New York, New York

Finally time to blog about my first weeks in New York. Yes, weeks ! And I haven't really been able to write about it up until now. To be honest, it took me some time to get used to NYC (hope I'm not the only one). Everything is louder and hotter - today I was practically melting, I will never complain again in Berlin about the temperatures. The city is chaotic but somehow everything still flows, even the traffic at some point (However, I will never get the part where you're allowed to cross the road when the light is red, I tried it one time New York style and almost got run over by a taxi. Now I'm always the only person waiting to cross the road - is that pathetic? ) But slowly I'm getting used to this new speed of the city.

I also have another confession to make. I didn't visit one museum yet, not the Guggenheim, not the Whitney... I wanted to give you juicy art stories from the Big Apple, but somehow I've been more occupied with getting to know this city and its people first. Which has been exciting on its own terms. It's interesting how this city has so many different looks, the Upper East Side is totally glamourous but somehow also a bit boring (sorry Upper East Siders, but it's true) and once you go downtown or to Brooklyn you sometimes don't even remember you're in New York (and I haven't been to many parts of the city yet!). Prospect Park is definitely adorable!

Plus a very good tip: I love the Italian Café "Eataly" next to Madison Park, the coffee is awesome and it's fun watching people walk down 5th Avenue.

One of my greatest moments up until now was a surprising experience with a friend of mine, who, I discovered, is an amazing photographer. We were walking through the streets of Brooklyn and she was taking pictures of families living in her hometown. I enjoyed being able to watch how she worked as a photographer, talking to the people she took pictures of as if they'd know each other for years. It also takes some confidence to walk up to strangers and ask "Can I take a picture of you?" I haven't realized before what an intimate question that is. When I worked as a freelance journalist I often walked up to strangers for interviews, but taking a picture of them is even more private somehow. I have always wanted to know more about how photographers create art, who the people behind the lens are and how they manage to transform a small moment into something much bigger.

I'm sorry for not being more artsy for you today, but I still wanted to fill you in on my first impressions of New York!

Mascot Competition: Vote for your favorite Mascot!

Finally I can show you all the mascots that have been submitted to TYT! Please comment below for your vote. And of course thanks to all the lovely artists who have submitted a mascot! Important for the big fans of Mr. Stick-Figure: you can also vote for him ;)


Max, who thrives on love, hugs and creativity, by Sue Pownall (Blog: Art of A Nomad)

Elizabeth Rose Stanton (Blog: Penspaperstudio) submitted a dragon couple trading their talent, Crayon Man and baby chickens.

Ann Hyde (Blog: Studiohyde) submitted a puppy

Exclusive NYC Scoop: Singer-Songwriter Eleanor Dubinsky

Friday night in Brooklyn at Pete's Candy Store (a very cozy bar) left me with an amazing discovery - singer-songwriter Eleanor Dubinsky. Her lyrics in English, Spanish and French are romantic and heartfelt,  I could have listened to her exceptional voice for hours. After a very hectic week it was just the  perfect way to start into the weekend. 

Everyone coming to NYC this summer should visit one of her concerts. Eleanor's songs are a mixture of many styles - folk, soul and Latin rhythms - every song is different in a surprising way. Her voice is soft and strong in a perfect balance - and when she plays the cello she is just gorgeous. I can only say, one of the best live performers I have seen in a long time. Here is an exclusive video of her concert on Friday: 

Her new album "Touch the Sky" was just released. You can also find Eleanor @


Website: eleanordubinsky.com
Facebook: eleanordubinskymusic
twitter: eleanordubinsky

Blog Art Exhibition, Suhita Shirodkar "India / Energy of the Moment"

Suhita Shirodkar  is an obsessive-sketcher and graphic designer. With tradeyourtalent she speaks about her recent travels to India and why she is addicted to sketching her surroundings. 

Suhita Shirodkar 

Suhita Shirodkar 

During which moments are you most creative?

