2011 Participants
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Angel D'Amico Bauer
Angel is a Chicago based Freelance Illustrator and Designer. Loving life and living her dream, she combines her fine art skills with her digital artwork, to create beautiful, unique, and exotic environments of work.
She is currently Art Directing, Designing, and Illustrating Truestar Magazine. True Star Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides a creative outlet in the form of literary and professional development programs for youth. The program transitions youth entering early adulthood by exposing them to positive real world experiences.
AD LOVE is Angel's Hand Screen Printed Clothing Designs. Her Designs are all unique to her, and the screen print process is done by hand one at a time.
Web: angeldamico.com
Shop: adloveshop.com
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Anna Todaro
Anna Todaro lives in a sensational dreamworld of her own design. With a little creativity and a lot of determination, Anna has built us a bridge to this world with her vibrant paintings and other handmade goodies.
View more of anna's work online at:
Web: annatodaro.com
Etsy: annatodaro.etsy.com
Anna on Art and Craft:
To understand my views on art and craft, one must first understand my definitions of "art" and "craft". Here it goes:
"Art" is an outward expression of one's internal thoughts and or feelings. Art encompasses anything and everything and is relative to its maker.
"Craft" is how well something is made. A performance, a Painting, A scarf, a Cupcake.
and to go further
"Illustration" deals with ones intention. One can "Illustrate" something; a performer can intentionally illustrate sadness; a painter can illustrate a butterfly, a baker can illustrate a banana cream pie.
That said, in my world, all three are interchangeable; they are related. In my opinion, it is silly to try to point one "against" the other.
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Emmy Star Brown
Emmy Star Brown has always loved the idea of finding, reusing & creating from old things. All of her paintings are created freehand on salvaged glassware and glass windows. Each piece is found locally in Chicago. She finds a true beauty in repurposing these tossed pieces, bringing a second life to them. No stencils or templates are ever used – each design is truly one of a kind, painted with acrylics. All design is reflective of her love for typography, pattern, motifs, flowers & modern design. Her primary art is painting on glass windows - her craft involves exploring with alternative materials; painting on glass vases, flower pots & ornaments.
Web: emmystarbrown.com
Blog: emmystarbrown.blogspot.com
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Eric Battaglia
Eric Battaglia stumbled into woodburning on accident, and found the craft worked well for his subject matter. For his work, the difference between art and craft can be found in the presentation, whether it be a decorated wooden box or another useful object. These can all be considered art depending on their unique qualities and the thought and planning behind them. But Eric focuses on 2-D presentations for the bulk of his current art, and blends woodburning with painting for a stronger effect.
Web: oldscratchart.wordpress.com/
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/oldscratch
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Felix & Jayne
Felix & Jayne was created by neither a Felix, nor a Jayne. We'll start here, because you're all curious - we read you like one of our blogs. Yeah, we read our own blogs (And?)! Instead, F & J, the brainchild (We love this word - a combination of your mental motor and a human child! What's not to like?), of Cristi Martin, draws exclusively on Martin's love for Algebra's distant cousin - Geometry. Perhaps Martin's handmade designs are inspired by triangular scones, rectangular slices of zucchini bread, or the beauty of a circular cake donut. Or, maybe we're writing this in a pastry shop. Martin doesn't hesitate to quote herself to provide clarity: "Geometry ain't just in the classroom no mo'. Look around ya." Martin admits that quoting herself may be perceived as a bit "unconventional," but that doesn't stop her. Nothing does, really - except word limits. Oh, and she makes all her wares herself. In Chicago. While her dog Lou, an unconventional female herself, stares in wonder.
Web: felixandjayne.com
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/felixandjayne
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Heartfelt By Aviva
Aviva is a Chicago-based marketing director and designer. She loves being able to balance both her art with her ability to help others find themselves through the arts.
She splits her time between Dreaming Tree Films and Heart Felt. Dreaming Tree Films
specializes in producing Youth Creative Programs that provide teens with a hands-on experience and allows them to explore the creative process of filmmaking. Their mission is to nurture creativity, encourage teens to believe in themselves, and provide the career insight that will help them grow as artists and individuals.Heart Felt is Aviva’s accessory line, which ranges from elaborate sequin beaded fascinators to felt floral headbands as well as raspberry rockabilly-style earrings. All Heart Felt accessories are handmade with lots of love and Aviva is very much dedicated to the D.I.Y movement.
Web: heartfeltbyaviva.com
Etsy: etsy.com/people/heartfeltbyaviva
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Lad Named Felix
Lad Named Felix seeks to blur the lines between 'art' and 'craft' by creating bold, well-constructed pieces inspired by pop culture, vintage quirk and timeless style. High-quality materials, industrial, vintage, and precious metals, gemstone, crystal, and glass play alongside unique vintage and antique found components where it's all peppered with sarcasm, modern edge, and a sharp wit. Many LNF pieces are one of a kind, all hand-crafted in a Chicago loft studio. Described by fans as "retro-future glam", "a secret, fabulous club", and "sex on chains", LNF is bold and versatile statement jewelry that transitions easily from work to play. Jewelry is a state of mind - something men and women use to temporarily take on new personas and express different facets of their personalities - that's entirely ephemeral and fluid. At its barest bones, Lad Named Felix encourages its wearers to become a living part of the art simply by rocking LNF in their own personal wardrobes, and stands for quality, high-style, and irreverence. LNF's owner and designer, Jason Pike, finds illumination in industrial decay, photography, glam rock, and his prior life as a celebrity makeup artist. He takes his art with a grain of salt, his toast with honey, and his martinis extra dirty with bleu cheese olives.
