Behind the scenes...

I’ve decided it’s time for me to make a small appearance on my blog and write a bit about my own inspiration and why I started this blog in the first place.

Strangely enough, I’m not an illustrator or painter myself (my friends always had a hard time guessing what my “drawings” were supposed to be in art class), but this is probably why I’ve always admired people that were able to create something with just a pencil and paper.  And this is why I  want to know more about how creative people work.

Once I started searching for artists on the web, I was so amazed (and still am) how many talented artists have beautiful blogs or websites filled with their inspiring work. I wish I could pick each and every one of them, wanting to know more about their life, work, inspiration and why they love art.  Some are really hard to get a hold of (I’ve spent lots of time just searching for contact details) but it’s always worth it in the end, I’ve had so many great responses!  

Many people think art is just about museums and galleries, but now I discovered it's much more. Art can be a career, a dream and it's most certainly a vision - and it has become global. What I enjoy most is discovering unique works in places I wouldn't expect to find something - surfers sharing their experiences through surf art just to name one example.

Sometimes (if I had more time and a VERY generous sponsor) I would love to have a meeting of artists that are active in the blog world, I think it would be an interesting experience. Even better would be to have a small competition or event once in a while, maybe something along the lines of  Illustration Friday, but at the moment I can’t really decide yet. I would love to know if other artists had the urge to interact more with other bloggers on an artistic level, so please leave your own ideas below!

The last reason is a bit of a secret, but maybe one day I’ll write about it…

Alina Chau "Daring creativity and passion"

Alina Chau, http://alinanimation.blogspot.com/

Alina Chau is a 3D story artist at LucasFilm. Alina's blog "Ice-Cream Monster Toon Cafe"  is a really nice place to visit, here you can see how she works on her sketches and develops her ideas. Alina's art is also shown in galleries, exhibitions and children picture books in California. 

Did you always know you were going to be an artist?

No.  I wanted to be a rocket scientist as a little kid, but I always loved art.  I didn't figure out my life time career until I went to college.  

If you could choose an old master to work with, who would it be?

I have a long list of old masters, who I admire and often seek inspiration ... that would be a difficult choice.  But, if I have to pick one, I would say Pablo Picasso for his daring creativity and passion in art.

What is the hardest part of art?

Developing new ideas that are unique and challenging myself each time I create a new piece.

Do you have special ways or a routine to get inspired?

I tend to get inspiration from everyday life and personal experience.  But with that being said, like many artists, I get inspired by other artists' wonderful work, music, books, photos ... pretty much anything that intrigues me and invokes my emotion.

                                          
                                                             Alina Chau, http://alinanimation.blogspot.com/

Alina Chau, http://alinanimation.blogspot.com/

Alina Chau, http://alinanimation.blogspot.com/

Anna Raff: "Birds and Words"

Anna Raff, www.annaraff.com

Her birds are just wonderful: illustrator Anna Raff, based in New York, works on a blog all about bird-imagery (http://www.ornithoblogical.blogspot.com). Her work has appeared in The Washington Post and many others. In 2010 she was recognized as one of the "Top 100 New Creatives"by CMYK Magazine.  With tradeyourtalent she speaks about bird imagery, word-play and why she wishes to be a big broadway bombshell. 

Why 365 days of birds?

I wanted to create an illustration project that would force me to draw everyday (or nearly everyday). I have followed other creatives who have started similar projects, and while it requires a great deal of discipline and commitment, the payoff is a showcase of your sensibility in the form of a very large body of work, and a great self-promotion tool. Before tackling an illustration, I like to warm up with a quick drawing or painting the subject of which is not important but I found myself drawing a lot of birds. 

Where do you get your inspiration?

For the bird blog, I drew a lot of inspiration from the English language, current events, and riffs on bird breeds. At the beginning of the project, the imagery was rather straight-forward, but as the year evolved, I started incorporating more word-play. It's amazing how rich and ripe English is with bird-imagery. I'm still coming up with ideas, even though I'm not posting one everyday (now more like once a week), the subject seems to be inexhaustible!

What are your current projects about?

I have a number of children's book ideas I've been developing, and I'm working on an identity/mascot for a start-up non-profit here in New York. Other than that, I'm fleshing out my editorial illustration portfolio...Of course, there is the occasional bird.

