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I am so very excited about this week's feature! I came across Tanya, selling under the name Gumball Grenade, very much by accident...a very lucky incident indeed!
* Tell us a bit about yourself : My name is Tanya Newbery. I was born in England , raised in Utah . I attended public school up until high school, at which point I requested to attend a private school. It was nice to see the contrast in education styles. I have degrees in both English and Social Work, and a minor in Philosophy. Other little tidbits about me: I love tattoos, but am far to chicken to get one myself. I also have a secret desire to join a roller derby league, but again my chicken factor kicks in!
* What inspires you? A majority of my inspiration comes from my childhood. My childhood was just as I would have wanted it to be. I love watching children experience the same sense of wonder that I once had. Only now I get to see it from a new perspective. I can think of very few things that are better than the look of pure joy and wonderment when you watch a child engaged in magical thinking.
* Apart from creating things, what do you do for fun? I have a tight knit group of friends and family that I cannot imagine life without. I love a healthy debate, which for me means a thou
ght stimulating argument with some healthy shouting sprinkled throughout. I love learning new things, for example I want to take up organic farming, sewing, soap making, beer brewing, felting, baking artisan breads, and the list goes on an on and on. It’s almost like creative ADHD. I also belong to a community service organization, Altrusa International, which places a strong focus on improving literacy rates and giving back to the local community.
* What has been your most memorable moment selling your art? I’m sure it’s a common one for many, but I think the most memorable moment in selling my art was my very first sale. I believe it was a red and gold poppy painting. I was ecstatic to see that someone actually desired and valued something that came from me. Your friends and family may say “wow, that’s really something,” but for me I needed to hear that echoed from somebody I had never met.
* Any advice for fellow artists? I remember going through all of my schooling and NEVER receiving any encouragement to be artistic. I was labeled as logical which seemed to imply uncreative. I was not one to pick up crayons and paper and pump out a masterpiece.
Instead, I read Dr. Seuss and Ranger Rick Magazine. In high school my two favorite courses were Art History and Humanities. I had a passion for art, in that I admired it deeply, but somehow bought into the labels that were applied to me. It wasn’t until my late 20’s that I began attempting to paint and surprisingly discovered that there is a great deal of logic that goes into painting. So my advice would be to follow your desire without buying into labels and avoid labeling at all costs!
Etsy Shop: Gumball Grenade
When I was in high school, I was totally into all things goth, punk medieval and Victorian. I still am, but I no longer dress the part or have the Siouxsie Sioux / Robert Smith make up or hair going on...no longer do I have a foot high mohawk, leather combat boots or tons and tons of eyeliner.Attempting to adopt a Steampunk aesthetic in fashion or home decor isn't hard with the following objects I've picked out from some Etsy members who do it best.
Who does it best?
Here's where you can grab these goodies...
Louise Black -
This cute little card will be listed in my shop on Wednesday by noon PST...still plenty of time for you to purchase before the big day!
I'm gonna let you in on a secret....His name is Dave Lefner.
"...few artists or printmakers still do linoleum reduction printing..."We're a dying craft. Reductive printmaking is a time consuming, tedious process. In this day and age, people don't have that much patience. Artists turn instead to large-format printers, which are glorified Xerox machines. That's why when I see somebody that has mastered this craft, I'm flabbergasted. Lefner has gone beyond being a master printmaker. He's hands down the best linocut printmaker on the West Coast."
* Who or what inspired you to become an artist? I was ALWAYS drawing and always received such praise for my ability that I never remember a time when I didn't consider myself an artist.... I have that 1st grade drawing on my refrigerator of me at my easel complete with beret that boldly states "Someday I will be an artist and paint a lot of pictures". I never really thought of it in terms of a profession until high school when you're forced to decide what you what to do with the rest of your life. I entered college as a declared Graphic Designer because that was the only box to check that remotely involved art.
Yes, it's true...I turn 38 at 4.48 AM [EST] February 1st...and I'm celebrating still! My sweetie-pie just sang "Happy Birthday" to me [awww...].
...best actress nominee [La Vie en Rose] is enchanting and magical in this pale gray strapless gown by Nina Ricci.
Recently, I came across a very talented artist named Tara aka ProjectFelt, who happens to be from a town close to where I grew up in Pennsylvania.
Apart from creating things, what do you do for fun? Hmm...well for me crafting and my business takes up most of my life, but, when I don't have a hook in my hand, I'm usually either sleeping, shopping or out at a bar with friends. You will always find me at the pool in the summer and riding my bike in the Spring. In the winter, I'm a home body. I hate the cold! I also like to experiment with different mediums in my down time. Right now I have a itch to create some eye pillows filled with relaxing scents and wonderful silky fabrics.
Thank You so very much to ProjectFelt for such a lovely feature on my Dirty Pretty Things.
I'm blushing...seriously!
xxx
Raven
You can check it out here.
[Click image to enlarge]
"It's the most fun I've had with a character and probably will ever have," he said. "The movie itself is far exceeding my expectations. I think it's going to be a really fun movie to watch."
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