FEATURED ETSY SHOP - SCHIN ILLUSTRATED

The Brief Glimpse 8 X 10 Print

Description:

"I caught your gaze across the room. I may be hidden under my porcelain face, but all my secrets will be unveiled to you through my golden eyes." For this painting, I wanted to show the most mysterious, beautiful woman peeking out in interest. However, I wanted to keep a secret behind her eyes.. she may look polished, but she is also cold.

 WELCOME, Schin and her beautiful digital paintings!  Her Etsy shop is called SCHIN ILLUSTRATED, and when you pay a visit to Schin's shop you will find ethereal, magical paintings, which tell a story.  First, take the time to learn more about this talented artist by reading Schin's interview below.
 
 
What led you to start creating your art/craft?


I started drawing since I was a kid, and since I never really grew up, I kept on drawing but decided to branch out beyond stick figures.

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

I first started with pen and ink, then watercolor and eventually explored acrylic, oil painting and mixed media. When I was introduced to digital painting, I was skeptical but tried it anyway. It wasn't necessarily easier, but it sure is cheaper and faster, and the convenience of it made me paint primarily in digital media. Now and then, I would get my hands dirty again with watercolors and ink, but it turns out that my portfolio is largely digital now.

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

The actual painting stage, when the sketch is done and I get to the coloring, that's my favorite part. Painting is a form of relaxation for me. I enjoy choosing the colors, planning the brushstrokes and blending everything together. I'll put on some music or a movie, a mug of tea by my side and my feet in cozy socks and just paint away. I can get really into it and begrudge the hours I need for sleep and food because it takes me away from the painting.

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

An apple. It's simple and subtle, but is powerful. The colors can be bright and cheerful or dark and sultry. The taste is crisp and light but you can really sink your teeth into it. But most of all, it looks unassuming but a further look beneath the humble exterior lies a treasure trove of mystery, folklore, mythical beliefs and inspiration. It was the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge, the golden apple used in the race, the inspiration for gravity, the poisoned apple that tempted the girl, etc. That and I bake a mean apple pie.

BUTTERFLY LOVER

Description: "This is my dream. I weave my thoughts onto silk, and as I sleep, my dreams flow into the world. Was it real or just my imagination? The butterflies and lotus flowers bear my yearning."


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

Besides my visual illustration, I've forayed into the other creative realms of music, jewelry making, photography, graphic design, toy design and fashion. I don't think I could choose just one, seeing how I feel like I've my hands in everything already.

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

It's my mission to capture beauty, first and foremost. I paint women to portray beauty because we can all identify with a gorgeous female face, but I also try to have beauty in color, shape and design as well. Underneath the surface beauty, however, I always try to weave in a story or mystery, or a sense that something is not right. Perhaps it could be the look in the eye that doesn't seem focused on the viewer, or a bride that turns out to be a gigantic sea monster or a beautiful woman who seems to be eating strange things. No matter what, I just love it when a viewer does a double take and realize that things aren't what they seem in my paintings.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I would stress on originality in your art. As Oscar Wilde said, everyone else is taken so just be yourself.

Thanks, Schin, for taking the time to tell us in your own words what your art means to you.  I love the ethereal quality in your paintings!

To learn more about Schin and her work, be sure to visit her links below.

WEB PAGE

BLOG

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - ART2ARTCOLORADO by CHERI NELSON

Precarious Balances III

Digital Painting and Collage - 11 x 14 matted

WELCOME, Cheri and her Etsy shop ART2ARTCOLORADO. As Cheri states in her shop's announcement.... Her work includes paintings, assemblages, mixed media and digital art that ranges from representational to abstract. When you pay a visit to ART2ARTCOLORADO you will have a wide selection of these different types of media. I always find it fascinating what can be done with digital painting. Be sure to take a look after you find out a bit more about Cheri and her work by reading her interview below!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I've had a love affair with art for as long as I can remember. I was fortunate in my early years to have had some wonderful art educators who sparked my interest in arts and crafts, along with strong support from my parents. Both were in their Master's degree programs, so I think that a desire to learn about the things I loved was almost a natural by-product of being the young child of two students. Art, crafts and books were ways that I could happily pass away the hours, and that remains true to this day.

