Featured Artist :: Emily Finan Art & Illustration

This week's featured artist is Emily Finan Art & Illustration!

Senioritis: Name and location please.
Emily Finan: Emily Finan and I live just outside of Detroit, Michigan.
Senioritis: Hey Emily!

Senioritis: Can you tell us a little about yourself Emily?
Emily Finan: I'm a 20-something artist, art student, and teacher from Detroit, Michigan. I'm working on a degree in studio art as well as art education; and I spend all my free time drawing, painting, and playing with my puppy Vinnie. Lately I have been working on a series of drawings inspired by old photographs of little Victorian girls. After working with a fantastic print house I'm excited to be offering prints in my Etsy shop.
Senioritis: Very cool, what type od dog is Vinnie? Your Victorian inspired drawings are great. We especially like the way you can see the textures on the bows, clothing and accessories. It's as if a real bow is placed on the drawing, sweet work.

Senioritis: Curious George or Cat in the Hat?
Emily Finan: Book wise, Cat in the Hat. It was my absolute favorite as a toddler! Movie wise, Curious George; so much cuter than Mike Meyers in a cat costume.



Senioritis: Which words would best describe your style?
Emily Finan: Cute, Simple, Awkward, and Illustrative.

Senioritis: What's the best business tip you have ever received and who gave it to you?
Emily Finan: When I was starting to think about selling my work, my financial guru of a father told me "You'll work twice as hard as you expect, spend twice as much as you planned, and in the first year or so the best you can hope for is to break even (but you'll probably lose money.) Know this, and never give up." And he was absolutely right.
Senioritis: Excellent words of wisdom. We think it's pretty common to underestimate how much time and effort it will take to create, market, and sell our work. Sometimes the results don't show right away but we have found that if you love what you do and never give up people will start to take notice!



Senioritis: Emily, what's your favorite sport to either watch or play?
Emily Finan: Gotta love watching Detroit Red Wings hockey, and despite my lack of hand-eye coordination I really love playing badminton.
Senioritis: Wow, I haven't played badminton in ages. I always enjoy watching it in the Olympics, the athletes make you appreciate how much strategy is involved in the sport.

Senioritis: Alice in Wonderland or Charlie & the Chocolate Factory?
Emily Finan: The original Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, hands down. The movie entranced and appalled me as a child and as much as I love Johnny Depp you just can't beat Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.
Senioritis: We would have to agree, original Charlie & the Chocolate Factory for the win!

Senioritis: Do you have a favorite quote?
Emily Finan: "Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten. Then when you hit puberty they take the crayons away and replace them with dry, uninspiring books on algebra, history, etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the 'creative bug' is just a wee voice telling you, 'I'd like my crayons back, please.'"
— Hugh MacLeod
Senioritis: Great quote. With art programs taking a back seat in many schools it seems that the crayons are being taken away at an even younger age these days.



Senioritis: If you could jump in the DeLorean and go back in time; what’s one thing you would do differently in your business Emily?
Emily Finan: If I could hop in the DeLorean I would probably pack it full of sketchbooks and go back in time and draw; draw everything I possibly could. As far as my business, I don't think I'd change a thing. It took a while, but I've finally found some sort of balance between making art and starting a business.

Senioritis: If the $100 bill needed a redesign, who would you put on it?
Emily Finan: I think it would be really cool to do away with faces on currency; or maybe do away with currency all together and trade vegetables and fire wood instead, hehe.
Senioritis: Hmm, an advocate of the barter system ;)

Senioritis: Where can we find you on the web Emily?
Emily Finan: My website, on flickr, and on Etsy.



Senioritis: The Flinstones of the Jetsons?
Emily Finan: Though I watched both shows equally, I think I would have to vote for the Flinstones. Dinosaurs are cool :)

Senioritis: Any shoutouts Emily?
Emily Finan: I'd love to say hi to my supportive family and amazing friends! You guys are the best :)

Thanks for spending some time with us Emily; your work rocks and we wish you continued success. Be sure to swing by Emily's Etsy shop to view more of her work!

Featured Artist :: Watercolors, Fine Art & Prints by Carla Lovato

This week's featured artist is Watercolors, Fine Art & Prints by Carla Lovato!

Watercolors, Fine Art & Prints by Carla Lovato - Enjoy the luscious colors and imagery of the whimsical creatures that inhabit the fantasy paintings of Carla Lovato.

Senioritis: Name and location please.
Carla Lovato: Carla Lovato, Oregon Coast.
Senioritis: Hi Carla, thanks for sitting down with us!

