Artrussell- news & views

GIVE THANKS

2011-10-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

It's here! The latest collection from Indie Artisans is chockfull of handmade products with a fall theme. The colors are warm and friendly and the talents of these craftspeople are varied and really quite amazing. Decorate your home, your table or yourself in beautiful products made by beautiful people. Give a gift that says you care enough to search out a unique, handcrafted surprise. Many Thanks! http://www.indieartisans.com/

Who are the Resident Indie Artisans?

2011-07-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

For a little over a year now you've been seeing our Indie Artisans logo promoting our online collections of extraordinary handmade goods. Enjoy our brand new SUMMER BREEZE collection at http://www.indieartisans.com/ The collection pages feature a core group of (hardworking!) founding members and the work of selected guest artisans. I thought I'd introduce the founding members to you by directing you to their shops. All are not only wonderful handmade artisans, but they're also wonderful people.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/beachyrustica
http://www.etsy.com/shop/abbyhorowitzdesigns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaJubilee
http://www.etsy.com/shop/GlassArtByMargot
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Libertyoriginals

And Me!!

A person's art and craft tell much of the story of who they are. I hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as I have. Wendy

Pushing out the envelope

2011-05-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

I've added some new products to my in-keeping life interesting line of studio printed ceramics. I'm really enjoying this new way of sharing my original artwork in print form. I'm expanding my wall art to include framed ceramic tiles and I have a real passion for decorative/functional products. So far I've printed 11oz and 15oz ceramic mugs and some fun pet accessories. There are lots more products on the horizon, so stay tuned! Wendy

Spring -The Garden Series

2011-03-30T15:12:00.000-07:00

Spring and gardening are synonymous for me. I don't know if a love of growing things is genetic, but I do know that it's always been in my blood. With the first sign of grass showing through the melting snow, my thoughts wander to seed choices and new flowers to try. I plan new layouts for the vegetable garden and imagine how good that first real "garden salad" will taste. I overcheck the perennials for the first glimpse of yellow greens to emerge from the cold soil. I search out the gardening tools and arrange them so they stand in readiness for the first day that the garden will tolerate my enthusiasm.

Cold weather has given me time to create a new garden themed series of designs for my printed mugs. Don't tell anyone, but the four titles, Plant, Nourish,Shape and Tend are an analogy for child rearing, and family and friend relationships. ;) May you, your gardens, your families and your friends thrive. Wendy
http://www.visitin.etsy.com/

Wild Irish Rose

2011-03-01T03:36:00.000-08:00

Counting down to St. Patrick's Day. I've a bit of Irish blood in me from my Dad's side. With some sanding, some block printing and some handpainting I created this Wild Irish Rose on antique wood boards to celebrate the holiday. Find it at http://www.indieartisans.com/

Remember Handmade Valentines?

2011-02-06T04:42:00.000-08:00

I can still smell the bulky container full of white paste. Cutting and pasting red and pink construction paper and paper doilies was one of the highlights of my elementary school career. I was extra careful not to get glue on everything and I always loved to use folded zigzags for that "Avatar like" 3D effect.

I'm a few years older now, but I still choose handmade over mass produced for my Valentine's gift. My talented friends that comprise the group Indie Artisans have each created Valentine offerings in their own unique styles and mediums to help you find that special gift. Buy handmade. http://www.indieartisans.com/ Wendy

Guilt Free Chocolates

2011-01-16T12:31:00.000-08:00

I've posted some original paintings at my ETSY shop that celebrate the Valentine's Day spirit. This guilt free "Box of Chocolates" can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/artrussellonline and the "Online Dating" original artist printed mug is at http://www.etsy.com/shop/visitin Remember, Men like to receive Valentines too!

Men Like Valentines too!

2011-01-12T03:42:00.000-08:00

Looking for a sweet, simple gift to remind the man in your life that he's your Valentine? Here are a few original coffee mugs that may fit your needs. Fill them with some sweets and he'll know you care. http://www.etsy.com/shop/visitin

WING IT!

2011-01-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

I just had to show you this particular mug. Sublimation printing, which combines heat and pressure to print an image that I've created using my original artwork onto a mug, is an amazingly accurate reproduction technique. This butterfly design is a perfect example of the extraordinary detail and vivid color that can be achieved using this process. The ink molecules become part of the glaze and the resulting smooth durable surface is both microwavable and dishwasher safe. To top it off, I've found a source for the ceramic blanks that are MADE IN USA. Sweet! Find lots more designs in my shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/visitin

New Designs for the New Year

2010-12-30T11:59:00.000-08:00

The nice thing about being both artist and printer for "in" is that if I want seashells in the middle of winter...then seashells it is! Or tulips. Or peacock feathers. Etc. Stop by my "other" ETSY shop and see what's new. I'll be listing more new designs in the next few days. http://www.etsy.com/shop/visitin

Indie Artisans are ready for the New Year

2010-12-28T03:52:00.000-08:00

Indie Artisans have been busy behind the scenes creating a sparkling new winter themed collection entitled A Breath of Deep Winter. The online shopping venue features the work of a core group of artisans, and their invited guest artisans. The collection changes often, keeping the page fresh and the featured items current with the seasonal events. Check back often to enjoy the best of handmade available online. http://www.indieartisans.com/
I've put together an Etsy Treasury (a handpicked collection) of some of the extraordinary work from these talented artisans. http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d18e5fef3ee6d91c6194522/opposites-attract

