Face to Face art work by Marina

I've recently discovered an amazing artists Marina who lives in San Jose, California. Marina graduated from Stroganov Moscow State University of Arts and Industry. She is an accomplished artist whose beautiful pieces could be seen in private collections all over US and abroad.



How did you start?

I always liked to draw. When I was a kid I used to go to a neighborhood art studio. Later I got accepted to an art college where I continued my training. Finally, I got into Stroganov Moscow State University of Arts and Industry the most famous and prestigious art school in Russia.



What is your favorite painting technique?

I love to draw with oil and acrylic paints on canvases. I do ENGRAVINGS ON PAPER that is an original technique developed by me over years. I basically cut an image right on paper and then rub oil paint into the cut grooves. I like to add collages to my paintings as well. Sometimes I used ink, colored pencils, and acrylic paints to create images on pieces of handmade paper. I just really like to experiment!



What inspires you?

Believe it or not but I actually get inspired by art supplies. When you are in an art supplies store you have a chance to take a close look at all the paints, papers, pencils, pastels that are available for artists to experiment with. I always get an urge to go home and try a new pencil or a unique handmade paper.

Other artists' paintings and creations inspire me a lot. I buy books with artists' prints to look at for inspiration. I could compare it to a silent conversation between two artists. You see something beautiful and unique created by another artist and in response you feel an urge to create a piece of your own.
Occasionally I come across my old and forgotten piece and get inspired by it.

Greeting cards embroidered and cross stitched by AleksandraRoo

As the holiday season is approaching we will be looking for greeting cards for our friends and family members. There are great artists out there who hand embroider and cross stitch greeting cards turning them into art objects. One of the amazing greeting cards' artist is Aleksandra of AleksandraRoo.



Could you please tell us a bit about yourself?
Originally I am from Russia, but today I live in a beautiful American city Pittsburgh (go Steelers!) with my husband Buzz and our precious Maltese Chewy. Me and my husband met 4 years ago and since then I couldn’t imagine my life without him – I had to travel half way around the world to find my best friend and my love. I am an Early Education teacher by day (I convert terrible twos into little individuals), and a craftoholic by night.



How did you start?
There was a time when I had 24 hours a day to myself. I wasn’t able to work nor go to school at that time, so I decided I will teach myself graphic software, something that I was – and still am – so passionate about (my dream was to make 2D animation films). I learned Photoshop and Illustrator, and was fascinated by what you can do with colors. I think my love for crafts started just then. I found myself crocheting, making wire jewelry, quilling, scrapbooking, cross stitching, sewing (you name it, I’ve done it). I think I’ve found a creative volcano inside me that was waiting to erupt. I couldn’t decide on what to focus my attention, so I kept on going. 4 years later I find that the best creations I make are the ones that combine two different crafts in one finished product.



What are your main sources of inspiration?
Minimalism has been my very early inspiration (thanks to my older brother Vladimir). I love being able to send a strong message by using only few (yet enough) elements in my cards. I often like to use a single element and let one’s imagination do the rest. Being an Early Education teacher I know how important it is not to give away all the secrets at once and let children figure out the rest – something that a grown up definitely can benefit from, as well.
My two year old friends are my great source of inspiration also: genuine, honest, and joyful. I can not create anything but greeting cards filled with happiness.

Along with my minimalistic nature, I am an extreme perfectionist. I constantly try to have my finished products looking polished, clean, and simply perfect. If something doesn’t look right, I start from the beginning. I am very harsh on myself when it comes down to my crafting (and everything else, really). But I know one thing - it all worth the time.

Wedding invitations and stationary by MamaTita

Summer months are ideal for weddings. Beautiful weather, flowers and the overall vacation mood make summers a perfect time for a wedding. With these thoughts in mind I came across a talented artist Nadezhda from MamaTita who makes wedding invitations and stationary. Nadezhda was very kind to talk to me about her art of making paper cutouts for weddings.



Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Nadezhda and I currently live in Latvia, Europe. I’m a very creative and artistic personality, although I don’t have a degree in either design or art. On one hand I’ve always dreamed about becoming a professional actress and an improviser. On the other hand I always longed for a family and children. Being a realistic person I perfectly understand that it’s hard to be a successful actress and a full time mom at the same time. After having my son I’ve shelved my theatrical plans and devoted myself to my family. All my creativity and artistic inspirations are now being channeled into my wedding invitations and stationary business.



