Sunday, February 28, 2010

Autograph Sessions...Making Art with Wendy Vecchi



I am very excited to share this next artist/author with you.

Wendy Vecchi  has become one of the most sought-after
mixed media stamp artists in the U.S.  Her style is so relevant
to the new products on the market today.

On a personal note, I had a slight brush with this
wonderful artist as she became a customer of my
stamp store, which at this moment, seems a lifetime ago.
She has since become a stamp designer and author,
a design team member for Tim Holtz Ideaology, Maya Road
and is a Certified Ranger Instructor.

Her newest book, 'Make Art 490 Style Book 2'
is selling like crazy and I am really glad she had time
to visit with us here at The Open Window.


  Wendy ... I know you don't live too far down the road from
The Open Window.  Tell us where and what do you love about it?

We live on 5 acres in the country, outside of Oglesby, Illinois. 
We call it 'Green Acres'.
Think about this, just like the TV show:
bleach blonde...likes diamonds...
goofy, very sweet husband...plenty of animals.
I love my home because I have my studio here.  Walking
through the door makes me oh so happy!
A benefit to living in the country...no window treatments
are needed, so I have minimal valances, some of which are made
from cloth napkins.  That let's in LOTS of lights which I LOVE
and need to survive the dreadful Illinois winters.

I would love if you would share some of your professional 
creative credits with us...

Oh boy, mom said it's not nice to brag, but since you asked...
I'm living a fairytale.  I'm honored to be on the design teams for
Maya Road and Tim Holtz Ideaology, two very cool,
top-notch companies.  I'm also very happy to be Ranger's
exclusive demo artist, which means I demo for them at CHA
using their products.  Part of that requires making plenty of
art for their CHA booth.  I have also done some technique
videos and free tutorials.  Just check out Ranger.com.



I am also thrilled to have my own line of signature stamps called
Studio 490  They are manufactured by my friends
Ted & Michelle Cutts, owners of Stamper's Anonymous.


I was recently a guest instructor for Tim for the
Artful Voyage in Mexico.  It was an amazing experience
and I was totally honored to be a part of it.
I've been published in quite a few magazines both in
the U.S. and in the UK.

Which came first for you, rubber stamping or mixed media?

I've always done something creative...needlepoint, cross stitch,
tole painting.  When I found rubber stamps, I KNEW that was
exactly what I was looking for.  It all clicked and just made
sense to me.  I will be playing with rubber for a very long time.

 

It's obvious you have a passion for paper.
What else are you passionate about?

I LOVE the hunt...antiques to fit our home.
I LOVE organizing, especially art supplies.  Finding just the
right storage container makes me giddy!
Shopping is a passion.  My hubby says that if it were an 
Olympic event, I'd be on the center podium, but I'm not sure
if that's really a compliment...
I LOVE fresh flowers, too.  I could have a bouquet in every
room of the house, every day of the year.


You now have 2 books.  Writing is a creative process in
itself.  How does it compare to 'making art'?

It was much harder than I thought it would be.  I wanted to
write the instructions so that whoever bought the book could
follow them and make art.  I was lucky to be able to write it
exactly as I talk and add a bit of humor here and there.
I agonized over 'will they understand what I mean by this',
but the reviews have made me very happy.

What art tools can you NOT live without?

For sure my stamps and Ranger inks.  One tool that I LOVE
is my Genesis paper trimmer.  It's pricey, but worth every penny.
OK...I'll admit I am totally addicted to grungepaper and
chipboard mini-books.  Hey, you have to have something
to use those inks on!

 
In the creative world, what have you NOT done yet, that you
would really like to do?

Hmmm...I'd like to design some signature product, something
new, exciting and different.  No ideas yet, but I'm always thinking.

Who inspires you, living or otherwise?

I get the most inspiration from my friend, Tim Holtz.
His products are always fresh and I adore his style.
I also love to look at art made by
Jenni Bowlin and Rebecca Sower.
They each have a very distinct and unique style that I
find very inspiring.


Now for a little fun...

If you could be any fictional character,
who or what would it be?

I think Samantha from the TV show 'Bewitched'.  I could just
pop myself anywhere and avoid the drive to the airport.  I could
get to stores quicker and have more time to make art!

 

Any favorite snacks that you keep within reach in your studio?

Nope...my fingers are ALWAYS full of ink, so no eating
in the studio for me!

Coffee, tea...or something more potent?

Both and both, hot or cold...and I LOVE 
a good mojito, especially if it's made by my friend, Mario.
His are the best!  I love a good Cosmo, too.

What's one more thing that I haven't asked that
you would like to share?

