Meet Etsy Artist: ambaarts

Tarini has been a devotee of the Goddess since high school. "I love Her in Her many forms, but have worshiped Ma Kali for the last 15 years," she explains. "I love to worship Her through painting, puja (traditional Hindu ritualistic worship), and meditation." A 1994 graduate of Laguna college of Art and Design, she admits that watercolors are her favorite medium, although she also enjoys working with clay. Her inspiration comes from the Goddess in her many forms, including nature. "My dreams and spiritual practice inform my art and my art informs my dreams and practice," she says. "I try to immerse myself in the atmosphere/influence of the deity I am painting. " She is also inspired by others who "strive to inspire and uplift through their art and service." Through Etsy she hopes to "bring my (her) and love of the Goddess to people who wouldn’t otherwise see it." Please check out her shop: http://ambaarts.etsy.com/ and blog: http://ambaarts.blogspot.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: innerlightarts

While Kristena sells her beautiful jewelry and art on Etsy, it was not always her primary site. She has also been very successful on Ebay, but with the site's downfall - and Etsy's uptick - she is focusing more on Etsy these days. "I am...rebuilding my Etsy (shop) and my http://www.innerlightarts.com/ site," she explains. A professional artist, she has also been a teacher for over 30 years. "I studied with shamans for years and taught basic & advanced shamanism and had a private practice for years," she says. With two degrees - one in fine art and the other in psych/communications - and a love of drawing, she has created many spiritual pieces, such as the one pictured above. In her work "you will see lots of images of powerful women." She uses humor and fantasy in her works to create joy and promote inner clarity. "I love supporting women making art," she admits. "A life long dream of mine was to design women's clothing, so I started http://www.sunheartclothing.com/ and am now designing and sewing small collections - which I am going to sell on Etsy." Please check out her shop: http://innerlightarts.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Doll Artist: umaiyer

Originally from India, Uma/Rama has been an artist for over 30 years, although she has only been marketing her work for the last three. I was lucky enough to stumble across her beautifully detailed dolls on Etsy the other day while searching for East Indian art. I am fascinated by the culture, food, and art of this wonderful country - and now one of it's Etsy artists. Uma's inspiration comes from "the vibrant colors of flowers, the splash of colors on the sky while the sun is setting, and any art work." She admits that she can admire a landscape for hours on end. "Right now I am in Switzerland, the cows grazing in the field, the mountains, and the beautiful houses with flowers in their windows inspire me," she explains. Although she currently focuses her Etsy shop on the traditional handmade dolls of her homeland, she dabbles in a wide range of arts and crafts - including many forms of painting. She hopes to "carve a niche for (her)self in the art world" via Etsy. Please check out her shop: http://umaiyer.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet New Etsy Artist: Katuno

I found another brand-spanking-new Etsy artist by accident. WOW! There are so many talented people here! I'm going to be busy profiling everyone...

Kat is a Hawaiian resident, whose ethnic background is Japanese. Both aspects have an impact on her whimsical art. "I started drawing at a young age and have always been fascinated by crafts," she explains. "My mother was a full time mom, but she also did many types of crafts, which I found amazing and inspirational." She was lucky enough to have parents who supported her interest in art and went on to earn an Art degree in Illustration. She began experimenting with digital mediums 5 years ago and is currently back in school, studying web design. Some of her works are inspired by her love of Japanese anime. "I love the bright colors, large eyes, and cuteness." She admits, "Anything visual can spark an idea in me...but I'm a chameleon when it comes to style, I change when it fits my purpose." She also loves to crochet, "particularly amigurumi." Etsy has provided her with an opportunity to share her work. "I love having people find joy in my art. It really makes me feel as if I am doing something special and that inspires me," she says. "Don't be afraid to showcase your own style." Please check out her shop: http://katuno.com/
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Woodblock Artist: anniebissett

I was lucky enough to happen across a wonderful artist this morning, who opened her Etsy shop less than 24 hours ago...

Annie Bissett makes beautiful watercolor prints from her own hand-carved woodblocks in the traditional Japanese style known as Moku Hanga. While she has been a commercial illustrator for almost 20 years, she has been "furiously making woodblock prints in (her) spare time for the past 3 years." She explains that "the Japanese technique is distinguished from western techniques in its use of multiple blocks for multiple colors, water-based instead of oil-based pigments, and hand printing with a baren rather than printing on a press. The materials used are simple, organic and completely non-toxic -- ideal for working in a home studio." She has examples of a printing setup on her blog (http://on-my-desk.blogspot.com/2006/07/annie-bissett.html). Her subjects tend to be political and spiritual, while "celebrat(ing) this incredibly beautiful planet we all share." Her most recent project is a series of prints based on satellite images of locations that caught her eye through news stories -- "a sort of geopolitical art." Unfortunately the process is quite an undertaking, but a challenge she welcomes. "A single print can take up to two months to produce. It's the antithesis to my commercial illustration work, where I work digitally and turnaround times can be as short as three days. At first I found the contrast too extreme, but now I really value the time I spend making 'slow art.' When I'm working on a print of a place I'm not familiar with (for instance, I just completed a print of Mecca) I often listen to music or poetry from that area while I carve. The process has become a form of meditation and contemplation for me." Her brand new Etsy shop is currently a hobby but she hopes to eventually turn it into a career. Please check out her shop: http://anniebissett.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/