fairy – Art & News from EBSQ

EBSQ Facebook Artist of the Week: Nico Niemi

Who and where are you?

My name is Nicole Marie Winkelman, but I still use the nickname Nico and my maiden name Niemi for my artwork. I have loved creating artwork for as long as I can remember. My mother is an artist as well and was a source of inspiration for me from a young age. I’ve traveled the country but always reside in Wisconsin, and currently live in Waukesha.

How were you introduced to Facebook?

I joined Facebook to keep in touch with distant friends and relatives who already used it. After exploring other art pages I realized how easy it is to create one, I made one for myself.

Any tips for other artists starting a Facebook Page?

Invite your friends to your page when you first start out, let anyone else who is interested in your artwork know you have the page, and post artwork as often as you can. People love pictures! Have information about where to find your artwork if they’d like to own some, and how to contact you. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t always get the ‘likes’ you’re looking for-getting going can take a little time.

What’s your favorite Facebook Page feature?

My favorite feature would have to be sharing. When people share your artwork it broadens your reach and brings so many more people in-some who might never have looked for your artwork in the first place. Facebook makes your art so easy to find for anyone who has it, and makes interaction with anyone who is interested easy as well. I really like just about all the features it has.

What’s coming next from your studio?

All sorts of things! There will be fantasy creatures, and brilliant colors, some holiday items, but definitely more cat-themed artwork. I have a new kitten in my home and he is a source of inspiration I literally can’t ignore.

See more of Nico’s art and follow her here:

EBSQ

Facebook

eBay

EBSQ Friday Five

The EBSQ Friday Five offers a brief look at noteworthy news from around the EBSQ Artist Blogosphere.

1. “Fairy Nights” Start to Finish – Artist Sherry Key offers an excellent look at the step by step creation of Fairy Nights.

Fairy Nights by Sherry Key

2. Full Color Saturation with Color Pencils – Ever wondered how Alma Lee does it? How she creates those intense, rich color pencil paintings? I say paintings because these don’t look like drawings to me!

3. My Somerset Studio Cover – Congratulations are in order for EBSQ artist Andrea T Sieler for her cover spot on the popular magazine Somerset Studio!

4. Group Show! Wreckard Havoc – Misty Benson is in a fabulously creepy show going on now through Sept. 15. See her blog for details.

5. Insert your Link Here – It’s no easy task scouring the EBSQ artist blogs for interesting news and art, especially during the summer months when everyone would rather be outside than blogging. Have you recently posted something you think would be perfect for the Friday Five? Stop by my EBSQ Portfolio to let me know!

Have a great weekend folks!

EBSQ Friday Five

The EBSQ Friday Five offers a brief look at noteworthy news from around the EBSQ Artist Blogosphere.

1. Classical Fine Art – At the top of our list this week I wanted to welcome back EBSQ artist Lee Lynch!

2. Pastels USA Award – Artist Kari Tirrell recently had two pastel paintings accepted into Pastels USA, the annual open exhibition. One of her pastel paintings won an award!!

3. By Golly, I’m Partially Moved – Carmen Keys may be moving, but she’s still had time to create some exquisite ACEOs. Check her blog for details on where to purchase her latest treasures.

4. Cafe con Leche at Moffit Cancer Center – More congratulations are in order for Maria Soto Robbins, who’s painting Cafe con Leche was chosen to represent an event to raise funds for Cancer research.

5. Beavercreek Open Studios – Mark your calendars! It’s nearly time for the Open Studio event where you can meet and greet with EBSQ artist Blenda Tyvoll. See her blog for details.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

EBSQ Blogger of the Week: Sara Burrier

This week’s EBSQ Blogger of the Week is an illustrator who’s artwork is both magical and inspiring. I’ve been following her blog for at least a month now, and it always fills me with joy when she shares a new drawing or painting.

Who and where are you?

I am a 28 year old woman who teaches art to children from the ages of 6 thru 18 at the local Art Center. I also freelance my artwork for licensing, private commissions, and children’s books, or anything else I can find to do. I live in Des Moines Iowa with my husband Brian and our two kitties Madeline and Tálor.

