My Surtex Experience

I think everyone's experience at the Surtex show is individual. Having read and talked to so many others that have already exhibited was a big help as far as expectations go. I have always been there through an agent in the past so this was the first time I exhibited on my own. I had so much fun and was really happy with how everything went. I ended up doing paper banners and was really pleased with them.They were easy to hang and the printer did a fabulous job. I was nervous about having them shipped directly to the hotel and didn't see them until setup. It all worked out. Phew!  I'd made a little dummy of the booth before hand to determine where all the panels were going to go and the design. I used both notebooks and an i-pad for my portfolio.  That worked well for me. I think some clients liked the notebooks better, so it was good having both.Casey Spencer a talented designer helped me in my booth. She was such a great help in many ways including set up and pull down. We also had a lot of fun!

The show had some quiet moments, but the booth in general was pretty busy.
 I did a lot of prep work before the show reaching out to companies that I'd worked with in the past or that were familiar with me to make appointments. I loved connecting directly with the people at companies. It's so nice to put faces with people I've known on the phone or internet for years. I had been told that Tuesday is usually really dead, but I found it as busy for me as the previous days.

Another great thing was getting to meet so many other artists. I had the nicest neighbors to my booth and several artists stopped by to say hello. Great to meet so many of you! I also got to meet several at a get together one of the companies I work with did at an Irish pub Monday evening. I'll be doing interviews with several of them here in the near future.

The most exciting part was the positive reception of the Two Can Art collection that I do with my son, Noah. For those that don't know, Noah is autistic and paints beautiful textures that I then use to create images. This collection is really special to me.
Overall, I had a really exciting and fun time at the show. I am now doing follow up. There are some promising leads that look really good.

Katya Guseva

As an introduction, I first saw Katya's work on her facebook page and loved her beautiful characters. I believe that each of them tells a story. I am so pleased to showcase some of her work here.

How did you become and artist?

Ever since I can remember I has always loved to draw and create things. When I became around 4-5 years old, my mom started to leave me alone in the house... she’d just leave me sheets of paper, colored pencils, plasticine and put on records with my favorıte fairytales. When she came back, she would find me in the same place, busy drawing something. It was my favorite way to pass the time, from then til’ now not much has changed. I still love to draw and sculpt.

Did you go to art School?

Yes, I finished Art School in Siberia, in my home city Tomsk.

Has anyone influenced you in becoming an artist?

I am so thankful to people who love me… to my parents for believing in me. And I am grateful to my husband for his generosity and giving me freedom and opportunity to create and not think about the material side of life.My passion for the art dolls started when while living in Moscow. I went to an exhibition at the Gallery of dolls "Vahtanov: where I was struck by the variety of characters each doll had. They were so different, interesting and at the same time incredibly realistic, comical and absurd. Most importantly  I was amazed that each doll had something magical. Each doll was carrying a small piece of someone's soul.

What inspires you now?

The characters of my dolls are inspired by my childhood memories, impressions of traveling to a different places and meetings with friends. It is a special language which helps me to express my thoughts and my attitude to this life ...

Can you tell us a little about your process?

I am very fond of papier-mache for its  strength and lightness. In the dolls I am using it as a base.  All the subtle details: the face, hands,I  make with self-hardening plastics. I like ‘Paper clay”, but mostly I work with an Italian plastic DAS. I also have a collection of textile dolls. I paint these works with acrylic, pastel, watercolor and oil. At the stage of "dressing up" I use everything that comes my way, wool, fabric, paper, dried flowers, etc. I think the most important tool for each artist is the Fantasy.

What kind of market is your art sold in?

My dolls are "dolls for adults," for those  who in despite of his seriousness, retained his child inside, and the ability to be surprised and enjoy the life. I am organizing my personal exhibition to join international dolls exhibitions all over the world.

Is there a site people can see more of your work?

My website its not ready yet, so mostly all my work its on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/KATYA-Fairy-tales/129125573789241

What do you love best about what you do?

In the making of art dolls I find an opportunity to apply one piece of work completely different skills, techniques and materials. That's the magic of animation that matters, creating an image, which then begins to live it’s own, independent life.I like to be honest with my self when I create something. Never lie if you choose to make art in this life, never pretend. It must always come from the heart. I'm the strictest critic of myself .Unfortunately life is not easy,so if someone looks at my rosy-cheeked doll fatties and forgets for a moment about their affairs and smiles, that is the best compliment for me and my goal has been achieved

Patti Gay

How did you become an illustrator?

