Meet Terence Shaun McGovern, Artist and Model

Terence Shaun "T-Shaun" McGovern is a 21 year old artist/model. His music style mainly consists of R&B and hip-hop, and he writes, records, and engineers all of his songs. He continuously works at his music to improve his skills as an artist. Music has gotten T-Shaun through many difficulties, and makes him feel full of life, meaning, and purpose. From talent shows to open mic nights, he has performed in Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, and Hollywood.

1. When did you first get into writing your own music?

About a year ago I started getting into it. Collaborating with other artists has helped me get better. And I feel the more and more you write, the better you get.

2. What does engineering and producing your own work add to your music?

It lets you have more control over your music, and making it the way you want it to sound. A lot of engineers and producers have different styles, and sometimes they won't fit you. Personally I like to do it myself because I know it will come out the best it can.

3. What inspired you to move from New Jersey to California?

Change, a lot of people are afraid of it but I think it's crucial if you want to succeed. But I wanted to be close to the entertainment industry center. The weather isn't so bad here either.

4. What projects are you currently working on?

I have been practicing a lot of acoustic songs for live shows. Also I have some music on the back burner. At this point in time I'm waiting to find the right team to help me with my album.

5. Do you have any dream projects you'd especially love to be able to do?

To have a legit album the world can hear. Working with all professional people that are the best at what they do helping bring out the best me possible. I'd love to collaborate with Lil Wayne, Jay Z, Drake, Nikki Minaj, and many more.

Thanks, T-Shaun!

Meet Lord Avatar II, Ashley Ellison

Lord Avatar II, Ashley Ellison, is leader of the Solaran Faith, and an actor, artist, musician, writer and general creator of things.

Learn more about him by visiting http://www.lordavatarii.com/.

1. What was your childhood like?

My childhood was horrible to say the least. I was constantly being kicked out by my parents from as young as 4 years old. They were horrible parents. The only adult in my life I could trust and count on was my Nana. She was always there for me whenever I needed her.

2. What drew your interest to writing books?

I always had an interest in writing. When I was 9 years old, my school submitted a poem I had written to a competition, and I won a publication in a poetry book. I started writing books after taking over the Solaran Faith. It was a way to publish the beliefs of the faith and get it seen by hundreds of people.

3. How did you become involved with the Solaran faith?

I have always been fascinated by religion, going from Christianity, to Wicca and others. But in 2007, when a friend told me about a religion that he had heard of, I was instantly intrigued. I went along to a meeting in Macclesfield forest, and I knew that it was the religion for me.

4. What do you tell people when they ask what the Solaran faith is all about?

I often get asked about it on the spot, and I can't think of a response because I can't summarize seventeen years of doctrine in the few minutes they expect me to talk to about it. But now, I give them the basics of it; we believe that the goddess Solara inhabits a separate realm or universe. She was a higher being that existed alone in a realm she had power over. She began to change things to suit herself. Over time she created life in her realm. That life would worship her and help her to create more life.

5. Is there anything else in particular that you'd like readers to know about you and your work?

I am currently working on a new novel called Mage of Magic. It is about an orphaned boy who rises to become a hero Sorcerer of a fantasy world called Valusia. I'm hoping to release the book in December on Amazon and wattpad for free.

Thanks, Ashley!

Meet Christopher John Scruton of Anarchy Brothers Press

Christopher John Scruton is the owner and operator of Anarchy Brothers Press, an independent comic book publisher and digital store. Passionate about writing from the age of nine, he had a rough upbringing and often turned to comic books as a refuge away from the horror around him. He was born with a learning disorder, and in elementary school, a teacher sexually molested him. That teacher never served any time in prison, and as a result, Christopher has been distrustful of authority figures throughout his life.

In high school, Christopher was a victim of bullying, called names like "faggot" by his peers and "lost cause" by his teachers. Shy and soft-spoken, he kept his head down until graduation, at which point he matriculated into the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in order to study computer animation. There, he honed his skills as an artist and expanded his mind by experimenting with substances such as marijuana and LSD.

Outside of comic books, Christopher is interested in punk music and tattoos.

1. When you were a kid, what drew you to writing as an art form?

I don't remember when what drew me to writing. All I remember is when there was computer in front of me, I began to write. I haven't stopped writing and have no plans to stop writing. If there is a day when I stopped writing, it would be the day I ran out of stories.

2. How did you decide to start writing comic books?

I started writing books. Nothing got published, but I think over time I kind of lost passion on writing books. I always loved reading comics, and I still remember every comic I read. So one day I decided: I'm going to write and create my own comics. I still love writing--it is just that I chosen a different medium.

3. How do you come up with the images for your comics?

The best way to describe this is I am creating a storyboard, and I am the director. I have to know where the camera is and how much lighting the scene needs. Sometimes there are images that don't go into comics and I have to know where I want to take this story.

4. What inspired you to start Anarchy Brothers Press, and how did you choose the name for the project?

When I was writing books, I was rejected by many, many book agencies. I thought there had to be one person out there who liked my work, but the more I got rejected, I kind of felt no one wanted to hear about what I was working on. So I decided that to hell with all the agencies who rejected me--I am going to start my own publishing company. It first started out to be an independent publishing company, and it evolved into a comic book publishing company. The name came from being a punk: I can do things for myself and the love of being that there is no government, but anarchy. Also, I dedicated this company to my brothers who are no blood related, but I feel that they are brothers from another mother.

5. What are you working on currently, and is there anything else you'd like people to know about your work?

Right now I am working on issue number 4 of Dark Web Stories. It is called The Hunters vs The Preys. It is about the story of The Most Dangerous Game but it does have a twist. It is about the rich that are willing to hunt people who are poor and not just kill them, but to bet on them on the internet on who can survives the longest.

My work is kind of dark. I don't like fan fiction, but if there is a movie or video game I played, my mind looks at it and I start to think I can create a story out it and all of it is original. For example, one of my comics, I Have No Use For A Name, is about the apocalypse. There have been many comics and movies about the apocalypse, but these other stories don't take up subjects that no one wants to talk about, like pedophilia.

I always had distrusted people of authority and that shows up a lot in my work. The thing is I don't believe if someone is a cop or the president that means you have to respect them no matter. The thing is you have to earn my respect.

Thanks, Christopher!

Meet Matthew David Parker, Photographer

Matthew David Parker is a photographer based out of New York City with over 18 years of experience. He primarily works in NYC and the but is available for opportunities worldwide.

1. At which stage of your life that you discover yourself with an obsession for architectural photography?

The Big Apple has always been a profoundly inspirational, profoundly influential place for me and my artwork because it (New York City) for me, is literally the most perfect representation of hope, opportunities, health, success and abundance. I have always seen the city of New York as the central hub for all things in life that are important in life, sort of as the pulse of everything new and cool. New York has always inspired this ambition in me to inspire others of the majesty of the heart of the city. More and more in my life, I have found New York's rich architectural backdrop as the one place on earth that I could happily explore with a smile on my face for the rest of my life.

2. When have you been most satisfied in your life?

I believe that I am at my happiest now, although you can argue that the first moment I discovered happiness was when I discovered photography, when I was 13. Oftentimes, I think, "how can a man possibly be luckier than myself?" I am a world-class artist and photographer who is making a name for himself, not just in the world of New York photography, but in art circles worldwide. Art critics around the world have labeled me a visionary, as opposed to just another uninspired, bargain basement wedding photographer. The fact that I've been able to make quite a good living doing what I love is just icing on the cake. Yes, the present time is definitely the best time my life has ever been and I wouldn't trade places with any other artist in the world.

