Etsy Craft Party 2016

There is a great tradition invented by Etsy to celebrate creativity, an annual Etsy Craft Party. This summer it is going to be on June 17th through 19th. This is a great event to connect and share ideas with your community and we at Russian Artists Team love to do it.

Since our team members are scattered around the world, we decided to hold a virtual party this year. So next weekend we will publish some tutorials and giveaways on our blog to celebrate handmade spirit. 

We will also share them on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Visit us to see what we have:

Russian Artists Team blog

Russian Artists Team Pinterest

Russian Artists Team Facebook Page

Featured artist: Anastasiya Prosvetova, Prosvetovaart. Acrylic painting

When you see a picture that's touching to you, you wants to know more about its creator. That what happened with us when we see the beautiful works of our team member, Anastasiya at her shop, Prosvetovaart. So we contacted her and asked to tell us a bit about herself and her artistic inspiration. Anastasiya agreed and we are happy to share her story with you, our dear readers.

 Here is her story:

My name is Anastasiya Prosvetova and I am an artists from St. Petersburgh, Russia. I paint little gentle winged creatures who leave me when they find people who love them. It was sad at first, especially when the first angels were gone but I am always happy for them. Their light images are always a part of me and my new creations.

New images are coming and staying with me. They are waiting for the right moment and showing me their story like a colorful slide show. Where they are coming from?

... The snow was softly falling on the ground this morning. Here is a new image, a new story. The pencil is begging me to pick it up. The magic is coming from daily life. You just need to look around and see the inspiration.

 When you take a thought trapped in your mind and turn it into your image it's like freeing a bird from a cage. You feel light and excited. You are  not sad about anything and you do not think about anything. The world around you is kind and beautiful.

And this is my favorite state of mind.

Interview by Tanya Socksandmittens

The art of Ebru, part 2

Today I want to continue telling you about the amazing ancient art of drawing on water – “ebru” (see the beginning of this story here). 

From very beginning, I wanted my children to become engaged with ebru. So, we bought a starter set. That includes a plastic tray for tableware, size A4; basic colours and thickening powder. These days they make acrylic paints for ebru, which can also be used for painting on natural fabric such as silk, cotton, etc. Thickening agent is made from synthetic resins. In the set of colours, it is necessary to have one bottle of white colour (better to have two), as background patterns are traditionally made with pastel shades. Instead of traditional used for applying the colours drop by drop, we use fine metal knitting needles. We use the most basis office paper. We also use paper tissues to wipe the needles clean after each movement.

We need to dissolve the thickener in clean water (we usually take 1 liter of water per the A4 tray). Proportions are indicated on the package of the thickener. We mix the powder in a vessel or right in the tray, it needs to be mixed for 20 minutes without any haste, so that not to have any clots there. Then we cover it with a newspaper to protect from dust and leave alone for 6-8 hours (usually till morning).

In the morning, we filter the solution or mix it in a blender and let it stand for 30 minutes so that there are no small bubbles.

Then we put a pilot drop of paint in that solution, preferably light in colour, to see how it behaves. If the drop drowns, possibly the solution (kitre) is too thick. In that case, we need to add a bit of water and mix it again. Then we put another drop. When the drop touches kitre, it must bloom like a flower, turning into a correct circle. 

It is important not to make kitre too thin, as you can’t reverse it! So, proportions are usually indicated for a thicker solution. After you practice making kitre several times, you will know how it must feel to the touch. Skills come through practice. 

When you are ready, you can start painting. You can use fan shaped brushes to spray background patterns. I would advise to cover the whole table with newspapers, as paint can get even on the floors when you spray it, and you cannot wash acrylic paint off when it is dry. 

 

 

There are numerous styles of ebru. All paintings on water can be divided into two groups: textures (abstract background) and specific images (mostly flowers). A separate category is ebru with inscriptions which is more difficult and time consuming. They usually use decals for that.

 

The most basic style is Battal Ebru. For this style, they usually take several shades, mostly four of them, and do spraying in different colours, one after one. This results in a textured marble-like painting. It is also easy to make waved ebru (Gelgit); you need to spray first, and then to make straight lines with your knitting needle, first horizontally, then vertically. This will give you beautiful braid-like waves.

Story by Ekaterina Ryazanova (KatyaCoil) (to be continued).

