Artsy Monday

On this rainy Monday in Georgia I introduce an artist who has had a great influence on me personally. 

Linda Boucher resides on the Brighton seafront in England, she paints beautiful women and their personal belongings. Her style is dynamic and bold, invoking a sense of retro glamour and sensuality. Her work puts the same smile on my face as when I find an incredible find at a thrift store, or watch a classic movie, because her work is so thick with nostalgia and beauty. 

"My Best Friends Wedding"

 I love that Linda allows her audience to connect with her in so many different ways, whether it be through Twitter, Facebook or her blog, I feel like I can close my eyes and be transported to the Brighton Pier and watch her brush strokes appear on canvas.

"When Dorothy Grew Up"

Sit back, may I introduce you to Linda Boucher;

1- When did you know that you were an artist?

I don’t think I know that I am! It’s kind of a weird label, that I use to describe what I do- rather than who I am. I think we’re all creative- and if that’s the definition of an artist… well we all are. I prefer to see myself as a painter. I think maybe I don’t feel worthy of the label ‘artist’.

2- what are the biggest challenges you face as an artist (or painter ;P)?

There are two-

 one is: having the confidence to put myself out there.

The second, is: When you make a living from your work, you become all kinds of things… I’m a painter, and sales person, an accountant, a cleaner, a webmaster, a social media ‘expert’, a marketer and an administrator… I have to wear lots of different hats. The biggest challenge is switching between them, and leaving time just to be. And to think. Before I paint a new picture, I need to know what it is I am trying to communicate- and all the other stuff can sometimes get in the way of that process.

"Miffy"

3- what is the piece you are most proud of?

Gah… I don’t know. Along the way there have been pieces that I’ve been really pleased with, but I guess there are others that haven’t really worked, but that I’ve learnt something from. Like maybe the whole painting is terrible- but there’s a little bit of color, or a particular line that really is beautiful, and I feel proud of that. Occasionally I’ll be looking at my website, and suddenly think “wow- I painted those pictures!” Then, I allow myself a little moment of pride.

"Showtime"

4-which piece of art would you love to own and put up in your own home?

I’d quite like to live inside the British National Gallery! I visit it whenever I’m in London (I only live an hour away), and have some favorites in there. My favorite paintings are like old friends, that I like to go say hi to. As for a piece in my home… probably a Matisse (I’m not fussy about which)- because I love his use of color.



Pianist and Checker Players- Henri Matisse



5-who are your biggest influences?

My Mom… she’s an incredible person. She’s faced plenty of challenges in her life, but I’ve never seen her quit, or feel that there wasn’t a challenge she couldn’t rise to. She’s got a joy for life, and a sense of humor that is inspiring.



"Poppy Red Sparklers"



6- what are your goals for your art?

Goals… to get better at it. There are minor challenges- working out how the light affects that object, what exact colors to mix etc… but the overall goal is to improve. And to keep painting.

 

7- what is your favorite color?

Well, I use a lot of reds and pinks in my work… but my favorite color is actually a combination. I love how a deep red, vivid turquoise/cyan and a dirty mustard yellow look together. I could stare at them for hours.

 

8- If you were stuck on a desert island and had only 5 albums to listen to what would they be?

Can I please have a radio instead? I listen to BBC Radio4 (kind of like NPR in the US) all day, and would be lost without it.

9- What is your "drink of choice" at a coffee house?

Coffee- no cream or sugar thank you… but I’ll take one of those cupcakes on the side.

 

Thanks so much Linda!

You're wonderful!

xoxo

Just a reminder...

they're not just for girls!

Artsy Monday

This week I'd like to introduce myself,

Hey I'm Lynne Guyan Tanzer, owner of Hodgepodge and freelance artist too.

 I paint with acrylics mostly, but I'll try anything once!

Here are the answers to my own questions :)

1- When did you know that there was an artist inside of you?

I still feel wierd about "artist" being on my business card because I didn't go to art school, nor was I the best artist in high school by any stretch, but I have always been creative. Every birthday I'd ask for pencils and notebooks so I could doodle. I've kept a journal since I was 14 and it's a constant place for me to sketch and place inspiration.

I think I first felt like an artist when I sold my first painting. It was a real rush knowing that someone put worth in my work.



"Follow the Yellow Dirt Road"



 

2- What is the biggest challenge you face as an artist?

Allowing myself to paint. There's always something to do; cook, clean, errands here and there, so art feels like a luxury. It's something that I love to do, so spending hours painting is usually a way I reward myself.

 

3- What is your favorite piece that you have created?