I find it hard to "set aside" time to be creative, so I carry my portable studio with me everywhere: a couple of sketchbooks ( in case I can make 2 quick sketches: while a sketch dries in one book, I start on a second one), an extra-fine sharpie ( I love sketching with these: the ink runs out of them real quick forcing me to keep my lines quick and fluid), colored pencils, a portable set of watercolors, a couple of brushes, and a water container. Sometimes all I have is 15 minutes between meetings, or before I pick up my kids: I'll stop anywhere that catches my eye during my drive and make a quick sketch.  ( I just did a posting about this. But I'm most excited by travel: it's always fun to draw places and things you've never seen before. There's something really exciting about capturing first impressions.

You recently travelled to India. How did you try to capture the travel experiences in your work? 

I was In India visiting (lots of) family, and I just drew wherever I could.. suddenly all the tedious parts- the long waits at the airport, the endless flight halfway across the world- became opportunities to sketch. One rainy day we were stuck at my in-laws home with the roof leaking. It was hard to even walk around the house without stepping into puddles. I sat in a corner and sketched the only view I had: the ceiling. 

Suhita Shirodkar 

Can you describe one special moment you tried to sketch?

I spent one whole week during my trip to India just traveling and sketching with my teenage nieces.Most of my sketching happens around  2 little kids aged 3 and 5, but this week was different. One peaceful morning in Delhi, we settled down to sketch Humayun's Tomb, a grand building that is the predecessor to the Taj Mahal. I thought I was going to capture this monument on a quiet, calm morning. But everything changed within a few minutes. A whole bunch of school buses arrived, packed with kids that were loud, excited and full of energy. They swarmed in a mass of red school uniforms towards the monument. It was fantastic to capture the madness and energy of the moment. I love unexpected things like that. Suddenly the sketch was about more than just another monument. 

Suhita Shirodkar 

Are you a full time artist,or do you do something besides art ?

I am a graphic designer, a mom of 2 kids, an obsessive sketcher and I run an online store on etsy. I'm little bits of way too many things! One day though, I'd love to be a full time artist. Until then, I plan to fill lots and lots of sketchbooks.

Where do you get your inspiration?

From the world around me. From my travels. I am particularly drawn to urban settings and vibrant colors. Chaos and color are two things I love to capture. Big cities, and cultures full of color, like Mexico and India, are very inspiring.

Suhita Shirodkar 

Suhita Shirodkar 

Suhita Shirodkar

 If you could give some creative advice to young artists,what would it be?

This isn't something I came up with, I heard it from a fellow artist, but it's worth repeating: if you love doing something at age 5, it is probably something you can be happy doing your whole life. I loved to draw as a kid. But somewhere along the way, I stopped drawing, and only got back to my sketchbook habit a couple of years ago. It's an addiction now. And I love it.

See more of Suhita's art @

Blog: http://sketchaway.wordpress.com/

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/sketchaway

Online store: sketchaway.etsy.com/

Chloe Allred designed a logo for our Art for Rwanda Project

Special thanks to Chloe Allred,  a sophomore at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, for designing our first logo for our Art for Rwanda Project. Some of my readers might have been wondering why I often posted special interviews about art projects in Rwanda. During my studies of History I wrote a paper on the Genocide in Rwanda in 1994, and what happened there really upset me. This is why I'm also sponsoring a little girl in Rwanda. A couple of years ago I actually started my own "Project Rwanda" but somehow it didn't go in the direction I wanted it to. This is why I'm now very passionate about reporting on art projects in Rwanda, because art is very powerful in creating social awareness. An interview with Chloe about her own art auction for Rwanda will follow soon. This is the logo Chloe Allred designed

I know we also have the mascot competition going but anyone can submit a logo for Rwanda too, I will then post it on TYT! If you have your own passion about a particular country (and how you maybe supported it through an art project) feel free to comment below and tell us all about it. 

Katrina Page "Lose myself in a piece"

Katrina Page, http://www.theillustrationpage.co.uk/

Katrina Page is an illustrator from the UK. She is obsessed with combining old 
and new things and creating multiple layers. With tradeyourtalent she speaks 
about freedom, astronauts and Psychology. 

What is your favorite part about being an illustrator?
I love the freedom and creativity. I can completely lose myself in a piece and sometimes 
hours pass before I even realise what time it is. 

