEN8zu_QpA/VWKXV-yPipI/AAAAAAAAKkM/V3ut_1d4jzk/s400/Surtex22.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://sarahfrederkingdesign.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Frederking</a> - Surtex 2015</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Sarah has done Surtex for the 3rd year, although she also exhibited many years ago. Her textile books are really cute and fun! You can find out more about her patterns and designs here: <a href="http://sarahfrederkingdesign.com/" target="_blank">http://sarahfrederkingdesign.com</a>.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBK2w5xaN4Q/VWKXefx26rI/AAAAAAAAKkU/lnoCjlpGOVc/s1600/Surtex23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBK2w5xaN4Q/VWKXefx26rI/AAAAAAAAKkU/lnoCjlpGOVc/s400/Surtex23.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.kateaustindesigns.com/" target="_blank">Kate Austin </a>- Surtex 2015</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Kate has exhibited in the Atelier section of Surtex last year and this year decided to be in the art licensing section instead. Her colorful patterns stood out at the show. You can find out more about Kate here: <a href="http://www.kateaustindesigns.com/" target="_blank">www.kateaustindesigns.com</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6_xpFiLIV4/VWKXjuEl7WI/AAAAAAAAKkc/dtuAbqj8_UE/s1600/Surtex24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6_xpFiLIV4/VWKXjuEl7WI/AAAAAAAAKkc/dtuAbqj8_UE/s400/Surtex24.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.ashleyrodriguezreed.com/" target="_blank">Ashley Rodriguez Reed </a>- Surtex 2015</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Ashley walked the show a couple of years ago and this year took her designs to Surtex - her lovely hanging wall planters and patterns looked very playful! Her website: <a href="http://www.ashleyrodriguezreed.com/" target="_blank">www.ashleyrodriguezreed.com</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>NATIONAL STATIONERY SHOW</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">It was fun to walk the NSS this year. Of note, letter press and hand painted art were nicely displayed by large companies as well as small businesses and independent artists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I took some pictures with the exhibitor's permission, although the lighting wasn't the best. I will publish more interviews and articles in future weeks.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOJJWThxOe8/VWKZA4tm1XI/AAAAAAAAKlI/UT085f81QyE/s1600/NSSArtist1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOJJWThxOe8/VWKZA4tm1XI/AAAAAAAAKlI/UT085f81QyE/s400/NSSArtist1.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.kwatson.com/" target="_blank">Katharine Watson </a>- NSS 2015</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Katherine hand painted her backdrop wall and has block printed her images on paper. Her stationery and textile products are fantastic in both quality and design. You can find her work here: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopKatharineWatson" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/shop/ShopKatharineWatson</a>.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQMd1ZlIcDE/VWKZTEP3lGI/AAAAAAAAKlQ/iL_2MBT8UbU/s1600/NSSartist11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQMd1ZlIcDE/VWKZTEP3lGI/AAAAAAAAKlQ/iL_2MBT8UbU/s400/NSSartist11.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://ourheiday.com/" target="_blank">Our Heiday</a> - NSS 2015</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Patricia Shen walked away from a legal career to pursue her dream and launched her own business in June 2014. Her work is colorful and fun! You can find her designs here: <a href="http://ourheiday.com/" target="_blank">http://ourheiday.com/</a>.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k3hm2citVfY/VWKYuGKi0rI/AAAAAAAAKk4/cDM1CWdOq-k/s1600/NSS%2Bartist5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k3hm2citVfY/VWKYuGKi0rI/AAAAAAAAKk4/cDM1CWdOq-k/s400/NSS%2Bartist5.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.mara-mi.com/" target="_blank">Mara-Mi </a>- NSS 2015</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">This display was one of the best at the NSS, although my photo doesn't do it justice. The design was lovely. You can find more about Mara-Mi here: <a href="http://www.mara-mi.com/" target="_blank">www.mara-mi.com</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE FAIR</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I loved it! It was so much fun to see some of the trends coming in from Europe and how the interior design in the 21st Century is influenced by many trends and the flexibility of emerging designers who are also artists. Small businesses created by them exhibited here amongst large or well established businesses. Very brave indeed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The eco outdoor/indoor themes were very present and it was great to see how they were incorporated in interiors to play together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We saw more of exotic and sophisticated rustic textures, vibrant and neutral colors, and hand painted art was also visible at this show, along with natural fibers and other innovative concepts.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZlHCmej8UI/VWN-VcULrjI/AAAAAAAAKnk/kiR21SBW-5s/s1600/InteriorDesign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZlHCmej8UI/VWN-VcULrjI/AAAAAAAAKnk/kiR21SBW-5s/s400/InteriorDesign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Fom <a href="http://www.iconeye.com/" target="_blank">Icon Mag 2015</a></span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i7yq-0CqkXA/VWN9m4FWprI/AAAAAAAAKmc/amTcIKMtD0Q/s1600/ICFF9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i7yq-0CqkXA/VWN9m4FWprI/AAAAAAAAKmc/amTcIKMtD0Q/s400/ICFF9.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.sylvieandmira.com/" target="_blank">Sylvie and Mira</a> of Lisa Peck's home accessories company.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Sylvie's method reproduces her watercolors for interiors, curtains, rugs and wall paper - made in the USA.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6fwyYmk4jQ/VWN9xN1rhAI/AAAAAAAAKm8/G5CQWMuff2c/s1600/ICFF26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6fwyYmk4jQ/VWN9xN1rhAI/AAAAAAAAKm8/G5CQWMuff2c/s400/ICFF26.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.otsuki-sama.com/" target="_blank">Valerie Laudier</a></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">
Valerie created these Japan-inspired interiors with a European twist, featuring some of her exquisite hand stitched artwork - made in France.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZIGftduMS8/VWN9rvL-TII/AAAAAAAAKms/EdQZ7cqqkIs/s1600/ICFF16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZIGftduMS8/VWN9rvL-TII/AAAAAAAAKms/EdQZ7cqqkIs/s400/ICFF16.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.roneljordaan.com/" target="_blank">Ronel Jordan</a></i></span></td></tr>