How did you get started art blogging?

I started blogging for the network. I wanted to gain a following and connect with other illustrators in the children’s book publishing field. I have found that to be a great asset to my work!! Without a network of fellow illustrators I don’t believe my work would be as strong as it is today. All of the feedback and encouragement was and is priceless.

Any tips for other EBSQ art bloggers?

Don’t give up! I have, and still do. I work on it every week…motivating and encouraging myself to blog. Sometimes I get to it, sometimes I don’t. But I wish I did. This keeps you fresh. Even if it isn’t paragraphs at a time like I tend to do, just a picture with a title or two sentences about it two or three times a week will keep your blog visible. Also you must give it back. Find bloggers that you like and post comments. This doesn’t mean you have to spend hours going to blogs and saying something, but make an effort to do it a couple times a week. This not only could help others find you, but it motivates others to comment on your blog. I’m sure most of you have heard these tips before. But I also want to say, make your blog look good! If you’re not sure or a bit weary about going the distance I have, keep it simple and clean! Personally I like how some blogs “match” the artist’s website. Which is why mine does. It should be a continuation of your work, just like a physical gallery show.

What’s your musical inspiration of choice when you’re working in your studio?

I listen to a lot of different kinds of music, depending on what I’m working on. If I’m illustrating a book about a little boy who goes on adventures all of the time I might put in some Our Lady Peace, Snow Patrol, or Carolina Liar. If I’m working on a mermaid I might be listening to Enigma, Sleeptheif, or Sarah Brightman. I listen to quite the range. But there are times when I prefer silence. I have a lot of trees and birds around my studio windows, cars too, but I can totally hear the birds over everything.

What’s coming next from your easel?

I would love to finish making more of my garden mice. I am truly enjoying these and the life they give off. But I am also currently working on a self published children’s book (that I’m illustrating not writing). You’ll probably see more of the mice than the book’s illustrations until it’s complete. I would also like to finish “Poppy”. Sadly she isn’t finished yet, this month is going to be different. My sister is getting married at the end of May and I’m helping the MoH with preparations. We’ll see. 🙂

http://warriorprincessdream.blogspot.com/

Thank you Sara for being an EBSQ Blogger of the Week!

If you are an EBSQ Artist and would like to be considered for Blogger of the Week just add us to your blogroll. I’m searching EBSQ profiles weekly for links to artist’s blogs. If you aren’t an EBSQ Artist, what are you waiting for?

Join Today!

EBSQ Friday Five

The EBSQ Friday Five offers a brief look at noteworthy news from around the EBSQ Artist Blogosphere. This week I pulled blog posts about EBSQ show entries and Nibblefest entries. Enjoy!

Daffodils and Yellow Bird by Patricia Christensen

1. Daffodils and Yellow Bird – Artist Patricia Christensen shares a little more about her delightful entry to the March FOTMshow.

2. Kahlua and Cream – Gwen Bell shares her favorite cocktail and her entry to the March Beverage show.

3. Spring Daffodil plus Fairy – I love this whimsical creation from Leola Walker!

4. Pen and Ink Tutorial – Sherry Key not only shares her Pen & Ink show entry, but also shows us how it’s done.

5. Happy Cows – EBSQ artist, Alma Lee, gives her take on whether cows really are happier in California.

Have a wonderful weekend and Easter for those of you that celebrate! 😀

*Don’t forget to check out the EBSQ Shows! Voting is now through April 8th.

EBSQ Spotlight on Fantasy Art: Jasmine Ann Becket-Griffith

This month’s featured gallery is Fantasy Art and it is one of our most-populous and popular galleries at EBSQ. The artists that are drawn to this genre take the fanciful images and stories that live within them and share them with everyone. Throughout October, we are going to take a few moments to catch up with some of EBSQ’s fantasy artists.