Your work is highly recognised. Has the path leading up to this been hard? 

It has been a wonderful ride, but one that I feel is just beginning. I was a graphic designer for 20 years before I decided to devote myself to illustration, and just making that mental switch was probably the hardest part. Illustration is much like other creative disciplines, the more energy you put in, the more benefits you reap. So I just keep plugging away...

Do you have favorite artists?

A few of my favorite children's book artists are Tomi Ungerer, Maurice Sendak, Dr. Seuss, Richard Scary, Fred Marcellino... I could go on. I have to acknowledge Paul Rand too, as a designer and illustrator. When I'm stuck on something, I usually turn to him  conceptually, he was incredible. As for contemporary artists, I love Jon Klassen, Heads of State, Shout, Guy Billout (one of my mentors) and Christoph Neimann. I grew up down the street from the New Yorker cartoonist Donald Reilly, and have only just begun to realize what an influence he was.

Did you ever want to do something else besides art?

Not really, but I wish I were a really great musician...or a big Broadway bombshell. I have a lot of the ham in me.

Anna Raff, www.annaraff.com/

Anna Raff, www.annaraff.com/

Anna Raff, www.annaraff.com/

Olivia Broadfield "Always about the melodies"

I recently discoverd Olivia Broadfield's music. British singer/songwriter Olivia combines electro-pop and smart lyrics, her new album is due out in Spring 2011.  The singer/songwriter from England started piano lessons at age six, some of Olivia's natural abilities might have come from her maternal grandfather who played guitar in the swing-era. With tradeyourtalent Olivia speaks about her new album, being faithful to what she loves and why she would like to record a duet with Shakira. 

You have been working on your second album. What is your new album going to sound like? 

It's going to sound different, quite different, which scares me! You can't stay the same as an artist but you have to make sure that when you evolve, you try and keep the fans you just made. It's much more organic, the songs feel more like ermmm songs and nothing is hidden, there are still some big beautiful sounds, but they come from harps and strings, whereas on the first album they came from synths and pads. While it sounds different, I still wanted to stay faithful to what I love about writing, which is melody, always about the melodies.

What inspires you to your songs? 

Everything, nothing. I am asked this question a lot and as yet I am still trying to find an answer that truly reflects how I feel about writing. Songs can come to me from nowhere or from the deepest parts of me, so that it feels like they came from nowhere until I sit and reflect and think uh oh, is that really how I feel!? I try not to analyse the process to much for fear of losing its simplicity.

 When are you most creative? 

You mean time of the day...time of the month!? I think it's an as and when rule with me, I can write a song if someone asks me to, I can write a song if I'm a bit bored, or sometimes it's like an itch I need to scratch. It's a total mixed bag really, sun makes me creative, as does snow, day...night, happiness...sadness. That's not to say I walk round being super creative 24/7, some days it's like getting blood out of a stone!

When did you know you wanted to become a musician? 

Hmmm, when I started getting good at it! I always loved music but I think I was a nervous beginner, I always thought I was just alright until people started telling me otherwise, until TV shows started using my music, until I got a manager, until Vagrant wanted to sign me. I had the faith that I could be good but it took a while, believe me, I have some bad albums from when I was 19 floating around out there, my sister keeps threatening to sell them on ebay...sisters are kind of mean...

If you could record a duet with another artist, who would you choose? 

Shakira, Shakira! God I love her, she is just so brilliant and also totally random, "I feel abused like a coffee machine in an office"..."lucky that my breasts are small and humble so you don't confuse them with mountains"...I'm not sure I've ever truly made it until I can write like that! Plus she has nice hair...

Olivia Broadfield "Daydreams"

first single from her Olivia's new album due out in Spring 2011

http://www.oliviabroadfield.com/

Illustrator Maria Bogade: "Daydreaming"

 

Maria Bogade, mariabogade.blogspot.com/

Maria Bogade is an animation artist and children's book illustrator from Ludwigsburg in Germany. With tradeyourtalent she speaks about being a daydreamer, getting sidetracked and her favorite artists.

What are your themes in your work?

