PikaPackage Go Travel!
3Fish Studios Aileen Holmes Angela Keoghan Chum McCleod Donna McKenzie Emma Cowley Emilie Boudet
Gaia Cornwall Ilaria Benedetti Kitty Kilian Laura Tarrish Alison Tang Rachael Smith Suzanne L. Vinson
Your package contains work from the artists circled on the next page! Thanks so much for your support & we hope you have fun discovering new artists on Pikaland! Amy@Pikaland www.pikaland.com/pikapackage + cover art by angela keoghan
PikaPackage Go Travel!
participants 3Fish Studios
Gaia Cornwall
Aileen Holmes
Ilaria Benedetti
Angela Keoghan
Kitty Kilian
Chum McCleod
Laura Tarrish
Donna McKenzie
Alison Tang
Emma Cowley
Rachael Smith
Emilie Boudet
Suzanne Vinson
annie galvin San Francisco, California
http://www.3fishstudios.com
How about a brief introduction? I am originally from Wexford in southeast Ireland, but I moved to San Francisco in 1989, two weeks before the big earthquake. Quite a welcome! But I stayed because this is simply the most perfect place in the world to live. Twenty-one years later, I find myself married to a lovely man and living in a little house by Ocean Beach. Eric Rewitzer, my husband, is also an artist. We started 3 Fish Studios in 2006, (the name comes from the Galvin coat of arms, which has three fish), and we share a lovely light-filled studio across the city in the industrial Dogpatch neighborhood. We make art to sell at shows, in local stores, and on our online store, and it’s really gone from strength to strength. We love it! What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? I find myself doing a lot of artwork based on images I’ve been doing for years, like bears and Mexican Wrestlers, and the San Francisco 49 Mile Drive sign. It’s wonderful people still like this work and want to buy it, but I think I have let my willingness to experiment with new ideas and motifs slide a bit. My goal before the end of the year is to make brand new art, and get excited about experimenting again. What’s your biggest fear? I think my biggest fear is getting sick or injured. In 2006, I had abdominal surgery after years of horrible stomach pain, and I haven’t had a moment of pain since. I am grateful for my good health every day, and I hope I am still sprightly, pain-free, and with all my marbles at 90 years old! <<continued on page 18>>
aileen holmes Costa Mesa, CA in sunny Orange County
www.aileenholmes.com
How about a brief introduction? I’m an illustrator, graphic designer, and artist--an all-around creative person living the creative life in sunny Orange County California. I grew up making little books, coloring and sewing my own Barbie clothes. Now I do the adult version of what I did as a kid! My paintings are shown at art galleries, and I sell my work at indie craft shows in my local community. My main business is freelance graphic design, textile design and illustration for mostly the apparel industry and I do gig posters once in a while. Every day I do something creative! What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? I’m so happy to say that I’ve already achieved a goal I set out earlier this year: I’ve done 4 art shows and 3 craft shows. And, I have more opportunities to connect with my community coming up! The rest of the year I’ll be focusing on taking my work beyond the apparel industry. I’d LOVE to illustrate for books and magazines! I also want to license my artwork so my work can be on all sorts of cute products. What’s your biggest fear? Dying young. I have WAY too many ideas and try to squeeze the most out of my days. I have a sense of urgency with my work because I have a fear that I won’t get all my ideas expressed. It might be morbid to think about death but my fear fuels me to get the most out of life. What’s your favorite tool? I’m a bit obsessed with my Pentel Brush Pen which I’ve been playing with non-stop. It’s great for live sketching because it’s so dramatic, yet the ink is contained inside the brush--very portable.
alison tang Hong Kong
www.Littleclouds.com
How about a brief introduction? Born and mostly raised in a uninspiring town in Buckinghamshire, UK and been looking for the ‘perfect’ nesting place since. Our current stop is Hong Kong but this is ‘not the one’ although I really LOVE where I am living right now as I am close to beaches! I don’t feel like I am an artist, illustrator or designer so I will often answer the question of ‘what do you do’ with ‘what don’t I do’ which can often end a conversation. I also blooming love dogs. What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? Travel-wise to go to a new country (crossing my fingers for Japan!) Creatively, to spread more of my Little Clouds through new stockists and media press. What’s your biggest fear? I have loads! I am a wussy and cry really easily. Snails, worms, regret and endings too. What’s your favorite tool? Hmm toughie....maybe my sewing machine (it is fancy!) or my squeegees but probably my Mac if that is allowed. Share something random with us! Little clouds is the literal English translation of my Chinese name and my dad tells me he named me after this purple haired robot girl in this Japanese cartoon. My dad is either a liar or a crazy.
