Get Inspiration from the Silliest Things

Inspired by Day, Creative by Night 

interview of  Brittany Wiltsie by @schulmanart, Miriam Schulman

Join Brittany Wiltsie's Fan Page!

SchulmanArt: How long have you been selling professionally and on etsy?

Brittany Wiltsie: I started doing local craft fairs fall of last year. My etsy shop has been open for a few years and sat empty, I launched Little Green Guy November 2011 on etsy, and have been working steadily since to continuously expand my product line.

Where did you study art? 

Brittany Wiltsie: Throughout High School I was heavily involved in art programs, doing local art competitions and spending countless hours with my favorite art instructor, Mrs. Hall. I also took several courses in college but art was not my main focus, which is probably why I was never content in my studies.

How did you come up with the little green character?

Brittany Wiltsie: A radical shift happened for me artistically when I began Little Green Guy, my previous work had always been very realistic and detailed. If there was one thing I was horrible at it was characters and “light heart-ed” art if you will. What started as a late night sketch of a plush that I made was received very well by friends, and thus the start of Little Green Guy, and I have to say I have never been more proud of myself and my art.

Check out her etsy shop!

How do you get inspired?

I get inspiration from the silliest things. Recently when creating my newest addition to my monster family, Charlie, I was inspired by a dog toy.

For my illustrations, my children inspire me daily. Any time I see them doing something silly or getting into trouble I translate their mischief to my Little Green Guy paintings. Even sweet moments with my children, the You Are My Sunshine painting for example, it is amazing to me how such a simple character can depict such emotion. 

All art in this article by Brittany Wiltsie

Describe a typical day for you.

A real day starts when my four year old daughter  runs into my room jumping on me, the noise waking her baby brother, then we head to the kitchen and start our day. My day is full of normal “mom” things, although I do add several craft projects for my children as well as hands on cooking and gardening.

I don't start my Little Green Guy work until they are in bed, so around 8:30 pm is when I normally sit down to work. I check emails, talk to my team on etsy, and then get to work! I am trying out a new routine of Plush creating on Monday, Sculptures on Tuesday, and illustrations on Wednesday. It is very hard to wrangle and organize a creative mind, but for my business to be a success it must be done! I jam my Pandora radio stations or catch up on my tv episodes on HULU while I work until normally 2-3am (now you see why I am not a morning person?) I try not to work while the kiddos are awake, it makes for a grumpy mom, and that is not what I want to be! I do carry a sketchbook/notepad with me everywhere though, and randomly shout out “That's It!” and jot down an idea. My husband just shakes his head and smiles. So besides photographing my work (which natural light is needed) I try not to touch anything during the day unless my husband is home.

Find more on www.littlegreenguy.com

What is your studio space like?

My studio space is inside my master bedroom, which luckily for me is a very large room. I have a long desk which holds my sewing machine, my computer sits in the corner, and up on the wall I have what I call my “inspiration wall” which houses a few of my paintings, some from my children, and some from fellow etsy sellers whom I admire! It helps to keep me motivated! I also have a tall bookshelf which houses supplies and finished work. Instead of packing up and storing my finished sculptures, plush toys, I like to be surrounded by them, they still, and I think always will, make me smile. Being surrounded by my work makes me want to push myself to create create create!

Creative Gift Ideas for Babies

Order A Baby Gift for the littlest one

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

As soon as you get that call or announcement of a new baby, get the most perfect and creative gifts which ship direct from cafepress. The new parents will love the high quality and unique designs that make them one of a kind.

Baby Chicks Onesie

Baby Chicks Organic Baby Bodysuit
Everyone loves these adorable baby chicks and why not? Add it to the front of a bib, onesie or t-shirt and you have the perfect unisex baby gift. Protect your baby's tender skin with this ultra-soft organic cotton bodysuit. Free from pesticides and other harmful chemicals, this comfortable, earth friendly creeper is made from 100% certified organic cotton.