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Ronel has been a textile designer for 26 years. Inspired by nature, she featured these beautiful hand crafted felt florals - made in South Africa.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_GLrUmBIcw/VWN9tktQj0I/AAAAAAAAKm0/TSSXwSPnSxk/s1600/ICFF17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="393" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_GLrUmBIcw/VWN9tktQj0I/AAAAAAAAKm0/TSSXwSPnSxk/s400/ICFF17.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.lafabbricadellino.com/" target="_blank">La Fabbrica del Lino</a></i></span></td></tr>
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La Fabbrica del Lino manufacturers a beautiful stone-washed linen and other high-end goods - made in Italy.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJgPFUC2jyQ/VWN-LZ4iylI/AAAAAAAAKnU/0MFHQpZHUcg/s1600/ICFF36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJgPFUC2jyQ/VWN-LZ4iylI/AAAAAAAAKnU/0MFHQpZHUcg/s400/ICFF36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_j8Ak3OJkA/VWN-IELN-fI/AAAAAAAAKnM/bNymj5QVbQk/s1600/ICFF35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_j8Ak3OJkA/VWN-IELN-fI/AAAAAAAAKnM/bNymj5QVbQk/s400/ICFF35.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.gardenonthewall.com/" target="_blank">Garden on the Wall</a></i></span></td></tr>
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Garden on the Wall exhibited real plants treated with non-toxics chemicals to adorn interior walls of houses and buildings. Really nice work made in the USA.</span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.antolini.com/" target="_blank">Antolini </a></span></i></td></tr>
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Antolini showcased some beautiful marble textures in geometric forms - made in Italy.</span>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><b>PRESS & PROMO KITS</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Here some of the best promo kits we picked up from the Press Room. There were many, many more but we couldn't get them all. Watch out for upcoming interviews with artists who did have a Press kit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;"><i>Fox & Fallow & Design Design</i></span><br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XNjbHRbJQYU/VWKVCkKTYAI/AAAAAAAAKjg/8S7_n9L9X2U/s1600/NSS13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XNjbHRbJQYU/VWKVCkKTYAI/AAAAAAAAKjg/8S7_n9L9X2U/s400/NSS13.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;"><i>One Canoe Two</i></span><br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFaf3mSpU5w/VWKU3fknJkI/AAAAAAAAKjY/eJCQudCaleE/s1600/Promo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFaf3mSpU5w/VWKU3fknJkI/AAAAAAAAKjY/eJCQudCaleE/s400/Promo1.jpg" width="267" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;"><i>Kelly May - Krenz</i></span><br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gzh42yi7-bg/VWO0BsrlgcI/AAAAAAAAKoE/T9SQZrs3tGI/s1600/Promo1%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gzh42yi7-bg/VWO0BsrlgcI/AAAAAAAAKoE/T9SQZrs3tGI/s400/Promo1%2Bcopy.jpg" width="272" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;"><i>Printable Wisdom</i></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;"><i>Our Heiday</i></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;"><i>Miriam Bos</i></span><br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SiLWLh-lCp0/VWO0UCUSyPI/AAAAAAAAKoc/ZmXpXoW7bUA/s1600/Promo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SiLWLh-lCp0/VWO0UCUSyPI/AAAAAAAAKoc/ZmXpXoW7bUA/s400/Promo5.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;"><i>Neiko Ng</i></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>SUMMARY</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We think Surtex is still a great show and per what we gathered the quality prevailed over quantity, however since the attendance of the exhibitors significantly dropped this year in all three categories of exhibitors (Atelier, New Exibitors, Veterans), it will require some stronger and innovative marketing to draw an increasing number of qualified manufacturers to make it worthwhile for independent artists to continue to bear the high costs of future exhibitions. Manufacturers are the clients, true, but without the artists there is no show.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We will continue to go to shows and explore the increasing landscape of possibilities for designers and artists. Trends are not as important as the quality of the art itself and the connections between the artist and the manufacturer. We did talk to several of them after some of the conference workshops and we will write more editorials on those topics as well in upcoming weeks - we just couldn't condense everything here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The NSS is still strong although it also seemed smaller compared to other years. I don't have the directories for 2013 and 2014 though, so I can't say for sure. We liked the more sophisticated letter press mixed with hand painted art. It looked fresh and very crafty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The housing market is on the raise and so therefore is the demand for good Interior Design. It's now another venue for creating and selling art on a commercial basis through manufacturing your own home decor and accessories. The combinations are infinite! Wall art, curtains, wall paper, small objects, eco-friendly accessories, you name it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">In short, it seems there have never been more opportunities for artists to find ways to get their art into the hands of their public - though this means that the world of art and art licensing is growing even more ambiguous and challenging than ever before!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>OTHER BLOG EDITORIALS ON SURTEX</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(I will add more as they get published)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogjnet.wordpress.com/2015/05/20/national-stationery-show-surtex-observations/" target="_blank">https://blogjnet.wordpress.com/2015/05/20/national-stationery-show-surtex-observations</a>, by<span class="s1"> J’net Smith</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.nicoletamarin.com/blog/surtex-2015-under-new-management.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;" target="_blank">http://www.nicoletamarin.com/blog/surtex-2015-under-new-management.html</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">by Nicole Tamarin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2015/05/photo-review-look-at-surtex-booths.html" target="_blank">http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2015/05/photo-review-look-at-surtex-booths.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">by Annie Troe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.annewashereandthere.com/2015-surtex-national-stationery-show-recap/" target="_blank">http://www.annewashereandthere.com/2015-surtex-national-stationery-show-recap</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">by Anne was Here</span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-54901015835400297112015-05-14T22:23:00.002-07:002015-05-15T07:53:39.063-07:00Making Art for a Living - Artist Rachel Place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W-nlt6tZvq4/UWI9_Ceq-BI/AAAAAAAAGwU/aAUWjnkPRT8/s1600/interview%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W-nlt6tZvq4/UWI9_Ceq-BI/AAAAAAAAGwU/aAUWjnkPRT8/s1600/interview%2Blogo.