Painter, illustrator, pattern designer & blogger—artist Jessica Gonacha Swift is one talented lady!  She’s been a long-time friend of Indie Fixx (I think she may be one of my most prolific Guest Bloggers) and I can’t believe I haven’t interviewed her for Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx until now!

Painting in progress

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your work.

My name is Jessica Gonacha Swift (I’m slowly phasing out the Gonacha part of my name,) and I’m an artist in Atlanta, GA. I create a variety of work, including paintings, illustrations, surface pattern designs, and prints of my work. I also make some products using my repeat patterns, like coasters and necklaces, and I sell all of it in my etsy shop and on my website.

Jessica’s studio

2. When did you get your start and what made you decide to take the plunge?

I’ve been an artist my whole life, and I got a BFA in college. When I graduated I literally didn’t make any art for about a year, and one day I started painting again. I was unhappy at my job as a waitress, and I decided I needed more. I had entered a juried art show and been accepted, and I got fed up with my job one day and quit. I basically decided that I’d see how the show went and that I was going to try to make a living as an artist. There was absolutely no plan in place. The show ended up being a big success, which gave me the confidence to keep going, and I haven’t looked back since! All of a sudden it’s just what I was doing. I know that’s not a very clear explanation, but looking back that really is how it happened– I jumped without over-thinking it all, and my path appeared underneath my feet. I just keep walking it now to see where it leads me.

Jump illustration

3. What’s your creative process like?

It really depends on what I’m creating. Usually I have no plan when I start a piece (are you seeing a theme here? I seem to not plan very well…) Basically I just start drawing, painting, doodling on my digital tablet, or whatever strikes my fancy, and eventually an idea will pop into my head, or a shape will look right, and I take it from there. I try to just stay very open to whatever is coming through me, and the piece (be it a painting, an illustration, or a repeat pattern) will tell me what it needs. Does that sound sort-of woo woo? It feels a little woo woo. Honestly, sometimes I look at something I made and think “now where did that come from?” It’s a little crazy!

This is the Moment painting

4. What’s been your favorite piece that you’ve ever created and/or your favorite project you ever worked on?

That’s a hard one! My favorite piece, I think, is called This is the Moment.I’m not sure what it is about it, but I just love it. It’s hanging on our living room wall, and I could never sell it. It was the first piece in a new series of work, and I loved creating it. As for a favorite project, I think I’m going to pick a favorite recent project. I just finished working on a large-scale illustrated map for a client for his 40th wedding anniversary– he was going to surprise his wife with it. They’ve traveled and lived all over the world, and I got to illustrate those places and the special memories he has from their life together. I thought it was the most touching gift, and I had a great time working on it.

5. What three things would you want to be able to have if you were on a deserted island? Beyond the basics of survival.

A pen, a journal, and an iPod, definitely.

6. What other types of crafty stuff to you do?

I don’t do a ton of outside crafting, actually. Most of what I work on is directly related to my business, and I have a hard time doing other things a lot of the time! I always hand-make birthday cards for family members, and I do little sewing or knitting projects here and there, and I always make my own lotions/creams to use on my skin… I’d love to start doing more crafty stuff!!

Winter is Coming illustration

7. What have you recently been reading, watching and listening to?

Reading: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle and The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz. Both great books!

Watching: Dexter. My husband and I are obsessed!

Listening: I’ve recently become enthralled with Lady Gaga. It was a total shocker to me when I started liking her, but her songs have been in my head for weeks, and I love her more every day!

8. What’s new or in the works?

Well, mostly these days I’m preparing to exhibit at Surtex in NYC in May– this will be my first time exhibiting, and I’m so excited and nervous!! So I’m making tons and tons of repeat patterns these days. Also, I’m going to be working on a kids book with the fabulous Danielle Laporte, and I have a couple of things that are still under wraps. Also, my first ever fabric line is coming out in June, so keep your eyes peeled in your favorite fabric stores!

