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 https://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

Who are you? What do you do? 

My name is Chloey Cavanaugh - I was born in Sitka, AK, and raised in Juneau, AK, and I am a child of the Was'ineidi Tax'Hit, Eagle Wolf clan in Kake, Alaska. I run an indigenous LGBTQ+ owned business based out of Juneau, AK, called Black and White Raven Company, named after my grandfather Archie Cavanaugh. 

What do you do? 

Shoot, okay. I am a graphic artist who sells apparel and does art stuff, but my business also works with community-minded individuals on logo design and website design. I have also been fortunate to work with The Tlingit Culture, Language, and Literacy (TCLL) Program, teaching graphic design. 

Who/what inspires you? 

I had this 9-year-old kid approach me and say, " Hi, Chloey! you taught my design class at Harborview." She then talked to me about her recent designs from my graphic design class. That inspires me. Our youth are the future - seeing them talk about what they are creating, finding, and building upon the pride they feel in themselves inspires me to do more, give back, and remember what it was like to be a child growing up in Southeast and what that means to me as an adult. 

What is your favorite moment in the process?

I love that moment at the start of the process when all these ideas feel like they will burst out of me. All these bundled-up emotions that are sometimes happy, sad, mad, or eager for change get to burst out, and I see them visually. I also enjoy the end of the process is also a favorite of mine - when I get to share them with the world and see who feels what I feel too - and it opens up these conversations or shared experiences. 

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

Ask questions, create with others, uplift one another, and trust in who you are. People will have perceptions of what your art means and ways it should change or grow - but at the end of the day, take it all with a grain of salt. Your art should be something YOU are happy with - the rest is just a perk. In a world full of preferences, Coffee drinkers, tea fanatics, and soda pop drinkers - you can't be everyone's favorite cup of coffee. 

What's coming up? 

I work as a Design & Marketing Manager for Áak’w Rock, a biennial three-day Indigenous music festival from September 21 - 23 in Juneau, AK. Tickets are for sale right now at: https://jahc.na.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/14435

Where can we find you?

https://www.blackandwhiteravencompany.com/s/shop

Who are you? What do you do?

Through her training as an architect, Harper Gunn developed her art style with attention to detail. She is inspired by tattoo art, tarot design, and the natural world - the bugs, birds, and plants - around her. In her time away from making art, Harper helps design rural hospitals and clinics across the country. 

Who/what inspires you? 

I take most of my inspiration for the subject of my work from the natural world and the landscapes that I love. I am especially inspired by time I have spent with family in the high deserts of northern New Mexico. In terms of style I have always loved tattoo art and the way that imagery can become a language.

What is your favorite moment in the process?

One of my favorite parts of my process is spending time sketching and working through a design or idea. I love being able to think visually and process through my thoughts. The other part of my process I love is when I am finally able to put down a finished piece and can really see it as a piece of art. That moment makes me realize that all the work I put in has been worth it. 

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

The best advice I've received from other artists is to create all the time and without the pressure to share. I think having the freedom to explore completely without feeling critique from other people has been very freeing to me and helps me to not take anything for granted. 

What’s next?

I view making art as a practice and so I am excited to keep working and creating and seeing what comes to me to explore next. Right now I am working on a series of acrylic paintings and I am really enjoying how it feels to work on canvas as opposed to on a screen. 

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

You can find me on instagram at @harperjoygunn!

"I use ceramics to connect myself and others to the earth through the tactile and intimate experience of holding a coffee mug close, or serving a meal for your loved ones."

Who are you?
I am Sierra Estes, the set of hands behind Estes Ceramics. My work uniform includes clay splatters and plenty of animal hair, and that makes me happy.

What do you do?
I am a potter. I make ceramics for everyday life, pottery that fits into the daily rituals we practice together, or on our own. I use ceramics to connect myself and others to the earth through the tactile and intimate experience of holding a coffee mug close, or serving a meal for your loved ones. 

Who/what inspires you?
The earth itself is my greatest inspiration. I believe that the earth is sacred, as a
whole, and in parts. The dirt, grass, and trees are all rich and invaluable parts of
our existence. I want to interact with the earth in as many ways as possible,
being able to bring it into my daily life through my work is something I don’t feel
worthy of but strive to honor in how I make ceramics.

What is your favorite moment in the process?
As the wheel slows down and the piece is almost ready, I use the side of my
fingers or the long edge of a wooden rib to make a mark, maybe a subtle curve
or a slight dent. That moment, when I’m most tuned into the piece and my hands
and the clay have completed their ritual dance.

What is a trick of your trade or a piece of advice for artists in your medium?
Don’t rush anything. Clay holds endless possibilities, but you will still have to play
by its rules. Take the time to really learn how clay works and lean into that in your
processes.

What is next?
I have just made the transition into full-time self employment in the summer of
2019, and that includes taking on more projects all at once. I am working on
finding the best balance, routine, and processes to successfully do all of these
things and still be a living, sleeping, eating human being. My next step in this
process is to bring on an intern!

Don't forget we are giving away one of these beautiful mugs on our Instagram and you can get them 20% off on our website right now!