feature friday XV- Jill Bliss

This week's featured artist is the lovely illustrator Jill Bliss, who's organic approach to art making drew me in straight away. she has the following quote on her website which explains her work and ideas better than I could.
“all of my creative output finds its inspiration in the intricate details of the natural world, while exploring the colors of humanity. my deceptively simple, nature-inspired style stems from a childhood romping through northern california orchards, and then going to art school in new york and san francisco. portland, oregon is now my home.”

Be sure to visit her websitewhich is choc-a-bloc with images and information.
There is also her etsy shop. and also her blog.

feature friday VII - yellena james

These stunning works are by Yellena James, better known just as yellena on etsy. She creates original drawing done with pens, inks and markers and sells prints of them in her online shop. She has exhibited globally, worked with numerous international companies, and yet her she has what she leads a quiet life in beautiful Portland, Oregon with a musician husband and two cats. Her featured seller interview on etsy reveals the more private side of Yellena, where she talks about her childhood in Sarajevo as well as early drawings of apron wearing robots baking cookies.

i heart the arctic too

(is this not the sweetest little zine you've ever seen?)

Look what came for me in the mail today! A super duper zine titled I heart the Arctic as well as two little bonus postcards. All by the lovely and amazing jackiepeppermint from Portland, Oregon.. it looks to me like Portland is the mecca of american arts right now! It is absolutely budding with amazing artistic talent, both crafty and musical! Portland gave us The Mountain Goats, The Decemberists, Casiotone and Horse Feathers and many more sweet musicians! On top of which, one of my favourite artists and bloggers Julianna Swaney, of ohmycavalier also works out of Portland, making me wish I lived a little closer to the Northern Hemisphere. But not to complain.. we have our own little zine shop right here in Adelaide!