Camellia garden patterns

You Simply Glow painting

I interviewed the talented & fashionable Dallas Shaw for today’s Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx interview. Dallas is an artist whose work includes modern, acrylic canvases, trend-setting fashion illustrations, must-have note cards and her own line of t-shirts. She also works with fashion designers helping them to create branding and clients have included DKNY, Dace, Vaute Couture & American Eagle Outfitters. You can learn more about Dallas & her work on her blog.

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

The name of my business is dallasshaw.com and there you can find everything that I do and links to the blog and shop. I make fashion inspired artwork and canvases, and also have a tee shirt line. I also collaborate with fashion designers. I went to school for art and have been working day and night at this for a long time.

2. Who are 3 of your favorite artists of all time?

Of all time?! Tough question. But right now I just love Stina Persson… I am much more inspired by designers than I am artists, which I know probably seems odd.

3. Share some of your inspirations.

Fashion. I adore max azria, lanvin, perer som.

4. What’s your creative process like?

I usually see a collection I love and then just start drawing. I only have a “method” if I am working with a client, which I am often doing these days. If that happens, I enjoy working with color palettes and making whoever I am working with happy.

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

I have been really enjoy CocoKelley’s blog lately. I love leafing through magazines because I am very visual, and as far as shopping goes, there is hardly anywhere I won’t shop! I love a great little boutique. Just found blink in West Chester, which is great. I also really love design, so I love visiting designers’ showrooms.

6. What’s new or in the works?

Lots and lots, Jen! I am working with dkny doing some great fashion illustrations which I have a feeling you’ll see soon! Just wrapped up a great dace collaboration and one for journelle as well. Also, just did some work with american eagle outfitters and hoping to work with the amazing karen walker next. We’ll see?!

Beautiful clothing and an interesting interview, what more could you possibly want from this week’s Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx installment? Maybe warm enough weather to wear the breathtakingly simple & elegant designs from Zelaya?

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

My business is called Zelaya, after my mother’s family name. My mother was my mentor and instilled in me a passion and curiosity for textiles, the handmade, and the natural. This passion continues to drive me to this day to create a line of socially and environmentally conscious clothing and textile accessories. Items in my line try to express the innate intelligence and beauty of nature, tradition, and simplicity, concepts that shaped my upbringing in the Central American country of El Salvador.

2. When did you get your start and what made you decide to take the plunge?

My start in apparel design has roots in my earliest childhood memories. My mother was a designer and owned a boutique, where I spent endless hours around textiles, pins, and sewing machines. I had always envisioned starting a clothes-making business that encompassed my values and aesthetic. By the summer of 2007 I finessed my concept of sustainable design and business and later that year I opened my Etsy store.

Various factors encouraged and enabled me to take the plunge. I grew disillusioned with a lot of design firms I had worked with in the past, and decided to finally start building towards my clothes-making project. My mother at the time was also seeking to revive her creative genius through handbag design. The combination of our ideas and support for one another created the momentum needed to take the plunge.

3. Who is behind Zelaya?

Zelaya is a family business. I (Barbara Moran) do most of the design, production, management, and accounting. My mother, Dinora, collaborates with me on some of the design and production, and my sister, Violeta, helps with photography and accounting. My husband, Zeno coordinates the imported material sent by my mother from El Salvador. My brother, Jorge, contributes with logistical details, and a network of friends help me complete orders. We have a family philosophy and Zelaya would be nothing without the input of our whole team.

4. Share some of your inspirations.

I draw inspiration from three main sources: traditional Salvadoran culture, nature, and everyday life. The simplicity and functionality of the traditional Salvadoran way of life inspires much of the sewing and fabric manipulation techniques. The colors, shapes, and textures used in my designs are inspired by the tropical flora and fauna that surrounds me. And lastly, the eclecticism and versatility of my urban life provides my work with an edge of dynamism that complements the classic simplicity of my craft.

