Willowing: A Happy Artist Community

You may have heard the name - as she is a fellow Etsian. Willowing's Etsy shop is usually full of mixed media art, anything from art prints, cards, photography and ACEOs can be found here. From time to time, there are even things that pop up and surprise me like Tweedles (sold out for now) and these adorable clay houses (still available but going quick!)

Of course I totally love her mixed media collage and artwork!

This is my favorite, called "Butterfly Girl" mixed media on canvas.

Note: The upcycled book pages.....LOVE HER!

The beauty and brains behind this shop is Tamara LaPorte, who is in the United Kingdom, last I heard in Brighton, England. Well educated, a darn good photographer and a true professional, she has created an artist network to bring others together. What I love about her is she likes to share her creativity with others--and has become an inspiration to others. I find the art world is made up of two types of people, those who enrich other's lives and share, and those who don't and keep to themselves. I'm happy to report Tamara is absolutely NOT the latter. :)

"Princess on a Swing"

She has wonderfully informative videos on YouTube where you can watch her paint, and draw, and see her works come together (not to mention learn things in the process.) Those can be viewed HERE. My favorite has to be this "How to Make an Art Glass Pendant" !
                                               

If you want to learn right off the bat, workshop DVD's are available in her Etsy shop where you can learn everything from how to draw whimsical characters to how to do shabby art journals (and she offers a discount when you purchase both!)

She has gone a step further, to create a happy community environment where artists can bond and network with other artists on the NING network. Enter WILLOWING & FRIENDS Although networking with other like minded individuals can be priceless, this for you is FREE--as belonging here is no charge at all to you. The tone here is, everyone is welcome and everyone is awesome!

There is much to do here, so I'll just highlight a few things:

Monthly Art Challenges (Totally interactive and everyone is welcome to enter)

Help and Inspirational Links (when you need it most!)

Informational Videos (love them)

View Art Photos (view others and add your own!)

Forums (filled with tons of topics and a plethora of information too!)

Chat with other like minded artists who hang out in the Willowing chat rooms! (open 24/7)

Workshops- These usually do require a fee but are very interactive, you can learn to paint, draw, or make shabby backgrounds, etc from the comfort of your own home! I've personally been a member on this site for some time, and the feedback on these classes is amazing. The best part is you don't have to know how to paint or draw--you can learn it. I really love this idea as it would be great to incorporate these wonderful drawing and painting techniques onto something upcycled--turn an old barn board into a work of art! Repurpose an old ceiling tile with cute little people on it, the possibilities are endless.

So, Willowing earns my Seal of Approval. With 1000 members and growing it's no wonder why she is an international sensation. I do hope you will check out her NING community and join me there. It's a very positive place and I'm happy be there.

FIND WILLOWING AT THESE PLACES:

Find out more at her Free NING Artist Community HERE or by following this link http://willowing.ning.com/

                            
To find out more about Tam visit her on her personal site at http://www.willowing.org/

Visit her Etsy store to see her work HERE.

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Authors Note: I joined three Ning art groups some time ago, to check them all out, undercover I suppose. Two out of three I loved, and Tam's is my personal #1 choice for having a happy fun place to belong and network with others.

Lucid Dreamers

Shop Name: Lucid Dreamers

Owners: Eric and Celeste

Location: Eugene , Oregon

Etsy Link: http://www.luciddreamers.etsy.com/

Lucid Dreamers is the creation of two very talented people, Eric and Celeste. From a green valley in Western Oregon comes these whimsical creations, from mixed media sculpture to reclaimed part necklaces and dimensional art, you never know what you will find here. Celeste works primarily in glass, metal, pastels and watercolors. Eric is a musician as well as an artist, so he works with musical instruments as well as mixed media, including collage, painting, assemblage and sculpture. Their creations are made separate, or sometimes together--and are amazing.

They were also a spotlight vendor for January 2010 on this blog, read about them HERE.

Check out their Etsy shop HERE.

Colleen Attara Studio

Shop Name: Colleen Attara Studio

Location: Bucks County, PA

Name: Colleen Attara

Shop Link: http://www.colleenattarastudio.etsy.com/

Colleen describes herself as an "all or nothing kind of artist." Her art is perfectly imperfect. Color themes aren't chosen for their "ability to match", but instead chosen for bold and cheerful statements. Colleen uses reclaimed and discarded goods in her work. She has working relationships with local sign shops and plastic fabrication companies that allow her to do this. Using scrap plastics and pieces of old signs are elements that allow her work to become three dimensional! An old picture frame with dents and paint drips magically transforms into something new, left with the evidence of it's former life. Her colorful eco-friendly art is a must see and makes wall decor!

Colleen says, "When I am getting ready for a show, I have a few weeks where I do nothing but create. There is paint on my face and even on the bottom of my feet. Sleep and food become less important. Coffee, music and candles become more important. Pressure spurs me and makes me even more creative. By the time this frenzy is over, I will go weeks without picking up a paintbrush. I’m lucky to have a husband and children who tolerate the ebb and flow of my creativity."

Check out her website here: http://www.colleenattara.com/

Go to her Etsy Shop HERE.

ChersPassion : Revisited

Shop Name: ChersPassion

Location: Baltimore, MD

Owner: Cherri Miele

Etsy Shop Link: http://www.cherspassion.etsy.com/

Cherri's shop is filled with a wide variety of artwork, that is fully functional and home and garden decor that is great for decoration . The best part, is she implements recycled, and discarded goods in her work to bring you these one of a kind creations.

Wearable Art & Accessories

These wearable art rings, are my favorite and made out of upcycled bottle caps:

A real steal at their average price of $5, this Rose one HERE.

A lot of work went into this cigar box etched butterfly purse, on sale for $85 it is functional and well made.

When asked about her art, she explains, "Unlike something machine made, I believe art has it's own personality. It tells it's own story, and as it changes hands, the pages of it's story are further written."

Cherri pours her heart and soul into each piece, and is often inspired by nature. She says, "In my work you will find original concepts incorporated in something similar you may have seen before, but you'll notice the difference right away."

My favorite creations she makes are those out of natural wood found from a local beach.  These driftwood pieces are turned into keychains, garden art, and home decor.

$25 for this upcycled driftwood sign is a real steal, I love the way the gems catch the sun!  

Cherri is not limited to one medium, so be sure to check out her shop for great items, and wonderful gift ideas!  She has been known to upcycle everything from soda pop bottles (for spinners) to tin cans (for cat purses!)

Repurrrposed PURSE built custom order, check 'em out HERE.

Check out her store HERE. 
Read her blog http://cherspassion.blogspot.com/
Fan her on Facebook here!