I knew Bri through Instagram. I have been followed her on Instagram long time. She is the designer-maker and owner of Arden and James. I love her beautiful handcrafted bags. Finally I had a chance to do a photo shoot with her. I arrived her house, her younger son was sleeping, and the older boy was tired but won’t take a nap. He stayed with us whole time, during the photo shoot I saw how she balanced her work with kids. Her studio is stylish, bright and organized. She showed me her new work, and also the first bag she made. She is such a talented artist and wonderful mom.
Category archives: art
I found Meredith through Instagram. She is an amazing multitalented artist. We met at her house in town, it’s a place full of her design elements. I couldn’t stop taking pictures. She showed me her work, and her unique tea dye business card. I absolutely love her work!!! We talked about everything, travel, art, cat, camera, food …etc. She has the most beautiful smile and great personality. I borrowed these words from her Instagram’s profile:” |sign maker | freelance calligrapher & artist | yarn spinner | dreamer |photographic documenter | proudly Pennsylvanian”.
What was your dream job as a child?
As far as I can remember, I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was little I had my own pretend classroom with a giant chalkboard & would talk to imaginary students for hours. Funny that now I’m still writing on chalkboards!
Were you always interested in art? how did you start the calligraphy?
I always had a huge respect for all different forms of art. I started calligraphy out of necessity; I had to make some signs for a client through terrain. Terrain is one of those places where you don’t say no to clients…you create what they want, even if it is out of your comfort zone. This project was painting names on 5 foot canvas for a wedding. Than the next project was a seating chart that was painted on glass. After that I loved analyzing each stroke of a letter & how to make them better.
How did you start become known for your work?
I really have to thank Instagram. I have found countless amount of jobs through word of mouth//friend of a friend that saw something I did on Instagram. I actually have to thank this application for a lot of things: I have found clients, made new friends, workshop attendees, & most recently found a new roommate through Instagram. I wouldn’t be having this conversation right now if it wasn’t for Jie finding me through Instagram.
What do you dream of doing in the future?
I definitely want to travel more! Traveling always helps me to shift my inspiration. I would also love to have an online shop where I sell custom products: stamps, wood burnings, cards…
What would be your best advice to aspiring calligrapher?
Play & have fun! Do not feel like every move is permeant or right/wrong…every stroke has a purpose. Also, get inspired! Find something that you admire & try to copy it with your own spin on it.
Check her website for more information: www.merelymere.com
Demian is a tattoo artist. He works for a Tattoo shop in town. Except the tattoo shop , he has another happy place–his garage, where he spends his free time fixing his motorcycle.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Don’t know I think the first thing that I wanted to be when I grew up would be like my dad. He is a cool guy with cool friends . That’s what i still want to be.
Why do you like tattoos?
Always have like them. Remember being fascinated when i saw somebody that had one .
How are your tattoos represent your personality?
I don’t know I get (tattooed) stuff that I like and that is kind of what makes me and my personality.
Does every tattoo has a story or meaning?
No, not everything has a meaning.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to people?
Find what you love and let it kill you.
Zvezdana, people also call her Stella. She is the owner of Mala Galleria. I like her gallery. It gives some fresh air to this little town. The first time I went there, I asked her to be part of my “people of kennett square”‘s project. The next day I got a email from her, she said she wanted do a exhibit about my project. I was thrilled!!! I couldn’t believe I could have my first exhibit here. Thank you! Stella, I’m so grateful for this opportunity.
What did you do before you open Mala Galleria?
I ran a Washington DC based humanitarian non- profit organization dealing with the post-war consequences, post- flood needs and soup kitchens in Serbia. I also organized many events, exhibits, film festivals etc. I still do all of that.
What made you decide to open a gallery?
I always wanted to do that. Where I come from, art is everywhere. I grew up with art, music, theater…I was somehow always surrounded by artists and I saw myself in this world.
How do you choose your artists?
I visit lots of art shows, find artists online, sometimes someone recommends them to me, or artists see the gallery and they visit because they like the work I exhibit. I exhibit 27 local artists at the moment, and several international.
Why did you choose Kennett square?
I always searched for the perfect little town to open the gallery in. When we moved to the area 4 years ago and I saw the downtown Kennett Square, I knew I found it. Beautiful, historic downtown with nice people. It was perfect!
What was the most memorable piece you have ever sold?
My first piece I sold, on the first day I opened the gallery. It was an antique, by Julien Celos (1884-1953), a Belgian visual artist. It was a good luck charm!
Learn more about Mala Galleria, check the website here: http://www.malagalleria.com/
Let’s meet Jan, she is the owner of Brick Garage/Pack rats Place, It currently houses a selection of antiques, furniture, accessories and design elements.