For as long as I can remember I have always been driven to draw and paint. I don’t think I really thought I would be anything else.

Did you go to art school?

Yes, I went to Columbus College of Art and Design. It gave me a great foundation to build on. There were some pretty spectacular illustrators in my classes. I think that I learned a lot from them as well. My favorite class was Color Concepts where we learned to graph and work with color using the Munsell color method. I still use that knowledge in everything I paint.

Were there one or more individuals that were an influence in your becoming an illustrator?

I used to draw and paint a lot with my mom. She was very creative. The love of it grew from there.

What inspires you now?

Everything around me is inspiring. I look at all kinds of art and typography and am really inspired by the way I see artists approach a project. I also live in a beautiful area full of nature. I have wisteria blooming outside my studio window with steller jays hopping about it. There are majestic redwoods, lace like ferns and a myriad of blooming  wonders to enjoy.

I am also inspired by my son’s love of painting beautiful textures. He is autistic and has a whole sensorial experience with the paint and paper. I use his textures to create images that are now in the Two Can Art Collection of art.

Is there anything you would like to share about your technique or style?

I love to explore beyond my comfort zone. I have paintings that very tight watercolors and others that are loose acrylics. I will sometimes do a painting based upon an area that I find difficult like working with water reflections and light. I am starting to work with pattern and texture which I find really exciting. I work both traditionally and digitally.

What types of markets do you do illustration for?

I have done picture books. I have a golden book called CATS and I have recently done a couple of e-books, Friends, Amanda and Max and animals MUST BE.

They are on Barnes and Noble. I am represented by The Herman Agency for books.

I also do art for licensing. I have images on all types of products like cards, cutting boards, tiles, stickers, gift bags, and needlepoint. I also have some 3-d characters that have been licensed from the Amanda and Max book. I am excited that a Two Can Art image is going to be used for platters and plates next season. I will be exhibiting for the first time solo at the big art licensing show, Surtex this May. I had always been represented by an agent there in the past and am excited about the experience.

Are there any links to your images you would like to share?

website: www.pattigay.com

book agent:  

http://hermanagencyinc.com/patti_gay.htm

Friends , Amanda and Max e-book:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/friends-amanda-and-max-patti-gay/1030966799?ean=2940012634337&itm=1&usri=2940012634337

animals MUST BE e-book:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/animals-must-be-patti-gay/1030528593?ean=2940012675613&itm=1&usri=2940012675613
blog: http://pattigay.blogspot.com/

Are there any other creative interests you persue?

I have been working on writing for picture books, and belong to a wonder writing critique group from SCBWI. They are all wonderful writers and I have learned a lot from them.

Do you currently have products with your images on the market?

Yes, I have cutting boards, tiles, gift bags, and cards on the market. I also have the 2 e-books and have a site to sell prints on demand for the Two Can Art images.

What is the thing you love best about what you do?

I can’t wait to get into my studio. I feel incredibly lucky to have what ever time I have there. There is something so wonderful about taking an idea and bringing it to fruition.

I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love it!

Carol Van Zandt

How is it that you came to be a designer?

Well, I had a sort of moment in 2004 in Tokyo when I was schlepping my paintings in and out of taxicabs between my apartment, the framer, and the exhibition space getting ready for one of my last solo shows there.  I just kind of thought to myself jokingly that it was time to go digital.  Then the next several months I really started taking to the idea. I didn't get the chance to really do that due to another stint in another country with my husband, but when we returned stateside, I started taking courses in Illustrator and Photoshop and textile and print design.  And that eventually led me down the path to art licensing.

Did you go to Art School?

Yes, I majored in Studio Art at Boston College and then took graduate and continuing courses at Massachusetts College of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Radcliffe Pottery Studio, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts…and the list goes on!  I learned that if I took one course at an art school, I had access to the studio 24/7, so I was able to produce after my BA with minimal investment while contributing to a learning environment.  At one point I worked thirty-five hours a week in a clinic, and worked another 35 at the studio where I signed up for just one class.  And my work was selling well in a gallery out of state. The studio, my job, and apartment were all walking distance to Harvard Square. Good times. Later on I studied Japanese Calligraphy and sumi painting seriously for ten years and then I studied surface design at The Institute for Textile Print Design. I loved studying through formal courses. BUT I know many self taught artists who do amazing work.  Everyone has a different path this way.  In art and in business, results are what counts. 