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We are preparing to fly out to NYC for the Surtex and NSS shows that will start on Sunday. This year we decided to take a break from exhibiting but we will be walking both shows as Press and do interviews with artists and manufacturers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Artist Rachel Place is an illustrator and surface pattern designer who will exhibit for the first time at Surtex this year. We want to wish her and all other artists at the show good luck. See you all there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #c557b9;">The Moon from My Attic: What's exciting about your creative work?</span> I get really excited about making art for a living. For as long as I can remember it's all I have wanted to do.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Artist Rachel Place</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #c557b9;">TMFMA: Who or what has inspired you in your art?</span> My Mom and my Nana are my biggest inspirations they were both strong women who believed in me with all of their hearts. My Nana lived on Martha's Vineyard in a tiny white cottage. She always sent me letters on the cutest stationary. My mom was a weaver and taught me the meaning of handmade. At a young age she would have me help her card and spin wool into yarn. Later she taught me how to sew. We used to visit the local fabric stores and buy the prettiest fabrics.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #c557b9;">TMFMA: Share with us a fun and memorable event or project.</span> Selling my first design for use in fabric is pretty high up there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #c557b9;">TMFMA: What's your story in art licensing?</span> Growing up with artist parents, I always wanted to love what I did for a living. I tried so many different creative pursuits hoping to find the right fit. I learned a lot about myself from each one, but nothing was quite the right fit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Through my obsession with fabric and stationery I learned about Surface Design but wasn't sure how it all worked. Fortunately for me the timing was right and several classes were being advertised. I signed up for a few and learned as much as I could about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I decided to walk the Surtex show floor last year with a friend. At that time I knew I wanted an agent so I spent a lot of my time looking at their booths to see if my art would be a good fit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I was able to speak with Lucky Day Studio for a few minutes while the show was slow. A few weeks later I signed with them, and it didn't take long to know I had made the right choice. One of my first job requests was from one of my dream clients! Donna and Julia, the owners, have been really wonderful and I couldn't be happier. So far my work has been exhibited twice at <a href="http://www.printsourcenewyork.com/" target="_blank">PrintSource</a> and will be at <a href="http://www.blueprintshows.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">BluePrint </a>and <a href="http://www.surtex.com/" target="_blank">Surtex</a> for the first time in May.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #c557b9;">TMFMA: What advice would you give other artists that are considering the art licensing field and that maybe want to exhibit in a show like Surtex?</span> My advice to other artists is to learn as much as you can about the business and have lots of patience and courage. Knowing all you can about art licensing really helps you know what to expect along the way. One of the things that stands out the most is having patience.</span></div>
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I have heard it said multiple times, but a little less than a year in I know how true it is. You just have to keep moving along and take little leaps of faith along the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #c557b9;">TMFMA: Any useful tips that you'd like to share about art and licensing?</span> Finding other artist friends that I can connect with has been invaluable. It is so motivating to feel that connection and see the great work that everyone is doing. It is wonderful to be able to ask questions, share techniques, and support each other along the way.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Rachel's website: <a href="http://www.rachelplace.com/"><span class="s2">www.rachelplace.com</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Place/430504417128419"><span class="s2">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Place/430504417128419</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/rachel.place/"><span class="s2">https://instagram.com/rachel.place</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Pinterest: <span class="s2"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/rachel_place/">https://www.pinterest.com/rachel_place</a></span></span></span><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-16139974749144423162015-05-12T08:34:00.000-07:002015-05-12T08:34:21.008-07:00A Long Term View of Licensing - Artist Bee Sturgis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The Surtex show is less than a week from today and we can't wait to see what is happening this year! One thing for sure is that art licensing is a long-term view, as my guest <a href="http://www.jewelbranding.com/designers-and-brands/item/bee-sturgis/" target="_blank">Bee Sturgis</a> correctly says in this exclusive interview.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Bee is a contemporary mixed media artist with over 25 years of art, design and advertising experience.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Artist Bee Sturgis</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"Often I paint a single motif using gauche or acrylic. I scan the pieces I have painted into Photoshop where I digitally modify and merge the motif with previously painted background acrylic washes, pastels, alcohol inks, monoprints, etc. I also use digital textures and Photoshop brushes to create textural, engaging designs", she says.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">She lives in the beautiful foothills of the Colorado Rockies but she enjoys taking frequent trips to recharge her creative juices. "Some of my favorite places to visit are Santa Fe, New Mexico or to the soul-satisfying beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast. I am owned by 3 little Alaskan Klee Kai doggies. They keep me laughing with their daily antics and energy," she adds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I asked Bee to share her professional experience in art licensing with us as she has been doing it for 11 years. She started licensing her art while she was a senior designer at Leanin‘ Tree in Boulder, Colorado.