Artist to Know - Gustave Klimt

Gustave Klimt (1862 - 1918)

His works include paintings, murals, sketches, and other art objects, many of which are on display in the Vienna Secession gallery. Klimt's primary subject was the female body, apparent in his numerous drawings in pencil.

Klimt began his professional career painting interior murals and ceilings in large public buildings. The tragic death of his brother and father affected his artistic vision, and soon he would veer toward a new personal style.

Beginning in the late 1890s he took annual summer holidays to the shores of Attersee and painted many of his landscapes there. These works constitute the only genre aside from the figure that seriously interested Klimt.

Klimt's 'Golden Phase' was marked by positive critical reaction and success. Many of his paintings from this period used gold leaf and a beautiful mosaic style. His painting method was very deliberate and painstaking at times and he required lengthy sittings by his subjects. Klimt's fame usually brought patrons to his door, and he could afford to be highly selective.


As he worked and relaxed in his home, Klimt normally wore sandals and a long robe with no undergarments. His simple life was somewhat cloistered, and devoted to his art and family.

In 2006, the 1907 portrait, Adele Bloch-Bauer I, was purchased for the Neue Galerie in New York by Ronald Lauder for a reported US $135 million, the highest reported price ever paid for a painting.

Adele Bloch-Bauer I

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Artist to Know

There are so many artists past and present who's work inspires us to create. This series Artist to Know will share with you information about artists from our past and interviews from innovative artists from our present. I hope you will enjoy learning about these artist as much I am going to enjoy researching each of them.

An artist that has inspired me in many ways from the materials used, the use of color, and his innovative shapes, is Alexander Calder. My first artist for the Artist to Know series.

Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976)

He was famous for developing the mobile as a three-dimensional kinetic art form. In addition to Mobile's he did sculptures, paintings, lithographs, toys, and jewelry. He is one of the most acclaimed and influential sculptor of our time.

He was born in Lawnton Pennsylvania.

In 1915 he went to Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ to study mechanical engineering.

When he decided he wanted to be an artists he went to the Art Student League in New York City to study art.

Calder's work elegantly combines elements of Abstraction, Surrealism and Constructivism. His first public commission for mobiles was in 1937 for the Berkshire Museum. He has permanent pieces including mobiles and sculptures all over the world. His pieces can be found in museums, city public buildings, the JFK Airport, and he also had a piece that was in the World Trade Center North Tower that was destroyed 9/11/2001.



All the images are from the Calder Foundation Website

What artist has influenced you and your art?

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Art to Know - Latte Art

Latte Art - Flowers by shawnmebo

The average American drinks a total of 200 gallons of coffee each year, and worldwide the consumption of coffee is growing each year. With so much coffee being consumed Latte Art has become a global phenomenon.

Pegasus Latte by SwanDiamondRose

This is a practice that is done all over the world, with it's own international competition.

Latte Art is a style of pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso that creates a pattern or design on the surface of the resulting latte. It can also be created or embellished by simply “drawing” in the top layer of foam. Latte art is particularly difficult to create consistently, due to the demanding conditions required of both the espresso shot and milk.

Bending Rosetta by rooracer

Some controversy exists within the coffee community as to whether or not there is excessive focus on latte art amongst Batista's. The argument is that too much focus on the appearance of a drink leads some to ignore more important issues, such as taste.

It's spring! Time for coffee by Chris Blakeley

The artist Batista's have turned our morning cup of coffee into to beautiful art.

Want to make your own latte art check out this link for instructions and a video.

Have you ever had coffee with latte art?

All of today's photo's are from Flickr

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Artist to Know - Jackson Pollock

Today's artist is Jackson Pollock

Basic facts:

Born as: "Paul Jackson Pollock"
Pollock was born on: January 28, 1912
Born at: Cody, Wyoming, United States of America
Pollock Died in a car accident: August 11, 1956

6 Facts you may not know about Jackson Pollock

1. He lived from 1912 to 1956 - he was only 44 when he died in a car accident.
2. The style for which he is known is called "drip" or "drip and splash", and also "action painting." 3. He sometimes mixed broken glass with his paint.
4. His painting, "No. 5, 1948" sold at an auction in 2006 for $140 million, making it the most expensive painting ever.
5. He chopped off the end of a finger at the age of four, playing with a hatchet.
6. He once knocked down a wall to make a room large enough for a 20-foot canvas.
From biglearning.com

More interesting facts:

♦In 1949, Pollock decided to number his paintings, including the year they were created, instead of using descriptive titles. This began with his 1949 solo exhibition at the Betty Parsons Gallery.

♦Pollock's paintings differed from before he moved to the Hamptons and right after the move. Before moving to The Springs in East Hampton with his wife, his imagery was congested, the colors were somber, and the overall mood of his paintings was anxious and conflicted.

♦ After the move to the country, the colors were brighter, his compositions were more open, and the imagery reflected a new responsiveness to nature.

