Tuesday's Artist: Kim Murton

In order to keep my creative tank chugging along I like to fill it with all sorts of visual fuel. This "Tuesday's Artist" thing is my way of sharing some of the artists that inspire and delight me. I asked them to do a little finish-this-sentence sort of mini-interview so we might get to know them a little better. 

This week's spotlight is shining on Kim Murton. Her ceramic pieces are just the bees knees! They're colorful without being gaudy, delightfully rotund, and don't take themselves too seriously.  I usually put up polished pictures of one particular piece at a time, but I love these candid studio shots from Kim's blog. There's just something about all those happy groups that makes me want to clap my hands.

Kim says:

If I wasn't an artist maybe I'd be something entirely different but I can't image what. 

Today, I'm listening to short stories. Music wise, Paul Westerberg and Radiohead.

I'm really good at forging ahead most of the time-- I don't give up easily.

I'd like to be better at making things happen business wise-- that is always a challenge.

When I was a kid I was little and timid and in my own head.

I hate it when I get wrapped up in things that don't matter.

My workspace is the first place I go when I come home.

I hope that my art never gets stale.

Right now, I'm really into drawing a cartoon drawing every day. It's like calisthenics.

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Besides her awesome ceramic pieces, Kim also does little illustrations for her project called Worry a Day. She has been doodling her daily worries every day since 2009! I can certainly relate to many of them. Here are a few of my favorites:

You can see more of Kim Murton on her blogs, here and here.

Tuesday's Artist: Michele Maule

In order to keep my creative tank chugging along I like to fill it with all sorts of visual fuel. This "Tuesday's Artist" thing is my way of sharing some of the artists that inspire and delight me. I asked them to do a little finish-this-sentence sort of mini-interview so we might get to know them a little better. 

This week's spotlight is shining on Michele Maule. Living and working here in Portland, Michele works in a variety of media. I like that she manages to combine collage elements into her paintings in such a cohesive way. She has a knack for editing and restraint that I really admire in a mixed-media artist. I especially love how she elevates everyday objects, captures small moments, and I find her work to be beautifully restful.

She says:

If I wasn't an artist maybe I'd be a singer in a band.

Today, I'm listening to NPR. 

I'm really good at making guacamole. 

I'd like to be better at being patient.

 I hate it when it rains on my birthday.

When I was a kid I was very, very, shy.

My workspace is weirdly tidy right now.

Right now, I'm really into gardening.

I hope that my art resonates with people.

You can see more of Michele's work here.

Who stokes your creative fire?

Tuesday's Artist: Bryce Wymer

In order to keep my creative tank chugging along I like to fill it with all sorts of visual fuel. This "Tuesday's Artist" thing is my way of sharing some of the artists that inspire and delight me. I asked them to do a finish-this-sentence sort of mini-interview so we might get to know them a little better.
This week's spotlight is shining on Bryce Wymer in Brooklyn, New York. I'm really enjoying the graphic black-and-whiteness of his work. And totally loving his out-of-the-box choice of "canvases"-- clay, zines, wood blocks, vellum, LP covers. . . Plus, his sketch books are totally cool.

Phalanx (Set E)

He says:
If I wasn't an artist maybe I'd be sad. . . But honestly I have been feeling lately that it would be rewarding to actually work on something that has an IMMEDIATE reflection upon people's lives. I like the idea of being a carpenter again (as I was in my teens). There was something about leaving a job at the end of the day and knowing that I had a part in creating a family's shelter. The gratification of knowing that I had bettered a quality of life was always priceless.

Today, I'm listening to Cheveu, Barrington Levy, The Beets, Obits, Shabazz Palaces, and way too many documentaries.

I'm really good at over-complicating things and then stripping them down to the point that they are so minimalistic that they encompass all kinds of new possibilities.

I'd like to be better at living more and working less. I tend to be happiest when Im creating and it seems to be taxing a few relationships.

Deep End

When I was a kid I was a total hardcore devastation to society. Remnants still remain!

Right now, I'm really into (in NO particular order) Mid 80's Hardcore (always), raw vegetables, (sadly) window unit AC units, family, paper towels, bubble wrap, India ink, and wood block prints. 

(a page from) How to Draw Animals

I hate it when. . . I don't think I really hate anything. But I considerably dislike human entitlement.

My workspace is extremely neat and way too tidy. For some reason I can not work in an environment that is in complete disarray. I spend about half an hour every morning cleaning my studio and straightening things before I begin. Its actually pretty sick.

Erecting an Icon

I hope that my art brings all aspects of the human condition into people's lives. I spend a lot of my time trying to strip my work of my own deep confines. I find narratives in my work that mean something to me, and after that I trim the fat, get rid of the solos, and work them into a story that can be read on all fronts.