3. Who are your influences as an artist?

Lucien Hervé, the Hungarian photographer popular for his very futuristic, very avant garde style. Some people see him as the Salvador Dali of photography and I'm one of those people who agree. I'm also a great lover of Berenice Abbott, a popular photographer known best for her breathtaking photos of cultural icons of the 60s and 70s.

4. Whose design language did you fall deepest in love with? How come?

Lucien Hervé and his avant approach to accentuating shapes and patterns in his black-and-white photos has always inspired me as an artist to create minimalist works of art. I often times find myself using Lucien's greatest works as a measuring stick for my success as a photographer and I see that is the greatest thing I've ever done.

Thanks, Matthew!

Meet Tabby Noorbakhsh, Artist

TJ Source is an Etsy shop where you can experience art on a personal level through a unique collection of stylish purses, phone cases, neck ties, and jewelry featuring the art of Tabby Noorbakhsh. TJ Source is made up of dynamic duo Tabby and Jose, who are partners in both life and business.

Tabby's art style encapsulates the bright colors and fun, flirty lifestyle of Miami and her work has been featured for Miami Art Basel 2015 At Art Fusion Galleries in the Wynwood Arts District, the world's largest art exchange. Her original vibrant paintings are exhibited throughout South Florida and we are proud to now be able to offer products that showcase her happy paintings and inspiring color arrays.

Tabby and Jose believe that art can be used as a form of therapy, and their wearable art goods can deliver healing and positive energy while also being fun and fashionable. They love the synergy of this work and how elements from so many industries can be combined to deliver outstanding quality products to their customers at https://www.etsy.com/shop/TJSource.

1. What inspired you to create fashion and home decor product featuring your artwork?

My inspiration to feature my artwork on everyday merchandise and fashion goods like handbags is my spirituality and connection to the earth. I express my connection with our earth through my paintings. Identifying my strengths and honing on them has helped shape this business.

In a stroke of good luck, my real life experiences synchronized, and it all started with art shows exhibiting original art and proliferated to jumbo office bags made of leather showcasing my art designs on a functional fashion medium. The art purses function as a modern day walking canvas.

The first thing I ever merchandised was a mug for a friend's birthday showcasing a butterfly, an orchid, and her name on it. It brought such joy opening the package and took me to my happy place from my childhood. Later, I discovered the same elation and joy as, over time, I put the art on new things and it's like instant gratification to see the art on quality and durable handbags. Having experience as a commercial and print model with years of modeling other designers' clothing and accessories lines, like my favorite MOGRA of South Miami, gave me exposure to the best of fashion that I am lucky to translate into my own merchandising line now.

2. When you create a piece of art, do you have particular ideas in mind for how you might incorporate it into a product, or do you tend to create your artwork freely and then see how it might work with your product line?

Typically, I do the art piece with three or four different concepts in mind. I like to use stretched canvas with acrylic paint and other mediums that create texture and shine, and I often do several varieties in a set for exhibiting purposes. Recently, I started working backwards and have an upcoming new product launch that I created from the handbags reversed to the art.

I am in the process of designing four to five pop-art styles, Leaves of Change, exploring everyday wardrobe colors with a splash of added vibrancy for some good vibes. The latest designs will be launched in Summer 2017.

Painting is what keeps the entrepreneur spirit alive inside me--it's what makes me different and just helps things tick. Creating durable handbags makes me happy because I feel I'm making a functional, authentic contribution to society. Every woman and man needs another handbag, let's face it! It is the way we privileged humans prefer things: no matter how many handbags we have, we always want what's new and cool. Our team thinks we created just that, the something NEW thats fun AND functional. We are constantly trying to fulfill our clients' needs with color to their wardrobe. I've used my unique design clutch handbag, and I've noticed it's very functional, and the double handle helps with the durability. The zipper is durable: my keys and cell phone are always tucked inside the compartment and my credit cards and ID are safely concealed in the secret pockets. I stand by my products' durability.

3. How does living in Miami influence you as an artist?

Living in Miami is a great breath of fresh air that helps me get inspiration for my new creations. The gorgeous environment is tremendously impactful on me as an artist. I love the weather with the warm tropical temperatures and soft nature colors of the ocean meeting the sky. Miami is a timeless place where weeks turn into months and months turn into years effortlessly and without resistance. I am lucky to have found a wonderful and compatible life partner, Jose, who makes the South Florida experience that more aesthetically pleasing and meaningful. What I love most about Miami besides my wonderful family is the sheer beauty of the beaches, city and downtown life, mixture of people, fusion of arts and culture and Latin swing.

4. Why did you chose Etsy as a platform, and how do you choose the designs and products to feature in your shop?

I chose Etsy because it is unique, represents self expression, and caters towards creativity and originality. I love the versatility of Etsy and the easy to navigate features. I have piece of mind with this platform because I know my clients' transactions are secure. I also know that as a small business owner, my marketing budget is spent well because I see results in my sales through their ads and analytics.

My goal is to expand to new platforms like Amazon.com next because we have lots of new designs coming up. Our goal is to really take advantage of technology because we are lucky enough to be able to utilize so many great resources, literally at the tip of our fingertips.

5. Would you tell us a little more about the way that you see art as therapeutic and how you hope customers will experience and enjoy your products?

I see my art as connecting nature with spirit. It is a form of visual and emotional healing because art does heal the body, mind, and soul of a person from the inside and out. Art is non verbal communication the unites the divided in times of verbal and physical conflict. Certain colors can have a positive effect on mood and emotions. I hope to channel soothing nature tones and colors into each painting that the viewer can take in for mood restorative therapy. The colorful art on purses, cufflinks, etc. can have an uplifting and happy effect on a person's mood.

Thanks, Tabby!

Meet Crystal Dayton, Graphic Designer and Photographer

Crystal Dayton is a passionate graphic designer from Toronto, Ontario. Her talents are varied with a predominant focus in graphic design and photography. She holds a diploma for the Visual and Creative Arts program at Sheridan College, and she currently works as a freelance graphic designer. She is a creative, reliable, hard-working designer who has helped businesses and individuals with professional designs.

Learn more about Crystal and her work by visiting crystaldayton.com and by checking out her blog and her Twitter feed.

1. How did you know you wanted to pursue a career as a designer?

I really always wanted to be a graphic designer, but I had people saying to me, "you should find a more stable job," so I listened. Then eventually I decided I need to do a job I love, and design is something I love. Also, I don't like the idea of a stable job; I like adventure, not knowing what's next. I know eventually my art will turn into a career. So I've had a lot of going back and forth with my career.

2. How does your creative work as a painter and photographer influence your perspective when doing design jobs?

My creative work as a painter influences my design work because instead of simply thinking more for appeal, I want to make something unique like a painting rather than just a design. My photography influences my designs because I usually add my photos to my designs.

3. Would you tell us a bit about some of the design projects you've especially enjoyed working on?

Lately I have been really enjoying designing logos. I find logos are really fun to make, and they require a lot of creativity. Also, I get to meet a lot of people who have their own businesses and sometimes even other artists. I really enjoyed making one logo in particular; it was for a graphic designer who wanted a logo for her graphics company called TaylorMade named after her son. She didn't know how to use the software so I designed it for her.

4. I see that you offer design services through your own website as well as through Fiverr.com. Are most of your clients local, or are you finding clients all over the world these days?

I just joined fiverr.com in October of 2016. I used to have my clients more locally, but now since I have joined several freelance sites, I am acquiring clients from all over the world.

5. What's your advice to someone who needs something like a logo or a book cover design and isn't a designer but wants to do it themselves instead of hiring a professional? What are the benefits of hiring a pro, and do you think the design services are actually more affordable than people might think?