♦The most important element in Pollock's paintings is that of lines. When he first started using the method of pouring and dripping paint onto canvas, it resulted in huge areas covered with complex linear patterns that created image and form.

Pollock saw painting as a spontaneous activity, believing that the canvas should express directly the artist's emotions. The picture was not painted- it happened. To quote Pollock, "The painting has a life of it's own. I only let it come through."

Want to create your own Jackson Pollock go to http://jacksonpollock.org/ and give it a try.

There the several websites with information on Jackson Pollock, just put his name in your search engine and check him out.

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Artist to Know

Today's artist has created over 300 quilts, is the founders of The Art Quilt Network , and the leader of the modern quilt movement.

Her name is Nancy Crow

Nancy Crow produces quilts of stunning originality using deep saturated colors, often made with hand-dyed fabrics. She also designs fabrics for commercial use and for the other quilters.

Her patterns range from the geometric to more organic, colors from saturated and intense to subtly mottled effects. She also creates effects that are segments that appear to have been "drawn" on the fabric. The quilts are cut and machine-pieced by Crow and then either hand- or machine-quilted by assistants.

Here is a paragraph from her artist statement:

The purpose of my quilts is to make something beautiful for me but at the same time they are a means of expression representing my deepest feelings and my life experiences. In addition, my quilts are all about how I see color and color relationships; how I see shapes; and how I see line and linear movements. They are also about complexity, sadness, and hope.

Check out all her work and read her artist statement on her web site Nancy Crow.

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Artist to Know - Wassily Kandinsky

Wassily Wasilyevich Kandinsky (1866 - 1944)

He was born on December, 16, 1866 in Moscow. As a child he learned to play the piano, cello, and to draw. In Kandinsky's works of his childhood period you can find rather specific color combinations, which he explained by the fact that "each color lives by its mysterious life".

He went to school to become a lawyer and graduated with honors. He became a professor teaching law, and when he was awarded professor of the Law Department he turned it down to paint.

Kandinsky is generally considered to be the pioneer of abstract painting. The early years were basically landscapes, based on color discords. The play of color, spots, and lines, was gradually superseding images of reality.

Through a fluid blend of calligraphic lines and amorphous shapes, the artist expresses a sense of growing detachment from nature. The emphasis is on mood and harmony and reveals Kandinsky's fascination with the relationship between colour and music.

He was one of the most influential artist of his generation and an important art theorist. "Abstract art places a new world, which on the surface has nothing to do with "reality," next to the "real" world. Deeper down, it is subject to the common laws of the "cosmic world." And so a "new world of art" is juxtaposed to the "world of nature." This "world of art" is just as real, just as concrete. For this reason I prefer to call so-called "abstract art" "concrete art." Wassily Kandinsky.

See all of his art and read more about Kandinsky at http://www.wassilykandinsky.net

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Shop News

Things have been pretty slow in my Etsy and 1000 Markets shop the past couple of weeks.

This slow time has given me time to built up my inventory again, and I will be adding even more items this week.

As the holiday's approach I am working on adding custom stamping to the washers for a more personal touch, and adding more men's items. The men's items are really popular during the holidays. Is their anything you would like to see in the additionsstyle shop this holiday season?

Item of the Week

Picture Hanger and Link Earrings

On Sale for only $5 (reg $8)

Purchase between 10/25 - 31 for this special deal

Blog News

Last week I did a post on Preparing for the Holidays. Click the link if you missed the great tip from the Indie CEO blog. Also, the Artist to Know was Etsy Artist alamodestuff, click the link to read about her creative journey.

This week more tips for you business, and inspiration for you creative side. Check in for something new everyday.

Have a great week!

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Artist to Know - alamodestuff

I am so thrilled that Linda from à la modetm agreed to be my first Etsy - Artist to Know!

I am a big fan of her work and own one of her cute purse's. Her work is innovative, unique, and inspiring and today she shares with us the creative side of à la modetm.

First, I’d like to thank Valerie for asking me to be a part of her blog. I’ve been a long time admirer of her work and it is an honor for me to be featured.

When did you first realize you wanted to create? Who or what influenced or inspired you?

I can't recall a time when I realized I wanted to create. I only recall always creating. When I was very small, if I wanted something I'd make it. I remember making a TV for my Barbie doll out of a cardboard jewelry gift box with a pin for the antennae. My mother was very creative and innovative. She taught me to sew, paint, and not be afraid to try new things.

What do you enjoy most about the creative process?

My favorite part of the process is the initial design idea that pops into my head (sometimes at the most inopportune time). I get a mental picture in my head and obsess over it until I figure out how to execute it. Then, I love when the end product comes together.

What do you do when you need a creativity boost?

I hunt...the internet, magazines, nature, stores. I look around and when I least expect it...I'm inspired. I often tell my children, when they become frustrated, to step away from their projects. If I need a boost or I'm having difficulty with something, I walk away. When I come back to it (sometimes in a day, sometimes in a week), the project will come together. I've really learned to trust that instinct over the years.