angela keoghan New Zealand
www.thepicturegarden.co.nz
How about a brief introduction? I live with my husband and several neighborhood cats in a small New Zealand town called Hamilton. I am an illustrator and photographer and I run my own business called The Picture Garden. I love to travel and discover new places but when I’m at home I love a good cup of tea, drawing in my sketchbook and collecting bits and bobs with which to fuel my imagination. What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? To have built up enough work to have a solo exhibition next year.. we’ll see... :) What’s your biggest fear? Moths! A friend of mine had one fly into her ear while she was sleeping!! Some are beautiful but they are just so darn unpredictable and often land in what ever meal or beverage I’m enjoying! What’s your favorite tool? My 2B pencil. Share something random with us! Um... I like to draw in the dark especially at the movies.
chum mcleod barrie, ontario, canada
http://chummcleod.blogspot.com/
How about a brief introduction? I’m an ex-illustrator, now doing art and book art full time. At some point when i was doing kids book illustration I realized that my ideal job would be making picture books for adults. That’s what i do now. What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? Hmmm. I’m not much of a goal-setter. I do hope I end the year filled with inspiration and energy on the brink of a new book art project. What’s your biggest fear? My biggest fear has happened, and I don’t talk about it. And I am a bit superstitious about talking about my 2nd biggest fear because it might happen, so we’ll leave that one alone, too. But my 3rd biggest fear? That’s easy -- being bored! I just HATE being bored! What’s your favorite tool? A tiny, beautiful folding knife i bought in italy. I keep it on my keychain and every once in a while I actually use it. I’m always completely gratified that it’s not just decorative! Share something random with us! I used to live in a ghost town in Northern British Columbia. No road access, no electricity, no running water, it was perfect. And then, for true love I moved away. And that was perfect, too.
donna mckenzie US, in the state of North Carolina
www.corelladesign.etsy.com
How about a brief introduction? I am Donna McKenzie of Corella Illustration. I am an artist, wife, mother, friend, and animal lover. To retain my sanity I must do something physical every day. That could be anything from dance class to yoga class to walking or cleaning up after my dogs and kids. I love to draw, paint, and stitch. Colors, patterns, and shapes inspire me. I know the best things happen spontaneously! Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your goal before the year 2010 ends? Before 2010 ends I would like to have expanded my art work to include more stitched illustrations. And on a personal note I would like to challenge myself more physically and work toward a certification in yoga or dance. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your biggest fear? My biggest fear for myself might be - not being able to continue creating my work on a daily basis. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your favorite tool? My favorite tools are pen/pencil and paper. Share something random with us! I used to dream of moving to Seattle, until I realized that I might suffer greatly from lack of sunshine. : ( But I am sure the abundance of coffee might help that :)
émilie boudet Paris, France
www.emilieboudet.com
How about a brief introduction? I studied graphic design and after an internship in a web agency I chose to work as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator. Four years ago I started a blog where I posted daily drawings, it helped me a lot to improve my work and find my style. Now I make illustrations, posters, little animations and webdesign for individual clients or agencies. I work at home, in a little top-floor studio. What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? I have some “begun-but-not-yet-really-determined” books projects ; I would like to choose one and finish it, at last ! What’s your biggest fear? Actually I don’t know... like lots of people, I have some apprehensions or doubts but I’m trying to live with them without asking myself too many questions. What’s your favorite tool? A pen with Indian ink and a piece of paper. Share something random with us! When you discover a new culture, you have a fresh and curious look on everything, especially those things we don’t pay attention in everyday life. That’s what I love the most when I’m traveling. And when I come back, I try to keep and cultivate this curiosity for the ordinary.