5. What’s your creative process like?

Since I never know when or from where an idea will come to me, I always have a notebook and pencil everywhere I go. Collecting magazine tear outs, postcards, textiles, leaves, and anything that crosses my path and catches my eye has also become second nature to me. I’m in constant search for inspiration. Once its time to sit down and design a cohesive line, I take a look at all the objects and ideas I collected and based on that I decide on a single theme for a new line. I create an inspiration board and use that as the grounds from which fresh designs will emerge.

6. What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?

I moved to the United States from El Salvador when I was 18 to complete my undergraduate studies in fine arts. I had always envisioned working with my mother through a family business since we share similar passions. We gave it a try but her living in El Salvador and I in the US proved to be challenging. After revising our work model several times, we were able to find a process that not only was practical, but also satisfied each of our need for artistic expression. For a time, we decided to work independently, but have learned to collaborate in a really fruitful way. Successfully figuring out how to work with my mother in a very positive and sustainable fashion has been by far my greatest accomplishment. It has enabled me to get to know and learn from my mother as a grown woman, despite the distance. I feel blessed that my professional and personal life have come into sync so nicely.

7. What’s new or in the works?

We are very excited about the new line we will be introducing in the Spring. This line will feature new silhouettes and explore different appliqué and embroidery techniques. We are also very excited about our soon to be launched, revamped website, which will include a store and a shopping cart.

Here’s today’s  Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx interview.  I gotta run right now, but will be back later today.

1. What’s the name of your business & what do you create and sell?

Little Alouette, a Wee wood toy company! Teether, blocks, toys, rattles!

2. What’s your creative process like?

We write notes and sketches and tape them to the wall in our dining room. It’s like in college when I had to learn quotes or formulas or dates- I would write them on a big wipe off board and when I was just hanging out I would see it. I would be drinking beer on a Tuesday night and I would just see it and learn it. Nowadays it is kind of like that only I am changing diapers or paying bills or whatnot and just cooking those ideas into my frontal lobes.

Joe is the one who comes up with the first draft of anything and then me and the kids test it and play with it and help work out the kinks.

We also need music. It’s like the elixir of creativity round here.

3. How did you get your start and what made you decide to take the plunge and sell your craft?

Joe started making Finnian toys when he was a baby and it just organically grew from there.  Two things helped:

-We were annoyed at toy recalls and worried about toy safety.
-We were broke and people kept urging us to try.

We did. We are still broke, but are deliriously happy to be trying to forge our own way. Smiling all the time at the entrepreneurial spirit we are rubbing into the souls of our children. Happy to be a family that gets to be together more than most.

4. What have you recently been reading, watching and listening to?

Reading: Marlena Morling poet and tons of Joan Didion lately
Watching: Shameless British series/ Weeds
Listening: Madness and Camper Van Beethoven lately

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

My family, the past, colors, music, my old granny.

6. Share something silly about yourself.

I like to make lip synch videos on my laptop.

7. Is there something that you learned as an adult that you wished you knew as a kid?

That everything always works out somehow.

8. What’s new or in the works?

Ride on toys. More developmental toys. Fun stuff!

I’m so sorry for the light posting lately. Well, you know that I took Monday off for the President’s Day holiday, but yesterday turned into an impromptu day off as well. After not getting any sleep the night before….I tossed & turned way more than I slept for sure…I then made a routine trip to dentist for a filling to be repaired. Well, that really messed my day all the hell up—I was both numb and in pain at the same time with a miserable headache. Needless to say, I took the rest of the day off, took a nap & even went to bed early after that.

I’m back today though, feeling better and ready to get to work bringing you the latest Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx with Katie Kukulka of Darlingtonia Moccasin Company.  I know you’ve must have already seen Katie’s creations—they have been on Etsy’s front page about 12 million times—but if not, you are in for a real treat!

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

My business is Darlingtonia Moccasin Company and I manufacture unique handmade moccasins. What began as an experiment in footwear design, ended up my full time job when my first pair of handmade moccasins received such a positive response. I decided I wanted to create fresh new look for the age-old moccasin.

