Treat

Spartina

The temps are getting a bit warmer, so preparing for that beachside vacation doesn't seem so far away. Spartina 449 in Hilton Head, SC has some cute "beachy" accessories that really make you think "ahhh....vacation." Find handbags, luggage tags, towels, cosmetic bags, wristlets and more from this island inspired company. Andrea Glover, one of Treat's very own, is the Graphic Designer behind the brand identity, photography for Spartina. She's even contributed to designing a bag or two. Check out her interview on Treat. Way to go Andrea!

What's Your Canvas?: An interview with artist Tabitha Brown

Tabitha Brown is a talented artist I discovered through her Etsy shop, thepairabirds. Her work is elegant, contemporary, and detailed. Some are simply images that represent a beautiful moment or image in time, while others are more are pieces with a message. Check out her Etsy shop or her Flickr page to see more of her work.

Treat: What's your canvas?
thepairabirds: Graphite and acrylic paint on any archival flat surface.

Treat: How and when did you learn about your skill at drawing?
thepairabirds: I became interested in drawing when I was about eleven. I tried to emulate the drawings in the comic-books I was reading. The interest bloomed as I began to realize there were very few men and women of color in these comic-books and other works of art. I figured if I want to see women that look more like me, I would have to create them myself.

Treat: What do you love about drawing? Like the least?
thepairabirds: I like the thought of creating a person, a personality and an environment, with just a few pencil lines or a few brushstrokes. What I like the least is that my brain has too many ideas, that my hand cannot draw them all out.

Treat: How do you pick the subjects you are going to draw?
thepairabirds: I don't think I consciously pick a subject. I may have a composition all planned out in my head. But, once paper and pencil meet, the piece chooses its destiny.

Treat: What inspires you?
thepairabirds: Humans and how they relate to their environment is inspiring me more and more everyday. I'm also inspired by music, specifically 70s Jazz, Soul, and Funk. The juxtaposition of smooth and gritty found in these genres is very intriguing.

Treat: How did you come up with your Etsy shop name?
thepairabirds: The "bird" part was a nod to Jazz musician Donald Byrd. The "pair" ties into the two symbiotic layers of humans; their inner-self and their outer-self.

Treat: More and more schools are taking way art education. What do you think are some of the benefits of art and/or design in the education of today's youth?
thepairabirds: It gives students a way to express themselves. It gives students a way to escape from life's pressures.
It teaches them about there world. Schoolhouse Rock and Sesame Street's cartoon and musical shorts taught me everything from how to count to 12 to what a congressional bill is.

Treat: How has art/design helped you personally?
thepairabirds:  I am a pretty shy and private person. Art gives me a way to express myself and share my thoughts without me every saying a word.

Treat: Any advice for other creatives?
thepairabirds:  Practice, Observe everything, practice some more, and observe some more.

What's Your Canvas?: An interview with Lettering Artist Crystal Kluge

One of my favorite areas in design is handlettering. I did a lot of it when I was younger and dabble in it every now and then now. When I worked at Hallmark, I absolutely loved watching the lettering artists create their beautiful handwriting, and it was interesting matching their lettering styles to their personalities. When I discovered lettering artist and designer Crystal Kluge online, I had to find out more about her own hand lettering experiences. Check out some of her lettering and illustrations below and her fonts on MyFonts.com.

Hand lettering doesn't get the recognition it should. Why do you think this is so?
Like most handcrafted work, I think it’s gaining more recognition.  August’s issue of HOW magazine is all about handmade design, and how’s it’s influencing modern trends. That said, with the range of fonts available now, many people just don’t think of letters being created by hand.  Every month or so, I receive a inquiry about which font I used for my logo & website,  a number are surprised to find out it is handlettered – not a font.

Why do you think hand lettering is important?
I think for the same reasons drawing by hand is important. 

How did you learn to create such beautiful lettering?
I discovered a calligraphy pen at Grandma’s house when I was a 11.  It was a Sheaffer cartridge pen, I still have it.

What type of writing instruments do you use?
Simple dip pen w/ steel nibs

How would you describe the personality of your hand lettering?
Whimsical, romantic, modern

Is your natural penmanship very similar to your hand lettering?
I’m often asked this question.  When I was younger it was.  Currently, it’s not even close.  The stronger I develop my calligraphic skills, the further my regular penmanship declines.  It’s barely legible.

What inspires your lettering?
When I’m working with a client, I’m inspired by their personality, the context and special details of the project or event.  The more I know about it, the more my work will assume that spirit.

I’m drawn to expression types of lettering, kanji, arabic, vintage fashion advertising headlines & logos.  But I also respect the skill of traditional broadpen calligraphy, from old medieval texts to the amazing St. John’s Bible currently being scribed.

