13 questions with Chicago's Smita Sahoo, owner of āśaya | DESIGN
"I’m inspired by nature and the constant evolution of design. Design that is in sync with nature is always timeless and sophisticated. I believe it’s important to know the history and background influencing design so that we can continue to push forward in developing new styles that challenge convention while also encouraging an inviting atmosphere for users. My creations present a considerate blend of design innovations of the west paired with timeless elements of the east."
26 questions with Iowa Makers of Iowa
"Iowa Makers, located in Dundee, IA, is a specialty gift shop carrying ALL handmade products by local artisans from Iowa. We offer everything from pottery & candles made on~site, wood crafts, paintings, wine and more. Our mission is to partner with as many local artists in Iowa to showcase their incredible talents and provide an opportunity for our community to support local makers while finding unique gifts for the whole family. We also have a wine tasting bar!"
15 questions with Good Courage Handmade of Wisconsin
"I design, build, and paint 'barn quilts,' which are quilt block designs painted on wood panels and mounted outdoors on buildings. Originally they were meant to display on barns, but barn quilts aren’t just for barns anymore!. The barn quilt movement started in 2001 in Ohio and has spread throughout rural America and Canada. I do mostly smaller pieces intended for garages or garden sheds, or as indoor wall hangings."
10 questions with BLU FIGS of Wisconsin
"Any individual can book us for a private headshot session or we can be booked to photograph an entire staff, restaurant, or business! We work with small business, large corporations, non-profits, and even Libraries! No project is too big or small for us!"
17 questions with Midwest Polite of Michigan
"I love when my art makes someone’s day. When someone finds just the right spot for a sticker, or unrolls a poster and gets the joke; and they don’t just laugh, but they actually feel seen, because yeah, they are the kind of person who treats ginger ale like medicine, even though they know that’s kind of silly. That’s what I want every design to be able to do, for at least a few people.
6 questions with Arrow K Co. of Nebraska
"The agriculture industry is very inspiring to me. Most of my pictures feature different aspects of agriculture. Many people involved in agriculture put in a lot of hard work everyday and it can sometimes be taken for granted, but it is easy to be reminded of their hard work and effort when I’m taking pictures of family farms, harvest, and all other aspects of agriculture."
7 art galleries to check out in Springfield, Illinois
Stop by for an event, workshop, gallery opening or visit the library with 3,000+ art books, "the SAA a community based, non-profit organization*, that promotes and supports the visual arts, provides art education opportunities for the greater Springfield area, and preserves and interprets historic Edwards Place and the collections of the SAA."
16 questions with Letters From Bear of Minnesota
"I get a lot of my inspiration from nature and Minnesota's north shore. I also love to draw things that bring me joy which is why so many of my drawings feature cute, happy animals."