Meet the Maker - Chrissy Foreman C - Art to Inspire

Hey there friends.  I've got a real treat in store for you today.  Our Meet the Maker interview today is with the very inspiring Chrissy Foreman C.  Her artwork is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day and as one of the stars of the 2013 Saviours of the Lost Arts, her workshops filled up within a matter of days!

How would you describe your work?

Colourful, heartfelt, vibrant, giving, inspiring and completely amaze balls!!  (ha, ha, not really, actually yeah, kinda really.)

How did your Etsy shop come into being?

I opened my Etsy shop a couple of years ago and never looked back.  It's a constant source of inspiration and connections with amazing artists from all over the world.  In saying that, I've just launched my very own website shop which I'm super excited about!  Both shops came into being because I love what I'm doing so much, I want to inspire that feeling for my viewers - it's the best feeling!

Who or what inspires you?

Uncovering my secret dreams and realising that I can do them is inspiring me no end at the moment.  I'm letting myself dream big and my heart is literally exploding with ideas of things I want to do and share with others as a result!  I'm also crazy about colour, pattern, feelings and nature which feature in various combinations in almost all my works.

Do you 'reduce, reuse, recycle' as part of your creative process?  If yes, how is your art/craft eco-friendly?

Admittedly I'm not as green in my everyday life after becoming a Mumma (ugh.  Sooooo many nappies!); but in my art and business, I'm committed to using sustainable and eco-friendly products.  It took me ages to find suppliers that were both green and amazing quality but now I have them, I feel absolutely proud of everything I make!

Can you describe your studio/work area?
I've recently moved into my very own, separate studio space and being in there feels completely amazing!  My hubby lost his job recently so he's now Daddy-daycare while I go to my studio everday to create, paint, write and conjure.

What is your favourite thing to make?
At the moment, I love the process of rebranding everything in my website to share who I am as a person and what I stand for in my work.  So I guess you could say I'm into making my business successful and completely accessible in a cool, connective and creative way.

I'm now running DELICIOUS new 'Creating with Feeling' courses and feel completely and utterly blessed to be able to share my experiences and skills in ways that enable participants to feel safe to explore their creativity and feelings.  (You can check out more about Chrissy's workshops and retreats here.)

Where do you hope to see your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months?
I definitely want to make some really meaningful, heartfelt connections with people this year through my work.  I'm writing new e-books and workshops to inspire people's innate creativity and trust in their processes.  I've also recently uploaded a short movie of my intuitive painting and will be working on more of these.

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?
Oh my, what kind of question is this!  How does one choose?!  I think at the moment I'm pretty obsessed with Tess' amazing custom fabric necklaces under her Monkey & Mum label.  I already have three with more on the way!  Tess and I are collaborating on some jewellery projects using my designer fabrics which is bloody awesome!

Where can we find your work?
I'm building a special relationship with people who really 'get me' and want to stay inspired.  You can subscribe to my weekly 'Art to Inspire' email via the subscribe tab on my website.  It's jam-packed full of tips, art, freebies and discounts.

Website
Web Shop

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest
Etsy

Thanks so much for sharing with us Chrissy, it's always a delight to step into your creative world!  If you love Chrissy's work as much as we do, why not come along this Friday night and meet her in person!  Chrissy will be up on the deck in King George Square at the BrisStyle indie Twilight Market demonstrating her art!  What a treat!!

xSam

We love new stuff!

If you're a lover of fine art cards and stationery as much as we are you will want to get your 'art loving' little selves over to the 'My Nostalgic Feeling' Etsy shop. The gorgeous Chrissy has just released a brand new range of fine art cards that you will most definitely be impressed with.



Art Card: Where Unicorns Live

Art Card: The Peacock Aura Soarer

Art Card: You Make Me Happy

Deck of Artist Cards: Limited Edition

Art Card: Because I Love You This Much



Each card features an artwork on the front and a blurb on the back explaining the artwork, printed onto quality archival eco paper and packaged with a recycled envelope - making them original, unique and personalised. Just the way we like them!

In the Spotlight: My Nostalgic Feeling

This week, we were lucky enough to catch up with BrisStyle mixed-media artist, Chrissy Foreman Cranitch, to talk art, inspiration and all things ethical.

How would you describe your work?
I create feminine, mixed-media artworks that are good for the earth and good for the soul. I'd say my work is a little bit contemporary, a little bit whimsical, a little bit nostalgic and full-to-the-brim with emotion and heart.

How did your Etsy shop come into being?
Well, if I'm to be completely honest, I initially joined Etsy purely because it was a prerequisite of being a BrisStyler! Oh how things have changed now though, not only have I made heaps of wonderful connections with local and international artisans all over the world, I've also gained more confidence in my work as a result.  It's such a wonderful feeling to know people experience joy from what I make.

Who or What inspires you?
I'm inspired by feelings, nature, love and motherhood, as well as delicious eye-candy things like patterns, fabrics, and colour.

Sometimes I'll feel inspired by something pertinent that's happening in my life, so I'll just start 'making' with that in mind and see what comes out.  Using my own life experience and interests as inspiration is kind of a nice way to work, because it means at the end of each artwork, I'm surprised by what my feelings 'look like' in abstract form.  And it's amazing to hear the connections other people can make of that too.

