Artist Profile: Rachel Robertson

Tell us a bit about yourself name, location, and something that we might find interesting about you...
My name is Rachel T. Robertson, I'm located in San Francisco, CA. Every year for the past ten years I have created an edition of about 50 Holiday cards to send to friends and family. Each one is made by hand, usually hand drawn.

Apart from creating, what do you do?
I work full-time as a Display Artist for Anthropologie, Inc.

What first made you want to become an artist?
My dad. He was amazingly talented (artist, designer, illustrator) and was always showing me his latest project, whether it was a house he designed, an illustration or a new idea for transforming our backyard. He seemed able to create just about anything. I flirted with other majors in college and thought about avoiding the difficulty of getting a job with an art degree but I always found myself drawing whenever I could. I finally decided it was silly to pursue anything else. It was the thing that I was best at.

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I try to be consistent with my practice but it doesn’t always come as easily as I would like. I will often just work on little drawings that lead to bigger collage pieces. I love the process of combining different elements together. I mainly work on paper and with whatever materials I have on hand (paper, ink, pencil, watercolor, acrylic paint, photos, yarn, thread, old prints or drawings, etc). Lately I have been interested in drawing plants and birds and working them into collages. I also love to knit and sew and usually have a few projects going simultaneously.

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?
I am inspired by so many creative people. I really like to look at not only artists but also designers and architects. I love mid-century design and am particularly inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese design. Here’s just a few of the most influential artists/designers, in no particular order: Robert Rauschenberg, Richard Diebenkorn, Charles and Ray Eames, Robin and Lucienne Day, Alexander Girard, Isamu Noguchi, Hans Wegner, Lotta Anderson, Thomas Campbell, Evan Hecox, Joseph Cornell, David Hockney, illustrator Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Phoebe Washburn, Hella Jongerius, and also, my dad, Gordon Robertson.

Where else can we find your work and connect with you online?
My website, that links to my Flickr account where I post my work (art, craft and knits).
I have an Etsy shop as well where I sell my work. You can also find my work periodically for sale on-line here.

Images copyright Rachel Robertson, used by permission ~ all rights reserved.

New pastures, new passions

Dear Friends, (those we know and those who are have just discovered us)

SHOP CLOSING
After much consideration Chris and I have decided to close our photography shop--Pfeiffer Photos--on Etsy at the end of August. The sales haven't been coming for some time, and our promotion level has dropped due to pursuits of other projects so it's on to other pastures and passions for now. We're still taking photos--no loss of interest there--and we'll keep sharing them on Flickr so check our our gallery over there and become a contact so we can enjoy your photos, too!

Pfeiffer Photos has been a good adventure for us and we value all the nice people we've met through Etsy and beyond. Our photography has improved much, we've learned a lot about running a small business, and most all of we've made some great friends--on Etsy, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter and especially through the Pfeiffer Photos blog.

We're still answering Etsy convos (until end of Aug), and email inquiries (click the icon in the right margin of this blog) so don't hesitate to drop us a note.

CLOSING SHOP SALE: Receive 50% off on select 4x6 prints and cards...visit our sale section in the Etsy Shop for all the details.

Our photo note cards are now available only upon request. Please send us a message with the title of the image and quantity you desire and we'll create a custom listing for you on Etsy through the end of August 09. After that, please view our images and send requests through our Flickr Gallery or via email link on this blog.

FLICKR
Our Flickr Gallery will stay alive after the shop closes as it holds MANY MORE images and almost all of them can be made into prints or cards upon request.

BLOG
The Pfeiffer Photos blog has morphed so much since originally started and has become about so much more than just photography! The blog adventure will continue after our shop is closed. I'm still here...the posts have been fewer just because I'm on a bit of a hiatus to enjoy some summer activities before I start school again in the fall.

