Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx with Daisy Dog Studio

A little late, but it’s still Wednesday here…or at least for another 30 minutes…so here is today’s edition of the Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx with Emily McCoy of Daisy Dog Studio.

1. What’s the name of your business, what do create and sell and how did you get your start?

My business name is Daisy Dog Studio. I design the patterns on teapots, mugs, cookie jars and other porcelain pieces, as well as paint, sculpt, print & photograph my favorite things!

2. What are your inspirations in your art and life?

My dog Daisy (who passed away a year and a half ago) was my muse! I painted and sculpted her in a variety of her typical poses. She was a rescued pit bull who was such a sweet soul, she made us soooo happy! I also love visiting museums, Central Park and botanical gardens for inspiration for painting and creating an variety of work.

My life inspiration are groups like PETA and people like Ingrid Newkirk. I’ve been an animal rights activist since I was 19, and have been vegan for the majority of my years for the animals, the environment & my health. I use my business to help educate people about factory farming and animals in laboratories by including literature on these vital subjects in my shipped orders as well as offering them to anyone who comes into my shop space.

3. What things can’t you live without?

My serious answer is a healthy planet! Most people don’t realize the biggest thing we can do to help the environment is to give up animal products. Our food choices have a bigger impact on global warming than what kind of car or truck we drive. That’s not PETA talking, that’s the conclusion the United Nations came to!
My less serious “things I can’t live without” would be Candle 79 in New York City (the best restaurant I’ve ever been to!) my books about my favorite artists (everyone from the Impressionists & post-Impressionists to Frank Lloyd Wright to Jim Henson) & my Columbo DVD’s!

4. Do you have a favorite type of cookie and do you have a recipe you can share for it?

I love the vegan oatmeal raisin cookies from City Bakery here in New York. You’d have to ask them for the recipe! You can take most any recipe for cookies or cakes and make them vegan by replacing the butter with coconut oil or soy butter, replacing the eggs with egg-replacer and substituting soy, rice or hemp milks for cow’s milk.

5. What blogs and mags do you read and what shops do you shop at?

My favorite blogs are The Girlie Girl Army for a variety of green fashion & living tips and The PETA Files for the latest news from the front lines!

The best magazines are the English home magazines. They focus more on rural and small businesses and craft-type homethings. The American home magazines seem somewhat beholden to their advertisers in their “Editor’s Picks” and are somewhat repetitive in the looks they represent. I enjoy fashion, but won’t pick up a fashion magazine because they insist on including fur in their layouts and in their advertising! They should follow the compassionate lead of the environmentally-minded Stella McCartney who has proven you can be fashionable & responsible!

My favorite newspaper, an endangered species, is the New York Times. I always skim the travel section and read Maureen Dowd whenever I get the chance.

My favorite shops are Pearl Paint for their endless selection of all types of art supplies, Patagonia for all their recycled & recyclable clothing, Mooshoes in New York City for fun vegan footwear and bags, and Whole Foods for their great selection of yummy animal-free foods!

6. What’s new? Any products or projects you’d like to share?

I’ll be coming out with block-printed tablecloths, tea towels and pillows in the near future! I’ve really been into printmaking lately and want to expand into other fun items to brighten up your personal space (while using organic cotton and recycled paper as well!)

7. What are you reading, watching and listening to?

I’m reading Skinny Bitch (yet again, it’s that good!) and listening to This American Life on NPR through their podcasts! I’m always watching The Muppetshow and Columbo with my 8 year old daughter, and fellow artist Rose!