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

Early on, I was strongly influenced by the formal approach of art education. Drawing skills were highly stressed, along with the various elements of design, color theory and composition. I always loved to draw and painting took a natural path off of those early skills. Again, I cannot stress how important that the forward thinking of my teachers was to me. We were always given fun projects that pushed creative thinking and problem solving skills... so, even during the rare times that I would be a bit frustrated with the process, I now can fully appreciate that I was guided with the strong influence of classical art training. I have always loved to work in a variety of media with painting & drawing being my favorite. I spent many of my years in jewelry design working with silver and gold. I have a deep love for waxwork and have tabletop, sculptural pieces ready to cast in bronze if I can ever afford it. I took two years of photography in college and loved playing in the darkroom. I also did a year each in sculpture and also handbuilt clay work. I like experimenting with new media and techniques and love the fact that technology has now given artists one more arena in which to express their creativity with the advent of digital painting software. I am self-taught in digital art and it all began with the great folks over at Wet Canvas. A group of us 'novices' slowly played with this 'new media' and through fun sharing and support, each and every one of us has grown by leaps and bounds. So, as you can see, I've been all over the artistic map and that's where I'm happiest.

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

I think I enjoy the completion of a project best... and knowing when to quit. It's the wrapping up of what was only a loose idea into a finished object or visual statement that is the icing on the cake. The process is enjoyable, but there is always a goal in mind... a finished piece I see in my head. It's when the creative circle is truly present and then the journey on another path can begin anew.

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

I have to smile at this because I've never thought about my work in this way, but I guess it could be a bowl of cherries. Some are sweet, some are tart...and sometimes you have to deal with the pits. Cherries come in a variety of beautiful shades of red, which in many symbolic interpretations is life itself, the lifeforce, the color of both love and blood. So, I guess in this regard, it all has to do with what art does for my inner spirit and the feeding of the deepest part of *me* and my love for how precious all of life truly is.

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

I couldn't pick just one. That is, unfortunately, not an option for me. I love the changing of the seasons here in Colorado, the distinct differences, each unique & beautiful in their own right and media choices are like that for me. I have the freedom to not be constrained and that's important to me for discovery. If really pushed, I'd say a simple 2B pencil with a good eraser and some nice paper. I think at the end of my days, I would like to exit my art life much in the same manner as I came into it... and that was with a good pencil in hand.

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

I think there are many messages in each piece and some more direct than others. Much of my work has to do with environmental issues and my love for wilderness and wildlife. I also tackle some difficult and more serious subjects which are important to me and that have to do with the darker aspects of mankind. Above all, I think art allows for life expansion, both for the viewer and for the artist, it's a strange place where fantasy and reality can become one. There is something truly fulfilling in that visual connection even if the interpretations are not the same. We all take from art a different message, but for me, the interactive connection is where a piece truly has 'life'.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

My best advice is to let yourself be free in your work. Listen and learn all you can about techniques as you progress and don't be afraid to break with traditions and try new things. Be open to growth and don't let any setbacks deter you. Learn from mistakes as they happen. Don't listen too intently to the naysayers... they might mean well, but often they do not fully understand your creative dreams or desires. The artistic journey is yours alone to walk, and the directions you can go are wide open. Take risks, enter shows, challenge yourself and be open to progressive thinking and experimentation. You alone forge your pathways, so set clear and attainable goals. Follow your heart yet steer with your head. Above all, have fun on the creative journey.

Cheri, what a great way you have of expressing yourself...not only in your art, but with words as well. Thanks for a wonderful interview.

You can see a lot more of Cheri's creativity by clicking on the links below.