If someone doesn't want to hire a pro to do it, I would suggest learning the programs, showing your design to other people to get feedback, looking into what kind of company you want to be because that should be portrayed in your design, and also reading up on design. The benefits of hiring a pro are it saves you the time to learn the software; the pro is already creative so you may get more options from them; and it's good to discuss what you want because it helps to brainstorm with another person. Services are usually more affordable than you would think; depending on what you want, for example, on Fiverr you can get a basic design for about $5, but if you want something more you may have to spend a little more.

Thanks, Crystal!

More with Mike Gagnon, Author and Artist

Mike Gagnon is a distinguished author and comic creator whose genre defying work has been featured in books, comics, film, and television. He's known for breaking the expected rules of genre, and he likes to use genres such as horror, scifi, and drama to explore common human experiences.

Last month, I interviewed Mike about his writing and art in general, and with particular emphasis on his new crime noir novel, Skidsville. Check out that interview here.

Mike has a lot of projects going, and today he answers a new set of questions, focusing on his satirical novella called Sex and the Circus. If you want to see samples of his work, you can also find him on Wattpad.

1. What inspired you to write Sex and the Circus?

Basically, it's my commentary on things I've observed in North American society. I wanted to tell a story of someone who must learn to assert and value themselves, while struggling with undeserved obligation. Patty is an amalgamation of several women I've known in my life, who I've often seen first hand, often struggling to help others without being appreciated for it. There are still a lot of women in modern society who go from home, to college or university, to marriage and may never assert themselves and create their own independent identity. In fact, the gender doesn't really matter that much. I think many men and women both struggle with some of these feelings and situations. I choose to write the story around the character of Patty, because I think that most people, male or female, will find it more relatable.

2. What are the challenges when it comes to writing a novella rather than a work with both writing and illustration?

I think the challenges mostly come from form and function. Some authors struggle with novella and short stories, whereas I am just the opposite. I don't believe in wasting the reader's time with unnecessary filler. I write a clear concise outline and then cut anything unnecessary or redundant. I don't believe every point I'm trying to make should be hammered into a reader's head 10 times. That's really the only reason that Sex and the Circus is a novella; it just didn't need to be larger than what it ended up being. When it comes to graphic novels, words and images together, the challenge is format learning how to write a properly formatted script and apply that knowledge. You must play film director in your head and not only tell the story, but describe gesture, body language, and facial expression in a way that is understood, especially if someone else is drawing it.

3.When you come up with an idea for a new book, how do you decide or know if it will use words or visual artwork or both?

My roots are in comics and graphic novels, and I'll always love them, but, for me at least, the process of producing a comic is more expensive and time consuming than a novel. Every idea I have, I get a feeling very early on as to whether the concept would be better suited to novel or graphic novel format. Many ideas would work for both, so I'll make a judgement call based on scheduling and time constraints. If I know my schedule doesn't have room to complete an illustrated graphic novel, I'll produce it as a novel first, and then revisit the concept when I have time in my schedule to illustrate it or gather a couple of people to help produce it. There are some projects I just see as comics, and those, I'm holding on to for now in the hopes that I'll get time to draw them, but they may end up seeing life as novels or novellas first.

4. In writing a satire, how do you strike a balance between being funny and possibly going too far?

I live by a rule used by many comedians. There is no too far. Just when you're at the edge where you're becoming apprehensive and uncomfortable, that's where you should be. If you're ever feeling uncomfortable while reading one of my stories, it's because I want you to. That scene was written to make the reader face something, or see something I'm trying to say. Often the message is that something isn't as scary as is commonly believed or that characters can make unexpected decisions that you could also make in your own life.

5. What have you been working on lately, and do you have any projects planned for the new year that you're especially looking forward to working on?

My next book is already in the bag. It's a story about abusive relationships and mental illness, and one of the characters happens to be a vampire. It's expected to release on Valentine's Day 2017. There will be more info about it released after the Christmas holidays. It's a full-length novel, and I'm really looking forward to releasing it and getting people's reactions. It's a close personal project, and I'm dying to tell people about it, but I can't yet. Of course, I love my characters in Sex and the Circus, too, and I believe the story carries a lot of important messages and life situations, humorous and dramatic, that readers will identify with. Also, I'm currently producing my next novel that will be coming out after that. It's going to be a statement about corruption in political and financial circles, told as a Western. I tend to gravitate mostly to genres of humor and horror, but I love all genres, so I make a concerted effort to switch things up with every book. I had had no shortage of horror concepts in the last couple years, but I don't want to perceived as a horror writer, but an author that can tackle anything. Because of that I purposely alternate between other genres, like drama, humor, true stories, western and sci-fi. I already have the concepts I'll be working on for the next couple years plotted out, so there will be a lot of fun and entertaining stories for me to share with readers over the next couple years, including a few horror stories. I'm really looking forward to the stories I will get to share in 2017.

Thanks again, Mike!

Meet Mike Gagnon, Author and Artist

Mike Gagnon is a professional author, illustrator, and instructor. He's been creating novels, comic books, and graphic novels since 2000 and has worked for companies such as Marvel and Dark Horse. He also teaches cartooning and writing classes for all age groups at various schools and colleges in Canada.

Mike's latest book is a crime noir called Skidsville. Learn more about him and his work by visiting http://www.gagnonwrites.com/, and see samples at https://www.wattpad.com/user/MikeGagnon.

1. Have you been interested in both writing and drawing since you were a kid--and when did you know you wanted to build a career in writing and illustrating?

I got into writing and drawing early on, especially at first. When I was about five, I discovered comic books. They grabbed my attention instantly and I had a passion for them. I started tracing characters into new stories and making my own. I was too young at the time to understand that I was also storytelling. I knew right away, from that early age, that I wanted to work in comics and creative ventures.

2. How did you come up with the idea for your latest book, Skidsville?

I wanted to tell a gritty crime story, but I wanted to tell it from a different perspective than usual. Most hardboiled crime noir features a protagonist that's a homicide investigator, or the stereotypical private eye. I wanted to take a look from the point of view of a criminal. He may be a bad guy, but readers can empathize to a certain point that he is a bad guy for the right reasons. As bad as Joey (the protagonist) is, he's nothing compared to the level of corruption and callousness of the antagonists that surround him. He's nickel and dime to the "real" criminals. There's some underlying themes I wanted to explore, basically the idea of a story without a "good guy," just various layers of "bad," but also that things and people are not always what they appear. The "hero" of a story may have to atone for their actions. I originally wrote it as a graphic novel script, but time and budget put it on pause for awhile. I did however get time to adapt it into a novel, which is the book I'm promoting now. Readers can find it at finer book retailers or their favorite online bookseller. Retailers can get it from Ingram Distribution.

3. What has influenced your definition of noir? Are there particular novels, comics, films, etc. that have especially inspired you?

There's a lot of things. Frank Miller's Sin City is a big one, Will Eisner's classic work on The Spirit, as well as the film adaptation. Bruce Willis movies, like Last Boy Scout, Die Hard, Last Man Standing. I'm currently working on the graphic novel version of Skidsville again. The graphic novel will be black, white and red, which may lead to some comparisons to Miller's Sin City work, but I don't think there's any similarity beyond that. I think Skidsville is its own thing. It's an idea, doing black, white and red, that I've had for a long time, before I discovered Sin City, but over time has grown into being also a nod, or homage, to Miller's work. There's also a pretty handy book I use in the classroom from time-to-time called How to Draw Noir Comics by Shawn Martinbrough.