How did you start making paper cutouts?
I always loved paper. Paper is a very rewarding material. Its flexibility and functionality opens up a lot of possibilities for creativity. The supply of art paper on the market is unbelievable and it very much helps in making the creative process more productive and rewarding.

The art of origami always fascinated me as well. As a hobby I buy tones of books about origami and create very sophisticated and intricate origami pieces.



What inspires you?
I’m always looking for new card stock and paper. There are so many amazing paper products out there and they serve as a huge source of inspiration for me.

Once I have a new idea in my head I rush to turn it into a finished product. I cannot usually wait till all the details of a new project sort out in my head. I need to act immediately. I create new designs step by step fixing and improving them on the go.

I’ve recently started experimenting with self hardening clay. I create cake toppers and other items for weddings out of the clay. Clay objects have very smooth surfaces and the material is very nice to touch and work with.



Thank you, Nadezhda!

Articulated Paper Dolls by Dubrovskaya

I came across these amazing paper dolls browsing the internet. They bring back memories of childhood and times when we played in our imaginary worlds days after days. These were wonderful times when we had no responsibilities, no obligations and no worries. Paper dolls by Dubrovskaya look so different and yet so familiar. I’m glad I had a chance to talk to the artists about her life and her art of making articulated paper dolls.



Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Maria. I grew up in a family of an artist and a teacher in a city in Siberia, Russia. My parents didn’t want me to become an artist and I myself was not much into teaching. Thus, I took a somewhat standard path graduating from a university with a degree in economics. I ended up working as a web designed and later as a photographer though. As a hobby I started drawing illustrations that would be published by local magazines.



To change my life I left Russia in 2007. The original plan was to go to Asia and travel there for a few months but I never actually came back to Russia. In today’s world Internet empowers people to work and live in places they find interesting and challenging. Living in Asia I was able to work for companies all over the world.

I currently live in Philippines. Together with my boyfriend we rent a nice spacious house and I can finally devote some time to my beloved hobby of creating unique paper dolls.



How did you start making paper dolls?

I started with cutting and assembling a few paper dolls for myself. They reminded me of my childhood. I loved the process so much that I kept making them in different shapes and colors. I never thought of selling them but somehow a word spread and people started buying my dolls.



What inspires you?

Other artists and craftsmen inspire me a lot. It’s amazing what ideas people come up with. The boundaries of one’s imagination and creativity are indeed limitless. Once again Internet helps us all to share our ideas with the whole world. When I see something really beautiful and unique I feel an urge of going to my studio and creating, creating and creating!

Thank you, Maria!

Unique and beautiful paper art by Anatoly Vorobyev

Paper is a unique material. It’s fragile, delicate on one hand and flexible, versatile on the other hand. Art pieces made of paper look timeless and amazingly beautiful. I’ve recently came across a unique artist Anatoly Vorobyev who works with paper and creates one of a kind paper cut silhouettes, shadow boxes and art paper cutouts. His art work is so beautiful and exclusive that I couldn’t resist posting an interview with Anatoly on my blog.



Q: How have you started your paper cutout adventure?

I first developed an interest in making origami and modular paper sculptures in 2009. Later I’ve switched to paper cutouts. It’s an ancient technique that has been known for centuries. Over time many nations have developed their own unique styles and approaches to working with paper. I’ve got so fascinated by the possibilities provided by a simple sheet of paper. We often associate paper with books and publishing and rarely think about it as an art object.



Q: What amazes you in the process of cutting paper?

I love to combine traditional styles and techniques creating something completely new and unique. It’s such a joy to see how step by step a plain and pure piece of paper is turning into an art object. I like to experiment, mix and try something new. Every step of the process is aesthetically very rewarding be it drawing a silhouette or cutting a piece of paper.



Q: What are sources of inspiration?

I spend a lot of time outside and nature is my major source of inspiration. Plants, birds, animals make me thing about my future designs. Folk ornaments, vintage lace, mythological creatures and characters of favorite books, music, movies are great sources of inspiration as well.

When I see an interesting ornament or a unique pattern I start thinking about paper and how this object could be turned into a paper cutout or a shadow box.

Anatoly, thank you for sharing!