Business Name: Mia Beach Photography
Location: Bloomington
What do you make?
Mainly photographs, but also screenprinted napkins and clothing, lightboxes, mobiles, paintings, jewelry…
How did you learn your art/craft?
I’ve always been playing around with some artsy thing, but my interest in photography started in middle school. I got my first camera when I was 12 and was self-taught until I got my BFA from IU in 2008.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get a lot of inspiration from books, my kids, and wandering in antique stores.
Do you have a "real world" job?
Yes and no- I work for myself, doing commission photography, mainly wedding photos and various kinds of portraits.
Your five favorite things:
Favorites are so hard! I love darkrooms, my family, red wine, tin types, and books.
Who are your favorite artists/crafters?
Francesca Woodman, Lynda Barry, Sally Mann, Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Egon Schiele.
Where can we find you?
My wedding photos: http://www.dblimagephotography.com/
My art: http://www.mia-beach.com/
Stuff for sale: http://www.miabeach.etsy.com/
My Kickstarter Project: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/miabeach/bit-parts-photographs
Business Name: Sadly Harmless
Location: Bloomington, IN
What do you make?
I make ink and watercolor illustrations of animals, as well as illustrated pendants and coffee mugs.
How did you learn your art/craft?
I have been drawing and making stuff ever since I can remember. It has been a strange evolution from making things out of cardboard toilet paper tubes, to copying Sesame Street illustrations, to sewing purses in my front yard, to illustrating for zines. When I got into the BFA program at IU for printmaking, I started to really take my art more seriously and knew that it would be my career. I took drawing classes all the way up to the 400 level, and it helped me tremendously, even though I was drawing naked people and what I do now is pretty far from that!
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Most of my art pieces are autobiographical, so I guess I get inspiration just from the situations that occur in my life, or in the lives of the people I love. Beyond that, I love the idea of anthropomorphism, and I really love animals, so using them in my illustrations just seems natural. The past few years I have developed an intense fascination with sea creatures. They are so mysterious and beautiful, and I get a lot of inspiration by reading about them and watching nature programs.
Do you have a "real world" job?
I am proud to say that making art is my job! It is extremely difficult and there are a lot of highs and lows, but nothing is more rewarding.
Your five favorite things: My dog Ramsey, the people I love, root beer, swimming, narwhals!
Who are your favorite artists/crafters?
My friend and fellow BHM-er, Candice Hartsough McDonald (http://www.cordialkitten.com/)
Roadside Projects (www.etsy.com/shop/roadside)
Deth P. Sun (http://www.dethpsun.com/)
Jen Corace (http://www.jencorace.com/)
Where can we find you?
http://www.sadlyharmless.com/
sadlyharmless.etsy.com
I also sell stuff at LaLa Gallery in Lafayette, The Makery in Louisville, a few other stores around the country, and I am a member of and sell stuff at Art Hospital here in Bloomington!