MY VINTAGE ADVENTURE
And, last, but not least, please visit my Etsy vintage shop--forrestina vintage--the place where I'm spending more of my energy these days. You can also connect with forrestina vintage on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and via the vintage blog which has turned out to be lots of fun for me to create (and has a nice little following at 87 and counting!)

On a more personal note...

We're heading off for the beach this weekend for some fishing, thrifting and clam chowder with friends. And, yes, we'll be taking our cameras so check the Flickr gallery for new photos soon!

Have a super weekend, my friends!

Image copyright Pfeiffer Photos, 2009.

Artist Profile: Blair Lambert aka Bestiary and Bestiary Ink

Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, the personal stuff.
My name is Blair Lambert. I'm originally from rural Pennsylvania but have been bumming around NYC for the past several years. I earned my undergraduate degrees in Museum Education and Fine Art at Penn State. Currently, I'm living in Fort Greene, Brooklyn and I adore it. I'm a graduate student at The Pratt Institute studying Art and Design Education.

Apart from creating, what do you do?

When I'm not sewing, drawing and painting, I'm teaching art to children at a studio right here in Brooklyn.

What first made you want to become an artist?
I don't feel like I had much choice in the matter... I'm not talented in much else. It's a similar to the urge to scratch an itch: I have to use my hands and create.

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I create in bursts. I'll have a few days of massive productivity and then I'll be completely uninspired for a while. My bedroom is my studio. I have my sewing machine, supplies, inventory and work table around my bed, it makes for a great commute to work in the mornings. My handbags are inspired by the fabrics I use. Each is made of a piece of recycled upholstery scrap. I love pairing patterns and colors and it's those combinations that inspire the applique design. My drawings and paintings are all done with Micron pens (which I covet!) and watercolors.

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?
My grandmother had the most amazing collection of sewing supplies and notions, her hording and good taste inspired me most. I love classic children's book illustrators like Arthur Rackham and Beatrix Potter.

Where else can we find your work and connect with you online?
My shops for stationary and fine art are Bestiary Ink and Bestiary for handbags and totes. Any inquires can be sent directly to me via email here.

Images copyright Bestiary Ink and Bestiary, 2009.

Artist Profile: Leah Daehling of Moxie Photo and Design

Tell us a bit about yourself; name, location, the personal stuff.
My name is Leah. I’m married to Brent. I’m the middle of 5 kids {that should
explain a lot} I am just now starting to understand {and appreciate} the
values my parents instilled in me. I’ve been to Ireland, London, Paris and
Rome. And that’s in pecking order too. I can't wait to travel again. I used
to prefer working out to anything. But I am enthralled in Etsy, blogging,
photography, writing, networking, creating, and vintage hunting. I simply
love it. I am kinda shy about it all too. I am just now able to say "on my
blog." I want to paint our kitchen cupboards white. The relationships I make
through my blog and Etsy amaze me. I would probably never meet any of them,
yet I know about them, what they create, how they write, and actually have
met some of them. If you think about that, it's pretty amazing. I failed
miserably {3 times} at making banana bread. And I probably won't make it
again. I love drawstring pants. Oh...and I like to make things.

Apart from art what do you do?
I just don’t know if there is an official apart from art part of my day. my
full time gig: graphic designer for a marketing firm working with non
profits. I’m involved in our church. Any activity is usually more fun when
Brent is around. I’m one of the first to sign up for a family event. And
have been known to create a reason for us to get together. But day after
day, my brain works continuously. Thinking about a blog I will write. Taking
a photo for my blog. Deciding what to list next. Commenting on blogs. Making
things in my studio. Scratching out ideas in my idea book, going to garage
sales, auctions and thrift...no matter what I am doing, I will somehow

connect it back to my art at some point.

