Who are you? What do you do?

My name is Hillary Tschappat-Larson, and I am the owner and creator of Oliver Bean Designs. I was born and raised in Alaska and I have been an artist all my life. In December of my senior year of high school, I started Oliver Bean Designs to sell my sticker designs. In 2019, I began exploring with polymer clay and I fell in love with using it to produce unique, vibrant, and lightweight jewelry. I love the vast amount of possibilities that polymer clay brings to the table, and I haven’t looked back since. 

Who/what inspires you? 

I am most inspired by natural landscapes and bright color combinations. I look up to and am inspired by so many artists from all over the world. I love drawing inspiration from other art mediums as well, such as fiber arts, ceramics, and painting.

What is your favorite moment in the process?

My favorite moment in the process of creating with polymer clay is the trial and error stage of creating a new design. A lot of the time when I get a new idea, I have to give multiple attempts before I can get the clay to do what I pictured in my head. This part of the process challenges me to push past what I know and explore what I don’t.

What is a trick of your trade or a piece of advice for artists in your medium? 

A piece of advice for other polymer clay artists is to double-bake your pieces for extra strong clay! Polymer clay is polyvinyl chloride (PVA) mixed with plasticizers, stabilizers, and more that comes in a moldable state. Once you have created your final product, you will heat it up, by baking it, to create a hard and solid piece. By double-baking the clay, you allow extra time for those plasticizers and stabilizers to fuse together and create an even stronger bond. 

What’s next for you?

Currently, I am working on expanding my product line to be more inclusive of individuals who may not wear earrings. I am looking at offering necklaces, bracelets, rings, tie clips, and more!

Where can we find you? (Social pages, classes/workshops, clubs, etc.)

You can find my business at oliverbean.com and on Instagram and Facebook: @oliverbeanak

Come join our team! At Kindred Post, we foster connection between art and community in order to cultivate a sense of belonging in our neighborhood and beyond. We’re a creative, quirky workplace rooted in art, community, and social justice. And we care very much about the people who work with us! Our team is fun, friendly, and hard-working - with each person making their unique mark on this big, beautiful world. Retail experience is not necessary; we are happy to train the right people! We can't wait to meet you!

OPEN POSITIONS - AUGUST 2023 

RETAIL SPECIALIST 

This part-time position assists in the general operations of Kindred Post. This position carries out basic duties in retail transactions, product management, sales, and event staffing. Their experience also enables them to assist with curating and ordering, as well as styling photos for media use as well. Candidate must possess ability to provide excellent customer service, pay attention to detail, work effectively and efficiently in a busy atmosphere, and have fun! Pay starts a $16/hour DOE.

Full position description here: Retail Specialist Starting at $16/hr

VISUAL MERCHANDISING LEAD

The Visual Merchandising Lead is a part-time position that assists in the general operations of Kindred Post, and plays an integral and creative role in the company's visual merchandising. This person works in collaboration with KP's leadership team to plan, design, and implement creative and strategic displays across the store (shop displays, window displays, signage, etc). The ideal candidate will have experience making displays, a reputation for meeting deadlines, a strong eye for aesthetics, and the ability to apply sales numbers and trends to their designs. This position also carries out basic duties in retail transactions, product management, and sales. Candidate must possess the ability to provide excellent customer service, manage multiple tasks, think creatively, pay attention to detail, and have fun! Pay starts at $17/hour DOE.

Full position description here: Visual Merchandising Lead Starting at $17/hr

TO APPLY:

Please send ONE HAIKU, a RESUME, and a LETTER that tells us about yourself and why you'd be a good fit for Kindred Post. Send applications and questions to us at hello@kindredpost.com.

The position is open until we receive the right fit. Applications received before August 31 will receive priority consideration. After that, please check our jobs page to see if the position has been filled.

Who are you? What do you do?

My name is Shelby Oredson, and I’m a watercolor artist specializing in wildlife and landscape art prints, custom pet portraits, and stationery goods. Although I studied art briefly in undergrad, I consider myself a self-taught watercolor artist and thank my entry into motherhood for helping me rekindle my creative passion. I’m a mom of three (with an “oops” baby due in September) and a wife to a Coast Guard helicopter pilot. If I’m not painting or running after my kids, you can most likely find me soaking in the great outdoors or catching up with friends over a board game. 

Who/what inspires you? 

Mother nature is my greatest inspiration. Having spent the past three years in Sitka, Alaska, I fell in love with the majesty of the mountains and the towering pines. I hope my work inspires people to pause, take a breath, and step outside. I believe the greatest lessons and memories transpire in the wild. 

What is your favorite moment in the process?

Watercolor is all about layering from light to dark, and my favorite moment is when I can finally add the tiny details that make a painting come to life. Whether it’s fine hair lines on a pet portrait or tiny peaks of pines in the distance, details make magic. 

What is a trick of your trade or a piece of advice for artists in your medium? 

The best piece of advice I can give any beginning watercolor artist is to invest in high-quality paper. You can buy fancy brushes and expensive paint, but if you’re not working on the right surface, those brushes and paints will flop. Watercolor requires a lot of practice, loads of patience, and really, really good paper. Check out my latest blog post for all my favorite supplies! 

What’s next for you? 

We just moved from Alaska to Indiana where my husband will pursue an MBA at Purdue University for the next eleven months. With a new baby on the way and three more rambunctious kids at home, the short-term future of my business is a little unclear. Time won’t be on my side, so I’ll be taking things one day at a time and slowly chipping away at some of my business goals while keeping four tiny humans alive. 

Where can we find you? 

You can find my shop online at www.brokenpaddlestudio.com or on Etsy. I share lots of updates and behind-the-scenes stuff on my Instagram @brokenpaddlestudio. And I’m hoping to sell my work at some markets and events in the Indiana/midwest area this next year! 

