meet judy kaufmann: our etsy artist of the month
As soon as we saw Judy Kaufmann’s vibrant Houses & Birds, we knew we had to feature her as one of Etsy artists of the month. Barcelona-based Illustrator makes gorgeous, repetitive patterns of animals, famous people, houses, cars, trees — all the things that fill our heads, everyday. Sweet and funny, they are sure to make your day. Some of our favorites include her portrait of Woody Allen and her whimsical world map. Click here to visit her Prints & Prints shop on Etsy. Her prices start at only $25 a print. Wouldn’t one be a great birthday present for your bff? We think so.
We asked Judy to share a few insights into her work and life. See her answers below!
How would you describe your work?
Repetitive, tumultuous, colorful and spontaneous.
When did you start making your prints?
In 2000, I was working at an advertising agency, and I had lot of moments of boredom. I began drawing a lot and I think that’s where my first prints came out.
How does your home/city/town inspire your work?
Barcelona is a very inspiring city. I love the fact that you’ve the sea and the mountains very close. The city is full of art history and there is great love for design.
What kinds of artwork would we find on the walls of your house?
As my boyfriend is a sculptor, he has introduced me to all his favorite artists. On our walls you can find engravings from Armand (a french artist), Riera i Aragó (a Catalan Artist) and also some sculptures from my boyfriend, Marc Sparfel.
What is your decorating style?
Marc and I are drawn to classic wood and craft-style objects, which we’ve been lucky enough to find on the street. It helps that Marc knows how to apply his skills to fixing up and treating every piece we find. We love the mix of a Nordic functional furniture and a recovered wood furniture from the sixties. We also adore our small collections of miniature cars.
To learn more about Judy Kaufmann, visit her Etsy shop.
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meet kathryn dilego: our etsy artist of the month
We are pleased to introduce you to our next artist of the month, Kathryn DiLego, whose vibrant patterns and prints caught our attention on Etsy. Based in Los Angeles, Kathryn’s work completely fits our quirky mod sensibilities. Her work, like this one, Pink Lemonnde Obsessive Happy, reminds of Mad Men era patterns, while others make Los Angeles’ traffic jams seem as as charming as Madelaine’s Paris. Be sure to click over to her Etsy shop, where you can nab one of her limited-edition prints for as little as $20. Kathryn told us a little about her work and life.
How would you describe your work?
I love lines! I draw loosey-goosey, limber-limbed lines and sometimes turn them into lanky-clanky, cartoon-colored, off-kilter screenprints. Like a form of productive dreaming, my obsessive yet relaxed drawings serve as both exploration and relief.
When did you start making your prints?
I don’t self-identify as a printmaker, but rather as a drawer who experiments on my own drawings. I love seeing the lines enlarged and multiplied! But I’m too clumsy and impatient for block carving, too scared of mashing my fingers in a letterpress… then I took a Saturday screenprinting class a couple of years ago and, as they say, bingo! It’s a technique that yields a professional result easily yet rewards further practice, it can be rudimentary or refined, and it’s a fun mix of process and improvisation. These Cameo prints were my very first effort.
How does Los Angeles inspire your work?
When my husband (filmmaker Richard Kaponas) and I moved from Boston to Los Angeles, I knew my art would change in response. Once my eyes adjusted to the sunlight, my work loosened up to express the showtime industriousness; the herky-jerky traffic; the architectural mishmash climbing tangly, jungle-y hills; and the bright, fast-fading colors of this completely singular city.
What kinds of artwork would we find on the walls of your house?
We’re honored to own work by so many cool artists, from Etsy and beyond — Mary O’Malley, Nicole Stowe, Isle of Printing, Standard Designs, Lizzie Abelson, Matt Cipov, Mary Kate McDevitt, Arcade Art, Justin Durand, Little Friends of Printmaking, Sarah Giannobile — which hang happily alongside our own artwork, as well as the odd thrift store painting. Not on the walls, but must be mentioned: our portraits in Lego by Brandon Griffith, and a Robot Companion made by James Felix McKenney of MonsterPants.
What is your decorating style?
I’d describe it as an uncluttered eclectic aesthetic. This city is hyperkinetic, so we keep our space engaging yet calm: dark wood plus pops of bright retro color, deep armchairs under big windows, lots of books and a few unusual vintage pieces. The mix is balanced because we’re so similar — and because we never hesitate to edit!
To see more of Kathryn’s work, visit her Etsy shop.
etsy find: nature photos and oil landscapes
I just finished hanging crown moulding and adding taller baseboards to the master bedroom. Ouch. Definitely used muscles I haven’t used that way since the last time the husband and I tackled crown moulding together. We also took the leap and changed the walls from almost white to a warm gray NatureMandalas to hang over nightstands (I’ve raved about Allison’s work before), but still needed a small piece of art for the opposite wall. Which brings me to the oil landscapes. Although there’s lot of original oils on Etsy for under $100, Carol Schiff’s work caught my eye, especially the marsh paintings. My soft spot for watercolors remains, but I’m looking forward to adding an oil to the mix. The smaller framing cost will be a nice change, too! (Sorry, no before pictures of the bedroom. We tend to leap before I think to snap pictures. As soon as it’s finished, I’ll post some after photos.)
etsy find: nature photos and oil landscapes
Just finished hanging crown moulding and adding taller baseboards to the master bedroom. Ouch. Definitely used muscles I haven’t used that way since the last time the husband and I tackled crown moulding together. We also took the leap and changed the walls from almost white to a warm gray — sculptors clay from Behr. (The color looks much more gray on the walls than it does onscreen.) It’s dramatic yet cozy and paired with a crisp white trim, a great change. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do much for most of my antique watercolors that used to hang in the room. Off to Etsy. I found two photos on sale from Etsy user Allison’s work before), but still needed a small piece of art for the opposite wall. Which brings me to the oil landscapes. Although there’s lot of original oils on Etsy for under $100, Carol Schiff’s work caught my eye, especially the marsh paintings. My soft spot for watercolors remains, but I’m looking forward to adding an oil to the mix. The smaller framing cost will be a nice change, too! (Sorry, no before pictures of the bedroom. We tend to leap before I think to snap pictures. As soon as it’s finished, I’ll post some after photos.)
meet catherine nolin: our etsy artist of the month
As part of our newly freshened up Shelterrific design, we are going to be featuring an artist a month on the site and in our header. This month’s artist is Massachusetts-based Catherine Nolin, whose work we fell in love with via her Etsy shop. With ornately decorated rooms, wallpapers, patterns, and fancily-dressed ladies, they conjure up fantasies of tea parties in grand estates. Our favorite, however is Tree of Life, which you see on our header, with its exotic birds and flowers.
We asked Catherine to tell us a little about her work, and her where her sense of decorating flair comes from.
Your work features a lot of elaborately decorated rooms. What inspires them?
When my parents did a big living room makeover it made a big impression on me as a 8 year old. I remember being involved in the process looking at swatches of fabric, carpets, and paint colors. When it all came together it was quite a thing. When I create an interior I am pulling together all those elements and I just love it.
What’s your favorite room in your house?
My favorite room in my house is the living room. We painted the walls a dark olive which was risky but turned out to be the perfect backdrop/ canvas for all the eclectic furnishing we have collected over the years.
How would you describe your painting style?
I don’t quite have a name for my style although some have said contemporary realism. I am very inspired by Matisse, Vermeer and Hopper to name a few. I learn something everyday when I paint.
For more information about Catherine Nolin and her work, visit her website and Etsy store.