The themes vary a bit, but I think it is always a story I am telling and mostly there are kids involved. Sometimes fairytale themes sneak into an image, depending on the project I am working on. I really like to play with backgrounds and characters that are in action in some way. Sometimes I end up finding myself playing far to long on an environment and dreaming myself into the scene, but in the end I hope that helps my illustrations.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Life is the biggest source when it comes to getting inspired. Sometimes it's a scene you get to observe on the street or family and friends. Daydreaming is another big inspirational source. I've been a daydreamer for as long as I can remember. I often dream through a story over and over before drawing it to get a feeling for the characters and what the scene, I set the characters in, will look like. 

Did you ever want to do something else besides art?

Not really. I've always wanted to do arts in one way or the other. I got sidetracked, when thinking I would never be good enough, but in the end I ended up were I am now and I have to say, it is good. I struggle like every other artist with my art, never being satisfied, but that is the motor that keeps us going and growing.

Is it hard being an artist today?

I am not sure whether it really is hard. Of course there are a lot of talented people out there, but that is something I truely treasure as this can also be inspiring. I think if you work hard and have a style that serves the market you want to work in, you can make a living from it. Also the internet with all it's platforms to sell and promote your art is something that surely can help. I do see a lot of artists selling their artwork online and it seems to be working pretty fine for them. So maybe being an artist is just as hard or easy as it ever has been. 

Do you have favorite artists?

Yes I do, but I am so bad with names. I really like Shaun Tan's art and Oliver Jeffers'. But their are also artits like Christopher Denise, Alina Chau, Manu Arenas and many many more that inspire me and make me feel like I have a long way to go yet. And there are the old masters, that leave me with awe. John William Waterhouse, William Turner and Carl Spitzweg are three of my very favourite and I admire their gift, especially the way they dealt with light in their paintings. 

What are your current projects about?

One project though is an ongoing side project I do with Australian writer and poet Jennifer Poulter, a wonderfully talented person. Like most of my projects it is a picture book we are working on, that will be finished soon. The poem Jennifer wrote tells about life and leaves me with an enormous amount of freedom, when it comes to illustrating it and telling a story alongside the poem visually. I really enjoy it, as the story I get to tell in the illustrations is a little different to the one being told in the poem but they accomplish each other.

Maria Bogade, mariabogade.blogspot.com/

Maria Bogade, mariabogade.blogspot.com/

Sandra McArthur: "Natural elements"

 Sandra McArthur: Sea Song, www.sandramaree.com.au

Sandra McArthur is a painter from Australia. She has always been drawing, but it wasn't until college, when Sandra was training to be a school teacher, that she finally knew how much experimenting and creating meant to her.  

What inspires you to your work?

I love walking on the beach at all different times of the day. I am inspired by the natural elements, the sea, sky and the wind.
 

 What is it like being an artist in Australia?
 
 There are many things to inspire you to paint in Australia, especially our beautiful beaches, climate and many opportunities to study art.
 
 You work together with young talents. What do you learn from them or what can you show them?
 
I teach children and adults of all ages. I am particularly interested in helping teenagers find their way in expressing themselves through art. We experiment with many mediums and styles.
 
 When are you most creative?
 
I love working to music, all sorts from country, rock to meditative style and find I need to set aside a good 4 hours, this is the time I need to complete a painting. 

Sandra McArthur, Restless

Sandra McArthur

The Whispering Tree: "A single chord"

Eleanor Kleiner and French bassist Elie Brangbour have a shared passion for music and travel. With their band "The Whispering Tree" both have fulfilled a dream: they are able to bring their unique and magical folk/rock music to many continents. When they are currently not travelling, Eleanor and Elie live in New York. With tradeyourtalent Eleanor and Elie speak about listening to great music and pursuing their dreams. 

What inspires you to your songs?

Eleanor:  I think just day to day things and general thoughts and feelings kind of collect over time and then eventually something will surface and take shape.  

Elie:  To me music always comes first, it could be just a simple chord inspiring the whole progression or an idea, a concept that somehow translates itself musically... Usually listening to great music is always a good source of inspiration for me.

Has it been difficult getting to where you are now?

Eleanor:  I wouldn't call it difficult.  It would be WAY more difficult for me to be an accountant or lawyer or something normal like that, I love being a musician, having this dream and pursuing it.  I love that I didn't follow a conventional path.  It only becomes challenging when you start to look elsewhere for approval or when you focus on what you don't have as opposed to what you do.  

Elie:  Difficult? I don't know... convoluted would probably be closer to it! I got lost doing a lot of things I didn't like doing at different points in my life and I feel like I'm finally on the right path.