Any advice for those who have the gift of beautiful hand lettering?
Enjoy your gifts!

What's Your Canvas?: An Interview with Textile Designer Wendren Milford

What's your canvas?
Fabric is my primary medium.

You make some beautiful totes called "Wren" bags. What’s the story behind the name Wren?
This is quite a funny story. I was first going to call my label Dedo. I liked the way the name sounded and rolled off the tongue. The problem was that I could not come up with a logo that I liked for it. One of my experimental logo's was a little bird I drew and I slowly fell in love with him. So, the logo stayed but the name had to go. For days I paged through bird books and drove myself crazy trying to come up with a suitable name. I asked my boyfriend to help and give me some small bird names. His first suggestion was the little Wren bird. I love the play on my real name: Wendren, I loved the simplicity of the name and that it went with the logo so well. From that day onwards my label was 'Wren'.

When did you start creating your first bag, and what inspired you?
Last year I needed a new day-bag and spent about six months looking for one that I liked. Eventually I decided to try and make my own in November. I really liked how my end product turned out and saw it as an opportunity to escape from my office job. This turned into my motivation and over the December break I did not leave my sewing machine.

What are some of your other inspirations?
Nature and my surroundings are my primary inspirations. There is so much available in nature to draw from – it is the biggest visual library in the world! I often spend time outdoors or enjoy drawing inspiration from photographs, drawings or pictures of nature and/or things in nature.

Do you have plans to create other items beyond bags, or is this your niche?
I love bags but I definitely plan to grow into interior ware. I am already thinking of pillow-cases, aprons, bed-linen...the list can go on and on. But I think that for the time being I will concentrate on bags (totes, handbags, shopping bags, traveling bags and I am especially excited to try and put together a toiletry bag range).

How do you balance your day job with your creative time?
I am both lucky and unlucky at the same time. I left my day job as a textile designer to devote all my time to creating. I was finding I was suffocating in a 7:30-5 ‘job’ and that being that unhappy was not worth it. I now freelance as a textile designer, help out at the local university with the design students and focus on developing Wren. I dream of having my own studio one day where I can create all day long and inspire others.

If you could pick a time period to live in, when would it be, and why?
I absolutely love the grace, elegance and beauty with which the Victorian and Art nouveau period is graced with. I have always wanted to walk around in those huge and beautiful dresses – however, I do not think I would manage with the restrictive corsets, rules and foul smell. I enjoy the time I live in now because my future feels full of possibilities. There are many things that I do not like and that I wish were different but I think I would find that in every era.

More and more schools are taking way art education. What do you think are some of the benefits of art and design in the education.
Both my parents are teachers (my mom is a headmistress). My boyfriend is specializing in higher education development. My sister is a musician and I have turned out to be an emerging and struggling artist. My family consists of artists and educators and we all unanimously agree that art education, especially in the younger years, should be central to all learning. Creative freedom should be encouraged more and certainly not less. I could go on and on forever and perhaps never make my point as clear as Sir Ken Robinson who asks “Do schools kill creativity”. He points out that art is not simply drawing but it is also movement, playing and having fun. It is a short talk and definitely worth watching.

What's Your Canvas?: An Interview with blogger Karen Young of Hammocks & High Tea

Comments on blogs do a world of good for the blogger and for the readers of the blog. I discovered this when Karen Young, blogger of Hammocks & High Tea, left a comment on a post I wrote. I checked out her blog, and was instantly inspired. Although Karen's designs are inspired by her childhood in South America and British influences, her beautiful nature-inspired feminine patterns with tropical colors remind me of my southern roots. Read more about Hammocks & High Tea by checking out her website.

Treat: What's your canvas?
Karen: I work primarily with screen print on paper and fabric. The fabric is more recent and I'm loving the journey!

Treat: Are you a Designer or Artist by day or by night?
Karen: I'm definitely a designer under cover of night for now...very Gotham City/Batman style of course.

Treat: How do you balance your day job with your creative time?
Karen: Right now there is little balance to be honest as my business is growing pretty rapidly. What I try to do is take a mental break in between work and (home) work, as a New Yorker usually that means the train ride to work and then home is just observing (ok..napping) and less thinking. I also try and get some yoga in and I'd like to get back to dance classes this summer hopefully.

Treat: What inspired you to create the items you make?
Karen: I was inspired very much by my South American upbringing. The culture is so rich and diverse that I felt I could really bring a unique and authentic voice to design. I felt that there was this idea of tropical design as palm trees and hibiscus covered fabrics; to me tropical is this seamless blend of cultures that result in rich layers of design.