The first time I went to Jan’s shop was at Halloween last year. She decorated her shop as ” haunted house” , It was creative, scary and fun!
I love her collections, her shop looks like a mini museum. If you ever come to Kennett Square, you have to check her store, it’s a must see place.
When did you start collecting?
Have always treasured things I love that bring fond memories. Started shopping
estate sales around 1990 to find great quality items at better prices to decorate
my home. Found them and more until my storage was overflowing. I needed a
better way to share my bargains and thus” Pack Rats Place” was born so I could
pass my bargains on to my friends.
When and how did you open the shop?
In 2003 saw a unique brick garage in the charming Borough of Kennett Square
which was originally built in 1934 as Young’s Garage and then was George’s
Plumbing for 37 years. Here I saw an opportunity to create a perfect space to
share my finds.
As I had spent over 20 years doing construction projects for myself, I tackled the
shop renovation and preservation of its place in Kennett’s history with a helper
and codes supervision.
During that progress, there occurred some personal tragedies over a period of
time that caused a several year delay in opening the shop, but having the “Brick
Garage”, gave me the incentive to persevere.
Where did the name “Pack Rats Place” come from?
Well, the condensed definition of pack rat is: “…noted for its habit of collecting
bright, shiny objects….and stores the objects it collects to decorate it’s nest…”. It
fits me and all the other pack rats out there to a tee!
Why did you pick Kennett Square?
It was the wonderful brickwork of the building, charm of the location, potential
for economic development and proximity to the major visitor attraction of
Longwood Gardens.
Is there any interesting story about your items?
All the things in the shop have interesting stories. The patina of time enhances so
many things in different ways. Most people have cherished things over the years
and in reality want those items to find a home with someone who will love them
as much as they had. The Brick Garage/Pack Rats Place creates that ambiance for
those items with its eclectic feel. Enchanting Estate Finds, Tantalizing Treasures,
Antiques, Wonderful Whatevers and Odd Objects and Such, etc. are combined
in a rabbit warren of rooms, grounded by a roaring fireplace in the “inside-outside
room” to give those heirlooms a place to shine until they move on to create new
memories. The setting is the main attraction and the inventory of recycled/reused
items changes through time. There are several events to attract people to the
shop, since once they visit they usually return, such as the annual Brick Garage
Haunted House and this past year, the KSQ Candlelight Holiday Home Tour.
Thrilled to be able to share the experience of the shop with others and participate
in Kennett Square community activities!
Find more information about Brick Garage/Pack Rats Place here: http://www.thebrickgarage.com/
This is Tara –owner of Scout and Annie Vintage Furniture and accessories shop. After I moved to Kennett Square, her shop is one of my hangout place, I like to go there check everything that she collected.I love her style, and dream one day my home will full of her furniture.
What did you do before you open Scout &Annie?
Before Scout & Annie, I was an attorney. I loved it, but I meet much friendlier people now.
How you got into this business? and what’s the meaning of Scout & Annie?
I started off by doing shows like Clover Market and the Brooklyn Flea Market. I did well and was having fun, so took space in the West End Garage in Cape May. That was a great experience, and I was inspired to go further and open a permanent shop. Kennett Square is home, and it also happens to be a great downtown, so opening Scout & Annie on State Street was the obvious choice. I have been open in Kennett Square since summer 2011.
When did you first realize you are an artist? and how did you make your dream come true?
Back when I was an Engineer I remember walking to the Kennedy Center in DC with a man involved in arts management. He asked what I did and I said that I was an Engineer but wanted to be an artist someday. He exclaimed, ” if you are making art, you are an artist! ” I was kind of shocked and apologetic, hemming and hawing, saying” Not really.” But he wouldn’t let it die, and explained that most artists don’t make a living from their work and if you have that impulse that you have to make something then you are an artist. I guess I am rather fortunate that I do actually make my living this way now.
As for making the dream come true – no one is “discovered”-it takes a heck of a lot of hustle.
You saw my art books, I am a junkie for looking at art. I walk to lunch every day with an art book that I thumb through. So, the influences are wide, varied, and too countless to mention. There is a little to learn from everyone.
Hmmm… Geez, it is something that is so ingrained in me that it is tough not to think about it now. This is my passion so it is hard for me to step out of it. I try to keep way head of myself with ideas. There is nothing worse than staring at a blank canvas wondering what to do, so I don’t let myself get there . I have countless sketchbooks lying around in which I write down ideas continuously. That way, when I need a new one, I can just thumb through any of these books.
I’ve always loved still life. It lets me pick objects, set them up much like a sculptor, and then immortalize them on canvas. I like working with these placid models that will allow me to work with them hours on end painting from life.
What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?