Tuesday, August 17, 2010
A Folk Reveries Interview with Mon Petit Fantome!
Shop name: Mon Petit Fantome
Country: USA/Louisiana
What do you make/sell: Prints, and sometimes originals, of my papercuts
Website and/or blog: http://monpetitfantome.etsy.
How long have you been an artist/crafter?
Well, I went to art school, and shortly after I left, concentrated on music. I let my art making fall to the wayside until about three years ago. My Dad has untrained drawing talent, and I guess I inherited it from him. Ever since I was a kid I always had a pencil or paintbush in my hand. Or making up songs and singing them into my Fisher-Price cassette recorder! I was an only child for eight years, was definitely able to occupy my own time.
What is the meaning behind your shop name?
I got it from the film, "La Vie En Rose". The scene where Edith Piaf is on her deathbed. She is remembering her daughter, who passed away, and she begins saying, "Mon petite fantôme!". It really resonated with me, and I still haven't grown tired of the name :)How would you describe your work?
Sweetly haunting maybe? I love mixing the sweet and touching with a bit of a spookyness or, for lack of a better word, darkness. I have absolutely no interest in making straight up macabre art...there has to be an element to balance it out. Whether it's with a rabbit, humor, or sentimentality.
Name five specific things that inspire your art?
Fairy tales, myths, nature, memories, and children
What physical places do you like to be for inspiration or to create?
Ideas usually pop up when I'm driving or at my day job (secretary). I like to sketch, at night, in bed. The actual creation of the pieces happen at my lovely black desk. A self-healing cutting mat and an x-acto knife (and many extra blades) are my chosen tools.
What encourages and inspires you when you need a creative lift?
Oh lots of things! Books mainly...I love all kinds of Fairy tales. Hans Christian Andersen, Grimms, Swedish, Russian. I also love mythology books. I am from Irish and Native American (as well as French) descent, so the myths and stories from those cultures factor in. I'm a HUGE Harry Potter fan, and "His Dark Materials" is probably my favorite book! I also get inspired from movies, music (a lot of my titles come from my own song lyrics or lyrics from friends' songs), my talented friends, and just life really. My life's bad times are no more special than anyone elses, but I guess they linger in my heart, and pop up in my work. I grow from the sadness and appreciate the happiness!What are the things that you like most about being on Etsy?
Besides how easy it is to set up a shop, my favorite thing would be the community aspect. I've met so many lovely people and have made truly lovely friends through Etsy. Some I've got to collaborate with, which is a fantastic thing.
Do you have any future aspirations for your work and your shop?
Just keep making art! I did get to realize one of my dreams this year. I released a book of my papercuts thus far. That was quite an exciting thing. Making more books is definitely something I want to do. I'd love to marry a book with a soundtrack of my music. That is something that I'm slowly working on. I'd love to make more silhouette dolls and make videos incorporating them with papercut scenery...like Lotte Reiniger! I am in the process of making my third full-length record with my band, St. Mary's, at the moment.
What do you think about trades/swaps?
I LOVE trading and swaping! Sometimes it doesn't work out, or the other person says no, and that's ok too. It's never to be taken personally. But I have made some wonderful trades with some really talented folks. I can be shy at times, so it can take me a bit to work up the courage to ask :)
We all seem to have a love of animals, nature, and/or fairy tales/stories. It's so lovely to share a mindset with different people, yet our styles and way of processing our work is different.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Follow me to the Forest ...
A few days ago, I decided to finally make an Etsy Treasury for the first time.
Of course, it had to include most of my favourite Etsyers ...
Who all happen to be friends of mine !
Then I realised that most of them also happen to be fellow members of Folk-Reveries !
So I thought I would share it with you :
Follow me to the Magic Forest !
In this forest you can meet animals, but also a sleepwalking Witch who brews potions and plays with bones & shells, hidden in her little wooden hut.
-mathyld-
- click the image to see it bigger, and visit the Etsy shops -
Monday, July 12, 2010
A Folk Reveries Interview with Moonhare!
This month's Folk Reveries interview is with Karen Davis of Moonhare. She was one of the first artists I asked to be a part of FR when it first began. Her art is filled with fairytales and dreams and I would like you all to meet her ;)
Name: Karen Davis
Shop name: Moonlight and Hares
Country: UK
What do you make/sell: I am an Artist and Illustrator. I sell prints and originals of my paintings and wooden hand painted decorative hangers.
Website: http://www.karendavis.me.uk/
Blog: http://www.moonlightandhares.blogspot.com/
How long have you been an artist/crafter?
I have been an Artist/Illustrator on and off, since leaving Art College 20 years ago. In the past I've worked on Children's picture books, designed greeting cards and had magazine work.
What is the meaning behind your shop name?
My shop name reflects two things that I love and am inspired by. The pale silvery beauty of Moonlight, probably my most favourite light of all. And Hares, which I have always felt drawn towards. I'm interested in the folklore surrounding the animal and am particularly drawn to white hares.
