Sunday, April 24, 2011

Featured Artist: James E. Thurman

Meet James E. Thurman. "I'm originally from Poplar Bluff, MO. but have since lived in Cape Girardeau, MO where I earned my BFA in Ceramics. Most recently my family and I have resided in Sullivan, MO, but are currently in the final stages of planning an exodus for the opportunities that await us in St. Louis." He shares a studio in his home with his wife Ashley.

The Temper by James E. Thurman
"I've been creating art since I was six years old. I would spend hours creating comic strips about my friends, family, and the everyday things I noticed. I still have these comics, which I lovingly assembled in big three ring binders. When I got a bit older I began experimenting with other mediums. My friends and I would get together and create elaborate videos, and I also picked up a paintbrush and began painting. When I started attending Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO I became interested in Ceramics and eventually chose this as my Major. After receiving my BFA I naturally went back to painting because I had neither the space, or money to invest in the equipment necessary to keep making ceramics pieces. During this time I met my future wife, and after a good run being that 'crazy art couple' gallery-hopping, making art videos with our friends, and showing in many different exhibitions we started creating our greatest piece of artwork of all, our son Tucker. Recently I teamed up with JHAudio and did some illustrations for them. You can find some images scattered throughout their website, but the most exciting images can be found on my Facebook page, of the walls in their new offices in LA and Florida. I really enjoy working with clay, and recently I purchased two kilns and wheel to get back into it. I look forward to finishing the ceramics pieces I'm working on and getting them listed."

Happy Thoughts by James E. Thurman
James mainly sells his work on Etsy, but has been featured in many shows over the years including a juried expedition in New York City.
Role Model by James E. Thurman
"Some of my favorite artists are my friends. Of course, my wife is one of them.  Through our own individual work we inspire each other to be better artists. I know I can always count on her for an honest opinion, whether I like it or not. She is also responsible for me joining Etsy, and she does most of the promotional work for it." He also lists Jake Wells ("Over the years we've collaborated, shown together, and had many adventures. He is one of the most dedicated artists I know and I look up to him a lot."), Jonathan B. Andrew ("The thing I admire most about his work is he never creates for anyone but himself. It's all his own, and he doesn't make any apologies for it.", and Rochelle Steffen (who "creates artwork geared towards educating people on animal abuse and donates a great deal of the proceeds from her sales to various animal rights groups.") as some of his favorite artists and lists a few Etsy shops he really enjoys: Retro Whale, Erin Tyner Photography, and SCHMETZPETZ.
Family Portrait #2 by James E. Thurman
"I have a lot of weird little quirks about me...most artists do. Probably one of the most prevalent one would be I notice the most random things. Once while driving through a parking lot I said to my wife, "was that a dollar?" and she looked at me like I was crazy. I stopped the car and sure enough, folded up real small was a dollar bill. Most people wouldn't have noticed it, but I did. As soon as I come home I like to strip down to my underwear, because I just cannot be bothered by frivolous things like clothing. I could wear flip-flops all year round, even during the cruel Missouri winters and I also have a strange affinity for bread and like to eat peanut butter sandwiches with my chili."
Blah #2 by James E. Thurman

James finds inspiration in everything around him. "...I tend to notice things and this allows me to make associations between ideas and objects that otherwise wouldn't make sense in everyday life. If something bad happens I like to take those feelings and put them in a painting, same thing if something good happens. The pieces I create while experiencing something life changing tend to be the pieces people relate to the most. From finding love to getting your heart broken, becoming a father, hating your job and struggling with money...these all create feelings that most people have felt at one time in their life or another. Knowing someone else has felt the same way and having a visual representation of that, I think, can be very comforting."