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">The Moon from My Attic: How long have you been doing art licensing?</span> I worked for Leanin’ Tree for 16 years and I had a lot of access to top agents and agencies. I am a fine artist first and foremost so the thought of approaching manufacturers on my own never appealed to me. I have been more than happy to let my agent approach the contacts they have developed to sell my artwork. I like to focus on creating, my first love. For 11 years my licensing art has been shown at Surtex, and the Licensing Expo. I am very proud to currently be represented by one of the top licensing agencies in the USA, Julie Newman at <a href="http://www.jewelbranding.com/designers-and-brands/item/bee-sturgis/" target="_blank">Jewel Branding</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I love creating licensed artwork. I like the idea of designing art once and selling it many times to different manufacturers. I have been around the business of art licensing for over 16 years and before that I was a senior designer at a quilting magazine. That is where I really developed my love of pattern and fabric design. I was thrilled when I received my first quilt fabric licensing contract with industry leader, Cranston Printworks.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S9r8GBfwBq8/VVF8_4tyV1I/AAAAAAAAKfo/yERFZALKsv4/s1600/BS_PAT0003IndigoNightsCollectionBedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S9r8GBfwBq8/VVF8_4tyV1I/AAAAAAAAKfo/yERFZALKsv4/s320/BS_PAT0003IndigoNightsCollectionBedding.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">TMFMA: How does one go about getting licensing deals? What's the "protocol" if any?</span> My agent and her seasoned staff attends all the major trade shows - Surtex in New York, Art Licensing Expo in Vegas, etc. She and her staff set appointments with many manufacturers during the show where they show my portfolio. Throughout the year, as soon as I complete a collection, Jewel Branding sends out digital samples of my new artwork to the many contacts they have in the industry. Every "deal" is unique to the manufacturer, the product, the artist, and the agency. If you have a good relationship with your agent, you can trust that they have your best interest at heart and will always negotiate the best deal they can. Your agent knows which manufacturers will respond to your unique style of artwork. This is why an agent is so valuable. They know where to show your art, when to show it, and what products will work with your style.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">TMFMA: What brought you to art in the first place?</span> Art is more about who I am than what I do. As a child I was always interested in art, music, and dance. I decided to study fine art in college and have been in love with all artistic endeavors since.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">TMFMA: What is exciting about your creative work?</span> It is very exciting for me to have an idea in my mind, to toss it around in my creative brain space, to re-color it, to re-design it, and then create the artwork in Photoshop and have it turn out exactly as I imagined in my mind. If I smile when I see my finished design then I feel proud to release it into the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">TMFMA: Who/what has inspired you in your art?</span> Honestly I am inspired by everyone and everything. I find that there is an element of unique creativity wherever I look. I appreciate the fresh perspective of watching a child create with a new art medium for the first time, and I am always inspired by all the professional and self-taught artists that share their art in the digital world on their Facebook pages or on Twitter. I find a lot of inspiration in the colors and textures in nature. One of my favorite things to do is wander the art galleries and shops in Santa Fe. I always come away with a new, inspiring way to see color and design.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">TMFMA: What advice would you give other artists that are considering the art licensing field?</span> Above all, new artists should create artwork that they love doing, because if you love what you do it shows in the quality and energy of your artwork. It is important to look for what is currently selling in the marketplace and to pay attention to design trends, color pallets, etc. I like to walk the Atlanta Gift Show to see all the new products being offered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">If new artists can manage to go to Surtex or the Atlanta Gift Show they can see what other licensing artists are creating and presenting. It is good to look with a critical eye to see if your work is up to snuff or fits in. The one thing I see with new artists starting out in the industry is the belief that they can get rich quickly and easily or that there is a simple magic formula to being a successful licensing artist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">My advice is to take a long term view of licensing. Find an agent you respect and trust and one that has a good reputation in the industry. Then finally, be prepared to work long and hard with no return for a long time. It takes years to get your art in the pipeline and you must be willing to continually create new art, whether you are selling or not. It is a lot of work for a pay day that occurs sometime in the future. So if you do the art because you love to do art you will find artistic satisfaction, if you do it to sell art you will find that your creativity dries up when there is no huge paycheck waiting in the mailbox each week.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-26842560310529666272015-05-07T08:59:00.000-07:002015-05-07T08:59:27.708-07:00Surtex 2015 - Pre-show Promotions, Part 4<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">OK, this is it! Here is a final wave of talented artists who will be displaying their beautiful work at the show starting in just a little over two weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We will be around to interview various artists, manufacturers, and show personnel as well as report on trends. Here's hoping everyone has a terrific show - see you there!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-77349390292191737152015-05-06T08:04:00.001-07:002015-05-06T08:04:46.557-07:00Surtex 2015 - Pre-show Promotions, Part 3<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">So many artists, so little time! Here's a third group of fabulous artists who will be at this year's Surtex show.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-45524062670470676572015-05-05T08:39:00.000-07:002015-05-05T08:39:16.271-07:00Surtex 2015 - Pre-show Promotions, Part 2<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Here is a second wave of artists to admire - so much beautiful work. I can't wait to see everyone at the show!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-15864616823094307972015-05-04T08:42:00.000-07:002015-05-04T08:53:06.899-07:00Surtex 2015 - Pre-show Promotions, Part 1<span style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">It's just short of two weeks until the doors open at the Javits Center on May 17th for the opening of the show. Several artists responded to my offer to post their Surtex ads - so I'll be posting them in groups over the next several days. