Artist Spotlight - Madeline Faiella

I met up with Madeline at Surtex this year (2014). I love her energy! you will too :-)

Tell us a bit about yourself: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught?I studied art at The School of Visual Arts in New York City but started drawing when I was about 3-4. Just before graduating with a BA I went off to sing for the next 23 years. I was in college at 16 so I guess I felt I wanted to head out there. The first of all the cousins in an Italian/Sicilian family, it was very odd for me to be heading out into the world, a woman on her own. Even though I was in one form of art, I continued with my art, often selling along the way. 

The self-taught part of my journey continues and always will. I read a lot of books on artists, techniques, and artistic energy. What fun to bring it all together in Photoshop and Illustrator!

What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from?
I am inspired by fashion, architecture, color, shape, balance and energy. I might even be inspired by a crushed can I see on the street.

People inspire me and I am in a love relationship with eyes and faces. Whimsical images with a touch of mystery inspire me much like people at the Venetian Ball with their ornate costumes and masks. I love all that. 

I am also very much inspired by pattern and fabric. I learned to sew from my Mom who was a professional seamstress. She wanted to be a designer but had us instead. I can cut a pattern from newspaper because of her. It’s natural that beautiful patterns turn me on.

Do you work in just one medium? Several?
I think it’s easier to ask which medium I do not work in. I paint with everything except oils. I use Copic Markers, colored pencils, chalks, graphite, Sharpies and any other drawing tool one can imagine. I might just sit down and use an old school pencil to draw if it’s handy. As a mixed media artisan I use wood, I do wood burning, I sew, refurbish things and use tools like crazy. My studio has everything I need to make anything. 

Oh, and of course, as I mentioned, now digital work as well.

What are you working on now?
I have a license with KekaCases and they are expanding into more home décor. I’m happy about that.  I have pillows in two sizes, coasters in leather, electronic device covers and more.

SinCityStamps partnered with me to do rubber stamp designs, stencils, chipboard designs in 3D and more. That’s a fun license so far.

I have two other submissions that I am waiting on but due to confidentiality I’m quiet about it yet. I feel good about them and as soon as it’s a signed deal, you will be the first to know.

I also have a line of paint called ART JACKET ARTISTS’ ACRYLIC PAINT.  I am licensed with Earth Safe Finishes for this. It’s a completely non-toxic product and as I will be doing some kits with one of my licenses, it will be easy to add the paints; no problem for kids or people with allergies.

Anything else you want to tell everyone?
I love the idea of doing something that will make someone happy. I have never had a smug attitude about art or my music for that matter.  I feel it’s something to be grateful about. Practical art that makes someone smile or think is fun. The challenge of art licensing has been one of my dreams and when I officially started Madeline Faiella Designs, LLC a year ago, I was able to work with a focus on my art. No more day job. In this last year, everything we talked about here that is not in the far past came to fruition in the last year.

I am easy to work with, hit deadlines on time and I’m open to constructive criticism. I’m not afraid to try new things like when I skied from the mountaintop arriving there by helicopter from Switzerland to Italy or when I did white water rafting in Wisconsin. Or helicoptering behind glaciers and up to the Matterhorn. As much as I enjoy my independent creativity, I apply it to what the client wants and I also find joy in that.

Are you an early riser? Or night owl?
When I was born my Mom asked who was the baby that kept her up all night. ‘Nuff said.

What is your favorite food?
Difficult to answer. Having traveled for so many years and having lived overseas for 10 of those years I am fortunate to have enjoyed many cultural delights. Not many I didn’t like. Some of the more extreme were not for me but I did eat a quail egg that was buried for 100 years. 

I love Mediterranean food and Japanese food. I enjoy a fabu pizza from the Bronx or Brooklyn and the best Tiramisu truly was in Italy. I love the Swiss fondues and German pancakes. Of course, I am a good girl and I love my veggies.

Now that I am home I eat sushi on occasion but I LOVE LOVE LOVE ice cream. I can’t even keep it in the house!!!!  Lol!

You can find Madeline:
Website: http://www.madelinefaiella.com
Blog: http://www.madelinefaielladesigns.typepad.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madeline.faiella
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madeline-Faiella-Designs-LLC/681683075188965
Kekacases http://www.kekacase.com/designer-cases/madeline-faiella.html
SinCityStamps http://www.sincitystamps.com/index.php/shop-by-artist/madeline-faiella
Email: madelinedesign@comcast.net 

THANK YOU for stopping by my blog!

Do you want to be spotlighted? Send me an email: anntroe@cox.net

Make my day and follow this blog :-D