Meet Etsy Artist: MrBenWu

Ben Wu may just be a pen name, but it suits the artist perfectly: a fusion of East Meets West. "I'm a 31 year old white guy in love with all things Asian," he jokes, "and I live in the rural depths of Tennessee, dangling somewhere just southeast of the Bible Belt." He already has three "traditionally" printed books (The Macabre Alphabet, An Ivory Chopstick, and Very Naughty Figs) as well as "some privately printed and bound volumes that I sell exclusively on Etsy or just to friends/fans." He has also done illustration work for several websites, including goreydetails.net and logospilgrim.com. "My first art-love was medieval art," he admits. "Strangely enough that lead me to Aubrey Beardsley. Which lead me to Edward Gorey. That is where the bones of my art technique came from." Around the age of 20 he "fell head over hills in love with China (and Japan to a lesser extent), not just the art, but the culture." He explains, "Chinese art, calligraphy, Peking opera, Chinese classical novels and philosophy all play a part in my life and my art." His love of Asian cultures in showcased beautifully in his intricate drawings. "I rely heavily on cross-hatching," he says of the process, "and I love to fill every inch of the page with something: weird details, hidden names, and faces." He started his artistic pursuits at the tender age of 4 while in the hospital with cancer. "I'd draw dinosaurs on my father's Styrofoam coffee cups," he admits. "From then on, I never stopped doodling on any scrap of paper that I can find." While his art has been a good source of income he is eager to find something outside his own creations. "I have spent the last ten years working on my books and my art in seclusion. Now, I want to get out and reintroduce myself to the world. I've sort of missed it." Etsy has been a great place for him to meet fellow artists - and buy handmade. When asked if he had any advice to share, he joked, "No matter what group of people I'm addressing (be it prostitutes or preachers) my advice is always the same: be persistent. If you don't get any nibbles on your hook, change your bait." Please check him out on Etsy: http://mrbenwu.etsy.com/ and on his website: http://ben-wu.com/. He also has a LiveJournal for his Studio of Little Consequence, which he maintains mostly for friends, but adds, :However if anyone wants to add me (and bear the horrors of my personal ramblings), I will usually add them back." http://jade-teacup.livejournal.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Artist: WormwoodHollow

William Bezek has been a professional artist since the age of 17 when he was hired as an illustrator. His paintings - such as the gorgeous Buddha above - are often inspired by his exotic travels. "My favorite holiday is Halloween and I do a lot of crafty items for that," he admits. Sometimes these pieces share a fun Tim Burton-like whimsy. "I am part of the Halloween and Vine group show every year with some very talented artists," he says. He recently took a six month hiatus from his art to move across country, but is now hard at work again. Please check out his shop: http://wormwoodhollow.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: schmooks

Artist Claire describes herself as "an illustrator and graphic designer." She has always wanted to be an artist and studied creative subjects throughout school including finishing her degree in Graphic Design at the University of Canberra. She has a 19 month old son and another on the way, but still manages to work part time and find a way to pursue her art. She recently finished illustrating a children's book and plans to do a few more. Like many artists, her inspiration comes from the world around her. "I do a lot of collecting of magazines, photographs, images etc. - anything I like the look of, or gives me an idea," she admits. "I never really plan what I am going to illustrate." Usually she prefers to just play with an idea and see where it takes her. So far her fun and quirky designs have been a success. "I get tingles knowing that my work is sitting in someone else’s home on the other side of the world," she says. Etsy has been a great way to connect with other artists and she recommends, "design for yourself and everything will fall into place – and if it doesn’t who cares, as long as you’re having a great time." Please check out her shop: http://schmooks.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: LaurenAlexander

Kansas artist Lauren Alexander has a "knack for painting with watercolors in a sort of whimsical abstract style." Although she enjoys painting nature scenes, she admits that she is not an outdoorsy girl. "Other artists are always an inspiration," she says. "Being a part of collective group of artists of all kinds is how I stay creative." She has always loved art and jokes, "According to my parents, I have destoyed just about anything a pen will mark on." As far as Etsy goes, she hopes to "build a positive relationship with other artists and keep making work that I am proud to share with others." She reccomends, "Be fearless. Be honest. Be open to what the world of other creative minds can do and use that inspiration to constantly make your work the best it can be." Please check out her shop: http://laurenalexander.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 Artist: DancingGirlArt

