Artist Feature: Annya Kai's Colourful Owls & More

Hello! Today I want to do an artist feature of a new artist I found while browsing through the blogs that I follow. Her name is Annya Kai, and she does these really cute original paintings of elephants, kitties, but mostly of owls which are just too adorable.

She has a sale right now on Annya Kai's Etsy shop page of buy 2 prints, get the 3rd free. That's not bad. So now, without further ado, here's Annya's work!

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/AnnyaKaiArt

How awesome is it to see a kitty sitting on a cute narwhal whale in the sky? Pretty awesome!

A kitty enjoying a latte, so adorable!

I really love this elephant painting. But my favorite is the little pink one at the top. :)

Alright, who doesn't love adorable sloths? And in hot pink? :)

I think what I like best about Annya's work is that she's an owl fanatic. She has tons of cute owls in all different scenarios. The one on the left is drinking coffee, and the right one has a star map on its belly!

Last but not least is the adorable owl Geisha. I love it. :)

If you enjoyed a sample of Annya's work, you can see the rest here: SHOP • RED BUBBLE 

If you Google her, you'll find all sorts of links to her stuff. :)

Have a great day!!

Underground art and music fair this weekend!

This coming weekend, March 9 to 10, there's the 'Underground salon of art and music of Montreal' being held at St-Denis' church in the plateau, across the street from Laurier metro.

The event is 11 am to 5 pm both days, and there will be art, stuffed monsters, music and more to collect!

I'm going to be there, along with my furries, fleecies, and maybe even a pillow monster.

Entry to this event is free, and we hope you can make it at least one of these days!

If you do happen to stop by, I hope you can adopt a loving monster into your home. :) I will have many to choose from.

I have some new cell phone sleeves that are of a different style, without fur, and lined with cotton/polyester for strength. These work well for going in pockets.

I will also have a few new styles, and some limited editions that are the last ones (mainly the pink furry one with the red branched horns).

Here's a collection of what I'll have for sale:

Plush Keychains - Various colours and facial expressions

Stuffed monster collection

Cell phone sleeve - New style

I hope to see you there!

Make Pixel Art for free!

I was looking for some inspiration on the interwebs to cover up another grease stain on one of my favorite purple hoodies. The silly stain is not in the best of spots... just right of the middle, breast pocket height (give or take an inch).

I love how when I search for something, it takes me on a wild ride throughout the web. At one point I was Googling "DIY pixel art t-shirt" and came upon this website http://makepixelart.com/free/#

You can draw for free, any image you want, and then save it. It's pixelated fun! And I think I've decided what I'm going to put on my sweater now....

This: 

Enjoy, and have fun!!

Monster embroidery hoop art

Last night I went out to an art gallery, and when I got home I had a sudden inspiration! The photo above is my first (and last) attempt at making a baby mobile. I realized the time it took, and this kind of project is mostly a hand sewn kind of project which in my books means a complete waste of time. If I can't produce something in less than 2 hours, I try something new. It's just not cost effective if I'm charging an arm and a leg for a project because my time was so long. That's really what makes prices of handmade objects so expensive... the time it took, not the supplies.

Anyway... I'm getting sidetracked here. :)

I got home from the art gallery and was inspired to make use of all the embroidery hoops I had bought for the previous project (baby mobiles). What if I took the plethora of cotton/polyester fabrics, and my monster ideas, and made furry monster wall art?? It's a fab idea! I can use up a ton of my smaller fur scraps, and people can have art with fur on their walls.

Here's some sketches of some ideas I was thinking about:

Below is a bunch of inspiration to give you an idea! The first image is closest to what I'm thinking, except that the monster would be my own styles. :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/104286609/oh-my-deer-embroidery-hoop

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94219108/monster-embroidery-hoop-art-wall-hanging

http://www.kelilingbogor.com/monster-embroidery-hoop/

Funky Friday Favorites: Kaydi-did Art

Happy Friday everyone!

