Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

Nathan Eigenfeld of EigenVisison

I currently live in Colorado, but am a avid road warrior. It’s a part of my process, I am on the road 5 months out of the year. Living in the mountains helps me connect with nature and feeds my process. One of my favorite artists is Mark Rothko, known for his outstanding color block images. I’ve tried to channel his style into my photography. 

How do you define success as an artist?

Success for me is making people feel- anything, it doesn’t matter - awe, inspiration, emptiness, loneliness, despair, hope, love - whatever. Color seems to simplify feelings.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

The hardest part for my creation process is the alone time. Many of these images have been created on multi-day backcountry wilderness treks while alone. That’s where I can let myself create the best and let my intuition guide me. Despite it giving me a sense of freedom, overcoming physical challenges alone in the wilderness can be daunting, and yet, it is ultimately rewarding as well.

How has your style changed over time?

My style is always evolving, but I have certainly settled into a minimalist style, emphasizing empty space. It has been fulfilling to have people identify with this.

What’s your favorite image that you’ve created, and why?

One of my favorite images I’ve created is my silhouetted image of Joshua Trees. It was at a time when I was unsure of my process and was struggling to “Be Myself” - which I’ve named the image. I shot it during a brilliant pink sunrise just off the road in Joshua Tree National Park in December of 2021. I absolutely love how the silhouette emphasizes the quirkiness of the trees, all different and disjointed in their own ways - they have no issues being themselves.

And finally, what do you love most about Pasadena?

Having attended Pasadena fair last spring, I fell in love with the energy of the downtown - a destination for such a diversity of people. Californians love their art and are not afraid to buy things on the street! Selling photos of pure wilderness in a city setting is rewarding and can even feel like a sort of ministry to me, reminding people of what’s ‘out there’ beyond the concrete and hustle and bustle. I am looking forward to this Fall’s market!

Catch EigenVision at Jackalope Pasadena on November 18th & 19th!

Website: www.nathaneigenfeld.com

Instagram: @eigenvision

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

I’m originally from Seattle, Wa but I relocated to Los Angeles 16 years ago. I still spend about 2 months out of the year there and consider it to be my other home. I grew up mushroom hunting, making forts in the woods and looking for gnomes in logs so I would say that I am quintessential “cottage core” through and through and it shows in my work.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

You wouldn’t know it from the pieces I make for people’s homes but I love Jean Dubuffet, Cy Twombly, Phillip Guston, Ellsworth Kelly, I could go on and on. Currently my favorite living artist is Carole d’Inverno. With tufting what most influences me is the yarn itself, and whatever music I happen to be listening to at the time.

How do you define success as an artist?

Success to me is getting up everyday and creating something. Love it, hate it, don’t care, but you made it. It’s daily engagement, endless curiosity, constant seeking and ongoing dialog with your artistic self.

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?  

Tufting is my second act as an artist. I’ve been a musician my entire life and that has always been where my focus as an artist has been. I’ve always enjoyed painting as a hobby but up until now that was my extent as a visual artist. The month before the pandemic began and we all started staying home I had released a solo record. But suddenly I couldn’t play shows, couldn’t promote it, etc. After that record I was feeling fairly burned out as a musician as it was, but with the isolation of the pandemic I just stopped writing. I stopped hearing melodies. I became disillusioned with being a musician. At that time I had been doing some punch needle for fun and I really loved it. Then I saw a tufting video. I was immediately mesmerized and knew I had to try it out.

From the first moment I picked up a gun I knew I had found my thing. I never thought there would be anything that I would engage with and love as much as music but tufting completely consumed me immediately. The truly wonderful thing that has happened through exclusively tufting and pouring all my energy into that, is that my music has started to come back to me. I’m hearing melodies and little lines of music again. And most importantly, I am wanting to play again. Having taken all the pressure off and engaging daily with something I love so much is bringing me back to my first love, music.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I work every single day. I am constantly trying new ideas and I am failing as well as succeeding on a regular basis. In tufting you are kind of on your own. As time goes on there is more and more information available to tufters but when I started it was incredibley hard to find help. This is why I have opened up a tufting school in L.A.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

That I am just one person. I wish I could clone myself! What people see of tufting are usually sped up videos of tufting and snippets of trimming but each piece really takes a long time to finish. The act of tufting is about a quarter of the entire process. The glueing, backing and trimming take the majority of the time and even a small piece like a mug rug can take me hours to do.

How has your style changed over time?