Treat: What are some of your other inspirations?
Karen: My grandmother was always my main inspiration and the voice that let me know anything could be done; I credit her for nearly everything I do today. Also, growing up with a love of nature (except bats...and lizards) inspired me to work with eco fabrics and recycled products; I want to preserve my inspiration for my children to see as well.

Treat: You run a lovely blog called Hammocks & High Tea. How did you come up with this name, and what is your blog about?
Karen: The blog is the same as the business name; I came up with Hammocks & High Tea because I thought it was a great soundbite for my overall inspiration. My parents and grandparents were still very heavily influenced by the British, and my family is a multi cultural mix of all that history. We literally had supper and afternoon tea and would then run out to play under the mango trees and swing in hammocks.

Treat: How would you describe your personal style?
Karen: I'm a relatively simple dresser because each day involves me running on and off the subway. I own maybe 15-20 pairs of jeans that keeps building and I top it off with a New York sized bag and big earrings. Typical "island" girl though, I prefer the summertime when I pair loose cotton pants or dresses with flat sandals...and a big bag and big earrings (some things never change).

Treat: If you could pick a time period to live in, when would it be?
Karen: I would say mid to late 1800's in the UK because it's so far from my personality and personal style. I'd love to be dressed to the hilt at those lavish banquet tables and experience the sense of entitlement that accompanied wealthy daily life there. It's a funny thing because it resulted in part in some of the most beautiful patterns and furniture ever..this is all minus the typhiod and cholera of course. I would also have loved to be around for the Harlem Renaissance because the literary and visual art was so delicate, sexy, and strong all at once in this very concentrated moment. Plus, the ladies and gents were gorgeous!

Treat: I noticed that you're coming out with a Spring line of products? What products are you creating?
Karen: I always intended to create a line of soft home goods so for Spring I've delved more into patterns and fabric. I'm staying relatively small with the tea towels for now which have been getting a great response and I'm expanding the drawer paper in May to include two new colors and three new scents. Later this year there will be a few new paper products like a calendar and more soft goods. I can't wait! I'm moving at a moderate pace because I want to create items that are playful, accessible, and luxurious on a contemporary level.

Treat: More and more schools are taking way art education. What do you think are some of the benefits of art and design in the education of today's youth?
Karen: I think it's imperative not only to the future of design but also for society and culture in general. I'm lucky to have a sister who is an architect so even if I had no art classes in school I was exposed at home; she taught me to draw and to look at things from different perspectives. Since then I've never put down the pen and it opened my eyes to another world. I think so many childrens personalities are stifled by the restrictions of adult expectations; nearly every kid says doctor or lawyer when asked the "when you grow up" question. I think what the future needs is fresh minds that can collaborate and create to find solutions to the problems. I've always wondered why hospitals are clinically white when color is a healing tool; why doctor's offices are so offputting when people go there to be nurtured. Maybe if we keep art and design in schools these young minds will collaborate in ways we haven't.

Treat: How has art/ design helped you personally?
Karen: Art and design has taught me to see every thing, big or small, with appreciation. I look at the patterns in sewer covers, the marks of wet leaves on concrete, the intricate details applied to buildings 20 stories above ground; it makes me appreciative of the little things. I find that a rough day, an arrogant boss, or a nasty commute dissapear when you can learn to appreciate the little things.

Treat: Any advice for other creatives?
Karen: See it, feel it, believe it, and you will do it. If you want to make it a business, then pour yourself into it and make it as unique as you are individually. Surround yourself with people who will give constructive critisim and excise all naysayers. Ok so the naysayer could be your mom or something...don't excise her, she'll have your head...but keep her and your business at arms length then.

What's Your Canvas?–Andrea Glover

Treat: What's your canvas?
Andrea: I am a graphic designer. But  I also love to draw. So, I work on the computer most of the time but I also love illustration.

Treat: Are you involved in any art/design hobbies? If so, what are they?
Andrea: No, not at the moment.

Treat: What or who inspired you to go into Design, and how did that transpire?
Andrea:  I have always loved art—even as a child I was always drawing or coloring  or making something. However, when I got my bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina I had an amazing
Professor who really inspired and encouraged me to be a graphic designer. I later applied to the Savannah College of Art and Design and earned my MFA degree in graphic design.

Treat: What was your undergraduate major in college, and how does it help you in design?
Andrea: My undergraduate degree is not even in design actually. I have a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications with a major in Advertising and a minor in Business Administration. My undergraduate degree has aided me to develop great concepts and know the basics about the  advertising and business world. Both of my degrees have really made me a well-rounded person and designer.

