Happy Friday!
1. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?
SF Etsy, East Bay Art Collective, art, Etsy Children’s Art Street Team, Etsy Talent Hunt, Etsy Ugly Cute, and SF - Something Completely Different
Put simply: illustrations, paintings, and the occasional plush. I have a few recurring characters: some whimsical little creatures that are mostly robot with a splash of something a little more delicate, some jaded women with an attachment to the science behind love, and my grumpy little owl called Herbert, and a bevy of bird portraits. I also do children’s portraits, and the occasional flower or piece of fruit. Armed with my grandmother’s artistic proclivities, a stack of Brian Froud books, and some watercolors, I taught myself to paint when I was a kid. I spent a year and a half at an art school in Southern California, which I adored, and have continued honing my skills ever since. My creative process starts with either an idea of what I’m going to make, research for some source material and careful planning before getting started OR, I just sit down with a pencil and my sketchpad and will something into existence. Sometimes I’m convinced that there are at least three different artists holed up in my head.
The better question is what doesn’t? I seem to find animal life and nature in general to be pretty inspirational. I like to take long walks around my neighborhood where everyone’s yards have an abundance of flora and fauna. I take a bunch of mental and real photos and let everything marinate. Often times, my dream life seems to play a part in my creative process. Then, when I sit down to a blank canvas or piece of paper, the work seems to almost do itself.
A friend of mine first turned me on to Etsy waaaay back in 2006. I signed up and listed a few items, but didn’t really have much success until Herbert the owl popped up. I got a lot of positive response to the prints I was creating, which inspired me to keep going with it. It’s been so interesting to see where my art manages to find a new home. One print was purchased by someone who lives in a castle in Wales!
I’m pretty smitten with a little bunny that I painted not that long ago. I’m really enjoying the softness of the colors and the overall sweetness. Another piece that basically painted itself. I kind of want to give the little critter a hug.
I am totally smitten with this gorgeous tree canopy bed: http://www.etsy.com/listing/
I’d like to turn my little robots into mobiles, which I think would best be done by laser cutting. There’s a fantastic place called TechShop in SF that teaches just that, amongst a bunch of other wonderful techniques with fancy equipment. I just need to get myself together and do it.
Who's up for some beautiful, remarkable, and utterly adorable illustrations?
Maggie S. Hurley has two shops full of precious prints. Her playful, whimsical shop, maggieshurley, showcases prints of lighthearted storytelling with charming characters. Over at her other shop, maggiehurley, you'll find beautifully intricate oil painting prints of wildlife formed by colorful, lively brushstrokes. Head on over to her sites - if only just to say "Hi" to Herbert!
Enjoy the interview!
1. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?
SF Etsy, East Bay Art Collective, art, Etsy Children’s Art Street Team, Etsy Talent Hunt, Etsy Ugly Cute, and SF - Something Completely Different
2. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?
Put simply: illustrations, paintings, and the occasional plush. I have a few recurring characters: some whimsical little creatures that are mostly robot with a splash of something a little more delicate, some jaded women with an attachment to the science behind love, and my grumpy little owl called Herbert, and a bevy of bird portraits. I also do children’s portraits, and the occasional flower or piece of fruit. Armed with my grandmother’s artistic proclivities, a stack of Brian Froud books, and some watercolors, I taught myself to paint when I was a kid. I spent a year and a half at an art school in Southern California, which I adored, and have continued honing my skills ever since. My creative process starts with either an idea of what I’m going to make, research for some source material and careful planning before getting started OR, I just sit down with a pencil and my sketchpad and will something into existence. Sometimes I’m convinced that there are at least three different artists holed up in my head.
3. What inspires your creations?
The better question is what doesn’t? I seem to find animal life and nature in general to be pretty inspirational. I like to take long walks around my neighborhood where everyone’s yards have an abundance of flora and fauna. I take a bunch of mental and real photos and let everything marinate. Often times, my dream life seems to play a part in my creative process. Then, when I sit down to a blank canvas or piece of paper, the work seems to almost do itself.
4. How did you get involved with Etsy?
A friend of mine first turned me on to Etsy waaaay back in 2006. I signed up and listed a few items, but didn’t really have much success until Herbert the owl popped up. I got a lot of positive response to the prints I was creating, which inspired me to keep going with it. It’s been so interesting to see where my art manages to find a new home. One print was purchased by someone who lives in a castle in Wales!
5. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?
I’m pretty smitten with a little bunny that I painted not that long ago. I’m really enjoying the softness of the colors and the overall sweetness. Another piece that basically painted itself. I kind of want to give the little critter a hug.
6. If you had a gift certificate to Etsy for any one item you wanted, what would you buy?
I am totally smitten with this gorgeous tree canopy bed: http://www.etsy.com/listing/
7. What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?
I’d like to turn my little robots into mobiles, which I think would best be done by laser cutting. There’s a fantastic place called TechShop in SF that teaches just that, amongst a bunch of other wonderful techniques with fancy equipment. I just need to get myself together and do it.
8. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?
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