4. What are some of the challenges for authors/artists in presenting visual work in an eBook format compared to print?

Well, let me tell you, it all depends on platform. eReading still isn't super image friendly, but there has been progress. Kindle, for example, has a comic creator, for creating and formatting comics for Kindle readers and apps. It can even allow you to set up panel-by-panel reading instead of page-by-page. It isn't perfect, mind you, and it can be a challenge when you want to set up reading for a page with a very dynamic or original layout to the art and panels, but it's better than nothing. Kindle has special creators for children's books and text books now, too, so they are recognizing the unique needs of each format. Comixology also works well and although it is now owned by Amazon, it seems to have a bit smoother system for panel-by-panel. Things like Smashwords can be great for getting your eBook distributed to multiple channels, but they still aren't set up and compatible with image heavy books in a lot of cases. DrivethruFiction/DrivethruComics is a good option for simply uploading a .pdf file that people can download and read.

The challenges are different for comics with print. In eBooks, you're struggling to make a sensible flow with panels and software programming to ensure readability, and with print you need to watch safe areas, margins, and bleeds so nothing important gets lost when the book is trimmed to its final size. The content is printed on larger paper and then cut to size, so if your pages aren't sized or aligned right, you can lose parts of your art that you didn't want to.

5. As someone who also works as a teacher, what's your best advice to those who want to learn to write and/or illustrate comics and graphic novels?

Never stop learning and never fear failure. We get obsessed and worried about our image in this modern social media age. Share your work and make mistakes. No one is perfect, and making mistakes is how you learn and improve. There will always be people who are just mean and comment and don't like your work. It will always be. Ignore them, they're not worth it. Understand that not everything is for everyone. Some people don't like crime noir stories. That's fine. It doesn't make them, or me, right or wrong; they just have their own taste. For every book or drawing or comic, someone is going to like it and get what you're trying to say. That's who it was for, the people who get it and enjoy it.

There are also some great and helpful books out there for people to help them get started in all aspects of comics and writing: The DC Comics Guide to Writing for Comics by Dennis O’Neill, Making Comics by Scott McCloud, The Business of Comics by Lurene Haines, Perspective: Made Easy by Robert Lee, and a ton more. You can find more books that I recommend as well as my own books and articles on the subject at www.mikegagnon.ca.

Thanks, Mike!

Meet Doug Cash, Musician

Doug Cash is a singer, songwriter, musician, producer, and performer. He is the President of Pryor 2 What ? Records, and owner of Pryor 2 What ? Music Publishing. His work is heavily influenced by Sly & the Family Stone, the Beatles, James Brown, Led Zeppelin, Weather Report, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, and Yes. He was raised on big band (Basie, Ellington, Miller, Goodman) and bebop (Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk). In his own words: "I was groovin' with the muse before I could walk."

Listen to samples of Doug Cash's music and learn more about him by visiting http://dougcashmusic.com.

1. How did you first get started playing music?

I was inspired by The Beatles to become a singer songwriter. Namely seeing John Lennon playing "Hide Your Love Away."

2. As someone who has a lot of different musical influences, how have you found your own sound as an artist?

While in high school, I wrote a song called "You Ought to See You." I knew I had reached a new plateau. That's when my sound was born. It took a few years, but I knew it when I heard it. My own voice!

3. What inspired you to start Pryor 2 What? records?

It was all about owning the publishing so I could negotiate with the industry as a label.

4. What projects have you worked on lately that you're most excited about?

I just released my newest compilation, Singer/Songwriter, featuring the singles "Emotional Treason" and "You Wept for Yourself." I've also released a new blues single "Not Waiting."

5. As an artist who has spent many years balancing a "day job" with pursuing your music, how do you keep finding the energy and motivation to produce the work that you love?

Like many musicians, I know what it is to raise a family, while working a full time job, plus producing and recording in the studio, performing on stage, and trying to nail a contract. That was me in my 20s. Many moons ago. I'm now in the fortunate position to be able to focus on my label, write in multiple genres, and pitch to licensing agencies for television, film, games, and commercials.

Thanks, Doug!

Meet Alexandra Francis, Artist

Alexandra Francis is a Leeds-based Fine Art artist, who experiments with creating artwork that is generated to promote world peace and equality. Promoting world peace and her career as an artist are especially important to Alexandra Francis, and so she has decided to combine the two, by promoting world peace through the artwork that Alexandra Francis creates.

Learn more about Alexandra and her work by following her on Facebook and Twitter.

1. What have been the challenges--and the pleasures--of building a career as a full-time visual artist?

Being a full-time visual artist offers you the opportunity to work with any type of material, art form or space, which is essential to individual growth, learning, and understanding of not only art, but also life in general. You learn how to see the world through a way that other people may not be able to do. You learn how to become the viewer, the curator, the set designer, and the reviewer as well as the artist of the artwork that you create. One of the main pleasures I find whilst creating and building a career as an artist is that you can imagine and fantasize to yourself about how an art sculpture, or piece of artwork will physically appear, before you create that particular piece, whilst everyone else other than yourself has to wait until the artwork has been physically created to see it. There is something nice about the time between imagining what the artwork will look like and having the artwork physically there before you. It's a quiet, peaceful time for me, much like the feeling you receive when you're about to fall asleep, when you are calm and your body is in a relaxed state. The idea of the artwork, I suppose is like a dream, in a sense that only you can have that dream whilst you sleep--it is not something you can share with the entire world unless you make it physical. You can express that dream through writing about that dream, or painting a scenery from that dream that you have had. There's something really satisfying about creating a piece of artwork from the way that you visualize the work in your head, from every detail, color, material. Creating the artwork so that it is a complete replica to how you imagined it to be.

It's like you're unlocking your mind with a key, and allowing all of your wildest dreams and ideas to appear to other people--maybe in hope that they will be able to understand your work the way that you do--for others to understand exactly how you felt in terms of the ideas, the thoughts, and the emotions that you had when creating that artwork. I guess that's what it is all about really as an artist, or for me at least.

A challenge I find as an artist is space. There is never enough space for the artwork that you create, and if you are an artist who is limited to space, you will understand what I mean when I say that it is sometimes difficult to enjoy making artwork when you only have a certain sized area to work in. That said, limiting yourself with space can also be a good thing, as you are always challenging yourself and your art practice through being limited.

2. What is your artistic process like when it comes to getting an idea for a piece and then creating the work over time?

Most pieces of artwork I create are created within a short amount of time. When I begin working on a new piece of artwork, I am often fixated on the completion of the work, and spend countless hours working on the artwork until it is finished. This does often mean that the work is completed within just a few days, or perhaps a few hours even. I do not often plan the artwork before it is created, as I simply enjoy to become hands-on with the work. I don't think this is a bad thing as it gives me no time to regret about the way I create a particular piece. Is that the right color that I should have used on the painting? Is this the right material for this sculpture? It does not matter. What I believe is most important when creating artwork is the concept behind the piece of art that you are creating. You could draw an X on your bedroom wall, and it could be a piece of art, but the interesting aspect of the artwork is why did you choose to draw an X? Is it from the idea that behind the X lies treasure? Or did you close your eyes and press a random key on your keyboard, to choose the letter to draw on your wall? Perhaps it is something more, the beginning of a word, or two drum sticks where one overlaps the other? I can't say I often have a story for each piece of artwork that I create, or a personal meaning behind the individual art sculptures or installations that I generate throughout my career as an artist, but that's not necessary a negative aspect of my career; it just offers my viewers and audience the opportunity to explore the artwork for themselves, without having my view of my artwork affecting how the viewers view the artwork that I create.

