Recently in Artist Category

Melissa Raine (Carter) Morgan, talented artist and illustrator,  has always gone by her middle name Raine since she can remember. "It all started with my love of rain, playing in the rain and running in puddles as a child. Although I am older now I still find time to walk thru puddles and often play in the rain. I live in the country and also grow an organic garden every summer," says Raine.

"I was born in Philadelphia PA to a middle class family. I actually started drawing on my bedroom walls when I was 5 it use to make my mother angry as it was hard then to remove the crayon marks. I use to draw things I saw outside when I played. The apple tree in the backyard a bumblebee sitting on a flower, etc. Since the walls were hard to clean I was sent outside with chalk I suppose that's when I began to get more creative. Being a lover of nature, the outdoors it made it more comfortable. As I got older I went from sidewalks to tablets of paper. I sat outside and began to draw children playing discovering things like learning to ride bikes, animals especially bunnies, birds, and deer. A lot of my work comes from childhood memories, and my own children. When I got into High School I began to move to other mediums and started painting portraits and landscapes, I tried oil's, watercolors, acrylics but found pencil and ink to be my most favorite medium with animals and children. I moved to a small farm town in Ohio in my early twenties were I still reside today."

"I truly live from my heart and am very humble. I knit and donate hats for children with cancer. Every night before I go to bed I knit another hat. I have been doing this for many years. A percentage of my funds I make on artwork is donated to a local hospital (for children) and helps purchase the yarn. I strongly believe what we give to others comes back to the heart and keeps it humbled."
 
"My favorite experience with my profession is the joy I see in others when they view my work, but more so in my three children's expressions in how proud they are by my ability to create. I have done portraits of each one of them. Outside of that I would have to say it's the ability to know I can create something that comes from my hands my thoughts what I see and remember. That it's truly a part of who I am this person who has been given the wonderful gift to create. Some people may like my style and some may not. I invite all opinions as art is an experience for all with everyone having there own particular likes and dislikes. I am never insulted when someone does not like my style or for that disappointed as my work is me and that's something no one else can take away."

If I ever decided to write a children's book, I would choose Raine as my illustrator.  Her work has captured my heart and I know it will yours as well.
 
My store is www.raineedaydesigns.etsy.com

Jenny Meilichove is a freelance illustrator and artist currently living in Jerusalem, Israel. "I was born in Russia and at the age of 11 I came to Israel with my family. Last summer I finished my studies In Bezalel academy of art and design. Finally! I studied design in Illustration Department, and finished it with excellence award," says Jenny. "Now I'm living with my boyfriend in Jerusalem, and we have a cat together! His name is Blueskii, and he's the most beautiful and beloved cat in the world. No, seriously. He loves to jump up and sleep on my work desk where I draw.  When I was a very little girl My father teach me to draw  (because my father really loves art). Today my father is a doctor and I am an artist."

Jenny draws inspiration In everyday life. "I really like living in a world of happy little creatures.
I aim to create optimistic art, which reminds us that life is good," she says.  "And if it's not bright and shiny right now, there's always a hope for better. And in order to improve it, only you can change your life, in every way you choose. My intention is to make people smile when they see my work, this way they'll have at least one moment of bliss a day."

"I like that my work never repeats itself. That every day I do something different from yesterday, that I am free to use different ways to create something, like one day working with paints and other with scissors, or fimo and felt. That every day I can work on another area of interest, either love or other complex relationships and situations. I manage my workflow myself, and enjoy it  lot. And from my point of view, illustration artist is a very happy profession."

Jenny's artwork would be a wonderful addition to any child's decor.  Her work is whimsical and happy.  Jenny has a wide variety of work displayed on Flickr and features pieces for the playful side in all of us.  

Visit  www.behappynow.etsy.com  and http://www.flickr.com/photos/jen7/  Jerusalem, Israel

Johanna Wright is a painter and illustrator living in Portland, Oregon. She attended Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington where she studied puppetry and children's books.  After graduation, she moved to Brooklyn, New York where I sold her paintings on the street for many years. "I learned a lot during that time, and that experience gave me a taste of what it felt like to make a living from my art. I liked it!", said Johanna.

Where do you draw inspiration for art?

Mostly from childhood memories, nature, and the kids in my life. I moved back to Oregon a few years ago (where I spent my childhood) after living in Brooklyn for nine years. When I came back here, it was somehow really easy to slip into the way I viewed things when I was younger. Especially nature, which is why you see so many trees in my art. I used to love to imagine other worlds that lived in the trees or the grass or the woods. Now I get to paint them!

Describe your best selling items and your favorite experience with your profession?

My favorite experiences are usually at something like the Renegade Craft Fair, or Crafty Wonderland here in Portland, where I get to connect directly to the folks that are interested in my art. I love it when something I've made resonates with someone. It's the best when someone gasps and grabs a painting, and identifies with it on a level that seems deeper than just wanting something pretty to hang in their homes.  That's the best feeling for me as an artist.

What are your plans for the future?

Well, my first children's book The Secret Circus, is being released in the spring, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm going to be working on two more children's books next year that will be in stores in 2010, but otherwise, I really hope to expand my business. I would love to start a line of cards next year, and add more prints to my store. That would be the best.

Visit http://www.johannawright.com  Portland, Oregon

Rebecca Prucell opened her Etsy shop, Barking Bird Art, almost a year ago, shortly after my second son was born.  Like many moms, she was looking for a way to stay at home with my children, generate some income, and pursue work that she found meaningful. I'd never shown my art work publicly, so it was quite a thrill to suddenly share my illustrations with people around the world!  I was really surprised and delighted to sell my first pieces a few weeks after opening, and business has been steadily growing ever since.  Rebecca shared her inspiration, passion for the characters she creates and her plans for the future.

Rebecca, where do you draw inspiration for your products/service?

My work is inspired by classic children's book illustrators, contemporary Pop Surrealist artists, and the natural world, especially the animal kingdom.  My current line of work is focused on offbeat but cheerful imagery in soft, contemporary colors.  I imagine my little animals as complete characters with very human personalities.

Describe your favorite experience with your profession?

I really like the concept of purchasing goods directly from the artisan.  In a world as big and complicated as ours, I think people value that simple connection.  Because my business is online only, I have to work extra hard to establish a personal relationship with each of my customers.  I put a lot of myself into each order, and nothing makes me happier than receiving a nice email of thanks from a satisfied customer.  I've also been very excited to receive orders from far away places like New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, and Sweden.

What are your plans for the future?

I hope to continue doing exactly what I'm doing now!  In spite of the sluggish economy, my first year of business has exceeded my expectations and I absolutely love my job.  If I could figure out how to add a few more hours to each day, I'd like to explore developing some new products like greeting cards and pendants.

Visit http://barkingbirdart.etsy.com.   Portland, Oregon