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Story by
groundwork,
TeenAngster
Published on January 19, 2009 in Spotlight |
Photo by |
Today begins the Etsy blog's week-long focus on artwork, Artistic Endeavors. This series will focus on the many different mediums of art on Etsy, the best ways to showcase it and how best to ascertain what your particular style may be — get in touch with your inner curator! This is but a preview of an ongoing series (more to come), so get a taste and come back for more. The first to contribute to the series is the wonderful and talented Danna Ray of groundwork.
As an artist, I often find it difficult to decide what to paint. I either seem to suffer from too few ideas, or too many to decide between. In the end, I'm always happiest when I choose the ideas I have the strongest emotional connection with. I also try to keep this in mind when it comes to buying art. There's so much incredible work out there... and it can be so tough to choose! I like to pick pieces that I have some sense of connection with — whether it's a place I'd like to be, a bit of nostalgia, or just something that would make me smile each time I passed by. I'm so happy to share some of my favorites!
The bright color combinations in Essimar's shop always make me happy. I think the saturated colors in this screenprint are particularly lovely on earthy brown chipboard. By essimar, $65. Look for more screenprints.
Der hohe Pfad III - 8 x 10 Polaroid Print
I'd love to hang this ethereal Polaroid print in my home as a daily reminder that such places actually exist. I was even fonder of this print when I read the artist's description: "The Polaroids were taken on a mountain in the Bavarian Alps, on a chilly and foggy day in May. Come as it must, we got lost in the thick fog and found ourselves clinging to some roots above an abyss shortly after." By blaubeermund, $28. Look for more photography prints.
Pool Side Divided (diptych) - limited edition giclee print 21/100
This is such a nice diptych by Leah Giberson. I especially like the visible layering and heavy paint texture. Also, when I was a kid we used to pass by a slide just like this one each day on the way to school. It looked like a dream... and I always wished we would stop there. By leahgiberson, $50. Look for more giclee prints. ("Giclee" is a fine art print made with an inkjet print process. The name comes from the French word for "nozzle" according to Wikipedia.)
I'm always a fan of Maxwell Loren Holyoke-Hirsch's scratchy linework and interesting characters. They seem to have elaborate stories to tell. By TheSmallFactory, $20. Look for more art prints.
I am totally delighted with the intensity of the well dressed kitties in this print set. I'd like to think their eyes would follow you around a room like they're listening intently to every word. By myfolklover, $20. Look for more illustration prints.
Maybe We Can Hide in Here Print
The layered patterns and fresh colors in Betsy Walton's work are so striking. I'm really drawn to the lush plant life in this one. By betsywalton, $35. Look for more giclee prints.
Isn't this the sweetest little stove?! It reminds me of all things cozy and delicious. By loveallaround, $20. Look for more watercolor prints.
California Redwood-Signed Archival Print
I love this iconic redwood print by Lisa Congdon. It has such a nice well-worn feeling to it...as though it has been around as long as the tree itself. By lisacongdon, $35. Look for more digital prints.
This horse is pretty much the greatest. I love its awkward shape and thoughtful expression! By irisschwarz, $25. Look for more illustration prints.
Darkness, Sea Maze print set 01
The meticulous detail in this gocco print set (and all of Yu I Chan's work) is so amazing...I could just stare and stare. By yuizdan168, $13. Look for more gocco prints.
Looking for more artwork? Stay tuned for the rest of the Artistic Endeavors series.
Art Category | Print Category | More Art Related Posts | More Print Related Posts
| Tags | Art, Artistic Endeavors, Danna Ray, groundwork, printmaking, Prints, shopping |
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68 comments Login to add your own!
myzoetrope
sagittariusgallery
Although I have heard the cliche notion that people purchase art to match their sofas on more than one occasion, I have found that more often than not people pick their sofa to match a painting they love :)
Happy to see art getting a nod and look forward to more!
P.S - leahgiberson's work is just amazing.