Is there something that helps you back on track when you have a creative block?
I get creative blocks quite a lot, it's usually when I start thinking too much about something. 
I find it helps to listen to music really loudly, something with a good beat like Bonobo, 
Avalanches or Pendulum. I learnt to juggle at University as a backup for failing my degree - 
it often helps to do this to the music whilst thinking about the piece I'm working on. If this 
doesn't work, I go to bed and forget about it for a day or two.

Inspiration is... 
...everything and everywhere.

Did you ever want to do something besides illustration?
When I was growing up I didn't know what I wanted to do. I wanted to be an astronaut and 
then I wanted to be a comedian... I was always drawing though and making things. Initially I 
wanted to study Psychology but at the last minute chose Illustration instead. 

Is there another illustrator you'd love to work with?
Gray318, I absolutely adore his book cover designs.

Katrina Page, http://www.theillustrationpage.co.uk/

Katrina Page, http://www.theillustrationpage.co.uk/

Creative Challenge #2: Presenting my creative business idea

This week kept me busy with planning for my New York trip, meetings (!) and my first pitch. This stood totally in contrast to the experience I had last week - I didn't have to flee this time. At this point I have to thank my lovely readers for their lovely advice and support, it helped me to be perfectly prepared for this second challenge.  I stuffed my purse with loads of business cards - thanks Sue for this great tip. I actually handed out quite a lot of them, this made me all giddy. 

   Again: My trip there was a real adventure and this time it wasn't because I got lost in the neighbourhood. It started with the train at my station not being able to open its doors - this led to a poor guy actually kicking the train a couple of times. Luckily I had another great Plan B and just made it there in time (with a taxi). 

    Once I got to the co-working house, where I was to hold my pitch, I was met by so many amazing creative people that my nervousness quickly resided and for the first time in my life I felt like I had found the place where I was supposed to be (make any sense?)

   These creative people came from all over the globe: Sweden, Canada, London, Paris... and they were quite excited about my online publishing idea and gave me amazing advice. For the first time I felt really sure that I was on the right track and that maybe it is actually possible to be successful by creating something yourself. 

   And, most importantly of all, if you are passionate about your creative ideas you can make others believe in them too. 

   The next weeks will be packed with writing a business plan, finally finding a name for us (still struggling with that one) and developing our first projects. 

    And then there is New York.

     I can't believe it but it's only one more week and then I'm off to the States for three months. Today I had a look at these lovely pictures by Belle and Boo of their New York round up  - this made me all giddy and sleepless and excited. (This is why I'm still blogging way after midnight) 

     Can't wait to blog from there also and take some great pictures so you can also take part in my trip!   (Okay, great pictures is a bit exaggerated, my camera broke last summer, my blackberry will have to do. Hope I'm excused for that one. :-) ) 

      And for all my lovely readers who are in New York this summer, we have to meet!!

"Be yourself" Tahira Lubrano

"Inspiration for me, is literally everywhere." Tahira Lubrano is an illustrator from the Netherlands. Tahira and I are constantly developing new ideas for creative projects, whether it is a children's book or a creative get-together in her hometown Rotterdam, we never run out of ideas. Tahira enjoys working with watercolor, pencil and ink. The drawing style she uses for her illustrations is called chibi, a word used for a Japanese drawing style and in general means cute little people. With Trade Your Talent she speaks about why she decided to take the plunge and chase her dreams as an illustrator.

Where do you get your inspiration from? 

Inspiration for me, is literally everywhere. It’s in the way people talk, in my music, in other drawings from fellow artists, in a smile of a child. Every little thing can spark an idea for a drawing. Some ideas I really have to draw immediately, others are ideas for the near future. I have a folder filled with ideas and sketches that I may or may not finish. It’s also good for reference though and to see how I change over time.

Why did you choose to become an illustrator? Is it hard sometimes? 