What inspires you now?

What is funny now versus in my abstract painting days is that I always notice things around me that would make a good motif.  So I am always motif hunting. I am inspired by both ordinary objects and nature, and color from everywhere. And design of all kinds for all product.  Interestingly enough I really enjoy following industrial design. 

Is there anything you would like to share regarding your technique or style of work for instance what types of medium do you like to work with? 

I love to draw using pen and ink.  I also paint in a few styles. One is Japanese sumi-style where it is all about the brush stroke.  I  like western watercolor, which I also taught for three years to textile design students. But when it comes down to it, my tool of choice is Adobe Illustrator. The ability to change colors and scale in a vector program makes it so versatile for design.  I just work from my drawings to keep the hand drawn quality of the line.  I do use photoshop too when I am using my watercolors or sumi painting for motifs.  

What types of markets do you do art and design for?

I'm an equal opportunity artist and designer!!  Like many artists, I would love to see my designs on as many products as possible. I think in the beginning I was targeting more textile and home decor oriented applications, but I have a lot of design collections now for paper and stationary, party and gift .

Do you do other things regarding art like teaching, or classroom visits?

Yes, I dip my hands into many things or accept invitations to do so when they come up. For several years I taught some painting to young children in my studio.  I've juried some shows, and also organized group exhibitions. I taught botanical watercolor and drybrush painting workshops for three years at The Institute for Textile Print Design.  Recently I was invited to speak about fabric design on a panel put on by the East Bay Modern Quilt Guild and at the Surtex conference program where I will be on "the In Depth Look at Art Licensing Basics" panel on Sunday the 19th from 11-12:30. In general at the moment I only have the bandwidth for occasional outside gigs. Art Licensing is certainly a full time job!

Are here other creative interests you pursue like writing or music?

I'm kind of all art all the way.  For pleasure and not for sale, I like to do Japanese calligraphy. I have also started to do improvisational quilting--for pleasure only, though I was inspired by the community of quilters especially modern quilters that I came to know though my fabric lines. 

Do you currently have products with your images on the market? Books, gifts or home products?  

I have cotton fabric collections, greeting card collections and soon gift wrap and notebooks, a kitchen textile collection, and skins for all sorts of electronics. My work is also on bedding, mat board, pillows and wallpaper, a book cover, and a variety of accessories.  I also rent out my fine art paintings.  There will be plenty more soon if all goes well! 

What is the thing you love best about what you do?

I love to create of course! I also like that what I create actually gets put on products that people use.  I love to network and work with manufacturers and retailers, and other artists and designers.  Though I love my quiet time in the studio and office, I am always up for the real world of commerce and a big community.

Dianne Woods

How is it that you came to be an artist?

I was trained as a commercial photographer and for 35 years shot photographs for magazines and book publishers.  When the digital revolution hit and I made the transition from film to pixels, a new world filled with opportunities to be creative emerged.  Inspired by the possibilities, I traded one passion for another and began my personal transition from commercial photographer to digital artist.     

Did you go to art school?

Yes, I graduated in 1977 from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.  There I learned technical skills, how to see, how to hear criticism and then act upon it, what hard work means and, last but certainly not least, perseverance.

Were there one or more individuals that were an influence in your becoming an artist?

My parents, who were an endless reservoir of encouragement and support, were the biggest influences on my becoming an artist.  My mother graduated in 1942 from Parsons School of Design in New York and, while she chose the life of wife and mother, she was also an artist who remained active in art associations.  She mounted several one-woman shows over the course of her life. My father was an industrial engineer who was forever scratching out designs on yellow tablets and paper napkins.  He showed by example what it was like to love your work.  

What inspires you now?

I’m inspired by beautiful light, color, great design and cats.  I’m known for my cats. 

What types of markets do you do art for?

Most of the licenses I hold are in the stationary, gift and home décor markets.  Products include calendars, note pads, greeting cards, wall art, coasters, trivets, and cutting boards.

Are there links to you images you would like to share?