I guess I want people to know that I was a surgical nurse for
30 years.  I have no art degree and you'll see no graphic design
on my resume either.  I believe with all my heart that if you
REALLY want to make art, YOU CAN!
I AM LIVING PROOF!


I've really enjoyed getting to know Wendy, haven't you?!
I hope you will visit Studio490art, Wendy's blog and I
would really appreciate it if you told her you read her
Autograph Session here at The Open Window.

 

Watch the March issue of Stamper's Sampler
as the guest artist is, Wendy Vecchi!

You can find Wendy's books and stamps
at Stamper's Anonymous and our friends in 
the UK can get yours from our other friend
Wendy, at The Stamp Attic.

IF YOU HAVE COME FOR A VISIT 
DIRECTLY FROM WENDY'S BLOG...
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT
TO SAY YOU WERE HERE.....

To read other autograph sessions,
just click for Diana Trout and Sue Roddis

Please leave a comment and let me know what you
think of Autograph Sessions.
I truly appreciate hearing from you!


26 comments:

Kimberly's Krafts said...

Wow! Sooo inspiring!! :) Such beautiful work indeed!!

Janet said...

Great interview!

I guess I didn't realize you live in IL....I grew up in Decatur (central part of the state) and lived there until I was in my late 30's.

The Stamp Man said...

A brilliant interview, great questions and interesting answers.

I find your autograph sessions great Julie, keep them coming:)

Jill x

Stef H said...

oh jullie! this was wonderful. and all that beautiful art! AND, she doesn't live too far from me either! how cool. i'm checking everything out on this one! loved it all and great interview!

Kimberly S said...

Great interview! A bit of fun, and lots of facts. :)

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Another great interview, thanks so much! I enjoy these, and am discovering some wonderful new (to me) artists in the process. You are amazing Julie!

Jean Franks Beck said...

Wow, what a wonderful interview. I was floored that Wendy has no art or graphic design degrees, and yet is such a fabulous artist!! That is truly inspirational to me. Very fun questions and answers, and fab art too, of course! :)

Helen said...

Thanks for such a great interview - these autograph sessions are brilliant! Such a very talented lady, always making great art. Thanks for putting this together, Julie.

Hels Sheridan said...

Fab interview with Wendy, I love her to bits and she is my art hero :O)) Thanks for posting this...'twas great to read all about her xx

Becky T. said...

Wendy sent me and your interview was GREAT! I'm so glad I took that time to read what was "said". Thanks :-)

Mona Pendleton said...

WoW Julie! This interview with Wendy is fantastic! I just discovered her products through you & now I can hear my credit card screaming! Thanks for this wonderful piece!

Kate Burroughs said...

Great interview and love the samples of Wendy's work!

Kristy Hansenwi said...

The interview was great. I love her blog and your interview gave us some of her wonderful background. Her work is inspiring and I wish I could get to a class given by her. What a person would learn! KH

Cher said...

well of course I was here! can't get enuf of this woman! funny..I was a nurse for many many years...no wonder I love her!!! I told her...she types like I think...maybe its a nurse thing...dunno...but totally loved the interview...we have so much in common its scary! but I think she has more diamonds:) xox Cher

Susan said...

Arrived here from Wendy's blog. I love her and her art! This was an interesting and fun interview. I'll be checking out the rest of the blog.
Susan

Art By Wanda said...

Loved reading this!!! Wendy is awesome!!

Beedeebabee said...

Hi Sweetie! I so enjoyed this! What a lovely and talented lady Wendy is!!! Thanks Julie!
xoxo's Paulette

Betty said...

Just popped over here from Wendy's blog. Her blog is a must read every day. Enjoyed the interview. I love everything Wendy does; what a great talent!

Jenny said...

Great interview!! :)

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

Fab interview, Hun ...more please :)

Primitive Seasons said...

Thoroughly enjoyed the interview and I did come here from Wendy's blog. She is such a dear and so creative. Her style is simple and direct and yet it blows me away. Love her! And I love her hair. I want Wendy Vecchi hair!!!


Mary
www.primitiveseasons.blogspot.com

Kristin said...

I think you did a great interview
! Now over to Wendy's blog for more inspiration!

Alexandra said...

Arrived here via Wendy's blog. I enjoyed reading this interview, I love Wendy's style, her beautiful art is so inspiring.

Melisa Waldorf said...

Julie I really enjoye this. What a fabulous artist! I love her style! I'm off to check out her blog.

Cindi (aka iring) said...

I popped over here from Wendy's blog. Great interview. Nice to know she doesn't have an art background ... maybe there's hope for me yet! Thanks for the interview, now I'll have a look around!

Unknown said...

Wow Julie! I loved this interview with Wendy and I'm gonna pop over to her blog now! I've also got to go check out the others you did too! You really have a fabulous site here...love it all!