Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Artist Spotlight: Ni Carnahan Illustration


Tell us something about yourself.
My name is Ni Carnahan. I am a passionate, self-taught illustrator who draws from the heart. I was born and raised in Taiwan and knew at an early age that I was an artist. Although my life in Taiwan took me in different directions, I always had a love of drawing and art. Once I moved to Northern California, I became so inspired by the works of artists such as Mary Engelbreit and Beatrix Potter that I knew that art was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. My art is a unique fusion of Asian and Western styles. All of my works are first hand-drawn and then lightly enhanced using various forms of media. 

How long have you been painting/illustration/doing art?
I have always been creating art every since I was a little girl. I did Japanese comic drawings back in my high school and college years. When l I moved to America I decided to pursue my dream as an illustrator.  I am working as a greeting card designer and developing my own style. I set up Ni Carnahan Illustration recently and am ready to start my art career as an illustrator. 

What’s your favorite medium?
Pen and Ink, color pencil, pastel, watercolor, and gauche. I also have been learning how to use digital tools to enhance my art. It is different from traditional approach, but I like to explore and try new things out.

Do you have a favorite subject you like to paint? Do you have a style preference?
I love buttons, lines, shapes, patterns, decorative subjects, Nature ,and antique objects.  I like to combine things that I love into my illustration because it helps to represent who I am and what I love.  Over the years, I have created a little logo girl with circle face and music notes of hands and feet. I have been developing a style using real buttons with my girl characters and other media. It is the style that I prefer and have been developing for a while.  As a self-taught illustrator, I always love to try new approach and medium combinations  when I create because I like to find new ways to express myself. Anyways, I prefer hand-drawn art, but I like to explore different approaches when I create!

What are your favorite tools for creating your art?
Pen and ink, colored pencil, pastel, gauche, and watercolor.


What is the inspiration behind your artwork? Do you have a particular person that inspires you in your work/life?
Nature is my biggest inspiration and I often find inspiration through little thing in my life. I love all the creatures, plants and especially flowers in nature. I also love antiques, and old fashion stuff. For example, I wish I could live in old time where ladies need to dress up with all the elegant outfits and accessories.  I want to combine all the elements of nature, antiques, lines, shapes, patterns, and fashions that I love into my arts because that's where my passion is. 

My family also helps to inspire me.  Their unconditional love and support inspire me to create and follow my dream.


What is the one thing that you hope that your artwork will do for others?
It is my sincerest wish my art will bring you warmth, love and happiness. 

What encouragement and/or tips can you give to other inspiring individuals?
"When you are passion about something in life, and making effort to pursue it daily, you will most likely be successful. Have dream or talent? ---don't try, but DO it!" Being an illustrator means never stop investing in yourself and growing as an artist daily.  Also, be persistent and consisted with your talent, and work hard every day. I remember I attended SCBWI conferences a few years back, and all the wonderful artists would tell us to be persistent and never stop learning and practicing.  This is what I've been doing ever since. I challenged myself to sketch daily for 365 days a few years back to see if I could make it. I did it because it was how I realized I could make it happen - being consistant and persistent with my creative process, and eventually my art career. Through this challenge, I was able to gain my self-confidence and understand my weakness. Also, never be afraid of trying new things or learning! And never wait for opportunities to come, you must make them happen. 

Website:  www.nicarnahan.com
Note: All art and photography belong to Ni Carnahan Illustration. Please do not copy or reproduce without her permission. 

SHARE:

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Little Girl LOVE

Good morning and HAPPY MONDAY!  Expecting wonderful things today.  :)  This is a new doodle in the works and she's looking for a name.  I would love to hear what you think.  xx
SHARE:

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Sunday Sketches

Hello and WELCOME to another wonderful and fun round of Sunday Sketches.  Yippee!  I'm loving our growing, creative group here!

Above is a recent customer special order I just completed for a brand new daycare which opened recently in the UK - www.littletreasuredaynursery.com.  This was an incredibly fun project and it felt good to know the customer loved it!  :)

Have a wonderful Sunday and weekend!  I'm off to see what everyone else has been up to.

Grab the Sunday Sketches button here.

This week's participants:
Please sign-up below to submit your sketch for this week, which will also allow others to stop and visit.

SHARE:

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

WOYWW - My new studio

It's been quite awhile since I've been able to hop on board the weekly WOYWW and I've been looking forward to it this week.  With my recent move behind me and all the packing done, it feels good to start getting back into the swing of things.  (Even with classes scheduled to resume in 4 weeks!)  Oy!