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Have a great show everyone!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2VVqfcrFKko/VUeSCsUgD9I/AAAAAAAAKYI/HleYEuWTpYI/s1600/1-MFMA_Nicole-Tamarin-Surtex-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2VVqfcrFKko/VUeSCsUgD9I/AAAAAAAAKYI/HleYEuWTpYI/s1600/1-MFMA_Nicole-Tamarin-Surtex-2015.jpg" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-68725441163087906382015-04-27T21:48:00.003-07:002015-04-28T08:15:09.327-07:00Drawn to Art that Evokes Emotions - Artist Monika Forsberg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">There are 19 days left before Surtex and most exhibiting artists are preparing their last collections and hoping to have everything done in time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">This week I am pleased to feature <a href="http://www.walkyland.com/" target="_blank">artist Monika Forsberg</a>, represented by <a href="http://creativeconceptsdesignstudio.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-new-art-licensing-agency-jennifer.html">Jennifer Nelson Artists</a>, who will also attend the show this May.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Monika is a mom to 2 boys living in London but is originally from the north of Sweden. "I always loved drawing and making things. I worked as a photographer, illustrator, animator, writer and artist over the past 20 years and in-between worked in bars and cafes as well as tutoring at a university and being a mum. Right now I'm working full time as an illustrator," she shares.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">She is drawn to art that evokes emotions. "Being a Swede I tend to favour melancholy and sadness inducing feelings, the dark side of the moon...but having lived half my life in the UK I also love things that makes me laugh, the silliness of things and the jolly oopsy daisy idiosyncratic mentality of the Brits."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I then asked:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">THE MAIN INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR WORK:</span> I am curious by nature, I love listening to stories and making stories up and I love escaping into my own head. Drawing is like making your own low budget version of life with some extravagant insane seasonings of fantasy. I think my inspiration comes from all aspects of everyday life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">THREE (or less) KEY NOTES ON ART & LICENSING:</span> I do a lot of commission work and when working on briefs a lot of the time I find that I sometimes have time and space to do some of my own work that then will be licensed. It's about experimenting and rejuvenating and indulging myself and letting go of a "this will sell..." mentality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">It may not be profitable in the short term but I found long term it's a very good approach. Do what you love. I don't love churning out a thousand florals that look the same - in fact that's why I moved away from animation, to have more freedom. Even if all those florals would license immediately, I would be so fed up drawing them that I'd have to take 6 months off and become a ski instructor or something instead for awhile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I found the work I license the most are the quirky "weird" stuff that I had a great time doing and the stuff I made trying to follow the guidelines on how to find a recipe for licensing success are so watered down and drab that no one wants to touch it. So, stick to your guns. Be yourself. Have fun. But also be open to see how to make your work more exciting by watching, learning ,and experimenting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">WHAT YOU REALLY LOVE, I.E. YOUR PASSION:</span> My kids, the beaches of my hometown, hotels, my boyfriend, drawing, laughing, sleeping, swimming. Not necessarily in that order. And coffee. And watermelon. And going to the cinema. Daydreaming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">WHAT YOU DON'T REALLY LIKE:</span> Money grabbing mentality, Skype and un-kindness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">A FAVORITE SOMETHING:</span> My friend Danny, a comic book author and I have been going winter swimming for the past 4 years and it's the best. You get a thrill from the icy, near freezing water and she is the best of company. You feel alive and all troubles dissipate with that combination of things. So all of you, find a Danny girl, a freezing cold lake, jump in and you will feel great!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">A MEMORABLE EVENT IN YOUR LIFE:</span> Going to the BAFTA's was very memorable. I was nominated for best short film and I took my friend Danny (the comic book artist) along. We got all glammed up by professional make up artists and walked on the red carpets with film stars and celebrities and drank too much tequila and then we took the night bus home because we were too frugal to get a taxi. I loved that. To belong to all and everything and nothing. By the way, I didn't win the BAFTA but that wasn't really that important.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">A FUN MEMORY:</span> Going to the Clermont-Ferrand film festival with my eldest son who was only 4 at the time. We stayed in a hotel, played pin ball in cafes, watched loads of films and ate chips with mayonnaise. And it was raging winter and we'd come there in our summer clothes. It was cold. It was great fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD AS AN ARTIST:</span> The lines are often blurred as an artists. I donate art for charity auctions and give up time for volunteering and give advice to people needing something they think I can give. I've learnt over the years that you have to sometimes just say no. Just because I work from home and manage my own time I do need time to work and my family is my main priority.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">THE NEXT CHAPTER IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE:</span> I will be exhibiting at Surtex with the <a href="http://www.cloverlyart.com/" target="_blank">Cloverly Art Collective</a> in May and that'll be exciting. I'm working on some new products for the beautiful people of <a href="https://eeboo.com/eeboonoflash.html" target="_blank">eeBoo</a> which is very fun and not much like a "proper job." I really want to do more book work and so am playing about with some ideas. I also have ideas for larger scale pictures - we live in London where space is sparse so my work is very tiny to fit into little boxes and to not take up too much space. I think I need to do an exhibition to justify making LARGE pictures.!