Pink Dragonfly Bib

Penguin Toddler t-shirt

Dragonfly Darts Bib

Featuring creative dragonfly art  with golden gossamer wings that soar across a bright pink background. It's okay to make a mess in our easy-wash 100% cotton bib. It provides great upper body coverage to protect baby's clothes. The sturdy closure makes this one-size bib fit newborns to 36 months. You will love that it is made from 100% cotton jersey. 

Just Chillin Toddler T-Shirt

This soft and comfortable baby t-shirt is designed with a delightful black and white penguin family and a little baby penguin nestled in between who peeks through. Our 100% cotton toddler tee will look great on your little ones, also available in other sizes.

Nursery Room Decor and Gift Ideas

Lots of nursery room decor ideas available on etsy!

Horse Decor and Gifts for anyone with Triple Crown Fever

I'll Have Another
blog post by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

As the Belmont Stakes horse race looms near on June 9th, lots of fans have triple crown fever as the horse I'll have Another has already won the first two legs and is in position to win it all. For those with triple crown fever, I've got you covered with wonderful horse art gifts and decor.

Check out these creative gift ideas for horse lovers newly licensed to cafepress:

Women's T-Shirt

Horse tote bags

And wall decor from imagekind:

More horse gifts from etsy sellers:


Check out other horse art by Schulman on etsy...

Do you think I'll Have Another will win it all???

Painting Prompts Poetry

Art fan writes a poem based on one of my watercolors....

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Watercolor Prints Available on Imagekind and etsy
nude female, Female Nude Art, Signed artistic nude PRINT from watercolor painting, Reclining nude woman

Watercolor Curtains The one, the all of you tissue is a sad friend next to an uneaten meal a cold drink, ice melting love, my only hunger I grew accustomed to your hands touching me smooth skin felt every callous a daydream remembers how it used to be Rainy days and movies miss you the most a bottle of wine is meant to share two glasses your and mine Alone is still exposed to need, wanting arms grow stronger to hold desire once again, never letting go of finding another Watercolors merge into a delicate balance waiting the moon to signal another restless night without you Past lovers can still comfort me, for a shadows bliss lingers until I open my eyes look toward the empty door ©2012 kdarcy

Creating Art is a Process of Exploration and Sharing Inspiration

Interview with artist Robin Phillips

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

visit Robin Phillips' website

SchulmanArt: How long have you been an artist?

Robin Phillips: I am an artist/designer who enjoys working in a variety of media, focusing on visionary art in mixed media painting and graphic design. I studied art, design and psychology, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1997. In 1998, I started selling and exhibiting my work professionally, and online starting in 2010.  I enjoy creating paintings with inspirational messages, craft patterns based on my art and websites for other artists/small businesses!

become her Fan on Facebook!

How do you get inspired? 
Robin: Through my work, I express a vision of spirit. My artwork portrays a message of joy, unity, hope, and beauty in life. I believe that there is much to learn from our time on earth. To me, creating art is a process of exploration and sharing inspiration. My personal inspirations include nature, healing and growth, relationships, world cultures and spiritual traditions. I enjoy sharing my visions with others to offer insight and meaning along the path through life. My work often incorporates bright colors and mixed media, to reflect the richness and abundance of life.

Robin Phillips also has an etsy shop

SchulmanArt: What is your studio space like?
Robin: I have a small studio in my country/folk art house that overlooks the garden. I am very inspired by traveling, and take lots of pictures and mini creative projects with me when I travel. A typical day for me involves little bits of a lot of different things! Emails, phone calls, online marketing, new project ideas, web design, and a bit of painting or design sketches.  Visit my mini studio tour on my blog!   

Mentioned in this blog post article: @robinstudio

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Dragonfly Art Adds Personality to Your Home

Voice of the Heart

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt 

Decorating Idea using Dragonfly Decor

The dragonfly painting adds the perfect finishing touch to this soft and subtle pink bedroom. You can get this sweetly sophisticated look at home for your bedroom with bedding by Eileen Fisher for Garnet Hill. The bed and bench, both from Aubergine Home Collection, are covered in a Rogers & Goffigon wool, Bechamel.This bedroom appeared in the January 2011 House Beautiful magazine sans artwork. The artwork has been digitally added to give you inspiration for how this painting would enhance your home decor.

