april 12 edmonton

Gravel Shows Fan Art at Art World Expo Edmonton

by Monika Blichar

I found Eric on Instagram and reached out to ask him if he was interested in participate in the Art World Expo in Edmonton. I loved his fan art work and thought he make a nice addition to the event since our show themes this year are “Celebrating Cinema!” The power of social media is so amazing these days! I caught up with Eric and asked him about his work, inspiration and what he would do if he had an unlimited bank account…his answer to that question is awesome!

Web- Arrow Print - Eric Gravel (1).jpg

What inspires you to make art? 
I’ve always had deep love and appreciation for drawing. But what really motivates me to continue creating art is seeing how people react to it in such a positive way. Whether it’s the excitement that someone gets when seeing a character that we share a love for in my fan art, seeing themselves drawn as one of their favourite characters, or something else! It’s immensely motivating!
When did you know you wanted to pursue your art as a business?
 
I’ve always drawn for fun, but when I started to see that other people get pleasure from it as well (and are willing to pay money for it) I realized that it’s something that I could actually turn into a business. It started with selling my own comic books and drawings in Elementary school and evolved into what it is now!
Web- Buffy the Vampire Slayer Print - Eric Gravel (1).jpg
 
We met via social media. How does social media help you market your art products today versus what artists had to do say 10 or 20 years ago to “get out there?”
 
I’d say a strong social media presence is a key element to any successful business. It was more or less the same 20 years ago, though the avenues may have been a little different then. Instead of marketing through selling commissions through eBay, DeviantArt and DigitalWebbing, I can now save time making posts, and reach a much wider audience, through the likes of Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
 
This will be your first Art World Expo event. Will you have any never before seen work or show specials for our event on April 12? 
 
I’ll have a new fan art print for sale this weekend of a certain Marvel superhero that’s graced the theaters recently. Available in 3 different sizes! Every purchase at Art World Expo will also earn you an entry to win a portrait sketch of yourself (or someone you know) drawn as a favourite character!
 
Your IG profile says that you create “Fan Art and other Nerdy Goodness.” Can you elaborate on what Fan Art is and why it’s cool to be a nerd? We love art nerds in particular!  
 
Fan Art is artwork that is created as an expression of love for a certain franchise, usually found in pop culture but not necessarily. It’s about expressing a love for something you get pleasure from, and sharing it with others who might also share in that same love.
I think being a nerd is about having a deep love for any specific thing, wether it be art, pop culture, music, or sports nerds. In the wake of the internet and expos like this one, people are more capable now more than ever of realizing that they’re actually a part of a much bigger community of obsessed fans than they ever thought possible.
Just for fun, if you woke up and suddenly had access to an unlimited bank account, what would you tomorrow?
 
I’ve just recently gotten engaged with a truly amazing woman, and we’ll soon be moving into what might as well be our dream home with our two awesome boys (possession date on April 25!). On top of that, I’m lucky enough to be in a position where I get to do what I love for a living! I can honestly say life is pretty perfect right now and no amount of money could make any of that better than it already is!
👨🎨
To learn more about Eric’s work, be sure to visit him tonight at the show and connect with him on social media!
Web- Star Wars Print- Leia - Eric Gravel (1).jpg

Bodhi Inscape Strives to be Enlightened Within at Art World Expo Edmonton

by Monika Blichar

Do creative people come from creative families? If our parents are creative, do we naturally become more creative?  Bodhi Inscape is the brainchild of Tamara Konopelky whose family is full of artists and creators. I caught up with her today and I think coming from a family of creators, she might just be uber creative because of this. She is not only an artist but a meditation coach, and owns a construction and landscape company too. What can’t she do?

What inspired you to start making art?
Creativity runs in my family. My grandma was often creating various art projects with random materials. She once made a beautiful centerpiece with an old boot that my uncle left behind, some dried wild flowers, cattails & some pussywillows.
My mom does 3D wall art, repurposes old furniture and she dabbles in quilting.
My Dad makes furniture from antlers and tree branches, he welded a bouquet of flowers for my daughter using bolts and rebar and he gets pretty crafty with his antler Christmas trees with wrench and tool ornaments.
I suppose I’d have to say that I have always been exposed to people creating something extraordinary from something otherwise ordinary. Design and new ideas are in a way, ingrained deep into my mind.
Is there a special meaning behind your business name? 
The name ‘Bodhi Inscape’ came from:
Bodhi: The name of tree that Buddha found enlightenment under.
Inscape: We all try to ‘escape’ from our lives, when what we really need is to Inscape. 
 