Treat: What was the difference between your undergraduate education and graduate school for design?
Andrea: My undergrad degree was in Journalism and Mass Communications and my Graduate degree was in graphic design

Treat: Were there ever times when you had limited resources? How did you overcome those design challenges to move ahead with your goals?
Andrea: There have been times when I have had limited resources. I always overcame certain challenges by really focusing on the idea of a project and making sure my concepts were strong. Even if I did not have the proper resources to make my projects look phenomenal—I always made sure my ideas were strong.

Treat: Did you have a mentor? If so, what did they do, and how did you meet? If not, how do you maneuver through learning about design and progressing ahead?
Andrea: I did have a mentor who also kind of coached me and help get my portfolio together before I enrolled at The Savannah College of Art and Design, She is a wonderful graphic designer that really taught me
the basics of design. She is also a graphic designer and I met her through a relative of mine.

Treat: More and more schools are taking away art education. What are some of the benefits of art or design in the education of today's youth?
Andrea: Art can really be beneficial to a student. Art allows students to use their imagination and to explore their creativity.Students need to see that having an interest in art can eventually turn into a career. There are many careers out there for people who have a love for the arts.

Treat: How has art/design education helped you personally?
Andrea: My design education has helped me tremendously. Being able to do something I love everyday and make a living is a dream come true.

Treat: What are your design interests for the future?
Andrea: In the future, I would love to teach graphic design with an emphasis in typography at the college level. I would also like to design for children and eventually illustrate children's books.

 

What's Your Canvas?—Roxanne Bradley

Meet Roxanne Bradley, a talented designer and artist. Having worked with Roxanne, I really admired her incredible design sensitivity. Learn a little about Roxanne below, and check out her first blog interview on Fly.

Treat: What's your canvas?
Roxanne: I'm a pixel pusher by day...trying to be more hands on in my free time. I'm currently taking letterpress and collage courses in my spare time in an effort to unplug a little.

Treat: What inspired you to become a Designer, and how did that transpire?
Roxanne: I was in the 10th grade and when my teacher Mr. Hassig saw a poster that I'd illustrated for extra credit in his class he said, "You'd make an excellent graphic designer, I'm going to frame this." I didn't even know what that meant so I went right to the library and looked it up! The book I found fortunately had an interesting description of the scope of a designer's career. It just sounded like a great fit, I was hooked.

Treat: What type of things do you do to make sure that your creativity flourishes?
Roxanne: I just take the time to feed it. What goes in, is what comes out. I think it is even more critical to surround myself with talented people, creatives and non-creatives.

Treat: How would you describe your style, and what do you believe inspired it?
Roxanne: My basic style is a reflection of me; balanced, simple, clean...But being that I have to design for clients other than myself, I can also tap into different looks like actors go in and out of character. My focus is always connecting with my audience, not the trendy Photoshop filter of the month!

Treat: What are some skills that a successful designer should have?
Roxanne: There is an art to being a successful visual communicator. The artist in me says flexibility, patience, and an open mind with the creative process helps you arrive to the most appropriate solution. The other side of my brain says strong interpersonal and communication skills help you say what your client cannot. So take your time and listen between the lines where others don't go...that is what will set you apart from the crowd.

Treat: More and more schools are taking art education away. What are some of the benefits of art or design in the education of today's youth?
Roxanne: Art and design are both equally empowering outlets for self expression and social change. Kids are so bombarded with information, they need to know they can be originators of content vs. passive spectators. Art and design opens your eyes to this fact.

Treat: How has art/design education helped you personally?
Roxanne: From a very involved and passionate high school art teacher back in Kansas, to the solid design foundation I received as an undergrad at RISD, then to the conceptual refinement and technical exploration I accomplished at SCAD in graduate school...all those experiences brought me to this place, and I know they will continue to take me where I need to be.

Treat: Were there ever times when you had limited resources? How did you overcome those design challenges to move ahead with your goals?
Roxanne: Focus on the solution and communicate the essentials, nothing more. Sometimes limitation opens the door to innovation.

Treat: What advice do you have for youth interested in art or design, but are not getting that encouragement?
Roxanne: Find a mentor that has been where you want to go. School is going to only teach you so much.

What's Your Canvas?—Ericka Taylor

Monday's post introduced some of you to ymib, an online magazine that just celebrated it's 1 year anniversary. Meet Ericka Taylor, Editor-in-Chief of ymib. She also writes a wonderful blog called Soul Living.

website: ymib.com
personal blog: Soul Living: http://ymib.com/blogs/soulliving

Treat: What does YMIB stand for, and what is it about?
Ericka: YMIB stands for “You Make It Beautiful”, and is an online urban-organic magazine, resource, and community that focuses on inspiration through: holistics, creativity, life, culture, fashion, beauty, entertainment, and family. It's all about Pure Inspiration for the woman of culture!