Hey There by James E, Thurman

Wow. I have to thank James for the wonderful interview. I had to do very little work editing... I also have to thank him for introducing me to some other great artists.
Rough Seas Ahead by James E. Thurman

If you like what you see, make sure you check James out:
Etsy
Back Door Gallery
Studio Visit Magazine (volume 12)
and Drawgasmic

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Featured Artist: Sarah Felker

Meet Sarah Felker from Oak Park, Illinois. "I grew up about an hour from here, in Highland, Indiana, and got my BFA degree in painting from Ball State University. Currently I work at a stained glass studio, creating new custom architectural stained glass, or restoring/repairing damaged stained glass...Part of me has always wanted to be an artist, other times, I wanted to do something medical like be a doctor. I distinctly remember making watercolor paintings as a kid, inspired by the 'Mickey Mousecapades' video game on Nintendo, and wanting to do that for a living."
beats/waves by Sarah Felker
Sarah's favorite medium is oil paint, but also enjoys working with watercolors and enameling on copper. "I also like to make functional things to use around the house, like my own throw pillows, curtains, a slipcase for a set of books, bookbinding, etc."
Abstract Self-Portrait in Watercolor by Sarah Felker
Sarah sells her art on Etsy, but notes that her job "leaves me with little physical and creative energy at the end of the day...Basically, if I didn't work so much I'd love to be able to spend more time creating art."
Horse by Sarah Felker
"My absolute favorite artist is Jenny Saville. I love how her portraits look like controlled messes, how the paint seems to be applied carelessly but you know it was planned, or else it wouldn't look so awesome. My detour in the stained glass world turned me on to Judith Schaechter, who does more narrative stained glass pieces than people are used to seeing. She includes very lush, fully rendered scenes, and incorporates amazing patterns and layers. I also really admire Odd Nerdrum's combination of truly masterful, traditional painting with sometimes totally bizarre subject matter."
Creepshow by Sarah Felker
"...I love weird stuff! Weird music, weird art, weird people, things with a dark edge to them - I don't like the mainstream stuff so much." Sarah finds her inspiration in numerous places, "...in looking at a portrait that is well-painted, or an energetic abstract painting. My interests are in studying faces, how shadows define noses, cheekbones, eyes etc. I also like to figure out how relatives look similar, how age affects people's features. I think inspiration can be drawn from a creative environment too, like in college."
Bubbles & Atmosphere by Sarah Felker
Make sure you check Sarah out. You won't be disappointed!
Etsy
and Flickr

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Featured Artist: Sean Andress

Downtown by Sean Andress
Meet Sean Andress (1777 Publishing) from Redlands, California. Sean has been creating art for about 15 years. "I do have a degree in studio art, but getting that was a waste of time. I learned more about art and art making outside of the classroom. Today, my artistic output consists of mostly individual ink illustrations and highly bizarre and surreal comic book work that can be found in my book Moral Geometry."

Billy by Sean Andress
Sean lists his favorite mediums as pencil, India ink, and acrylic paint, "Whatever I have lying around," and he sells his art on Etsy and Ebay.
Mr. Cheeks by Sean Andress
No More Truth by Sean Andress
Some of his favorite artists include Van Gogh, Francis Bacon, Richard Sala, Jack Kirby, Dave Stevens, John R. Neill, Clive Barker, and more. "I love collecting art. I have many original comic pages and illustrations from Richard Sala on my walls...His work is very atmospheric, creepy, funny, charming and 100% unique to him. I also have work from Bruce Timm, James O'Barr, Jon Wayshak, and Dan Brereton hanging about."

Sean's inspiration "is simply living life." This would include daydreaming, other art, music, movies, as well "playing the 'what if ' game inside my head and then transferring those results onto paper."

Finally, Sean shares a bit more about himself. "While I'm doing mundane things, like washing the dishes, I like to sing songs, be it classic feel good songs, TV jingles or cheesy heavy metal songs, and replace the lyrics with my own highly perverse words." And I thought I was alone.

Make sure you check Sean out... he has some amazing stuff!

Etsy
Ebay
and his Blog


The Chamber by Sean Andress

Friday, April 8, 2011

Featured Artist: Chris Zahner

Meet Chris Zahner (aka November Studios) from Boston, Massachusetts. Not only is he a terrific artist, he has wonderful taste in others' work (so make sure you check out some of his favorites). “Since I was a kid I've been painfully shy, so I looked for other ways to express myself. My parents always encouraged my brother and I to find something we loved and do it to the best of our abilities, so I decided to draw. Making drawings didn't necessarily come really easily for me, but I enjoyed the challenge and decided to stick with it. An activity that requires solitude is perfect for an introvert.”

