Tascha Parkinson

What is your name: Tascha Parkinson

Where do you live: Downtown Toronto Ontario Canada

Where can we find you online: My blog is Time With Tascha

What type of art do you create:

I make cute, folksy paintings and illustrations that are in a happy make believe land.  The girls almost always have a kitty cat by their side.

How did you get started as an artist:

I’ve been an artists since I was little.  I was always creating little drawings and making things right from the minute I could hold a crayon in my hand, smile.

What type of art medium do you prefer:

I mostly paint, but I also make dolls and sometimes jewelry when I have the time.  I find that painting is my favorite medium because it is the easiest for me.  Sewing gets frustrating sometimes.

What inspires you to create art:

I am inspired by my two siamese kitties.  They are always doing something funny that triggers a painting in me.

Share some words of wisdom that keep you motivated:

To never give up.  To never let someone tell you that your art isn’t good enough.  As long as your art comes from your soul, it is good.  Paint a lot, every day, the more the better.

Share something you want us to know about you:

I like to blog and make videos of myself painting.  I would love it for you to come join me over at my blog.

Cheers!

The Kids

You can see more of  Tascha’s wonderful works at her online art gallery Original Art and Goodies by tascha.

Thank you Tascha!

Big hug,

Deborah

Claire Maraldo

Moth

Flying Elves

Name: Claire Maraldo

Location: Rochester, Kent, UK

Where to find online: Elfie and Me, Made in Pixieland

Type of art: Illustration and graphic design including personalized prints.  I am also interested in pattern design and producing homewares with my own images.

How did you get started as an artist?

I’ve always been drawing.  My favourite present as a child was a big block of drawing paper and a packet of new pencils and pens.  I was obsessed with making things.  There was a kid’s programme called “Blue Peter” and they often showed you how to make different things.  I loved that programme.  I used to sew clothes for tiny teddy bears and mice, and later I made and customized clothing to wear when I was at art college.  Looking back, some of my creations were pretty dreadful!

I trained as a graphic designer and worked in magazines for many years, which was fun.  Every day was different and I had the opportunity to style photo shoots, which was great!  I kept up the drawing on the side but it wasn’t until I had my son that I found time to do my own stuff once more.  Having a family and working from home has been great for me as an artist.

What type of art do you create and what medium do you prefer?

I suppose my illustration style is quite vintage in style so it appeals to those who like nostalgic images.  I am unashamedly sentimental and cutesy in the way I draw and I make no apologies for it!

I draw in pencil but transfer my work to the computer for colouring and composition, using mostly Freehand and Photoshop.  I love the flexibility the computer gives you.  You can change the colour or scale of something so easily – perfect for me as I am very indecisive.  I often have several versions of the same work on the go.  I find I don’t use any of the fancy filters and effects in Photoshop as they give a very uniform finish.

What inspires you to create art?

I think when I became a mother I started to look back at the images that were familiar to me from my childhood.  I’m fascinated by lots of things from the past.  I love packaging in particular.  My idea of heaven is a supermarket abroad where I can trawl the aisles looking for new and exciting packaging!

My son has naturally been a great inspiration and I have used him as a model many times.  He’s less willing to do this now that he is nine years old.

I don’t know where the need to create comews from.  I know if inspirations hits, I get very frustrated if I can’t get something done.  I am also inspired by all the wonderful people I have met online.  Creating at home can be isolating and it’s great to be able to share stuff with so many from all over the world.  There is a whole lot of talent out there!

Share some words of wisdom that keep you motivated.

Keep plugging away at it.  Try to find a time to do a little bit each day.  Even if the finished work is rubbish in your eyes, you are one step nearer to that great piece that you will be truly pleased with.

Share something you want us to know about you.

I’m not truly alone when I’m working.  I usually have a cat visitor or three who like to keep me company.  Percy likes to sit on the scanner, and so his tail has been scanned several times.  He is very halpful in keeping the fly population out of my workroom.  I absolutely love cats.  I’ve never met a cat I didn’t like.