Treat: What is the mission of ymib?
Ericka: To nurture women of culture by stimulating pure thought through daily inspiration.

Treat: How did ymib get its start, and how long has it been around?
Ericka: ymib launched in September of 2006. The initial spark of the ymib movement has been a process. First: My Life Coach(my husband) Dante Taylor, who is also the owner of the media company which publishes ymib (SetyMedia, LLC), and myself owned an on-line boutique that sold handmade jewelry & accessories that myself and other crafters made called JuBella.com. I wanted to have a little(and I emphasize little) newsletter that we send to our users that was about creative things and inspiration. However, my husband suggested a different direction. He says “why not make it a magazine”, and it took off from there. I had no clue where to begin. As I thought about his suggestion, it dawned on me that this was a needed resource for women like me. Two: I am a stay at home mom, and I wanted a job that would allow me to be able to be a homemaker while still allowing me to have a creative outlet.

Treat: You're also launching a new site, JuBella? What is JuBella about?
Ericka: Oh Yes! Actually it will be more of a re-launch. As mentioned above, JuBella was an online boutique. I won't say too much at this point, but the new JuBella.com will be a lifestyle magazine, community, and resource for creative people focusing on all cultures and both genders. We already have some great interviews in hand! It has a totally different vibe from ymib...but just as fabulous!

Treat: There seems to be a movement of Black women who are living or considering a more natural, holistic, and creative lifestyle. Why do you think this is true?
Ericka: I think it is only natural for us to tap into that creative spirit that is encoded within our culture. Sooner or later, and in some shape or form, it has to happen. I use to grow weary of trying to find Nubian women who enjoyed the things I did, such as crafting, design, recipes/cooking, etc. I started to think: “do Nubian women craft?...do Nubian women swap recipes...are Nubian women homemakers? Are you out there?” Now there are TONS of sister blogs & sites that I am literally addicted to...I LOVE It!

As far as our women going to a more natural & holistic lifestyle..I think that we are seeing more interest because we are just becoming conscious of the effect of not just what we think of ourselves on the inside, but also what statements we make about ourselves through our outer appearance. More and more sisters not only want to have a mental connection to nature & health, but a physical connection as well..and the only way to do that is to live it!

Treat: What and who are your inspirations?
Ericka: Oh my! Do you have a few hours to spare? Let's see: creative people, stay at home mothers, inspirationalists and activists, children laughing, nature, my husband, true love, genuine people, warm colors, my parents, the ancestors that I knew and the great ones that I never got a chance to meet, those obsessed with design, handmade gifts, motherly love, creative cooking, magazines, culture, healthy people, and the Egyptian Goddess' Maat, Mery, & Seshat. Maat because she provides order, Seshat because she was a great scribe/writer, and Mery because she was beloved...one day I hope to achieve all three attributes to their fullest.

Treat: More and more schools are taking away art education. What are some of the benefits of art or design?
Ericka: The thought of them taking away creative outlets baffles me. School would have been a drag for me without the two. They are both HIGHLY important because they both stimulate creativity, and it is through creativity that we have so many of the wonderful things we utilize in our everyday lives. Creativity can save the world!

Treat: How have the arts helped you personally?
Ericka: I have loved art, design, and architecture since I can remember! Art has helped me personally with my roles of being a mother, a wife, a friend, and an inspirer. Without them I could not serve up creative dishes to my family or create in the home, I could not share arts & crafts time with our little one, I wouldn't take the time to make a handmade card, painting, or quilt for friends and family. So art has personally effected me not to become generic or “mass-produced”...it has inspired me to add a personal touch to life.

Treat: What advice do you have for young women who are inundated with negative images in the media and feel the need to fit in to those images?
Ericka: I think it all starts within the home. I think that if we can instill confidence, truth, and love towards our girls in our homes first, their tendency to be attracted to mainstream medias definition of beauty will be lessened through growth and once they blossom into a woman. However, many of times once we are all grown up, the media takes on the same effect, but even more. So, I would say the same for the “women” as I would our girls...to keep yourself surrounded with confident people, truth, and real love, and you will feel more beautiful than ever!

Treat: What can we expect from ymib in the future?
Ericka: We are always in an evolving creative cycle, so who's to say what's next. We hope to have more media features, and we would like to see ymib grow into the ultimate inspiration resource for women of culture. We hope to see it continue to grow, to see sisters connect & network, and to continue to share their inspiration & utilize the site to its fullest. I can say that there will be several networking sites that will be launched in the near future that will compliment the tone of ymib!