I don't usually keep my own art, I'd rather give it away or sell it then keep hold of it. The only painting that is up in my home is my painting entitled "Georgia", but I don't think it will be there forever.



"Georgia"



I think my favorite piece is a gift I made for my friend Tori. It was a wooden box with four pannels on it, each painted with a scene from a different fairy tale.

 

4- Which piece of art would you LOVE to own to put up in your own home?

"Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh. It is so beautiful to me, no matter how many times I see it, it catches my breath.

"Starry Night" Van Gogh

5- What are your goals for your art?

I would love to do everything!

 I want to illustarte a book, design jewellry and purses, and a plus sized clothing line. I want to paint murals on the walls when I eventually have babies and at the coffee house. I want to have every one I love have a piece of my art hanging in their house, and my biggest dream would be to have my own stationary line.

6- What is your favorite colour?

RED!

"Nicola"

 

7-If you were stranded on a desert Island with a CD player and 5 albums of your choice, what would they be?

 

The Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack

 

"This Time Around" by Hanson

 

"Blues Brothers, Soul Sisters" compilation

 

"Celebrity Skin" Hole

 

"Morning View" Incubus

 

8- What is your favourite thing to order at a coffee shop?

EVERYTHING! I'm a coffee addict, I love everything from a good old cup of Joe to a caramel macchiato, and at Hodgepodge I'll have a cupcake too!

 

You can visit my art blog - http://www.lgtanzer.blogspot.com/

or my Etsy page here- www.etsy.com/shop/lynnetanzer

 

Have a great week everyone :)

A Little Vacation

My family and I got to get away for a few days! It was off to Myrtle Beach! We went during the off season.

The positive: Not a lot of tourists

The negative: It was COLD!

But here are some pictures of our little get away. And hopefully Lynne and I will have some awesome pictures of a trip to Texas in a couple of weeks :)

Artsy Monday

I am a self proclaimed Etsy addict.

 I adore the fact that I can purchase something that I love from someone I would not have known about otherwise. It's a place where art and talent shine through above who has a bigger advetising budget or bigger inventory. Etsy is where I found the works of Rose Wong.

Illustrator Rose Wong is an artist that I want to see illustrate the front cover of all of my favorite novels. Her beautiful caracters and dreamlike colors are thoughtfully executed and have a sense of sadness that is strangely comforting. To me her work is part modern day Art Nouveau, part Urban Outfitters as her art is both beautiful and acessible and I can absolutely see her images printed on anything from pillows to t-shirts.

Rose was sweet enough to answer my questions this week, so Rose...

1- When did you know that there was an artist inside of you?

I didn’t realize until Elementary school that I was an “artist” but I

definitely started (making art) as soon as I could hold a pencil.

 I drew on walls at school (and got in trouble for it), drew comics and got extra credit

for any art produced for projects haha!

"The Weight Of The World"

2- What is the biggest challenge you face as an artist?

Getting started and my limitations.

 Sometimes I have to produce art for class and I would have a good idea but I just can’t bring myself to start. I would usually stare at a blank piece of paper for days! But when I get started, time is disregarded and I can just draw for hours and not even notice that it’s the middle of the night. 

As for my limitations, I realize I am not technically sound or an expert in a lot of things such dynamic poses, backgrounds, animals and etc. I want to be! That’s why I’m in school right now :)

Trying something outside of my comfort zone is extremely difficult sometimes and I’m working on that (almost) everyday.

3- What is your favorite piece that you have created?

"To Be" is my favorite piece because it was the first one I let my emotions out on. It still applies to my life and I love it. :)

4- Which piece of art would you LOVE to own to put up in your own home?

AHHHH this one is amazing and I want a hugeeeeeee print of this! Yellena James is pretty awesome. :)

(click the picture to see more)

5- What are your goals for your art?

I don’t know for sure yet. I make art because it makes me and other people happy. I think I just want my art to make people happy. And making money is just a plus. Doing what you love and living off of it? That’s my dream.

Just for fun questions:

6- What is your favorite colour?

I don’t favor any color over the other. But I am in LOVE with creamy pastel colors (creamy whites/yellows)

7-If you were stranded on a desert Island with a CD player and 5 albums of your choice, what would they be?

The Bird and the Bee - The Bird and the Bee

The Bird and the Bee - Ray Guns are not just the Future

Rooney - Rooney

Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself

Frou Frou - Details

This was SO HARD. I love so many albums!

8- What is your favourite thing to order at a coffee shop?

Chai Tea Lattes! They are the best everrrrrr~

Thanks Rose! Good luck with your art and in school. We know you're going to be a star! And if you're ever in Atlanta, come have a Chai Tea Latte on us :)