Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Fried Fish Photography

A Big World

Daniella Fishburne, Photographer


I wanted to give you all a little special inspiration this New Years Eve, that's why I've saved Daniella Fishburne of Fried Fish Photography until today.  Daniella has created a body of work that an artist working decades would be proud of, and she only started two short years ago!  Her work that really caught my eye started as a New Years project!  It has turned into a magical and wonderful collection.  Read about her below and let her inspire you too as you set your new years goals!

PCC: Tell us a little about yourself 
Secret Garden
FFP: Hi! I'm Daniella Fishburne and I began pursuing photography in 2013. My interest was sparked by a basic photoshop class that I took for a graphic design degree. I loved it so much that I decided to drop out of college afterwards and began teaching myself advanced photoshop techniques. I used books and online videos as tools to teach myself the things I wanted to learn, instead of being forced to learn something that didn't interest me in class. I dabbled with selective coloring in street photography at first, then eventually moved onto advanced compositing.

Letting Go
PCC: What do you create?
FFP:
I mostly create surreal self-portraits by compositing various photographs. Although, sometimes I dabble in street photography and landscapes, surrealism is my one true love. It feels almost like magic when I can take something from my imagination and turn it into a believable image. Plus, I get bored easily, so I really enjoy the challenge that comes with compositing images. 





PCC: What made you want to become an artist/fall in love with your craft? 
FFP: For as long as I remember, I've always created in some way, although the medium has changed throughout the years. When I was a little girl, I used to draw and create little clay figurines. I loved Disney and wanted to be an illustrator more than anything. I guess in some ways, I did become an illustrator, although I never worked for Disney like I had hoped.
Butterfly Whisperer
PCC: Tell us about your process. What materials do you use? Particularly with the self portrait series, what was your inspiration for this? Any tips you would give to photographers interested in your style? 
Carried Away
FFP: The self-portrait series started as a New Year's resolution for 2014. Towards the end of 2013, I was diagnosed with melanoma and although they caught it before it spread, I was told that there was an 80% chance it would return within a year. After a month of depression (and laying around with no ambition), I decided to pick myself up and do SOMETHING. . . anything. . . just to keep my mind busy. So I decided to do a 52 week self-portrait project in an effort to keep myself busy for a year while I wait. I chose self-portraiture because it would have been difficult to line up a model every week (plus I didn't have money for that) and it alleviated some of the pressure to make it perfect for someone else. If it turned out terrible, it was okay because I was creating it for me and no one else. As for process, I use a tripod with a wireless remote (or sometimes my husband) to shoot my subject (me). Then I blend my subject with the background and any other elements until I've illustrated the story I'm trying to tell. I like to use textures in my images to create a painterly feel because I secretly always wanted to be a painter, but never had the discipline. If you're interested in self-portraits, there are a lot of amazing artists out there who specialize in this style and who also teach these techniques (bonus!). Brooke Shaden (creativelive.com) and Aaron Nace (phlern.com) are my favorites. 

Sharing My Soul



PCC: What are you passionate about outside of your art?
Imaginarium
FFP: I would have to say music. My husband is a drummer, so it's a big part of my life. I also love animals. If I could, I would have a farm and rescue dogs, cats...anything really. I can't afford it right now...but maybe someday.

PCC: Anything else we should know?
FFP: Create art for you and don't worry so much about what anyone else thinks. As long as it makes you happy, that's all that really matters. When you follow your heart, you'll end up right where you're supposed to be... every single time. ;)


Butterfly Magic
PCC: How do we find you?
Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/FriedFishPhotography
Blog: www.daniellafishburne.com/blog/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FriedFishPhotography

Other work by Daniella Fishburn that we love:
 
Spellbound
Fearless
Dare to Dream
Windows to the Soul
Lucid Dreams
Lost in Daydreams
Above All Odds
Follow Your Bliss
Runaway



Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Success on Etsy


Success on Etsy is tricky. You can have the best product in the world, but if people can't find you, or if the product is presented poorly, sales will reflect that. Check out Timothy Adam from Handmadeology  share valuable tips on things like SEO and Branding to succeed on etsy.  If you liked this video, click on his youtube channel or website to learn more.  Happy Sales to you in the New Years.