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Megan Lee Designs
Every Megan Lee Design begins with a pencil drawing, which she then scans, prints and burns to a screen, and finally prints one-by-one on her table-top press. Her cute and quirky designs can be found on t-shirts, tunic dresses, totes and greeting cards and are inspired by her love of animals, food, nature and the midwest.
Web: meganleedesigns.com
Etsy: meganleedesigns.etsy.com
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Moxiedoll
Mandy McGee is the one woman show behind Moxiedoll and has been hand stitching happiness in various forms since 2003. Her designs are inspired by retro iconic objects and pop culture nostalgia, bringing you a piece of the past through needle and thread!
Mandy's artwork combines many of her passions: stitching, librarianship, sustainability and a good challenge. In an attempt to reduce waste, she selects unconventional library materials that might otherwise be discarded as the base, background and inspiration for her embroidered art.
Web: showsomemoxie.wordpress.com
Etsy: moxiedoll.etsy.com
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Nancy Gardner Ceramics
At nancyandburt worldwide our goal is to command the world pottery market and spread the joy of our pottery throughout the universe. We are proud participants in the international pottery conspiracy and encourage everyone to make pots instead of war.
Web: nancyandburt.com
Blog: nancyandburt.blogspot.com
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Nerfect
Mr. Walters’ various interests and inspirations are reflected in his work from magic and folklore to cartoons and fast food. Over the years he has developed a large cast of odd characters in his work, which maybe featured in drawings and paintings or products like stickers, buttons, t-shirts, and stuffed toys. In a way, there is no real line between art and craft for him.
In fact, it is very important to him that his work can be appreciated and enjoyed by the public. If one wants to take a bit of Mr. Walters’ Nerfectverse home, they easily can. Art should never solely be a thing locked behind museum and gallery walls, it should be a part of our lives.
Web: nerfect.com
Flickr: flickr.com/photos
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Prince Chicago
I am a crafter at heart and an artist in spirit. I love to create things that are fun and simple. I create paper goods and accessories that are eco-conscious. They are vintage inspired with a modern twist.
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/blaquepearl
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Christine Rosa
Christine Rosa enjoys combining her passion for metal working, design and non-traditional materials to make jewelry and sculpture. Elevated Chicago creations include elements that are upcycled, local or sustainable. Christine likes to give old things new life by using them in her work instead of tossing them out. She strives to reduce her carbon footprint by riding her bike around town and sourcing products locally whenever possible.
Never satisfied with one project for too long, Christine often finds herself making drawings and sculptures in her studio. Her work is heavily influenced by her travels and memories.
Born and raised in Chicago, IL, the Second City will always be first in her eyes.
Web: elevated-chicago.com
Etsy: elevatedchicago.etsy.com
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Squasht By Les
Lesley Timpe
Owner and designer of Squasht by Les
WHAT IS ART? One of the pervading *big questions* since the dawn of humankind, I don't claim to know the answer to it! But art intrigues and enthralls me in my every day life, and I am perpetually drawn toward it, and eager to find artistic qualities in everyday objects.
As a professional apparel and accessories designer for the past seven years, and owner of the company Squasht by Les, I have developed a knack for funneling artistic inspiration into the garments and accessories I create, as any designer must. The opposite of a perfectionist, I enjoy when things are slightly "off" and the resulting garments tend to have a personality that is created by their individual, unique mix of fabrication and trims, shape, cut, color, texture, drape and feel.
For 50/50 Pilsen, which emphasizes the blurred lines between art & craft, I have decided to show some of the photography that I am continuously taking in my everyday life. From diverse locations that are dear to my heart, I have gathered a small compilation of snapshots which are barely related to each other in any way, just that they express qualities of life and things I find beautiful. The messiness of personalities, the perfection and complexity of nature. Curiosity, tenderness, ecstasy, emotion. Coloration both muted and brilliant. Shapes whether they be sharp and defined or blurred and mysterious. Activity, stillness, artificiality, realness, darkness and light. These things serve to inspire my apparel designs and to remind me to keep my eyes open for surprises and the beauty which is often found where you may least expect it.
Web: SquashtByLes.com
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Subversive Seamstress
Motivated by her love of thrift stores, nostalgic crafts, and all things retro, Hesper Wolfe, designs her own line of bags, purses and small accessories. She revamps what seems to be outdated or unusable, such as vintage table cloths, salvaged flea market fabric, or even your grandma's curtains, for more contemporary purposes. With a little bit of the subversive seamstress' sewing magic, your mom's 1970s gold jumpsuit becomes an adorable clutch or your grandma's lawn chair pillows turns into a sturdy laptop case.
The ultimate goal of Subversive Seamstress Designs is to merge unique fashionable products with social and environmental consciousness. She believes you should not only look good, but also protect our small, local businesses along with our suffering planet. Therefore, she works hard to construct stylish, functional, and durable products made from upcycled, 'green' materials that you will love and enjoy for many years to come.
Etsy: subversiveseamstress.etsy.com
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Truche
Tru.che mostly sells silver pieces, and is guided by the principle that you should wear what you love. Born in Michigan and wanting to carry around a piece of her heart, artist Stevie Koerner came up with the idea for the United States of Love collection. Everything is made by hand out of fine silver with love.
Web: imakeshinythings.com
Etsy: truche.etsy.com
