Oh my goodness, how gorgeous is that? The first time I wrote about Swedish artist/illustrator Stina Persson was way back in 2010. That’s insane. So, here we are eight years later speaking to each other for the very first time… and I asked her everything! I found out that she studied fashion in Italy, then illustration at Pratt in New York, and eventually found her way back to Sweden to become a successful illustrator/artist {and mother of three sons}. I also asked her if Swedish people actually shop at IKEA. They do. Listen right up there under that beautiful ink ‘n cut paper piece, or you can subscribe on iTunes.

Let’s start with a few inky, washy, fashiony pieces that pop to mind when I think of “Stina Persson”:

Ooh la la… rich vintage glam! Now, you know how I feel about collage, right? Well look at these cut paper pieces that blend Stina’s inky strokes with colorful bits of paper:

Stunning, and an excellent segue into some of Stina’s very high profile commercial illustration work:

And that is just the tip of a huge illustration iceberg!

Now, not only does Stina make spilled nail polish look delicious, look what she does with lettering {ps. beware of killer kittens}:

Gorgeous (and note the beautifully buckled paper). Well, let’s up the ante, shall we? These videos of Stina in action, found on her Instagram feed, are absolutely mesmerizing… and a little Beyonce quote never hurt either:

A post shared by Stina Persson (@stina_persson_illustration) on Dec 8, 2017 at 11:05am PST

A post shared by Stina Persson (@stina_persson_illustration) on Mar 9, 2018 at 7:00am PST

Seriously, I could watch those on repeat all day loooooooong. But I won’t, because now it’s time to show you this gem:

Dreamy and, oh, so beautifully bizarre. This is a promotional video Stina worked on for a single, titled “Left For Dead”, by  RABBII.

And finally, Stina herself:

Ah, I always love seeing the artist doing what they do. Thank you so much to Stina for taking the time to do this with me; thanks to Saatchi Art for supporting the episode; and big high fives to YOU for listening. There will be more Art For Your Ear next weekend.

Other links:

1. Stina on Instagram
2. Stina’s Online Shop
3. Stina’s Illustration Agents {UK, NYC, Japan, Sweden, Australia/NZ}
4. Pratt Institute, NY
5. Hey, fancy white-walled galleries… call her to put on a big, beautiful show! 

Oh, the work of Barcelona based artist and illustrator Sonia Pulido. Love. I’ve written about Sonia’s ceramics before, and so today my plan was to focus on her 2D work… but then a bunch of porcelain bird ladies got in there! I couldn’t help myself, they’re just too good.

I am so excited for you to listen to this episode! It is filled to the brim with hilarious stories, inspiring advice, and of course, a lengthy discussion about pizza. I’m talking to Ohio based artist, illustrator, writer, speaker, podcaster, father, vivid dreamer, Boyz II Men fan club president, and former sandwich artist, Andy J. Miller aka Andy J. Pizza. Listen right up there under the surfer dude, or you can subscribe on iTunes.

First up, these are the gorgeous, and totally inspiring, illustrations Andy does for each of his ‘Creative Pep Talk’ podcast episodes:

YES to alllllll of that! Oh, and speaking of creative pep talks, this is Andy’s most recent book filled with beautifully rendered advice from 50 amazing artists:

This is the book that features quotes from Oliver Jeffers, Lisa Congdon and Stefan Sagmeister… jealous? Yes, yes I am. {although Stefan really did kiss me – here’s a link to the proof}

Oh, and look at this! The first book(s) he did with Chronicle. The Indie Rock Coloring Book, and Indie Rock Poster Book:

So fun! And, oh yeah, he also has a day job… here are some of Andy’s gorgeous pieces he’s done for clients:

Ok, he did NOT tell me he’s done work for Nutella … I wonder if he gets a discount? I would have let them pay me in jars of that goodness!

And, obviously, after hearing Andy’s energetic and hilarious voice, you need to see him in action. Here he is in his new found happy place… on stage, talking all things creativity:

So funny! Also, I need that coffee mug to go with all of that Nutella I’m lining up for.

And finally, this was an illustration Andy did for Mental Floss Magazine, but I like to imagine this is what he looks like during one of his crazy, vivid dreams:

That could actually be my dream if that grey thing is in fact a SNAKE!? I cannot express how much I wish there was an illustration of Andy with the guys from Boyz II Men … now that would have made my year! Thank you so much to Andy for being such an open, hilarious, inspiring book; thank you to Saatchi Art for not only supporting this episode, but for supporting the podcast AND my weekly e-newsletter since they both began; and you know it, HUGE thanks to you for listening. I’m taking next week off to be with my little family, but there will be a new episode on the first Saturday in January. Happy Holidays!

Other links:

1. The Thread House (Andy’s wife’s shop)
2. Creative Pep Talk Podcast
3. Andy on Instagram

I want a ticket to this “Natural Unnatural Museum”! Oh my word, I could spend all day in this nine part mixed media piece… the polar bear, the skateboard loving tortoise, random dinosaur bones, and the odd hidden gem. Sigh. This magical place is the work of LA based artist and illustrator Sally Deng.

Who wants to come to ‘Walkyland’ with me today? Yes, I’m so thrilled to be talking to Swedish born, London based artist and illustrator Monika Forsberg! You can listen right under those lovely ducks, or you can subscribe on iTunes.