What made you first want to be an artist?
I don’t think I have ever called myself an artist. It doesn’t occur to me
that that’s what this {opens arms towards all my art and supplies and
finished pieces) means. For arguments sake, we’ll say I am one. It just
happened, I suppose. My grandma painted, my mother is a photographer and
genius seamstress. My sister watercolors….but those are just things they did
among countless other things. I didn't sit down in a cafe somewhere and
contemplate my coming out as an artist over a soy latte. I just realized I
have a skill and have taking a liking to it and honed it and find it
energizing and a source of great happiness.

Please describe your creative process...
I struggle with actually putting pen to paper when it comes to my process.
Since it differs so much, I will give random facts and you can piece it
together for a process of sorts. I have a journal of lists. So many lists.
Ideas, tasks to be done. for life and art. And both. For tonight and this
weekend. I am neurotically methodical about some things and could not care
any less about others. i have learned to listen to my moods and therefore
know when I am in the mood to take photographs or write a blog or write an
Etsy listing or stand at my art table or sit down and putter with the sewing
machine. and I don’t force it anymore. I used to set a certain block of time
to make greeting cards. and if I wasn’t in the mood, it would be so hard!
Now, when I have my sassy molassy mood, I know I should be making my cheeky
cards or writing a cheeky blog post, not taking photos.

What artists influence your work?
I appreciate all historical art, but inspiration usually comes by way of
current artists. Mostly, kitchen table artists. And living room floor
artists. And converted basement corner artists. You know one...it may be
you. You love making things so you find a place to make things. And the
stuff you make, I am continually amazed. Perusing Etsy always means
inspiration. Looking around too long means inspiration overload. There’s
some crazy inspiring people at kitchen tables right now making something
that will inspire me tomorrow.

Where else can we find your stuff and connect with you online?
I have my goods at various small galleries and shops in Nebraska. The best place to see
what is new and available is my blog. And either of my Etsy shops, moxie photo and design or moxie thrift. I'm also on Facebook and Twitter.

Images copyright Moxie Photo and Design, 2009 -- thanks, Leah!

Artist Profile: Galit Barak Jewelry Designer

Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff.

My name is Galit Barak, a bit about my name: "Gal" in Hebrew means wave, "Galit" is the feminine form for this word and only used as name. It's also the shorting of my grandmother's name "Margalit" which means, "pearl". "Barak" in Hebrew means lightning. I'm 22 years old from Israel. I live in a small town next to the Mediterranean Sea.

Apart from creating what do you do?


I work as a part-time Au Pair for three adorable kids; try to swim and to cook something tasty everyday!

What first made you want to become an artist?


I always loved to create, since I was a kid I have drawn, painted and crafted practically anything I get my hands on, and I studied fine arts in high school. I learned to knit and crochet and decided to explore the technique a bit more. I started by using simple metal wires and after I gained confidence, I graduated to sterling silver and gold-filled wire.

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.

I don't really have a formal process. I see the stones, the pearls and the wire and I start to play. I experience and make something new every time. If I like the result, I try to sell it and then I make more pieces.

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?


I really love painters! I admire the work of Klimt, Van Gogh and Kandinsky, but I'm not yet familiar with any great jewelry designers.

Where else can people find your work and connect with you online?

My Etsy shop, Galit Barak Jewelry Designer, my blog, and on Twitter. If you are an Israeli or come to tour Israel you are welcome to visit my studio and try on my jewelry in person!

Images copyright Galit Barak - copyright 2009.

Artist Profile: Ingrid Blixt of Ingrid Art Studio

Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff.
Ingrid Blixt, visual artist currently living in Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Escanaba. I am originally from Romania, where I grew up and attended school at the University of Art and Design, Cluj Napoca. I moved here in 2001.

Wings - original mixed media wall art, set of 9

Apart from creating art, what do you do?

I work a lot with the local art center, William Bonifas Arts Center from Escanaba, which is a wonderful facility for such a small town, and where I recently had a solo show (April 2 - 25, 2009). I also teach, have workshops and I freelance in graphic design and web design. For the past months I'm mostly home taking care of our baby girl, Isabela - she's 9 months old, and when I have some spare time I go in the studio to do some work.

