amy, Author at Pikaland - Page 273 of 698

With the proliferation of images on the internet, what with FFFFOUND and Flickr, you may think that it’s enough to be surrounded by images on a daily basis. While I think that it’s great to be able to see new things at the click of a button, nothing quite beats the satisfaction (or surprise) when you dig into an new copy of a magazine or book. I’ve heard instances of people identifying with a particular magazine because of how it smells, and others of how it feels. For me, it has a lot to do with memory. I have a photographic memory that places things easier when it’s in tangible form. I can tell you exactly where and what an image looks like, down to the sizing and placement on a page, and what page it’s on too — I kid you not (it’s both a curse and blessing!) And that is why print will always hold a special place in my heart.

I recently received a lovely zine from Jonathan Lo of Happy Mundane called At Your Leisure. To put it simply, it’s an exploration of ideas, images, concepts and colors — all bound neatly in a little book. If you’ve ever been to Jon’s blog, then it’s almost like an extension of it — there’s a generous spread of art, interiors, design, fashion and crafts, all mixed in beautifully.

One big thing to note is that most of the photography and styling was done by Jon’s team, which is nothing short of amazing when you think of the time they’ve spent putting the entire thing together.

Easy on the eyes and a quick read (there’s short interviews with home owners that go along with the photos), the zine is a true labor of love and it shows. When I got my copy, I actually thought that it was a full fledged magazine! Instead, it’s a gem with only 500 copies available per print run, which makes it all the more covetable. Mine came with a special little gift too — a miniature dream catcher (which I thought was a lovely hark-back to the theme of the zine, Visions.)

While it’s so sad to see some magazines close down (Venus zine just ended their print version, and Malaysian readers will be sad to hear that KLUE has also done the same), I’m happy to see that there are opportunities for smaller publishers to push the envelope, and Jon and his team is one of them.

You can purchase a copy of At Your Leisure over here, and read Jon’s lovely blog over here.

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Happy weekend everyone, and I’ll catch you again next week!

p/s— Also, a big thanks to Creative Boom for including Pikaland among 49 others in their pick of the 50 best websites for daily inspiration!

This week we’re interviewing a lady who has an affinity for bears and dark forest creatures. Hidden Eloise is one of the top ten most successful artist on Etsy, and she’s just released a brand new collection of works for 2011. Read on about how she first started her shop Hide n Seek and sneak a peek into her daily life as she stays on top of everything! {Images in this post are from her latest collection!}

Name: Hidden Eloise
Location: England
Website/Shop: HidenSeek.etsy.com
Blog: HiddenEloise.com
Illustration media: Pencil, paper, some brushes and my computer

Tell us a little more about yourself!
I’m Hidden Eloise, the pencil and brush behind Hide n Seek. I like fairytales with grim endings.

Where do you live? What stands out about living where you are, and what is your daily schedule like?
In the northern forests of the olde England where there are only 2 seasons a year and the Sun seldom reaches the rolling hills.
A typical day would be like this: Wake up, enjoy a hot cup of one of my countless obscure oriental teas, read and reply to e-mails, start processing orders, update stocks in my shops, work on various projects and new products, buy materials and things that i’m perpetually running out of, take a break to go practice martial arts and/or archery (aww it does wonders to a tired mind) and by the end of the day remember to take a breath. A non typical day would be like this: Wake up, enjoy a hot cup of one of my countless obscure oriental teas, start drawing and don’t stop until i fall asleep over my drawings. 🙂

How did you get your start in illustration?
I was one of those introverted girls that found warmth and safety in drawing scribbles on every surface available. My drive towards art kept strong as i was growing up and i eventually studied traditional fine art and sculpture for a year before i got accidentally (don’t ask) engaged into long studies in architecture where i still kept drawing scribbles on every conceivable surface, much to the dismay of my tutors. After my degree and while i was doing a post-grad Masters degree i decided that enough was enough, i created Hide n Seek and never looked back.