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsKDeL3mqLs

Webpage:
http://handmadeology.com

Monday, December 29, 2014

Spatz Rosin Originals

Peg & Shannon - Jewelry Designers


Girl Dancing in the Rain
SR: We are a mother (Peg) and daughter (Shannon) team who enjoy working together whether it’s on the road at art and craft shows or designing jewelry. Shannon has always had a passion for jewelry. She inherited it from her father’s side of the family. I simply love working with my hands and designing jewelry gives me an outlet for that. Part of the joy we find in working with jewelry is the fact we can do it together.

Orchid Necklace
PCC: What do you create?
SR We design jewelry using the Viking stitch, knitting-in-the-round and wire wrap techniques. Shannon’s designs are more technical and classy with a touch of funk, while I work more intuitively and have the most fun designing R-kids and other free-form creatures. We love the rich colors wire now comes in as well as freshwater cultured pearls, gemstones and the faux bone flowers we are able to create using flat sheets of medical grade PVC. 




My Family Girl


PCC: What made you want to become an artist/fall in love with your craft?
SR:
After an injury at work, my husband, Ken, was unable to work for a year. During that time we discovered we loved being together all the time. I also loved working with my hands and that drew us into the craft show business. We began with wooden toys, then miniatures and clay sculptures. Shannon’s first memories are of napping under our display tables at arts and craft shows when she was two.  
We loved the satisfaction we got from customers reactions to our products and the relationships we developed with the other artists and crafters. We became like extended families having reunions every weekend. It was a wonderful life. After taking a short hiatus during my father’s illness and death, Ken and I got “real” jobs. Over time, Shannon and I wanted to get back into the business. Her passion for jewelry made the choice of what we would do this time easy. 



PCC: Tell us about your process. 
SR: Shannon is brilliant at working out ideas and patterns in her mind and then finding a way to make them come to life that is both technical and intuitive. She favors the Viking Stitch and wire wrapping. I can only work intuitively which plays well with designing the R-kids and other free-style forms. I love wire wrapping. It feels like coloring to me. First I create a form and then use the wire to, what I think of, as coloring in the lines like you would a coloring book. 




PCC: What materials do you use? 
SR: We use colorful craft wire as well as Soft-Flex ultra flexible wire with freshwater cultured pearls and gemstones. We also use medical grade flat sheets of PVC that we cut, shape and dye to create our floral embellishments. It’s a joy to have so many techniques
and materials at our disposal when it comes to creating unique designs. Over our down time this year, I’m hoping to do some clay sculpting to add to the uniqueness of our designs. 

PCC: What are you passionate about outside of your art?
SR: (Peg) I love writing and am currently editing my first finished novel while Shannon is in the process of planning the expansion of her garden into a beautiful oasis that provides her with fresh produce to can for winter.  
(Shannon) We both love to read, kayak, and fish. Mom and Dad live on the water and in the summer we love being out on the pontoon boat reading and fishing. I also love going mudding on the 4 wheelers! 

PCC: Anything else we should know? 
SR: Just that we feel lucky to be able to work with each other designing jewelry and selling at shows. Most of the time it feels more like fun than work, and what could be better than that?



PCC: How do we find you? 
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/SpatzRosinOriginals?ref=hdr_shop_menu
facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Spatz-Rosin-Originals-Jewelry/242101285811969
Twitter: twitter.com/SpatzRosinOrigi


Other Designs from Spatz Rosin that we love:
Kids Ballerina
Three Siblings in Tree
Girl Swinging from Tree
Two Sisters hanging from tree branch
Little Cowgirl
Turquoise Paisley Bracelet
Fish Pin


Kids IceSkater

R Kids Ballerina




Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas/My Grown Up Christmas List

Merry Christmas everyone!  Thanks for supporting our great group of women in the arts at the Peppermint Creek Collective.


