Gabby Zapata "Looking for inspiration"

Gabby Zapata is a recent Ringling College of Art and Design graduate, she is now working at Digital Domain Studios as a story/visual development artist. With tradeyourtalent she speaks about why Disney films inspire her, life as an everyday inspiration and moving forward. 

Gabby Zapata

You recently graduated from Ringling. How does it feel like and what are your future plans?

Post-Ringling is going to feel very surreal! I have been spending all week trying to relax and just have fun for once because I never really had the chance to due to working on my short film. But now that all of it is ending, I'm certainly going to miss it. As for future plans, I am luckily going to be a story/visual development artist at Digital Domain Studios! As I have mentioned on my blog, Digital Domain's has been known for its epic special effects (ie. Titanic, Tron, 2012, iRobot) and the new studio here will focus on feature animated films! I'll be working under people who have been at Disney/Pixar so it will be a great experience to work with them! It's a super great opportunity.

Gabby Zapata

When did you decide to pursue a career in art?

I decided to pursue a career in art at a very young age. Ever since I was little, I grew up watching many Disney films, cartoons, you name it. When I was little, I became obsessed with The Little Mermaid because it is such a beautiful film and I loved the movements, design, everything! I remember telling myself that I hope I can do something like this when I grow up. I had no idea how, or even it there was a career for it! But years passed by, I started to focus more on art. I took all your basic art classes all the way through high school, and then I heard about Ringling and I went from there. It has been a thrill trying to learn new things and just keep improving on your work and then look back and see how much you've grown as an artist.

Gabby Zapata

Inspiration is....

Everywhere. Inspiration for me drives from everyday life and from my fellow classmates. Life is an everyday inspiration and comes in many shapes and forms.

How do you overcome creative blocks?

That's a tough one. Going through art blocks can be such a challenge. You find yourself doubting yourself in your abilities and makes you want to give up. What I do to overcome that, I go out for a drive by the beach (since I live near it!) and just relax. I don't draw when I am there, I just absorb the sunlight and take time to reflect on myself. If that does not work, I just start looking for inspiration. I started collecting many "Art of" (ie. Tangled, KungFu Panda, etc) books and those are fantastic to look at for inspiration. Another thing that I do is just watch random films and see what I get from there. They do not have to be animated films, it can be anything. But as a general note, I just try and keep on moving forward and not worry about it because it will eventually get better.

Gabby Zapata

Can you name your favorite artists?

Oh my gosh, where do I start?! There are soo many artists I admire and aspire from! Last summer, I started using google reader because I realized that bookmarking a blog and checking each and every one of them individually was going to be a pain. So anyway, some of my favorite artists are Brittney Lee, Glen Keane, Claire Keane, Dice Tsutsumi, Nico Marlet, Lorelay Bove, Peter de Sève, Bill Pressing, Pete Oswald, Lou Romano, Victoria Ying, Bill Schwab, Willie Real, Jeff Turley, Edgar Degas, and sooo much more! What I like about these artists is their uniqueness. If you happen to stumble on their artwork, you will be able to tell who it is because of what they specialize in. Aside from that, I like to be inspired by my classmates too. They are full of ideas, that it is impossible not to be inspired by other people. 

Gabby Zapata

"The Mouse King" Elizabeth Rose Stanton donates for Bakhita Girls fundraiser

Yesterday I received "The Mouse King", by Elizabeth Rose Stanton, which is our third donation for our Bakhita Girls  art and music fundraiser in NYC on the 10th of August! 

"The Mouse King", by Elizabeth Rose Stanton

Elizabeth Rose Stanton is an illustrator from Seattle, trained in architecture, art history, and scientific illustration. She currently works in illustration, portraiture and fine art, with a concentration on children's book and editorial illustration. Her blog, penspaperstudio, which has grown so quickly since she started is quite stunning! Although with her kind of talent it is not surprising, I always tell her that the first thing I do on a Friday is check out her newest Illustration Friday post, which usually always leaves me behind with a huge smile on my face :-) I just adore her characters! For more about Elizabeth also have a look at her interview with TYT on "Being fearless."
        I'm so overwhelmed by the kindness of all the creatives that I have met since I started blogging and all the wonderful donations that have come together just within one week, they will surely give  the Bakhita girls in Tanzania the chance to go to school and actually build a future! 

