Made by Moxie Interview

As the year winds down, Schmancy is getting hungry (you know Thanksgiving is coming up!) That's why we enlisted Moxie who is awesome. And she happened to make us very happy with her new solo show entitled "Hungry" opening this Friday night at Schmancy. 6pm! Here's a few juicy tidbits to get you excited for the show:


Schmancy: What is the collection you are showing at Schmancy this month, and what is the inspiration behind it?
Moxie: The series title is "Hungry." It's a continuation of the two piece series I created for PlushYou! LA. It's one of those concepts that took hold of my imagination and I *had* to continue exploring it.
As for inspiration, I'm not really sure. Sometimes I like to incorporate shiny garbage into my work. I did that with a doll face and the whole project took on a charming-yet-disturbing tone that makes me happy for some reason.

Schmancy: Who is your favorite person (dead or alive)?
Moxie: Roosevelt Franklin.

Schmancy: Do you have a special place where you go to create your ideas?
Moxie: Not really. Having and developing ideas is a process that happens in your noodle... and if you're really lucky, you get to take your noodle with you wherever you go.

Schmancy: What is your favorite coffee drink?
Moxie: I'm really into drip with cream and sugar right now but, I've been known to cherish an iced carmel latte with a billion shots in it now and again. My heavens, I do love the coffee. We should have some right now!

Schmancy: What color is your hair currently?
Moxie: Pink.

Schmancy: Do you have any exciting news or any upcoming events you would like to share with the world?
Moxie: I'm really happy to say that my book, "I Felt Awesome," is finally available for pre-sale. It's a labor of love, two years in the making, and I can't wait to share it with everybody. (If you take a peek at it on Amazon, you can look inside!)

Thanks Moxie - and for all you fans out there stop by the opening to meet her this friday at Schmancy!

Interview with Anna Chambers

Sorry for the late post...but check out Anna's latest plush online or at Schmancy! The opening was last Friday night, but the show will be up the rest of this month!

On with the interview:

Schmancy: What inspired you for this show "Multipy"?
Anna Chambers: I first started making 2 bunnies, then I just kept going in the bunny theme, after I had them all in a row, I thought "multiply" was a fitting title.

Schmancy: When & Why did you begin making plush poo?
Anna Chambers: I started the poo dolls a long time ago, just kind of as a joke, I wanted to make something gross as cute as it could be.


Schmancy: What is the best thing about being a mom?
Anna Chambers: Best thing about being a mom is the little baby smiles I get all day, I can't get enough of her giggles.

Schmancy: Where do you picture yourself in (life or business) in five years?
Anna Chambers: In 5 years.... I'll get back to you!

Schmancy: What is your favorite sweet?
Anna Chambers: Chocolate

Schmancy: Do you have any upcoming shows/ news for the end of 2010 (or start of 2011 - eek!)?
Anna Chambers: Another plush character of mine is coming out this year, only hint: it's an animal.

Scrumdiddlyumptious

Everything seems to converge at the same time... i.e. CCE's Event next weekend, LA Plush You the weekend after that... and the Scrumptious Delight Opening at Schmancy this Friday August 13th! Yep, Friday the 13th from 6-9pm-get your cool shoes on and check out the amazing Plush by artist Becky of Scrumptious Delight... Here's a little "taste" of her upcoming solo show, and some great Q&A.

Schmancy: When did you start making plush, and what inspired you?
Scrumptious: I guess the start was when I was about eight and I made miniature mice and bears from felt. I was and still am a real animal nut and always loved plush toys

Schmancy: What's your favorite "real" food?
Scrumptious: Hmmmm, favourite real food?? No big surprise, I have quite the sweet tooth and I am a big fan of marshmallows but I'm not sure if a marshmallow really counts as real food...
I eat sushi every week and really enjoy a good salad, like the green salad with pear and sheeps cheese topped with a mango lime dressing that I ate the other day...mmmmm!
I recently discovered that I am gluten intolerant and I have to admit that I really miss scones.