emma cowley London
www.emmacowley.co.uk
How about a brief introduction? I’m Emma, and I love to draw! My favourite subject are birds, especially owls. My work focuses on British cultural traditions and wildlife, as well as food and its relation to national and cultural identity. What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? To get better at drawing people! Other than that... work on some exciting projects with awesome people, expand my portfolio, perhaps make a book... What’s your biggest fear? Honestly? Waking up aged 30 and finding that I haven’t done anything with my life! Fortunately I still have a good few years left to work hard and have lots of amazing experiences. What’s your favorite tool? I think a nice 2B pencil is my very favourite... or a lovely drawing pen. Share something random with us! Erm, I’m not really sure what to put... guess I’m not that much of a random person! Pink was originally a boy’s colour, and blue was for girls - my favourite snack is a banana jam sandwhich - McDonald’s burgers contain so much sugar that if it wasn’t for the gherkins in them, they’d be classified as a dessert - will that do?
gaia cornwall Providence, RI and Brooklyn, New York
http://gaiacornwall.com/
How about a brief introduction? I’m an illustrator, (and sometimes animator,) and split my time between Brooklyn, NY and Providence, RI. After graduating from Pratt Institute, I worked on a variety of projects, --including producing a film festival, animating cartoons for television and film, working on a documentary -- that gradually led me back to one of my first loves, illustration. My images tend to be realistically drawn, but with a whimsical touch, often employing patterns and botanical elements. Mischievous children are my favorite subjects. My fiancé Gerald and I live, and work, at home with our two feline supervisors. What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? To work for some new clients in the children’s market (my new focus,) and to keep my little online shop-- which I just reopened-- chugging along. What’s your biggest fear? Heights. Or more specifically, falling from a great one. Share something random with us! A couple of years ago I learned how to row and now am part of a competitive crew team that trains at sunrise. Very random for a sleep lover.
ilaria benedetti Barcelona
http://www.benila.com
How about a brief introduction? I am a curious person, always looking for something new to learn. I’ve always loved to draw. I’m a freelance illustrator, trying to find time for: staying with my kids and my husband, working, reading, going to the cinema and learning japanese (!). I love liquorice and green tea. What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? I’d like to write and illustrate a book for children. What’s your biggest fear? Losing all my memories: it would be like losing my roots. What’s your favorite tool? My fave tools are: indian ink, watercolors and my old but still very useful Wacom tablet. Share something random with us! I hate procrastination.
kitty kilian Utrecht, the Netherlands
http://www.kittykilian.nl
How about a brief introduction? Hi! I am a journalist turned illustrator living in the pretty medieval town of Utrecht, in the center of the Netherlands, with my husband, our youngest son and a cat with a silly name. And I have a confession to make. Right after I made the illo for this pikapackage I decided I would be doing erasercutting as my illustration style from now on... But I had already sent this little guy in, hanging under his umbrella, so this is now a pretty rare piece. What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? To get started with editorial illustration. What’s your biggest fear? That my children won’t lead happy lives What’s your favorite tool? Photoshop. Share something random with us! When I was a student I was a mountaineer, but I was always a little scared. Nowadays I only hike. Much better!
