Artist Spotlight #1 - Aquariann

Thanks to everyone that posted their Etsy shops for my new weekly Artist Spotlight showcase! After going through alot of really great shops and some truly clever comments, the first Etsy shop to be spotlighted this week is Aquariann. Kristin Cornell and her fantasy inspired artwork will have you begging for more. Your going to love her stuff!

So, Kristin, how did you come up with your shop name?

My birthday is February 8th, which makes me an Aquarian completely and utterly. My middle name is Ann, so Aquariann works wondrously as a pseudonym.

How did you start creating your amazing art?

I've wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember, and art just came along for the ride and kind of borrowed the wheel. In elementary school, my friends and I used to make up hordes of characters to  write into a young adult series. However, I spent way more time drawing the characters and their situations than actually writing about them - a realization that occurred to me much later. It wasn't until college that it dawned on me to seriously try drawing - thanks to a new addiction to anime and comic books, the discovery of modern fantasy artists such as Amy Brown and Jessica Galbreth, and many art history classes where I got to drool over the beauty of 10,000 years of work.

What is your favorite thing about making art?

I get to share my imagination - if it weren't for drawing, I would probably go mad not being able to let my visions escape. My drawings are flickers into the fantastical world that dances within my mind.

What do you think makes your art special? What sets your drawings apart from the crowd?

My colors are what captivate most viewers - even in person, some people stare at an original and can't believe it's colored pencils. I'm a mostly self-taught artist, so I can't quite explain my technique. Messy mediums such as paint and charcoal have never been very nice to me, but the smooth glide of colored pencils is magic.

What inspires you?

The fantasy genre as a whole - books, movies, shows, music, art, everything.

Tell me a little bit about your featured item?

My most popular item at the moment is my Dragon, Peridot. He's the first in a series. I one day hope to complete a whole series of birthstone Dragons.

What projects are you currently working on?

I'm currently coloring a breast cancer awareness fairy. My mother has been a survivor for 13 years. We have a table at a Relay For Life fund raiser fair in April where I'd like to release my new fairy.

What has been your most memorable moment selling your art?

Every single sale is memorable to me. I still find it amazing that my art is sprinkled across the country, and even a few around the world. I like the idea that my work adds magic to a stranger's everyday routine.

If you could work or study with anyone, who would it be?

Tree-Free Greetings. The work they choose to use on their cards is absolutely stunning, and include many of my favorite fantasy artists. Plus, they strive to use 100% tree-free paper in all their products and are environment friendly - how lovely is that? One of my goals is to approach them and other licensing companies, once I have more work under my glittery belt.

Which Etsy Street Teams or Groups do you belong to?

I roll with FAE (Fantasy Art of Etsy), DAWG (Designing Artists Women's Group) and Big Damn Crafters (Firefly Fans.)

Finally, what advice would you give someone wanting to get into art?

Just try it. You never know what you can do, until you actually attempt it.

• Etsy Shop: Aquariann
• Website: http://aquariann.com/
• Blog: http://aquariann.livejournal.com

Thanks to Kristin for taking the time to answer my endless questions and for sharing a bit of her artistic life with us. You have a bright future ahead of you! Best of Luck!

Be sure to check back in tomorrow for the next Artist Spotlight. This one will feature Susan Hume of Callooh Callay and her beautiful handcrafted jewelry made with vintage items (SteamPunk).

Comments

[Moodwax]

Very talented! Thanks for letting us get to know more about you.

[Jennifer Rose]

Nice interview! Lovely colours in her work :D

[melissa (thingsinstuff)]

I love Kristin's work! I have a few pieces of my own. My son just loves her dragons. She's amazing young women! Rock on Kristin!

[ButterflyChic]

Wow! Yo picked a great artist to feature!

[Vanessa]

Great Feature! Love your blog and your work!

[Helen]

Nice feature! Interesting seller. Thanks for posting this ;)