artist feature: wayfaring art

With the baby now due in 1.5 weeks [not that anyone's counting...], my husband and I took the opportunity to have a little "babymoon staycation" last month. While C hung out with her grandparents, we stayed at a hotel downtown and enjoyed our city, doing things we haven't been able to do much since C came along.

The first night found us dining at Modern Cafe in NE Minneapolis, where we stumbled upon Art-A-Whirl. Turns out we picked just the right weekend to tour hundreds of artist studios and see lots of great work.

I have a certain weakness for journals, and today's featured artist really tempted me to add to my collection. Wayfaring Art is her name, and handmade leather-bound journals are her game. You really need to check out her gallery to see the breadth of her work. The earrings shown above were simply too irresistibly cute not to share! Her full-size journals have a great earthy, rustic vibe. They feel like something a backpacking traveler would carry around, recording their discoveries and experiences.

Those in the area can see her in person at the Edina Art Fair this weekend, or she's on Etsy, too.

Seriously. Doesn't every bibliophile in your life need those earrings?

artist feature: Amber Alexander

Rooster in Magenta and Gold

You may recognize the work of Amber Alexander from the gorgeous watercolor "Miss Adorable" bird in my mint green + gray collection. But that was all the way back in February, so it's due time I remind you of her.

Tilly's Journey

Her shop description is aptly stated as "whimsical animal art, paintings and prints." I love the character and unlikely scenarios she puts into her paintings.

Crows

It's not all animal art, either. She has some really great portraiture.

Book Club 

Octopus

These are just some of my favorites. Visit her shop, then come back here - I'd love to hear your favorites in the comments!

artist feature: Erin Petson

 

 

Somewhere in the web that is the Internet, I came across this illustrator. Her raw yet refined paintings, sometimes collages, immediately hooked me. They had to be shared.

Meet Erin Petson.

artist feature: Adero Willard

Dinner plate- Vines and flowers

These ceramic pieces by Adero Willard are the final artist feature from our Boston/Maine anniversary trip. They were spotted in one of the alcoves in the Stable Gallery of Damariscotta, Maine. The Stable Gallery is filled with fine art from a wide variety of artists. After browsing the collection of paintings, jewelry, sculpture and more, we found this set of ceramic dinnerware.

I love the texture, the layering, the colors - there's so much happening at once; it's fascinating. I would have a hard time getting it dirty with food because I like staring at it too much. Thus - the mug. Where you can see your ceramic art and use it, too!

Mugs

In her artist statement, Willard cites vegetables, fruit, flowers, plants, fish, reptiles, and animal fur as inspiration for her designs. She also states, "The source of my patterns and designs is a desire to create real or illusory depth by constructing layers. I choose shapes that will animate the surfaces of my forms."

Quilt Swatch Bowls

These are just a sampling of my favorites, visit her gallery to see more!

artist feature: Carlos Silva

"9 Mugs" Framed 8"x 8" seen here

Another great shop to visit if you find yourself in Boothbay Harbor, Maine is Sweet Bay. They have a charming collection of home decor items, from traditional white and blue Maine-themed pottery to tiny cast iron mice that add character wherever they appear.

Being a coffee lover, I was immediately drawn to the work of Carlos Silva. He is a potter who makes wonderfully simple, cheerful shadow boxes and clocks featuring brightly colored tiny mugs, teapots, and saucers. My kitchen would love to welcome any of these pieces to its walls!

 Aren't they delightful?

artist feature: Pamela S. Creamer

Water-Dog • Acrylic on Canvas 18" x 60" diptych

While we were on our anniversary trip, we took the opportunity to visit lots of shops. And I mean lots. Boston + various small towns in Maine provided a plethora of unique handmade artisans of whom I am glad to now be acquainted.

Baltimore Oriole • Acrylic on Canvas 6" x 6"

One of these artists was Pamela S. Creamer, whose work can be found in The Creative Turtle gallery in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. I could have lived in this place. The gallery was full of life: flowers, birds, pets and farm animals.

Pair of Slippers • Acrylic on Board Framed Image 6" x 8"

Pamela was actually in the gallery painting during our visit, so I was able to tell her how much I admired her work. She said, "You must love color!" And indeed, I do. But I also love nature and the personality she paints into each subject - which especially shows through in her pet portraits.

Two Ladies • Acrylic on Canvas 24" x 36"

In the words of the artist herself:

"Whether is is a lively calf, a sensitive horse or a colorful landscape I am always mindful of the energy that I convey in my paintings.  The subjects that I chose reveal themselves as passionate expressions of my love of both nature and the animals that grace our lives. Enjoy!"

all images via thecreativeturtle.com 

artist feature: Susan Piazza

Disposable income is not something I often have in excess, so I've gotten really good at browsing. As Torrie said in her comment on my summer outfit post, "Blogging and the internet is a double-edged sword - great for shopping, but not so fun when you're trying to minimize spending!"

In the past, when I discovered a store that was filled with delightful treasures, I would buy one small thing, just so I could take home a piece of each place. Unfortunately, having that one small piece was never enough to truly express the inspiration that it was meant to represent. Now I stare at the pieces,  trying to soak them up in order to implant their memory and their magic into my brain. So it was with Susan Piazza.

It was a relaxed weekend, my parents were visiting, and we thought it would be fun to explore downtown Anoka. Our last stop was the Krista Artista Gallery, which is filled with great finds. It was these poppy pieces, however, that monopolized my attention.

I love the color, the texture, the three-dimensionality, and the simple subject matter.

If you're ever in the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities, please visit this art gallery. It's worth your time!



All images via Piazza Art and Design