Senioritis: Can you tell us a little about yourself please?
Carla Lovato: I am a self-taught artist working in sculpture, watercolor and oil. I was born a Navy brat, in Hawaii, traveling most of my childhood from one coastline to the other. Long trips through the night in an old station wagon, I truly thought the moon followed me. I had never known what it meant to be “from somewhere” and learned very early, that life is about constant change.

Art always gave me comfort - a place to be “from,” perhaps this is why many of my images are about change, growth and energy. I no longer move every year, I spend time as a teacher and graphic designer. One day after many years of day-dreaming about this old derelict building, my husband and I purchased it. We fixed it up ourselves, paying as we went for all of the construction materials. We now live and work in the same building, doing what we love; creating art in a small coastal community. I recently found Etsy and it's a great way to get your artwork seen by a global community.
Senioritis: That's very interesting that you describe art as providing you with a place to be from. We have spoken to, and read about, many people who do a good amount of traveling and many have expressed similar feelings. No matter which coast or continent you may be on a blank canvas and a new sketchbook will always look the same. Art can provide consistency no matter where life may take you.

Congrats to you and your husband on breathing new life into a run-down building and doing it all on your own, that's awesome!

Senioritis: Marlon Brando: Streetcar Named Desire or the Godfather?
Carla Lovato: Streetcar Named Desire, I always depended on the kindness of others...



Senioritis: Which words would best describe your style Carla?
Carla Lovato: Colorful, Whimsical, Joyful and at times Surreal.

Senioritis: What's the best business tip you have ever received and who gave it to you?
Carla Lovato: An older gentleman who worked for SCORE (an organization that offers free help, guidance, and mentorship for small businesses) once told me:

*Be carful of what you spend on advertising - aim it at the right audience for what you sell
*Watch out for the hidden costs of doing business - insurance, fees, equipment, interest, shipping, re-stocking, supplies and utilities
I thought how can these relate to me an artist? Trust me they do.
Senioritis: SCORE is an excellent resource and those are some great tips. We think that with the advent of tools like twitter, facebook, and google adwords it has become easier for small businesses to reach their target audience on a global level; the trick still remains figuring out who that audience is ;)



Senioritis: Carla, what's your favorite sport to either watch or play?
Carla Lovato: Sport. . . hum . . . can I say Fiddle playing? Yes I know that is not a sport, but if you consider some fast fiddle licks, and dodging drunken customers while playing, it does occasionally appear to be like a sport.
Senioritis: Hmm, we were skeptical at first but if it involves dodging drunks we'll count it, not to mention the fact that it takes some athleticism to do anything this quickly.

Senioritis: Chevy Chase: Fletch or Three Amigos
Carla Lovato: Hum, how about Saturday Night Live? I loved his rendition of the clumsy president. If I had to pick one of these, it would probably be Three Amigos.

Senioritis: Carla, do you have a favorite quote?
Carla Lovato: Because our building was hit by a freak tornado while we were under construction my favorite quote is “Toto, I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore” said by Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of OZ.
Senioritis: Oh wow, there was some pretty crazy weather here in NY last week that we haven't seen in a while. Hopefully everything was ok and you didn't notice any witch's feet sticking out from under the building ;)



Senioritis: If you could jump in the DeLorean and go back in time; what’s one thing you would do differently in your business Carla?
Carla Lovato: Back in time...High School: I would hang out and work harder in math class instead of drawing cartoons on the black board for that "pity C” from the teacher. I sure could use the math now for doing taxes and bookkeeping. I lived in the art department.

Senioritis: If the $100 bill needed a redesign, who would you put on it?
Carla Lovato: I was rather fond of “Bill the Cat” from Bloom county. I think he would be fabulous, that eternal look of suprise, being stoned or run over by a car. It’s how I feel at times when I see one of those bills, especially in this economy.
Senioritis: We think Bill the Cat would work well on the $100!

Senioritis: Where can we find you on the web Carla?
Carla Lovato: My Etsy shop, and on twitter.



Senioritis: James Bond: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig?
Carla Lovato: No doubt on this one Sean Connery! Does that date me?
Senioritis: Nope, apparently the love of Mr. Connery transcends all ages!

Senioritis: Any shoutouts Carla?
Carla Lovato: I love our area here in Lincoln City Oregon! It is a great place to live and vacation: Taft Beach, Oregoncoast.org and my favorite Tavern for playing fiddle: Snug harbor Bar and Grill.

