Jean-Michel Basquiat - Artist

Jean-Michel Basquiat was a neo-expressionism artist who got his start doing graffiti art in NYC. A Haitian-Puerto Rican-American he spoke three languages and showed great propensity for art at a very young age.

Jean-Michel Basquiat's career spanned approximately 10 years, but in that time he became known as one of the finest American neoexpressionists of his era. Although he passed away in 1988, his legacy lives on in the many retrospective exhibitions presented on his work and most recently by the new Basquiat Couture line started by his estate and managed by his sisters.

If you'd like to find out more about Jean-Michel Basquiat click the link to visit the official website of his estate.

zJayne's Shop

I've decided to put a spin on my "Friendly Friday's" shop profiles. Instead of just having you read about the shop and the artist I've put something in it for you! From now on each featured artist will offer something from their shop as a prize to one lucky winner, all you have to do is leave a comment with the answers to three (3) easy questions at the end of the post. So let's get started!

I don't think I need to tell you why I was attracted to zJayne's shop, but I will anyway. I love that she upcycles to such useful items. That's all. Please get to know her here, visit her shop, answer the questions at the bottom and put yourself in the running for a special prize!

Tell us a little bit about yourself
Jane Pierce, that’s my name and I find myself comfortable being called “z” or zJayne too. I have an enthusiastic desire to create with found objects and long forgotten jewels. Certain pieces inspire me to mix them together in a newfound way and create a treasured heirloom.

Then there’s the recycled aspect. Most of my altered art fits into that mode and all of my market bags, lunch sacks, basic and embellished pouches do too. It seems for me that once I began renewing T-Shirts into market bags, my art and upcycling became one. If there’s such a thing as a recycle artist, I’d fit in that category.


What inspires you to your craft/artistry?
Making a difference with art keeps me inspired. There’s something more that has been taking place, there’s a purpose to what I’m creating. My art speaks to me and for me and I have been blessed to have others share the same. Recycling has made a difference in my own thinking, consuming, and rubs off on friends and family as well. I’m much more aware of positive things that I can do a little at a time.

How do you promote your work?
I use my market bags for shopping and carry my cards with me for any double takes, smiles, or just plain questions about what kind of bags are those.

My pouches, well it borders on an addiction to everything in a pouch these days. Cell, camera, cash, glasses, jewelry, it’s endless what I store in them. They are so useful, it just takes one to see what I mean. So I have several in my purse and when I open one, I quickly explain – ‘look, this is a sleeve!’

I guess what I’m saying is wear, carry and talk about what you create. And carry business cards so you can offer a place to find you.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to new artists?
Be in the moment when you are creating. Don’t think about what this or that might sell for or if this makes sense or the entire mumble jumble that our thoughts bring up to distract us from being in the moment. When I’m aware of being in the moment, and practice it, my creative spirit brings me ideas and more that I didn’t know I had in me.

How do you see yourself evolving in the next 5-10 years?
I feel that everything I am learning about online shops, picture taking and the whole ball of wax that having your own business entails will make a difference and ultimately enhance my retirement.

What are some of your favorite things?
Coincidences that show me what I need to see, where I need to be, what I need to do. My grandson’s voice. My guy’s dedication and humor with my tangents. Music. Chocolate. Books that I thought I’d alter, but read instead, and then they lead me to other art. Family love. Friends caring. Peace and Understanding.

What is your favorite quote?
“Enough, is as good as a feast”



Contest Questions:
1 - What street team is zJayne a part of?
2 - What do you hope the prize from zJayne's shop will be? (what is your favorite item)
3 - What is one thing zJayne said that helped you?

Leave a comment with the answers to these questions for a chance to win a very special gift from zJayne's shop. Make sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

Winners will be announced right here on Thursday, January 15, 2009!
Let zJayne know that "Sedie" sent you when you visit or purchase from her shop!

EliWill

At Eliwill you'll find really beautifully crafted jewelry that you'll want to wear all the time. I found Beth's shop on Etsy and placed in one of my favorites because once I saw her lovely work, I knew that someone would benefit this holiday season!