I am also a meditation coach and I thought that name would be fitting for both art & meditation.
You produce a variety of works. What do you like to create the most?
I do tend to jump from art type to art type. It really depends on what inspires me at the time. I would have to say favorite is making the Grounding Lamps. My kids and I travel all over Canada gathering materials, driftwood & crystals. The amount of time, thought and the story behind each piece really make them very personal.
This is your first time in an Art World Expo event. What would you like guests to know most about you and your works? 
That’s a tricky question. I’d have to say that when someone buys one of our pieces they can be sure that what they are buying is a story. Each one of our electricity burned peices and lamps are very unique. Our products cannot be reproduced or duplicated so the peice that you buy will literally be one of a kind.
About me? Well I’m a mom with 2 (usually) wonderful children, I own a landscape construction company; Green Thumb Landscaping Inc. I’m a meditation coach and an artist. I’m always looking for some kind of adventure and if you can’t find me…I’m usually in the trees somewhere exploring.
Will you have any show specials or never before seen work at this event?
Yes I will have a draw for a lightning burned peice of sorts. I haven’t quite decided on which peice just yet… let’s call it a show surprise. 😉
Just for fun. What is your favourite travel destination you have visited so far? 
There are so many great places here in Canada that I would call my favorite because of the crystals we can find there. But my favorite ‘destination’ place would probably be Cuba. The people are so kind, the beaches are beautiful and there are tiny geckos running around everywhere. It was heaven!
View more of her work at the Art World Expo on April 12-get your tickets here! Be sure to check out the Etsy Store too!

Mel’s Big Art: Big Ideas, Big Vision and Big Ingenuity
by Monika Blichar

Mel’s Big Art is just that. It’s filled with big ideas, big vision and big ingenuity. Her work shows a dedication to a unique craft while also experimenting with pop culture and ideals. From skateboards to traditional wall art pieces, Melanie Schoenberger is definitely one artist to follow over the next few years. Her work is intriguing, interesting and definitely makes a great addition to any art collector’s home or office. I caught up with Mel today and here’s what she had to say about her work, the upcoming Art World Expo in Edmonton and what she would do with an unlimited bank account.

You participated in the Art World Expo Edmonton last year in our very first year in Alberta. What have you been up to since then artistically?

In the past year I have focused on participating in more Artisan Markets, Gallery showings, expanding my creativity thru different pieces. Branding myself more thru social media.

You work in a very unique and rare medium. What inspired you to start working in wood burning? 

My background is painting and drawing, I made myself a bedframe and I wanted to decorate it, I wanted to do something completely different that I’ve never seen before so I decided to burn designs into it. I love working with all the flaws and flow of the grain. I have recently started to add colour into my pieces which has been really fun. Thu the year I have found that my love of art comes thru when working with this medium.

You are a very versatile artist when it comes to creating. What is your favourite subject matter?  

I enjoy challenging myself with taking on a variety of subjects. I’ve been getting more comfortable with stretching my boundaries and experimenting with the use of colours. I’d have to say that my favourite subject is nature/sea life. I find that every project I work it becomes something more that I didn’t expect.

 

As an artist and business owner, what are some of your greatest goals for your career this year?

 
My biggest goal this year is to continue to get more exposure for my Art and business.


Will you have show specials or never before seen work at this year’s Art World Expo in Edmonton? 

I’ll be selling limited edition prints and my newest works as I’m constantly working on new pieces. I will be possibly auctioning off one of my skateboards?

Just for fun! If you woke up tomorrow with access to an unlimited amount of money, what would you do? 

So much…. Take care of my family, I would travel the world, put money towards environmental/animal causes. Live somewhere with an ocean view, have a big Art Studio and continue creating.

To support Mel’s Big Art, you can purchase tickets for Art World Expo Edmonton happening April 12 through her link here. You can also follow her work and journey by joining her on https://www.instagram.com/melsbigart/ or https://www.facebook.com/mschoenberger3