Translated by Eugenie (MulberryWhisper) 

The art of Ebru

I would like to start with my personal history. I was fortunate to take several master classes on ebru right in my hometown. A couple of years ago I became fascinated with unusual drawings I found on the web. Those were strange depictions of flowers on marble-like background. They turned out to be ebru, the ancient Eastern art. 

 Ebru probably comes from Turkestan originally. Later it penetrated Iran and Ottoman Empire. This is a traditional Turkiс and Islamic art. In Persian, “ebru” means “cloud”. It is also known as “Turkish paper” or “Turkish marbling”. Initially this technique was used to decorate binding and end leaves of books. There were no manuals on ebru, as the knowledge was passed from masters to apprentices. Traditionally ebru was made by men, and they gave a deep sacral meaning to creating these images on the water surface.

Ebru is born in water

Finds its soul in colours

And emerges on paper

When I firmly decided to try doing ebru, I found that it was not too easy. All materials are very specific. Kitre, the solution for ebru, is made from water and geven resin which comes from a geven tree. It has to infuse for 6-8 hours before it can be used. Dyes are made from pigments which are mixed with water and bull’s bile. The more bile is there in the dye, the more interesting and full will be the blooming of a drop of dye on paper. Brushes are also made by hand, using a rose twig and horse hair.

Ebru is highly valued by those who understand it. Every image is one of a kind. It is impossible to replicate the image created by the artist jointly with water. It is believed that ebru provides a snapshot from the artist’s soul at that point in time.

If you decide to start making ebru, you will need patience and commitment. It takes time to master these materials. My children love ebru and happily work on it, as the process is so amazing and whimsical.

In my next article I will tell you about modern ebru artists and share more details of our family experience with ebru.

 

Story by Ekaterina Ryazanova (KatyaCoil)

Translated by Eugenie (MulberryWhisper) 

....................

More about the author: Ekaterina is an artist working in many techniques such as painting on silk, stained glass, decoupage and mixed media. See more of her creations at her KatyaCoil shop on Etsy.

Some thoughts on art, exhibitions and inspiration

The art exhibits are very powerful source of inspiration for me. I love to see the wonderful works of art and always trying to see as many art shows as possible.

 According to the Art Basel Miami Beach website, the event is known as the most prestigious art show in the Americas.  Over 250 leading galleries from all over the world take part, showcasing works by more than 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.  Since the first exhibition held ten years ago, a greater number of art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, critics and art enthusiasts from around the world participate in Art Basel Miami Beach - the favorite winter meeting place for the international art world.

 The exhibiting galleries are among the world's most respected art dealers, offering exceptional pieces by both renowned artists and cutting-edge newcomers.  Special exhibition sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art.  The show is a vital source for art lovers, allowing them to both discover new developments in contemporary art and experience rare museum-caliber artworks.  Top-quality exhibitions in the museums of South Florida and special programs for art collectors and curators also help make the event a special time for encountering art.

 This year's 10th anniversary show marked my 3rd Art Basel experience.  As I walk through the exhibition and view each piece, a handful of pieces inspire my future creations.  

 For instance, after this year's show, I have introduced my used coffee grounds into my paintings. 

 This process have not only given me more recyclable or “green” ideas, but simply adding the coffee grounds and coffee beans to my painting has given them a more unique quality to my creations.

Other exhibits provided inspiration for my latest jewelry designs which I am currently preparing.

 For the people considering whether or not to attend the next Art Basel show in Miami Beach, I would HIGHLY recommend it. This is wonderful and I am sure, you will get inspired, too!

  

Story by Vera (Luxurybyvera) and Mike,

Photography by Katya Gubanova

Russian Artists team first meet up in Washington DC

Russian Artists had its first team meet up in Washington, D.C. this past weekend. We all got together at the Torpedo Factory art center that is an amazing place where artists have their studios and sell their original artwork.

It was great to meet in person and talk about our Etsy and Russian Artists team experience! I hope it will turn into a tradition and we will have our meet ups in D.C. on a regular basis.



Pictures are Tonya from CityCrochet, Reghina from birchtreejewelry and Anna from aniutik

Some tips to escape depression in creativity

We used to think that our everyday job is something we do unwillingly waiting for the end of working day. I have good news – there exist lucky individuals who are interested in what they are busy with and moreover everyday full time job inspire to create fantastic items and sell them on Etsy.