I'd like you all to welcome this week's artist, Katie Adams of Kaydi-did.

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Visit her: Website • Store • Twitter • Facebook

Q & A

1. Please introduce yourself and your blog/ shop. 

My name is Katie Adams, and I am the person behind Kaydi-did. I am an artist and illustrator in St. Louis, MO. 

2. What got you started making illustrations and other creations? 

I have always had an interest in art making. I would draw random things as a kid, but my favorite thing to do was color. I loved coloring books. I also loved Disney movies. Pretty much have all of them on VHS (yeah..old school!). For awhile, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I just knew it was something creative. So I got my Associates in Fine Arts since I was still figuring things out. However, Fine Arts just wasn't for me. I really wanted to draw and create stories with unique characters that I created. That is why I ended up going for my Bachelors in Illustration. I learned a lot during my time in college, and I didn't actually have my break through until my last year and last semester there. Kind of sucks thinking about it now, how much I struggled. But I don't regret any of it. I struggled off and on for several years with my art. It wasn't until just a few years ago when things started to click for me. That was when I started creating my characters which you can find on my website. 

3. What made you decide to sell them?

I started selling them because I wanted to share my character creations with others. I figured what better way to do that then put them on products and make prints of them. I want to start my own creative business. I would love to have my own cute little boutique shop of products that feature my art and prints.  

4. Where did you come up with your blog/shop name from? 

Well, this is an interesting story. Kaydi-did comes from two different things. Kaydi actually comes from one day where I had to call a tow-truck company to tow my car off the campus lot and he misspelled my name (Katie) to Kaydi.  I liked the unique spelling of it, I decided to start using it. The 'Did' part comes from my childhood, where I would get blamed for many things. Anything bad happened, Katie did it.  So I decided to put them together to make a cute short name. Kaydi-did. Because I actually did all the artwork and am proud. :) 

5. Where do you find your inspiration? 

Oh, gosh. From everywhere! The internet is amazing for this, and also bad at the same time. So many artists I love and admire. Much of my inspiration comes from movies I watched, books I have read, or images I have seen on the web. A lot of my characters just come from who knows where. Usually I am doing something mundane when all of a sudden I have a strange idea about a character I want to do. 

6. So I know you started selling your stuff on Etsy, how is that going for you?  

Etsy is going okay. Since certain holidays have come and gone it is a bit slow. Also the fact that I am unable to afford new products in my store have slowed things down too. I do have a Cafepress site though, in case someone is unable to find what they are looking for on my Etsy site. I did have a decent amount of sales thanks to an awesome person who helped me and made me realize what I was doing wrong. Thanks, Melanie. :) 

(Isn't she sweet? You're very welcome Katie!) :D

7. Do you sell anything besides illustrations? 

I sell my illustrations on products if that is what you mean. I sell prints of my work, but I also do have infant, kids, and adult clothing. Most of those are on my Cafepress site. I do also have other products as well on that site, such as buttons, magnets, iPhone cases, etc. 

8. Any words of advise for people who want to start illustrating?

Don't give up. I graduated in a year where job competition was very rough. Sadly, I didn't have a job lined up for after college. It is tough out there in the world, and those who keep at it are sure to find something. Whether it be at an actual company or your own freelance business. If you are wanting to do freelance, I recommend finding out as much information as possible. Listen to podcast of other artist who have done what you are trying to do. Freelance is tough to do, but if you have the time and the determination you can do it. Just remember, everyone makes mistakes in the beginning. You just have to remember to learn from them. 

9. Can you name 3 of your favorite bloggers or creators? 

Picking favorites is always hard for me, because I don't want to leave anyone out. I don't really follow many blogs, too hard to keep up with. Plus, I don't have Blogger.  Much of my following is on Facebook & Twitter. I will have to say artist Greenbeanbaby is one. Her cut paper illustrations were a huge inspiration to me, and when I decided to start freelancing she was a great help. An awesome artist and person. Another artist I follow is Megan Lara. The way she is able to keep making so much awesome artwork is inspiring. I would love to be that fast with my art some day. Not sure if this is allowed, but my last artist I pick is Curious Little Bird. :)  A great crafter of little monsters, which I would love to own one eventually. Plus, the blog and FB page usually have great business tips. Another awesome artist who has helped me along the way. 

