FEATURED ETSY SHOP - ART BY SARAH PITTMAN

Pegasus, Original Fantasy Art in Coloured Pencil
by
SARAH PITTMAN

WELCOME, Sarah Pittman and her Etsy shop which she calls ART BY SARA PITTMAN. Being a fantasy artist myself, I'm always fascinated how other fantasy artists make use of their creativity, and what mediums they use to express it. Sarah has some truly fantastic, colorful work, so be sure to pay her shop a visit. First, let's learn a bit more about Sarah.

I’m a fairy, fantasy and animal artist based in the UK, I work for the most part in coloured pencils, Faber Castell Polychromos pencils being my pencils of choice, although you’ll sometimes see other mediums pop up, and occasionally other subject matter too, because although most of my pieces are fantasy or animal related I do go wherever my muse drags me. I’ve been drawing seriously for around six years and started selling my work in 2007 and I always find it a little hard to part with originals (but I think most artists are the same) but on the same note I’m obviously pleased when somebody likes a piece enough to buy it, so I know its going to a good home and will be looked after. Im currently selling my work through Etsy and Artfire.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I think I got the art bug from my parents who were both creative, and I grew up watching films like Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Legend etc., which are still some of my favourite films to this day, and we always had pets around, so really its not much of a surprise that two of the main subjects in my art are animals and fairies. I can't remember a time that I haven’t loved both.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

About six years ago, after having done nothing creative whatsoever for a year or two (and before that only sketching and doodling really), I started drawing again. It was around this time that I came across ATC’s and joined a few trading groups, which I think really helped me get back into the swing of things. ATC’s were perfect because it meant I could experiment with lots of different mediums on a smaller scale, plus I had other artists to talk to for advice if I needed help with anything in particular. I think I first picked up the coloured pencils because I had some cheap ones laying about the house, and I liked the way you had a lot of control with laying the colour down. Shortly after that, I started looking for tips and advice about how to use them, but found I had a huge problem with layering and certain techniques because of the quality of the pencils - so as soon as I could, I invested in a set of artist quality pencils, and I haven’t touched others since. I could tell the difference as soon as I started playing around with them. The colours went down so much smoother and the colours themselves were much richer. I think I just got hooked, because even though I do use other mediums occasionally, coloured pencils are still my favourite.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I’m not sure. I find the whole process equally enjoyable, but I think I probably find it most satisfying when I finish a piece I’m really pleased with and I can look at it and say I wouldn’t change a thing. And of course its always exciting when somebody comes across a piece of your art that they love just as much as you do.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

I think I’d choose oils. They’re something I would like to practise with and start using sometimes anyway, but I love how oil paintings can be so full of texture sometimes, you just want to run your fingers over the picture.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I draw things that make me smile, things I like or enjoy, so I haven’t really got a message behind my art, I just hope people find it fun and enjoy it as much as I do.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I think its important to make sure that you don’t fall into the trap of trying to create art that you think other people will want rather than what you actually want to do. Also, I think its always good to stretch yourself sometimes, or mix things up a little, it helps keep things fun and fresh, so set by some time to create things that nobody else is going to see and just have fun experimenting with different techniques and styles.

Gorilla, Original ACEO in coloured pencil

by Sarah Pittman

(I had to put this "big guy" out here as I love gorillas)

Sarah, thanks for not only sharing your wonderful art with us, but also your thoughts and ideas. If you want to learn and see more of Sarah's work, be sure to visit the links below.

BLOG

WORDPRESS

LIVE JOURNAL

FLICKR

ARTFIRE

TWITTER

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - EVERYBODY ELSE

I love the whimsical look of this artist's drawings. What fun cards!

WELCOME, Melody and her Etsy shop, EVERYBODY ELSE. Read below to learn a bit more about Melody and her creativity!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

All kids draw. When you're in preschool it's a given that you will spend a certain percentage of your life coloring, mostly on things other than paper. Most kids also grow out of that. I became obsessed.