Give Handmade For the Holidays- Indie Artisans Online Collection

2010-11-25T17:02:00.000-08:00

Indie Artisans new online collection of handmade wonders is a shimmering selection of contemporary artisan made goods. Bold and beautiful, the items range from jewelry and accessories of all sorts to cards, apparel, wall art, home decor, soaps, knitted and crocheted wares, gifts for wee ones and more. A gift takes on special meaning if the recipient can feel a connection to the artisan who created the work. Take a moment to read an artist's biography or browse their shop to get the full view of their talents. Then give your gift with a shopkeeper's card and a reminder that you chose your gift carefully and cared enough to buy handmade. That's a gift in itself. http://www.indieartisans.com/

Mission accomplished!

2010-11-11T05:47:00.000-08:00

Here's the completed kitchen tile backsplash. The side "columns" will "support" two narrow white hanging cabinets that flank the stove. Installation will happen in a few weeks and ...mission accomplished!

Tile Backsplash

2010-11-05T04:01:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a commission for a large (2.5'h x 6'w) kitchen backsplash. This is an original handpainted still life on tile. Each individual tile is handpainted with glazes and fired to a permanent and washable surface. The finished tiles will be installed and grouted for a durable and custom decorative touch. The final effect will be a warm, glowing Tuscan style scene. Fun! W

To Print or Not to Print? An Artist's Choice

2010-11-04T06:26:00.000-07:00

There's something wonderful about purchasing original artwork. The buyer feels a connection with the artist and a sense of guardianship over a creative work that is one of a kind. Original art is time consuming and expensive to produce, frame and market and it's often difficult for the artist to be compensated for his or her efforts at a reasonable rate of repayment. The old adages of art for art's sake and the starving artist won't help pay the studio rent or feed the artists' kids. With this in mind, many artists have chosen to supplement their original studio offerings with prints and reproductions of their artwork. Good archival prints and giclees have become an acceptable means of expanding the marketability of an artist. Although I still sell originals, I decided to invest in new equipment for my studio that would allow me to reproduce my original images onto various substrates to create both decorative and functional products. Using a sublimation printing process, I'm able to heatpress prints of my favorite paintings onto ceramic, paper, wood, fabric, stone and metal products and market them at prices that the general public can afford. I don't make the blank products. I order these from sources that offer the best quality blanks at an affordable price, with a preference for products made in USA, if available. After all, artists don't often make the paper or canvas their reproductions are printed on.
These products can only be purchased through me, under the name "in- Keeping Life Interesting" from my shops at http://www.etsy.com/shop/visitin and http://www.artfire.com/users/Artrussell

Cornucopia

2010-11-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

I'd been wanting to try to do some sublimation printing on tile. When I needed to come up with a Thanksgiving themed work of art for Indie Artisans' current online handmade collection, I had just the painting in mind. I dug through my original artwork for a detailed watercolor of a cornucopia overflowing with autumn harvest fruits and vegetables. From my photo of the original I created a transfer in the dimensions that I had decided upon. I laid out nine 4" square tumbled stone tiles, all of which have pitting and color variations which make them very desirable. I prepared the tiles for accepting the transfer and heat pressed the whole lot. Voila! A finish coat of protective clear acrylic, and a simple square wood frame and my wall art was ready to submit. Find Cornucopia and lots more irresistible Thanksgiving themed handmade goods at http://www.indieartisans.com/

Autumn 2010

2010-10-18T03:25:00.000-07:00

A brief walk around the yard makes the day more beautiful.

One Season Following Another...Autumn 2010

2010-09-30T05:07:00.000-07:00

Sunrise, sunset.

Nature's sense of design

2010-09-17T04:14:00.000-07:00

When I'm ready to paint something new, I try to let inspiration come to me. Sometimes, with the swirl of outside stimuli that everyday life provides, it takes a while to settle on a theme. That's when I head outdoors for a walk. Not only does the excercise help to clear my head, but I begin to focus on the intricate designs of all things natural. Sure enough, before long I have a concept in mind and I can head back to the drawing board trusting that my source of inspiration has a proven track record of solid design. Thank goodness Mother Nature doesn't copyright her creations!

Hive Creative Challenge for Autumn 2010

2010-09-14T06:10:00.000-07:00

There's a buzz over at The Hive http://creatingthehive.com/ about the current Hive challenge to its members to create a work of art/craft with a fall theme. Here's my submission: http://creatingthehive.com/blog-post/12254/rest-stop-original-painting-for-hive-creative-challenge

Fresh Paint-New Watercolor Original-Sandpiper

2010-07-10T04:01:00.000-07:00

My heart aches when I see video of the wildlife affected by the Gulf Oil Disaster. I painted this Sandpiper with them in mind. It's entitled, "Fragile".
To purchase: http://www.indieartisans.com/

Click on the INDIE ARTISANS badge below for a stunning collection of Art& Craftwork

2001-10-01T09:49:00.000-07:00