Feature of the Day #5: Philanooga

Silver Bonsai on Aragonite Crystal

Greetings!

Today's Feature of the Day is Philanooga, AKA Philip Gardner, on Etsy. Philip is a sculpture artist who works primarily with wire on gemstones. Each tree is carefully placed and crafted on the ideal stone for it. They work together in unison to create a whole piece that is delicate yet powerful. Each wire is twisted into its place with care and precision, just like the branches of the Bonsai from which he draws his inspiration. 

This is what Philip has to say about his Silver Bonsai on Aragonite Crystal (pictured left).

The impression I achieved was of a lone tree in a landscape blanked with virgin snow. I titled the tree, "Winter Solitude". The silver colored wire screams of a tree coated in ice. From my childhood it conjured up images of a winter wonderland. Waking up after a rare Atlanta snow storm, I would get my first look of the wintery scene and could not imagine anything more beautiful. 

Here is what Philip has to say about his work, and inspirations:

Philip is inspired by the natural beauty around him. He and his wife travel and live throughout North America. As he does so, he continually looks for unusual stones that enhance his wire creations. Each tree is unique and suited to the stone it is place upon. Philip began making his impressions of trees in 1982 when he helped a group of students with a Junior Achievement business. He continued to make the trees after the project and perfected his own unique style. His trees were sold throughout the USA during that time. When Philip recently decided to retire from the main stream business world and travel, he found inspiration from the landscapes he encountered and once again started to create his wire impressions. He is thrilled when others find beauty in his work.

Check out his work on Etsy today! 

Bonsai Wire Tree on Lace Agate

~Squirrel Creek Creations

Follow us on Twitter @SquirrelsCreek

Our Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SquirrelCrkCreations

The Frog Blog

Summer of the Frog Photo Series on Etsy

Greetings!
Here's a blog from Momma Squirrel about her adventure in taking the photo series "Summer of the Frog".

After feeding the horses one summer morning, I walked by the Gladiolas my husband
had planted, and noticed how beautiful they were. I went back into the house and
grabbed my camera to get some pictures. As I set up for the first picture, I noticed
a “green leaf” in the middle of the flower. So I went to remove the “leaf”, and behold! it was
soft and squishy! Soft and squishy, just like a “tree frog”, which it was! Luckily it stayed put and I was able to get many good photos of it. What a blessing it was to find it a few days later on a different flower! A few days after that, when my daughter was over, we found it once again on teh third flower. We never saw it again after that last day, but thank GOD for the timing and allowing us to get these wonderful photographs!"


All three photos can be purchased together in one beautiful frame on Etsy.

~Squirrel Creek Creations
Follow us on Twitter @FacelessWorld
Our Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SquirrelCrkCreations

Feature of the Day #4: Best Art Studios 2

Best Art Studios 2

Greetings! 

Today's feature is the store of two artists, Mike and Jaime who work side by side in their creative endeavors. They achieve a level of artistic freedom that few can hope to dream of. They work on their paintings every day and have been working together for the last 6 years. Their in-home studio is "small, dark and cramped, empty paint bottles litter every surface, the walls are covered in doodles and child-like finger paintings, the racks that dry their finished works are warped with age and the air is often frigid..."

Yet the creativity that flows from this space is incredible. Bold colors and beautifully sculpted forms bring each piece to stunning life. Their imaginary worlds seem so real, yet untouchable. We can only get a glimpse into the secrets each painting holds, but it's just enough to keep you wondering what it's all about. 

Together, Mike and Jaime have sold more than 1500 original paintings. Their art can be found in collections, homes and offices throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, South Africa, and Australia. Jaime's painting "Morning Splendor" is part of the Fine Art Collection of the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago. (Info from their Etsy page.)

To find out more about them check out their website: Best Art Studios 2

Like them on Facebook: facebook.com/BestArtStudios

~Squirrel Creek Creations

Follow us on Twitter @SquirrelsCreek

Our Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SquirrelCrkCreations

Wreath of the Day #3

Easter Wreath #1

Side View

 Hot off the Squirrel Creek Creations wreath creation table, it's our first ever Easter wreath! Made on Leap Year Eve, this beauty is chocked full of beauty and pizzazz! Gentle pastel colors entwined with pink and purple flowers sooth the senses, while the contrasting green bead garland makes the whole piece POP.
Perfect for a door, above a fireplace, or on any wall that needs some life injected into it! Only one has been made thus far and it's certain to go fast, so make sure to swing by the Etsy store today!
Be Creative Today!
Follow us on Twitter @SquirrelsCreek
Our Etsy Store:

Nutty and proud of it!