My website is www.diannewoods.com

http://www.montagelicensing.com/

Are there other creative interests you pursue?

While these days most of my time is spent creating new cat imagery, I still very much enjoy taking photographs.  My camera is never far from reach.  

What is the thing you love best about what you do?

Everything, even the frustration inherent in keeping my computer skills up to speed or the challenges that come from addressing changes a client might want.  At some point in the course of each day I get to put into play a set of skills I’ve spent a lifetime developing.  And, I get to make art, and a living.

Surtex is Coming

For those that don’t know, Surtex is the biggest show of the year for art licensing. It is at the Javits Center in New York and runs from May 19th to the 21st. http://www.surtex.com

This is the first year that I will be doing a booth. (Patti Gay-Design #442) I have always been there with an agent in the past. I have decided to go out on my own. Of course prep for the show has been going on for a couple months now. There are lots of decisions to be made. Am I doing panels in the booth? Am I doing them in vinyl or paper? What app is best for the ipad to put my portfolio on? Am I advertising and where? What is the design for the press kit? What is the design for business cards and post cards? Fortunately, I have slowly been working my way through all of the decisions and am on track with getting everything ready. There is still a lot to do, but I am really enjoying the process as well.

I am really excited to be featuring the Two Can Art collection, which is the collection I do in collaboration with my son who is autistic. He paints all of the textures and I create images from the painted textures. I will also be showing new work in the Fun & Bright collection, the Realistic collection, the Simple Notions collections and the Amanda and Max collection I will also be debuting the Heartmade Inspirations collection.

After the show I’ll be writing an article about the experience and will also be featuring some of the other artists who are exhibiting at the show. Stay Tuned.

Aja Wells

How is it that you came to be an illustrator? 

When I was really young, about 5 or 6, I saw a beautifully illustrated alphabet book. I remember staring at the scales on the alligator forever. I read the word "illustrator", and thought it was the coolest word I'd ever read. After that, I loved to draw, especially animals. When it was time to go to college, I briefly considered a career in science as a veterinarian, but as it turned out, math was no friend of mine. So I continued with my study in art, became a full time graphic designer working in house at a firm, and slowly built a freelancer career over a couple years. I've now been working as a full time freelancer for three years.

Did you go to art school?
Yes and no. For my undergraduate degree I went to Humboldt State University, which is a small state college in northern California. I studied Art Studio there and emphasized in graphic design, because there was no illustration program. I really enjoyed graphic design, and worked as a graphic designer for two years after college but it never satisfied me on a deeper level. I then went to the University of Hartford and earned my MFA in Illustration at the Hartford Art School. The quality of the education was outstanding. However, I strongly feel that whether you go to art school, a state school, or do not attend college at all, the most important aspect of your education will be your own personal drive.

Were there1 or more individuals that were an influence in your becoming an illustrator?
Is there any other artist or person that or continues to influence your work? 

My undergraduate experience was fairly frustrating because my college had a fine art bent to it and I did not feel like my classes were preparing me for a real career in the arts. However, I did have one amazing professor, M. Wayne Knight, who took me under his wing. Wayne was the graphic design professor, and in additional to helping me learn tons of photoshop tips and tricks, he privately tutored me in drawing and painting during his own free time. He's the one who first opened my eyes to the world of illustration, what it meant to be an illustrator, and how to put together a basic portfolio. Without Wayne, I would have left college completely clueless to the world of illustration. Artistically, I am greatly influenced by late 19th century/early 20th century artists like Racey Helps, Mainzer, Garth Williams, Beatrix Potter, and Ernest Shepard. Contemporary illustrators I love include Peter de Seve, Stephen Silver, Omar Rayyan, and Kei Acedera. 

What inspires you now? 

Lately, I've been really interested in watching how technology is changing our field, and observing illustration and animation blend into more of a singular field, through interactive children's apps and games. While some would consider the changing landscape more nerve wracking than inspiring, I think that we are living in a very exciting time. Lots of doors are opening up for illustrators in new markets, and if you can stay abreast of how things are changing, the potential to have a varied and exciting career is better than ever before. It is also a wonderful time to do self directed projects. The ability to affordably create ebooks, apps, podcasts, and animations is something that just wasn't in place even 5 years ago, and watching others take advantage of these mediums is absolutely inspiring. When I need a boost, I also love to read Stephen Silver's blog, watch his art rants, and listen to his podcast. Great stuff! I also keep in touch with many illustrators through facebook and g-mail chat, which is at times very much needed for moral support.