Kathy by Chris Zahner
Chris currently only sells his wonderful art on Etsy, though the exposure Etsy has given him has led a few galleries to contact him about showing his work! “I also run a blog called The Flopslump which highlights artists, designers and occasionally architects that I deem interesting. Too many blogs remind me of watching someone’s vacation slides, but not this one. Although the blog isn’t directly about myself and my work I would argue that it’s about me in the sense that it’s an exploration of my tastes.”

Rick by Chris Zahner
Chris’ favorite medium is paper. “My works revolves around my love of paper. From the old paper that I use in collages to beautiful printmaking paper I draw on, everything starts with paper. Paper allows me the flexibility to cut it, paint it, add to it, layer it, sand it and whatever else I decide.  Most of my pieces begin with a grid-like collage. A blank sheet of white paper has always intimidated me, so the collages give me something to react to. An unsuccessful drawing can always be collaged over with new paper. It gives me a degree of freedom when I make work because I never fear screwing up.”
I-wonder by Chris Zahner
Chris finds his inspiration from the “unlikely hero.” “It's a celebration of outsiders, nerds, the socially awkward and the beauty found in those people. Much of the work is soaked in nostalgia because it provides me with an opportunity to reinvent these people's lives. I choose my subjects from old yearbooks and discarded family photos turning bookworms into stars and the meek into bad-asses. I’m able to retroactively change the perception of my subjects.”
Star by Chris Zahner
In addition to being an artist himself, Chris is also a collector. He owns pieces from Paul Yanko, Jason Byers, Derek Hess, Todd Leech, Kathy King, and Dana Depew.

Stewart by Chris Zahner
Finally, Chris shares a strange bit about himself. “I was looking through my music today and realized the Cannibal Corpse albums are followed the Cat Power albums when viewed alphabetically. That range in taste made me think there was something weird about me.”

Weird? Maybe… Wonderful? Definitely.

Donut by Chris Zahner
Make sure you check Chris out… and buy something while you’re at it!
Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszahner/

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Change of look

Yes, it's now generic looking, but that darn background was slowing things down. Please forgive the generic look for now =)

Coming soon, as soon as I have a chance to catch my breath, will be a new featured artist that I'm sure you'll love.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Featured Artist: Jasmine Worth

Meet Jasmine Worth from San Diego, California. "I have always had a passion for art, and I feel truly blessed to be able to share my art with others." Jasmine obtained a BFA in Illustration from the Laguna College of Art & Design in Laguna Beach, CA, and has studied at Two Ateliers.
Mother by Jasmine Worth
"I've been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. My mother still has a drawing I did of Fred Flintstone when I was 3 years old. I've always been influenced by cartoons and books, I am an avid consumer of both." Jasmine says that she loves both watercolors and oils. "The two are so different. I usually work in oils for my professional work, but I still love to use watercolors whenever I get the chance!"
Suspended by Jasmine Worth
Jasmine makes her living selling her art. She says that websites such as Etsy have been good to her, that she sells in galleries, and in art shows. "I will be showing with C.A.V.E. Gallery in Venice Beach in May and November, and I will be doing a featured show with La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Hollywood August 5th, I will also be in the La Luz de Jesus 25th Annual Master's show in October, which will be accompanied by a book. I have several other shows in the U.S. and London scheduled throughout the year." For a full list, please see her website at: www.jasmineworth.com/shows.html.
Whiplash by Jasmine Worth
Jasmine lists her favorite artists as Odd Nerdrum, Michael Hussar, Dan Quintana, Sean Christopher, Kevin Peterson, and many others. "I have a piece by Travis Louie, who is a wonderful artist and a good friend. I also own works by Mary Louise Silva, Dark Vomit, James Geiger, and several others. I really enjoy collecting art, and I hope to continue to expand my collection."



Wishbone by Jasmine Worth
In her spare time, Jasmine is an avid reader and collector of dead things (don't worry, she doesn't kill them herself). "I like to read. A lot. I own a freakish amount of books that are piled (literally) floor to ceiling."

Fearful Symmetry by Jasmine Worth
Make sure you check Jasmine out. She's got some great stuff!
Etsy
and
www.jasmineworth.com