Schmancy: What plush food do people like the most of your scrumptious delights?
Scrumptious: I'm pretty sure that the cotton candies are the most popular item I make, followed maybe by the marshmallows.


Schmancy: Have you been anywhere recently? If so, was it fun?
Scrumptious: The last day trip that we took as a family is a must do for anyone visiting vancouver. We cycled around the sea wall at Stanley Park. We rented a trail-a-bike (like a bicycle with no front wheel that attaches to the adult bike) for my 7 year old which she loves. We stopped for icecream when we got to English Bay.
I've been working a lot recently but tomorrow I will take the day off to take the kids to Vancouver Aquarium, also a must do in Vancouver and also at Stanley Park. The marine mammals there are rescued animals who for whatever reason cannot be released back into the wild.

Schmancy: What other events do you have coming up this year that you want to share?
Scrumptious: Other events...hmmm I should really get on and organise for the holiday season...
I just finished making a life-sized plush bicycle for the Bicycle Arts Festival in Vancouver this weekend and I will be sending pieces for both Plush You LA and Plush You in Seattle. The Plushteam have a collective show at Hot Pop in Milwaukee in January...the theme is Candyland...right up my street!
As for holiday season shows, I'm not too sure yet...I would like to do some local stuff and maybe Urban Craft Uprising....

Interview with LeDoux!

With the holiday weekend it was shocking to realize that we will have Jesse LeDoux at Schmancy THIS FRIDAY!! So stop by and check out his fabulous show "Perfect Forecast," but for now here is an interview with Jesse!

Schmancy: How much do you get to travel for work?
Jesse: For a while I was traveling quite a lot. So much, in fact, that I got elite frequent flier status. However, I've stuck pretty close to home lately, which has been a nice change. Typically, the grass is always greener, though with traveling, I've found myself content with wherever I currently am. If I'm at home, I'm happy being home. And if I'm away, I'm pretty excited to be away.

Schmancy: So true! So where is your favorite place?
Jesse: As for favorite places, I really miss Japan a lot. I think about its various charms frequently. I'd really love to be someplace warm right now. Anyplace warm right now. Even the NW, if it would ever heat up. TURN IT UP, Mother Nature! I've got some swimming to do!

Schmancy: Swimming is a bit chilly in Seattle, but yes let's hope this change in weather will stay in the 70's! Hmm...so where is your secret hideout in the city?
Jesse: Oh c'mon! It wouldn't be much of a secret if I told you, would it? To be honest, I prefer exploring new places instead of frequenting favorite places. I want to know other people's secret hideouts.

Schmancy: Ah darn it I tried to trick ya! Oh well...What's your favorite kind of sweet/candy?
Jesse: I-C-E C-R-E-A-M. Fruity flavors in the summer, chocolately/carmelly ones in the winter. Unless boozy flavors are an option. Those trump all. I had a bourbon chocolate ice cream cone last year that had me wishing I had skipped dinner.

Schmancy: yum. I just had sour cream icecream, it was interesting and making me want some of your bourbon chocolate...Onto more important things like, when you were young what did you want to "do" with your life?
Jesse: I recently found a "Time Capsule" questionnaire that I did when I was 10 years old. It said I wanted to be a cartoonist. I suppose I'm not too far off.

Schmancy: WOW! that's pretty rad - I actually wanted to be a cartoonist for Disney (this was before all the CGI though...) Do you have any secret talents (the amazing artwork isn't secret!)
Jesse: More secrets, eh? I have an uncanny ability of putting my foot in my mouth. Put me in any social situation. Within a half hour, I'll have insulted someone, embarrassed myself, or inadvertently made an ill fated joke that falls flat and could be construed as dirty. And frequently, I can do it in the first 10 seconds. If social awkwardness were a career, my assistant's assistant would be doing this interview as I golf from my helicopter hovering above my penthouse.

Schmancy: I'd like to see that! What's your favorite thing to do during the Seattle summer?
Jesse: I really enjoy swimming. Not lap swimming, but SWIMMING swimming. Cannonballs, Donald Ducks, and backflopping while attempting 1-and-a-halfs. That's summer fun.