How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?


Pencil and paper are just so darn convenient. I can draw anywhere. If I'm inspired I don't have to wait. Plus, I draw all the time so it's what I'm best at. I also use photoshop to color my cards, and I just love Photoshop because I can try out so many different ideas in such a short span of time.


What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?


I'm not sure I could choose! Seeing it all come together is definitely a big high though.


If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?


A peach, because it's so sweet!


If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?


Just one?! Probably photography. I love to take photos. I love the way photographing something can let us see it differently.


What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?


Life is fun! My drawings are almost always people, and they're almost always enjoying themselves. I've tried the angsty, soulful bit and it just doesn't work for me. Once I was in a cafe and I was upset and trying to draw something edgier than I normally do, and a girl in line peeked over my shoulder and cried, "Oh that's so dear!" What can I tell you? It was.


What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


Have your own style. People really latch on to that and want to have more. Sometimes I try to change it up a bit. I'll copy other people's styles or try to do something different. Invariably people say, "But what about YOUR people?" On the other hand, always be growing. My style hasn't changed much since highschool, but it is a lot more polished than even a year ago.

Thanks, Melody, for taking the time to share your thoughts and delightful, whimsical work with us.

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FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - NIMBUSNOVEM - Drawings and Stone Etchings

NORA - Original Clay Board Drawing

by Elizabeth

I just loved the artist's inspiration for her above drawing, so I have included it below:

One morning last week I woke up thinking of my great-grandmother, Nora. She and her husband, her sister and brother-in-law moved to North Dakota before the turn of the century. The land was so cheap as to be nearly free and they thought to farm there. They went by horse and wagon and the journey was long. They were hopeful, however, and I imagine it had to be at least a little exciting. As it turned out Nora hated North Dakota. The sweeping winds of the plains turned the fields into whispering oceans and she was at once seasick and homesick. She stayed long enough to give birth to my grandmother, then moved back to Ohio where she lived the rest of her days.I thought of her on the plains, looking toward the east under a full moon; the wind making a sea of the fields of grain and grass. I thought of how at nighttime, at least the moon would feel like a familiar friend (look closely and you'll see it reflected in her eye). I thought of her all a-twitch and at any moment ready to bolt for home.

WELCOME, Elizabeth and her fantastic drawings and etchings, which she offers in her NIMBUSNOVEM shop out on Etsy. The details are truly amazing! Be sure to pay her shop a visit to see all the wonderful things she has to offer.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I've always loved drawing, but I specifically became interested in etching/engraving marble and granite when I worked in the memorial industry. It was quite an introduction, as I was immediately thrown into doing one custom job after another. I did cars, trains, portraits, landscapes, animals-- anything you can imagine. Scratchboard and clayboard became favorite mediums because I could use the same techniques as I use on the stone work.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I love the permanence of stone. I really like the idea of catching an ephemeral glance of an eye or twitch of a bird's wing on something as eternal as marble and granite. Scratchboard and clayboard allow me do add color and really get into the details-- something I really love.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I love the sound of my xacto knife scratching out the details on the board. I love when a stone piece is done and I can feel the eyes of my subject looking back at me.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

I think I'd have to choose an apple. A drawing a day keeps the doctor away!

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

I've really been wanting to make boxes and other containers that display some of my work and may be become works in their own right. In fact, I'm looking into that now and plan on offering some in my shop this spring. I studied sculpture for many years and I miss it! I may be getting back into that as well.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I want people to look at my work and feel it look back. There is a feeling you get right in the center of your chest when you connect with an art work. I want to give this feeling to people.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Don't think your talent and skill ever leaves you. It's always there waiting for you to call on it and wake it up again.

Thank you, Elizabeth, for giving us a bit of an insight into your thoughts of being an artist, and also for sharing your amazing work with everyone! It is just exquisite! You can see more of Elizabeth's work by visiting NIMBUSNOVEM on Etsy, and TRUNKT

TRUNKT