I've profiled her here for your benefit. Discover a new shop and enjoy the opportunity to own some really lovely jewelry. Get to know her here.

Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Beth Williams and I relocated a year ago to Iowa from the metro St. Louis area. I am a full-time middle school art teacher and on most days can say that I absolutely love what I do! I have my Bachelors and Masters in art education. I have three sisters, one of whom is my twin and a supportive family.

I create mainly with oxidized sterling silver wire, pearls, Swarovski crystals, and semi-precious stones. I like to create high-quality pieces with a little bit of the unexpected. The contrast of the dark metal with the pastel beads and stones. I want the jewelry I make to look like it has been treasured, that it has a story to tell. My jewelry has a contemporary feel with a vintage quality.

What inspires you?
During college, I took several undergrad and graduate level metalsmithing classes. I miss using a torch. Someday when I am crazy enough, I will set up tanks of highly explosive gas in my studio. Until then I can satisfy my creative urge by oxidizing metals and using semi precious stones to create jewelry pieces.

Since we live in a visual culture, I draw inspiration from my surroundings. I get ideas online, in retail stores, I love anthropologie. I clip ispiration from magazines. My favorite inspiration is my bead board, the tray which sits on my studio table covered in disorganized beads and pearls. Sometimes where beads lay next to one another can inspire my next creation.

How do you see yourself evolving in the next 5-10 years?
I would love to have a more elaborate studio with soldering capability. I would like to continue to evolve my designs.

What are some of your favorite things?
*family and friends
*robin egg blue
*thai food
*pearls
*I'm a sucker for top 40 music
*The movie, "You've Got Mail"
*Etsy
*Zinnias
*Blue jeans

I think my family and friends would say, "that's beth" after reading this list.

What is your favorite quote?
"bloom where you are planted"

Here's where you can find Beth:
Her blog
Her Etsy shop

Two of her favorite Etsy shops are:
Her sister's shop
and
Pinkposiedesigns

Melanie of ShayGon Designs

As you may know, I am celebrating my 40th birthday by doing an event to raise $40,000 for the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation. For the next two weeks we have a beautiful, exclusive trio of artwork up for grabs. Melanie of ShayGon Designs has created a trio of paintings that will go to the high donor for the next two weeks. Here is a little bit about Melanie.

Tell us a bit about yourself I’m commonly known by my middle name: Melanie, however, I use the name “Shay” with my artist endeavours, which is short for my first name “Olusegun” (pron: O-lu-Shay-Gun). It’s a very Caribbean thing to be known by several names! I love words and names with meanings and my first name is no exception. It means “God will help me to conquer”… that has proven to be the best kept “promise” in my life so far… I was born in London to Trinidadian parents and I still live there. I am legally trained and have worked in the legal profession for the last 10 years. For the past 5 years, I reconnected with my creative talents. For as long as I can remember, I had a bond with colours, I associated everything with colours –and still do. Through my creations, I laugh, cry, think, mediate, provoke debate… but most of all, I’m free to be myself.

Apart from creating things, what do you do? I write poetry, and dream of my future with my fiancé

What first drew you to become an artist? My need for “me time”. Since my university days, I had fallen into a spiral of work, work and more work and that drove me away from spending time on myself. Painting and doing anything artistic allows me to breathe. I feel calmer, more in control of my life and I gain the greatest buzz and sense of achievement from completing an art piece. So for all of those reasons and more, I found my first love again.

Please describe your creative process I paint whenever I feel like it. I create all the time. Inspirations come in every shape, form and size. It could be something I’ve read; a movie I watched; a scene played out on my daily journey to work etc. so many things inspire me. I walk around with a small sketchbook in my bag and sometimes I write a note to myself or draw an image, then when I feel like it, I paint it. There are countless moments in a week when I’ll grab a scrap piece of paper on a desk and draw an idea. A wonderful use of corporate time! I love acrylics, oil, pastels and a simple HB pencil. I also love wire, beads, crystals and gems.