How did you get started with your online business, and how would you like your business to grow?

My business started serendipitously. I had been decoupaging light switch plates for my own home for many years. In 2005, a friend decided she wanted to host a holiday party and asked her crafty friends if they'd make and sell things for the party. I thought I'd sell light switch plates. About 3 days before the party, she called me and asked if I could make some handbags. I agreed. With my marketing background, I felt I needed to create a logo and business cards. I quickly came up with the name à la modetm and designed marketing materials. My friends couldn't believe how "established" my business was. Little did they know I literally created it overnight. I made lots of sales and took many orders. My business was born and I've not stopped since.

I always knew I wanted my own business but never knew what that business would be. Never in a million years did I think I'd be making bags and decorative switch plates. Now, my business has expanded to the internet and 25+ boutiques across the nation. I continue to go with the momentum and am not sure how I want my business to grow. I've had opportunities for à la modetm to become much bigger than it is. Surprisingly, and difficultly, I've turned those opportunities down. For now, I like that I'm a one woman operation and hope I continue to create what I love and love what I create.

Find à la modetm online here:
Website: http://www.alamodestuff.com/
Blog: http://www.alamodestuffblog.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/alamodestuff
Flicker: http://www.flickr.com/alamodestuff
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/a-la-mode/31042360875

Thanks Linda for sharing your creative side.

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Shop News

I still can't believe I am going to have a piece of my jewelry published in a book. It's currently printed in English and Japanese with more countries to follow. You can check out the book on the publishers website it's called 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse. It's scheduled to be released on November 1.

On my trip to Minneapolis last week I went to my favorite recycled hardware shop and loaded up on all kinds of goodies. I will be posting new items in my Etsy shop all week, so check it out and see what's new.

I have increased the number of items on sale for 15% off in my shop, check it out maybe your favorite pieces is now on sale. Also, don't forget Flat Fee Shipping all the time - order as many pieces as you want and they all ship for $3 within the US and $4 international.

Item of the Week

One Week Only 10/18 -24

Five Washer Necklace for $10

(regular price $15)

Blog News

Last week the Artist to Know was Thomas Mann. He stopped by and left a comment and a link to his Facebook page, check it out and become a fan.

For this Monday's Artist to Know I will have an interview of one of my favorite Etsy artists. It's a don't miss feature, so stop back tomorrow.

I hope everyone has a great week!!

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Artist to Know - Thomas Mann

Thomas Mann

He describes himself as a working artist in the medium of jewelry and sculpture.
He makes jewelry objects combining industrial aesthetics and materials and with romantic themes and imagery. He calls this design system Techno.Romantic¨.

Here is a paragraph from his artist statement about why he creates:

In my case, the realization was that my love of making jewelry was not just about making jewelry but about making "objects". That designing and making jewelry could actually mean more than producing objects of adornment. That it could be a means of personal expression which might affect people in a much more serious and purposeful way. That it might provide an opportunity for the real communication of ideas and, most importantly, that it could provide the stimulating and inspiring raw material for the imagination. In short, I no longer saw jewelry as jewelry but as a medium of artistic expression akin to that of painting or sculpture.

He has been designing jewelry since the early 70's and lives and works in New Orleans where he oversees a jewelry design and production studio, a sculpture studio, and gallery. He currently exhibits his jewelry and sculpture in about 250 galleries and stores in the US and abroad, and at premier craft events around the US.

Read more about Thomas Mann and his work on his website thomasmann.com. Want to purchase some of his work you can also check out his online catalog.

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Artist to Know - George Vlosich III

Today I am featuring a artist who creates truly original and unique one of a kind work.

George Vlosich III - Etch A Sketch Artist

George Vlosich III started working on his craft creating Etch Sketch Art when he was 10 years old.

Each of his creations takes 70 - 80 hours to create, and he has created a special technique to preserve the art on the screen forever.

Each of his pieces is unique and cannot be duplicated.

He starts his process with a detailed sketch. Working in one continuous line he creates a likeness of what or who he is etching and then adds the shading.

Enjoy his amazing work. You can read more about George Vlosich III on the GVART+DESIGN website.

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Artist to Know - Hideaki Miyamura

Hideaki Miyamura (1955 -)

Miyamura is best known for his unique iridescent glazes, including a compelling gold glaze.

He studied Art History at Western Michigan University. After college he decided to take up pottery in Japan. There he spent five years doing over ten thousand test pieces, using countless formulas to develop original glazes.

Many of his glazes are inspired by 12th and 13th Century Chinese glazes used on tea bowls in monasteries in the Zhejiang province in China.

Miyamura's studio pottery appears in the permanent collections of more than a dozen museums, predominantly in the United State.

Read and see more of Hideaki Miyamura's work on his Website.

Images in this post are from the website.

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