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 - RARE ARTISANS - Handcrafted Jewelry and Original Art

"Sunlit Vase" by Frank Rose

I am very happy to have the "Rare Artisans" shop on Etsy as a featured shop out here on my DZFANTASY blog! What a detailed and exquisite drawing above!! One can only imagine the time it took to create such a work of art!
Be sure to visit the Rare Artisans to see more original art and beautiful hand-crafted jewelry. Let's hear what the Rare Artisans have to say about their work as they share their thoughts with us.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?
Our conglomerate began creating art years ago, all of us starting our journey at different stages in life. Collectively, we have all answered the same calling…to be creative and expressive by channeling love and joy. We all found the creative process relaxing, and only later discovered that it could also be lucrative. Several of our members have been severely disabled for many years and have found that making “things”, and having them be appreciated by other people, encouraged them to be more satisfied with themselves. Getting together, loving each other’s work, laughing at our mistakes, and learning from each other led to starting our website and then opening our Etsy shop!

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
Basically, it has settled down to whichever medium is available at the time. We may not be the best at it, but love to dig in with every ounce of determination and talent granted to us. We encourage and mentor each other to try new things, so each day opens new possibilities!

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
For one individual, it is when he is constructing jewelry, taking time to ensure that each piece is strong and beautifully crafted. Another finds that the greatest moment is when he first sees a certain combination of jewelry components that he knows will become a beautiful piece. One of our artists enjoys the freedom of a blank piece of paper just waiting for his pencil to tell him what to create! For another one of our artists, it is when she clicks the camera’s shutter knowing it will be “the one” out of the bunch that captured all essentials to become an emotionally stirring photograph (see her fine art photography at http://alisondubois.etsy.com) ~ and she also loves imagining a jewelry item, and then creating it by learning different techniques. Another feels special knowing her art is out there in the world, adorning someone with her jewelry accompanying them on a night out on the town, during a significant moment in their lives, or a nonchalant moment where they take time out to notice her piece throughout their day.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
This is a difficult question! Maybe an interesting fruit bearing plant from the rain forests, currently unknown to man, that would make people wonder “Is it a fruit or a vegetable”? It would be healthy, entertaining and appealing, delicious and versatile…and no one would be allergic to it! The fruit would be our jewelry and art pieces - ready for people to pluck and enjoy today, tomorrow, and as heirlooms passed to generations to come!

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your "creativity", what would that be, and why?
We gathered our pool of incredible artists together (some whose work is yet to be featured) to help answer these questions (and had a great time!) So, we came up with a few answers to this question.
1) Sculpture, because it is an art form that is not commonly displayed in the public as much as it used to be.
2) Old style techniques in photography, because this is a medium that should be preserved and revered.
3) Gastronomy~ simply because being a chef and preparing dishes that are not only vital to living, but are also a wonderful way to connect people of all ages and origins…everyday would be wonderful. How splendid it would be to create recipes that could potentially become a staple in everyday lives - to prepare glorious works of art, only to see them gobbled up!

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
Rare Artisans’ crafts are intended to capture emotions, convey beauty, and share our respect for the endless combinations of crafts that are available for anyone to try. We’d like to encourage people to believe in themselves…believe that they can create and receive satisfaction for their work.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
Just go out there, work with what you can afford, there are an abundance of resources to learn different techniques, for endless creations. If you fail, try, try again! Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the world of art is constantly growing and changing with the times.

THANK all of you "Rare Artisans" for taking the time to contribute your thoughts and ideas for this feature. GREAT answers, thoughts, and wonderful work!! It is wonderful to hear of a group such as this! I'd like to mention here, that Alison DuBois has also been featured out here on DZFANTASY. Be sure to visit RARE ARTISAN'S shop on Etsy and also the other links listed below.

RARE ARTISAN'S BLOG

ALISON DUBOIS BLOG