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBr5tm_Z4Z0/VT8EjWwvQGI/AAAAAAAAKWM/WQcL0zeIjOQ/s1600/monika_forsberg_two_red_birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBr5tm_Z4Z0/VT8EjWwvQGI/AAAAAAAAKWM/WQcL0zeIjOQ/s1600/monika_forsberg_two_red_birds.jpg" height="337" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>© Monika Forsberg</em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-28822098355985001722015-04-24T08:28:00.000-07:002015-04-24T08:28:17.854-07:00Designing with Kids in Mind - Artist Bee Brown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The Moon from My Attic will be attending Surtex as press again this year. It has been our tradition for the past 4 years to run free promotional ads for exhibiting Artists; we'll start on Monday May 4th for the whole week.<br /><br />At the show, we will be around to interview and to report on trends and the National Stationery Show.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile I am very happy to publish this artist who will also be at Surtex this year. Her name is <a href="http://www.beebrown.com/" target="_blank">Bee Brown</a>, a U.K based Illustrator who also has a blog at <a href="http://www.beebrown-hive.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.beebrown-hive.blogspot.co.uk</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Bee is trained as a graphic designer but has been lucky enough to work as a freelance Illustrator since leaving art school and has always had a small studio at home. "I'm also a mum to 2 energetic little boys, but I find balancing my creative and family life is a good combination for me," she says.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Bee shares with us more details about her life as an artist:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN/ART STYLE:</span> I don't really have a favourite design style as such. Inspiration can be found from a variety of sources, but I do love to keep an eye out for what's new, fresh and exciting in the design world. I am very drawn to fun, strong, bold graphic images both from a pictorial and typographic point of view.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">THE MAIN INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR WORK:</span> I love designing with kids in mind, so they are my inspiration. Its fun thinking of characters and ideas they might be drawn to to look at in books, wear on their clothes, hang on their walls and just generally have in their lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">THREE (or less) KEY NOTES ON ART & LICENSING:</span> I think I would have this to say to anyone wanting to work in art and licensing: Just keep going. Keep believing and keep making work. Follow your heart and work hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHAT YOU REALLY LOVE, I.E. YOUR PASSION:</span> My daily passions are simple: my boys, beautiful, strong colour palettes, drawing out ideas and being in the fresh air. Oh, and good food!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHAT YOU DON'T REALLY LIKE:</span> Things I'm not keen on - rainy, miserable days when I can't get outside and my electricity supply packing up!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AR4PnT0So8o/VTm-w8UkY0I/AAAAAAAAKT0/JimQHj4la5I/s1600/bee_brown_PP_rabbit_portrait_AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AR4PnT0So8o/VTm-w8UkY0I/AAAAAAAAKT0/JimQHj4la5I/s1600/bee_brown_PP_rabbit_portrait_AC.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">A FAVORITE SOMETHING:</span> My favourite something would have to be my Mac - oh, and my iPhone! I love technology.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">A MEMORABLE EVENT IN YOUR LIFE:</span> It's hard to pick a single, memorable event in my life, but one that stands out from a design perspective would have to be when my work was first accepted by the Association of Illustrators for their annual illustration event which at the time was called 'Images'. I had submitted some maps that I had illustrated for a children's book published by Harper Collins. Never in a million years did I think they would get through the stellar judging panel but they did! I remember reading the letter that came through the post and the subsequent shaking all over - my knees went to jelly! I was in complete shock! It was both a real honour and very exciting to see my work hang in the Royal College of Art in London, have it featured in the accompanying catalogue and then see it tour the country in the traveling exhibition.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OlgHy-dO1Hk/VTm-2DXxweI/AAAAAAAAKT8/sc1UOvT16yE/s1600/bee_brown_PP_fox_portrait_AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OlgHy-dO1Hk/VTm-2DXxweI/AAAAAAAAKT8/sc1UOvT16yE/s1600/bee_brown_PP_fox_portrait_AC.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">A FUN MEMORY:</span> A fun memory would have to be my honeymoon with my hubbie. We travelled to Bali.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD AS AN ARTIST:</span> Before and just after I married, I used to teach drawing and graphic design at my then local art school. I'm naturally quite shy but I used to love it. It was so rewarding working with the students, watching them change and develop over the weeks and months and building those relationships. My husband and I then started to travel a bit with work and then when we moved to Paris in France, I had to say goodbye to that part of my life. I'm glad I had those opportunities to contribute and maybe I will again at some point in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">THE NEXT CHAPTER IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE:</span> The next chapter in my creative life I hope will be the most fun yet ... the world of print and pattern! I have just been lucky enough to sign with the very amazing and super lovely U.S based <a href="http://creativeconceptsdesignstudio.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-new-art-licensing-agency-jennifer.html" target="_blank">agent Jennifer Nelson</a>. I have my sights set on developing what I hope will be my very own recognizable style and brand of work, which I would love to see printed on array of different products and in children's books. I'm hoping that along with Jennifer's expert knowledge and help we will get there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">A HELPFUL TIP TO OTHER ARTISTS:</span> Gosh, offering advice to other artists is so tricky! We are all so different but I think if I had to offer something it would be to try to always keep yourself fresh and to keep looking at the world with a sense of wonder and fun, just like when you were a child.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Bee is represented by <a href="http://www.jennifer-nelson-artists.com/bee-brown" target="_blank">Jennifer Nelson Artists</a>.</span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-15341238363075289782015-04-19T21:57:00.000-07:002015-04-20T07:49:46.917-07:00Anything can happen in art licensing - Keka Home Corporation Alert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Anything can happen in the arena of art licensing and for sure, recently it did!