Elizabeth Rose Stanton's donation

"The Mouse King", by Elizabeth Rose Stanton

Other donations were received from

Susan Sorrell Hill and Lars Käker! 

Lars Käker sketches one of our Bakhita Girls for NYC fundraiser

"Rose", sketch by Lars Käker

This week has been full of lovely surprises and today we received a very beautiful one. Lars Käker, an amazing painter from Germany sketched one of our Bakhita Girls for our fundraiser in NYC on the 10th of August. The fundraiser will provide girls in Tanzania with scholarships. 
        Have a look at Lars' beautiful blog called portraits 2 null, where you can find a number of his unique paintings. Lars actually awarded me with the Sunshine Award and then offered to paint one of our girls for the fundraiser. I'm really happy that he got in touch with me and introduced me to his great artwork. 
         Lars decided to sketch Rose, who was one of the first girls to receive a scholarship from Bakhita. "Rose loves to laugh, dance, she is full of energy, excitement and enthusiasm." Patricia Schneidewind, founder of Bakhita girls, says. "I have never seen such a photograph so full of life" Lars told me when I sent him some photographs to choose from.
       "This is just why I had to sketch Rose." It is stunning how Lars was able to capture Rose's personality in his artwork. The sketch can be seen and purchased at the fundraiser in NYC, along with Susan Sorrell Hill's paintings. A third artist will also donate an artwork, I will show it to you in the next couple of days! ;)

Blog Art Exhibition, Danielle C. McManus "Dimension and Personality"

Danielle C. McManus is an illustrator and designer, she currently lives in New York. Danielle works on the blog A Love of Drawing. She uses a wide variety of media in her work, such as watercolor, pen and ink, crayon, drawing, computer graphics, and oil paint. Danielle is also a blog correspondent for Urban Sketchers. With tradeyourtalent she speaks about the role art plays in her life, the infinite possibilities of creativity, and why reading helps with creative blocks.

Interview with Danielle

Which role does art play in your life? 

Danielle: I would say art plays many roles in my life. As far back as I can remember I always had a crayon, marker or some kind of pen in my hand. As a kid my mom would buy me coloring books and giant sheets of wax paper to draw on.  I went through it like water! Growing up I also struggled with being shy and many times art was how I was able to talk to other kids my age.  I would say that art runs deep inside me and has allowed me to meet the most important people in my life.  Only as I have gotten older have I realized how important art is and how important it is in my life. The fact that I can get up everyday and make a drawing or go outside and draw the flowers, or travel to Paris and draw the Eiffel Tower just because, is truly wonderful. Art is a part of my everyday routine I would say.  Even days that I am not drawing images are always floating around in my head. From bright colors to figuring out how I draw someone’s ear. It’s kind of a funny thing I would say.

Can you describe your style? 

Danielle: My style is my personality. I feel the more variety and the more creative expression the better. I like to draw with a variety of materials and sometimes I even draw with chopsticks or tree sticks. It’s fun to see the infinite possibilities when it comes to creating a picture.

What do you do when you have a creative block? 

Danielle: When I have a creative block I go to the museum. I also look at art books and try to find new kinds of art to look at as well. I find the most important thing to do when I have a creative block is to read. Reading allows you to fill up your artist's well and will supply you with new information. Once you have information you can add it to your art and then you will have more to say with it. It adds dimension and personality.

Inspiration is...

Danielle: Something that can come from your heart and something you feel very deeply. 

If you could collaborate with another artist, whom would you pick?

Danielle: Well I have to say I would have loved to have collaborated with my late teacher and mentor who was a wonderful artist and teacher.

A magical donation for our Bakhita Girls fundraiser: paintings by Susan Sorrell Hill

I'm so happy to announce that Susan Sorrell Hill is one of the first artists to donate five paintings for the Bakhita Girls fundraiser, which will help provide scholarships for young mothers and underprivileged girls to attend secondary schools in Ifakara, Tanzania. Susan is an artist and illustrator from Northern California. Her paintings tell universal stories, and are inspired by the literature of humankinds’ patterns: fairy tale, myth, and oracles of all types. It is always a treat to visit Susan's wonderful blog, Dream & Vision.  Susan was one of the first artists I interviewed on TYT and I'm happy to say that since then we've exchanged so many creative ideas and have even become friends. Susan recently submitted her cover art "The Girl with Silver Hands" to the Uncovered Cover Art Blog, a blog where you can vote for your favorite cover art! Also have a look at the TYT interview about Susan's art: "Fairy Tales and Magic"  Thanks again Susan for your kind donation! Here you can find more info about the fundraiser, if you'd like to donate just contact me via email -susanna@tradeyourtalent.de .