I started with just doing very cute pieces like kawaii style fruits and flowers. At the same time I was making a lot of paper cut out style pieces for a more “sophisticated” design appeal. So it was kind of 2 sides of my personality being represented from the start. As I’ve developed I am still working with both sides but on a much deeper level. If I make a cute mushroom or fruit rug, now a ton of shading is involved and I’m pushing to have more and more of a 3D effect in every piece. For my more “sophisticated” work I am playing with textures like crazy. On average I use 3 different kinds of tufting guns on each piece so that I can play with depth. I’ve started doing some monotone pieces so that the texture is the main focus. It’s really exciting to see where I’m at now compared to where I was when I started. I can’t wait to see what I’m doing a year from how.

What’s the best thing about being involved in the arts?

For me it’s the act of improvisation and the mystery of what will result from being in the moment. Whether it’s tufting designs without any planning or creating music on the spot, I love the thrill of just going for it and tapping in to exploring who I am as an artist at that exact moment.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

I love my carpet bomb clock a lot. It makes me smile whenever I see it. Doing that piece really leveled me up when it came to shading and creating a 3D effect. Plus I love that it’s mixed media with the wires sticking out and the clock’s lights.

Anything special you’d like to share? 

I have recently opened a tufting school with classes from beginner to advanced levels so that people can learn the art of tufting easily and with support.

Catch Tuft House LA at The Downtown Burbank Arts Festival this June 3rd & 4th

Web: www.tufthousela.com

Instagram: @tufthousela

Tell us a little more about Novel. What is your mission?

At NOVEL School of Art, our mission is to give disabled artists the tools they need to build thriving careers in illustration that are exciting, dignified, & tailored to suit their lifestyle needs. 

When and how did you get started?

I started this business during the COVID-19 pandemic to gain a sense of control in uncontrollable circumstances. As the world became more unstable and more isolated, I wondered how artists with disabilities would navigate this “new normal”. How would the pandemic affect their futures? How could I help disabled artists thrive in a post-pandemic job market?

I began teaching 4 talented artists in the comfort of their homes, & realized that I could help them start their careers without needing to wait for the world to return to normal. I turned my client’s work into toys, party supplies, & sticker packs, watching as their confidence grew! For the first time, they saw themselves as professional artists.

Who / what are your biggest artistic influences?

I’m inspired by dreamers with a passion for lifelong learning! My biggest influences are renowned art agent Lilla Rogers, author Elizabeth Gilbert, & my childhood favorite- Tomie de Paola. 

How do you define success as an artist?

I feel like you’ve found success as an artist when the menial, difficult parts of your work are worth pushing through, because you know that what you’re doing is in line with who you are and how you’d like to see the world.

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

My art helps me keep a sense of wonder. It’s a form of self care when the world feels dark, and reminds me that we are capable of making magic.

How has your career and art developed?

I was fortunate enough to receive a full tuition scholarship at Art Center College of Design, where I majored in Illustration. In my senior year, I interned at the Tierra del Sol Foundation as an Art Instructor for disabled adults. That experience set me on a long, LONG journey to where I am today.

What is typical work day like for you?

A typical day can include up to 3 classes with individual artists in their own homes. I usually arrive with a trend board related to the seasons, and we'll brainstorm product ideas together. "What would you like to create next?" It's a very collaborative process, and the client always has the ultimate say in what they'd like to create. Our goal is to help each artist develop a body of work & a brand that can be included in the broader mainstream markets so that the world doesn't restrict them to the title of "outsider art". They are fantastic, capable artists deserving of professional opportunities. We're very excited to work with Jackalope again!

That’s so cool - honored to have you join us! Do you have a favorite item that you sell?

Our hand painted wooden gifts are a crowd favorite! Every artist in the program has come such a long way with their fine motor skills and attention to detail, and their imaginations really shine when they create something like a set of nesting dolls, a wish box, or a wooden book purse. Some of my artists struggle with visual impairment, but with some accommodations like a magnification light, they've made huge strides in craftsmanship! I can't wait for everyone to see what we've made together.

So excited to see what you all have been working on in person! What is the hardest part of the creation process?

I overthink a lot, and can sometimes shame myself into making work that isn’t who I am in an attempt to appear more “professional” and worthy of financial investment. It’s funny though, because any time I do that, the piece winds up failing completely. When I trust that I am enough, as my authentic self, that’s when my pieces succeed and resonate with people.

What’s the best thing about being involved in the arts?

The best thing about being involved in the arts is helping people manifest dreams that they thought were impossible. Artists can get lost in the illustrious details of their own vision, forgetting that there are big, boring, painstakingly practical steps they need to take to make big things happen. I love being there to support people through the emotional gravity of those steps, since those are the moments when you’re likely to talk down to yourself and question your dream. Keep going. Your dream can be real!

What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena feels like a peaceful moment paused in time, away from the hustle & bustle of LA. I love that I can get to all my basic needs within a 5 minute drive, and I’ll probably never leave this place.

So well said. Anything special you’d like to share? 