laura tarrish Portland, Oregon
www.lauratarrish.com/www.bridgetownpapers.com
How about a brief introduction? I began my career as a graphic designer in Boston/Cambridge and then switched to collage illustration full-time when I got married and moved back to San Francisco. My husband is a Creative Director and we have 2 gorgeous daughters, now 17 and 21. (Yes, I’m sure I’m older than most of the illustrators in this package). We’ve lived in San Francisco, Berkeley, London, and Portland, OR. I’ve spent the last few years designing paper products in addition to my illustration work... Hoping to continue both. What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? To get my studio organized. I even wrote a piece about the chaos that is my workspace in the Felt & Wire blog last fall. But this summer will be known as the “Great Purge of 2010” as I am proud to say I am finally getting rid of old files, old samples, old artwork. Feels great. What’s your biggest fear? How quiet it will be around the house when my 17 yr old goes off to college in a year! I tend to keep my head down in my studio, unaware of how much time has passed... With both daughters out of the house, I’m afraid I will forget to leave it! What’s your favorite tool? My scanner and my trusty printer, an Epson Stylus Photo 2200. I’ve had that printer for 8 years and am constantly amazed at the quality of the printing. <<continued on page 18>>
rachael smith Brisbane, Australia
www.penelopeandpip.com
How about a brief introduction? I am a freelance illustrator who draws pictures of whimsy and adventure from the imaginations of two little characters called Penelope and Pip. My pictures are a little bit quirky and each illustration has its own story. Kind of like a one page picture book! When I am not drawing I play on my piano and dream of places I can holiday and new stuffed toys I can make for my friend Mister Mo (he’s a cat I made and he is always dreaming of new friends). What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? I would like to create more balance between my work life as a teacher and my home life as an illustrator. Sometimes I get home from school and I have expended so much energy during the day I find it a little hard to be creative at night. To lessen my hours as my day job would be amazing but to do that I need to spend more time drawing - I never was good a maths but I think that equation needs more work! What’s your biggest fear? That I will run out of time to do everything I want to do and be all of the things I dream of being. My mother was recently diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and it has really made me realise that life is very, very short. I don’t worry any more about how my art is perceived. I draw and write my stories because I love to be creative and that has become a goal I enjoy pursuing, more so than any financial gain I may have. This means I sometimes draw pictures I know will have a small market, but that is okay too. <<continued on page 18>>
suzanne l. vinson richmond, va, U.S.A.
www.silvertreeart.net
How about a brief introduction? Each day I move through the day creatively. It’s a must, as well as a lifestyle choice. I love making wares and art that others will enjoy. Since I lead art workshops, retreats, and bereavement groups using creative expression, I’m often thinking of ways to integrate blessing and ritual into my art. Most certainly my love of people, nature, and fabric is fused into my work and my days. What’s your goal before the year 2010 ends? To move into more retail spaces and galleries. I would like to continue making time to lead retreats and workshops, balanced with art shows and family time. I want to have more venues for my wares around the globe. I’m also interested in marketing my work through websites and blogs. Sharing a good word is important and I feel fortunate to have a good word or two to share. What’s your biggest fear? Just one? It’s not failure, but more a sense of losing the ability to create. I’m more centered, more whole when I’m using my hands creatively. Whether making dinner or making hairpins, I truly enjoy where I am in the moment and am thankful for what is in my hands. I hope to earn well so that I can continue along this path, offering my gifts to the world around me. <<continued on page 18>>
Interviews: continued... >>Annie Galvin (page 4)
What’s your favorite tool? I am always searching for the perfect tiny illustration brush for line work. I find even the expensive brushes don’t last too long before they are splitting hairs at the tip, so if anyone has a brush recommendation, I welcome it! I also love finding the perfect black and white drawing pens. Currently it’s Staedtler Lumocolor for black, and Signo Uni-Ball Broad for white. Share something random with us! Gaelic (or Irish as we call it in Ireland) is heavily emphasized in school, so at one point I could speak it fairly fluently. Sadly, I have lost most of it now, although I can still say the Our Father in Irish, which is sometimes my party trick.
>>Laura Tarrish (page 15)
Share something random with us! I hope to move back to Europe (London? Amsterdam? Berlin?) with my husband in a few years. I just have to convince HIM!
>>Rachael Smith (page 16)
What’s your favorite tool? Without a doubt my graphics tablet! I am constantly amazed at how it works (I’m one of those people that don’t understand fax machines too...). Share something random with us! I put rosy cheeks on everything I draw. I just can’t help making my characters look sun-kissed and happy.
>>Suzanne L. Vinson (page 17)
What’s your favorite tool? My hands. There’s so much i can do with my hands. holding onto tools, yes, but also thinking of ways to use my hands over other tools. I love the feel of fabrics and love cutting my own circles rather than using a template or cutting tool. I love to finger paint on some of my works. It’s all very sacred as i use my hands to create. Share something random with us! I love sweeping. It’s an amazing way to live my spirituality and presence to the moment and the space i live in. I find that sweeping cleans the floor and my mind. It’s a great practice that i enjoy. Since it’s a practice, I’ve started collecting the straws that are falling from my broom’s natural shaping and will use them in art sometime in the future. The broom was handmade in my city, and that too, I love. Happy sweeping!
PikaPackage Go Travel! www.pikaland.com/pikapackage