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Artsy Shark presents the  portfolio of featured artist Kandyce Waltensperger, inspired by her home in Mexico. Visit her website to find out more about this talented artist.

Like so many of my fellow artists, I began my art career at an early age. First working with pencil and rapidograph pen, and eventually moving into watercolor and acrylic.

Sixteen years ago, I was fortunate enough to move with my husband and twin daughters to Monterrey, Mexico. Once we were settled in, I began watercolor classes under a couple of well known local artists. That was the beginning of my love for bold color combinations and puzzle-like compositions.

Much of what I paint reflects the scenery found in my southern surroundings. I love painting the old rustic doors or windows found in the small villages outside of Monterrey. In “Window from Santiago”, I tried to reflect the beauty in the worn out color of the cobalt blue, and the years of weathered stucco.

I am also influenced by the many trips I have taken, like the bus ride to San Miguel de Allende. That was an adventure I will always remember with great humor and humility. It produced this painting, “Early Morning San Miguel”. The scenery of this portal is commonly found around the town square of many small towns. I loved the way the light was pouring through in the early morning hours.

Being challenged by nature and the beauty found in the desert, I enjoy painting the contrast between the dangerous looking cactus, and the delicate flower it produces. It was around this time that I began painting in series. This is “Spanish Dagger III”, out of a series of five paintings.

I also have an ongoing series of paintings called, “The Talavera Twins”. These little charismatic characters are a special project I’m working on and are geared toward the licensing industry. Each playful composition is a reminder for me of my twin girls, who have relocated to the hill country of central Texas.

I am currently working on increasing the size of The Talavera Twins collection and pursuing licensing and/or an agent interested in these cute little characters. I divide my time between my studios in south Texas and Monterrey, Mexico, always being inspired by the scenery along the way.

Artsy Shark presents the whimsical and somewhat eccentric portfolio of featured artist Desarae Lee.  See more of her work here.

I was born in Whittier, California in the same year that Michael Jackson adopted the Moonwalk.  I was raised in a conservative Mormon household and was a very obedient child.  As a result, a large part of my self-perception became based on obedience and self-control.  As I’ve gotten older I’ve adopted a different belief system and learned the virtues of rule-breaking, but that obsession with self-control that I espoused as a child is still apparent in most of my work today.

At an early point in my professional life I realized that I was going to have to make the choice between having a dependable source of income and doing what I loved.  After determining that money meant less to me than happiness, I settled in Salt Lake City, Utah , chose to pursue illustration and have yet to regret it.

It is hard to put your inspiration into words when you yourself do not even know where it comes from.  Mormons call it the Spirit, Romantic poets called it the “divine winds,” Freud called it the subconscious, but anyone who’s ever been touched by it knows that there really are no words for it.  Rather than look for inspiration, I look for avenues through which I can connect to that it; things that remind me of lives I may have lived or people I may have been.  Most reliably, I find that connection through things like taxidermied animals, traveling carnivals, and vintage photographs from the turn of the century.

My work is largely based on narrative.  Each piece is a short story told through various subconscious symbols, some more obvious than others.  A lot of the thematic elements in my illustrations come from personal experience but I try not to make a conscious connection until the piece is complete, otherwise I find myself forcing the drawing and it becomes difficult to find the inspirational space for it to fully develop.

My training as a photographer heavily influences my creative process.  Once I’ve discovered a theme, I immediately start constructing the scene as if it was a photograph.  I mentally configure light sources, composition, and angles until the three-dimensional idea translates into a two-dimensional drawing.  I think in values and layers, using detailed cross-hatching to block out light from the shadows.

I am currently working on a multitude of projects for upcoming shows, including a collaborative project with photographer Gregory Shearer.  Greg’s work focuses very heavily on place so together he and I create pieces that inhabit his carefully constructed spaces with my somewhat somber characters.

I don’t really set specific artistic goals for myself outside of just meeting deadlines, but if I had to put my motivation into words, I would say my goal is to create a connection.  There are places inside of a person that no one else can possibly understand and about which I could never communicate with words.  But I believe my drawings are an attempt to connect those hidden places in myself to the hidden places in the viewer, to somehow create a bridge of communication over the immense expanse of our differing perceptions, languages, and experiences.

Canadian artist Brazen Edwards-Hager offers a beautiful, versatile portfolio. Enjoy her work and be sure to visit her website.

I’m a versatile artist who grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. After raising a set of identical twin boys and pursuing a career in Criminology, I moved to the Okanagan and felt inspired by the overwhelming beauty this valley has to offer.

Despite still emerging with my talent, I feel I’ve come a long way in my development as an artist. One of my major accomplishments was becoming an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, an organization devoted to maintaining high standards, consistent skill and proficiency in Fine Art.

I have been fortunate enough to have my artwork collected internationally, highlighted in numerous juried exhibitions, local art shows and galleries. Although I have established a reputation with Wildlife, my subject matter also includes Still Life, Floral, Landscapes, and Figurative subject matter. I feel it’s important to push myself as an artist and to explore the boundaries, never being afraid to try new and engaging approaches to art.

I find watercolours, especially on Yupo paper and my recent exploration into Sumi-e (Japanese Brush Painting) liberating as the painting literally develops before my eyes, unfolding its surprises as it progresses. Sumi-e especially gives me a sense of serenity, as there is no plan formed or sketch done beforehand.

Often described as the haiku of painting, I am inspired by the elegance and simplicity of Sumi-e, but have added a modern twist with my technique and use of watercolours. However remaining true to traditional methods, I still grind my own ink and use traditional bamboo brushes.