As artists, dreamers, and lifelong learners, we are in the business of hope. Keep working towards what ignites your inner spark.

Catch NOVEL School of Art at Jackalope Pasadena on November 18th & 19th!

Web: www.novelsoa.com

Instagram: @novelsoa

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?  

I grew up in St. Joseph, MO, studied video production at Savannah College of Art and Design, and moved to Burbank in 1998 to pursue a career in editing.  I’ve always enjoyed taking existing material to create something new, whether it is film footage or the earth itself.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

I bought a 3D printer soon after they became accessible to hobbyists and was excited by the idea of turning things I had created digitally into real objects.  At the same time photogrammetry was becoming available, which is the process of matching identical points on multiple photographs of an object from many angles and using the data to create a 3D model of it.  The two technologies together make it possible to turn physical objects into digital ones, and back again.

Very cool. How do you define success as an artist?

Success for me equals pride in what I create. Is this something I like? Does it keep interesting me? Is my family supportive of my work? Sure, money is indeed a factor, but I’ve spent years of my life trying to please others with my work.  Now, I get to do it for me.

Amazing. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

I’m a lot less stressed over my work. Where else can you work at your own pace, take care of your family, and wake up without a case of “Sunday dread”? Since my wife retired from medicine to join me, it’s created a whole new dynamic.  She helps with the books, the packaging, and even painting custom pieces.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I’m learning how to take what I know and push it further. I’m always improving the quality of my work, learning new ways to redesign and reinforce thin structures, including manufacturing my own special inserts to protect my larger prints from breakage during shipping. There’s always something new to add to my wheelhouse, be it designing new products, like video game locations, football stadiums, college campuses and more!

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Photogrammetry and other capture methods make it possible to create 3D models of places.  Miniatures and dioramas are always fascinating, especially of places you know and love.  They are even more compelling when they have the authenticity of having been created directly from captured data rather than hand modeling.  It's kind of like a sculptural photograph. The most difficult part of the process at the moment is figuring out how to add color to the 3d models using aerial photography as the source.

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Doing what I love.  Plain and simple. It sounds cliché but being able to take my technical skills and produce something cool, unique and creative.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

One of my favorite projects was one of my first: a coffee scoop I made by twisting passionflower vines to create the handle and shaping leaves into the bowl.  I created a digital model of it using photogrammetry, made some adjustments, then 3D printed it.  It was fascinating to create an object that was largely designed by nature and formed through a combination of hand craft and computer craft.

What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena has always been special to us. Before marriage and kids, we frequented the restaurants and shops of Old Town and admiring the Greene and Green architecture. My wife spent a year working at a clinic on Lake and spent several years working on the City of Burbank float for the Rose Parade.

Anything special you’d like to share? 

We’re always open to new suggestions and custom orders. We still have a lot of theme park attraction suggestions but we’re playing with golf course designs, football stadiums, and coming up with alternatives to expensive color printing.

Catch Nanoscapes at Jackalope Pasadena on April 29th & 30th.

See more:

Web: www.nano-scapes.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NanoScapes

Instagram: @nano.cities

Maza Guzman

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

I moved to LA from Chicago in 2018. I think Midwesterners are generally better people than other Americans because we understand the importance of good neighbors; they can help you shovel out your car from the snow, they can lend you an egg when you don't want to leave the house in negative degree weather, etc. So I like to think that my brand embodies that sort of dependable, kind energy.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

Star Trek. The Matrix. Lord of the Rings. The Labyrinth with David Bowie. My parents were into sci-fi and fantasy, so I've always been attracted to space and magical lands. I believe we have to imagine a better world for ourselves before we can build a better world for ourselves, so my artistic practices are generally offshoots of my imaginings of a better world. In my version of a better world, art makes you laugh or cry with joy.

We love that. How do you define success as an artist?

If I'm happy with what I make--if it brings me pleasure or pain or whatever I'm going for--and if someone tells me they've connected with it in any sort of way, I'm successful. Art is like our social connective tissue.

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Yes. Ever since I was a small child, art has been the way that I learn about myself. Mostly, I learn what it is that I'm feeling. Once I identify what I'm feeling, I can identify what I need, and once I identify what you need, I can heal myself. Art heals me, and it has the power to heal others. Art is medicine.

It can be so powerful. How have you developed your skill at your craft?

When I was a kid, I loved sculpting with baking clay, beading jewelry, weaving friendship bracelets... the list goes on and on. Eventually, once you've picked up a handful of crafting skills, you realize that you can get good at anything with enough practice. Now, when a new medium strikes me as interesting or curious, I tend to take a stab at it. Needle felting has been my most recent stab (no pun intended).

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Believing that no one will connect with it. I'm getting better at recognizing that limiting belief, but it still plagues me sometimes.