Name your top five books, movies, songs/musical groups, and/or web sites Oh… wow… how could you do this to me… ok I’ll close my eyes and just go: Colour Purple - (film and book; Purple Hibiscus –book by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; The Temple of My Familiar –book by Alice Walker; To Kill a Mockingbird –book by Harper Lee; Beautiful Surprise –song by India Aire

What advice would you give to aspiring artists / business owners?
• Never neglect the paper work. If you’re completely hopeless at it, seek professional advice. Ignorance isn’t really bliss.
• Go with the flow. There’s nothing more powerful than an expression of the heart. So create what you feel.
• Enjoy it. The moment you start stressing over a piece is the moment you should leave it alone. It’s like saying words in anger: the result is never good. Take a time out and only go back when your heart says it’s ready.

How do you promote your work? Mainly word of mouth –although I am my worse promoter. I’m very bad at “getting out there” or soliciting sales because I’m apprehensive about blowing my own trumpet. I guess it’s one of the reasons why I took so long to take my art to the next level. So I'm going to rely on you to help me out! Keep spreading the word.

In ten years I'd like to be...(is my boss reading this?) Do you have time and space for my dreams because I have MANY. I’ll try to keep it to the top three: apart from being a wonderful wife, mother, and an even more “fan-tabulous” Auntie, I would love to own a small art gallery selling the creations of local artists and running an after school art club (not-for-profit) and know that the name ShayGon Designs is synonymous with “colour expressions of life”.

Please visit ShayGon to see more of her “colour expressions of life”.

Satin Doll Co.

Gaetana Parris is the owner of SatinDoll Co. and has generously donated a gift box made up of her handmade jewelry to our effort! I got to know a little more about our artisan in the past few weeks. I thought I'd introduce you to her as well.

Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Gaetana Parris, I'm a 24 year old Freelance Womenswear Fashion Designer turned small business owner. I currently live in South Florida after living my entire life in Brooklyn, New York.

I tried to start my own business in 2004 with a classmate from college but soon pulled out. I felt my business partner/ friend wasn't giving 100% of herself to the business. So after pulling out I sat down with my older sister to map my future business. I decided I would start with accessories, since I love accessories so much. That's how Satin Doll & Co. was born.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I'm currently designing and making my first collection which will be available in September on my official website/shop. Also, I'm a Freelance Fashion Designer by trade. However, taking freelance jobs has become secondary to running my company full-time.

What first drew you to become an artist/business owner?
Running a business is something that I've always wanted to do even as a child. I come from a long line of business owners which include my grandmother, my father, a number of uncles and great-uncles. As far as being an artist, I've been an artist from the time I came out of my mother's womb. I truly believe that I've been drawing
longer than I've been writing. As a child I remember always decorating the house with my drawings.

Please describe your creative process
When designing pieces or collections, I truly believe they design themselves. I can't really explain it, it's a natural feeling for me because it's something I just do. Maybe it's because I've been creating soon long. The process is easy, I lay everything out and from there whatever catches my eyes get's made. I love to use unusual beads, findings, fabrics, and components which I believe help to make my pieces what they are.

I've learned from years of designing that I work better at night. Maybe it's from the years when I was in design college and staying up late doing homework and projects. But that's when I get my best work.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists / business owners
My advice to any aspiring artist is always 'believe in yourself'. Internships are key as well as going to school/college to enhance your craft.

Great customer service is gold when owning and running your own business. If you have
great customer service and products you're sure to have return customers. Which will then led to word-of-mouth promotion which is FREE.

How do you promote your work?
Any way I can. Blogging, sales, deals, freebies, giveaways, donations, through my newsletter, on Myspace, on Facebook and any other social network or avenue I can get the word out. My own personal promoter is my father. Like any proud parent he brags and tells all his friends about my company and products, which in turn has given me a number of customers.

In ten years I'd like to be...
See my company growing. I hope to have a design studio with staff and a showroom to showcase my current collection to buyers. I also hope to own a number of boutiques that only carry my collections. Additionally, by then I'll hopefully get back into designing clothes and have my own 'ready-to-wear' line which will include sportswear, swimwear, loungewear and activewear.

You can find Gaetana at the following places:

Satin Doll & Co. Offical Website
Satin Doll & Co. Etsy Shop
Satin Doll & Co. Blog
Satin Doll & Co. Myspace Page