Schmancy: back to that swimming eh? Might need to take a tropical vacation! Do you have any events/exciting news to tell all the schmancy fans?
Jesse: I have this show at Schmancy that you may have heard about. In August, Patent Pending (which is my poster company I share with Jeff Kleinsmith) is having a big 11 year retrospective show at the Design Commission in Pioneer Square. I was going to have work in a show at the MADRE Contemporary Art Museum in Italy this Autumn, but due to shifting politics in Italy, their funding got cut (which is a HUGE bummer!). I'm also part of a large (and currently top secret) group show in L.A. in October that will be pretty crazy. There are some other things on the horizon, but it's too early to squeal about that. Sign up for my mailing list or follow me on Twitter and you can be the first to hear the squeals.

You can sign up on Jesse's mailing list here: Sign Up! But make sure to check out his new work at Schmancy this Friday July 9 from 6-9pm

Plush Pickles

Everyone admired and wanted the jar of pickles in last year's Plush You show. Now you can get your own pickle!

Latest Plush Exclusive

Now online and in the store!

Interview with Tim Miller

the artist for June is Tim Miller!
Check out his work this Friday June 11 from 6-9pm, and of course meet the artist!

Schmancy: Please explain a bit what your show at schmancy is focused on:
Tim Miller: The show focuses on the bright side of sorrow.

Schmancy: What would your last meal be if you were on death row?
Tim Miller: Something that comes with a steak knife.

Schmancy: What/Who inspires you?
Tim Miller: Waves, animation, race cars, office supply stores.

Schmancy: What's your typical rainy day activity?
Tim Miller: I tend to sit on the couch, draw in my sketchbook, drink tea and think too much.

Schmancy: Do you have any big news for 2010?
Tim Miller: I don't know if I have any big news, but I'm working on reconnecting with the Seattle animation community and working on working on [sic] some more animation.

Interview with the Man Behind Man Made Monsters

This Month we have the artist Stefvan from Man Made Monsters with us... here are some random questions and answers!

Schmancy (S): What is your inspiration for this show?
ManMadeMonsters (MMM): Repercussions of bad decision making, self loathing. For every women I fell in love with, may it be for 10 years or 10 seconds. Lack of sleep and great sex.

S: Name your favorite country and why - have you ever visited it?
MMM: 10 years ago I would have said Barcelona, Spain, just to skateboard.
But now I would say Tokyo, Japan. I feel like it would be visiting 10 years into the future. I have never been to either unfortunately.

S: What is your favorite creature/animal?
MMM:I don't have say a favorite, but here are couple
Killer whale with a comb over
Cactapuss
Pandas
Fruit bats
Koalas
Meman

S: What do you have coming up this year you'd like us to know about?
MMM: I have been added to a wonderful festival known as Urban Craft Uprising! July 10th and 11th at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. 305 Harrison Street
Seattle, WA 98109 (206) 684-7200. Over 100 vendors!! Big time!!! Have another show coming up at NW Throw backs, June 14th. (1205 E Pike. St. Seattle, WA 98122 (206) 402-4855) Thats gonna be super fun! After all that, my first full blown themed show at Retro fit, Aug.12th (1419 12th Avenue, Seattle - (206) 568-4663). Theme is called Endangered Species, some real and made up!! Mostly made up. But what ever doesn't sell is going to get painted over after the month is up, so it's up to people to save these species. Around 5 species are gonna be there and about 10 to 20 of each species. All one of a kind!! Also spreading the word of some of the coolest artist I know on STOKKUR.NET. Other than that I will be lurking around waiting for my moment to have a run at world domination. Muahahahaha!!

S: Are you a dog or cat person?
MMM: As long as they are friendly and like to chill, they both cool with me. None of this acting like I don't exist unless I have food. That shit is not cool!!

Can't wait to see everyone at the show opening- This Friday May 14 from 6-9pm!!

