Category — raw talent

If anyone knows me, they know I have a thing for sequins and OH MY GOODNESS . . . I’m in LOVE with Jess Sayers designs! Her pieces are so unique and definitely glamorous! Sayers earned her B.A. in Fashion Design Technology with a Concentration in Surface Textiles from the London College of Fashion. Her work has been featured on the runway of Britain’s Next Top Model and I’m seriously hoping her pieces make their way over to the states because my closet could use some more sparkle! To see more of this talented designer’s line visit her page here! I guarantee she’s gonna be HUGE!

I love these handmade walnut console and tv cabinets by Wheeler Studio. Jason Wheeler creates these wooden works of art that you can hand down from generation to generation. I especially love the treatment and painting technique he used on the yellow drawers. This is possibly one of my favorite pieces of furniture that I’ve seen and the fact that it’s handmade – even better!

Sweet and delightful are two words I would use to describe artist Brandi Milne and the illustrations she creates. This California native creates original works on wood with ink and acrylic and if you are ever lucky enough to see her works in person, DO SO! Milne’s characters are not only dreamlike but they appear to have stepped out of Alice’s Wonderland at times and there is no way you could not find something to love about her pieces.

Brandi Milne hard at work in her studio

I love how she elongates the bodies of her ladies which creates a sense of delicate beauty. Her other characters are sweet candy coated creations that will definitely leave you craving more. Needless to say I was very inspired after interviewing Milne to get back on the easel and create some new works of art.

Here is what she had to say about her life as a professional artist:

How did you first become interested in illustration?
I’ve always liked to draw.  That was the only thing I wanted to do as a career, but never thought I would be able to.  As a kid, in school, I looked forward to art every day.  I thought I excelled at it and it made me happy.

Your website says you are self-taught but did you ever take any art classes? Or go to an art school?
I did take art classes in junior college, only a few, but I was too lazy back then to get what I could out of it.  I took an animation class, one art history class, one life drawing class…and I think that’s it.  My grades were average I think, I wasn’t really inspired.  Nobody really sparked anything in me – life drawing a little bit, but for the most part I was bored.

How long have you been an artist?
I think I’ve been an artist all my life.  I was just afraid to describe it that way!  But I’ve been working professionally for about 7 years now.

Can you describe what your creative process is like?
I try to collect inspiration at all times, I sketch out some ideas in my sketchbook, and when I feel I have enough to draw from, I start the final piece on wood.  I sketch the whole thing out on the panel, and then start the painting process.  I finish it off with ink and then my husband clear coats the completed work!!  When he brings the piece back in for the first time after the gloss is dry, it’s like an entirely different painting.  That final coat is like magic!

Is there a story behind the lovely leggy figures you create?
I saw in a dream once, these three characters.  They were walking towards me, in a setting much like a Salvador Dali painting – with kind of nothing but a horizon behind them.  They had extremely long legs, and extremely long arms.  So I was telling my husband (we were just dating back then though) about the dream and I drew the three characters for him.  I liked it, the way it felt, so I incorporated them into the girls that I was drawing back then.  A very small version of what I do today.

On average, how long does it take to create one of your pieces?
On average, I would say possibly a couple months.  Depending on the size and subject.  Sometimes more, sometimes less.

Are all of your works one of a kind work or limited editions?
All of my works are one of a kind, originals.  I have limited print runs available through a few galleries too, but only a few.

What is your favorite time of day to draw?
I work better in the morning.

What would a typical day be like for you?
A typical day as of late has been wake up at 7:30, don’t work out – just get right to painting, paint til 12:30, eat lunch til 1, take a shower and get back to painting.  Paint and paint til about 5:30, eat dinner, then paint some more til I go to bed!!  What a life!!

What is your biggest accomplishment to date?
I guess I would have to say building my career.
I feel accomplished in every step I take, big or small.
I never thought I would have a career in art, and that’s a great accomplishment.

Do you handle all of the framing, packaging, shipping and marketing for your art or do you have assistants helping you with the process?
My husband and I do everything together.  He builds my beautiful panels and cut outs, I paint and draw, he helps with marketing, emails, galleries, shipping, packing, framing – and he clear coats each one of my pieces.  He’s my greatest encourager, he’s honest with his opinions on my work, but doesn’t interfere with the work itself. We’re partners, he’s very necessary to my creating.
AND he makes me laugh really hard, all the time.

You absolutely cannot go without:
Laughter.

What projects do you have coming up?
I have my solo show coming up (June 26^th!!), after that, I have a few books in the works and more solo shows in the coming years!

Could you tell us some of your clients you’ve created illustrations for?
I’ve collaborated with 686, Hurley, Billabong, Clandestine Ind, and many private clients as well.

Places you are scheduled to show this year (city or location is fine):
I have a solo show (My Heart Will Not Fear) coming up June 26^th at the Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City, CA. This is my fourth solo show, and my most exciting work to date!!  Yeehoo!  Right after that, I’ll be part of my first group show (a hot lineup!) in New York at Vered Gallery (Hamptons) which I’m super excited about too!!

Where do you find the inspiration for your work?
Everywhere, life, memories, children’s books, thrift stores, movies, cartoons, laughing…

Do you have any advice for artists or illustrators that are just starting out in the industry and want to be discovered?
Don’t wait to be “discovered”.  If you love what you do, you’ll do it whether or not anyone notices.

What is your favorite type of cake or cupcake?
Cupcakes FOR SURE, and that would have to be strawberry or white cake with cream cheese frosting!!!  YUM!!!

Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Neither. Water.

To see more of Brandi Milne’s works please visit her links:
Website | Blog | Gallery

Get ready to be mesmerized! Sheffield, UK artist Jonny Wan is pretty much a bad ass illustrator. I love love love his unique style of illustration and MY OH MY does he know how to create some designs that make you sit up and take notice. Much of his art revolves around facial expression, pattern and shape and every one of his designs seems to spring off of the background. I had the chance to interview Jonny and this is what he had to say about his art.