Thanks for sitting down with us and letting us know more about the person behind all of your great work. If you find yourself out on the Oregon Coast pay Carla a visit at the Once in a Blue Moon gallery where you'll find a great collection of whimsical, unique gifts & fine art!

Featured Artist :: Everybody Else

This week's featured artist is Everybody Else!

Everybody Else - Art & Cards by Melody DuVal

Senioritis: Name and location please.
Everybody Else: Melody DuVal. Goshen, IN.
Senioritis: Hi Melody!

Senioritis: Can you tell us a little about yourself please?
Everybody Else: As a kid I just couldn't draw enough. I covered all available surfaces. At first that got me into trouble, but as I got older I started getting compliments and even requests. I went to college for graphic design and, thinking I wouldn't be taken seriously otherwise, kept my doodles out of the classroom. My last semester a friend convinced me to use them for a project, the professor raved about them and told me I should be in illustration. I was flattered, but I hadn't studied illustration and didn't think I would make the cut. After college I got a job designing local advertisements, but my boss noticed my in-meeting doodles and put me to work illustrating some books we were printing. Around the same time I heard about Etsy.com and thought it would be pretty low risk to print out some of my personal art and try to sell it on there. I started with cards, because I write a lot of letters and printing my own cards was cheaper than buying them in the store. I just printed extra and posted them on etsy. I wouldn't call my art an instant hit, but I'm slowly drawing an online following.
Senioritis: I used to draw all over everything as a kid also! Unfortunately I don't draw as much as I used to. We think your work is awesome Melody, really dig your style. We're glad your friend convinced you to use your doodles for the class project ;)

Senioritis: Marlon Brando: Streetcar Named Desire or the Godfather?
Everybody Else: Streetcar Named Desire.



Senioritis: How would you describe your style Melody?
Everybody Else: Colorful, Whimsical, Bright, Innocent.

Senioritis: What's the best business tip you have ever received and who gave it to you?
Everybody Else: I've never received any tips directly, but the Etsy forums have been a great way to find information and ideas.
Senioritis: The Etsy forums are a wealth of information indeed, we learn new things all the time.



Senioritis: What would you say is your favorite sport to either watch or play Melody?
Everybody Else: I'm not a sports person, but I enjoy a good game of soccer.
Senioritis: We've never really played soccer but we always enjoy watching the World Cup.

Senioritis: Chevy Chase: Fletch or Three Amigos
Everybody Else: I've never seen either.

Senioritis: Melody, do you have a favorite quote?
Everybody Else: “Imaginary evil is romantic and varied; real evil is gloomy, monotonous, barren, boring. Imaginary good is boring; real good is always new, marvelous, intoxicating.”
- Simone Weil
Senioritis: That's a very interesting observation.



Senioritis: If you could jump in the DeLorean and go back in time; what’s one thing you would do differently in your business Melody?
Everybody Else: I'd have more work ready to sell before I opened up shop.
Senioritis: Great point Melody. We're currently looking into selling at craft shows and the like and we've had to do some serious planning about how much inventory to build up before these events.

Senioritis: If the $100 bill needed a redesign, who would you put on it?
Everybody Else: I'd let Ben keep it. As a graphic designer I know you can't get too extreme in your re-branding or you lose your identity.
Senioritis: It's all about the Benjamins. We'd say that the current $100 bill design has a pretty strong identity ;)

Senioritis: Where can we find you on the web Melody?
Everybody Else: My Etsy shop, my blog, and on flickr.
Senioritis: We're glad to hear everything worked out ok with the bronze!



Senioritis: James Bond: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig?
Everybody Else: Sean Connery
Senioritis: Just when we thought the Connery trend was changing...


Thanks for sharing some info with us Melody. We wish you continued success and hope your online following continues to grow. Please swing by Everybody Else and check out all of Melody's sweet work!

Featured Artist :: Scarlett Design

This week's featured artist is Scarlett Design!

Scarlett Design - Nature inspired illustrations, photography, and stationery.

Senioritis: Name and location please.
Scarlett Design: Ryan McGurl, Virginia Beach.
Senioritis: Hey Ryan, thanks for sitting down with us!

Senioritis: Can you please tell us a little about yourself?
Scarlett Design: I grew up in New England, living in both northern New Hampshire and the Boston area. After high school I took some time off, before I attended both the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and Boston University, for graphic design and art history.
Three years ago I moved to Virginia Beach, where I currently live with my boyfriend and our two very spoiled dogs, Chewie and Panzer.