Etsy Feature of the Day #3 Dana Keena

Dana Keena on Etsy

 Greetings!
Today's feature is on a very talented wildlife/pet artist, Dana Keena. Dana uses rich and powerful colors to bring out the life in every subject she paints. Utilizing tricks that make the eye focus, wander, and stay interested, Dana keeps her paintings alive and vibrant. Her painting Swallows in Flight exemplifies this
Here's what she has to say about her work:

PHILOSOPHY: Creating a colorful optimistic world by capturing everyday beauty through stylized realism and positive subjects. I love painting the expressions and emotions of much-loved pets and other animals.
FACEBOOK: Dana.Keena.Pet.Portraits.
MEDIUM: I'm currently working in Acrylics on canvas or masonite; predominately using pure and bright color.
LIFE EXPERIENCE: While raised and educated in Oklahoma (originally from Wakita, made famous by the Twister movie) my husband and I relocated to beautiful Oregon and truly the area and people there. We are currently relocating to San Angelo TX, a warm, sunny and friendly place, to be near my aging parents. I am currently a graphic designer, and love that side of my creative life too.
EDUCATION: I am a graduate of University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond Oklahoma, earning an Associates in Fine Art, a Bachelors in Commercial Art and a Masters in Art Education. My primary focus in my educational path has been the pursuit of artistic self-expression through two and three dimensional art.

Although her shop is still small, it holds great potential. If you want a unique and wonderful painting of your beloved pet, order a commissioned painting today!

Be creative today!
~Squirrel Creek Creations
Follow us on Twitter @SquirrelsCreek
Our Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SquirrelCrkCreations

What We're Up To...of the day #2

Squirrel Creek Creation HQ, Setting up for a night of wreath making!

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars!

Greetings!
Last night (Leap night) Lynn and Liz were hard at work making new wreaths for the Squirrel Creek Creations collection. We also devoted time during the day to making snowball cookies, and gluten free pumpkin bars. (Pictured on left.) Both turned out DELICIOUS. The pumpkin bars are super rich and moist, despite being gluten free. Probably the best gluten free anything I've ever had. =)~
After baking, we began wreath making. I worked on the Easter themed wreath, while Lynn worked on the "sproingy" Spring wreath. While working, we watched "The Snowman", listened to Enya, Johnny Cash, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, and some Asleep at the Wheel. 

Lynn's "Sproingy" Wreath

 Since we didn't really have time to celebrate the holidays in 2011, we declared Leap day our Christmas celebration day! Hence the Christmas music and The Snowman.
My Easter wreath wasn't overly difficult to make, but it was time consuming. The trickiest part was making sure the green bead garland was showing enough without being overpowering. We like to add little tidbits to our wreaths to make them interesting, but not overpowering.
Lynn's "sproingy" wreath took much longer to make because we had to pull apart all the flowers and place them in one at a time. After the basic layout was complete, it was time to take them all off, and put them in again, but tying them down this time. The first attempt was a bit lop-sided, so we shared a good laugh, then worked with it till it decided

Delicate procedure

to behave. The results speak for themselves. We'll definitely be making more "sproingy" wreaths in the future. More Easter ones as well.
Not sure when our next creative day will be, but I'm already looking forward to it!

Be creative today!
~Liz (photography, illustration, wreaths)

Etsy Feature of the Day #2: Kathy Panton

Kathy Panton on Etsy

Today's feature Etsy artist is Kathy Panton. On her main Etsy page, she works primarily with gouache to create whimsical, lively, and colorful creations. The colors swim together perfectly while providing plenty of contrasts to keep the eyes busy. Each illustration is unique and wonderful and are a definite must see! This is what Kathy says about herself:

"I have a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Major in Photography) Queensland College of Art.I've also done short courses in Illustration at Saint Martins School of Art London
My illustrations are created using gouache on paper.
I am of the mindset that you should work in a job you love, and nothing less.
I like looking through book shops, chocolate, second hand stores, french film, and strange books."


You can find a wondeful article about her work, and what it means to truly be a full-time artist, here:
Quit Your Day Job

Her other shops can be found here:
Pencil pet portraits
Pencil people portraits  
Prints using found ephemera

To bring any room to life in swirling and swooning colors, check out Kathy Panton today!

~Squirrel Creek Creations
Follow us on Twitter @SquirrelsCreek
Or on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SquirrelCrkCreations