How has your style changed over time?

I'm a recovering perfectionist. Also, I'm usually broke. These two conditions make it difficult to feel at liberty to experiment, but experimentation is essential for an artist, and so I think over time, my work has become better and better because I'm less afraid of messing up or wasting supplies. 

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Meeting other artists. There are so many magical humans on Earth, and yet we blind ourselves because we're afraid. Artists don't have the luxury of staying afraid; we have to confront our inner selves on a daily basis. Meeting brave, creative people is such a fantastic reward for being an artist. 

Well said. What’s your favorite item that you’ve created, and why?

I think the first thing I needle-felted was a one-inch replica of my step-dog's head, which I then "mounted" on a felted "mounting board." He's a rat terrier mutt with protruding eyeballs, so I used glass seed beads for his eyes. I was shocked at how well I captured his likeness. His name is Mr. Wiggles, but we call him Wigs. "Wigs' Head Mounted" is one of my favorite pieces to date. I have a greeting card now that features it.

So cute! What do you love most about Pasadena?

The beauty of the mountains! And the fact that Einstein moved here after the war.

Anything special you’d like to share? 

I'm a climate activist who’s about to launch an effort to save the world. It's called the Green New Now, and I'm giving away stickers to promote it. Come grab yours!

Catch Mazaland at Jackalope Pasadena on April 29th & 30th.

Web: https://maza.land/shop

Instagram: @undercovergrom

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I grew up in New Jersey near Philadelphia so we had the opportunity to go to the Philadelphia Museum to see art. My dad made it a point to take us and talk about art. He’s an artist and so was my grandmother.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
I am a big fan of traditional artists like Van Gogh and Mary Cassatt. And more contemporary artists like Shepard Fairey, Barbara Kruger, Robert Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol.

How do you define success as an artist?
Being successful to me is being authentic and creating work that brings me and others joy.

We love that! Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Art is definitely an outlet for me that helps with my mental well-being. I enjoy using my voice in street art and contemporary art for things that matter to me. I hope I can create work that inspires others and creates a sense of unity overall.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?
Being self-taught I love trying new things through trial and error. That’s how I’ve discovered my style along with finding mentors throughout my journey.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?
The process has evolved over time and since I’ve started to take my own photos, adding photography to the mix adds another layer of time to the process.

Loving the mix of mediums! How has your style changed over time?
I started creating digitally and moved into physical work. So it’s been using all my tools to create work and challenge myself throughout the process to find what I really want to focus on.

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

I love the art community and meeting collectors. People that really get what you’re doing and support it.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

The Maya Angelou mural that I created part of the protests in 2020 in Hollywood.

Beautiful! We can’t wait to see you in person this November 19th & 20th at Jackalope Pasadena!

Where to see more of Amy Smith:

Website | https://www.amysmith.art/

Instagram | @amysmithart

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?  

I am originally from Italy.  I was brought up with a strict Catholic background, and though not religious now, I do use those images to represent spirituality, irony, and faith.  I was raised by a single mother. Having moved from a small town in Italy to a large city with so much diversity, I was struck how multi-cultural Los Angeles is and how that move changed my worldview, and continues now to help shape my art.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences? 

My art is how I see the world and situations around me. They come from my worldview, and flashes in my dreams. I have always studied artists in all genres and throughout history. I do not have a particular artist that influences me, I think all art and all artists influence artists, and that is how it is with me my art. 

Love that! How do you define success as an artist?

I believe it is being able to move people with my art. The greatest pleasure I get as an artist is watching people talking about my art and discussing the meaning and what it evokes in them. Success is stopping people in their tracks and them reacting to the piece. 

That is a great perspective. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

It is therapeutic and extremely rewarding. It allows me to put on paper my emotions, my thoughts and my point of view. 

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I have painted since I was a child. As an artist by nature, I have dabbled in all mediums, and have explored many different styles.

How has your style changed over time?
I started doing oil on canvas, and my style was surreal and dark body images. Now, my art is how I see the world and situations around me. They come from my world-view, and flashes in my dreams. I find mixed media collage is the best medium to express myself now.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Finding time in my extremely busy life. There is nothing hard about the actual process, it’s the business side, the marketing side and the promotion that is hard for me. I love all aspects of creating art and sharing with others.

What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

I spend hours finding images that match my imagination, train of thought or dreams. Then I find colors that compliment the images, and spend hours rearranging, gluing and painting over and around those images to create the final image I want. Sometimes it takes days, or a week, and sometimes a full day, but I do not rush it, but let it flow naturally.