3. Would you tell us a little more about the connection between world peace and your role as an artist?

Peace can be promoted through word of mouth, through congregations and talks, through helping other people, and through artwork, music and books. What I'm trying to say is that there is no wrong way to promote peace or world peace--any way is a good way as long as you're promoting it. There's a lot of negative events happening in our world right now, and we don't often hear about the good parts that are happening in the world. Now is the time when we as the human population need to start promoting positivity and peace. We need to put our feet firmly on the ground, stamp and shout together, and show that we will not tolerate bullying, abuse, wars, neglect, and negativity in general. Sure, we may not be any better than those that have gone before us, but by not promoting peace and positivity, how can we expect wars and negative events to just end? I don't know about everyone else and their opinions on war and negativity, but I know that come fifty years down the line, I hope that wars will decrease and more people out there in this world will be supporting and promoting peace themselves. People often say that they want change to happen in this world, but yet, how will it happen if we do not do anything about it? I'm sure wherever you go, you will find bad people--that's inevitable, but by working together we can help prevent some of the negative actions that take place in this world on a daily basis. I am very passionate about promoting world peace and I am very passionate about creating artwork, so why not combine the two?

4. Are there any projects you're currently working on or have recently completed that you're especially excited about?

There is a new gallery opening up in Bradford in England, and it's due to open up at the end of October. It's being organized and opened by a lovely artist known as Lorain Be. I passed by the gallery recently, and painted a few of the panels in the gallery space, so that was very exciting. It's a wonderful place and has potential, so if there is anyone out there interested, then the gallery is called Boots Rebooted, and Lorain is very interested in artists showcasing work there in the future. I will also be showcasing my sculpture "Let"s Play!" at the gallery in the future, as the first group exhibition at Boots Rebooted.

I've just completed two pieces of artwork recently. One is called "Lick" and is of chocolates on a canvas. The idea initially came from the scene from the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, where the characters are invited to lick the fruit wallpaper in the factory and physically taste the fruit. I wanted to capture that moment of magic, but of course, if I'd have drawn a strawberry with a red felt tip pen, visitors would be quite disappointed in the artwork not tasting like a strawberry! That's where the chocolate came in handy with the artwork. I made small incisions into the canvas and inserted small chocolates pieces into the material. That way you not only get to see the artwork, but taste it as well.

The other piece of work that I have only just created is of an art sculpture and known as "Fly Home Sweet Bird." It's quite difficult to explain how the artwork visually looks [see the photo of it below for an idea], but it's about the lifecycle of birds, from a young to an old age.

5. What is the arts community like in Leeds, and what are some things you enjoy doing there when not working on your art?

You know, it's as good as any other city or country, really. We have Art galleries, an Art Hostel, cafes and venues that exhibit artwork. It's interesting, because everywhere in the world is similar. You can visit any country and you'll find an art gallery. I'm not saying the arts community isn't individual and different from other places than Leeds; we do have events like Light Night every year, but then again, Liverpool has a Light Night event every year also. There is always something interesting in Leeds that relates to art, though, from annual events to new exhibitions in galleries all across the city. It is quite enjoyable, really. When I'm not creating artwork, I enjoy promoting peace and equality, spending time with nature, traveling, and socializing with people around my city, in England, and across the world.

Thanks, Alexandra!

Meet Diana Galimzyanova, Filmmaker

Diana Galimzyanova is a writer and director based in Moscow, Russia. Her four award-winning short films were accepted to more than thirty five festivals in thirteen countries. She is just launching a crowdfunding campaign for her first feature-length film, which will be the first ever female-directed Russian film noir with reverse chronology. Learn more by visiting https://igg.me/at/RussianFilmNoir.

1. How did you become interested in filmmaking?

I've always been interested in writing. Ever since I was in first grade, I would write something, a short story, a play, or even a treatment to a novel. I also tend to think in pictures at least half of the time, but I don't have a real talent for literature; my stories are too schematic. Basically, I'm just writing treatments with tons of details and plot points, and that's why I love writing screenplays because they are like schemes. And I've been a huge movie buff from a young age. So eventually I realized that I want to be a filmmaker to tell the stories I see the way I see them.

2. Have you always liked film noir, and do you have any favorite noir classics?

I've been a fan of film noir for the last ten years or so; it's such an amazing style. My favorite film noir is Sweet Smell of Success, a pure masterpiece of art. I'd say it's one of my favorite movies of all time, not just favorite film noir. I'm also a huge Hitchcock fan, and Shadow of a Doubt is both my favorite Hitchcock film and the second favorite film noir.

3. What's your process like as a writer, and how was it different writing a feature-length film rather than a short?

I usually see the crucial scenes in my mind's eye in all the details then I need to put them into words. Like with The Lightest Darkness, I saw the beginning and the end in pictures, and then I filled the middle with words. I think it was essentially the same with all of my scripts; sometimes I also saw a couple of scenes in between. With The Lightest Darkness, I did a detailed outline for the first time; it was like an investigation and research. I really enjoyed the process, so also I outlined the short script I wrote after The Lightest Darkness. I think I'm going to outline everything from now on.

4. Would you tell us more about your debut feature film?

It's a twisted story about a neurotic private eye who struggles to finish the case. When he takes a train voyage, his own dark secrets begin to reveal themselves. I'm striving to make a real film noir, with all the themes and tropes, not just the chiaroscuro lighting and blinds. So like the best film noir, it's a bit of a thriller a bit of a mystery and a bit of a drama. I want it to feel like it was made in the 40s. Although the film is not set in the 40s, all the characters are dressed in the 40s style and use props from 40s. But they also Skype with each other. I see it as an alternate universe where things are a bit different, like in that show Gintama where aliens invaded 19th century Japan and brought the technologies with them, but there are also signs of 19th-century Japan in that world, like samurais with swords, etc.

5. What is your advice for other women who want to make films with protagonists that more closely represent their lives than the characterizations we see in the mainstream media?

You should fight for your work, even if its a fight with yourself, that voice the tells you maybe I should write my female protagonist as a more convenient character like we usually see in media because the viewer wouldn't get her otherwise. So you start putting on the metaphorical makeup to cover all the imperfections of your female character to make her look more socially acceptable and likable. But this attitude is damaging. Women are all different and diverse, and most of them are not represented in the mainstream media. Luckily this trend has started to change. Now we see more female protagonists that are three dimensional strong vulnerable though flawed empowered. I hope it's just a beginning of the new way.

Thanks, Diana!

Meet Pragathi Yadhati, Actress

Born in Anantapur, India, Pragathi Yadhati is a film and theater actress who lives in New York. In addition to acting, Pragathi writes plays and poems, and she also does modelling work. Learn more about her by visiting her IMBD profile.

1. How does it feel to be an Indian actress in New York City?

It feels great. In this era of globalization, the world is coming together sharing all the different cultures that exist in it. I'm glad that I have the opportunity to portray my own and contribute to creating this awareness of multicultural impact globalization has. New York audiences loved my performances in off-Broadway shows like Bollywood Wedding, Baggage Claim, and others, and my stand up comedy which introduced our culture to them. We all know that a high percentage of Indians are into IT as engineers, and many of them work here in the United States. But there are hardly any Indian actors who represent this population or capture the essence of their lifestyles. I'm working in cross cultural movies that are mainly targeted to present this to the American audience and at the same time provide a platform for those Indians to connect their lives with the global culture.

2. What was it like for you to attend the well-known Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute?

It was a wonderful experience and I learned a lot in the two years that I spent there. Apart from acting on stage and in front of camera, I've learned the importance of punctuality and discipline. I learned how to keep my body, mind, and soul in tune so as to perfect the craft that I perform.