I enjoy hiking, camping, going to the beach, art, photography, knitting, crocheting, reading, traveling, gardening, and cooking, and I'm a dork. And I love that most days my job doesn't feel like work. I consider myself fortunate to have lived in several places, and experience the unique beauty of different areas.
Senioritis: Very cool Ryan, we have a bunch of family that lives not far from Boston. That's great that you have been able to move around a bit. What type of dogs do you have?

Senioritis: Marlon Brando: Streetcar Named Desire or the Godfather?
Scarlett Design: Godfather, I've never actually seen Streetcar.



Senioritis: How would you describe your style Ryan?
Scarlett Design: Fun, Colorful, Joyful, Intelligent.

Senioritis: Ryan, what's the best business tip you have ever received and who gave it to you?
Scarlett Design: "If at first you don't succeed, try again." I'm not sure who actually created that quote, and I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but recently while watching a documentary on American history I was struck by how often people who influenced history had failed before they became a great success.
Senioritis: We read a bunch of biographies and history books and have also found that it's those who are willing to fail the most that often find the greatest levels of success. Great tip Ryan!



Senioritis: What would you say is your favorite sport to either watch or play?
Scarlett Design: Hiking.
Senioritis: Hailing from New England we were a little concerned that you were going to say watching the Red Sox ;)

Senioritis: Chevy Chase: Fletch or Three Amigos
Scarlett Design: Fletch.

Senioritis: Do you have a favorite quote Ryan?
Scarlett Design: "There is a crack in everything, that is how the light gets in" Leonard Cohen
Senioritis: Very cool, we hadn't heard that one.



Senioritis: If you could jump in the DeLorean and go back in time; what’s one thing you would do differently in your business Ryan?
Scarlett Design: Spend more time on marketing when I first started my business
Senioritis: Absolutely, it definitely takes some effort to get the word out, especially in the beginning.

Senioritis: If the $100 bill needed a redesign, who would you put on it?
Scarlett Design: John Adams, he always seemed overlooked; perhaps because he wasn't as witty as Franklin.
Senioritis: We think Mr. Adams would look great! We recently designed a tribute to John Adams; he didn't quite make it on to a $100 bill but he did get on to the front of a composition notebook ;)

Senioritis: Where can we find you on the web Ryan?
Scarlett Design: My blog, facebook, flickr, and on twitter.
Senioritis: Looks like you have quite the web presence Ryan!



Senioritis: James Bond: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig?
Scarlett Design: Not sure, it used to be Roger Moore, but I'm really liking the new ones with Daniel Craig.
Senioritis: The new Bond movies are excellent.


Thanks for sitting down with us Ryan and letting us know a bit more about the artist behind Scarlett Design!

Featured Artist :: Khali Nouveau

This week's featured artist is Khali Nouveau!

Senioritis: Name and location please.
Khali Nouveau: Aiysha Khaalid; Boston, Massachusetts
Senioritis: Hi Aiysha!

Senioritis: Can you please tell us a little about yourself Aiysha?
Khali Nouveau: My name is A. Khaalid, nickname Khali. I am a full-time artist with a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. I'm a painter, an illustrator, a mixed media artist, and a crafter. I am a stimulated artist and entrepreneur. I was a pottery artist for a private local company, a freelance artist as an interior home muralist, an art coordinator for an exclusive Dubai art gallery, and an art teacher.

In May 2010, I had my first solo art exhibition called 'Visions of Spring' which presented acrylic on canvas, illustration on printmaking paper, and art shadow boxes. In my shop I have some of these artworks available for sale and additional artworks are viewable on my website. KhaliNouveau was created to display my original artworks for others to appreciate my passion for painting and illustration.
Senioritis: That's awesome Khali, congrats on the solo exhibit it looks like it was a great set up! We especially enjoy your Endangered Species line, they look great on display together. You've done many things Khali, what have you enjoyed doing the most? How was your time in Dubai?

Senioritis: Marlon Brando: Streetcar Named Desire or the Godfather?
Khali Nouveau: Godfather.



Senioritis: How would you describe your style Khali?
Khali Nouveau: Colorful, Unique, Stylized, Authentic.

Senioritis: What's the best business tip you have ever received and who gave it to you Khali?
Khali Nouveau: My boyfriend is a great supporter and when I feel that things aren’t going so well he would say ‘Don’t give up’. Those simple words work out for me.
Senioritis: Always a good tip. In the words of the great Jimmy Valvano, "Don't give up, don't ever give up."