(if you can not see video, click here)

O Holy Night

Pitch Perfect. The young Jackie Evancho sings O Holy Night. 
Always go for your dreams, no matter your age.  
Merry Christmas everyone!

(If you can not view video, please click here)

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Baby, It's Cold Outside!


In the spirit of the season, I thought we'd look at one of our beloved songs. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" was written in 1944 by Frank Loesser and performed with his wife at a party.  Four years later, MGM aquired the rights to the song and it appeared in the 1949 romantic comedy called "Neptunes Daughter" starring Esther Williams.  The film has two performances of the song, the first by Esther Williams and  Ricardo Montalbán  and the second by Red Skelton and Betty Garrett, in which the roles are reversed.
Loesser won an Academy Award for Best Original Song from the movie.
Neptunes Daughter was written by the legendary screenwriter Dorothy Kingsely, who is well known for Kiss Me Kate, Valley of the Dolls, Angels in the Outfield and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Hope you enjoy!

(if you can not see the video, please go to this link.)

Monday, December 22, 2014

Women Make Movies


This Holiday season (and thru the new year) consider seeing a film by or about women, and supporting organizations like Women Make Movies.  


Friday, December 19, 2014

Pine Singer Images


Pamela Phelps, Artist/Photographer/Fighter

Heart of Parksville
There is a term called the 'auteur theory' that we use in filmmaking. It is when a filmmaker has such a distinctive style that we know his/her films simply by watching a few seconds of a film. We know the work of Tim Burton by it's dark whimsy, Wes Anderson by the lush color palette and static proscenium shots, and Danny Boyle by his editing and dreamy flashbacks and forwards. Likewise, we can tell many other artists by their style. I can always look at a Modigliani, Calder, Gaudi or Doisneau and know it is theirs instantaneously without seeing the name or having seen the piece before. It's what every artist strives for, yet few achieve - recongizability.  


Don't Let the Sun Go Down
   
Pamela Phelps has gained such notoriety with her photography.  There is a quality about her work that carries her signature on it - her full frames, rich autumn palette and grungy, fibrous post processing.  Her work stretches across styles, reminiscent of the old masters with visible paint strokes and textures as well as having a modern touch.  She has captured many rural and historic landmarks around her home in Sullivan County, New York. 




Her bio reads: 
The Kirkland Hotel
"Pamela is a 'Keeper of Days Gone By'. Through her photographic artworks she lends style and ambiance of historical landmarks and notable places in and around the Sullivan, Ulster, and Orange county areas of New York, USA. Her work brings back the origin of emotional experience once connected to the remains of history so highly regarded in this area of New York. Pamela brings back that feeling of 'stepping back in time' through artistic creations of her photography."


On December 1, 2014, Pamela publicly shared with us that she has terminal brain cancer. Her statement that she shared on RedBubble was as follows:
Looking Within
   "I write this to let you all know in short terms, I am ill. I have terminal brain cancer and many things to do to prepare me to leave sooner than I would prefer. My work will remain hereon all 3 sites for the pleasure of others and potential sales to benefit causes I have chosen. I will miss you all terrible, as this is where it began for me many years ago. I learned love, care, compassion, non judgmental thinking, here. My entire demeanor changed, allowing me to embrace a whole new world that lay before me. I am grateful. I will attempt to make some posts here and there when I can, for my healthful and mindful benefit, as well as to leave a legacy from me to you here on RB!
Sanctuary Within

Safe journey my friends, love well, live fully, embrace every bit of energy force you can muster…it never lasts forever, and is gone before we know it.Love to you all.Pamela"

A friend of Pamela's states that she is "...resilient and amazingly brave.  She has continued to create works despite her health problems.  She believes that art is her therapy and is a gift she has to share."  We, in the Peppermint Creek Collective feel the same.  She is a beautiful soul, kind, and showing passion for her stunning work daily.  We are all glad to know her.  Please visit Pamelas sites below and show your support.