3. Would you tell us about some of the awards you've won so far for your acting work? What are some of your achievements so far?

As I'm working my way to doing big things, one of my short films got nominated for the Best Film at Queens World Film Festival (2011), and the other one just got accepted at the prestigious Heritage Film Festival. One of my Indian short films won the Best Short Film award at the Kalaignar Television channel awards show called "Naalaiya Iyakkunar 3" in 2012. Now I'm working in a feature film which is the first language agnostic film ever made. Apart from these, I’ve received several prizes in dance and acting growing up when arts was just an extracurricular activity. I performed on many a great stages in my hometown in India such as Hari Hara Kala Bhavan, Thyagaraya Gaana Sabha, and others, all places dedicated for performing arts and cinema. I won several prizes for these performances and received them from the hands of notable people in India like the present Home Minister for the State of Telangana, India, Nayani Narasimha Reddy (formerly the Technical Education Minister of the State), elite stars of South Indian cinema like Ramya Krishnan and Chiranjeevi. I feel fortunate to have received several awards from award winning seasoned actors and movie industry prominents like Dadasaheb phalke award winner (India's highest award in cinema) Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao , C. Narayana Reddy, Telangana Shakuntala , Madhukar Anand, Shobha Naidu, and others. The tradition in India is that the awardee is honored by donning a silk shawl around their shoulders for their contribution to excellence in their field. I feel extremely proud to have received such an honor by Mr. Nageswara Rao and Mr. Reddy at such a young age that I was.

4. As someone who enjoys writing as well as acting, do you hope to expand your career into writing and possibly directing work in the future?

Acting and performing is my passion. There is nothing like being on stage, in the moment and in front of the live audience. And there is no feeling better than reaching out to and touching lives of millions of audience through cinema. I choose to be an actor.

Putting in words what you want to bring to live performance is a tough process. I love writing and I enjoy this process of writing. I've started writing my own screenplays. But I haven't thought about directing yet though.

5. What else would you like American audiences to know about you--and when can we see you on screen?

As many of you in New York call me, I'm your Indian girl. An authentic Indian girl who has roots in India and education in America. Who else could better portray all those Indian roles that you wanna see on TV and movies? With a few projects currently in works, I'm looking forward to more opportunities that give me a challenge to bring out my full potential and present it to the audience.

Thanks, Pragathi!

Meet Darice Machel McGuire, Artist

Darice Machel McGuire is an artist creating, teaching, and loving life on Maui. Her work is represented by Village Gallery, Kingwell Island Art Gallery, and Kaukini Art Gallery. She also has an art school, Art E Studio located in Lahaina Maui, and she is the co-author of The Art of Painting in Acrylic, published by Walter Foster.

1. What was it like growing up with an artist as a parent?

My fondest memories of my mom growing up are of her doing creative things, such as sewing, flower arranging, cake decorating, drawing, and painting. We didn't have a lot of money, but you couldn't tell that by looking at our clothes or house. She made everything beautiful with her creative skills. I have four sisters; we each gravitated to different creative activities taught to us by our mom, and we were encouraged to try it all. At age five or there about, I was fascinated by how she could put together pieces of fabric to make a dress or a toy, so she handed me a needle and thread, some buttons and pieces of fabric to play with. I started making doll clothes and Halloween costumes, and by the time I was in sixth grade I was making my own school clothes. My first oil painting lesson was at our kitchen table. I was a teenager by then but remember how amazing it was to create an image with paint. Mom was a patient and loving teacher. She never spoke harshly or lost her temper when teaching us new things.

My parents opened their gallery in Lake Tahoe when I was a teenager. Life really changed then. Home was no longer the gathering place of the family; the gallery was. Everything revolved around the visual arts by then. Lakeside Gallery was more then just a show place for fine art. It also had a large classroom to accommodate painting workshops, an art supply store, and a frame shop. The gallery was not only the hub of our family life; it was also the gathering place for a lot of artists and art teachers. I worked at the gallery for many many years doing framing and teaching art.

Growing up surrounded by creativity and the arts was a very normal thing for me. I never thought much about it until later. In fact just this past year, a student of mine commented that I was lucky to have lived my whole life in creativity. She said not many people can say that. I think she was right; I am very lucky.

2. How did you decide to focus on landscapes and seascapes in your work?

Landscapes are what I started out with. I'm an outdoor kind of person. I love being out in nature. The colors of nature are perfect in every way, and I like to try and replicate them on canvas. I'll change things up from time to time, by painting animals, buildings, boats, trains and even abstracts. But I always go back to landscapes and seascapes; they are what inspires me the most. Every day on Maui, I'm greeted with incredible views. I love studying the clouds and the shadows that play along the valley of the mountains or watching the waves as they come in to caress the sandy beaches. The colors of flowers, the sky, the ocean, it all inspires me. I do a lot of walking and exploring the island with my husband who is a photographer. I'm always looking out for scenes that would make a great painting. I don't like to put people in my scenes because I want the viewer to see the beauty of nature as I see it, pure and un-touched.

3. What inspired you to start Art E Studio?

I moved to Chico, California in 2002 from Lake Tahoe. I got a job at a local frame shop and started a once a week oil painting class after work at the shop. At first it was a "drop in" casual kind of thing with two to four students a week. It was a great way to keep the skills I learn from my mom sharp and make a little extra money. When 2008 hit with the housing crash, my students dropped off. I almost stopped teaching at that point. But I ended up getting a call from a young mom looking for a teacher for her daughter who was in the 6th grade. She pleaded with me to take her on and promised to bring me more students if I did. I loved teaching the kids at my mom's gallery and thought "why not?". Jenny was a shy but eager student and was a joy to teach. Her mom kept her word about finding more students. I ended up with five fun-loving, silly 6th grade girls, all friends, once a week. Soon I was teaching more and working less. I went from two classes a week to twelve. I had adult classes, youth classes and two classes for kids from 6 to 9 years old.

What inspired me was my students. Each one of them special and unique. Art E Studio took on a life of its own and became the gathering place for many bright talented young artists, and I loved watching them grow. I relocated Art E Studio to Lahaina, Maui in 2012. I've cut my classes back so that I'm no longer teaching nights and weekends. I have more time to paint, which is good since my work is in three galleries.

4. Do you mostly teach locals at Art E Studio, or do visitors to Maui often take your classes as well?

I do both. My local students come once a week or as often as they can. I design my classes around what each student wants to learn. Some painting subjects and or styles take two to four weeks of lessons to complete. My younger, high school students come after school once a week for two hours. What I love about these young up and coming artists is how eager they are to try new things and how excited they are when they finish a painting.

Visitors to Maui come for one or two classes. I've created a series of paintings that can be done between two to four hours. These students can go to my www.art-e-studio.net website to see which of these paintings fit into their vacation time. Some of these students come back every year.

5. What has been the response to your book, The Art of Painting in Acrylic, and do you have any other books or other new projects in mind?

The Art of Painting in Acrylic was such a fun and challenging project for me. I had not thought to write a learn how to paint book until the editor of Walter Foster Publishing contacted me via email. She had found my www.daricemachel.com website and felt my work was perfect for their new project. The book has six artists in it. Each one of us specializes in different subjects and styles. It was the first time I was faced with "deadlines." I ended up completing my portion of the book way ahead of schedule. One of the great things about this book is I don't have to market it. Walter Foster does all the distribution and marketing for it. The book is in the U.S., Canada, and the UK. It's been translated into multiple languages. The book has boosted my art career by giving my work a farther reach to the world. I would love to write another one in the near future. I have a few ideas churning in my brain.

