Showing posts with label paintings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paintings. Show all posts

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Pretty Things Spotlight: * Katrine K *

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Congrats to Shaumein...winner of the Katrine K. limited edition print give-a-way!
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Inspired by her dreams as well as everyday life, Norwegian artist, Katrine Kalleklev creates a whimsical little wunderland that I myself would like to live in.

"I’m often inspired by dreams, both dreams that I’ve actually dreamt and dreams that I imagine I could have dreamt! My head is filled with little, weird imagined stories."


Her enchanting animals mingle with sometimes oddly quirky little people in the cutest clothing. They inhabit rooms papered with chic wallpaper and furnished with the most beautiful furniture ...or they wander out to play in the sweet starlight countryside.


Katrine's use of muted colours gives each piece of her work an almost ethereal moody feel, drawing us in to each new story yet to be told.



Tell us a bit about You…
Hello, my name is Katrine K and I’m a 35-year old Norwegian artist and illustrator. I have a Master’s Degree from Oslo National Academy of the Arts. I live and work in a tiny village very near Oslo. I have a husband, two children (Gustav and Oskar), --and a black cat called Julius, who is 11 years old and the boss of the family! We live in an old, little house next to the woods…it’s quite romantic and peaceful. I have my studio in this house too, so you can say I spend a lot of time there!

What inspires you?
I’m often inspired by dreams, both dreams that I’ve actually dreamt and dreams that I imagine I could have dreamt! My head is filled with little, weird imagined stories. I am very
interested in psychology and the unconsciousness; dreams have a central part here. Surreal poetry, crazy music and other artists also inspire me. Lastly, I am also inspired by small details of everyday life, -the little things that don’t seem to mean anything…they can mean so much if you look at them separately or in different settings.

Apart from creating things, what do you do for fun?
I enjoy baking very much…Bread and cakes (with spelt, I am allergic to wheat), as it’s a fun thing to do with the kids! I let them decorate the cakes, as you never know what the cake will end up looking like! I also love to watch a good film, spend time with my little family and go to the cafe with my nearest friends. In the summer I just love to sit in our garden, relaxing and perhaps eat one of those delicious cakes we’ve just baked…Or nip to a glass of red wine.
One more thing: It’s perhaps odd,… but I find much pleasure in tidying up in my cupboards and drawers. I like to sort things, look at stuff I’d almost forgotten, make “systems” and “classify” the things. For instance, I put all the red things together in a box…!

What has been your most memorable moment selling your art?
H
mmm, it’s hard to give a proper answer to this one. I think every little or large sale is memorable. I am so honoured every single time I make a sale and think it so exciting that my pictures are bought all over the world thanks to Etsy. My local Library also bought one of my paintings and it now hangs in the Library for everyone to see…that’s very nice.

Any advice for fellow artists...
Stick to who you are, what you stand for and what you do the best. Never give up even when you
meet difficulties! It’s essential that you love what you do and listen to your heart.

If you could be any character whom would it be and why?
I would like to be Amelie from Montmartre. She is a bit of an eccentric loner with a great imagination full of fascination
for the little things around her. She doesn’t care what others think of her, has a strong personality, a good heart and wants to enrich other people’s lives. I’m always so inspired when I see this movie.

Where have you traveled or where would you like to travel and why?
I have this stupid anxiety for traveling and don’t like airplanes very much because they give me claustrophobia. Still, I have managed to travel to Italy a few times and would love to go back soon as it’s so rustic and romantic! I’ve also been to Berlin, a fantastic city, which is so urban and modern, yet so cozy and down-to-earth. Sorry to say, but I’ve never been to the US. Some day I will gp, but then I must fly, mustn’t I? I want very much to visit New York!

Tell us your future plans for your business...
My plan is to continue with what I’m doing: Painting and drawing and doing illustration work on the side. I’ll always try to develop myself as an artist and wish to one day also make a proper living out of being an artist. It’s
so hard but I don’t know what else I could do…I am hopelessly in love in my business and will work until I die…

Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or your work, etc…
At present my work is represented in the US by the Tinlark Gallery in Hollywood (thetinlarkgallery.com) and at 1301 Gallery in Omaha, Nebraska (hotshopsartcenter.com).


Shoppe: http://KatrineK.Etsy.com
Blog: http://KatrineK.Typepad.com



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This Give-a-Way is now closed...