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If you know a Designer, Writer, Business owner, or any supporter of design/art whose work inspires you, please send me a short explanation with their e-mail address, web-site, or blog by submitting to treatblog@gmail.com.

What's Your Canvas?–Felicity Hall

Meet Felicity Hall, an artist from the U.K. who is the creator of Butterflies Made of Paper. Felicity is not only passionate about her painting skills, but also has pursued a career in music. She is one of three songstress' from the group Songbirds, who recently signed on with EMI Records. You can also learn about Songbirds at their myspace page www.myspace.com/songbirdsmusic. Check out their first single Wake Up Call. Felicity is following her passions. Congratulations Felicity!

Treat: What's your canvas?
Felicity: I work with all different mediums, but for my jewellery I mainly work with resin that I colour with pigments and gold/silver leaf, as this is the basis for most of my painted jewellery pendants, I also include some ceramic pieces in my collection. I've also just started sourcing Venetian glass beads and semi-precious stones that I also use in my designs. I paint with enamels as they're hard-wearing and water resistant once varnished, using enamel paints took a bit of getting used to initially as I've always used oils in the past to paint with, enamels are not as fluid and as easily manipulated, so I had to create some net techniques.

Treat: What or who inspired you to design the art pieces you make, and how did that transpire?
Felicity: I have been creative for as long as I can remember, and I‘ve always had no trouble sourcing inspiration, I think it‘s inherent from the start. When I was little every Christmas I would get one of those jumbo packs of coloured felt-tip pens in my stocking, as my parents knew they would keep me quiet and occupied for hours, until they eventually ran out! One of my favourite things to do, would be to copy out an existing short story and illustrate it in my own way. I lived quite far away from my school friends in the middle of the countryside so I had to occupy myself in other ways, I was always making things from cross-stitch samples to origami animals! I was very lucky as I had a fantastic lady that used to come to my Primary School and do different creative projects with us kids – so I was inspired and encouraged artistically from a very early age.

I find inspiration everywhere! new designs come to me all the time, with the band I’m constantly travelling from one place to another so I always try and take the opportunity to jot down all the ideas I have rattling around in my head. I’m going to end up with back problems when I’m older as my hand-bag is so heavy from being full-up with pens and note-pads for that sudden inspirational moment that needs to be recorded. I take inspiration from anything and everything, a lot of my designs are based on Chinese / Japanese decorative ornamentation, so I love going to the V&A and other museums that hold oriental collections.

Treat: What makes your creations unique?
Felicity: The pieces I make are unique because I only create one of each design, it’s very important to me to do this as it enables the wearer/owner to obtain complete individuality and makes each piece that extra bit special.

How did you come up with the name Butterflies Made of Paper?
Felicity: The name originated from my butterfly resin pendants, a jewellery range I started with, consisting of a paper painted butterfly complete with stitched wings and wire antennae entrapped in clear casting resin. I used to sell these on market stalls and I was forever being asked if they were real butterflies, which resulted in producing labels quoting 'Butterflies Made Of Paper'...it just seemed right to call my label it!

Treat: In the U.S., more and more schools are taking away art education. Is that also true in the U.K.? If not, why do you think the U.K. values art more?
Felicity: I’m very shocked and surprised to learn this, fortunately I don’t think this is true of the U.K, it’s my understanding that the arts are still very important to our school curriculum. Our schools still believe that art and design stimulates creativity and imagination and provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences that are valuable to a growing person, encouraging a unique way of understanding and response to the world. Through art and design based activities young people can learn to make informed value judgements and aesthetic and practical decisions helping them develop as well-rounded individuals. An understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the arts has the power to enrich our personal and public lives, any form of expression, whether its 'creative' or not, I believe is beneficial to young people be it through art, drama, languages, sport etc. Self-expression breeds confidence, which is what every person needs to achieve their goals.

Treat: What are some other ways the U.K. supports the arts?
Felicity: We are very lucky to have a wide range of arts and crafts councils spread across the U.K, these provide an invaluable support network and invest public money from the government and the national lottery in U.K arts/crafts. They support artists/crafts people and arts/craft organisations to take creative risks and follow new opportunities.

Treat: How has the arts helped you personally?
Felicity: Art is extremely important to me, practising art frees-up my brain space and enables me to function as a human being. Without creative expression I think I’d explode! My need to create is so inherent that if I haven’t created something for a couple of days I feel extremely irritable and frustrated.