As far as future projects go, I do have plans in the works for doing a series of videos on painting techniques. These will be short demonstration videos to help beginning students and even seasoned students with their painting skills.

Thanks, Darice!

Meet Tracey Pettis, Fantasy Portrait Photographer

Selfies and snapshots can’t capture the inner you.
 But your Fantasy Portrait can.

Tracey Pettis will help you step out of your daily life and into your authentic self by taking a fresh look at the inner you from a completely new perspective.

Every human being wants to be seen, wants to be loved, wants to be understood. Through Fantasy Portraits, you can uncover and experience your special beauty, creativity, and gifts. Learn more by visiting FantasyPortraits.co.

1. What gave you the idea to create Fantasy Portraits?

I have been working in advertising for the past 20 years as a creative/art director. But I felt empty. I realized it was time to leave the world of advertising, feeling that companies were placing more importance on data, templates, and stock photography over the kind of creativity I was interested in.

I have always known I wanted to get back to one of my first loves, photography. But I wanted this version to be more than just creating pretty pictures. I wanted to bring the viewer into the process. I wanted to make the process more experience driven. Thus, Fantasy Portraits was born.

2. What's your process like in determining what an individual's Fantasy Portrait should look like?

We start by getting to know you through a discovery session. You share what you're comfortable sharing: your dreams, desires, hopes, aspirations. The object is for you to let go and explore.

Through this process, a concept will gel. Together, we'll fine-tune it, getting more excited about the portrait as we go.



3. Do you think the #nofilter Instagram selfie and other phone photography has changed how we define portraiture?

I think it's added to our choices immensely! We are changing all the time. Having that instant access to capture ourselves while immersed in an experience is a great advantage. And that's why I knew that Fantasy Portraits had to be something different than "just a portrait." It had to be an experience. As we say, "Selfies and snapshots can't capture the inner you. But your Fantasy Portrait can."


4. How can photos make positive changes in our lives?

So many ways! Our mission at Fantasy Portraits is to help women go deeper and learn how to connect with their inner beauty and deeper soul. Through getting to know and understand your spiritual self, your self-esteem and self-love increases.

A photographic image is a preservation tool. Your Fantasy Portrait becomes part of who you are at this stage of your life's journey.



5. What else would you like readers to know about you and your work as a photographer?

I think if you look at some of the Fantasy Portraits we've created, you'll see the attention to detail that you won't see in some of the other "fantasy" work out there. We put a lot of thought and heart into making each image special and unique, and not what you would expect.

If you'd like to explore creating your Fantasy Portrait, send an email to tracey@fantasyportraits.co.

Thanks, Tracey!

Meet Ali Larsen, Author

Ali Larsen is a self-published author. She writes mostly about life, love, and the relationship between the two. Visit her website at www.NeverSigningOff.com

1. Have you always been interested in writing, or did your desire to write develop over time?

I've always had some interest in writing, for as long as I can remember. When I was little kid, I wrote poetry and works of fiction. My book Stand By Me was actually written over the span of 10 years. But, as I grew older and wiser, I started writing based on personal experiences. My commitment to writing definitely developed over time.

2. I noticed that you publish in PDF format and sell your own books on your website. Why do you publish and distribute independently instead of through big retailers?

I actually considered trying to get my work published, but I wanted to try selling it all myself first. I figured having it up myself was a good way to gauge if anyone would actually purchase my writing. I chose the PDF format because I see it as a very universal file type that anyone would be able to view.

3. As someone who writes both poetry and prose, how do you decide which genre is the best for the ideas you want to express?

My writing sort of chooses me. Whenever I have an idea, it usually comes to me formed already. I'll think of a couple rhyming sentences, and then I'll write a poem. Or I'll think of a couple lines and know it would work as prose instead. The real challenge is deciding between prose and articles. For that I just see what sounds better at the end. Then I make whatever changes I need to.

4. Who are some authors, artists, musicians, or other people who inspire you creatively?

I would say one of my biggest inspiration is Gerard Way (formerly of My Chemical Romance). He always had an attitude that said "it's okay to be a little messed up." I've always felt different, so his message really stood out to me. But my biggest inspiration is the author Christopher Gutierrez. He made an entire career out of telling stories about his life. They aren't even well written, but it's because he always delivers powerful messages with them. He's an amazing author. Every time I feel like my writing isn't very good, he reminds me that it doesn't have to be. It just has to have a whole lot of heart.

5. What projects are you currently working on?

I'm currently working on two novels. One is a sort of autobiography about the places I've been and the people I've known. The other is about the challenge of living with a mental disability. I was diagnosed as bipolar when I was teenager. It's been rough journey into adulthood. Obviously, it affects personal relationships, keeping a job, and everything else. I want the message of the book to be that it's okay to be a little messed up.

Thanks, Ali!

Introducing Angela Millar Soul Art on Etsy

Everybody knows that I love Etsy shops, and even more so, I love to showcase Etsy sellers here on my blog. Most recently, I've discovered the shop of an Australian artist named Angela Millar.

Angela's work includes original paintings, travel photographs, greeting cards, and prints. Her art covers a variety of themes that reflect nature, spirituality, and mythology. I like the diversity of her work; as I scrolled through her listings, I was sometimes surprised by an image that I didn't expect. For example, paintings of Ganesh and the Buddha were followed by paintings of a regal flamingo and a smiling mermaid. Angela's image of the Buddha included in this post is called "Young Buddha."

The profile page on Angela's Etsy shop reveals that she took up art less than five years ago when she moved from Sydney to a small seaside town in New South Wales. As another person who loves the sea, I can perceive the influence of the coastal locale in her work in the swirls of color and the feelings she conveys of the natural world.

There's much to like about her work, and my own favorite pieces are the ones that depict animals, such as this beautiful peacock print of a painting called "One Hundred Eyes" which I think would appeal to art lovers of all ages, young children included.

In Angela's own words, "One of my favorite subjects to paint is Buddha, and a favorite medium is acrylic paint, I love using rich and vibrant colors thickly layering them onto the canvas to create interesting textures."

By the way, her artwork has also been published in a coffee table book called Amazing Australian Artists, compiled by ArtMeGallery.com.au. This book is carried by The Art Gallery of NSW, which is a great honor for her. Angela's painting "Blue Buddha" has been used as the cover image of the inspirational book, Wisdom Within: Awakening the Empowered Woman, by L.H. Owens. I suspect that we will be seeing her work published in many more places over the next few years.

Check out https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/AngelaMillarSoulArt and explore her work for yourself! I love that Etsy brings artists all over the world to everyone's doorstep with just a couple of clicks.

Introducing Health Is Wealth Designer Note Cards

Are you looking for a unique gift item for a health-conscious friend or family member? Or maybe you'd like to treat yourself to a little something to help yourself stay motivated when it comes to maintaining healthy habits? You might enjoy the Health Is Wealth collection of designer note cards from Barbara's Design Solutions on Etsy.

These note cards are scented with a variety of fragrances that evoke the natural scents of fruits. They are designed to be beautiful to the eye and pleasing to the nose. The idea of the Health Is Wealth collection is to share and enjoy cards that give a reminder of healthy eating.

Personally I like to keep blank greeting cards on hand to send for many occasions--sometimes it's nice to send a card just as an everyday way to say hello. When so many of our communications are online, it's a pleasant surprise to receive a card in the mail. The idea of scented cards reminds me of how I used to make scented sachets with my mom to give to friends as little gifts.

Along with the Health Is Wealth cards, Barb also offers other scented card collections, including the Spa Day cards for when you want to send a relaxing message to a friend, the Coffee Lovers collection of coffee-themed cards for many occasions (from birthdays to thank-yous), and the Cupcake Lovers collection.