Here are the five wonderful paintings Susan donated: 

Susan Sorrell Hill

Susan Sorrell Hill

Susan Sorrell Hill

Susan Sorrell Hill

Susan Sorrell Hill

For more of Susan's art 

visit susansorrellhill.com

TYT received the Sunshine Award 2011 ;)

Lars Käker from Germany kindly awarded me with the "Sunshine Award 2011" for my "stunning" art blog. Thank you so much for this great compliment Lars. I'm really happy that so many readers enjoy this blog, I never would have believed I could inspire so many readers one day... Have a look at Lars's great oil paintings at his blog Portraits 2 Null , I'm glad he commented on my blog - his style is very special and I'm now a happy follower of his blog. He might even sketch something for our Bakhita fundraiser ;)


The rules for receiving the award: 
- Thank the person who gave you the award. 
- Write a post about it.
- Answer to the questions below.
- Pass it on to 10 bloggers who you think really deserve it and send them a message to let them know.

The questions:
01. My favorite color: green.
02. My favorite animal: monkey.
03. My favorite number: 5.
04. My favorite non-alcoholic drink? Green Tea.
05. I joined facebook and twitter.
06. My passion: working together with other creatives, writing, enjoying a day in the sun with friends.
07. getting or giving presents? Both to be honest ;)
08. My favorite pattern? I really don't know. i have never thought of the possibility of having a favorite pattern. hmm. stripes? ;)
09. My favorite day of the week? Sunday of course ;)
10. My favorite flower? Rose.

I'm passing on the award to my ten favorite bloggers (although when I started noting them down I came up with many more...)


Tahira Lubrano  A Look in A Creative Mind
Elizabeth Rose Stanton Penspaper Studio
Sue Pownall Art of a Nomad
Maria Bogade 
Susan Sorrell Hill
Eric Orchard 
Atelier Petit 4
Linda Hensley 
Alison Donato 
Thomas W Schaller

Art and music fundraiser in NYC: Donate an artwork for providing women with scholarships in Tanzania

Dear Trade Your Talent Readers, 

my really good friend Patricia Schneidewind runs a non-profit called the Bakhita Girls Project (www.bakhitagirls.com). They provide scholarships for young mothers and underprivileged girls to return to local secondary schools in Ifakara, Tanzania.  Right now Bakhita are working on raising funds for the girl’s school fees that are due by the end of August.  I told my friend about the many talented artists I know and I was wondering if you'd like to donate one of your artworks for this great cause. We will probably do an art raffle or let guests at the fundraiser buy a painting in the name of one of the 13 school girls !!

There are two ways for you to participate: 

1) If you are in New York I would be really happy if you could join us at this great event!

2) If you would like to contribute from anywhere around the world it would be great if you'd be able to send one of your artworks to us or directly to one of the guests who will buy your painting at the fundraiser! of course we will also put your name on the flyer for the fundraiser and I will blog loads about your participation! :-))

We will let you know after the fundraiser who donated money for your painting! 

The fundraiser: The fundraiser will take place at Vodou Bar in New York (a new bar that opened a few months ago on Nostrand Ave, near the Nostrand stop on the A) around the middle of next month. The date is not fixed yet but will take place between the 10th and 22nd of August (date will be set soon), so if you'd like to send us an artwork please get in touch soon ;) 

For more info drop me a line at susanna@tradeyourtalent.de !!

I look forward to hearing from you!!!

All best from New York, 

Susanna

Bakhita Girls

Jonathan Woodward "Endless Inspiration"

Jonathan Woodward's passion for illustration goes back to as far as he can remember. Jonathan Woodward is an illustrator and creative designer in the UK, he was a commended finalist in the "BBC wildlife artist of the year 2011 competition". His current passion project is saving endangered animals at ThenThereWereNone.com  but also the website IllustratorsUnion.com  Illustrators Union is a platform he created, which helps to inspire, enable and motivate artists to make a living from what they're good at and what they enjoy. With Trade Your Talent he speaks about the endless inspiration from nature - from majestic birds like the Golden Eagle to the power of the ocean and every form of life it contains.

jonathanwoodwardstudio.com/

Can you remember your first illustration that you ever did? 