April Artist -- Laura Berger Interview

For the month of April Schmancy is showing artist Laura Berger! She won’t be able to make the opening show, but we’ll still be around from 6-8pm this Friday April 9 at Schmancy! Here is a fun interview with the artist:

Schmancy (s): Your artwork is really creative and cheerful; does it reflect your personality?

Laura Berger (lb): I hope so! Well, I'm a person, so of course I'm not always cheerful. But I definitely try to maintain a high level of fun & creativity in my life, all around.

s: That’s great to hear! You live in Chicago, what is the best thing about the city?
lb: The best thing about Chicago for me is the amazing & diverse restaurant scene. I really really like going out to eat. I do it too much. I also love being 8 blocks away from lovely Lake Michigan, which is big enough for me to (sort of) pretend it's an ocean. The people here are also really down to earth & friendly for a big city. That was 3 best things, but oh well.

s: Well, we have the Puget Sound which we pretend is our ocean! Schmancy has been selling your prints for the past few months and everyone loves them! Do you plan to have new prints for this show?

lb: Thank you! Yes, I made 4 new digital prints of some new illustrations to go along with the paintings for the show...

s: Awesome! Can’t wait to see them, so, what is your favorite dessert? And why?

lb: My favorite dessert is cheese. I'm being totally serious. I usually don't crave sweets all that much, but I have met very few cheeses that I didn't like.

s: Mmmmm, cheese! Yum! Do you have any favorite spots/places to gain insight and/or inspiration for your artwork?

lb: I think my favorite spots for inspiration are my car and my bed. Did that sound weird? I get a lot of ideas when I'm driving. Driving clears my mind; I really enjoy a good road trip. Many of my ideas also come to me either right before I fall asleep or in my dreams. I also like leaving & get a lot of inspiration from traveling.

s: A bit weird, but I suppose it depends on the bed! I’ve contemplated living in the windy city, but what is the absolute best thing to do on a rainy/snowy Chicago day?

lb: This would probably involve beverages of some variety. Coffee shop sitting with a nice friend or a nice book or a nice window to stare out...or a good beer at the Hopleaf, my favorite Belgian pub...or (more than likely) sitting and painting or drawing all day with a cup of tea. I really like this crazy smoky tea called Lapsang Souchong. It tastes like campfires.

s: That sounds like a good time...and a bit like Seattle! Thanks for talking with Schmancy, and can’t wait for your solo show to open this Friday!!!

Interview with Tomonster!

The month of March should always be called "March Monsters" and to celebrate that new fact we have Tomonster aka Tomoko. Here's an interview with her on her upcoming solo show at Schmancy from March 13-April 8, 2010.

Schmancy: How long have you been painting?
Tomoko: I've been drawing all my life. I always love drawing and painting. I started painting seriously about 6 or 7 years ago. I was painting for fun and people like them! So I was like "WOW! Really? That's awesome!!"

Schmancy: That always seems like the best way to start! You create so many interesting characters, where do you get your inspirations for them?
Tomoko: Most of them are from all the cartoon I watched when I was little. I'm from Japan originally, so I watched lots of Japanese cartoons. Also they played lots of European cartoons also like Barba papa and Mooming Troll, etc... I just love creepy but cute and funny monsters! They just make me smile!

Schmancy: We like the monsters too! So, where is your most favorite place to travel, and why?
Tomoko: I've been to some places, but my favorite place was Morocco. I think it's so foreign to me and everything I saw was amazing and very very foreign. It was so much fun! Also Barcelona, Spain was amazing. They are so much art and they have great food!

Schmancy: Yum! My mouth is watering...so what is your favorite food?
Tomoko: I love any kind of food!!!! I love eating!!! haha. But in the end, I always go back to Japanese food. :)


Schmancy: Tradition is hard to break!! Since its 'March Monster Month' and I guess there's also another holiday...do you celebrate St. Patricks Day with green beer?
Tomoko: Well, I don't have any Irish blood in me and I don't drink, so uh, no.... but I'm all for Green drinks and green food! I didn't even know about St. Patricks day till I came to Seattle!