Could you tell us more about your thought process when you start a piece?
I will either have an overwhelming desire to draw a specific scene that i was daydreaming about or i will have a very specific emotion hovering above me that needs to find an image to attach to. I depend a lot on random inspiration and whimsy to come up with ideas but when i have a concept I transform my creative process to very thoughtful and technical. I take great care with my pallets and my compositions and I work and rework every element until i’m satisfied, which usually takes at least two-three weeks and often more.

What’s your favorite project so far?
I enjoyed a wonderful collaboration with the very talented singer Adrienne Pierce for her latest album “Oh Deer”. I did all the art and design for the CD album, something i hadn’t done before, and the whole experience was exciting and engaging and moreish.

Do you keep a journal/sketchbook, and would you mind if we had a sneak peek? (a couple or a few images would be good, if you can manage!)
Hmm, let’s see what i can unearth for you, from this huge heap of white paper that i tentatively call a “sketchbook”. 😀

Would you care to share your studio space as well?
My studio space consists of a large desk, overflowing with long forgotten drawing implements, trinkets, mementos, gizmos and gadgets. I’m afraid it would cost you your sanity if i showed a photo. 🙂

What or who inspires you?
I am permanently enamoured with some specific old art movements. It can be seen in most of my art for those who know where to look, but i really let myself go in my latest collection and it’s much more obvious. The Dutch Golden Age and especially Rembrandt, Japanese ukiyo-e and more recent Art Nouveau are all hovering above me in their brilliant light. I also adore Shin Yun-bok, he makes me skip beats!

What keeps you motivated?
I work doing what i love, with no boss over my head, which usually is enough to keep anyone motivated. For my moments of weakness, i know i can always rely on the people that come and purchase my art. I never expected it to be so fulfilling, dealing personally with thousands of people that want my art in their lives. I work hard so that all my fans are happy and they pay me back with the kindest words. The feedback page has brought me smiles on many a gloomy day.

Could you share with us your progression as an artist — compared to when you first started out, how has your style changed since then?
I wanted to leave my fine art roots behind when i started creating art commercially. I wanted to play with new mediums and learn modern illustrative styles. Well, it hasn’t been too easy but i love myself a challenge! As i’m getting more comfortable with illustrative art, things have started coming full circle and it is easy to see my fine art past resurfacing in my latest art. The old and new styles melding and merging into something new and altogether different.

What’s your favourite tool?
Ah, easy question. My Wacom Cintiq 21UX. It is a pen tablet built on a screen so i can draw directly on it. Everything still starts with pencil on paper, no technology can beat that yet, but Cintiq allows me to take full advantage of my computer in the creative process. Importantly, it allows me to work faster and time is always invaluable for an indie artist.

Are you a full-time artist?
I am very lucky to be supported by my art fully but i’m still only part time artist. The other half is a part time, fiercely independent business woman managing and promoting my own business and shops without other agents or outside help. I get to have full creative control and i only need good people that want to have my art in their homes and nothing else. On the downside, i don’t have as much time as i would like to actually make new art but i’m doing my best to organise better and find more creative time.

What advice would you like to give people who are interested in being an artist full-time?
My personal philosophy is that every artwork should be a new mountain to climb rather than the same old path to stroll. Keep growing. Keep learning. If you practice hard and keep adding to your skills, your are bound to succeed. If you stop pushing boundaries and neglect your own training you risk being left behind.

Where do you see yourself within the next few years?
Still drawing, still making things. I have no current plans for world domination. 🙂 The list of personal projects that i want to undertake in the near future is growing instead of shrinking and i like it that way. Expect more unexpected art and goodies that you can’t live without. If i continue making things that you love, i’m happy.

What message do you want to send out to people about your work?
My art embodies the luxury of standing still in perfect quiet while the whole world is screaming around you in endless circles. I want my art to be that moment of stillness in your life.