Senioritis: What would you say is your favorite sport to either watch or play?
Khali Nouveau: I don’t like any sports unless you count competitive reality TV shows.
Senioritis: Hmm, some of those shows are pretty intense!

Senioritis: Chevy Chase: Fletch or Three Amigos
Khali Nouveau: Three Amigos.

Senioritis: Do you have a favorite quote Khali?
Khali Nouveau: An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.- James Whistler
Senioritis: We've never heard that one before, awesome quote!



Senioritis: If you could jump in the DeLorean and go back in time; what’s one thing you would do differently in your business?
Khali Nouveau: I would have a whole body of new artworks ready to list online.
Senioritis: That would be cool. Investing an hour promoting a shop with 5 items takes just as long as investing an hour promoting a shop with 100 items ;)

Senioritis: If the $100 bill needed a redesign, who would you put on it?
Khali Nouveau: That’s a good question. I don’t have any particular person to be on the face of a $100 bill but seeing a woman's face would be an awesome change.
Senioritis: That would be cool, there haven't been too many women featured on U.S. currency.

Senioritis: Where can we find you on the web Khali?
Khali Nouveau: My site and on twitter.



Senioritis: James Bond: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig?
Khali Nouveau: Sean Connery.
Senioritis: Chalk up another tally for the Scotsman. Connery's popularity makes us wonder why they decided to cast a different 007 actor in the first place.

Senioritis: Any shoutouts Khali?
Khali Nouveau: Thanks mom for everything!


Khali, thanks a bunch for sitting down with us and sharing a bit about yourself and your work, it's awesome. Don't forget to visit Khali's online gallery as well as her online shop!

Featured Artist :: Katies Studio

This week's featured artist is Katies Studio!

Katies Studio - Cool Art.

Senioritis: Name and location please.
Katies Studio: Katie Bunschoten, currently Burlington, Kentucky.
Senioritis: Hi Katie, thanks for taking the time to share some info with us!

Senioritis: Katie, can you tell us a little about yourself please?
Katies Studio: I've been drawing since I was a kid. We moved a lot and friends changed just as often but drawing and sketching were constant. We had horses up until I hit high school so I spent a lot of time sketching them. I graduated high school, moved to Holland and Ireland (got married), came back and finally had space for a small studio so I started painting. Going from graphite black and whites to color opened a lot of ideas and I've been working on putting them to canvas ever since.
Senioritis: That's awesome! Do you get back to Holland and Ireland often? Your works are filled with vibrant colors, do you still do work in black and white?

Senioritis: Marlon Brando: Streetcar Named Desire or the Godfather?
Katies Studio: Streetcar Named Desire



Senioritis: How would you describe your style?
Katies Studio: Bright, Bold, Colorful, Vivid.
Senioritis: We couldn't agree more, all the colors just jump out at us!

Senioritis: Katie, what would you say is the best business tip you have ever received and who gave it to you?
Katies Studio: Never quit what you love. - Mom
Senioritis: Guess what they say is true, mother does know best ;)



Senioritis: What would you say is your favorite sport to either watch or play?
Katies Studio: Soccer to play, baseball to watch. I live right outside Cincinnati so I have to say Go Reds!
Senioritis: Ahhh, a fan of the Big Red Machine :) I must admit, as a Yankees fan I have no clue what's going on in the National League until playoff time rolls around. What did you think of the World Cup?

Senioritis: Chevy Chase: Fletch or Three Amigos
Katies Studio: Three Amigos

Senioritis: Do you have a favorite quote Katie?
Katies Studio: Wisdom begins in wonder. – Socrates
Senioritis: Awesome quote, there may be a new Socrates tribute in the works ;)



Senioritis: If you could jump in the DeLorean and go back in time; what’s one thing you would do differently in your business?
Katies Studio: Better photos! Investing in a better camera was the best thing I've done. It is a completely different animal, selling online. I'd also research more on SEO and have used analytics immediately. When I first started I thought upload it and people will just buy. It's not quite that easy. In ways I think it's harder than having a brick and mortar gallery.
Senioritis: They say a picture is worth a thousand words and in an online marketplace where people can't hold or handle our work strong product photography is crucial. We agree that selling online is completely different than selling in a physical location. We were fortunate to find some great product photography and SEO tips on Etsy that have helped us get going in the right direction.