I had to chase my dreams of being an illustrator. I came on a point in my life where I was seriously doubting all I did. All my years of studying seemed useless. Not that they are, but I knew deep in my heart that I wouldn’t be doing a whole lot with it. It’s my safety net sort to speak. Of course, I don’t know how my drawing style would have developed when I would’ve studied Art. Maybe I wouldn’t be drawing the way I do now? I don’t know, all I know is that every choice you make in life has its pros and cons, as long as it’s the right choice to make at that time in your life. Then nothing else matters. You can’t predict the future. I know, that I haven’t been happier and more myself since I’m drawing full time ^_^.

Yes, it is hard. I’m not going to lie! I am working a lot and I need to pay attention to a lot of things. From blogging to networking, from commission work to own projects, from making sure that my administration is up to date to trying to have a social life on the side. Sometimes there is not enough time in a day! I try to break it up in pieces, so I have actual a moment to breathe. But I’m just starting out and nothing is easy in life. Which is a good thing, because I’m determined to work hard for what I want and I know that the reward will be so much better and fulfilling!

When did you know you wanted to become a full time illustrator?

I’ve always known that I would do something creative. I just didn’t know what. I love to dance, I love music, to draw, to write and bake. So was I going to be a baker? A dancer? A singer? There are a lot of options, but without knowing I did, I always came back to drawing and writing. So in a way I already knew what I was the passionate about. It has been quite a long journey before I had enough courage to say to myself ‘You know, I will take the plunge and chase my dreams!’. Applying for an Art study has always been an option. When I graduated from high school, it was at the back of my mind.

So in a way, I think that the determination I have now, only strengthens my passion and my need to be an illustrator. The competition is hard and most blogs I follow from other artists are from people with an Art degree in their pocket. This can be discouraging at times, but then again it only motivates me to work harder.

Do you have any creative advice for artists that are just starting out? 

Just be yourself! I know it can be daunting to start illustrating and designing. It’s a competitive world and the talent that wanders around is huge. Just remember there is an audience for your work and when you find who they are, focus on that. Also, if you have a creative block, don’t get too annoyed or scared. It is normal to have them and over thinking things or trying too hard is often the cause of it. Let it go and focus on other things. You will see that it comes back sooner than later and you will be more inspired than ever!

                                                                                                                                                   

© Tahira Lubrano

© Tahira Lubrano

                                                                                                                                                
                                                                   © Tahira Lubrano

More about Tahira Lubrano

TJ's blog A Look in A Creative Mind.

TJ's Website The Whimsy Art of TJ Lubrano

Creative Challenge: How I fled an artists get together...

Something happened to me yesterday and I'm still not sure if I should share this incident with my dear readers or not. This is because yesterday I posted a status update with such a carefree spirit (my first artists get together, yay) that unfortunately I'm now too embarrassed to talk about this. On the other hand, it might be perceived as a quite funny incident, so I decided, I must share. 

First off: last week was incredible. So many things happened at once, positive things that enhanced my path of creating a creative business (I found a business partner, my coach agreed on our concept and told me we should enter a creative ideas competition and: I might be in New York this summer. This means I'll be able to build more connections for my creative business! Already made my first appointment with a famous and gorgeous illustrator, so excited. TYT will be reporting from NY of course!)

Anyhow, back to my embarrassing "artists get together" moment. I had been invited to an artists get together in Berlin and I was really excited to meet new people, talk about collaborations and what not! My trip there was already something of an adventure, because I nearly didn't find the gallery space. I ended up wandering somewhere by the river, a little scared, because it wasn't the prettiest part of town... Nevertheless, once I recognized more artsy types of people I was kind of relieved, at least now I was sure that I had been on the right path!

However it turned out, that the event wasn't really what I had been expecting. I thought I would be talking to sweet illustrators all night, instead I ended up not talking to anybody (I didn't introduce myself and no one introduced themselves to me) and then I was even more embarrassed to SEARCH for the host of the party (I only knew her by name) but not how she looked like...and so forth. As time progressed (and I had looked at a painting for the one hundredth time, pretending I was looking at it for the FIRST time) even more strange people appeared and I decided to flee. I know this sounds a bit extreme, but I had a good plan hatched out in my mind: Find stairs. Run. 

