Denim and Ink
Growing up, Erin O’Leary wrote and illustrated her own books, sewed clothes for her dolls, and spent a good chunk of her allowance money at the craft store. But she never imagined, nor thought it possible, that any of her hobbies would help her make a living as an adult.
When she graduated from college, she started making personalized cards for friends. “The joy I’d get when they opened a card that was so personal… it made my heart sing,” says Erin.
The leap to illustrating was a natural one. Erin took classes online and developed her own style. In 2017, she launched Denim and Ink and started sharing her designs with wider audiences. “Posting my first illustrations on social media was terrifying, but it was how I held myself accountable. People were supportive from day one, even though I had so much learning to do!”
One of Erin’s specialties is wedding illustrations. One couple wanted something beyond a traditional bride and groom pose. For this illustration, Erin drew their pets (a cat and two birds) that couldn’t be a part of their wedding. “I wanted to help them include and celebrate things they love - something a traditional photograph didn’t do,” says Erin.
When the pandemic hit, Erin was worried business might dry up, but what she found was quite the opposite. “Art is a powerful and positive force that can help you process what’s going on,” Erin observed. “Being away from family and friends, people had to look for ways to capture their feelings, and my illustrations provided a pathway.”
Erin also started using her art to support causes; she drew illustrations of healthcare workers, with proceeds of each sale going to buy PPE for frontline workers. And in the fall, she encouraged people to get out and vote.
“I enjoy creating pieces that help people capture a moment, connect with a memory or support a cause. Images convey emotion just as much as words do.”
Visit www.denimandink.com to get your custom illustration for you and your loved ones!
JELLA World Artist Collections
JELLA World Artist Collections has been a source of beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces for the past ten years. Jennifer Kinkead was inspired to start JELLA during a trip to Africa where she was doing work with Give Us Wings, a local nonprofit that does work in Kenya and Uganda. Finding art that tells a story and bringing the piece and the story back to the U.S. provides a new market for artists in the developing countries that she visits while bringing unique, fascinating artwork into homes stateside. The JELLA Collection now includes art and jewelry from Indonesia, Africa, Asia, Europe and the British West Indies.
Jennifer sells direct a couple of times a year but most of her artwork and jewelry is sold through beautiful shops in the Twin Cities such as Martin Patrick3, Zachary, Pumpz, Vivid Home, Grand Hand Gallery, the Minneapolis Institute of Art and others. JELLA offices are at International Market Square where the love of art and beauty is alive and thriving. She works with designers to custom curate artwork for homes with the specific interests and passions of the homeowner in mind. JELLA World Art Collections website is also a great place to shop!
Understanding other cultures helps people appreciate and respect one another. The values evident in the art and stories that Jennifer collects from around the world are similar to the values we hold dear in America, our love of family, friends and joy in celebrating life’s milestones.
Despite Covid-19, Jennifer has been able to keep her collection fresh through the relationships she has developed with her partners around the world and by tapping into the art network in the U.S..
Shop with JELLA to bring treasures with a deeper meaning into your life! www.jellaworldartistcollections.com / International Market Square
Jimmy Wilson Gallery
Today’s art climate is evolving and adapting. Among those who are opting for more convenience and easy accessibility for clients is The Jimmy Wilson Gallery. The brick-and-mortar space formerly located in Linden Hills, has recently become completely virtual. Art and photography lovers can now browse and admire 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere in the world.
Jimmy Wilson is an American photographer, filmmaker, writer and gallery owner. He grew up locally in Minneapolis, and graduated from the University of Minnesota. After a few career adventures including real estate property management and filmmaking, Jimmy purchased a small inexpensive digital snapshot camera. It sat upon his kitchen counter for about a year until one day he decided to bring the camera along on his three-mile morning walk. He started to capture images and share them on his social media pages. It was then Jimmy realized he had a growing fan base.
With the support of his online audience, he made the decision to turn professional and start Jimmy Wilson Photographs. He began working with a local art expert who became his mentor and agent, teaching Jimmy what he’d affectionately call, “The art inside the art.” With more hands-on experience and guidance, he learned to perfect the presentation, display, and size, finally discovering what truly sets him apart from other photographers.
Jimmy Wilson’s photographs are shots captured around our great state of Minnesota. These framed pieces will give meaning to the art you hang in your home, compliment your existing décor, and can showcase the places you enjoy and love the most. Jimmy’s limited prints are signed, locally framed by Steve Schaben (owner of FastFrame Minneapolis), and installed by a professional.
The new virtual gallery space allows for everyone and anyone to browse and shop in safety and comfort when convenient. Jimmy himself is available by appointment to consult and answer any questions via email, text, phone, or video call. View art online at www.jimmypicture.com or contact directly at (612) 201-0701. Follow on Facebook @jimmywilsongallery.
ARTrageous Adventures
Amanda opened what she calls her dream space nestled in the heART of the Kenwood neighborhood in 2009. At the time, she was teaching art workshops all over the city as a single mom of two and juggling afterschool care for her children. When Louise Erdrich, writer and owner of Birchbark Books & Native Arts brought up the idea of renting the open space on the corner of 21st and Penn Ave to teach art classes, Amanda's brain started swirling with ideas. The first thing that she did was start to figure out how to fund an opportunity to start a small business in a beautiful and historic neighborhood. After meeting with community members as well as the Kenwood School and Park, she put together a business plan and a way to raise some capital funds to start her dream space. She named it ARTrageous Adventures, and the studio successfully opened their doors on January 26th, 2009.
Amanda wanted a studio space that welcomed families of all ages to create and come together as a community. Her mission was to unleash the creative power within people of all ages by creating programs that connect people to themselves, their community, and the diversity of the world. Over the past twelve years that dream has become a reality and ARTrageous Adventures has hosted workshops, afterschool programs, camps and countless birthday pARTies from ages 2-75 years old.
The year 2020 was for many, including ARTrageous Adventures, the most challenging year ever! ARTrageous had to quickly change their business model from in studio programming to creating ARTrageous BOXED Adventures that are delivered to doorsteps locally and even nationwide.
Check them out at www.ARTrageousAdventures.com to learn more about their monthly art BOXED subscriptions and other fun offerings this year in order to help support local. February's theme is From the heART BOXED Adventure. Remember, "the eARTh without ART is just Eh!"
Art Resources Gallery
If you are walking through your home and noticing some blank spots that need artwork, Art Resources Gallery would love to help you fill them! Conveniently located in two distinct locations, International market Square and Edina, both galleries specialize in original artwork by local and national artists. Many of their best sellers have been a part of their gallery family for well over 20 years. Art Resources Gallery has been in the art business for over four decades, and their staff of gallerists are happy to assist with curating a collection for your home or designing a custom frame for your special heirlooms by working within your budget!
As a full-service art gallery, Art Resources Gallery offers many mediums to choose from; oil and acrylic paintings, blown glass, sculpture, mixed media and even fiber art. Their inventory is updated periodically to reflect their client needs which means they have something for all the art-lovers out there! From traditional landscapes, to contemporary abstracts, their website is updated weekly to keep things fresh and exciting. Browse virtually to gather ideas on what artists create a spark of joy for you and your space at www.artresourcesgallery.com.
The team at Art Resources Gallery looks forward to helping you curate a truly original look that represents you!