Senioritis: If the $100 bill needed a redesign, who would you put on it?
Katies Studio: This is a very difficult thing to think on, but at first thought I would say Henry David Thoreau. I think whoever it would be would be someone that personifies the American spirit, but not in an overly political fashion. I could go on and on, but I think in a nutshell that's who I would put on there!
Senioritis: We think Mr. Thoreau would be a wonderful fit for the $100 bill!

Senioritis: Where can we find you on the web Katie?
Katies Studio: katiesstudio.etsy.com and my site.



Senioritis: James Bond: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig?
Katies Studio: Sean Connery
Senioritis: Well, it seems that Mr. Connery is the preferred 007 for our featured artists. We'll see if he can extend his lead next week ;)

Senioritis: Any shoutouts Katie?
Katies Studio: I have to thank my parents and my husband Marco for the constant encouragement, and my daughter Abby for always providing inspiration.
Senioritis: We saw a picture of your studio assistant and can see how she provides plenty of inspiration. We're also glad to hear that she keeps her hands off the wet paint ;)

Katie, thanks so much for sharing some info about the wonderful artist behind Katies Studio!

Featured Artist :: Trixie Fishstabber Productions

This week's featured artist is Trixie Fishstabber Productions!

Trixie Fishstabber Productions - A whimsical underworld.

Senioritis: Name and location please.
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: Sandra Ford, and right now I am living in a log cabin in a historical, wildly overgrown orchard; and there is this big, fast creek down the steps that drains into a reservoir which feeds into the Snake River that flows north through Hell's Canyon. It is pretty inspiring and I consider everyday a gift to be here.
Senioritis: Wow, that sounds very cool Sandra; do you have any room for visitors ;)

Senioritis: Can you tell us a little about yourself Sandra?
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: Self Taught and right handed. Published illustrator at large and re-focused after a brief (17 year) hiatus from the art universe. Hmmm, that is pretty brief!
Senioritis: That is a pretty brief bio, it would even fit into a tweet! We're glad to see that you've returned to the art universe after your brief hiatus.

Senioritis: Marlon Brando: Streetcar Named Desire or the Godfather?
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: Streetcar Named Desire



Senioritis: How would you describe your style Sandra?
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: Pop Surrealism, Lowbrow, Underground, Expressionist.

Senioritis: What would you say is the best business tip you have ever received and who gave it to you?
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: 'Go for it knowing whatever happens, you gave it everything you had.' My hero, Ed told me that many years ago.
Senioritis: Great tip. We think one of the worst feelings is looking back and saying 'What if...?' Give it your best and leave nothing on the table; we like Ed's style!



Senioritis: What would you say is your favorite sport to either watch or play Sandra?
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: Fencing.
Senioritis: Very interesting, several of our featured artists are into fencing. We're going to have to look into the link between creatives and swordplay ;)

Senioritis: Chevy Chase: Fletch or Three Amigos
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: I haven't seen either.
Senioritis: Is there a different Chevy Chase film that you prefer?

Senioritis: Do you have a favorite quote Sandra?
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: 'Imagination rules the world.' Napoleon Bonaparte
Senioritis: Hmm, even the Great Emperor knew that imagination is more important than knowledge!



Senioritis: If you could jump in the DeLorean and go back in time; what’s one thing you would do differently in your business?
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: I would not have put my pencils down for 17 years. Putting in your time as an artist is what makes you better, in my opinion. I've got some catching up to do.
Senioritis: Hopefully pencil skills are like riding a bike and they'll come back to you very quickly! We're still riding with our training wheels on but the more we draw and create the more comfortable we become ;)

Senioritis: If the $100 bill needed a redesign, who would you put on it?
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: Edward Abbey for writing Hayduke Lives!
Senioritis: Looks like Mr. Abbey was sporting a pretty solid beard; we think a portrait of him would look wonderful on a $100 bill.

Senioritis: Where can we find you on the web Sandra?
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: I've got my Etsy store here: trixiefishstabber.etsy.com
I work really hard to make my blog interesting here: trixiefishstabber.blogspot.com
One of my favorite inspirational blogs:animalarium
And a website that interests the weirdo in me: crappytaxidermy.com



Senioritis: James Bond: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig?
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: Daniel Craig
Senioritis: Another tally for Mr. Craig!

Senioritis: Any shoutouts?
Trixie Fishstabber Productions: A big thanks to everyone in forums who help people like me figure things out. My son for being so courageous. And Ed, for being from West Virginia.