Jasmine Ann Becket-Griffith

“I’ve always been drawn to fantasy, whimsy, escapism, nature, dreams, etc. Maybe it’s my overactive imagination, or perhaps it’s just my general dissatisfaction with a lot of the mundane world, but in my artwork I generally incorporate some sort of fantasy element into each piece. Sometimes it’s addicting – I just can’t paint a girl – I have to add wings. I can’t just paint a still life – I have to put a tiny mermaid in there. I can’t paint a landscape without sneaking in a dragon. Basically (even though I include a lot of realism in my work) I paint the world how I’d like it to look, rather than how it actually does look.” – Jasmine Ann Becket-Griffith

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EBSQ Spotlight on Fantasy Art: Carmen Keys

Carmen Keys

I love to create whimsical and fantastical art that speaks to the childlike part of us all that looks on small and simple things with wonder. I am a Christian and my inspiration is always from the beauty, innocence, love, glory, and endless creativity of God. His creation is a constant source of imagery for my paintings, as I love to draw things from the natural world like plants, animals, and people in a fantastical/imaginative way. Imagination is a wonderful gift, and it has a way of connecting with others’ hopes and dreams like nothing else does. – Carmen Keys

EBSQ Spotlight on Fantasy Art: Meredith Estes

Meredith Estes

I have enjoyed drawing & painting fantasy art for many of years. Especially the women, Mermaids, Fairies, Princesses, Queens, Goddess, etc. Fantasy art is full of magic & unlimited possibility and allows me as the artist to freely paint what is in my heart and soul and hopefully evoke joyful feelings toward those who view my work. – Meredith Estes

EBSQ Spotlight on Fantasy Art: Carie S

Carie S

Fantasy Art ideas can arrive in may different ways during the day so keep your eyes peeled for them because just yesterday I was looking at this person and thinking to myself “How interesting that person is!” and as it turned out I was really looking at three people who were standing really, really close to each other. So now I HAVE to go to my studio and make that mistake that my mind thought it saw “Three people who are really only ONE.” The middle person will only have a nose, mouth, torso and wings of course. Poor little middle person, he can only fly, eat and smell the people next to him. Kind of funny/sad…..but that is what I think fantasy is made from. Reading things wrong, misinterpreting what you see, hearing something that others don’t hear and letting it happen – then quick write it down before you forget. Then go look for more because reality might in. – Carie S

EBSQ Spotlight on Fantasy Art: Tiffany A. Toland

Tiffany A. Toland

Fantasy art has no limits. The subject doesn’t have to be real or even believable, so I’m free to paint whatever I can imagine. – Tiffany A. Toland

EBSQ Spotlight on Fantasy Art: Philippe A. Fernandez

Philippe A. Fernandez

As an artist, I love to create fantasy fairy tale treasures for the child in each of us. I feel fantasy artwork— as well as possessing visual richness — comes deep from the imagination. My goal as a fantasy artist is to bring life back into stories from long ago, reinventing and interpreting fairy tales in way that showcases a more modern feel, while still keeping that gothic and somewhat primitive twist. Which in my eyes is more visually appeal to today’s fantasy art collector. – Philippe Fernandez

EBSQ Spotlight on Fantasy Art: Sara Butcher-Burrier

Sara Butcher-Burrier

The words “fantasy art” mean much more than fairies and mermaids to me. It means unlimited possibilities. I find it so important to encourage the imagination because it allows us to see our world in a different perspective. Everything comes from reality, either in the mind or manipulation in visuals. I as an artist and Christian use it to make my emotions, faith, and the stories I adore tangible, and for a moment they feel real. There is more freedom to express and invite the audience. Fantasy art inspires, reminding me there is so much more than what meets the eye. – Sara Butcher-Burrier

EBSQ Spotlight on Fantasy Art: Mia Bailey Hopper

Mia Bailey Hopper

I don’t think I’ll be very good at explaining why I love Fantasy Art. Something to do with magic and myths and symbols and the complete freedom to imagine or conjure up anything you want.

I think it’s like comic books where if you’re hooked on them, there’s no going back and no walking away. You just are a comic book geek, and it’s the same for Fantasy. The wonderful people I meet because of my love of Fantasy art has been the coolest part of it. They are the best! (even the ones I scrap with in the forums). – Mia Bailey Hopper