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

The best thing about being an artist is the ability to show anything you want. With every person that sees it will have a different reaction to it, and I love seeing the different reactions and interpretations of it.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

Holy Cow is my favorite piece. I am an animal rights activist, and this piece represents how sacred, pure, spiritual, gentle, and kind a cow is, and it expresses that it is a sentient being, and should be revered, rather than exploited. 

What will you be bringing to Jackalope Pasadena and Burbank?

I will be bringing some of my original work, some limited editions, open editions of my most popular art pieces, as well as products such as greeting cards and tote bags of my art.

Anything special you’d like to share? 

My goal is that my art sparks conversations about diversity, women's issues, fame, community and hope for our planet, fellow humans, and animals. 

Love that. We can’t wait to see you in person this April 29th & 30th at Jackalope Pasadena AND at The Downtown Burbank Arts Festival this June 3rd & 4th.

Where to see more of Laura Ward Art:

Website | www.lauraward.art

Instagram | @lauraward.art

Tell us how you got your start?

I’ve been doodling, drawing, and designing everywhere and anywhere for as long as I can remember. My mom is also very artsy and creative, and she always encouraged my interest in art. When I was little, I loved to take “commissions” from my friends to draw portraits of their pets or favorite toys in exchange for play money. So, it’s really no surprise that I ended up here! In 2017, I graduated with a BA in Graphic Design and Studio Art, and that’s when I started Lauren Alane Design LLC. 

So cute! What is your favorite part of the maker process?

Nothing brings me greater joy than to lose track of time as I work on an art piece. To me, art is an escape from the everyday, similar to the magic you feel when you’re enthralled in a great book or caught up in a favorite movie. I love the moment when an artwork really starts to come together on the page – when the vision I have in my head begins to take shape, and I can tell it’s going to work out. This “ah-ha!” moment doesn’t always happen – I have so many abandoned sketches and half-finished pieces! – but when it does, it’s such a great feeling. 

What inspires you to create?

My inspiration changes pretty often, but some of the constants in my artwork are nature and animals. I’m a huge animal lover – I never get tired of drawing dogs, cats, foxes, and other critters! The unique beauty in every animal inspires me. Besides animals and nature, I also love working with themes of outer space and life on other planets. I enjoy creating a juxtaposition between the everyday and the surreal to create playful, otherworldly scenes. 

Very cool. Do you have a favorite item you have made?

That’s a tough question! I think my favorite series to make so far has been my “Space Life” screen print series, which explores a whimsical, surreal vision of life away from Earth. Within the series, “Astronaut Neighborhood” is my favorite. It’s a quirky piece portraying a lone astronaut in a very ordinary-looking neighborhood on Mars, with the Earth and the moon floating in the distance. I think I like it because it feels playful, surreal, but also a little lonely. Living in an environment where you couldn’t go outside without wearing a full space suit would be very isolating. 

What’s a typical day like for you in the studio?

After I get home from my job as a graphic designer at a publishing house, I hunker down in my home office / studio to reply to emails, check on inventory, manage my webstore, or any other non-art tasks that need to be done. I like to work outdoors when possible, and I often take my laptop out on the deck or to a coffee shop for a change of scenery. Once that’s completed, the fun can begin! I’ll usually turn on some music, an audiobook, or a TV show while I draw or screen print. If artist’s block strikes, I’ll take my dog, Finnick, out on a walk, or do some gardening. Sometimes a short break outdoors is all it takes to see an artwork with fresh eyes and solve any problems I’d been having with it. 

Stepping away is definitely necessary at times. What do you love most about Minnesota?

The lakes! I would spend all day every day at the lake if I could. I’ve lived here in Minnesota my whole life, and despite the brutally cold winters, I couldn’t imagine calling anywhere else my home. 

Lake life is the best! What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

I’m excited to be bringing my hand-pulled screen prints, giclée art prints, and framed prints. Keep an eye out for my Jackalope-themed print as well! 

That is exciting! Anything special you would like to add?

Besides art and design, I have a huge passion for animals and animal rescue. My hairless Chinese Crested dog, Finnick, can usually be found sitting right by my side as I work. I’ve illustrated two children’s books – Don’t Mess with Mama by Don Deline, about a protective mother loon who saves her chicks, and Flying V: The Alphabet Takes Flight by Jane Stavem, about a very innovative baby Canadian goose. I’m also the author of a book called Saving Foxes: Portraits of Rescued Foxes and Their Stories, written to bring awareness and raise funds for foxes rescued from fur farms. The profits from this book go to Save a Fox Rescue in Minnesota. 

That is great! We can’t wait to see you in person this September 10th & 11th for Jackalope Minneapolis!

Where to see more of Lauren Alane Design:

Website | laurenalanedesign.com

Instagram | @lauren.alane.design

Do you have a story behind your company name?