Schmancy: Well we hope some of the Irish luck will rub off on all of us! Do you have any upcoming shows or exciting news you would like to share with us?
Tomoko: My new cards from new paintings are printing process right now! Also I will have a gallery showing with other artists in May, June, July at Oasis Gallery in Wallingford! Also in August, I have a solo show at Portage Bay in Fremont!


Schmancy: Wow! That's great! Thanks for taking the time to talk with us...All of you loyal (and new) Tomonster fans please stop by Schmancy between March 13-April 8 to see her amazing work and really funny characters. Until next time...xo

Interview with Vivienne and Matte

The upcoming February 12 art opening at Schmancy is featuring Vivienne Strauss and Matte Stephens in the show "Opposites Attract" (perfect for the month of love). Anywho, I've interviewed the couple to get the latest scoop just for you!

Schmancy (S): Where is your most favorite place to get inspiration? Do you remember the first time you went there thinking this place could change your life?
Vivienne (V): I guess I would have to say my mind rather than an actual physical place. I get a lot of my inspiration from old college annuals from the 1920s and 1930s. Just an interesting looking face or an odd sounding name can inspire an idea or a whole story that leads to a painting.
Matte (M): At home I love changing our place around to make it more inspiring.

S: What is your favorite movie and/or book? - AND what would be the "new" ending you would add to it if the ending could change?
V: I have so many favorites it is hard to pick just one. One of my favorite movies of all time is Harold and Maude, I would say I'd prefer that Maude not die at the end but I wouldn't change it because it wouldn't have nearly the impact it does now. Happy endings are not necessarily the best endings to a good story.
M: I like so many movies it would be hard to name just one.

S: Give us a preview of your Schmancy show!! We can't wait to see it, so describe some of it to us now!!
V: The painting I've done for the Schmancy show is titled Frank and Florence spend every Sunday in bed reading their favorite books. This idea has been floating around in my head for quite some time and it felt great to finally execute it.
M: A wool felted Uncle Rutherford.

S: What is the song/artist you keep playing over and over in your iPod (or cd player?)
V: Lately it has been Andrew Bird.
M: I have my radio tuned to the same NPR station all of the time :)

S: If you could open a restaurant what food would you serve and why?
V: Probably one that had a huge selection of different soups, salads and sandwiches so I could eat there and not have to cook.
M: I would serve southern food and the name of the restaurant would be cloresteral.

S: Do you have any exciting news/events to share for 20-10?!
V: I have one thing in particular I'm very excited about but it isn't final so I'm afraid of jinxing it by saying something too soon
M: I'm working on lots and Lots and lots of paintings

S: Everything upcoming sounds terribly exciting and let's hope it works out for both of you, everyone please come join us for beer and wine on February 12, 2010 to celebrate the opening of “Opposites Attract” with Vivienne and Matte (and the Schmancy crew!)

Huck Gee is coming!

Hey Joe (Vollan) whadda ya know??

Hey Schmancy Fans!! Joe Vollan will be having a solo show in the store from January 8 - February 11!! Don't forget to stop by during the month to check out his work. *There will NOT be an opening on the 8th, and the store will just be open regular hours (11-6)* But drumroll please!! Huck Gee will be honoring Schmancy with his presence on January 22, 2010 from 6-8pm for a signing session. More to follow!



On with the interview....

S: Joe, will you be making any new year's resolutions?
JV: Today one of my co-workers said that being nicer should be my resolution, so I'm going to give that a shot.

S: How did you come up with the new show, that will be at Schmancy this month?
JV: My wife bought me a bunch of really nice looking frames, so I got wood panels to fit them. so all the paintings are smaller then usual for this show.

S: What is your favorite underwater animal?
JV: I would have to say definitely a squid.

S: You live in Seattle and seem very inspired by the city. Do you have a favorite place to sketch or come up with ideas?
JV: Seattle is a very inspirational and beautiful city, I like to walk around downtown a lot, also gasworks park makes me happy.

S: Any upcoming events or updates we should know about?
JV: My website (joevollan.com) should be up and running, hopefully within a month. Im very excited about that.

S: Thanks for talking with us Joe, and we look forward to seeing your work!