Where to Find Pamela's work:
Closed Gates
http://www.zenfolio.com/pinesingerimages 

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-pamela-phelps.html

http://www.zazzle.com/collectivecommunity/gifts?cg=196800620601539244

http://www.redbubble.com/people/pinesinger

http://www.imagekind.com/artists/PineSinger/all/fine-art-prints



Follow Pamela on FB
Her Artist Page:
https://www.facebook.com/PineSinger

Pamelas Journey: 
https://www.facebook.com/heronjourney



Other work from Pamela we love:

The River Rose
Grahamsville Schoolhouse


Fulton and Holmes General Store
Wanting Spring So
Becoming the Lighthouse
Goodwill Presbyterian Church


Lone Tree Evening Reflections
A statement from Pamela regarding her legacy:
"Deborah Benoit will be in charge of my work...it will remain as long as it can....proceeds will go to the unfortunate, the starving artist, and the dogs I love so dearly. I do not have much but will give is willingly when I am gone. A portion of my sites, they are set up uniquely are to go for the donation to the warm community that took me in last year as one of them and are helping me through this crisis. Any monies from their unique sites is to maintain the community I live in, the flowers, the lands, the historical buildings. I made this choice a year ago and set up two accounts for them to have as my legacy to them all."

All works shown are the sole property of Pamela Phelps and Pine Singer Images and may not be reproduced or copied without the permission of Ms Phelps or Benoit.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Krislyn Dillard


PCC: Tell us a little about yourself.
Sparrow in Flight #2
KD: My name is Krislyn Dillard. I'm an artist and yoga teacher living in Springfield Oregon. I share my home with my husband who I have been with for fifteen years, my two bratty kitties, three bunnies and nine chickens.

PCC: What do you create?
KD: I'm a painter and I also draw. Right now I'm working in watercolor, oil, acrylic and ink pen.


PCC: What is your process. What materials do you use?
Octopus
KD: My process is a little different for each media and my style a bit different for each as well. When drawing, lately I have been enjoying natural paper, color ink pens and white gel pen. Ideas for what I draw are many and often inspired from daily life encounters and stories.
When painting in watercolor my process is similar to drawing but deeper thought out and often requiring multiple attempts before I am successful.
Finally, with oil and acrylic on canvas paintings my process is quite a bit different. Where with watercolor and drawing I am having a more fun light-hearted approach, on canvas I tend to bring in more substance. So, a lot of research goes into each painting. Also, I will create many sketches as drawings and gouache paintings so that when I finally do put brush to canvas I'm pretty certain what I want to happen.



PCC: What is your inspiration for your work? 
Field Burn
KD: Many things inspire me. Some of them are: little moments in life that crystallize in my mind, light as it dances through a water glass, mythological stories and heroes, watching as my garden comes alive in the Spring, a half heard word from passing strangers having a conversation, lyrics in a song, cephalopods and so much more. 

   I'll be starting a new painting series soon based on the painting in my shop called "Field Burn". These paintings will use images of burning farm fields to invoke the ideas of beauty, destruction and life. Follow me on my blog or shop to learn more!

PCC: What are you passionate about outside of your art?


KD: I'm very passionate about yoga. I love teaching it and believe it can cure the world of sadness and despair. I'm also driven by the environment, human rights and animal rights. 











PCC How do we find you? 
www.etsy.com/shop/krislyndillard
www.facebook.com/pages/Krislyn-Dillard-Art/130987122344
krislyndillard.wordpress.com/
www.pinterest.com/krislynartist/
twitter.com/krislynrunt

 More art from Krislyn Dillard that we love:

Tree Minimalist Series Yellow
Raven Flying
Over Flow
Fragile


Lucid Dreams 
Sun
Tipping Point 
Original Tipping Point Scale