Ave Maria - original encaustic and mixed media

What first made you want to become an artist?
I think it was exposure to the art where I used to live, in Baia Mare, viewing the public art and the work of local artists.

The Field II - fine art photograph

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
The creative process is a two way street. I either start from images I already have, mostly photography, or I have certain concepts I want to translate in visual form and I start my search for the right imagery to express it. I usually work on several pieces at the same time, especially if I am using mixed media techniques. My primary technique is drawing because it lets me work fast, precise and very energetically. Mixed media and photography let me be spontaneous and often give me instant gratification. The result of the encaustic medium always amazes me and makes me want to do mor. Byzantine painting (painting icons) lets me find myself.

The under layers of my town II - fine art photograph

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?
Well, that would make it a long list but I'll just name a few. When I started drawing in high school, many of my friends--who were incredibly talented and also became very good artists --influenced, helped and created a very fertile, conducive atmosphere to create. Hausi Cantermir, Mircea Suciu, Dan Vezentan, Zoltan Bela, Adela Apahidean; they all live in Romania. My art teachers in high school and college made an unforgettable impression and surely had the greatest influence on my future in art. Famous artists include Igor Mitoraj, the Expressionists, and Tapiez.

Two Moons - limited fine art print

Where else can we find your work and connect with you online?
My web site and blog, Ingrid Art Studio, my shop on Etsy, Vertin Gallery, and Art and Garden Gallery.

Original artwork and images used by permission - copyright Ingrid Art Studio, 2009.

Etsy Profile: Diana Walden of Copper Inc.

Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff.
My name is Diana Waldon. I was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas (Yee-Haw!) and moved to Holyoke, Massachusetts a few years ago with a group of friends. We were young and thought that it would be awesome to move halfway across the country and try to make it out on our own. It's been fun and at times difficult, but I'm happy I did it. I am currently finishing up my BFA at Umass Amherst. I like cinnamon rolls and Chai tea.

a pile of letters print - $8

Apart from creating art, what do you do?

Browsing the book store has become a recent and expensive habit. Apart from spending money on books faster than I read them, I really like to cook. I love planning and preparing dinners with my boyfriend. Even more enjoyable, I love eating dinner. Delicious. When the weather warms up, I try to spend as much time as I possibly can at the beach. I'd be very happy if I could find a part-time job boogie boarding!

the martini lover print - $8

What first made you want to become an artist?

Just being exposed to art was probably the catalyst. The feeling of wonder you have while looking at something you consider beautiful and worthwhile has always been a mesmerizing motivator. If I see beauty, I want to create it too. Art is catching. If I had to pinpoint the first time I felt that way, it would be in elementary school when a boy in my class finished a drawing of a recorder. At the time, I thought the silly, little sketch was the most amazing thing ever created. I was floored and simultaneously hooked -- I fell in love with art.

gold leaf and gold leaves print - $20

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I like using acrylic paints, old books, and gold leaf. My process usually starts out with a half-formed direction and I just dive in, not really fully committed to achieving a perfect end result. I'll meander around until I eventually find a good stopping point. If I can use gold leaf, I'm happy.

top: it was black and cold, i put on a pot of coffee print - $15

bottom: a thin coating of ice print - $8

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?

There have been so many! Seeing the dedication and creativity of other Etsy artists always makes me want to push up my sleeves and get to work. Also encouraging are my friends and family, they are always so excited and interested in what I'm doing -- I'm very grateful. As for the artist-that-have-books-dedicated-to-their-work category, lately I've really been enjoying Gustav Klimt and John Singer Sargent.

candy, backwards print - $15

Where else can we find your work?

Well, I'm pretty new to the game so my Etsy shop, Copper Inc, is my only venue right now. It's new and growing and I plan to maintain it for as long as I can. Other than on Etsy you might be able to find some of my work, according to my wonderful customers, on various walls in their homes.