Who are you? What do you do? 

My lifestyle, career, and art practice are shaped by human interactions with the environment in my home state of Alaska. From the backyard to the backcountry, I use art as a tool for observation, recreation, and environmental + social advocacy. My practice is grounded in field sketching, where I use watercolor and pen to take note of my surroundings. 

Who/what inspires you? 

I’m inspired by the idea of art as a form of being in conversation with the environment. Some days my brushes study the physical characteristics of a landscape, while other times they allow me to explore curiosities beyond the aesthetics. Always, the resulting works are influenced by the environment in which they were created. Local water sources activate my palette, sun, wind and rain dictate drying times, a squished mosquito occasionally sneaks into the composition. 

What is your favorite moment in the process?

I love finding ways for my little paintings to have an impact on the bigger picture. While the purpose of many of my sketches are sentimental and experimental, they also have the power to be an act of reciprocity. Recently, my art has connected with social and environmental justice initiatives. It has raised funds to support local non profit organizations. It has coalesced into personal projects that strengthen my relationship to the land and individuals who inhabit it. I regularly consider how to deepen themes of education and advocacy in my work, and am all ears if you have ideas!  

What is a trick of your trade or a piece of advice for artists in your medium(s)? 

Thinking of painting as a creative practice - as opposed to a professional pursuit, a business, or an obligation - has been a liberating mindset that allows me to sustain this work. If it’s a practice, it’s something I can improve at, experiment with, take breaks from, and truly enjoy without being fixated on the end result.

What’s next?

I’m looking forward to taking some time and space to adjust to our growing family - as my latest work in progress is due this summer.

Curiously, my roles as a parent and an artist developed in tandem back in 2019. With a body in recovery and a baby in tow, I had to find a new way to maintain outdoor pursuits and friendships. Hint: it involved lots of breaks. And during those breaks, while I nursed a newborn or caught my breath, I started plein air sketching. These sketches, pauses, and observations laid the foundation for a few new relationships - with art, my daughter, myself, and our surroundings. 

No pressure on the next kid, but I’ll be excited to see how art fits into this chapter of our lives. 

Is there anything you would like promoted in May specifically? 

I have a few exciting projects lined up for the summer. First up, this June I’ll be contributing paintings to the Mountain Arts Summit in Crested Butte, Colorado. This multi-day event features works and workshops by artists with a focus on environmental advocacy.

Then, August 19 - September 4, my dad and I will be hosting an art show in McCarthy, Alaska. We’ll be showcasing watercolors that celebrate our personal and shared connections to the Wrangells and we’d love to see you there!

Where can we find you? (Social pages, website, classes/workshops, clubs, etc.)

You can learn more about my work at jillrichieart.com  (sign up for my monthly newsletter while you’re there!), follow along on instagram: @jill.richie.art, or say hi if you see me out and about!

Who are you? What do you do?

As a professional watercolor artist from Kobe, Japan, I discovered my love for painting at a young age. I honed my skills at Musashino Art University, specializing in oil painting. With over 25 years of experience, my works have been juried into national and international exhibitions, receiving high acclaim. Residing in Juneau, Alaska, I find inspiration in the region's enchanting rainforests and mountains, capturing them in my art. As a Brand Ambassador for Daniel Smith, I use environmentally friendly paint, aiming to inspire peace, healing, and care for the environment through my watercolor paintings, connecting people to the beauty of the world around us.

Who/what inspires you? 

I often find inspiration in the fleeting moments of everyday life. For example, when I'm walking through the marshlands of Juneau and see the vibrant wildflowers blending into the landscape, or when the wind rustles through the trees and sparks an idea. Even observing the wildlife and the scenery they inhabit can be a picture-perfect moment that sparks my creativity. I always keep my senses open, ready to receive inspiration.

What is your favorite moment in the process?

The moment I start adding colors to the paper with watercolor paints, I feel a surge of excitement. Seeing the colors blend and spread on the paper as I layer them is pure joy. After letting the initial layer dry, applying a second glaze and watching the three-dimensional effect emerge is incredibly satisfying. And witnessing the final touches with a third glaze, as the painting comes to life with heightened perfection, is simply thrilling. All in all, the process of applying the paints is an enjoyable journey.

What is a trick of your trade or a piece of advice for artists in your medium(s)? 

My advice is to maintain a consistent daily routine. Plan out your mornings and decide what you'll do when you wake up. Building healthy habits like exercise and a nutritious diet is crucial for both your mental and physical well-being. Incorporate time for your creative pursuits, like picking up a paintbrush, into your routine. Once these activities become habitual, the future you envision will be within your grasp.

What’s next?

I aspire to enhance my artistic skills in depicting flowers with greater beauty, so I am determined to revisit and research my color application techniques. I also aim to harness the power of composition and value to create even more alluring paintings.

Is there anything you would like promoted in May specifically? 

I am thrilled to announce that my artwork has been selected for the prestigious National Watercolor Society (NWS) Member Exhibition! The exhibition will be showcased at the NWS Online Sales Gallery from May 4th to June 30th, 2023. You can view my artwork at http://www.nwsexhibition.com/ and catch highlights on NWS's YouTube channel. 

For more information, please visit the website at https://nationalwatercolorsociety.org/.

-Where can we find you?

Facebook art page

https://www.facebook.com/chihiroartworks

Instagram page

https://www.instagram.com/chihiroart

Website

https://www.chihirostudio.com/

My original paintings and limited edition art prints are currently on display at Annie Kaill's gallery in Juneau, Alaska.

https://www.anniekaills.com/shop/art/chihiro-pierce