Yes, Something to Cherish® is a play off of my birth name, Cherish, which means: beloved, to treasure, to care for, or to hold dear. When I started this art brand in 2007, I didn't know what I wanted to call it, but the mystery was soon solved with a call from my mom who had been talking with my grandmother. They had brainstormed the name “Something to Cherish.” I thought it was a wonderful name but assumed that somebody else was already using it. To my surprise, the trademark was available.

Something to Cherish® means that life is a gift to cherish. It’s an extension of my family legacy that focuses on loving and caring for people from all walks of life. As a community, if we’ve learned nothing else from the past years of Covid, hopefully, we have learned that no one is promised tomorrow, and we all need meaningful human connection. This present moment truly is a sacred gift to be cherished.

So true, and we love how personal your company name is. How did you get your start?

Since I was a little girl, I made art and played “gift shop” by creating amusing little things for all my family members to “purchase.” I even offered a gift wrapping service! In high school and college, I was fortunate to study art and earned multiple degrees in illustration, fine art, and design. Initially, I concentrated on children’s book illustration. After illustrating my first two books, I started a greeting card company and began assisting independent publishers in publishing their own books, which led me to realize my gift for artistic product development. 

Early in my career, I was selected to lead the art team for a company owned by Clint Eastwood (Tehama), where I learned about the intricacies of product development from firsthand experience, designing high-end resort wear that often appeared in celebrity sightings. I was also appointed to create surface pattern designs for the IZOD G (a PVH brand) and Arnold Palmer fashion lines where I learned about licensing and our global apparel markets. 

Wow that is really cool. Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

My favorite part is the spark creation that takes me off into a flow of delightful surprises, one after another. I often see things in colors and words before I see images. So, it's a fascinating journey to put pictures to the feelings and sensations that I have in my brain to help bring a story and vision to fruition. Stretching myself to use my various gifts and life experiences in each project is also challenging and fun.

Can you tell us what a typical day is like in the studio for you?

One of the reasons I always wanted to be an artist is that I thrive on atypical days, as spontaneity is often the fuel for my next brainchild. However, I have also learned the importance of honoring my circadian rhythm so I am dedicated to opening and closing a day with a certain routine. Every morning I begin in the studio with a gratitude painting practice where I take out a blank sheet of watercolor paper, prepare my watercolors, and let my wet brush guide the painting. After this, I may work on a visual project, meet with business associates, teach an art class, work in my garden, take a walk, take an entrepreneurship class, and/or hop in and out of the computer to facilitate momentum – it all depends on the season, the deadlines, and my current endeavors.

Love that the first part of your day is a painting! What inspires you to create?

My work is highly inspired by nature. I love the little intricacies of how a flower buds, how a blade of grass is swept along in a creek, the rustling sway of trees, the taste of the life-giving herbs, and the way we are all connected on the substance of earth amid an infinite starry landscape. I’m enthralled with the divine order of things and honored to contribute my song to the vast chorus of creation.

Do you have a favorite item you have made?

There is a range of beautiful things I have created over the years, but I am still exceptionally proud of the tote bag I designed for my “Elements by Cherish” line in partnership with Studio M. Each beautiful canvas bag in this collection not only reflects the joys of the elements of earth, fire, wind, air, and cosmos as interpreted by my watercolor designs, but the leather-handled bags are very sturdy and are designed to travel both near and far. I designed it with my ballet dancing sister in mind (it’s amazing how much they need to carry to each show!). Its big size and pockets fit everything you need for work or leisure. I love mine for a trip to the farmer’s market, and I have been known to use it as a weekender bag to the hot springs or beach. And best yet, it stows perfectly underneath an airline seat!

That is a true win! What do you love most about Colorado?

As a multi-generational native of Colorado, I adore the sunrises and sunsets over the purple mountain majesties. Living against the foothills, I love the close proximity to both the yawning prairies out east and the mountain passes to the west. I’m excited by the future with its expanding cultural opportunities and reflect on my deep family history roots in this little corner of the planet.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

I’m excited to debut a new collection of tablet-friendly handbags, luxurious handmade silk scarves, accent pillows, boho baby blankets, and other accessories featuring my watercolor designs. In addition, I will be displaying a series of signed and numbered prints, as well as a selection of original watercolor paintings.

Anything special you would like to add?

While it’s a joy to share resplendent watercolor stories and inspiring words through quality designed goods that become a part of everyday life, it’s also important to remember the bigger picture. Because of the success of Something to Cherish®, it’s an honor to partner with non-profits that help me plant fruit trees in vulnerable areas where food, jobs, and vegetation is necessary for communities to survive and thrive. I love how one fruit tree can multiply into many possibilities for provision, nourishment, and even seeds for future trees, practically cherishing both people and the planet for many years.