Do you 'reduce, reuse, recycle' as part of your creative process? If yes, how is your art eco-friendly?
Heck yes! It's taken me years of trial and error to find eco-friendly supplies for my artworks and products that stand up to fine-art quality benchmarks, and I can honestly say it was worth the effort and the extra money.  It feels great to create unique and lovely items that are also kind and ethical.

My art materials and papers are sourced from companies using a mixture of ethical business practices, renewable energy sources and recycled materials wherever possible. I use eco friendly paints, the highest quality drawing materials (that last me eons) and I use only ethical suppliers for my printing and stationery needs.

I don't tend to plug my eco-ness a whole lot because I don't want to seem too hippyish or take away from the quality of my arty goodies, but it really does form the framework and ethics behind my work in general.  I don't sell anything I don't believe in.

Can you describe your studio/work area?
Ha ha.....here goes! I have artworks, postcards, trinkets, quotes, photos, stickers, collages and notes blue-tacked randomly all over my walls, cupboards and even dangling off my computer. I'm definitely no minimalist!

I have three desks in the room, most of which are covered with crap + stationery that I have to migrate over to another desk if I actually want to do something on them. I rarely see the dining table surface either.  These days, I've gotten to making art in the lounge room while I watch Masterchef or documentaries, so I'm slowly taking over the house, one area at a time. That's all gonna have to change soon though, because we've got our first baby on the way in September, so now his things are slowly taking over my studio! Karma, baby!

What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?
I'll say probably my original artworks, purely because I'm only just 'coming out of the closet' with them online. It's funny, coming from a regular run-of-the-mill middle class family, it's been a struggle for me to realise the value of my art and the heart-felt role it can play in people's lives. My famly didn't instill much support or value in the arts when I was growing up - they were always just 'nice hobbies'.

As a result, I've kept most of my original artworks tucked away, under blankets, behind drawers, in cupboards and other random hidey-holes, purely because I honestly couldn't believe that people would be willing to pay for original artwork when they could buy my prints affordably in my shops.  It's so easy to assume what other people want based upon our own limited thinking!

That's begun to change for me in recent times, because I've really started backing myself and changing my own belief systems to match my ambitions and desire to share/connect through my work.....and that seems to be equally matched with more and more people buying my artworks, offering me fantastic opportunities and giving me great feedback about what my work has done for them and their loved ones. YAY! (sorry for the long answer!)

Where can people view/purchase your work?
Since you so kindly asked, please allow me to plug myself stupid here. You can find me at:

Etsy

Made It

Facebook

Blog

Twitter

Blue Caravan

.....and I've got my solo exhibition 'New Beginnings...Works on Paper' on until July 9th at The Urban Grind in Paddington. Check out the Facebook Invite here.

Thank-you Chrissy for opening your creative heart and sharing your knowledge and experiences with us.

'New Beginnings - Works on Paper'

BrisStyle member Chrissy Foreman C is a talented Mixed Media Artist who creates her work using eco and sustainable practices. She is hosting a solo art exhibition at The Urban Grind in Paddington from June 26 to July 9.

Pop along anytime during this period to see a stunning collection of Chrissy's framed mixed media drawings on paper, inspired by feelings, nature and love.

The Urban Grind

131 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington

Opens June 26 at 7.30am

Closes July 9 at 3.00pm

Junkie Couture at Reverse Garbage

If you're interested in fashion and accessories handmade from salvaged materials, the Reverse Garbage 'Junkie Couture' exhibition is for you!

Featuring diverse works from emerging artists, designers and crafters from right around Australia this exhibition showcases all the latest in handmade 'eco' fashion.

BrisStyle members, Chrissy Foreman C, Kellie Christie and Samantha Gilkes will have their work on display during the 'Junkie Couture' exhibition and we've got a sneaky peek right here just for you.....

(fabric ring - Chrissy Foreman C - make art hug trees)

Chrissy will be exhibiting her fabulous new Moon Wedge Necklaces, fabric brooches, fabric rings, fabric hair combs, fabric earrings and upcycled fabric handbags. Featuring glorious fabrics and designs with a true tree huggin' feel these pieces are sure to catch your eye.

(Moon Wedge Necklace - Chrissy Foreman C - make art hug trees)

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(Kimono Flower Headband - Kellie Christie)

Kellie will have a range of upcycled accessories on display including her Kimono Flower Headbands and Interconnected Circle necklaces guaranteed to stand-out with Kellie's great eye for colour and design.

(Interconnected Circles - Kellie Christie)

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(Doily Cloud and Rain Brooches - Samantha Gilkes - Jetta's Nest)

Samantha will be showing new works from her Timber Doily range, handmade brooches made from salvaged Pecan wood and featuring hand-drawn details. There'll also be a few old favourites on display including the salvaged Silky-Oak, Wise Old Owl Brooch and the salvaged Pecan Wood Fruit series.

(Wise Old Owl Brooch - Samantha Gilkes - Jetta's Nest)

Opening night is this Saturday 18 September from 6pm - 8pm and will feature live music, nibblies, drinks and a henna tattooist as well as a light night shopping opportunity in the Reverse Garbage warehouse. Everyone's welcome to come along, just head over the Junkie Couture event page on facebook to RSVP.