OffTheHooks
oh! i love that stove, reminds me of something i used to have in university! it's so true we must have a connection to the art we love...
TheTinyArt
I'm really excited about this series. I have been trying to find myself, my style, and it's been a very long road. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me but if that work is at least partially doing what I love then I will be just that much happier for it.
Sinta
Lovely collection! I adore the StarMapper print. Hurrah! More artworks for me to heart ^_^
blamethemoon
Beautiful selection! I love the polaroid Bavarian Alps print....it's so soft and magical!!
shellieartist
I feel the same way. I have been known to drop some cash on a piece of art that for whatever reason I can not walk away from. Although I am an artist myself who wants a house full of thier own work...so many artist work to love and put on my walls! I am excited to see more of this series!
picklehead
juliepeach
this is practically my current favorites list! we have similar tastes... esp since YOU have been on my fav list for a very long time! great article :)
sagittariusgallery
About a year ago I found a piece on another venue that for a week solid I obsessed about. I'd wake up in the middle of the night to stare at it on my monitor.
I finally took the plunge and bought it. So happy I did.
Many of my patrons have expressed that connection to my work, an indescribable something that touches them in some way. Connection I believe is the most important (and an extremely magical) thing.
megmcgrath
I am very excited to see the rest of this series! I am very new to selling art on Etsy and am looking for all the tips I can get!
Please check out my shop, all prints are BOGO free right now! http://megmcgrath.etsy.com
odiliafu
annarubyking
AlloverArt
theaxx
I actually really like the essimar. So stylish. Thanks for pointing it out!!
michelemaule
Yay Art!!
Wonderful artists, and beautiful work.
I heart Leah Giberson :D
khphillips
Nice selection and all the art, they are gorgeous! Love the Star Mapper print
I do hope the future articles of this series will focus more on the process and differences between different print mediums available on etsy to help educate buyers.
For example: Gocco and screen prints are basically the same process, and the wonderful differences between the types of processes used in the rather generic "art print" category.
4TheSparrowsNest
I appreciate the focus on 2D art and illustration here. It's a medium that perhaps gets overlooked sometimes in the "craft" focused industry.
ArgyleWhale
Hi Danna! I was so excited to see what art you'd pick out and extra pleased to find my Woolly Bear gocco in your selections. Thanks! I Love all the artists you featured.
AlisonStinely
threepeats
This will help me search better for artwork. I agree with khphillips that the average person, like me, needs to be educatedabout the different mediums, what exactly terminology means.
beachhouseblues
rosetung
beautiful!! looking foward to the rest of the art-related posts. fine art will always be my first passion, my first love.
its beautiful to me when people are not competitive. Danna Ray, artist- supporting other artists on Etsy. love it!!! a wonderful thing!
word up!!!
Lundberg
artrussell
Very happy to see artwork in the spotlight. I can't get enough of it. Infinite variety...........
kristensteinfineart
Great picks Danna. I really enjoyed this article. I also love seeing fine art in the spotlight. So many great pieces on etsy at such great prices.
iLoveButterflies
I found a lot of great art by the people in the Gallery United street team here!
leahgiberson
So excited to see this series and a HUGE thank you, Danna, for including my work in your lovely selection. Your fan as always.
rguerin1964
Terrific! This sounds like a fantastic idea. Those of us who are craft-challenged really appreciate it!!
LacySorbet
I am excited to see the rest of this series. Especially like the Polaroid and the story behind it. It reminds me that some of the best places are still yet to be discovered.
BluCille
sixsisters
I am very excited to see this feature on etsy. I feel it is more than overdue.
Thank you for acknowledging all of the many artists her at etsy.
imadeyouabeard
So much amazing and beautiful work featured, although I am a little disappointed that more attention wasn't paid to the wide variety of printmaking techniques available on Etsy. There are amazing artists on Etsy producing original works in intalgio, lithography, letterpress, silkscreen and gocco (same process, essentially), woodcut, and monoprints. Giclee prints are wonderful in that they make copies of expensive originals available to the masses, but there is something to be said for the beauty of a hand pulled print.