Here is my son’s cat, Percy.  He likes to help with homework.  He gets grumpy when we ask him to move.  Loves cat naps.

Percy

Percy napping

Here is Humphrey, my Mum and Dad’s Maine Coon.  He was about 14 weeks old here.  He recently celebrated his first birthday and is really big now!  Humphrey is relaxing in my mum’s hands after an ear cleaning, looking soppy.  He does like to bite!

Humphrey

Humphrey

Thank you Claire!   See you on down the road, Deborah

artist and cats

Here is an example of the blog entry we will create for you (we, as in me and the cats).  Sorry for the gookie photo – my nikon is on loan.  :0)  It’s going to be so much fun!  First we will highlight about four or five photos of your most current work or WIP.  Then, find out a little bit about you, your art, and your feline friends.

a work in progress - click on photo for finished pretty peg

Name: Deborah Robertson

Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

Where to find online: Chew Gum & Walk, The Cat Art Gallery

Type of art: sewing, crochet, embroidery, amateur photographer, dabbler of many mediums

How did you get started as an artist?

About age five or six, I can remember watching my grandmother sew our clothing and doll clothes, and create crocheted lace doilies.  My sisters and I explored art with the  paint-by-numbers kits.  Although I have no formal art training, I am pretty good at reading patterns and trying my hand at something new.

What type of art do you create and what medium do you prefer?

I started sewing my own clothing in about the 8th grade, and now mostly sew craft items – softies, totes and such.  I did inherit my grandmother’s love of cotton crochet and have completed many awesome doilies, tabletop covers, amulet bags, and a several small softies.

The photo above is a work in progress – my little mannequin peg dolls.  I am currently working on decorating their little dresses.  I seem to always have some portable art in my bag to work on.  I like to make small crocheted or hand sewn items.  I have a small collection of crochet with felt birds and owls, and recently took up making fabric yo-yos for garlands and decorations.  My bag always has a book to write in or just doodle.  I love to collect pictures of what other people have created for inspiration.  My sisters and I pass around our books and put our own artwork in each other’s books as well.

What inspires you to create art?

Family, pets, birds, babies.  I am usually making something for someone, like a crocheted baby afghan, fabric tote bags for school or play,  fabric pieced throws and crocheted afghans in winter.  I am inspired by other people’s artwork.

Share some words of wisdom that keep you motivated.

Have faith.  Just do it!  Be yourself.  Trust your instincts.

Share something you want us to know about you.

I love fabric.  The more the better.  My stash has outgrown my home.  And I truly love it.  As the story goes, my mother says that when she would accompany me to the fabric store, I had to go up and down each aisle and touch each piece of fabric in the entire store.  I did.  And still do!

Here are the latest photos of my two cats, my sweet little babies, Pumpkin and Spunky.

Pumpkin was born in a barn, likes to play fight, and is about 5 years old.   Spunky was a stray, is  very gentle, and is about 3 years old.  My babies certainly light up my life, are so loving and forgiving, and remind me daily to stop and smell the roses.

This is Precious.  Her age is unknown.  She is fed by the neighborhood (mostly me).  She is kind of small, quiet, and has the most amazing light green eyes.  Nice kitty, has learned to trust me and I can rub her head, ears and back – very carefully.  She is really getting grey around the ears and tail.  A real sweetheart.

Precious

Precious brought me a live baby bird one morning.  Guess she loves me.

Big hug,

Deborah

Hello world!

The gallery is officially open!  I can hardly wait for the first artists and their little felines to arrive.   Tea and cookies, wine and sandwiches will be served, as well as tuna treats and spring water for the sweet kittens and cats.  Come on in and make yourself at home.  There are lots of comfy sofas and chairs where you can lounge and share ideas.  And a playroom for the cats and kitties.

Welcome and come back often,

Deborah