 

Dragonfly wall art with beautiful golden orange dragonfly image with golden green wings on collage pink background. Lots of subtle shades of light coral pink and mint green in the feminine collage elements of note paper, pink roses, wall paper, artist papers. The mixed media collage is on a canvas support which can be framed without glass. The whimsical art will add personality and charm to your home decor. Check out my decorating idea of how to display this insect art in your room decor. The contemporary dragonfly painting would be at home in modern or traditional decors.

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Dragonfly Art by Miriam Schulman

Title: Voice of the Heart (Romance sans paroles)
Size: 14x18"  on canvas board
Media: Mixed Media Collage and Acrylic on Canvas-no glass required for framing
copyright words do not appear on actual painting

Easy to frame, simply slip into 14x18" ready made frame with glass removed.

mentioned in this blog post:

@GarnetHill, @housebeautiful, @EILEENFISHER

Source: etsy.com via Miriam on Pinterest

Collage Tree Art with a Vintage Touch

Ghosts at the Garden Gate 

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Source: etsy.com via Miriam on Pinterest

Original Tree Art by Miriam Schulman

This abstract landscape art pictures a white picket fence with an open garden gate. Beyond the gate are contemporary collage trees created with sepia brown vintage photos. The tree art appears ghostly and spiritual. In the friendly garden, bright pink azaleas bloom with irises and the golden green grass adds more modern color. The fence is a collage of a William Faulkner novel. This tree wall art has been painted black on the sides and is ready to hang without a frame but also looks great with a ready made simple brown frame.

Detail of White picket fence in mixed media collage

Title: Ghosts at the Garden Gate

Size: 16x20" gallery wrapped canvas, 3/4" profile, sides painted black

FRAME: frame is not included, but a rustic brown one would look great. You can get a ready made frame at many craft stores or online. You may also display the canvas without a frame, since the staple free sides are painted black.

Detail of Collage Trees

Click here for More Tree Art







Decorating Idea
The master bedroom, the reproduction 18th century tester bed is softened with Belgian linen panels from Restoration Hardware. To make the home appear larger, owner and architect Bill Ingram painted almost every room white including the peaceful bedroom shown here. The collage artwork was added digitally  to give you an idea what it would look like in your home. Ingram designed this 1400 square feet home in Birmingham, Alabama which is in the Mountain Brook area, a prime real estate section in Birmingham. (if you are in this part of the country and are interested in hiring this architect designer you may visit his website at billingramarchitect.com)

Source: etsy.com via Miriam on Pinterest

To get a similar look in your home you can start by painting the your walls and trim and ceiling in  Creamy White by Benjamin Moore. The bedding is available from  Pine Cone Hill . The pillow on the chair is from Leaf & Petal. Although the fabric on the chair is discontinued there may be stock available in Bengal Stripe by Stratum Textiles .  

mentioned in this blog: @restohardware @shabbyandposh @PookieandPierre @AnnieSelkeCo (for Pine Cone Hill) @photographerbm @leaf_and_petal @HouseBeautiful @Benjamin_Moore @kgsspencer

What is your style?

Celebrate the Gifts of Your Creativity

Interview with Artist Shelley Lowell

@schulmanArt interviews @Shell143 edited by Miriam Schulman

 

Artist Shelley Lowell at work in her studio, visit her website

How did you get your start as an artist?

I graduated Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY with a BFA in Advertising Design & Visual Communications. I have maintained 2 parallel, professional artistic careers: one as a visual artist creating sculptures and paintings, the other as a graphic designer/art director/illustrator. My training as a visual communicator has influenced my fine art as my work has always had a thread of communicating ideas or messages.

Aside from this, I write and perform poetry. Many of my current poems are inspired by my paintings. I paint commissioned pet paintings as well.  This feeds my love for animals and uses my gift to capture an animal’s likeness and personality.

My current favorite medium is oil with a wax medium on canvas. I love the texture it creates. This suits my need to layer to create soft, translucent effects.

Read Shelley's Blog!

How do you get inspired?