Images copyright Copper Inc, 2009.

Artist Profile: Lara Medina - Artful Memories

Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff.
My name is Lara Medina, I live in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, with my husband, our 4 children and our Boston terrier. We are all creative. All of our kids love different aspects of art. Some of my guilty pleasure TV shows are Housewives of OC, Make Me a Supermodel, Peter Perfect, We Mean Business, and My Name is Earl.


squooshie button kit - 10 pack

Apart from creating art, what do you do?
I am a stay at home and work at home Mom. My hubby and I run a photography biz from home, so we are able to be here with our little guy and for our kids when they get home from school. It’s awesome. I love to cook, paint, and play “Lips” with my kids on Xbox. Shhhhhh, I can’t sing, but I love to pretend I can, and recently I have become addicted to Twitter.


lovin' life 12x12 paper art kit

What first made you want to become an artist?
I think I have always had a creative side to me. When I was younger I was not sure what medium I should focus on. I discovered scrapbooking and creating handmade albums a bit by accident. A few years ago, I had a prolonged illness and decided I needed something to take my mind off of it. My kids and I visited the craft store and picked up some card making supplies. Since my husband is a photographer we had many photos to experiment with. I used some of the card making supplies to create an album layout and I was hooked. My first few pages were horrendous! Eventually, I found my style and began to grow into it. I have created pages and albums for friends, family, and eventually, I opened my shop on Etsy.


rustic 2-sided file tabs - set of 32

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I have a small craft station in my home office. My supplies are organized but my table top is usually covered with works in progress, kits I am putting together, and my new Etsy purchases. I create when I have time and inspiration--often these do not happen at the same time. I try to accomplish something everyday--research, buying supplies or just gaining inspiration from others. I use many handmade items purchased from Etsy shops in my projects. I also love using recycled items in my albums and kits. I currently store about 30 boxes under my desk waiting to be turned into journaling spots or other embellishments.


crate paper 12x12 paper & ribbon kit

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?
Ali Edwards, for her clean, simple design, Elsie Flanigan whose work is cute and quirky, Teresa Collins for her edginess and so many people on Flickr have inspired me to create.


wanted - custom altered 12x12 canvas

Where else can people find your work?
My work can be found in my Etsy shop, my blog, Flickr stream, and maybe one day I'll be featured on Martha Stewart! I can dream, right?!

Photos in this post are by and copyright of Artful Memories.

Artist Profile: Melissa Beach - Scent of Rain Designs

Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff.
My name is Melissa Beach and I live in Santa Cruz, California. I live in a great apartment with my fiance and our four year old daughter. I am a senior at the University of California, Santa Cruz majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Art History. I began taking pictures with a Roloflex SLR (aka Rollei) when I was about 10. My father, grandfather, and several on my uncles are or were photographers. So when I expressed an interest in photography my dad didn't think I needed to start with a point and shoot. Once I learned to use a camera I never left it at home. I still use that Roloflex and it is still one of my favorite cameras.

surfer's church

Apart from creating art, what do you do?
When I am not taking pictures I am reading one of the 10-12 books and 30+ articles I have to read for my classes at UCSC each quarter. Intense! I pull myself away from work as often as I can to play with my daughter or hang out with my fiance who is still my best friend. When school is not overtaking my life my two favorite things to do are cook and grow my veggie garden.

reaching for sustenance

What first made you want to become an artist?
I remember going to my grandfather's home one Thanksgiving. He was a painter, photographer, inventor, and print maker and his house was covered in his works. Family members have told me that he was the artist behind the Otter Pops characters and he invented several board games and the 100 sided dice. He and my grandmother had luxurious taste so even though they lived in a modest apartment it was decorated with lots of velvet on the couches, a formal dining area. I remember their big lamps with all the crystals hanging off of them. The largest painting in that room was a gigantic tiger, painted with Gouache. That painting mesmerized me and when I found out my grandfather was the artist, I decided I wanted to be able to paint like that too. My grandfather died when I was about 13, and I didn't know him very well, but I feel like I did. My family often tells me how much my art resembles his. I like to think that he sends me inspiration and helps me along my own path as an artist.

