Etsy as Art Gallery

There is a perception of Etsy as a site for DIYers doing the crafting thing, when in fact it is becoming a location that professional artists are more and more often drawn to expand their exposure beyond the brick&mortar art galleries, shows and single artist websites. A professional graphic artist by day, and personal artist by night, George McKim is one such artist. After a classical art education, his portfolio of exhibitions and gallery affiliations extends impressively over more than 20 years.

At George McKim's Etsy shop, you can find mixed media collages, paintings, linoleum cut prints and note cards based on his creations. I find his lino cuts especially compelling, as I love their graphic detail, and his series of sunflowers just beg for multiple "Warhol" display. (I did as best I could with Blogger's image load above - aren't they fabulous?!). He has written about the process on his blog, if you're unfamiliar with this particular type of art printing. His prints are all signed and numbered, too. I'd recommend a general tour of his blog, as well, as he writes wonderful features on some very interesting art events (check out this platinum-n-diamonds skull, for example), as well as well-written features on Etsy shops from an artist's perspective.

Get Your Holiday Style On

Vanessa Kimball from Bloomington, MN is a graphic designer for a design company called Ekcetera Productions, and her stationery can also be purchased at the brick&mortar store called Ekcetera in Inver Grove Heights, MN.


Lucky for us on Etsy, Vanessa also sells her stationery at an eponymous shop there. Her designs are bright, crisp and modern. You can find cards, calendars and gift tags with a classy look and elegant lines. If you love her design aesthetic and need some graphic assistance for your own e-commerce life, she also sells her skills in graphic banner designs.

Here's how Vanessa describes herself in her Etsy profile:

I'm glued to my computer. I wonder if there's such thing as a design addiction. Oh and I'm also addicted to Lipsmackers lip gloss. Strawberry Kiwi to be exact. Don't judge. :)

I also enjoy interior decorating, tennis, music, painting, vintage, IKEA, listening to The Current,coffee table books and art.

Don't worry, Vanessa, we would never judge a Lipsmackers addiction, especially Strawberry Kiwi - yum!

It's not to late to hop on over to Vanessa Kimball and find some holiday paperie to make your holidays classy, and even more important, handmade. Find out more on her blog, too, while you're at it. She's also doing the 90/90 blogging challenge and may have found just what you need and written an awesome feature on it. You'll never know until you click-and-go!