Miss Katrine is soooo very generous with her feature's
give-a-way of her limited edition print "I Do Not Know You". This is one of my most favourite images in Katrine's shop and I'm sure you will absolutely love it too...Yay!

The winner will receive #5 of 50 in this limited edition
7.3" x 10,3" print series, which is printed on archival matte 192g weight paper that resists fading for up to 200 years. This print will be signed and numbered by Katrine.

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Congratulations!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Pretty Things Spotlight: SophiasSweetSpot

Update: The winner of the sweet Gypsy Jane print by SophiasSweetSpot is AFSANEH!

CONGRATULATIONS!

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Sophia's work is a little bit shabby chic and a little bit retro mod...but, no matter how you describe it, you'll definitely be drawn to the bright colours, geometric patterns and her doe-eyed Ingenues.







S
ophia's work exudes nothing but fun with it's imaginative shapes and whimsical swirling details. It's evident that Sophia very much enjoys delving into the artistic side of her spirit...and we are so happy that she does!



"I am always sketching and when I get to steal time away for myself I love to paint. It's what I love to
do the most..."

Spotlight: SophiasSweetSpot



Tell us a bit about you…
I am Sophia…a 28 year old stay at home mother/artist. I am married to my wonderful husband Stephen and the U.S. Army! Currently we live in North Carolina, but are originally from Corpus Christi, TX. Stephen and I never dated…we just saw each other and a month later it was off to Honolulu, HI to get married. We have 2 beautiful daughters, Milla Sweet (3yrs), and Allie Love (1yr). Since I live away from family and stay at home with my girls, I’ve started painting. My paintings stem from a pile of sketchbooks I have filled over the years.


What inspires you?
I am inspired by so many things, but mostly vintage. I love to browse fabric,
patterns, and old fashion magazine covers. I collect vintage buttons and tons of scrap paper. Right now, I’m totally addicted to Martha Stewart paper! I usually take everything out and have at it. I am also inspired by other Etsy artists as there is so much talent on Etsy.

Apart from creating things, what do you do for fun?
For fun I like to just be with my husband and two daughters. He is gone a lot, so when he is home, our time is super precious. We mostly like to cook and entertain for friends. A typical weekend includes my husband making his awesome Korean BBQ and having margaritas!

What has been your most memorable moment selling your art?
My most memorable moment was of course my first sale on Etsy! It was a high to have someone buy a piece of my art. I was also very shocked and honored to be accepted into Trunkt. I get to have my portfolio on the site amongst so many amazing artists.

Any advice for fellow artists...
Create what makes you happy and not what sells. Sometimes I get caught
up in what other people think of my art, but what should be most important is what one likes to do. What’s the point otherwise? Also, if you want to succeed, never quit! Never in a million years did I think I would even have a chance to pursue art and I get to do that now.

More about you...
I do not have any formal training besides taking an art class when I was in sixth grade, but I really want to study graphic design one day. It took me so long to realize what I wanted to do and, finally, I know...at 28…Geez! I have so much to look forward to…This is just the beginning for me.



Shop: http://www.SophiasSweetSpot.Etsy.com
Portfolio:
http://www.trunkt.org/client.listing_more.cfm/id/4950

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Enter this week's give-a-way!


Gypsy Jane is back with her curly hair and retro head
wrap!

Oh how I wish I could sometimes enter the give-a-ways on my blog...'cuz Miss Sophia is graciously giving away a print of "Gypsy Jane" this week.
This print is a reproduction of an original painting by Sophia and measures 8"x10". It has been professionally printed on Kodak Supra Professional Matte Photographic paper.


How to enter:

Take a look into Sophia's shoppe, SweetSophiasSpot, on Etsy and pick your most favourite piece of art. Then, leave a comment here by clicking on the comments area below and tell us what your favourite piece is.

Most Important Details:
If your favourite piece of Sophia's art is not part of your comment and/or some sort of viable contact information is not included, your entry will be automatically disqualified. Winner has 3 days to contact me with their address. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist. The winner's name will be drawn from a hat...the good ole' fashioned way to do things. One entry per person. All entries must be received by noon Sunday, June 1st, 2008, PST. This contest is open to everyone.


Best of luck to you, my Pretties!