When do you know, you've just finished a great song?

Eleanor:  I know it's good when I want to play it all the time, it doesn't even have to be finished...I have this tiny little snippet of a song that I've been playing on a loop for a year now. 

Elie:  A few days later when I play it again and it still sounds awesome!

If you could give advice to young artists with just a couple of lyrics, what would you sing to them? 

Eleanor:  Off the top of my head I'd say "Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be," but I guess that's not specifically for artists.  

Elie:  Can i give you a chord progression instead??? :) E7  A7sus4  B7sus4  E7

Singer/Songwriter Yestyn Griffiths - Glass Pear "Live and die by the heart / it may not have eyes like your head/ But it knows by feeling / which way to go / Every time"

Desire, love and lost feelings - the songs by singer/songwriter Yestyn Griffiths from Glass Pear are a combination of a hearbreaking voice and beautiful lyrics. I have been listening to his songs all week and I really can't stop... (Listen for yourself: http://www.glasspearmusic.com/ ).

"Say it once" and "Where is my home" are my personal favorites. Yestyn was born in Wales and he is the brother of recording artist Jem. His songs have been featured in episodes of 90210, Vampire Diaries and One Tree Hill. We will definitely hear lots more from this artist! With tradeyourtalent he speaks about the recklessness of passionate love and knowing when a song is really done.

What inspires you to your songs?

Inspiration is a mystery isn't it? I said in a recent interview that meditation inspires me. That's true. There's definitely a well of creativity that surges up when I'm deeply relaxed. But I also am inspired by witnessing all the wonderful things about life - the uncontrollable energy of children, the dignity and wisdom of old people, the recklessness of passionate love, the buzzing energy of a city, the quiet of nature...

Has it been difficult getting to where you are now?

Yes, I'd say it has been a creative ordeal! But it hasn't all been difficult. Like life, its been both joyous and challenging.


When do you know, you've just finished a great song?

Well, I don't know if I've ever written a truly great song, maybe its an illusive dream that keeps me passionate about writing. When I write a song that I love I often have a surge of emotion about it. As in the poem below, my heart knows when a song is done.


If you could give advice to young artists with just a couple of lyrics, what would you sing to them? 


Live and die by the heart
It may not have eyes like your head
But it knows by feeling
Which way to go
Every time.

Glass Pear - My Ghost

Illustrator Emily Grandin "Littering their imagination in a multitude of mediums"

Emily Grandin is an illustrator from Sweden. Her projects focus on the adorable characters Zoe and Dante, but she also developed some new characters while participating in Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo). With tradeyourtalent she speaks about exploring fantastical spaces, the unforgettable experience of taking part in the Sketch Book Project and why she doesn't really feel like an "artist from Sweden".

Emily Grandin: http://escapeprocess.blogspot.com/

Your work looks really multifaceted. How come?

I don’t know, I guess it’s because I just draw what I love. My illustrations are filled with the things I want. I want to explore fantastical spaces and go on adventures, on the way there will be patterns and details and there will always be room for despicably sweet rabbits. I could bring up my studies in geology and architecture which have definitely played their part but when you get down to it, what I find irresistible is looking at something mundane and thinking how can I add adventure to this?

You are participating in the Sketch book project. What does this project mean to you?

I enjoy seeing how creativity thrives in the confines of limits, if for no other reason than to see how it drives people to stretch those limits. Some told stories, some took their books apart in a metamorphosis of sorts and some just filled them with all the delightful things that were littering their imaginations in a multitude of mediums. And to think it all started with a simple empty sketchbook! Beyond the obvious reasons like exposure, projects like this are great because at best they’re mini workshops, and like with workshops it’s an opportune way to find and connect with fellow creatives.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

When I was little I treasured the cross-sections in Barbapappa and Stephen Biesty's books, I would stare at them for hours. Later frank Miller and Tove Jansson’s art entered my life and I thought I want to draw like that. These days I still eye a lot of books but my resources of inspiration are more than I could justly name not least of all the wonderful wealth of art out there on blogs and digital portfolios.

What's it like being an artist in Sweden?

I like this question, right away it strikes me I don’t really feel like I’m an ‘artist in Sweden’. I assign much of my freelancing to the internet and the extraordinary ways it allows me to feel the pulse and connect with my market on an international level. That I live in Sweden feels like a footnote.