Nevertheless, I'm loving my new studio space above, as well as working with my Koi watercolors.  I've had them for far too long and it's been wonderful exploring their bright colors with some of my recent illustrations and doodles.

My life is blooming and more good things/news to come!  So, keep an eye out as there's a big celebration to be announced in a few weeks.  Any guesses?  :)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more wonderful, fun, creative desks, please visit here.
SHARE:

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Custom Facebook Tabs

In a new discovery of art and design, I'm offering custom Facebook tabs for your personal business pages, whether it's for art, photography, design, sewing, etc.

Here's what I'm offering:
Simple, clean Facebook App Tabs (Vol.1).  Designed for use with your Facebook business page, whether it's art, photography, sewing, etc.

INCLUDES:
• Single digital Facebook Tab template (111x74 px).
• 3 pre-made 'ready to use' Facebook tabs (111x74px) customized to your choice:
     - Names of 3 tabs (You tell me what you need)
     - Font, text, and color of your choice
     - Easy to customize
     - For Personal or Limited Commercial Use


Email me for your customized order:  bluechairdiary@yahoo.com

SHARE:

Creative Tuesdays - SHIPS


Well, I'm uber glad we had an extra week to put together our Creative Tuesdays piece because as always, I'm finishing up right down to the wire!  Nevertheless, I'm extremely happy with my contribution piece this week.   Morris decided to make a reappearance and he's SAILING away in his little tea cup ship.  Hee

OK.  Off to visit everyone else.  Yeah!

-----------------------------------------------

For more Creative Tuesday fun, be sure to stop over here and take a peek.
SHARE:

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Sunday Sketches

This is a tribute I've been wanting to paint for quite some time for my father.  It will be 24 months soon, since daddy passed.  My heart is still very sad.  Sigh. 

In August of last year, I was taken to my first Blind Pilot concert for my birthday to help create a new, happy memory to ease the pain of his death (as I last saw him on my birthday the year before and just a few months before his death). It truly was THE BEST GIFT ever and I'm forever grateful to this FAB guy (left), Israel Nebeker and the band, in making it extra special for me.  They helped me create a happy memory for my birthday every year and for that, I'm grateful.  :)

Happy SS!  Wishing you a bright and beautiful day! 

Grab the Sunday Sketches button here.

This week's participants:
Please sign-up below to submit your sketch for this week, which will also allow others to stop and visit.

SHARE:

Friday, July 19, 2013

Blue Chair Diary's Bakery :)


Just a quick post while I'm away at work - I finally started using my Koi watercolors I've had for almost a year now and I LOVE them!  I've got a few more paintings to share but you'll have to wait until Sunday for my weekly art co-cop, Sunday Sketches.  Hee :)

Until then, HAPPY FRIDAY!  :)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more PPF art, make sure to stop here.
SHARE:

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Sunday Sketches

Good morning and WELCOME!  It's another fun week of doodles and all things creative!  :)  I'm running behind again this week as I'm still getting used to a new place, new schedule and so forth.  Please forgive me.  Hopefully, this week, things will click back into place.

Until then...HAPPY SUNDAY! :)

Grab the Sunday Sketches button here.

This week's participants:
Please sign-up below to submit your sketch for this week, which will also allow others to stop and visit.


SHARE:

Sunday, July 07, 2013

Sunday Sketches

I'm still in the middle of unpacking as I officially was able to move my things from the garage into the house a few days ago.  It's a wonderful, big house with plenty of room for a real art studio and more.  I can't wait to post photos of things!  :)

In the meantime, here are a few more watercolor aspen paintings of mine - that loose, Beatrix Potter feel.  Happy SS! :)

Grab the Sunday Sketches button here.

This week's participants:
Please sign-up below to submit your sketch for this week, which will also allow others to stop and visit.
 

SHARE:

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

Creative Tuesdays

I was quite disappointed having to miss my own weekly art co-op (Sunday Sketches) this past Sunday, not having art supplies on hand due to being in the process of moving.  So, when Creative Tuesdays co-op rolled around this afternoon, I was determined to find any sort of pen and paper to at least sketch something to fulfill my inner creative hunger!  (RoooaaAARrrrrrr!)  Hee

Anyway, needless to say, I gathered a white envelope and a black uni-ball pen from my work desk on campus and doodled out my next idea for my Etsy shop, which also meets the latest theme from Creative Tuesdays - MOVING.  Yeah!  :)
SHARE:
© Alexandra MacVean. All rights reserved.
Blogger Templates by pipdig