Vendor Spotlight: IDILLARD

Deer Painting!

Presenting… IDILLARD!  Bringing you original watercolor paintings and brightly splattered light switch plates to brighten up your room — matching Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus switch plates?  I think yes.

Rowr!

meow!

These light switch plates are made from original watercolor paintings by Isabelle Dillard (the namesake behind IDILLARD)  We think an excellent present for any animal enthusiast might be one of these fantastic elephant paintings:

Visit The Big Chill on Saturday, December 3rd at the Mayo Street Arts Center to see IDILLARD’s gorgeous work and much, much more!

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Vendor Spotlight: IDILLARD

New Work from IDILLARD

Good morning, everyone!  We did the walkthrough of Mayo Street with our first draft floor plan this week and good news:  all the vendors are going to fit!  Ha-ha!  Just kidding, we knew they would all along but it was so exciting to be in the space and imagine all the activity that will be there in just over a week.  To all you vendors out there reading, I’ve been a nutcase between the day job, marketing, dentist appointments (ick) and you-name-it.  Never fear!  The floor plan will officially come out by midnight tomorrow night (Friday the 8th) so that you can all make some plans about the way you’re going to pimp out your space.  🙂

Lucky me, being the nutcase that I am, Sophia Sarno of Highwire Handmade has written a lovely piece about her table-partner, Isabelle Dillard of IDILLARD.  Here we go!

~~~

I have the great fortune to share my space at THE BIG THAW with a friend and fellow artist, Isabelle Dillard, of IDILLARD. Her work combines original artwork with functional home decor in the form of super fun light switch plate covers. When I asked her about her work here is what she said…

IDILLARD

“The first photo transfer i did was the crowned crane and as soon as i saw it with the bright watercolor splatter- it made me smile and I haven’t stopped making them since.”

“It is my artwork, something you can hold in your hand, and i love each piece- the light switch plates allow me to reproduce the work and reach more people so they can enjoy it on a budget”

IDILLARD

“I love the playful imagery and whimsical feel of the original paintings- and i make them affordable because there’s something special about owning a one of a kind piece of work”

“I wanted to create affordable accessible artwork for everyone- something original that wasn’t expensive”

Isabelle’s newest work continues to use her signature bright colors paired with black and white photo transfers, as well as original watercolors.  Here, [in addition to the buck at the top of this article], is a peek at her latest work:

IDILLARD

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Vendor Spotlight: Highwire Handmade

“One thing I learned at an early age from my Dad, was to look up when you walk. So I do. That’s when I find birds and wires, open skies, clouds and lots of inspiration.” –Sophia Sarno.

Highwire Handmade

And isn’t that the truth?  The simple and striking designs from Highwire Handmade reflect this early training in such a universal way that her designs are timeless.  Pale sunsets with the stark, graphic outline of little birds on the line are something that everyone, everywhere can relate to.

When I asked Sophia what was new with her product line for Spring 2011 (and for all you lovely customers the day of The BIG THAW!) she said she’s been experimenting with plated and .925 sterling silver in her pendants.

Heart Pendant from Highwire Handmade

The precious little paintings are available at Highwire Handmade’s online Etsy shop, but you can also pick up a piece of wearable art at The BIG THAW on Saturday, April 16th at Mayo Street Arts.  We’re so pleased that Sophia (and the other vendor sharing the table with her, Isabelle Dillard) heard about The THAW via the Etsy Maine Team online forum and decided to join us!

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