IcingOnTheCupcake
nowvember
wow!
these are all just crazy awesome...so many new favorites here!
ConstantGalore
Nice article...
We should mention that these are mostly prints of original works that are included here...I find that a lot of times it's difficult to tell what is being sold: a print or an original, and many buyers do not know the difference so I would hope that would be explained, especially in this article.
thebestvintage
meganaker
blnoopesup
LegendaryTigerHero
jamieribisi
Great selections but I have to agree with others that there should be fairly thorough explanations of the difference between these types of prints and the variety of other print styles available (especially original hand-pulled prints). I know that I, as well as others, have offered to write an article as such.
I hope that the next few articles are also pushing ORIGINAL art. Prints are great but original pieces can be held closer to your heart and can also be very affordable as well as a great investment.
FlanneryCrane
I love an art show! Beautiful work. Thank you for sharing and keep the stories coming...
leahgiberson
I agree that original work is wonderful and for what it's worth, many of the artists mentioned here DO sell original work in their etsy shops as well. I took the time to read through all the descriptions of the items included here and they all seem quite clear about whether the item is an original or a print. They also seemed pretty clear about the process used to make the print. Not saying there isn't a need for further discussion and clarity on the issue, but in my experience most artists here try their best to avoid confusion with buyers.
fadedgrey
I love this series, truly inspirational. Especially Iris's work, I adore her prints.
Marjji
brendarose
i'm so glad to see this spotlight on art (and prints)! particularly in today's economy, where (at least in my shop) people seem to be more willing & able to purchase prints over original pieces.
looking forward to reading more!
LaireMarie
rebeccarebouche
this is what I'm always saying! about art, and shoes, and life!
just buy what you love! it doesn't have to match anything except your heart. ;)
love the selections here.
nice range of media, and all showing really beautiful linework.
ouijacqueline
Great finds! I'm in serious l.o.v.e. with the well-dressed kitties!
Krystyna81
great finds...looking forward to hearing from a painter and a sculptor....
groundwork
Thank you everyone! Its interesting to see so much discussion of printmaking techniques in the comments. I certainly didn't set out to explain these processes... but I'm sure that would make for a great (and much longer) article. In the mean time, Wikipedia can be a good resource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printmaking
I also can't wait to see the rest of this week's articles!
peaseblossomstudio
This printmaker says very nice! I too would like to see further discussion of what goes into each type of printmaking.
vantiani
pipapiep
BabbidgePatch
A beautiful collection ~ wonderful artists! I look forward to the series...
felicitycrew
Great article! I so look forward to more information in this series!
FlowerPress
Yay, some of my faves and some new people too.
I'm always delighted at the great art on Etsy.
Thanks
irisschwarz
Thank you so much DANNA, you put together a wonderful collection. I love your work and I’m really honored you have chosen one of mine. Interesting comments about printmaking – even for an artist sometimes it is confusing. Looking forward to the ongoing series...
spareGus
What a great selection of pieces! It's so nice to see such appreciation of the art and talent here at etsy!
PeppermintDaydreams
slidesideways
We are so excited to see the rest of this series. There are so many talented artists on Etsy that are using all sorts of mediums in there work. It's really exciting and fun to see!
lilacpop
Keep highlighting the fine art--it's a wonderful thing here on etsy!
worksofwhimsy
Thank you to the fine artists for enriching our lives. "Pool side" draws me in.
alamodeplease
gretchenmist
i love it! i find it v interesting to hear what artist's say about work they love. some of my favourites here too :)
mloartwear
Thank you for your focus on the art! It is nice to mention the different media, would you also identify the difference between originals and reproductions in your future for the sake of buyer's awareness.
A Tale of History ***
pixiepotions
sweetteadesigns
Thanks for the interest in prints. I love the contrasting bright light and shadows in the pool slide, and the foggy May morning photo. Great selections.
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