English artist Francesca Burras is "more or less a full-time artisan these days, working from (her) studio - aka the spare bedroom." Nature is her biggest inspiration. "I’m always amazed at the variety and beauty of what I see around me and I take lots of reference photos when I’m out walking my dog. They prove very useful for sparking ideas and often end up as elements in my mixed media pieces." She also has a fascination with myths and folklore from all cultures – "not Victorian, sanitized versions, but the older, darker stories which tap into something primal in our collective psyche and are a hugely rich source of imagery." Like her personality, her style has many facets. "I’ve always admired artists who have a consistent style or theme to their work. They work in one or two media and that’s it. They become instantly recognizable and have a really cohesive look to what they do. However I can’t work like that and after trying to fit myself into that particular mould for some time I finally decided to just acknowledge that I like doing too many different things to be able to settle on one permanently. So I paint, make collages, handmade books, quilts, linotypes, and lately I’ve rediscovered the joy of knitting!" Her mother may have played a part in her awakening her artistic soul. "I was fortunate to have a mother who, although we had very little money, had an infinite imagination," she explains. "We would create things out of the bits and pieces we had around the house and in the garden and that was a wonderful experience for me. It made me interested in all sorts of stuff, from sewing and knitting, which she taught me at an early age, to painting, which she loved." Thankfully she has turned her passion for creating into a full time job, although she admits, "I tend to think of a job as something I have to do even if I don’t want to. So although this is a job in the sense of earning a living I do often feel like I’m truly blessed because every day is a new adventure full of new things I haven’t done yet." She advises her fellow artists "do what you love, what makes your heart sing. And take good photos along the way." Please check out her shop: http://dancinggirlart.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: EmilyBalivet

Emily Balivet is a full time artist, who works from home while taking care of her two daughters. "I'm inspired by the pre-Raphaelites, art Nouveau, mythology, folklore, and the magical Earth," she admits. Her greatest inspiration, though, is music. "Many of my paintings begun while listening to a particular song incessantly," she explains. Her art noveau/gothic style is hard to put into words - especially for Emily. "Maybe earthen psychedelic dream time classic nouveau witchy," she says. "I feel like it goes all over the place and long may it be so." She'd like to remind her fellow artists that "there is someone out there who will connect with everything an artist/crafter can make- no matter WHAT the creator's opinion. If it's listed, someone somewhere will have to have it. So list away!" Please check out her shop: http://emilybalivet.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: PlushBot

When I was a kid my favorite toy in the whole world was a sock monkey I named Gungadina. While perusing Etsy one day I stumbled upon an artist who sells fun prints of my childhood toy in all sorts of wonderful locations...

"Years ago I used to work as a production artist for a magazine, but soon discovered I hated working in an office," admits the quirky talent behind PlushBot. "I quit that job have been making a living as an independent artist ever since. Now I can do whatever I want, whenever I want!" She is often inspired by her surroundings. "Living near Santa Cruz, CA that can anything from the ocean and surfers to the Boardwalk and all the crazy tourists," she explains. "Being an ex-graphic designer I tend towards bold, clean, and colorful imagery," she says of her whimsical prints. Please check out her shop: http://plushbot.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: karenhicks

Aside from Etsy, Karen is a full time children's book illustrator in the UK. "I'm currently waiting to hear from a publisher about one of my books, if they decide to go ahead it will be my first publication (in US and UK)." Like many of us, she is an Etsy addict, perusing the site every day. "Its really inspiring looking at other people's stuff, and great when someone likes my work," she says. Her travels abroad have been a source of inspiration for her work. "I was stunned by the beauty of Vietnam when I visited in 2003," she explains. Many of her watercolor works also include tissue paper. "I love the feel of coloured tissue paper," she admits. "I know its strange...but I go into raptures when I find one I haven't seen before. I like to sew on top of it, and also use other media on it to, to give a textured look." She has been drawing since she was 10. "Its been my dream to do something with it for a very long time, and finally I'm getting a chance." She also runs a "very small gallery" where she promotes local artists as well as herself. Please check out her shop: http://karenhicks.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: shellybedsaul

Shelly jokes that she is a "crotchety old broad on the surface, but my art tells the story of a whimsical dreamer." According her parents she has always been into art. "My mother said I ate a tube of her Prussian Blue oil paint, so it's in my blood." Her artistic eye allows her to "see the humor in tragedy and irony in everything. I see glory in the mundane and perfection in our flaws." Some of her work is inspired by Buddhism and other philosophies, and she has coined the phrase "Symbolist painting" to describe such works. "My art instructor in high school called it Stylized Realism," she explains, "representation with my own twist on the subject." She enjoys dabbling in all things creative ("No medium is safe from me") - and a single piece could include colored pencil, ink, oils, acrylics, textiles, wood, block printing, or the like. "Art is my job, my hobby, my joy," she says. "I'm primarily self taught and have always believed in will over talent. It takes a bit of obsessive/compulsive disorder to truly train yourself to your full capacity with or without the benefit of education. It has been the bane of 3 marriages, 2 children and anything close to a tidy house, but after 55 years, it's finally paying off and my goals are being realized." She hopes to delve even further into her art and "be consumed and maybe bring a little beauty into someone's life." She credits Etsy and it's supportive members for "making this 'Foole's Dream' a reality." Please check out her shop: http://shellybedsaul.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: MundoGominola

Claudia is an illustrator from Madrid, Spain - and although English is not her first language, she was grascious enough to grant me an interview. I ran across her by chance in the Etsy forums and fell in love with her whimsical style immediately. "I like to create interesting characters," she admits. "I want to express the maximum with the minimum." Each piece evokes a mood - often playful - and reflects her love of color and the joy she gets out of life. She reccomends her fellow Etsy sellers take clear photos, list good descriptions, and ship carefully packed items in a timely manner. "If your product is good, it will be sold for sure!" Please check out her shop: http://mundogominola.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/