Sandra, thanks so much for taking the time to share a bit about the artist and inspiration behind Trixie Fishstabber Productions!

Featured Artist :: Nicole Kristiana Studio

This week's featured artist is Nicole Kristiana Studio!

Nicole Kristiana Studio - Contemporary art and art wear.

Senioritis: Name and location please.
Nicole Kristiana Studio: Nicole Kristiana FitzGibbon, Bellefonte, DE.
Senioritis: Hi Nicole, thanks for sitting down with us!

Senioritis: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Nicole Kristiana Studio: I received my BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and my BA from Bryn Mawr College with a concentration in Fine Art and Art History. I was born in New York and lived most of my life in the Philadelphia area. I practice the art of wonderment in my surroundings both at home and around the world. I have visited fifteen states and nine countries and have visually recorded the experience in each location, focusing on pattern, which you can see in my works. Recently, my work was published as the cover of Philadelphia Stories Magazine.
Senioritis: Wow, you have visited quite a few places. Which place has been your favorite thus far?

Senioritis: Marlon Brando: Streetcar Named Desire or the Godfather?
Nicole Kristiana Studio: The Godfather



Senioritis: How would you describe your style Nicole?
Nicole Kristiana Studio: Contemporary, Ebullient, Sophisticated, Colorful.

Senioritis: What would you say is the best business tip you have ever received and who gave it to you?
Nicole Kristiana Studio: Paraphrasing, but it was something like "In business, there are many decisions to make in a day, and, if you're reeeaaally good, about 80% will be right, so expect to make 20% wrong ones, forget them, keep making decisions and move on." I learned this valuable lesson from a dear friend, Adam, the CEO of a software company.
Senioritis: Great lesson indeed, thanks for sharing it with us!



Senioritis: What would you say is your favorite sport to either watch or play Nicole?
Nicole Kristiana Studio: I love skiing. I've been skiing since I was about 10 years old. I love to watch skiing as well.
Senioritis: Very cool, I'm not much of a skiier but I can faceplant on a snowboard like no other (remember kids always wear a helmet) ;) We think a lot of ski fans were pretty excited when Lindsey Vonn won a couple ESPY Awards last week!

Senioritis: Chevy Chase: Fletch or Three Amigos
Nicole Kristiana Studio: Fletch

Senioritis: Do you have a favorite quote Nicole?
Nicole Kristiana Studio: Strangely enough, there was a quote on the wall at my day-job, across from my grey cube, far from all the windows, that inspired me.
“Creativity in living is not without its attendant difficulties, for peculiarity breeds contempt and the unfortunate thing about being ahead of your time is that when people finally realize you were right, they’ll say it was obvious all along.” — Alan Ashley-Pitt
(Note- I have researched Alan Ashley-Pitt and it seems to be a pen name. Not even the internet or head librarian at the local University seem to know the real author. It's becoming a mission of mine to know.)
Senioritis: Great quote, it seems that this mystery person has quite a few excellent quotes. If we figure out who Alan Ashley-Pitt is we'll be sure to let you know ;)



Senioritis: If you could jump in the DeLorean and go back in time; what’s one thing you would do differently in your business?
Nicole Kristiana Studio: To be honest, I would have started earlier and would have been much better at networking and keeping contacts.
Senioritis: Good point on keeping contacts Nicole. It's usually not who we know, it's who we know knows!

Senioritis: If the $100 bill needed a redesign, who would you put on it?
Nicole Kristiana Studio: Well, I feel like it should be an American, certainly, so, I thought about art influencers, political leaders, business people and musicians who have contributed to the greatness of the nation, and I finally landed on Martin Luther King, Jr. In many ways, he represents the idea that fulfilling dreams is possible and it seemed fitting.
Senioritis: We think Dr. King would display very nicely on the$100, we can also picture a really cool Dream inspired reverse side design!

Senioritis: Where can we find you on the web Nicole?
Nicole Kristiana Studio: nicolefitzgibbon.etsy.com, my blog, my facebook fan page, my website, and twitter.



Senioritis: James Bond: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig?
Nicole Kristiana Studio: Pierce Brosnan
Senioritis: Put a tally in Mr. Brosnan's column! Mr. Connery is still in the lead but we're glad to see a new 007 get his name on the board!

Senioritis: Any shoutouts?
Nicole Kristiana Studio: To my fiancé, Ross and my brother Ben for their loving support!


Nicole, thanks for taking the time to let our readers know a bit more about the artist behind Nicole Kristiana Studios!

