This month I thought I’d share with you a  feature on another artist whose blog I follow, the lovely Nina Seven… and this is what she had to say…

What do you make/design?

I’m primarily an illustrator. I illustrate greeting cards, art stamps, decorative paper and children’s books.

Describe your work in 2 words

fun and whimsical

Where can we find your products?

My stamp designs and decorative papers can be found at a wonderful craft supply company called A Muse. www.amuseartstamps.com

I also have my own greeting card line called n7designs www.n7designs.com All the images there are coffee related. I live in Seattle, WA (USA) and we are known for our coffee culture! Starbucks Coffee Company is based here and the partners that work there are my main customers.

My 1^st illustrated children’s book, Theodore the Tree is available on Amazon.com. You can find it by clicking here

 How did you come up with the name for your company?

My illustration business is just nina seven illustrations. I think most illustrators just use their name for search purposes. It makes it easy for people to find you.

Why did you decide to start

I started my business when I left a full time job after my 2^nd child was born. I previously worked in retail as a display designer for about 15 years 

 Tell us a little about your blog, and what you get out of the blogging process?

I started my blog about 5 years ago, so I could participate in a weekly illustration challenge, called Illustration Friday. Every Friday, a new word of the week is posted on the site and illustrators create a piece based on that word and post it along with a link to their blog. It’s so much fun and great practice. I still participate almost every week. I love the community of creative people I’ve met through blogging. I often email my online friends for advice and tips, from marketing ideas to techy questions. From doing the weekly challenges and seeing what everyone else is doing, my work has improved, I’ve learned new skills and gotten more confidence. As a creative person, you have to put yourself out there, you can’t work in a bubble

Advice you would give to someone thinking of starting up a creative business

First of all, do what you love. Then, keep growing and learning and honing your craft to be the best it can be.

Where do you get your inspiration from?  

I get a lot of inspiration from other illustrators by visiting blogs and websites, but I’m careful to not look too much. It can make you feel inadequate, if you try to compare yourself to others. I also am inspired by things I see in everyday life-packaging designs, children’s books, stationery, magazines, etc.

What would your ideal collaboration project be?

I would love to design a greeting card line for a company like Hello Lucky or Madison Park Greetings. I’d also like to do some children’s illustration for Mudpuppy, I love all their products. And, I’d really love to illustrate another children’s book, the 1^st one was so much fun.

What are you goals for the coming year?

Over the next year, I’d like to get another children’s book contract and I’d like to start working with an awesome company on a greeting card line. That would be a good year

AIR TIME 09 Nottingham

Supporting artists’ practice through information and networking

Are you a visual artist seeking info on insurance, funding, legal and professional matters?

Do you want to develop your networks and collaborations?

Locate like-minded artists and get timely advice from other artists and experts at this event, that is open to practising visual and applied artists in the East Midlands.

Wednesday 18th November 3-5pm

Nottingham Trent University,

The Bonington Building,

Shakespeare Street,

Nottingham

Open to all visual and applied artists, AIR TIME events are designed to provide information and tips from artists, arts organisations and other experts on professional matters such as insurance, negotiation and funding your practice, alongside opportunities to meet and network with like-minded artists. Some places will be reserved especially for final-year art and design graduates.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity – Recommended by 94% of artists attending previous events in the series.   Contributors include Steve Perry (Hencilla Canworth Insurance Brokers), artists and experts including representatives from AIR, a-n, Arts Council England, Backlit, Beacon, Hinterland Projects, DACS (Design and Artists Copyright Society) ,East Midlands Visual Art Forum, MOOT, NAN (Networking Artists Networks), New Art Exchange, Nottingham Contemporary,Nottingham Craft Mafia, Nottingham Visual Arts, Stand Assembly, Surface Gallery,Tether & The Art Organisation

Event organised by a-n The Artists Information Company on behalf of AIR: Artists’ Interaction and Representation, in partnership with DACS and Nottingham Trent University.

AIR – Artists Interaction and Representation is the membership scheme for practising visual and applied artists that is an integral aspect of the Artist subscription provided by a-n The Artists Information Company www.a-n.co.uk/AIR.

Pre-booking is essential as places are limited. To reserve a place contact AIR@a-n.co.uk with AIR TIME 09 Nottingham in the subject box.