Without the arts I would loose my individuality and confidence, I think if you're a creative person any form of expression is beneficial and serves as an outlet for a lot of emotion.

Treat: What can we expect in the future from Butterflies Made of Paper?
Felicity: My main aim for the future is to keep making as much as possible, and keep developing ideas. I’ve just started creating small framed paintings in a similar style to my book covers to add to my collection. Eventually I would like to expand my online shop/outlets and possibly in the future have a shop of my own. I’m currently also preparing to create a little book of counted thread-work patterns (another of my passions) based on some of my jewellery designs, so that should also keep me busy for a while!…Basically I just want to keep enjoying what I do and keep exercising my need to create, whether it’s in the form of painting, jewellery, designing, or singing! as ultimately that’s what makes me happy.

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If you know a Designer, Writer, Business owner, or any supporter of design/art whose work inspires you, please send me a short explanation with their e-mail address, web-site, or blog by submitting to treatblog@gmail.com.

What’s Your Canvas?

Meet Khia Jackson, a Designer, and fellow Portfolio Center grad, who designs for the fashion industry.

Treat: What's your canvas?
Khia: I've worked on T-shirts, C.D.'s, Posters, Brochures, Acrylic Walls, Packaging, Silk Fabric and (Putting artwork on) high heels. I'll design on whatever is in front of me I feel like change in medium makes things exciting. Currently I eat off of doing graphic design for apparel, My new company StarRock Media* has me moving away from that and back into print, branding and packaging.

Treat: What or who inspired you to go into Design, and how did that transpire?
Khia: I think that most artists will tell you that they didn't have a choice eventually you just pick it up-same thing with me, but I remember clearly when i was like three -really young.-my favorite  teacher Mr. Johnson ran an after school program. He was an artist so most of the projects he gave us were art based. One afternoon taught us how to make a palm tree with two humps at the bottom for the sand (We were living in St. Thomas at the time). I loved it! I kept drawing that damn tree with it's sand humps and  over and over again, that's where it started...I didn't stop re-drawing it until he finally taught me how to draw something else.

Treat: How would you describe your current style, and what do you believe inspired it?
Khia: I don't know how to describe my style really. I like a lot of thick texture, unusual color combo's and broken fonts, and i'm really attracted to close ups of faces. I think human beings are really interesting. If I travel I take a lot of shots of the people, what they're doing and what they've built. while my dad takes pics of the land and architecture.  I don't know what makes us different in that way, but I know that as I've moved a lot a I carry well the memories of the people that I've met, while I can't find my way around a corner because the landscape doesn't hold the same interest.

Treat: What are some of the skills one should have to be a Designer in Fashion?
Khia: A high tolerance for BS. Just kidding (sort of).  Fashion is an industry that is run on a lot of ego's and with a lot of insecure but influential people. That can make it dangerous. And because so many people want to get involved, companies take full advantage. When you first start out they will pay you peanuts.  You have to take the peanuts, but after a certain point your salary will explode upwards. Be sure to get jobs in lines that have a good name within the industry.  Impress your peers with your work and dedication and treat them well. Every last one of my job's in fashion came through word of mouth.

Treat: You started your own design business. What is your specialty, and what kind of experience do you want your clients to gain from it?
Khia: My specialty to date is brand development, and doing design that matches the look of my client but with my style. I would like my clients to feel as though they have gotten a designed product that uniquely but perfectly represents their brand or personal image.

Treat: Were there ever times when you had limited resources? How did you overcome those design challenges to move ahead with your goals?
Khia: "Limited" as in "no funds"? Oh yeah! ha ha.  I've taken ( and will still take) a project for little or no money, even during times of hardship, if it will give me an opportunity to do something different or flex my design muscles.  I've had at least two or three huge, life-changing opportunities that have come my way because I first did a project at a loss. If you love what you do, you'll always do it even when you're broke or not being recognized. If you are focused it will come to you, I firmly believe that. It may not come in the way you expect it to come, but it will come.

Treat: Did you have a mentor? If so, what did they do, and how did you meet?
Khia: My mom is my mentor. Not in art, but in drive and life.  This is a woman who can fit the contents of an entire apartment into a four door Honda, who will figure out a way to buy a house with a dollar if need be. She's always encouraged me to find opportunity in any way shape or form and in whatever packaging, plus look good doing it!

Treat: More and more schools are taking away art education. What are some of the benefits of art or design in the education of today's youth?
Khia: I've heard that art and music makes the average person more well-rounded and that may be true. I can only speak for those of us who were born to do art and nothing but.  The art programs help you find your calling and develop your potential.  Art is how cultures communicate and develop ideas and store the feeling of a culture or social climate.  When an archaeologists digs, the most pure things they look for to tell them what a culture or community is about is the art: the music, the novels, painting, designs on the swords. If we want better cars, better architecture, better communication even more efficient footwear the govt. and school systems need to develop their designers. Societies don't progress without their artists pulling them into progression. it's just not possible.