Lastly, I'm excited that Jackalope is coming to this special area of Colorado, home to so many people who have supported my art journey over the last 20 years. I'm thrilled to have a venue to share my latest works and to celebrate this special milestone. 

We can’t wait to see you in person this August 5th & 6th for Jackalope Arvada!

Where to see more of Something to Cherish:

Website | https://www.SomethingToCherish.com

Instagram | @somethingtocherish

Can you tell us how you got your start?

Stress and despair! :) No, really! My wife and I were going through a particularly difficult time acclimating to parenting my 8 year old nephew a bit into the transition of him coming to live with us. We were relatively new in our relationship and this was a huge undertaking that required many therapists, specialists, and lots of change. I was working a full-time, middle-management job at the time and was under an exorbitant amount of stress there and at home. Have you ever had one of those end-of-your-rope, you’ve tried all the talking and prayers and breathing and coping things, and there are simply NO MORE TRICKS up your sleeve moments of despair? This all seems like such a simplification of what was really going on, but it was that kind of debilitating chaos. 

One night back in 2014, I lost it. I was alone in my room after a particularly difficult evening. It was dark and I was just sobbing everything out in a mess of hyperventilation and tears - the really ugly kind of crying. I was at a complete loss and out of nowhere, this wild energy came up and it was like my body was moving without me. I found myself grabbing for random things - a tv tray, a stack of scrapbook paper, paints, scrapers, and brushes. The next moments are all a blur as I literally pushed all the energy into painting these feelings.

Everything came out. It was fast, deeply emotional, and wildly expressive. Truly, it was maniacal and not far off from what you’d watch in a dark film as someone legit goes crazy. Haha I painted square after square - the papers were 12x12” and each became a scraping and smudging of the stress and feelings I carried around every day.

This experience was not only incredibly cathartic, but really surprising because I had never painted before, aside from some furniture in my teens (peace signs and cow print - hello 90’s) and some school projects for compositional study when I attended FIDM in my 20’s for Visual Communications. 

I ended up with 45 paintings. I only just released them on my website shortly before the pandemic hit. I love that there are pieces living on in my collector’s homes and life stories, some all the way in Copenhagen! I’ll have the collection at the show along with newer bodies of work.

That is incredible, so glad you found a way to release those feelings. So what inspires you to create now?
Freedom. Letting go. The state of being. Whatever you are right now, fully accepting that in its most peaceful, purest state. Feeling. Being boundless. Photos of people doing yoga on a cliff. Dancers floating and moving their bodies like water figures so open and uninhibited. Space. Not literal stars, but space to be - that kind of expansion where there are no limits and anything is possible. Musicians lost in melody. Lyrics to a favorite song. People in their elements of passion - enthralled with the process of becoming and stepping outside of themselves. Seeing others tap into that energy. Being totally untethered. That’s the juice. 

Love that. Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Having no plan when I sit down to create. It’s so pure and freeing. I struggle with anxiety and perfectionism; always looking for the “right” and “should” answers out of fear of being wrong. A lot of self-doubt comes with that.  A lot of second-guessing. That internal spinning is chaotic and can be pretty paralyzing. 

 Abstract painting is a space where I’m free from all that. I meet it with no plans or expectations. It’s an honest place, totally surrendered and open. It just asks me to show up and decide; to be present and willing. To listen. It’s an invitation to be seen and be known as I am, without expectation or judgment in any state of feeling I may be in. It accepts all of me. And in those moments, it teaches me to accept all of me. 

I don’t start from an idea or sketch. There is no end in mind. Just a blank canvas or paper on the table next to my trolly of tools and paints. I sit, decide to be open, and start grabbing, letting my intuition and deep love for composition lead and express. It’s a thrill to not know where I’m going. It’s like hopping in the car and driving to anywhere with nowhere to be. Wild and free. I love that.

Very therapeutic. What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

I get to paint for hours on end, uninterrupted, in total flow - LIES. :) It’s so boring. haha An artist’s life is as dull as any on the daily. There’s coffee, hot or iced - a very big decision. Then, planning. Lots of research. I have a couple of clients I work with on design, social media, and non-art-related projects that need tending to. There are task-avoidance Pinterest sessions, of course. Emails, calendar sorting, and the like. It’s “office-y” with music playing. 

When I do get to actually create, it’s very focused. Often very quiet. I paint quickly and I paint a lot in one sitting. I guess I’m more of a “session” creator. I’m also pretty neat for an abstract painter. I see artist’s on Instagram who paint so slowly and meticulously or who are the opposite and throw paint at the wall. I wouldn’t dare! I’d be so upset the room got messed up. I am a quiet little mouse when I paint, laser focused and clean; just one mark at a time and building as I go, working on the cheese. It’s a lot of brayer-rolling, smudging, rubbing, ripping, scratching, layering, and uncovering. It’s actually pretty aggressive. It probably looks like I’m just destroying something or making nothing. Like a kid. I have stacks and stacks of work. I’m kind of embarrassed by that for some reason. I feel like a hoarder. :)

Do you have a favorite piece you have created?