(Awww, shucks! Thanks for the mention Katie!)

10. I have to ask one last question. If you won a million dollars, what would you do with your little business? 

Oh gosh! I have actually thought about this a lot, hoping maybe one day it will happen. I would be able to focus on my business fully. Right now I am trying to juggle working on my art, trying to have a business, and working retail. I'm also trying to have a social life in there as well. Having a million dollars would allow me to not have to work retail to pay student loans and bills. I would be able to fully  focus on making art and making my business what I want it to be. All my debts would be paid off, and it would be amazing.  I would probably buy a little boutique type shop and have my studio in there as well as sell my work. Probably hire a person or two to help run the shop part. Owning a small boutique shop/studio would be a dream come true.  

Visit her: Website • Store • Twitter • Facebook

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Thanks so much Katie! It was wonderful getting to know you! I wish you all the successes, and send you tons of positive vibes!

Don't forget to visit her links, and share the love!

Funky Friday Favorites: Johan Thörnqvist

Today's artist isn't going to be interviewed, rather I'm going to talk to you about a brand new artist that I discovered on the web while I was surfing through Stumbleupon.

Photo: Copyright of Johan Thörnqvist

Visit his: Website • Interview

The artist's name is Johan Thörnqvist and he's from Sweden.  Here's a translated portion of his interview:

My name is when Johan Thörnqvist, I'm 26 years old and live in Helsingborg. I have long worked graphically and got my first job right after high school. Then I made websites, logos and printed materials for local businesses. Then followed studies at Hyper Island internship in London and then a job as a web creator at an advertising agency. After a couple of years I got sick of being locked and not having time for my own projects, so I quit my job and started my own business. One of those own projects - the only thing that really got something with - was to teach me to draw. I bought a cheap tablet and started up. Even then, I had much free since I was a lot of craftsmanship and are used to working with ideas and form.

Ok, so that's not the best translation from Google Translate, but you get the idea. Here's another person that doesn't like working for the man, but for his own means and quits the 'system' to do his own thing!
He recently posted his I only used photos taken with my phone for these: It's basically not so fantastic phone photos that he's drawn over using his drawing tablet. I think this is genius! Totally inspiring. 


Here are a few of his works:

I think I like this one...

... until I saw this one!

robot!!!

I think I love this one the most. It shows how creative he is with every day objects.

I'm so glad to have 'stumbled upon' Johan's work! I guess that's what Stumbledupon is all about. I've bookmarked Johan's site for the future. :) 

Visit his: Website • Interview

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NOTE: All photos are copyright of Johan Thörnqvist. I do not own these photos, however I got explicit permission from Johan to publish them. Please do not download these photos without  permission from Johan.

Street Art and more..

I wanted to share with you some street art that I absolutely love. If you're ever on St-Laurent street in Montreal, walking south on the right side of the road (starting from St-Joseph and going toward downtown), you'll see this art. It's not graffiti, and it's permanent made by a group, I think En Masse. I honestly have to say that we need more street art on buildings to make our concrete jungle prettier. Am I right?

I would love to be able to fill up a page in my sketch book like this. No white space, but all inked in. Someday I will! :)



I also got to participate in some En Masse wall art for the Yelp Aide charity party I attended last weekend. The point of the party was to talk to the different tables, learn about the charities, and if you fill up your card, you get a kazoo. I didn't want to do that, but was there to meet people and have a good time.

Here's photos of my art!

Here I am imitating the weird hands on my drawing of the guy with the checkered hat.

A close up of my drawing. I didn't know that my drawing would be so funny! He's shooting a rocket out of his mouth!