Jonathan: I've drawn all my life and was always known as the arty kid in school before moving on to study Graphic Design at University and then returning to my first love, Illustration, so it's difficult to pinpoint my first ever illustration. However, I'd say my Illustration work really came to life when I started using traditional cut paper collage. It was as simple as seeing a woman's hair in a fashion magazine and thinking it would make a good tree bark texture that sparked my curiosity - this experiment and the first illustration that I created using this medium (the medium and style I work in today) was 'One For Sorrow, Two For Joy' so I would probably class that as my first Illustration.

Is it hard being an illustrator and following your dreams as an artist?  

Jonathan: In some respects it is hard but I just feel that it's the only thing I want to do and so in that case it's easy. It takes a lot of people a long time to discover what there passion is and I had mine (creating and admiring illustrations/art) from as far back as I can remember so I feel luck to have always known what I wanted to do.

 What inspires you most when you have a creative block?  

Jonathan: Nature. It's the subject of every illustration I do and provides endless inspiration - from majestic birds like the Golden Eagle to the power of the ocean and every form of life it contains.

jonathanwoodwardstudio.com/

 You just started a creative business. What was the path leading up to that like?  

Jonathan: I've been a freelance Graphic Designer for the past 5 years (working in Design Studios prior to that) but after many years of procrastination, I finally got an illustration portfolio up and running online that I'm happy with to dedicate to my Illustration work. The path leading up to that was full of self doubt, comparing myself to my favourite Illustrators, struggling to find my own personal style and lacking the confidence to think that my work was good enough, until I just thought that if I didn't go for it I'd regret it forever. I started an Illustration resource blog called www.zero2illo.com to chart my progress and give myself external accountability to actually get things done - the blog grew and I met so many amazing illustrators on the same journey as myself that it always inspires me to keep striving to get better at the craft and business of Illustration.

jonathanwoodwardstudio.com/

jonathanwoodwardstudio.com/

Do you have favorite illustrators?

Jonathan: Oh wow, too many to mention and they change all the time but at the moment to name a few they would be Lindsey Carr (current favourite), James Jean, Dave McKean, Charley Harper and Greg Manchess.

jonathanwoodwardstudio.com/

For more about Jonathan's art and projects

Blog: JonathanWoodward.me

Twitter @jonwoodward 
Johnathan illustrated and saved endangered animals at ThenThereWereNone.com 
Jonathan's illustration community illustratorsunion.com

Jonathan's illustration resource blog zero2illo.com

Taking chances

I haven't been able to write a lot about my time in New York - I guess it has been the pace of this city but also because so many exciting things have happened since I came here. This city has taught me so many great things about pursuing your dream, things I would have never even considered before! I have tried to compose a small list and share it with you -

1. Don't be afraid to take chances. Even if what you are about to do seems humiliating at first. Even if it means standing in the glaring sun for about 6 hours. It will get you there eventually. 

2. Be persistent. Even if it means you have to tell your story over and over again. To about 100 people. 

3. Don't always take a "Let's be in touch" seriously. It is just a figure of speech. It could be a maybe. It could mean nothing at all. 

4. It's all about your attitude which defines your own happiness - at least it seems like New Yorkers live by that rule: If you tell a taxi driver in New York that you just had the best day of your life they might give you a 30 min. lecture on "taking chances" and "grabbing opportunities." isn't that great? And then they start telling you how anything is possible in America...

5. Do not give up. If others know you are serious they will reward it. At some point. (If you are done saying this over and over again to yourself ask someone else to say it to you.) 

6. Take a break once in a while. Grab your favorite coffee and sit in the park and let the ideas just come to you. 

7. Every day is a new day to start over :)

Art in the City

I enjoy Murals, I think they really define the culture of a city. I thought I just had to show you some of them. At this point I apologize for not writing more but it is so hot in New York that I can barely press the button "Publish" without breaking out into a sweat. I hope you will forgive me, and nevertheless enjoy these photos! 

I have been working more on my photography skills, I'm so glad Sue Pownall convinced me to get a decent camera for my trip! (Please note: The first photo is not an advertisment for beer but I just liked how the color of the beer and the sky mingled!)