You can see more of Bryce on his website, or his blog, or via Twitter.

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Who stokes your creative fire?

Tuesday's Artist: Judy Kaufmann

In order to keep my creative tank chugging along I like to fill it with all sorts of visual fuel. This "Tuesday's Artist" thing is my way of sharing some of the artists that inspire and delight me. I asked them to do a little finish-this-sentence sort of mini-interview so we might get to know them a little better. 

This week's spotlight is shining on Judy Kaufmann. Born in Chili, she now lives and works in beautiful Barcelona. I'm a sucker for repetition and adherence to traditional rules of design, which she uber-utilizes in many of her works. But I'm especially taken with her highly stylized and deceptively simple portraits of pop culture icons. She manages to capture not only the likeness and personality of her subject but also to interject her own personal style, and with such restraint! And yet, her work manages to somehow be both restrained and spontaneous. How cool is that??

Judy says:

If I wasn't an artist maybe I'd be a psychologist.

I'm really good at sleeping.

I'd like to be better at math.

When I was a kid I was a non-stop moving girl.

My workspace is comfortable & colorful.

Today, I'm listening to my boyfriend singing!


Right now, I'm really into my bed! (It's Sunday!)

I hope that my art will feed me for the rest of my life.

You can see more of Judy on her website, her blog, or her shop.

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Who helps stoke your creative fire?

If you're going to San Francisco. . .

Who is that amazing artist featured in the San Francisco Chronicle? 

Why, it's none other than my fabulous little sis-in-law Yellena! Her show starts tonight at Gallery Hijinks. If you go, be sure to tell her and my brother that I say hi and that I wish I could be there :)  

I recently featured Yellena in my Tuesday's Artist thingy, so click here if you want to see a little more of her.

Tuesday Artist: Inaluxe

In order to keep my creative tank chugging along I like to fill it with all sorts of visual fuel. This "Tuesday's Artist" thing is my way of sharing some of the artists that inspire and delight me. I asked them to do a little finish-this-sentence sort of mini-interview so we might get to know them a little better. This week's spotlight is shining on Kristina Sostarko and Jason Odd, who together make up Inaluxe (you know I love a good partnership), from Grampians, Australia. I enjoy their uncluttered compositions, generous yet thoughtful use of color, and their impeccable use of repetition within each piece. I love how their stuff uses all the grown-up sort of design techniques, but still maintains its childlike quality.

Hopeful Sooty Owl

Kristina says:


If I wasn't an artist maybe I'd be an architect.

Today, I'm listening to Camera Obscura and Johnny Paycheck.

A Forest of Three

I'm really good at making a mess mostly, and putting things together. And I make a pretty mean coffee. 

I'd like to be better at building and renovating.

Our Little Friends

When I was a kid I was fixated with an old Croatian lullabye my father sang about a white rabbit that gets lost in the snow and dies. I used to make him change the ending of the song so the rabbit would live. 

I hate it when it rains and you've just put the washing out, when you come to the end of an awesome series like Northern Exposure, and I hate running out of wine. 

One Million Short Stories

My workspace is a monster that takes up most of the house! 

Right now, I'm really into organising, and spring cleaning. Out with the old, in with the new! On a cosmetic home level, and personal level. Gearing up for spring here, and look forward to building our large vegetable and herb garden. 

I hope that my art is constantly evolving and changing. 

Belly Rubs and Fox Cubs

You can see more of Inaluxe in their shop or on their blog.

Tuesday's Artist: Yellena James

In order to keep my creative tank chugging along I like to fill it with all sorts of visual fuel. This "Tuesday's Artist" thing is my way of sharing some of the artists that inspire and delight me. I asked them to do a little finish-this-sentence sort of mini-interview so we might get to know them a little better. This week's spotlight is shining on Yellena James. 

You may have noticed that Yellena and I share a last name. Coincidence? Nope, she's my sister-in-law. I'm very lucky to have her and my brother so close by (they live in Portland), as both of them are constant sources of inspiration. Yellena and I were even art majors together 10 years ago. Naturally, I have several of her pieces hanging in my home. I love how they're both familiar and foreign. Glimpses of infinite fantastical distant nebula, but also peeks into tiny unseen microscopic worlds. Both organic and cosmic. Plus, they're just really pretty! 

Season

She says:

If I wasn't an artist maybe I'd be a piano player.

Today, I'm listening to Balkan Express by Gramatik.

Biome

I'm really good at drawing.

I'd like to be better at being more organized. 

Silk

When I was a kid I wore giant yellow glasses.  

I hate it when I spend too much time without making new work.  

Bluster

My workspace is a beautifully renovated studio that my husband just finished for me a month ago. It's my favorite place to be.  

Right now, I'm really into jewelry made out of porcelain. 