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />Unfortunately this is a story that I wish didn't have to be shared but it's important that it be circulated as soon as possible within the art community to alert all designers involved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">A couple of days ago an email alerted me that <a href="http://www.kekacase.com/" target="_blank">Keka Home</a>, also known as Kekacase, went out of business. The company used to be an on-demand company from San Francisco that made tech and home accessories. It listed hundreds of established and emerging artists and their artwork on a variety of products.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Many of the artists do not know, however, that the site has been shut down just a couple of days ago. The site posted this message:</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao6t7h2jJUs/VTRu-Jmki2I/AAAAAAAAKSw/E7iO7jLYxCs/s1600/keka.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao6t7h2jJUs/VTRu-Jmki2I/AAAAAAAAKSw/E7iO7jLYxCs/s1600/keka.png" height="117" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">There is also an <a href="http://www.fbi.gov/sanfrancisco/press-releases/2015/former-chief-financial-officer-of-san-francisco-company-sentenced-to-70-months-in-prison" target="_blank">FBI report</a> claiming that <a href="http://www.fbi.gov/sanfrancisco/press-releases/2015/former-chief-financial-officer-of-san-francisco-company-sentenced-to-70-months-in-prison" target="_blank">Henry Lo</a>, founder and Chief Financial Officer of Keka Home, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for many offenses including fraud. Per data gathered, he's already started his prison term.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">As mentioned above, feel free to share this post with other designers to alert them about the whole situation. Please do not contact me regarding this situation as I don't have additional information to give you at this stage. I will post on this blog any future updates when and if I get any.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">If you are owed money by Keka Home, I can only suggest you consult with your own attorney on what to do next.</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-69770675162064615852015-04-13T08:12:00.000-07:002015-04-13T08:12:26.847-07:00Quirky Modern Surface Design - Artist Nina Seven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We are only a month and a few days away from this year's Surtex 2015 show. Many artists are preparing for this exciting event in NYC. Artist <a href="http://www.ninasevenillustrations.com/" target="_blank">Nina Seven</a> is one of them. She is a surface designer and illustrator from Seattle, WA, represented by <a href="http://www.pinklightstudio.com/" target="_blank">Pink Light Studio</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"I live in a 1909 Craftsman style home with my hubbie, in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood," Nina says. "I have 2 kids, but they can hardly be called kids any longer since they are now in their 20's!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I asked her what her favorite design style is and what inspires her. "My favorite design style and the one that most inspires me, I guess you would call <i>quirky modern</i>. Designs that are kid-like but still appeal to adults. Cute, but not cutesy. I hope that makes sense."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">THREE (or less) KEY NOTES ON ART & LICENSING:</span> I'll be showing my work through my agent at the big Art Licensing show, Surtex, in May, for the 4<sup>th</sup> time this year. I'd like to thank my agent, Mary Beth Freet, for giving me the best advice when I first signed with her. She told me one of the main things you need to know when getting into licensing is that you have to possess the ability to have patience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">If you are a person that really thrives on instant gratification, you will most likely face some disappointment. The process of getting your work shown, picked up, then eventually made into a product can take years sometimes. It also takes awhile to build up a full body of work that can be shown at the big shows like Surtex.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">If you are new to surface pattern designing or are thinking of getting into it, I would point out the need to design pieces in a collection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Here are a few examples of the way we do our collection previews. Everyone does them slightly differently, but you can see how the designs within the collection go together but don't actually share any of the same elements.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHAT YOU REALLY LOVE, I.E. YOUR PASSION:</span> I really love spending time with my family. I love my two crazy but adorable cats and I love drinking coffee. I'm hopelessly addicted to Starbucks!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHAT YOU DON'T REALLY LIKE:</span> I don't like loud, rude people.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">A FAVORITE SOMETHING:</span> I like to take photos with my phone, mostly around my neighborhood and share them on Instagram. It's my favorite social media site. All pictures, all the time! My user name is @<i><a href="https://instagram.com/ninaseven7/" target="_blank">ninaseven7</a></i>, if anyone wants to follow me on my photo taking adventures. I also share some of my design work on there as well.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">A MEMORABLE EVENT IN YOUR LIFE & A FUN MEMORY:</span> I often think about how one thing leads to another and how you end up where you are because of a chain of events. About 15 years ago, when I was making a lot of mixed media fine art work, I had a small show at the local bakery. A woman that owned a paper crafting company here in Seattle saw the show and contacted me about designing some products for her. She also happened to live just up the block from me. This was the start of my surface design career. I continue to do some design work for her and we are great friends. I never could of imagined this happening when I put that work up in the bakery.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD AS AN ARTIST:</span> I still do some fine art work occasionally and contribute work every year to Art for Autism, which benefits Northwest Behavioral Associates. My son has autism, so it's a cause that is very meaningful to me.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHAT'S THE NEXT CHAPTER IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE:</span> As I said before, my work will be shown at Surtex in NYC and I also will be attending the show for the first time! I'm so excited! I'll be at the Pink Light Studio booth on Sunday, May 17. If you're at the show, stop by and say Hi!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e06666;">A HELPFUL TIP TO OTHER ARTISTS:</span> I've already mentioned a few things that might be helpful to anyone who is interested in getting into surface design and art licensing, so I don't have too much else to add. I would just say keep working, work every day and hone your skills. Take classes, try new things, be observant to what you like and find your own happiness.