plum zen - set of postcards

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I use four different cameras in different ways. My Nikon D70 is my main digital SLR. I also use a small Panasonic Lumix and, of course, my Roloflex. I recently began exploring Through the Viewfinder or TtV photography and I am using my grandfathers Kodak Dualflex 3 as my bottom camera and my Nikon D70 for the top camera. I love that I am combining our two cameras to create new pictures.

I am drawn to bright colors and the order of nature. I like the idea of a natural perfect ratio or Pi. So I look for that to show through in my photograph's composition. Mostly I want people to walk away energized by the colors but in a peaceful and somehow relaxing way. My black and white prints are also inspired by order and shapes as well as light and shadow. I like my black and white prints to be really dramatic as well as aesthetically beautiful.


secret garden

Most of my printing is done through professional printers who specialize in photography. Occasionally I get access to a real darkroom and I can process and print my own film. Unfortunately, this is becoming more and more rare.

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?
As I mentioned before I am really inspired by my grandfather and my father who taught me to use a camera. There are several photographers who are on Etsy and Flickr and who have blogs that are very inspirational. When I am in a rut I love doing personal photo challenges. I've experimented with shooting 100 different pictures while standing in one spot or taking 20 pictures using negative space. Often some of my favorite photos come from these challenges.

leaf drops

Where else can people find your work?
I have a website which is just getting up a running, my Etsy shop, Scent of Rain Designs, my Flickr stream, my photo blog, and I write a craft blog, Elemental Stitches.

All images displayed in this post are by and copyright of Scent of Rain Designs, all rights are reserved.

Artist Profile: Samantha Battersby of Matou en Peluche

Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff...
My name is Samantha Battersby. I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia and I still live in Sydney with my partner in crime, Chris. I studied secondary education at Sydney University but spent most of my time drawing for the student newspapers and designing posters for local bands! After university I worked part time as a freelance cartoonist and illustrator for newspapers and magazines. I also exhibited my paintings and drawings in gallery shows around Sydney and country New South Wales. Now I have my own company and teach English in the city.

Coco

Apart from creating art, what do you do?

I teach English as a second language at a college in the city. In my free time when I’m not drawing I love going for long, long walks with my partner along the pretty coastal tracks around Sydney. The Blue Mountains, two hours west of Sydney, are another favourite walking destination for us.

Irene and her blue velvet coat

What first made you want to become an artist?

I think I was very small when I decided that I loved drawing and creating things. My Mum was a creator extraordinaire--I don’t even come close to her out put--so I guess it’s either in the genes or it was a monkey see monkey do type of thing! Decoupage, cartooning, painting and acting are also things I like to explore. Drawing is my favourite medium.

Juliet

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.

My idea of heaven is spending a day or days at home just drawing. I could happily become a drawing hermit! However, due to other commitments, I usually spend Saturdays and a few nights a week drawing. At the moment I am really enjoying using charcoal and pastels. I love the mixture of precision and smudginess you can get using them. The colours are amazing, and I have a huge collection of pastels that I add to every time I pass an art supply shop!

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?

Goya and Rubans are two of my favourites at the moment but there are so many more! I get inspired by anything actually. It could be a poster in the street I like the colours of or an interior in a design magazine or even somebody’s clothes--you name it and I’ll start thinking about a drawing I could create.

Gorgeous Gerty

Where else can people find your work?

I sell my work on Etsy under the name Matou en Peluche, on Made It, an Australian handmade site like Etsy but it's smaller, and I have a website where I sell my cards and posters.

Little Robin

Visit Sam's blog

HERE.

Artworks displayed in this post are the original designs and copyright of Samantha Battersby of Matou en Peluche.