Arctida’s interest in natural science (she is a Cancer researcher) is one of main inspiration sources for her art.


berezki’s love for combination of the industrial, geometric and organic, as she told me, was the influence of her background in architecture.


Being a musician rumosaic07 conceives by images. “I take the key of F major like royal blue and D flat minor like dark brown. Create my artworks I hear the harmonic equivalent of them– inlaying mosaic or crocheting I am in the music sphere”.


allmadewithlove often visits antique markets, where one can find timeless beautiful things, they inspire her for making the vintage style creations with a new look.


“Fashion is my passion and my profession –allmadewithlove explained me - Everything retro and antique, such as books, historical movies, fashion magazines, are my inspirations”.
Oh! Don’t miss here another tip how to get inspiration – look through masterpieces of talented brilliant artists!

yelenalamm always finds a great source of energy in connections with other artists - whether communicating on personal level, visiting an art gallery or a museum, browsing through online portfolios including many amazing talents on Etsy, or in her favorite art books.


marina826 is also inspired by artist of different times, nations, schools that she enjoys in museums, art galleries, books and in the I-net and take a positive supply of creativeness.


I should agree with CityCrochet’s words - All these beautiful things created by artisans of Etsy inspires to create something by yourself!


Two years ago Lulya found a website Etsy, and a Jewelry section. “I saw a lot of the most beautiful jewelry in different stores and just lit up the idea of learning to do the jewelry by myself . And I continue to learn to this day”.


Another great idea told me WineCountryLife: “ I'm inspired by my customers - people who choose handmade over mass produced, value personal warmth and individual attention, and appreciate the love and energy that I put in my products. They give me motivation, provide feedback, and generate new ideas. When I create, I think of a person who’ll wear my jewelry or I imagine a person who’ll receive the card I'm making.


And MamaTita’s inspiration was from the clients. The customer ordered her butterflies for the wedding and she decided to start to make decors and stationary for weddings


But sometimes we have no need to seek for inspiration because it’s inside us – It’s called FEELINGS! alvant wouldn’t sound strange saying “I can create only when I feel abundance of love and happiness...”


“My inspirations are not only my dreams, but my future, love, breath, tears, feelings, hopes...But my main inspiration is love.” – shared with me serdomania –


“When you look at my drawings,you can not see the faces. Because I am searching for the real love in my drawings.”

So, if you feel lack of creativity may be you should change your work, or communicate with creative people (from Russian Artists team, for example) and the most helpful remedy – TO FALL IN LOVE!))

Stay open hearted!

Lily (heartygift)

Interview with a Star - Serden from Serdomania

Love, painted in black and red. Passion, loneliness, sadness, hope - all of these feelings will overwhelm you when you look at Serden's paintings. His Serdomania shop on Etsy is easy to recognize because his works are one of a kind.

Please welcome Serden from Serdomania!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Serden,
Pencil artist and also photographer.

Born in Turkey.
Graduated with a Tourism Management degree from Economy University of Varna in Bulgaria.
Lived in Bulgaria, California, New York and Ukraine.

Speaks: Turkish, English, Bulgarian, Russian, Macedonian.

What are your main sources of inspiration?
My artwork is called dream and I draw my dreams. Everyone has a dream, and they do come true. My inspirations are not only my dreams, but my future, love, breath, tears, feelings, hopes.
But my main inspiration is the love.

When you look at my drawings, you can not see so many faces. Because I am searching the real love in my drawings. This is my secret.

How would you describe your style?
I use just black, white and magical red colors on my works. I strive to produce realistic looking drawings and add my own conceptual ideas, too. I'm trying to form my own style, and share my soul, my feelings with everyone. My style sometimes is crazy, sometimes is romantic, sometimes is sad. But it is all about love.

Do you have a Favorite quote you'd like to share with us?
Whatever you want, say now. Whatever you want, do now. Because tomorrow will be late for it.

Why will people love your items?
Because I create different things. And people find themselves in my artworks.

Where would you like to go with your business?
I don't make so many plans, but I love what I do. When people love my artworks, it makes me to create more and more. I hope some day everyone will know my artworks. And when they put my drawings in their houses, my soul also will be there. Maybe my body is not going to be there but my soul always will be there.

Name 3 things you can’t live without?
1-My family and friends
2-Love
3-Art