I came back a little later to see someone had added more around my guy. At the end of the party, someone had added checks to his shirt, which had improved it, although I wish I had taken a photo.

I drew in the legs of that squiddy thing (as per the guy's suggestion who was drawing it), and that weird thing below the lynx (which I detest), and finally I added in one of my monsters and my business name just for the heck of it!

This wall art got auctioned off, and I'm glad to know that some of my art is owned by someone! :)

Have a great Saturday! I've got a great new artist for next Friday!

Funky Friday Favorites: Lilly's Papillon

This week's featured artist is Marilou Prokopiou of Lilly's Papillon. She makes these beautiful butterflies you can wear as a brooch. So grab a coffee, and let's learn more about Lilly's Papillon! :)

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My name is Marilou and my very close friends call me Lilly! I do love anything with butterflies, bows and with polka dot on! I am a full time graphic designer in the morning and at nights I do create jewellery.

Visit her:   Blog ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter 

Q & A

Tell us more about what you make!

I create lovely and very colourful brooches in the shape of butterflies, moths, dragonflies, bees, and lately I am trying to experiment with other insects as well. Each piece is created by me in a smoke free, loving environment. They are all out of metal, most of the time out of copper. I cut it, give the shape I want, file it and then add a safety pin at the back. I sand and polish very well each one and then the magic of painting begins. Each piece is very carefully painted. The process for each piece can take sometimes a bit longer than I thought, as each dot should have the right size and shape. If not, I have to start all over again. I use acrylic colors and only fine and very thin brushes to get the right shape of a dot. All patterns are made out of dots. I try to make each one of the brooches unique and each one to have its own pattern. No brooch is the same as with any other. I love the idea of a customer having a unique piece. Most brooches have my signature at the back so the customer will know it is an original.

How did your crafty business come about? What made you want to start it?

Few years ago, I was thinking of taking a jewellery course, I loved the idea of making statement necklaces for myself. So I intended a class and then another and then another and completed two years of courses. In the meantime I was experimenting with all kind of materials till I was introduced in the world of metal; it was love at first sight! I did play with different shapes, up to one day that I thought why don’t I combine my love of butterflies, colour and polka dot! I started making brooches for my family and some friends and without realising, there were some custom orders coming in. This summer I did exhibit twice and it all went really well. More exhibitions are coming this autumn and hopefully I will have lots done by then.

What inspires you to create? What supplies do you use?

I do get inspired by anything I see! I mainly use copper and it fascinates me how you can change the shape of it. From a sheet of metal you can just make anything, in my case butterflies. My work is a combination of using and working with metals and acrylics.

What is your favorite project or most memorable thing you’ve created?

I think it would be the first butterfly I created. Everytime I see it I remember how anxious I was to show my family what I made and my concept and idea at the time which is what I am doing now.

Aside from crafting, what do you do for fun?

Well, if there is any time, which is quite rare lately, I like reading, see my friends but most I love travelling!!!

What are your favorite blogs or websites that everyone should check out?

http://www.papernstitch.com

I have spent hours and hours reading the posts on the site, watching the videos or listening the podcasts.  

 http://www.elephantineblog.com

I absolutely love her photography! So inspiring!!!

http://www.imaginativebloom.com/

I always check out the new artists on the site. Sometimes when you work alone from home you can get lost in your own ideas and is good to finding out what other creatives do.

And of course…

http://www.pinterest.com

Even though I haven’t been on lately as much as I would like, its heaven. I see it as a big sketchbook; when I was at uni (MANY MANY years ago) I had to cut and paste images from mags on my sketchbook. Well is similar, instead of cutting and pasting you just click on the image you like! Love it!!!!

I have to ask a totally random question, so here goes. If you won millions of dollars tomorrow, would you do with your little business?

I think I would go 'full time' freelancing and try to dedicate all my time to my little craft business and I would try to explore new materials and new techniques.

Visit her:   Blog ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter

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Thanks so much for this interview Marilou! I wish you all the luck in your future endeavours!