Allow me to introduce you to Despina the mastermind behind
thelittlefox! Despina has a stunning collection of whimsical paintings and prints in her shop. I really adore that each painting has it's own symbolic meaning. It really makes me want to sit and daydream of how each character lives her life day to day. I've showcased 2 of my favorites below. Keep reading to find out more about Despina, her work and how you can win one of her fabulous prints!
1. Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.I live with a lovely Siamese that is pictured in one of my prints, as well as my lovely boyfriend (or boy-hedgehog, as I call him), who doesn't whine when I stay up late because I 'just have to get this on canvas'. My favourite thing to do as a child was to draw my own graphic novels ( which my mom still keeps somewhere...lol). I still own my very first plush toy. It was a gift from my dad the day I was born, and although it lost its nose and tongue many-a-years ago, I still can't find anything as adorable as him. I named him The Sad One when I was 3. My list of favourite (famous) people include Neil Gaiman, Tim Burton, Alan Rickman, and Robert Plant.
2. I see in your Etsy profile that you have degrees in Architecture, History of Art and Interior Design! Which one did you enjoy studying the most and why?I loved studying each and everyone of those subjects, although I must admit that History of Art was probably my favorite...I loved how one movement in art eventually led to another, how the historical and social context of each era was depicted in that era's art, and was intrigued by the stories behind the paintings.
3. Where do the ideas for your wonderful paintings come from? All of your paintings seem to have a symbolic meaning is there a reason for this?I grew up as an only child, and since both my parents worked pretty long hours, and very often brought work back home, I guess I became adept to using my imagination a lot and always fabricating quirky little scenarios in my head. I started painting very early during my childhood, and I especially loved (and still do) Andersen's tales and Carroll's Alice books. I enjoy painting girls of unspecified age, that look girly and serious at the same time. I was always fascinated with what may be hiding behind a phenomenally simple expression, what story might that person tell if he/she was given the chance...I like making up quirky scenarios about their life, but in the end it's always them that make me go one way or another. My influences consist mostly of graphic novel artists, such as Michael Zulli, Simon Bisley, and John Bolton in particular.Neil Gaiman's The Sandman Series, (actually anything by the man is inspiring), Blythe dolls, Tim Burton's movies, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Cure, Lewis Carroll's and Andersen's book, the Grimm Brothers. Anything sweet and enigmatic at the same time. But really, if an image swims around my head for days, the inspiration for it could be anything...sometimes it's a dream I just had and that's why I always keep a sketchbook by my bed!
4. Do you have your own studio or do you work from home?I work from home, where I have transformed a room into a small, ever-pulsating factory of paintings, dolls and other wonderfully quirky things.
5. Where else can we find your work? At the moment my work is only available through Etsy, at
http://thelittlefox.etsy.com, and I also keep a blog at
http://onelittlefox.blogspot.comAnd now for the part I'm sure you're all very excited about...
Despina will be giving a lucky reader one of her prints entitled "The Great Escape". The print measures 11.7 x 16.5 inches and is valued at $32. She ships internationally so anyone can enter!
Here's what you gotta do to enter:Become followers of Despina's blog
http://onelittlefox.blogspot.com . Once you have followed the blog come back and post a comment here with your name and email address. Last day to enter is Aug 30th 11:59 PM PST
For a bonus entry you can REtweet the message that is in red:
Enter to win "The Great Escape Print" from thelittlefox on http://sweetfigments.com @thetinyfig @thelittlefox or a similar message that promotes the giveaway.
Good Luck!
Amber will be giving a lucky reader one of her "Get Chained Bracelets"and a "Wood Beaded Necklace" with a total value of $21.50. The bracelet is made out of a metal chain and a teal beaded rock and the necklace is made from all real wood and glass beads measuring 21" inches long.
