Sunday, October 30, 2011

Karin Taylor

I met Karin Taylor online a few years ago now and I have been a fan of her wonderful work since then. I will be stocking her cards in my Gallery/Shop and l'm happy to be sharing some of it with you now. First, I will let Karin tell you a little bit about herself.

My name is Karin Taylor, my home is Australia, my muse is the ocean. For the last 10 years I’ve been busy creating little art offerings to share, a morsel of friendliness, a taste of sugary nostalgia, a little warmth for the heart, a moment of reflection for a passerby, an intention of goodwill, a kind gesture, these things go a long way. I like to illustrate in a way so that children and adults can relate.

I hope the art takes people on little journeys outside the normal everyday sphere of living, into dreamworlds and other realms where imagination can flow unhindered…to touch a heart, to spin a dream, to share a thought, a love, a special memory..these are the things that make life meaningful for me, for others…. making that connection with my viewer is everything for me, ensuring that I am ‘making meaning’ with my art is also important. I used to think art was a selfish process, but now I realise it is also a giving and nurturing desire that leads the artist to create for others, to embrace the part of another’s soul that cries out to be heard, loved, revisited. My art is the expression of all that I am, all that I wish for and all that I long to be.

My process is generally to draw with a mechanical pencil on paper, then I like to photograph the drawing and paint it in Photoshop CS4 with my wacom tablet. It’s a cross between traditional and digital, which translates as ‘tradigital’. This is a method I’ve adopted for some time, but I also like to used mixed media and in the past have used acrylics, charcoal, ink and chalk pastel, my most recent painting was a watercolour, all painted by hand. Each process is has something different to enjoy and I love to play with different surfaces and try new things.

"Mi & Yuu" by Karin Taylor | RedBubble:

"Solar Power" by Karin Taylor | RedBubble:

"Gypsy" by Karin Taylor | RedBubble:

"Pearl of the Sea" by Karin Taylor | RedBubble:

"Heart of Gold" by Karin Taylor | RedBubble:

"Pilgrimage" by Karin Taylor | RedBubble:

"Rainbow Warriors of Bubblegum Bay" by Karin Taylor | RedBubble:

"little owl" by Karin Taylor | RedBubble:

"Hidden Treasure" by Karin Taylor | RedBubble:

"angel dust" by Karin Taylor | RedBubble:

Here is Alela Diane "White As Diamonds" from the album "To Be Still"

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Kommoner

Now a lot of people give lip service about their beliefs, what should be done etc. but here is a little Brisbane lady who actually does something to try and help. Let me introduce Kira Commoner of Kommoner.

My name is Kira and I create vegan-friendly plushies, brooches and jewellery when I'm not studying my Sociology degree, volunteering or watching documentaries. I have many strong beliefs about animal and human rights and use my business to help fundraise for various charities to further these causes. In 2011 so far I have raised over $2,000!

I am inspired by my passions, comic books and fantasy novels to create dinosaurs, robots and other cool little critters. I love seeing people's faces when they find something that they adore and are able to take it home with them. I also get a lot of enjoyment out of the feedback that I get.

In the future I hope to shift fully to eco-fi felt and create more products such as patches, shirts and postcards. While I would love to be able to live off Kommoner one day, I also hope to get involved in a charitable organisation in order to help change the world!

Here is some examples of her whimsical work

You can see more of her work at:

http://www.facebook.com/Kommoner

Here is a list of who Kira has raised money for so far, well done Kira!

Just an overview of all donations that have been made since I created Kommoner. I am hoping that by having these here I can inspire myself to do better and others to join in.

October '11

Animals Australia - http://fb.me/AnimalsAustralia - 25.15 (as of 26/10/11)

2011 thus far

Brisbane Valley Cat Rescue - http://bit.ly/BVCRF - 194.30

Oxfam Australia to help with the East Africa food crisis - http://fb.me/OxfamAustralia - 1,060

Peninsula Animal Aid - http://fb.me/PeninsulaAnimalAid - 292.80

Buy This Satellite - http://fb.me/buythissatellite - 87.90

ARK - http://www.arkbark.net - 587.00

Uproar - http://fb.me/uproar.org.au - 39.80

RSPCA - https://donate.rspcaqld.org.au/flood - 105.75

2010

Uproar - http://fb.me/uproar.org.au - 103.30

Movember - http://au.movember.com/ - 6.50

Kiva - http://www.kiva.org - 5.64

TOTAL = $2506.74

*Note: These include money raised from bake sales, giveaways, promotions and auctions I've run and does NOT include plushie/jewellery donations given to other auctions/fundraisers.

Items donated to auctions/events for:

*Brisbane Valley Cat Rescue

*World Vegan Day

*Red Cross in New Zealand

Here is the song Kira picked for this blog and this is why she chose it. It does not have a clip to go with it unfortuneately.

I chose this song because I have been learning a lot about sexism and about how people are pretty much brainwashed by the media. This song talks about a young person wanting to look like the people in the media. It's sad, but I hope that one day we can change this.

The John Butler Trio - To Look Like You

To Look Like You ( April Uprising 2010 )

Friday, October 28, 2011

Kristina Conatser

Today I will feature Kristina Conatser from the USA and her Zazzle shop Beauty Within Creation Designs. Here is some information taken from her profile.

About Me

Beauty Within Creation is a shop that was created in hopes that we may all look a little deeper within ourselves, to find the beauty in everything, and to motivate each other. We are all flawed and imperfect, but instead of looking at those imperfections we should shed light on what makes us and those around us beautiful. The little joys, inspirations, and times of faith that we tend to forget are what inspire us to become better, to dream, grow, and to change. When we look for the beauty within creation, we can change our perspectives, our actions, and who we are. I believe that art is an expression of the soul. Art is made with the intention of stimulating thoughts and emotions. It is one of the deepest and most pure forms of limitless expression. It is naturally a part of who we are and it is what we are because we are creation. We are all a form of artwork... each of us individual, beautiful, and inspiring. "The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn you."~Jer. 31:3. My hope is that even through a photograph or one single phrase of Scripture, you will be inspired or reminded of a time of great happiness, peace, and joy. My goal in creating this shop is that you may leave feeling inspired, that you may share that bit of joy and inspiration with others. Because the Lord has given me purpose and joy through artwork, writing, and all mediums of creativity...it has been laid upon my heart to share a percentage of any monies I profit from this shop to the ministry I work voluntarily along side"My Father's House Minstry" dba "Anchor Within Us, Inc". You can learn more about the ministry and its' mission by visiting Beauty Within Creation on Facebook. Visit my member page to learn more about me(the artist). Thank you for visiting my shop and may you come back soon. God bless.
Artistic Interests

A few art programs I use include: Photoshop, Inkscape, Tierazon(Fractals), Apophysis(Fractals)