Images come to me.  I make thumbnail drawings. Then scan them into the computer, and rework them until I am satisfied with the composition. Then I transfer the drawing to the canvas to paint it. I work out the colors in the process of painting it. Sometimes I see the colors in my mind’s eye as well as the image. When the painting is complete, I ask it what’s its story is. The words that come through me are the basics for the poem.

Visit Lowell on Facebook!

Describe a typical day for you..

Since I am still working as a professional designer, I start the day by commuting to work. This is an 80-minute drive, so I have plenty of time to let my mind wander and use the drive time for the creative process to work its magic. After a full day of creating either ads, or publications, I return home, feed my animals and myself and head for the studio. Here I work for about 2-3 hours. When I retire from my design career, which will be relatively soon, I will be spending about 5 hours a day painting. This will be a great joy for me.

What is your studio space like?

As long as I have painted, my studio has been in my home. I love to be able to just walk over to my work, examine it, see what needs to be done and get caught in the process. I pick up a brush and start working on the painting some more. The lower level of my house is my studio. It has 2 separate entrances from the back of the house and windows on 2 sides. The house is in a country setting, surrounded by woods. It is private and peaceful. I also use an upstairs bedroom to be near my dog that is too small to do the stairs.

What advice would you give other aspiring artists?

The advice I’d give others is the same advice I have followed through my artistic career. Do what feeds your heart. Don’t be swayed by other people’s opinions. Try whatever creative process you feel like, you will never know where your creative experimentation will lead. Do not limit yourself. Do what you love and celebrate your creativity, it is a gift.

Who were artistic motivators in your life?

My father was very influential and supportive of my creativity when I was growing up. He was a professional photographer and an artist. He taught me how to see things and made me aware of light and dark.

The biggest influence later on in my artistic career was a gallery director who noticed my work and encouraged me.

Did your father influence your creativity? Tell me about it....

Combine Classic with Modern for Warm Interior Design

Family Trees for Family Living

by @schulmanArt, Miriam Schulman

 

Family Trees, 24x24" Abstract Tree Art Collage by Schulman

Looking for modern color in an abstract artwork? This tree painting has dominant colors of bright tangerine orange-red, sea foam green and yellow ochre. The collage elements are torn pieces of watercolor painted piano sheet music, vintage photographs and floral napkins. The sheet music represents the bark of the trees. This tree wall art has been painted black on the sides and is ready to hang without a frame. The art will pop off the wall giving a very modern sculptural quality to your contemporary home decor.

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Title: Family Trees

artist: Miriam Schulman
Size: 24x24" gallery wrapped canvas, Deep 1- 1/2" sides painted black

Artwork with staple free sides painted black literally pops off the wall.

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Click here --> for More Tree Art

Trees are made from vintage photos, stamps, and piano sheet music

Dominant Colors are yellow ochre, seafoam green and tangerine orange

Decorating Idea for Tree Art

Bonnie Edelman is featured in the April edition of House Beautiful with her family’s home in Connecticut that combines classic with modern. This living room with it’s sleek black fireplace and floating mantel to the zebra print ottomans and warm buttery orange leather chairs is understated elegance. Add a personal touch with abstract original tree art. The zebra printed ottomans are covered with Edelman leather. The wall color is "Tusk" by C2 paint.

mentioned in this blog post: @c2paint,  @housebeautiful

Inspirational Art is Theme of New Series of Original Works

Magic is Believing in Yourself  

by @schulmanArt, Miriam Schulman 

For my social media platforms such as twitter and facebook I have fallen into the habit of using inspirational quotes along with links to my listings. I feel this keeps my self-promotion efforts from being too spammy and adds some nice content to my sites. For my latest series of artworks, I have let the inspirational quotes take center stage. I have had a lot of fun working with words and text while combining figures, sheet music and other collage elements. (see all inspirational art for sale)

For this artwork the inspirational quote reads:

"Magic is Believing in Yourself"

The painting on canvas pictures a woman figure modeling Alexander McQueen Sarabande flower dress. (see all Alexander McQueen fashion illustrations) There is a butterfly and the border is made from tinted piano sheet music in the Pantone spring 2012 color trend "sweet lilac." (see all butterfly art or more music collage art)

