I'm Inspired By...

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a bit for Margaret Hamilton's blog in which I talked about some of my family members who inspire me. This week I'd like to talk about some members of this team, Design Style Guide, who inspire me. And no, they aren't all woodworkers.

I'm inspired by Pat Parker. Her pottery is so kinetic, controlled chaos, a genie emerging from a just fired bottle. She utilizes just enough pattern to make it real art, and leaves the rest to develop as it will. Her work is beautiful and bright and exciting. This is something I strive for in my woodworking.

I'm inspired by Suz and Mark Vainner. Their "Turnadaisy" design is simple, elegant, highly useful, and makes me wish I'd thought of it first. I can build a Lazy Susan. I have the hardware sitting in my shop right now to do just that, but the design has to be just right. I am inspired by the Turnadaisy because it's such a great design, and because I want to design something just as useful, yet very different than these wonderful Lazy Susans.

I'm inspired by Liz Ballard. She basically taught herself to paint, and look at the results! Her work is full of energy and color. It makes me smile to see her paintings and I know I'm not alone. I have tried my hand at painting in the past. I never had the patience for it, which is strange, considering how long it takes to build a bookcase or a television console. This is the same energy I see in Pat Parker's pottery, the same energy I want to pour into everything I build.

I'm inspired by Alexandra Snook and Edward Way. They build items with wood, just as I do. The objects they build are very different than the ones I sell, but we're doing the same sort of work. It is inspiring to me to see how they take a piece of wood, pour their own brand of personality and creativity into it, and it looks like no one else's work when they finish, no pun intended. That's what I try to do as well, and I'm happy to share the territory here at Design Style Guide with these wonderfully gifted woodworkers.

If you make Handmade Home Decor Items, come and join our team by clicking on the image below.

Not only will you be able to network with us, but also you will have the ability to post your listing on our team website.

If you like this blog entry you'll love my blog, jn3 Hand Crafted Woodworks. Check it out. I'll be glad you did.

A Conversation With Matthew Hamblen

The job of the artist is to inspire, to light the unseen, to eloquently state the unsaid, and to bring imagination to the eye.

I try my best to live by those words, but I think I lean heavily toward the imagination part most of all.

I have been painting about 10 years now. I started back in 1999 on Ebay, and have been at it ever since.

My two biggest motivations are other people, and myself.

I go a long way on the kindness people extend to me. Over the years, I have received a ton of letters from folks that have gotten something out of seeing my work, from artists that desire to learn my techniques, to folks that just want to thank me for being there and tell me they think my paintings are great!

That is a very powerful and incredible thing to experience. I can honestly say I know I've inspired others through what I do, and that means a whole lot to me.

Secondly, I motivate myself. I get a kick out of my work, and sometimes I can scarcely believe I paint some of the things that fly out of my mind and my brushes.

That is why I love being somewhat of an improvisational artist, and I would never trade that for doing the same exact thing over and over for anything. Sometimes, calculated "happy accidents" can come together into incredible pieces. I live for those moments, and those pieces. People that love my work can usually spot them, too.



I also love the freedom I have with my art. If I want to paint a green ostrich with pink dots, I just go right ahead (although I certainly prefer green landscapes with pink dots). I never put limits on myself that way, or in the way I present my work.

I tend to put some outgoing feelings into my shop here and there when I'm in the mood, with varied results. Some like it, some don't - other have told me they read what "spin" I come up with over their morning coffee, and I'm sure many out there just think I'm a nut, which is just fine with me. Guess what, youre RIGHT!

Usually it's just some new way I've though of to present myself and my work, so I'll blab it up, then I usually change my mind and shut up again for a while. Sort've like an unofficial erasable blog that I just have in my storefront and my bio.

I guess I like to stir things up on occasion, but it usually passes once I get over myself, and maybe have another cup of coffee in my belly!

I guess I just like to be silly, and not take things too seriously at times. That's another thing I just refuse to do, as my art needs to be about my free spirit more than anything, or it's just no fun, is it?

I want people to find my work moody (light or dark depending on my mood), ALWAYS spiritually uplifting, always communicative and hopefully fun - all at the same time.


Those are the attitudes that are most true to my personality. I like to be nutty one day and morose the next, and it just passes through into my paintings. I also want people to see that I care about people, the planet, our future, and a relationship with God.

Nearly every painting has strong light or sunsets/sunrises, and many have clouds. That is how I keep the Good Lord close to my heart, my viewers, and my painting.



You can see more of Matthew's work at http://matthewhamblen.etsy.com or his other site http://lollypoptree.etsy.com.