First up, this link to “Mummy Needs Gin“, a hilarious animation she did for Channel 4 in England. So, so good! Also good… some of Monika’s pieces I wrote about a few years ago:

Yep, still love ’em!

Ok, we got right into it {well, after talking about dogs and stuff}. Here are just a few of the collaborations she’s done with some very big brands. No.1: Anthropology:

Oh, I love that swan pillow. Next collab… Monika’s patterns walking the runway for Australian brand, Gorman:

A post shared by monika forsberg (@monika_forsberg) on Sep 6, 2017 at 11:02pm PDT

That would be surreal… to see your drawings walking down a runway?! Also surreal… getting a call from Valentino! Here are a few of the hearts she did for their Hong Kong store:

Not only was the turn-around time on that project insanely fast, she was also planning her youngest son’s birthday party over the same few days. And her oven was broken. Mummy needs gin, indeed.

These next whimsical pieces are just a handful of the gems she’s done for eeboo:

Ok, it’s official… I need one of those puzzles for the holidays this winter.

I love what Monika said about starting to make / share her patterns. If you want to get certain kinds of jobs that you aren’t getting, show that you can do it and hopefully the phone will start to ring! I’d call about these for sure:

Those horses. Come on! Next, the cover of the crayon book she illustrated … and wrote! The writing part came as a bit of surprise apparently ; )

Of course I had to include a few of the dinos we were talking about:

No quetzalcoatlus, but that’s cool. And finally, last but not least… DUCKS!

She was not kidding … she really does love drawing ducks. She said no one ever calls asking for ducks, but maybe they will now!

So, I always like to end a podcast post with a photo of the artist, but Monika is not a fan of selfies. I’m kinda glad because it forced me to dig until I found this:

Ah! Little Monika in Northern Sweden, moments after “knitting a worm”. LOVE! Thank you so so so much to Monika for putting her phone anxiety aside for an hour so we could hear her inspiring story; thanks to Saatchi Art for supporting the episode; and of course thank you so much for listening. There will be more art for your ear next weekend.

Other links:

1. Monika on Instagram
2. Hollie Chastain episode
3. Mummy Needs Gin animation – for Channel 4
4. Kate Woodrow, Literary Agent
5. Barbapapa!

Yes, that is a ceramic urn custom made for Pants the cat… AMAZING. Today’s episode is filled with weird and wacky ceramics – both functional and sculptural – by Canadian artist Mariko Paterson, aka Forage Studios. You can listen to our conversation right up there under Mr.Pants’ final resting place, or you can subscribe on iTunes.

First up, a few of my favorites from her functional portfolio … obviously I had to start off with a little Wonder Woman action!

… and finishing with a lobster bowl! Hilariously awesome.

Next, a few of Mariko’s sculptural pieces, including another urn because I can’t get over how fantastic they are:

Ah, Buddy.

And as always, the Not-so-speedy Speed Round™. I asked her a question about wrestling a luchador … the sole purpose, of course, being an excuse to include these beauties in the post:

Te Amo, too! Yes, I want to eat all of my soups and noodles from a “Forage Studios” luchador bowl from this day forward.

And finally, Mariko and one hairy wiener so you can see who you were listening to:

Awww! So sweet! Thanks to Mariko for taking the time to chat with me, and being so open and honest about “the hustle”; thank you to Saatchi Art, and the wonderful, creative women at THRIVE, for supporting the podcast; and of course, thanks to you for listening! There will be more Art For Your Ear next weekend.

Other links:

1. Langara College, Vancouver
2. Alberta College of Art & Design
3. NASCAD
4. SOFA Show, Chicago
5. Molly Hatch episode
6. Mariko’s Instagram feed
7. Forage Studios, aka Mariko’s shop

magicmakerdreamweaver … that is a perfect description for everything in the portfolio of California based artist/illustrator (and professor at CCA) Shannon D. Taylor. It also happens to be her Instagram handle. Rainbows, ridiculously starry skies, and two very tigerific reasons to start playing ping pong ASAP. Happy Monday.

Sigh… these lovely drawings make me exhale. Perfect for a Friday. This is the work of California based artist/illustrator Liana Jegers. I love her simple color palette, those lovely lines, and the subjects she chooses. Her portfolio if filled with gorgeous work, zines, client collaborations … but these “farmers market” inspired pieces are my favorites. Here’s to a weekend filled with fresh fruit and fragrant flowers. Exhale.

Ooh, pages jam-packed with collections of nature’s wonders! Love love love… perhaps it’s because I grew up in a house with my artistic mother who painted watercolor mushrooms, but these fungi spoke to me immediately. And then, the succulents of course… who can resist watercolor cacti!? Not me. This is the fun, candy-hued work of Canadian artist Carolyn Gavin. ps. Prints, ridiculously affordable prints, of her whimsical work can be found in her shop.

Ah, the lovely drawings and ceramic work of Brazil based sisters, Nadiuska and Priscila Furtado. They started this collaborative project under the name Uinverso, and this is why:

“As the name means inverted , it is also related to the  universe in physical existence and in the perspective that each species is a universe inserted in another.”

Beautiful. {You can find their work – originals, prints, ceramics, pins – in their shop}