TITLE: Magic is Believing in Yourself

SIZE: 12x12" art

dominant colors: bellflower purple lilac, pink, periwinkle blue

The sides are painted sweet lilac, no framing required to display

MEDIA: Watercolor, acrylic, piano Sheet Music, Collage on CANVAS

copyright words do not appear on actual artwork

Magic is Believing in Yourself Mug Mug	Magic is Believing in Yourself Tote Bag
Magic Is Believing in Yourself Queen Duvet OR  this design on a bathroom shower curtain!  Remind yourself first thing in the morning  when you take a shower and the last when  you go to bed at night when you decorate  your bathroom and bedroom with  this inspirational shower curtain  and or queen sized duvet.	Get your beauty rest in style with this comfy women's pajama set.
Good night moon. Great nightshirt! Slip on this ultra comfortable women's long night shirt and go to bed in comfort and style, or stay up in comfort and style! This long jr. jersey t-shirt is 100% CRS cotton Jersey with a topstitch ribbed collar, which means you'll sleep soundly in this soft, breathable material.	Finally, a women's organic t-shirt that's earth friendly and fashion conscious. Our fitted tee is stylishly form flattering and the organic cotton is soft and easy on the environment. In the organic fitted shirt you'll look great and feel good too!

Ten Reasons To Commission a Portrait

Anymore Reasons?

@schulmanArt Miriam Schulman

Oversized Modern Portraits in Watercolor

1. To tell a Story: People are drawn to portraits because they tell a story, both about the subject and the artist. A portrait commission celebrates the youth of your child or illuminates the joy of your wedding day.
2. Because Memories Fade: Capture the humanity of a person in a moment in time.  Even a centuries-old portrait can conjure up its subject and breathe life into a distant memory and brings to life a personality that would otherwise have vanished into obscurity.
3. Family Heirloom: Art is a great investment because of the joy it will give your family for generations. The fact that we are able to view portraits from centuries ago is a testament to the institution of the craft of portraiture and an excellent reason as to why one should consider investing in a commission. In our mass-produced age, few material objects possess the enduring value and prestige of a unique work of art.
4. Creative Mother's Day Gift: Nothing is close to a mother's heart than her children, so the best art is a charming watercolor portrait of her child.
5. Fabulous Father's Day Gift Idea: Fathers also flip for these gifts and love paintings of their children for their home or work office. Portraits of children are art that everyone can agree on.
6. Beautiful Birthday Present: Whose birthday? The mother, or the father are obvious choices, but you could also give the portrait on the occasion of the child's birthday. I also do adult portraits, so if you find your honey unbelievably beautiful I will capture that essence on paper in a lovely watercolor portrait.
7. Artistic Anniversary: A popular art commission it to get a painting done of the wedding chapel or church.
8. House Proud: Another occasion for a house portrait is as a house warming gift or to remember a childhood home. Often, grown children will chip in to get a painting done of the house that they grew up in to give to their parents.
9. Creative Wedding Gift: Commission a portrait of the bride and groom from one of their wedding pictures. This is the gift they will not want to return. You can also get a portrait of the bridal bouquet to give to the bridesmaid or the bride. She'll love it and unlike the dress will never grow out of it.
10. Personalized Pet Portrait: My fine art pet portraits will capture your pet's unique personality and exact likeness in a watercolor painting that will last a lifetime. These true to life paintings create a lasting memory of your dog, cat, horse, rat, rabbit, or other pet. I portray not only your pet’s physical appearance but also capture the essence and spirit that you love so much. Your pet can be set in a favorite background--like the beach-- making your pet portrait even more personal. 