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-9036477021407859132015-04-02T22:59:00.000-07:002015-04-03T07:58:55.857-07:00Music as Inspiration - Artist Lauren Lowen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">As mentioned in <a href="http://creativeconceptsdesignstudio.blogspot.com/2015/03/dont-be-afraid-to-show-your-work-artist.html">my earlier post</a> I am going to showcase all artists at <a href="http://www.jennifernelsonartists.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Nelson Artists</a>, a new art and licensing agency. I feel inspired by artist & illustrator <a href="http://www.laurenlowen.com/" target="_blank">Lauren Lowen</a>. Her energy and enthusiasm is as contagious as her work. An artist, RISD grad, and educator living just outside Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and dog, Lauren creates art that she lovingly describes as "awkwardly whimsical or whimsically awkward" for a variety of markets including editorial, publishing, and licensing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN/ART STYLE:</span> I'd say folk art in general, which has influenced several art movements throughout history. The way folk art around the world utilizes iconic motifs, patterns, and colors has always been something I have connected with. There seems to be a pureness and natural abstraction there that I enjoy and display in my own art.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">THE MAIN INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR WORK:</span> Probably music is the biggest inspiration in my work. I don't mean because my work is <i>based</i> on music (although there are a lot of characters playing guitars and various instruments), but I use music a lot in my process to "unlock" ideas when sketching and brainstorming. Each song has a different mood and feeling and that will usually inspire an image in some way, whether it be the colors or a prominent character.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">THREE (or less) KEY NOTES ON ART & LICENSING:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">1) When compared to other markets I've worked in, like editorial, artists in licensing and surface design are much more preoccupied and concentrated on trends. Obviously there is a reason for this, as clients need what will sell and artists need to pay close attention to that fact. However, I think sometimes people can be too focused or intimidated by trends to the point where it can be paralyzing. There has to be a balance of both market research and one's own "flavor" and when you find that balance it can be amazing. Pay attention to what's going on in the field, but don't get too wrapped up in what everyone else is doing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">2) Learn some basic digital savvy. It doesn't mean you have to work 100% digital or only in vector. Even for traditional mediums, if you know how to edit colors or set up layers in Photoshop it can really benefit the types of jobs you can get.<br /><br />Last year, I had to take a gouache painting and rearrange the elements so it would fit into a client's template. Since I had these skills, I was able to rework the painting easily in less than 2 hours. If I hadn't been able to do that, I would have lost the job. If you can't manage digital work on your own, then know someone you can hire to do those jobs here and there, like an assistant or local art student looking for part time work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">WHAT YOU REALLY LOVE, I.E. YOUR PASSION:</span> I love my family and husband dearly! Also, I am truly lucky that my art is my full time job and am thankful for that every day. I also get to teach at the local art college, Watkins College of Art, Design & Film throughout the year and have always enjoyed working with students. When they talk about "what would you do if you didn't have to worry about money?" my art and teaching is what I would be doing, so it works out for me just wonderfully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">WHAT YOU DON'T REALLY LIKE:</span> I'm not a big fan of being alone for really long spurts of time. I need to switch it up and be with people to maintain my sanity. It's important for me to connect with others - friends, family, my students and other artists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">A FAVORITE SOMETHING:</span> My new house! We just moved in and it's been fun to get everything in order. I can't wait to set up my new studio.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">A MEMORABLE EVENT IN YOUR LIFE:</span> Last fall I got married, so I have to say that the big day and all of the honeymoon was very memorable and wonderful. Another big moment is probably when I got asked by <a href="http://www.jennifer-nelson-artists.com/lauren-lowen" target="_blank">Jennifer Nelson (my agent)</a> if I wanted to be represented by her. It had been kind of a rough morning and it was like everything just changed for the better in that one second.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">A FUN MEMORY:</span> I visited Australia with my husband before we were married (I got to pet a wallaby!), we got engaged outside the Sydney Opera House, and he was prepared to Skype my parents on his phone so that they could share the big moment (they already knew and had to keep the secret from me).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD AS AN ARTIST:</span> Probably my teaching. I give 110% to my students and have kept in touch with several of them over the years. It's nice when they let me know of big things in their lives, like a new dream job they just landed. Sometimes they go through rough things, like maybe their family isn't 100% supportive of their artistic goals. They only have classmates and teachers to cheer them on, so for those students my involvement can carry a lot of weight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">THE NEXT CHAPTER IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE:</span> Earlier this year I started working with <a href="http://www.jennifer-nelson-artists.com/lauren-lowen" target="_blank">Jennifer Nelson Artists </a>and have been blown away by the support and interest the agency has received (if you are a fan or follower, thank you from all of us!). Each artist has worked on several great projects since we've started and I am super excited to see the variety of clients we are talking with. At the same time, I am preparing artwork for <a href="http://www.surtex.com/" target="_blank">Surtex</a> in May. I will be at booth #559. Please stop by and say hello!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e69138;">A HELPFUL TIP TO OTHER ARTISTS:</span> I will share a favorite quote by philosopher Francis Bacon that summarizes my approach to the business of art: "A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." Sometimes you have to put yourself out there. Make that first contact. Be the solution to someone's problem. <br /><br />Successful people in general don't wait for others; they say "Here I am! You need me!" and sometimes you get lucky and that client yells back "You're right! Let's get to work."</span></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.com0