Barb is always adding new and unique items to her shop. Learn more by reading her profile on Etsy.com.

Introducing Eco Friendly Wall Art by Barb

Not long ago, I posted about the coffee-themed art and gifts created by Barbara Miller, an artist who has an Etsy shop called Barbara's Design Solutions. I wanted to do a followup post to share more information about her original line of eco friendly metal wall art.

Barb's work emphasizes the triptych format, which allows you to get a large piece that is made up of three sections. It is a really cool looking way to display art and goes nicely in offices, waiting rooms, and homes, too. Basically if you want something like a mural or panel for a large wall, these pieces are great. You can purchase smaller format pieces as well. Barb is happy to work with clients and create made to order sizes and designs.

Her subject matter often focuses on nature and landscape, but she does abstract and still life pieces, too. When I asked her about her work, she said, "My interest in triptych art began a few years back. My artworks are inspired by nature's vast array of colors, textures, shapes, and forms."

Her eco friendly wall art is made from aluminum. She also offers pieces that are adhesive polyester fabric art that will stick to most any surface and can be easily removed without leaving sticky residue behind. Check out the art/home/office section of Barb's Etsy shop for more details.

One other way that Barb shares her art is through the form of fashion by creating wearable art, so if you're interested in unique t-shirts and other items, visit the fashion and accessories section of her Etsy shop.

I asked her about the different formats she creates in, and she said that she enjoys "experimenting with many media and styles--metal, glass, wood, and ceramics--and [her] love for fashion."

Barb works out of her studio/home in California. She said, "My art is an ongoing creative process." I think that by following her Etsy shop, we can all enjoy watching her work continue to evolve and expand into new formats and creative subject areas.

Meet Thomas Moulson of Fruit Tank

Fruit Tank is a website that showcases creative works from unknown talent in hopes of getting the artists discovered and selling their work. The site currently features art, music, video, photography, and writing. Learn more at http://www.fruittank.co.uk, or click here to learn how to submit your work.

1. How did you choose the name Fruit Tank for your project, and what does the name signify?

The name was originally chosen for its mix of the words "Fruit bowl" and "fish Tank." This meant we could have sub companies for the individual mediums, mixing fruit with sea life. For example, music would be under Cherry Crab, films under Strawberry Squid, etc. That has been put on hold because it's rather confusing. But the name has stuck, mainly because it's unique and sounds quite good. It's not the best name origin story.

2. How does your site help creative people get their work out there?

Once the site gains more and more traffic and popularity, we hope that it'll become the go-to place for creative content. Eventually we are going to do member pages where creatives can host their contact info (only accessible for other members) so people can collaborate with one and other. For example, a filmmaker may go to the site and find music they really like and may want to contact the musician and get them to do a soundtrack. Or a musician may want an artist to design their record cover. It will just become the HQ for creative content. The dream is that record labels, production companies, publishers, and galleries will come to Fruit Tank to scout out new talent.

3. Would you tell us a little bit about the compilations that you're planning to put together with the work that people share with you?

Every few months, we will allow visitors of the site to vote for their favorite creative content on the site, and then the top creations will be distributed/sold. Music will organized into an album and distributed onto iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and 100+ other music sites. Art and photographs will be compiled into a graphics book and possibly showcased and privately held galleries, writing will also be compiled into books, and the the films will be shown at pop-up, drive-in film festivals in major cities. Sometimes there will be themes; for example, for Valentine's Day, we will have a call for content such as love songs, romantic poetry, and romantic films.

4. I like that you cite Andy Warhol as an inspiration for Fruit Tank. What can we learn from the ways that he got his own art into the world, and the ways he collaborated with and/or supported other artists?

Andy Warhol was a true one of a kind person; he knew how allow people to nurture their talents and really express themselves without boundaries. He had a place called "The Factory" where anyone was welcome; people could just walk in and join in. I can imagine it was such a creative environment filled with inspiration. He recognized true talent: he made Jean Michel Basquiat very famous, and he catapulted The Velvet Underground into fame. He knew what the world expected and always did the opposite--he knew controversy sparked a reaction, and therefore got people talking about his work. He understood what it meant to be an artist, and he knew how to get the best out of people.

5. What else would you like readers to know about Fruit Tank?

We just want people to be known for their talents. There are some really really talented people in the world but nobody ever knows them, because it's so hard to get discovered nowadays--you need to pull so many strings to get recognition. Talent alone isn't enough nowadays; you need the correct personality and the right friends. That's just wrong. Talent is talent, and we want to show off that talent. I'm a fan of the lifestyle of the 60s and 70s because everyone appears to be so free and open to self-expression. The streets were ruled by artists. However, in the present day, everyone is so restricted by boundaries. We want creative people to show off their talents and get discovered the right way, for their amazing gifts.

Thanks, Thomas!

Meet Tina Cauthorn, Artist and Etsy Seller

Tina Cauthorn is a retired buyer from Fred Meyer, a division of Kroger. She has put her creative skills to work by having fun with buttons. Her "Button Factory" is in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Tina buys all her buttons on Etsy, on eBay, and at antique stores. So many Buttons, so little time! Check out Tina's button frames and other creations by visiting her Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/allbuttonedupbytina.

1. How did you decide to focus on making and selling button frames in your Etsy shop?

I saw a button frame in an antique shop and I thought, "I can do that." I went home and found an old picture frame and started gluing buttons on it. I still have my first "creation," and when I look at it, I realize how far I have come. Once I made enough to give away frames as gifts to friends and family, I decided that I should try selling them. I initially did a few craft shows. Boy, is that hard work! Everyone at the craft events was talking about Etsy. I looked into it and figured I would give it a try! My product seems to find the right customer base on Etsy.

2. What do you especially like about working with buttons--and how do you choose the buttons to work with in your creations?

When I worked as a buyer, I did a lot of design work, and this was a great way to challenge my creative side. One of the things I did as a buyer was buy "Novelty Underwear." All those boxer shorts with hearts on them for Valentines Day? I kind of took that idea and transferred it into button frames. It's fun to think of ideas. Holidays were easy! But then, I thought "Minions." What about "Wine," "Weddings," and "Watermelons"? I love that my customers send me a request for something special, and I'm able to make it happen.

3. In searching for buttons online and offline, how do you distinguish antique buttons from more contemporary ones?

When I started binging on buttons, I bought a lot of buttons on eBay--by the POUND! I got all kinds of old, vintage buttons. Since then, I've gotten very discriminating in only picking buttons that I know will complement what I already have. I've had to add new, current buttons into my assortment. It's tough to find nice, vintage rhinestone buttons or vintage button in bright, vibrant colors.

4. You have some great reviews on Etsy! What has been your experience in selling on the Etsy platform?

I've always said that Etsy is really a fabulous community. I find almost everyone I've dealt with has been a pleasure. I use my many years in retail to set my standards for my shop. "The customer is always right," and I want to make sure its a pleasant experience. I know I love it when I get a package from Etsy and its nicely wrapped and presented. I've had a lot of the sellers I buy from become regular customers. It's a nice world.

5. What is your advice to others who want to start selling arts and crafts projects online?

I think if you want to start selling online, you need to do your research. What is out there? What is the pricing? Does it compare with what you do? I know my first frames were not as nice as they are now. I did not start selling on Etsy until I had it perfected. So, make sure you are putting your best foot forward. You won't get repeat customers if things are not well put together and presented nicely. Think about how you like to receive things. Be patient. It took me awhile to sell my first frame, but now my sales are pretty steady: steady enough for me to say I am an "artist," even if the medium is glue and buttons!

Thanks, Tina!