Extreme Cropping and Large Scale Make Watercolor Portrait Modern

Adding Modernity to Portraiture

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

One of the most exciting aspects of accepting commissions is the new directions that clients will push me in. Although watercolor is an unconventional medium for portraits, most of my watercolor portraits are very traditional and done in a classic impressionistic style. For this commission, the client asked if I could work in a large scale with a closely cropped photo. The objective was a quality painting in a bold watercolor style where a specific likeness was not required. This set me free to have fun with the watercolor. Although the watercolor portrait wasn't supposed to be that realistic I couldn't help myself but to render the highlights of the flesh! The client was happy with the result and wants another. I was also pleased since the artist she wanted me to emulate was more abstract than the style I ultimately worked in. Although my painting is not considered abstract, the scale and the cropping make it very modern. I plan to continue with these close ups since they result in a very graphic and intimate portrait. 

Right now I am running a special on this style portrait. This listing is for an modern watercolor portrait of a closeup face from your photo of anyone's face. You know this would make a great Mother's or Father's day present if you want to do your children but a bridal portrait would look great too. Spouses always flip for these and the kids love having paintings of themselves too This offer at a great price is available through Father's Day. Hurray for Mother's Day delivery.

Custom Modern Watercolor Portrait from your Photo

size: 15x22" on high Quality Arches Watercolor Paper

Meditative Moods Inspire Abstract Artist Sally Trace

Inspiration Comes and Goes in Waves

interview with Sally Trace by @SchulmanArt, Miriam Schulman

Sally Trace Art for sale on website, etsy, and ebay

How long have you been an artist?

Sally Trace:  I sold my first drawing in 1971 or 1972.  It was a surrealist/erotica sort of thing.  In my memory it was really good drawing, but I was just a kid living at a friend’s apartment. Ten bucks bought a lot of food back then.

I studied from books in my teens and 20’s…particularly Bridgeman’s Anatomy.  I bought bodybuilder magazines to study anatomy and sketched from them.  At 28, I enrolled in my local Community College to get some formal training in fine art.  I was very fortunate to live in Bucks County because their art department had amazing professors who taught at a university level.  I went part-time for 6 or 7 years to get that degree; it was a great time, I really loved it.  Although I wasn’t able to continue in a degreed program, I’ve continued to take classes and workshops when the schedule permits.  Last summer I took a weekend workshop in color field abstraction (Professor Kassem Amoudi) at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philly.  It was awesome. It turned my working process upside down for a few months afterword.  I’m still coming out the other end of that experience.

Become Sally's Fan on Facebook!

How do you get inspired?

ST: Crank up the music and drink something caffeinated.  Lay out some fresh canvases on the painting table.  Or, in more meditative moods I just sit by my open window with the sounds of the trees and birds and squirrels, and paint quietly at the easel.

professional photography light setup

Describe a typical day for you.

ST:  I like to arise at my leisure, get a cup of tea and fool around on the computer a bit. Then off to the basement for some exercise and laundry…always with the ipod; I listen to Abraham-Hicks incessantly.  I have an inversion table and hanging there is just glorious.  But some days the studio comes first…I love to finish a painting or create a new one before breakfast.  So it’s always different.  I like to go out for a walk in the fresh air when the weather is nice.  My painting usually culminates in the afternoon and into the evening.  A nice dinner with my amazing husband and some TV.  I do my photography and videos and create the listings and pages for my website, etsy, ebay, etc. often well into the night. Sometimes we have a painting party at night with a cocktail or two and the music turned up loud.

Follow the Blog of Sally Trace!

What is your studio space like?

ST: The view from my window is all leaves right now; they just burst into full bloom.  I’m on the second floor and we have big maple trees out back.  I’m so fortunate to have the entire second story of our house for studio.  What used to be my son’s bedroom is where I paint…the finished landing area is my studio office with a beast of a computer that he built.  What used to be the attic is for photography, shipping and storage.  My commute is climbing the stairs.  Sometimes I go for days without leaving the house.

I have a big easel and a bigger painting table that I made from canvas and furring strips.  I have a work flow that consists of painting layers, drying, painting, photographing, varnishing, hanging for more photography and videos, making the listings and webpages, packing for storage, selling and shipping.  And emailing with collectors. Sometimes phone calls with collectors; that is always a treat.  I usually have about 4 paintings going at a time. Inspiration comes and goes in waves.

Mentioned in this article: @sallytrace