How would you describe your work?
I find it quite hard to describe my work, but, 'Capturing essence of magic' springs to mind.
Name five specific things that inspire your art?
Nature
Light
Words stories /poetry
Music
Strange or odd things (sometimes)
What physical places do you like to be for inspiration or to create?
For inspiration I like to be outdoors. Listening to birdsong,star gazing, walking among trees. I also love to visit places with unusual old buildings and gardens. I always take lots of photographs for ideas. To create, I have to be at my desk surrounded by my things.
What encourages and inspires you when you need a creative lift?
When I need a creative lift, I look at other Artists work,look at books/magazines visit somewhere where I haven't been before. Write down words and go back through old sketchbooks to remind myself what I am trying to achieve.
What are the things that you like most about being on Etsy?
Easy to use
Being in an enviroment of like minded people.
The variety of different work on there.
I love the treasuries too although I still haven't been quick enough to bag one myself yet!
Do you have any future aspirations for your work and your shop?
To continue with my Etsy shop and supply a greater amount of work including more original work and cards. I also hope to get back into Children's picture books or book covers again.
What do you think about trades/swaps?
I like the idea of trades and swaps but as someone that is trying to make pennies to pay the bills I'm afraid I have had to say no to them. There are just too many lovely things out there to swap with and I would never earn any money. ;)
What interested you about the Folk Reveries group and what do you like most about it?
When Andrea invited me to be a member of the Folk Reveries group I felt truly honoured.
It is filled with many talented artists. I liked the idea of a group who although are all very different have that connection with each other and get inspired by similar things.
Name: Karen Davis
Shop name: Moonlight and Hares
Country: UK
What do you make/sell: I am an Artist and Illustrator. I sell prints and originals of my paintings and wooden hand painted decorative hangers.
Website: http://www.karendavis.me.uk/
Blog: http://www.moonlightandhares.blogspot.com/
How long have you been an artist/crafter?
I have been an Artist/Illustrator on and off, since leaving Art College 20 years ago. In the past I've worked on Children's picture books, designed greeting cards and had magazine work.
What is the meaning behind your shop name?
My shop name reflects two things that I love and am inspired by. The pale silvery beauty of Moonlight, probably my most favourite light of all. And Hares, which I have always felt drawn towards. I'm interested in the folklore surrounding the animal and am particularly drawn to white hares.
How would you describe your work?
I find it quite hard to describe my work, but, 'Capturing essence of magic' springs to mind.
Name five specific things that inspire your art?
Nature
Light
Words stories /poetry
Music
Strange or odd things (sometimes)
What physical places do you like to be for inspiration or to create?
For inspiration I like to be outdoors. Listening to birdsong,star gazing, walking among trees. I also love to visit places with unusual old buildings and gardens. I always take lots of photographs for ideas. To create, I have to be at my desk surrounded by my things.
What encourages and inspires you when you need a creative lift?
When I need a creative lift, I look at other Artists work,look at books/magazines visit somewhere where I haven't been before. Write down words and go back through old sketchbooks to remind myself what I am trying to achieve.
What are the things that you like most about being on Etsy?
Easy to use
Being in an enviroment of like minded people.
The variety of different work on there.
I love the treasuries too although I still haven't been quick enough to bag one myself yet!
Do you have any future aspirations for your work and your shop?
To continue with my Etsy shop and supply a greater amount of work including more original work and cards. I also hope to get back into Children's picture books or book covers again.
What do you think about trades/swaps?
I like the idea of trades and swaps but as someone that is trying to make pennies to pay the bills I'm afraid I have had to say no to them. There are just too many lovely things out there to swap with and I would never earn any money. ;)
What interested you about the Folk Reveries group and what do you like most about it?
When Andrea invited me to be a member of the Folk Reveries group I felt truly honoured.
It is filled with many talented artists. I liked the idea of a group who although are all very different have that connection with each other and get inspired by similar things.
An Owl Giveaway!
Abigail Emerson of Bird on a Wire is hosting a giveaway over at her blog. It's part of her Christmas in July sale promotion that she will be having until July 25th. Her felted owl (the giveaway prize) is absolutely adorable and I love her honesty behind the giveaway (you'll just have to check her blog post for that one)!
The Drawing will end on July 25th and the winner will be picked by Random.org on July 26th :)
Friday, July 2, 2010
July comes with our newest members
Hello Summer and welcome to the following members:
BlueTerracotta, Intres, isobelblake, cartbeforethehorse, TheDiggingestGirl, dsudyka,runamuck, whimsiology, Malvavisco, Marjj
Here, some of their work (in order with their shop names above)...
BlueTerracotta, Intres, isobelblake, cartbeforethehorse, TheDiggingestGirl, dsudyka,runamuck, whimsiology, Malvavisco, Marjj
Here, some of their work (in order with their shop names above)...
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