Wednesday, July 14, 2010

artist spotlight: the barbershop!

So excited for our artist spotlight today!
Meet Amie Barber from The Barbershop!
How long have you been painting? How did you get started?
I painted and dabbled in art when I was younger and growing up. I was always doodling and sketching when I should have been paying attention in class, but really didn't start painting until August 2009, when my boyfriend's brother & sis-in-law (who also happens to be one of my dearest friends) gave me a watercolor set for my birthday. The first thing I ever painted was the 'whale love' watercolor, and the rest is history. I haven't put the brush down since! Ironically, that first painting is still on of my favorites.


What is your favorite thing in your shop?
Right now, my favorite is actually the Whale Love print, and I'm also very fond of The Dahlias & The Mountain Goat. I'm working on finishing a few other paintings incorporating those bright dahlias in different colors and with different animals (I've got 3 more in the works) and I predict that this series will be my new favorite. They really speaks to what I love to create - they are the result of just sketching and creating without a goal or design in mind, and I like that.
What are your other hobbies?
I'm a huge outdoor person. I love hiking, backpacking, skiing and hanging at the beach. I'm training for my first 5K and plan on doing a race monthly to keep me on track. I love to exercise and stay fit - I played soccer for 13 years (all the way through high school) on both my school team and a club team. I enjoy cooking, baking, cleaning (yes! It's true. I love to clean) and spending time with my family & friends. I also love impromptu picnics, my kittie and my bf of nearly 6 years...we are one happy family. Oh, and also - I love to travel. If I could quit my day job and travel the world I would do it in a heartbeat. I want to see everywhere and climb every mountain!

my favorite....so cute:) rain catcher.

What do you listen to while creating?
Strangely enough, I am usually sketching while the TV is on, mostly sports (Grant usually controls the remote), but often it's silly shows like The Office or Seinfeld. When it's off, I find that I can get loads more done, and I enjoy listening to Bob Marley, The Beatles, Sade, and the like. I'm also a huge Frosty Heidi & Frank (talk radio on 790KABC) fan and listen to them via podcast while painting as well.



Because I am a food lover....what is your favorite thing to eat?
Well....I'm a food junkie. I eat practically everything in sight. I have an affinity for chocolate cake and sweets, but my favorite thing to eat would probably be Mexican food - cheese enchiladas, chile rellenos and refried beans. I could live on refried beans. I don't eat too much meat, but my parents make the most delicious tri-tip steak that I swoon for, and I'll lick a guacamole bowl clean if you give me the chance. Oh, I'm getting hungry just thinking about all of this!

Amy is giving away a print of your choice!! Be sure to check out The Barbershop--and leave a comment with your favorite print for a chance to win!

One winner will be chosen at random, and comments will be accepted until Sunday, 7/18 at midnight, and the winner will be announced Monday.

Tell your friends--tweet/facebook/or blog and come back for an extra entry for each!
(if you don't have a blog, please leave an email address)

Also take a little peek at her adorable blog!

bonus: Because Amie is amazing, she is currently donating all of her proceeds (less etsy fees, etc) to The National Audubon Society & the National Wildlife Federation to help the gulf coast. So pick up a few cute prints, and help out a good cause at the same time!

double bonus: Amie is also offering all my favorite blog readers a special offer: buy any 8x10 print, she'll throw in a 5x7 of your choice! All YOU have to do is write "the little red house" and the print of your choice in the comments to seller and that 5x7 print is free! Offer available through July.


CLOSED

31 comments:

Anna said...

I love her storm catcher print! I have a weakness for mason jars.
beautiful work!!

Heidi said...

Her paintings are amazing. My favorite is whale love.

geddheid@hotmail.com

Kelly said...

I love Read Read Read!
Such a great shop!

kate said...

I love Read Read Read as well! I just finished painting my library and this would look fantastic there!! <3

Paige said...

Oh my goodness, I love these! I think my favorite is the "Live what you love." But I also LOVE the "Read Read Read" print.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful shop! My favorite is The Dahlias And The Mountain Goat but I love the entire shop and added it to my favorites. :) Thanks!

Ramblings said...

These are all so beautiful. I wish God would have blessed me with ANY artistic ability. My favorite is the "Live what you love." Thanks for sharing!!

ali said...

oh so cute. I can't decide between read, read, read and Live what you Love.

shalynn said...

i think whale love has to be my favorite too. what a creative girl---i love her prints!

Katie said...

oh how fun are these!! i think my favorite is.... (so hard to choose)....whale love!

katie bateman said...

Whale love please so cute!

Anonymous said...

I am in love with the Whale Love print! Love, love, love it! :)

Unknown said...

I love Read Read Read! Such cute prints!

Scott and Lori Smith said...

Definetly Live what you Love painting.

Tasha said...

Those are gorgeous. I love the "read read read" print. Thanks for sharing!

mandi c said...

The Goose and Mountain Goat are funny! I think Live What you Love is my favorite though.

mandi c said...

I blogged about them! :)

Rebecca said...

These prints are beautiful! My favorite is Storm Catcher.

Charlotte said...

Go Amie! She's the bomb and she is super talented!

(No need to enter me in the give-away... Amie is my close friend and I just wanted to give her props! :) )

Anonymous said...

Yes! Storm Catcher is the best!

Sarah M said...

I really liked reading this interview! My favorite print would have to be The Canada Goose!
Sarah M

Anonymous said...

The Paintings are amazing, I love the Read Read Read

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anna said...

Love the Storm Catcher print!
All the paintings are beautiful and colorful. Lovely.

abartholome@yahoo.com

L-Burt said...

It's hard to decide but I love the 'Live what you Love' print most!

Sarah said...

I love them all! but I think my favorite is Whale Love.

Becca said...

"Live What You Love" is so cute! Love the colors!

Hannah Mayo said...

The "Live What You Love" print is my favorite.

kristyna said...

so hard to choose! canada goose. sweet. lovely. i love her shop, blog, and paintings!!

alli said...

My favorite is definitely Whale Love! so sweet!

northssclub at yahoo dot com

Jaymie said...

My favorite is Whale Love :)!

Nathan Williams said...

wow .
her work is really unique.
thanks for sharing