Treat: How has art/design education helped you personally?
Khia: Design education helped me to develop into a lot of who I am today. Almost all of my friends when introducing me usually slip the word, "designer" or "graphic designer"  into the intro somehow.  Art is very important to me

Treat: What advice do you have for youth interested in art or design, but are not getting that encouragement?
Khia: Don't let your parents believe the hype. Let them know that you can make a lot of money in art. I have a good number of friends who look, talk, dress and smell just like you do that are earning six figure salaries or somewhere near.  And take ALL the opportunities that come to you.  I know it's hard when your family and friends discourage you. I know a lot of people who gave up on their dreams as a kid because their parents said "hell no", but when you look around you at all of the art, music and ideas that were founded by the artists of the 80's who can't stop won't stop. Today a lot of those guys are running to japan to do work, speaking on panels in Amsterdam and lecture at some of the nations top colleges...And yes, they do eat well!
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If you know a Designer, Writer, Business owner, or any supporter of design/art whose work inspires you, please send me their e-mail and a short explanation, web-site or blog by submitting to treatblog@gmail.com. 

What’s Your Canvas?

Meet Andrea Pippins, a Graphic Designer and Illustrator. I worked with Andrea when we were Designers at Hallmark. She has since moved on to work at TVLand and has recently decided to pursue a Master's degree in Graphic Design. She also runs a fabulous  blog called Fly.

1. What inspired you to become a Designer, and how did that transpire?
Honestly, there were three things: Halle Berry's character in Boomerang where she was the designer for the advertising agency. When I was about 13 I saw a PSA on TV that featured different jobs and one of them was an art director at a magazine, she started as a designer and I thought, "wow I could do that." Finally, I thought it was my only option as an artist. Somehow I got it into my head that I wanted to go to Temple University's Art School where I studied graphic design and fell in love with what I could do with my creative talent.

2. You started a blog called Fly, which has been recognized in several  magazines. What is your blog about and what inspired you to start Fly?
Fly is about inspiring other young women to be creative and exposing them to elements of fashion, art, and design that they may not have seen before. I started Fly because I had all these pieces of inspiration (i.e. art, magazine clippings, ephemera, etc.) that inspired me but felt others could benefit from seeing them as well. I wanted to share what I thought was beautiful.

3. More and more schools are taking art education away. What are some of the  benefits of art or design in the education of today's youth?
Wow, where do I even begin. I think it's so unfortunate that creative outlets like art and music are being stripped away from schools because some kids are put on this earth to do those very things. They can excel in those areas which will give them the confidence to do the same in other areas of study. When I was in school our creative departments were very limited, sometimes I wonder what kind of artist I might have blossomed into if I was exposed to more. Thankfully my mom encouraged the drawing and painting...I think I got off on a tangent. Benefits...it's another way of seeing the world, math and science are wonderful but in a lot of ways very black and white. Art allows you to examine the gray and forces you to think beyond what you see. One plus one will always be two—there's no argument in that, but your interpretation of a painting can be totally different from mine and that's okay because there's not right or wrong answer. That kind of dialogue will expand your mind.

4. How has art/design education helped you personally?
In design school you have to be able to stand by your creation because in critiques people will sh*t on your work. So you have to be able to explain why you did what you did and accept it when people just don't like it. So school helped me develop those skills and feel confident about the creative decisions I make, and it forced me to be able to speak about my body of work (which is totally necessary in interviews and in the work place, execs always want to know why and if that reason is worth the money they are spending to support a project). Outside of the career realm, art school definitely gave me a better appreciation for art and artists altogether and how important it is in our world.

5. What are some things you do to treat yourself?
When I lived in New York I loved walking over to the Little Pie Company after work for a slice of carrot cake. That was always a treat. Other things I do is take the time to cook a really good meal, splurge on something I've always wanted, or talk on the phone for hours with a friend I haven't spoken to in a while.

  6. What can we expect from the Flygirl herself in the near future?
More webisodes and other contributers to Fly. Also, I want the blog to be more interactive for the readers to share more of themselves, and Fly will be a brand that spans across fashion, art, music, beauty, design, televsion, ect. It's gonna be really fly :).
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If you know a Designer, Writer, Business owner, or any supporter of  design/art whose work inspires you, please send me their e-mail and a short explanation, web-site or blog by submitting to treatblog@gmail.com.