                                          Emily Grandin: http://escapeprocess.blogspot.com/

 Emily Grandin: http://escapeprocess.blogspot.com/

Emily Grandin: http://escapeprocess.blogspot.com/

Emily Grandin: http://escapeprocess.blogspot.com/

For more on Emily visit:

http://escapeprocess.blogspot.com/

Special Feature: Surf Artist Fernanda O'Connell "Surfing keeps me interested in painting"

 Fernanda O'Connell : http://fernanda-surfart.blogspot.com/

Fernanda O'Connell : http://fernanda-surfart.blogspot.com/

Surf and Seascape Artist Fernanda O'Connell grew up in Sao Paulo in Brazil and now surfs the oceans of the world. With her art she captures moments and perspectives of the ocean that are quite unique. Currently she surfs, paints and is preoccupied with issues that affect Indonesia and its people. With tradeyourtalent she speaks about growing up in the chaotic city of Sao Paulo, being one of the first females to bodysurf, why painting keeps her surfing and how she raises awareness for the critical conditions of the oeans. 

Fernanda O'Connell : http://fernanda-surfart.blogspot.com/

What was it like growing up in Sao Paulo in Brazil?

Growing up in Sao Paulo was intense. It is such a big chaotic city! I am part of a big family that is really close. Even though we lived on the city, my uncles owned a boat and we used to get to the beach very often and from a very young age I knew deep in my spirit that I was going to leave Sao Paulo and travel the world in search of waves, different cultures and a seaside lifestyle.

Why did you start surfing?

My older cousins were surfers and they were my heroes, they meant the world to me and introduced me to the surf and music. Back then stand up surfing wasn't that big for females but bodyboarding was starting to appear and somehow females in Brazil took to the sport. I was 10 or 11 then, when I travelled to the States and got my first Match 7-7 bodyboard.

Fernanda O'Connell : http://fernanda-surfart.blogspot.com/

When did you start doing surf art, what does it mean to you?

I always dabbled into drawing. My mum thought I would become an architect... But when I started travelling around Australia, Indonesia and particularly the Canary Islands I felt the need to draw the seascapes. I was so attracted to drawing and painting waves and that was back in 98. When I settled in Ulladulla I went to an art teacher to teach me the skills to use the paint brush and realised early on the importance to find my style and signature brushstroke so that my work could become recognisable. The recognition for my work grew very quickly and I guess it is a blessing to be able to make a living painting a subject that has been my passion, the ocean. Painting waves keep me interested in surfing, and surfing keeps me inspired to paint!

Fernanda O'Connell : http://fernanda-surfart.blogspot.com/

Your art is really unique. Have you met other artists/surfers doing this? What do you think your connection is?

Thank you, I appreciate it! Through generic websites such as clubofthewaves.com and cabecafeita.com artists get a chance to become aware of other surf artists. I got a chance to meet Jay Alders in Brazil at the Festival Alma Surf which is an artist I really appreciate, and Erick Wilson which is an amazing environmentalist. My latest trip to Hawaii I got to meet Jennifer Prince, Mark Daniels and Patrick Parker which was really nice. And of course, because of the internet I keep in touch with fellow brazilian artists and a fair few european artists.

Is surfing a form of art to you ?

Surfing is surely a form of art. It requires a lot of practice and perseverance to perfect your surfing. I believe creativity is very much a part of surfing as a surfer performs the manouvers in a wave.

Fernanda O'Connell : http://fernanda-surfart.blogspot.com/

What is your favorite place to surf?

I will always have a heart for Indonesia. The arquipelago of the Mentawaii Islands have endless world class breaks. I love the romance of arriving on a uncrowded surf spot and jumping out of the boat and surf all day! But I also love the breaks around my home,  especially Ulladulla Bommie.

The oceans are endangered.  Do you think your art can help to protect them  ? 

I have been involved with Surfrider Foundation through the invitation of the Malibu Boardriders in California for the last 2 years and been personally preoccupied with the issues that affect Indonesia and its people and donated to SurfAid. I would like more and more to collaborate with such organisations, donating and raising awareness of the critical conditions we now face.

                                                         For more on Fernanda  visit: 

http://fernanda-surfart.blogspot.com/

or  

www.fernandaoconnell.com