Is there anything you would like to share regarding your technique or style of Work for instance what types of medium do you like to work in? 

I work pretty much in two styles, one is sort of more cartoony, and one is more whimsical with slightly more realistic proportions. I do all of my painting in Photoshop CS5 with a small cintiq tablet or an intuos tablet. I always keep a moleskine sketchbook with me, and when I want to finalize a drawing on paper instead of digitally, I love to draw on Strathmore's "Visual Journey" bristol-smooth paper. This is a fantastic sketchbook and holds up to almost any medium. I sketch both digitally and on paper and I think it's critical to try to draw for at least a few minutes every day. (see attached image of digital and traditional side by side). When drawing in the computer, look at different brushes and find ways to incorporate textures into your work. For years I hindered myself by not incorporating textures in my work, which resulted in very amateur looking artwork. You can easily make your own brushes or find free or cheap ones online, so definitely start exploring.

What types of markets do you do art/ illustration for? 

I originally started out wanting to work only in children's publishing. However, my first book, "That's Not Your Mommy Anymore- A Zombie Tale", was a mock children's book that tilted my career into more humorous titles. In addition to those two markets, I also do character design for animation and am beginning to fiddle about in interactive books and other apps. 

 Are there links to your images you would like to share? 

My website, www.ajawells.com, is currently under reconstruction, but you can check out my FB page for art and musings in the meantime: http://www.facebook.com/AjaWellsIllustration. 

Do you do other things regarding art like teaching, or Classroom visits? 

I have previously taught graphic design as an adjunct professor at Humboldt State University, and I also occasionally guest lecture at different colleges and lead sketch trips at local zoos. I hope to teach more regularly in the next couple of years.

 Are there other creative interests you pursue like writing or music? 

Honestly, illustration takes up pretty much all of my creative brain. I enjoy listening to indie music, watching good film/documentaries, and reading, but these are things that I enjoy for recreation. Whenever I spend time on different creative pursuits, I always end up thinking, "Why am I doing this when I could be drawing!?".

 Do you currently have product with your images on the market? books, gift or home products? 

Yes! Here is a link to the book That's Not Your Mommy Anymore, http://www.amazon.com/Thats-Not-Your-Mommy-Anymore/dp/156975926X. I have three other books coming out this year, but they won't be available until Fall, 2013. The first to hit stores will be "The Very Hungry Parasite" (a humor book), pictured here. I can't release the other names of the books yet, but one will be humor and the other is a children's book. I am also working on two self-published iPad apps which I hope to release later this year as well.

What is the thing you love best about what you do?

I love the freedom. Being a full time freelancer means that stability can be elusive, but the flipside to that is that I have almost total control over my time and my life. When I have dry spells, or I feel like a break, I can just pick up and go on a hike or skip out of town. The idea that I could have a boss who would tell me I can't attend a wedding or that I've used up all my days off is not a part of my reality. This doesn't mean I don't work hard or that deadlines don't exist. I often put in 16 hour days and most weekends are also spent at the studio... but at the end of the day, I control where I live, when I work, and I'm doing what I want to be doing. It's the only way to live.

What kind of  advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

Draw every day. Draw from life. Draw from pictures. Draw other people's work. Pay attention to what kind of work inspires you. Use facebook and Pinterest to discover new artists. If you can't name illustrators who inspire you, or if you can't think of at least 10 contemporary illustrators right off the bat, then you aren't paying close enough attention to your field. Join professional organizations. SCBWI, Society of Illustrators, Guild of Scientific Illustrators, Graphic Artists Guild, College Arts Association... there are so many professional organizations that run conferences and are fantastic resources. Illustration is a small field, and it can feel isolating at times. The beauty of the internet is that you are given a digital network to connect with other artists. Make illustrator friends, ask people you admire if they'd critique your work. Read books (anything by Andrew Loomis is fantastic and you can get his PDFs free online!), listen to podcasts, watch animated films. Immerse yourself into art entirely. Don't burden yourself with thoughts that you aren't good enough or that you've got a long way to go. Just start creating, do it now, and you'll see improvement quickly.

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