Ok, this is hard for an indecisive. I’m going to go with a painting that I did - it’s not quite a self-portrait, but I feel myself in it and it’s definitely a depiction of how I felt in a moment. It’s called “Franken Feelings” - a black and white abstract of a most-honest face and probably my most common feeling as a sarcastic introvert who is becoming more hermit-like and socially awkward with each passing day; so annoyed with humanity and everything always. Hahahaha it is silly, honest, and it makes me laugh so hard. It’s basically me. <Ok, it’s me.>

I’m also going to plug my tiny art collection because I love it so much!! When the pandemic kicked off, I decided to paint 100 tiny abstracts (or TABstracts as I like to call them). They are 2”x3” and 3”x3” - so small! I became obsessed with the challenge of creating smart compositions in such a tiny space. They are so cute. I love this project because I got to collaborate with my wife, Gina, for the first time in art. She custom-built all of the tiny frames out of our garage. She’s an actual rockstar and I loved getting to see her create alongside me. These will be at the show in April too, and are on my website now. These tiny pieces are pandemic-born and are such a great little punch of inspiration for tiny places, like a bookshelf, desk, nook - I meant for them to bring creativity to folks who are working from home so much more now. We need that. I saved a few for myself and we have them sprinkled all over the house. I really love them!

So cute! Do you have anything special that you will be bringing to Jackalope?

Original art, prints, stationery, and gifts. I have pieces in all sizes, from 3x3” to 18x24”. There are framed and unframed options, too. I’ll also have geometric prints available in mini 5x7” up to 16x20” - these designs are digitally created and have a mid-century modern vibe to them. Colorful and playful compositions - some of my favorites! For stationery and gifts, I’ll have hand-painted bookmarks, ornaments, cards, magnets, and other fun work to make a home artful, gritty, and cool. I’m so excited to share them all. Self-expression in a home is so important. 

Definitely, handmade brings a heart beat into a space. What did you miss most about in person events now that events are picking back up again? 

Fresh air! And creative buzzing. There is something special about the “shop local” movement these last several years. People are wildly inventive and so brave, right? There are so many amazing artisans and creators. These events are super important to keep that energy alive and thriving. Shoppers are more supportive and encouraging than ever. And they want to connect with makers directly. I love (and have missed) their excitement and cheerleading. Selling online is handy, but it’s just not the same.

Agreed! Well we can’t wait to have in Pasadena. Is there something you love most about the city?

It’s calm and small, but big enough to feel “city”. We love to shop and walk. I’m from Boston originally, so any chance we get to walk the shops with coffee and goodies while cars scurry by is a hit for me, especially when it’s old mixed with new. And Pasadena has great shops, eateries, tree-lined streets. It’s a bit story-book and artisan. It’s cool.

Any final words you would like to include?

Yes! I think it’s important to note that I am a self-taught artist. I have always been a creative, but not a painter. I did go to a form of “art school,” but it was not for fine art and I did not graduate. This is an important message because I think we need to be reminded that living a passionate life isn’t just for other people or for “the schooled.” It’s for us. It’s for you. We are all created differently with varied skills, abilities, desires, and circumstances. This world needs all of it. There is plenty of space from the streets to the classrooms. And life is incredibly short. Too short for our fears and excuses, no matter how present everyday they may be. 

Part two of my “why” story is that 2 years after I discovered painting (and was not consistently committed to it as a daily practice), I learned that I had cancer forming in my uterus. I had a total hysterectomy and needed additional surgery after that for complications. When healed up enough, I returned back to my corporate job for 6 months. Nothing was more clear to me than not wanting to spend the rest of my days puttering around doing something I hated. It wasn’t worth it. I, thankfully, had the support of my family and means to quit. And I did. 

It was and still is terrifying to be on my own, braving days as a full-time artist. But, living for something means too much to me to grind my teeth for nothing. I hope that inspires someone to be brave. To give it a try even when their knees are knocking. It’s hard. But it’s good. And supportive communities like Jackalope bring people together to inspire and be inspired. Want to make butter? Go make your life’s best butter. :) We’re totally here for it.

Also, that nephew I mentioned? He’s now 18 and we officially adopted him, finalized in 2021. This life is one wild ride. 

That makes us smile :) See you in person this April 23rd & 24th in Old Pasadena!

Where to see more of Tobi Beck:

Website | www.tobibeck.com

Instagram | @tobiannbeck