2. Who are 3 of your favorite designers of all times?

Both of my favorite fashion designers are Swedish, Anna Bengtsson - the talent behind Nygårdsanna and Gudrun Sjödén. I think my favorite footwear design label is Frye - I love Frye boots.

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

My friends and family are my biggest inspiration. I also find inspiration in movies I’ve seen, places I’ve visited, stories I have read and childhood memories.

4. Share what your creative process is like.

I start with sketches and swatches of leather. I mix colors together until I find combinations I love. I end up with page after page of ideas then pick out the ones I want to create. Then it’s just a matter of assembly, which is fun because I love to sew on my enormous antique completely manual (foot treadle and hand crank) cast iron sewing machine. Being a photographer first and foremost, one of my favorite processes is the product photography.

5. Where do you like to shop? Brick and mortar as well as online.

Other than Etsy (I am obsessed with Etsy), I love to shop at the local university bookstore here in Davis. They have everything I love to look at - books, paper goods and art supplies. I love to knit & my very favorite yarn store is Cast Away in Santa Rosa. I am also a big fan of Britex fabrics in San Francisco. I can spend hours in there.

6. What three things would you want to be able to have if you were on a deserted island? Beyond the basics of survival.

I would bring along a needle and thread (I’m counting that combo as one), a photo of my family, my wonderful handmade large brimmed hat. Whether the island is in the tropics or the arctic, I will avoid a sunburned nose!

7. What have you recently been reading, watching and listening to?

Reading: James & The Giant Peach (The first edition has the most wonderful illustrations!), Gumbo Ya-Ya: Folk Tales of Louisiana & St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves.

Watching: Twilight Zone, No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Firefly (admittedly I am a sci-fi geek).

Listening to: First Aid Kit, Vashti Bunyan & Neko Case

8. What’s new or in the works?

I plan on debuting many new designs for the spring and possibly using some novelty leather samples I have collected to create OOAK designs. I am also thinking about offering a “design it yourself” option, where you choose what color flowers, lacing & leather you want for your moccasins.

Well here is today’s Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx with Shana Flodstrom from Little Houses Clothing (Etsy Shop)…better a little late in the day than never.  I’m going to go back to watching the snow while huddling under a blanket on the couch.

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

My company name is Little Houses Clothing (Etsy Shop). I make one of a kind, handmade clothing and accessories. I started about 5 years ago with a girlfriend of mine, we started doing lino block prints onto t-shirts and bags and sold them at local craft fairs. That business of ours prompted me to go to Fashion School.

2. Who are 3 of your favorite designers of all times?

I have to admit that I don’t really follow high fashion much. I am more interested in local, independent designers. My top 3 are:
Poodlebreath
Paperbird Clothing
Lily and Jae Clothing

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

I get inspired by other designers who are doing the same thing I am, and doing it well. I also have a lot of really talented and creative friends who inspire me everyday.

4. Share what your creative process is like.

I usually will just get an idea, and before I even have a chance to write it down, I’m cutting out the fabric. Sometimes it takes till about the third try before I get it right.

5. Where do you like to shop at?

I actually mostly shop at Value Village or other thrift stores. I seem to find the best stuff there all the time. If I do get the urge to buy something new, I try to shop locally. There is a street in Vancouver that has pretty much all local designers, so I tend to stick to that area.

6. What’s better, all the money in the world or all the free time you want?

Free time. The thought of having to work a 9-5 job for the rest of my life is terrifying and sounds depressing. I may not be making a ton of money, but I’m so happy to be able to enjoy life, work when I want to work, and only have to answer to myself.

7. What have you recently been reading, watching and listening to?

I don’t read much because I am always on the go, and I also don’t own a TV. Lately I have been listening to a lot of Fleet Foxes, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Beirut and Band Of Horses.

8. What’s new or in the works?

I am currently trying to get ready for Spring ‘10.. I think there may be some dresses in the works this season.