Featured Artist :: Studio M.M.E.

This week's featured artist is Studio M.M.E.!

Studio M.M.E. - Fairy tale pen and ink prints.

Senioritis: Name and location please.
Studio M.M.E.: Megan Eckman, Fargo, North Dakota (soon to be San Jose, California come July!)
Senioritis: Hey Megan, not sure if you made it out to the west coast yet but we hope the preparation/trip is going smoothly!

Senioritis: Can you tell us a little about yourself Megan?
Studio M.M.E.: I'm an illustrator and freelance writer living in the lovely state of North Dakota. Born in Rapid City, South Dakota, I subsequently moved to flatter and flatter places, ultimately ending in Moorhead, Minnesota, where I received my BA degrees in art and creative writing from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2009. Like most children, I wanted to be a veterinarian (more of a vet surgeon actually) but I still wanted to learn as much about drawing as I could. So I entered college with the desire to become a writer and an artist. My parents didn't mind as long as I started a business before I graduated. In January 2009, I did just that with Studio M.M.E. and began writing for freelance magazines across the country and selling prints of my pen and ink illustrations worldwide.
Senioritis: Very cool Megan! How was it balancing going to school and running your business? I'm not sure how the terrain is in San Jose but a few trips to San Francisco should make up for years of living in the flat lands ;)

Senioritis: Marlon Brando: Streetcar Named Desire or the Godfather?
Studio M.M.E.: Godfather



Senioritis: Megan, how would you describe your style to someone who has never seen your work?
Studio M.M.E.: Whimsical, humorous, inquisitive, and reminiscent.

Senioritis: What would you say is the best business tip you have ever received and who gave it to you?
Studio M.M.E.: Focus your shop. A fellow Etsy seller, Meluseena, gave me that tip a few months back. I immediately trashed everything in my shop that wasn't my artwork and focused more on my pen and ink work. Since then, my shop has taken off!
Senioritis: That's some great advice from Meluseena. We think that having a main line or general theme to your shop allows for an easier, more cohesive, and more enjoyable browsing experience. We're glad to hear you have seen such great results after making this adjustment!



Senioritis: What would you say is your favorite sport to either watch or play Megan?
Studio M.M.E.: Rapier. There's nothing more exhilarating than defending yourself with a sword.
Senioritis: Hmm, think the closest I've been to a rapier was watching The Three Musketeers in HD. How did you get into fencing (hope that's the proper term and I don't end up at the pointy end of a rapier)?

Senioritis: Chevy Chase: Fletch or Three Amigos
Studio M.M.E.: Three Amigos.
Senioritis: Do you remember how to summon the Invisible Swordsman ;)

Senioritis: Do you have a favorite quote Megan?
Studio M.M.E.: If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise.
-William Blake
Senioritis: I like that one. I think in today's society of instant gratification many of us give up on things before we truly have a chance to learn and improve.



Senioritis: If you could jump in the DeLorean and go back in time; what’s one thing you would do differently in your business?
Studio M.M.E.: I would have avoided Twitter. I know everyone is in love with it but I'd rather spend my time blogging. If I didn't have mine set up to RSS feed from my Facebook, you'd never see me on there.
Senioritis: Interesting. We used to post our Famous Senior of the day on Twitter everyday but for the past few months have switched over to a Tumblr blog. We don't get as much traffic as when we posted on twitter but we seem to get more interaction and feedback on our designs through the blog.

Senioritis: If the $100 bill needed a redesign, who would you put on it?
Studio M.M.E.: Martin Van Buren. You have to love his facial hair.
Senioritis: Very true, you typically don't see facial hair like that anymore; HOWEVER, we stumbled across a great exhibit in Chelsea a few weeks back that proves that phenomenal facial hair is still alive and well! Check out photographer Dave Mead's Magnificent Specimens to see some people that give Mr. Van Buren a run for his money ;)

Senioritis: Megan, where can we find you on the web?
Studio M.M.E.: studiomme.etsy.com, my blog, my facebook fan page and my site, The Illustrative Studio of Megan Marie Eckman.



Senioritis: James Bond: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig?
Studio M.M.E.: Is there any contest? Sean Connery.
Senioritis: Well, looks like Mr. Connery has taken an early 2-1 lead with our featured artists.


Thanks for spending a few minutes with us Megan and letting our readers know a bit more about the awesome illustrator behind Studio M.M.E.. We're looking forward to seeing your new works and hope you enjoy the west coast!