Allusion

You can see more of Yellena on her website and in her shop.
Also, she has a show next month at Gallery Hijinks in San Francisco.

Tuesday's Artist: Elsa Mora

In order to keep my creative tank chugging along I like to fill it with all sorts of visual fuel. This "Tuesday's Artist" thing is my way of sharing some of the artists that inspire and delight me. I asked them to do a finish-this-sentence sort of mini-interview so we might get to know them a little better.
This week's spotlight is shining on Elsa Mora.
Born and raised in Cuba, Elsa now lives and works in LA. I especially enjoy her fearless experimentation in a multitude of media! I also love how she incorporates a healthy dose of symbolism, myth, and folklore into much of her work.

Bee Miniature Paper Sculpture

She says:

If I wasn't an artist maybe I'd be a patient in a mental hospital obsessed with my arts and craft therapy :)

Today, I'm listening to what my son is trying to tell me without words (he's autistic and needs me to be able to listen beyond his words).

The Secret

I'm really good at being on time, I'm never late.

I'd like to be better at sports (specially swimming).

When I was a kid I was like a little grown up inside and very smiley and friendly on the outside.

I hate it when. . . So far I don't hate anything. But I get upset about any kind of injustice.

Tree House

My workspace is my little planet.

Right now, I'm really into answering these questions.

Femina Pantarum

I hope that my art keeps helping me stay happy and sane :)

You can see more of Elsa Mora on her blog or her Etsy shop.

Today's Table

This morning's table is sorta all over the place. A bat, a bird, a couple of anthropomorphic mushrooms. Dylan's kitschy B-movie robot/space helmets are taking shape. Today I'll be playing with clay-- adding some detail to the helmets, and sculpting manes on various maned creatures. If it ever stops raining, I'll be playing in the dirt too. Got a new planter which will double the size of my "garden". I suppose I'll do some boring house-cleaning chores today at some point too, but that's so not worth talking about.

In other news, there are still three one-of-a-kind Kaitlbugs available. 

Poppy, Thistle, and Meadow.

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Also in other other news, I'm bringing back the Tuesday's Artist feature! 

Tomorrow will showcase the fabulous Elsa Mora.

Tuesday's Artist: APAK

In order to keep my creative tank chugging along I like to fill it with all sorts of visual fuel. This "Tuesday's Artist" thing is my way of sharing some of the artists that inspire and delight me. I asked them to do a little finish-this-sentence sort of mini-interview so we might get to know them a little better.

 This week's spotlight is shining on APAK. Husband and wife, Aaron Piland and Ayumi Kajikawa Piland make up APAK. And you know I love a  husband-and-wife art team! Working here in Portland, they create rich and colorful paintings featuring the Utopian lives and adventures of curious little beings living in fantastic environments. Tiny creatures, imagined forest-scapes, camping. . .what's not to love?

Ayumi says:

If I wasn't an artist maybe I'd be. . .

a sea turtle. 

Today, I'm listening to the sound of my baby snoozing.

I'm really good at relaxing in the bath.

I'd like to be better at walking and riding a bike.

When I was a kid I was smarter...

I hate it when I open a bad avocado.

My workspace is comfortably messy.

Right now, I'm really into making my 5-month-old son laugh.

I hope that our art makes you smile :)

You can see more of APAK's charming art on their website or in their Etsy shop.

Tuesday's Artist: Laura Lloyd

In order to keep my creative tank chugging along I like to fill it with all sorts of visual fuel. This "Tuesday's Artist" thing is my way of sharing some of the artists that inspire and delight me. I asked them to do a little finish-this-sentence sort of mini-interview so we might get to know them a little better.

This week's spotlight is shining on Laura Lloyd. I'm madly in love with her sculptural pieces! I love everything about them-- their luscious textures, straightforward-but-still-engaging palette, striking expressions, and a healthy dose of humor. I also love how solid they look; there is something very sturdy and still about them. I find their often-exaggerated expressions to be very human and sort of strangely comforting.

Still Standing

Laura says:

If I wasn't an artist maybe I'd be. . . 

hmmm, maybe an interior designer? I love those makeover shows.

Giddy-Up

Today, I'm listening to Frank Sinatra.

A Good Head on his Shoulder

 I'm really good at getting lots of things started all at once.

Finishing? Well, no comment.

Dog Person

I'd like to be better at focusing on one thing, 

seeing projects through to completion without tearing my hair out.

Pinwheel

When I was a kid I was shy.

Goatee

I hate it when I have to write anything.....I really lock up.

Much easier to draw and create.

Training Wheels

My workspace is full of art and pictures I like and lots and lots of ideas for inspiration.

Bookmobile

Right now, I'm really into summertime (mothering 5 kids),

which leave precious little time for artwork.

Strong Man

You can see more of Laura Lloyd's work on her website.