Feature Artist - Mel Paradise

Hello fellow artists,

Please meet this weeks artist.

Name:

Mel Paradise

Age: 29

How did you get started in art?

I’ve been making things since as early as I can remember. I’d always excelled at art in school but then wouldn’t end up coming back to it until later on in life. I thought I’d be a professional costume designer, then went to school for psychology before working as a bartender and eventually deciding to just do art full time because it was necessary. I feel like it’s what I’m meant to be doing.

Hometown:

San Diego, but you couldn’t pay me to move back there. Portland became my home about 3 years ago and I don’t want to live anywhere but here. I do get to travel quite a bit, but I want to always come back to Portland. As far as I’m concerned, Portland is my home town.

What types of art do you enjoy doing?

All kinds! While I was trained in drawing/painting, when I was young I taught myself how to sew. I did costume design for 7 years and then later got into perler bead art, but not before also dabbliing in writing, video production, marketing, and other arts and crafts. I also enjoy performing arts. I like to sing and would like to do it more often, or maybe act. I’m terrified of crowds, but it seems fun. I like the energy that comes along with live performances.

Do you have a dream project?

I’d like to work on some larger scale projects like murals and installations. I’m at the point where shows on the other side of the country are asking me to come speak about my works, but I’d rather get to where they’re paying for my transportation too. Being involved in the community is very important to me.

Do you have a favorite piece of artwork completed?

I do so much that it’s actually quite difficult to think of any one piece. You might have to ask me more specifically, like, what is your favorite painting? Favorite pixel art, etc. That kind of thing. I think many people think that one of the most impressive pieces I’ve made was a 3 ft tall portrait of GlaDos from the video game Portal out of perler beads. It took about a week to complete, and it’s huge! Thousands of beads! My personal favorite though is a little plush sea pig (a type of sea slug) that I made. You know, he’s the only one in existence, and he’s totally adorable.

Is there another artist that inspires you?

I like bright bold colors and surrealism. Right now I’m digging the works of Noel Fielding. I like how his stuff is both cartoony and a bit existential at the same time. It’s fantastic. I’m also a fan of Niel Harbisson. He’s a cyborg. Cyborgs are hot.

Pic of Your Work:

Do you have any links to your work online?

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MelParadise
http://melmakessprites.tumblr.com/
https://www.facebook.com/PixelArtParadise

https://twitter.com/melofcgamergirl

Thanks Mel!!

Please be sure to visit Mel and check out her work at the above links.

Adam Armstrong - Old Woods Artists Gatherings

Feature Artist - Jen Anu

Hello all,

This week we are pleased to bring artist Jen Anu.

My name is Jen Anu. I have been an artist since the age of 13 and grew up in a family of creative souls ranging from music to painting to dance. My exposure to varied and multiple mediums throughout my younger years has grown into a passion I love to share with all.

I am an artist of all genre's and have a wide range of creative interests. As a realist, my drawing style captures the expression of the subject as true to form. I have been commissioned in the past to create one of my most beloved subjects, babies.

Working with the digital promotion medium is fun and allows me to project what I perceive is a wanted result from any prospective client. I've created CD covers, band logos, web pages, and advertisement/promotions. All of which has lead to my current favorite format, Digital Art.

The freedom Digital Art allows me is exciting and I find myself able to channel the creative universe with depth and beauty. My work has been published in the Artist Catalogue, several local periodicals and has been consigned for product labels. My fans from across the globe have purchased prints in their homes, and a few have tattoos of my work, of which I am truly honored.

Where my creative passion leads me into the future is hard to tell, but be certain I will be creating something of beauty in one form or another.

Jen's Art:

Please visit Jen's Facebook page at below address:

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/jenanuart

Thank you Jen!,

Adam Armstrong - Old Woods Artist Gatherings

Feature Artist - Heather Patterson

Greetings from Old Woods Artist Gatherings,

Please let us introduce you all to Heather Patterson for this weeks artist.

Name:

Heather Patterson

Age:

28

How did you get started in art?

My grandfather was a painter and when I was 6, he and I would sit at our easels side by side and paint. Can't say I was very good but I tried!

Hometown:

Portland, OR

What types of art do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy acrylics, pen and ink, and pencil

Do you have a dream project?

Someday would really like to complete a large piece entirely done in stippling. So far I have only complete 9x11 at the largest.

Do you have a favorite piece of artwork completed?

I am particularly proud of a large acrylic piece I did of a anime character as well as pieces I have done for my grandfather.

Is there another artist that inspires you?

I am inspired by anime, animals, and colors more than one particular person. I will always be inspired by: Caravaggio, Georgia O'Keefe, Monet, Toulouse Lautrec

Do you have any links to your work online?

Etsy Shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/Sourapplesnapart 

Contact: Email: heatherpatters87@gmail.com

Pics of Heather's work:

Please be sure to check out Heather's Etsy shop at above link with her work. Thank you to Heather for sharing your story. 

Adam Armstrong - Old Woods Artist Gatherings

Feature Artist - Madison Loveall (Maddy)

Name or Nickname:

Madison Loveall (Maddy)

Age:

19

How did you get started in art?

I've always loved creativity, I found ceramics through school.

Hometown:

Florence, Oregon.

What types of art do you enjoy doing?

Predominantly ceramics, but photography is my secondary.

Do you have a dream project?

Running and operating my own ceramics studio, selling my work to support it and myself.

Do you have a favorite piece of artwork completed?

I definitely have pieces I like better than others. The next piece will always be the best, that's basically the attitude. Every piece I make is my favorite in that moment, though often times that moment doesn't linger for very long.

Is there another artist that inspires you?

All artists inspire me, most of all those that I can work alongside. I have many friends and peers that inspire me, and my mother most of all encourages me.

Where can we find your work?:

My etsy shop can be found at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GoodPotCeramics

Pics of your work:

Thanks Maddy for being on our blog. Please visit Maddy at his Etsy store at above link.

Adam Armstrong - Old Woods Artist Gatherings

Artist Wanted For This Blog

If there are any artists that would like to be profiled on our blog please contact us.

- Staff @ Old Woods Artists Gatherings