Hence I decided to actually flee the building, I was literally running away and I only looked back once (to check if anybody had actually noticed or would report on me) but luckily no one noticed or in fact, cared. I'm really sorry I do not have more exciting news for you about this event, but, I decided to be honest with you. Plus: I hope you had a good laugh. :-) In any case, if this ever happens to you, make sure you always, always bring someone along if you don't know what to expect from a party. Otherwise, if you're not able to bond with the other guests, you must do as I did and develop an escape plan (and write an embarrassing blog post for your readers!) 

Building a Cultural Centre in Rwanda: The Story of Covaga Women - a program developed by Developing World Connections (DWC)

This summer, the non-profit society Developing World Connections (DWC) will support Covaga Women, a cooperative of weavers in Gashora, Rwanda. They have a mission to protect the environment and create jobs in their community. Hopefully this summer, DWC volunteers will be able to report directly from Rwanda and tradeyourtalent will provide continuos news on the process of creating a cultural center in Covaga. The first steps have been made with building the Covaga Innovation Centre in 2010. 

Copyright Developing World Connections

Copyright Developing World Connections

Copyright Developing World Connections

Background: Beginning in the fall of 2009, Developing World Connections (DWC) has been working with Building Bridges with Rwanda (BBR Ltd), to implement a long-tem development program to support Rwanda’s Millennium Developing Goals. BBR began to work with Covaga in the fall of 2006. This collaboration was the result of BBR interest in contributing to Rwanda’s reconstruction efforts following the devastating 1994 genocide against the minority Tutsi. International volunteers help raise funds in COVAGA, a cooperative of weavers in Gashora whose mission is to extract water hyacinth plants and use them as renewable natural resource to protect the environment and create jobs. Last summer, DWC and Softchoice, a Toronto based software company, built the Covaga Innovation Centre. 

Copyright Developing World Connections

Copyright Developing World Connections

This summer: In 2011, another four DWC groups are scheduled to work in Gashora. They include three student groups from Quest University and University of Victoria, in British Columbia Canada. In addition staff from Jones Delaurier, a Toronto-based insurance company, will spend a week working with Gashora residents to continue the construction of the Covaga Innovation Centre. During their stay in Rwanda, international volunteers work on the construction projects, visit interesting sites; such as world’s renowned mountain gorilla, they go on neighborhood walks, home visits, pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide at memorial sites, they visit museums and national parks. 

Copyright Developing World Connections

Copyright Developing World Connections

Copyright Developing World Connections

Cultural Centre: When completed, the CIC will have a boutique where Covaga will sell its products, two weaving studios, a kitchen and restaurant. The restaurant and boutique will create jobs for Covaga and contribute to Gashora tourism and hospitality industry. At the same time, the centre will host learning exchanges between international visitors and local residents. It will have events that promote Gashora culture, such as storytelling and cultural performance.  

Copyright Developing World Connections

Copyright Developing World Connections

Copyright Developing World Connections

The Covaga Innovation Centre/ CIC

Covaga had approached BBR and asked for support in building a new facility, in the past they had received a dilapidated building from the local government that members were using as weaving studio. Soon DWC agreed to send volunteers to work on the construction of the Covaga centre. In 2010, four DWC teams spent the summer and fall working on the construction of the Covaga Innovation Centre. BBR has made arrangements with a vocational training school that is being constructed by Green Helmets, a German NGO called the Nelson Mandela Education Centre.  NMEC students and instructor work with Covaga members, residents of Gashora and DWC volunteers to build the centre using German technology. The project is supervised by a German architect, Till Groner, who is the principle of NMEC. 

Copyright Developing World Connections

Copyright Developing World Connections 

DWC philosophy is inspired by the interconnectedness between travel, cultural exchange and development. The organization creates a forum where Canadian volunteers raise funds and travel to work in developing countries along side with the local residents. Through a learning exchange, visitors and locals engage in a meaning contribution to the local development.  

For more information, please contact:

Lama Mugabo, BBR Initiator bbrwanda@gmail.com

Jessica Kleissen, info@developingworldconnections.org

Website: Developing World Connections