Old Hollywood Glamour Gift Guide

Get your Christmas shopping on with our Holiday Gift Guide.

Congratulations

...to Claudia of theparisapartment.com for being included in "The Best of the Web 2009" at InStyle magazine. It's well deserved!

Debut Issue of E-Zine

Presenting The New Romantic e-zine.

An online magazine devoted to the elegant romantic lifestyle. Art commentary, artist interviews, look-books and more. This e-zine features the artworks of the New Romantic Market artists, artisans and designers.

The FALL Collection

Crisp cool nights, sun lighting up golden red leafy groves of trees, the scent of burning leaves on the air, fields of big round orange pumpkins waiting to be picked for market.
These are a few of my favorite Autumn things.

Visit the New Romantic Market to shop the irresitible hand created items of the
FALL Collection.

Artist Interview Series

Lori Matney Young

The New Romantic Market is pleased to present the next in our series of interviews with one of our talented and oh, so interesting artists and craftspeople. This installment contains the responses of our own Lori Young, of L. Young Studio . I’m fascinated, and I think you will be as well:

NRM. Describe your product in 25 words +-.

LY. High gloss glazed canvas giclee prints of original watercolors placed in collage images, mainly from nature but some historical, and designed to collect. Art that may be considered romantically inclined, yet with a thoroughly modern vibe.

NRM. Why do you produce this product, and not some other product?

LY. I love watercolor, nature, letters, words, numbers, photos and travel...fond Memories... My designs are really very personal to me.

NRM. How much of your day do you spend working on it?

LY. Days vary. I am, first, a wife and a mother to three sons...but, I tend to average 8+ hours a day...My mind is always on...gaining new ideas, reading, talking with people. I translate these thoughts onto canvas in my mind first.

NRM. Is this how you make your living?

LY. Yes. I sell my pieces wholesale & retail.

NRM. How much of what you produce in your product, did you learn in "school" (define this as you wish)? How much is self-taught? How do you self-teach ... books, trial and error, etc?

LY. I majored in Fine Arts at The University of Texas in Austin. More than anything else my college classes disciplined me to practice, practice, practice in many different mediums...I spent incredible hours creating things I had no interest in & the same kind of hours creating things I enjoyed...when I found what I enjoyed I studied it much deeper … through other artists, books and, again, trial and error and lots more practice! I am completely self-taught on computer graphics. I built my own website & maintain it myself. I love it!

NRM. When you aren't working on producing, marketing, shipping, your product, what to you do? What are your other fascinations and passions?

LY. I've been married to the same wonderful man for 25 years. Together we have three sons. Two in college & one that's a Jr. in High School .. .I spend a lot of time at football games. We are active in our church. We love to travel.

NRM. How do these other interests affect, or influence the choices you make in your product design?

LY. There is something to be said about the unique beauty found in different regions around the United States. Each state possesses its' own history, beauty and culture. I love Louisiana...the natural beauty, the charming people and the endearing culture all impact my artwork. Living in Louisiana, it all is so readily available to me. That's why the "Louisiana Collection" was my first state in my State Series.

I was blessed with the opportunity to travel while growing up. We traveled everywhere. My parents instilled that love in me. It is one of my favorite things to do. Each place I visit...has an impact on my artwork...I love the "flavor" of each state, some of my designs are very personal to the individual state & some of my designs are more regional (gulf coast, east coast, west coast, Midwest), so they spread across several states.

NRM. What kind of space do you work in? How big? Is it separate from your living space?

LY. Our home base is in Monroe, Louisiana. We live in a southern plantation style home with a big front porch out in the country. Next to our house is a big pond filled with fish & five beautiful ducks. My work space is at home. We live out in the country on close to one hundred acres. I realize, working at home is not always ideal for everyone...it does require self motivation and self discipline...but, I love to be here...I love to use items that are familiar to me...I squirt my paint out onto my beautiful vintage china and use my old crystal to hold my water...my paint brushes are stored in assorted vintage containers...and, I love having my yellow lab resting at my feet & my black cat lounging in my lap, as I paint...I work entirely alone...I am a one woman show.

NRM. What other kinds of marketing do you do for your product, apart from NRM? What is your marketing approach? Are you "in person" at art fairs and shows, or are you a big online presence?

LY. I have a personal website. I occasionally do a show. I will be at the Red River Revel in Shreveport, La the first week in October. That's it this year. As mentioned before...with a son still at home, I really want to be available to go to all his ballgames, etc .I am on facebook. I have a Fan Page & a personal page...I love FB. I use my Fan Page to keep everybody updated with photos & videos about what's going on with L. Young Studio. I am on Flicker, but not super consistent with postings ... creating my designs & canvas' requires so much time ... I can really struggle with getting pulled too thin! I bet everybody can relate to this!

"Website":http://www.lyoungstudio.com

"Blog":http://lyoungstudio.blogspot.com/

"Flickr":http://www.flickr.com/photos/lyoungstudio/

"facebook FanPage":http://www.facebook.com/pages/L-Young-Studio/80104696363?ref=mf

"Trunkt":http://www.trunkt.org/lyoungstudio

NRM. How does the act of creating affect your view of life?

LY. Creating is a part of everything I do. I am a real hands-on person. I enjoy the challenge of creating! I realize at times I'm a "little obsessive"! Okay, "a lot obsessive" ... but I love what I do.

NRM. Not counting your children, what one activity, action, accomplishment in your life are you most happy about or proud of?

LY. Hmmm ... not counting my children ... that's tough ... I have been happily married to my best friend, Joey, for over 25 years ... I am a woman of faith ... and that's where my strength, source of contentment and happiness comes from. I started L. Young Studio in January 2008. Since then, I have been blessed to be featured in Southern Lady Magazine, At Home in Arkansas Magazine ... and, in November, another wonderful magazine (but I'm not letting that name out until later this fall!) I sell my pieces online, as well as in shops in over 10 states ... it's all pretty incredible when I think about it. A lot has transpired in under two years! God is good. It really has been a great adventure ...

I love her spirit! Don’t you? And I hope you will take a look at her wonderful artworks.

_____________________________________________

Karen Casey Smith


All photo content rights reserved by Karen Casey Smith.
(You may not download or use these images
in any manner without permission.)

Article by Judy Ebert

I have had the delightful opportunity to ask one of our wonderful New Romantic photographers, Karen Casey Smith, a series of questions I have always wanted to know about other artisans and their work. What a treat! I am enthralled with the care and openness that Karen allows in making her responses. I’ve gotten to know her a little better, and I think the work of this artist with the searching eye reflects the sensitivity she has for her world and her place in it.

1. Describe your product in 25 words +-.

I offer archival quality prints of my fine art photography, digital art and healing flower mandalas - images to add beauty and balance to your life.

2. Why do you produce this product, and not some other product?

I love each part of doing my artwork. Every image has a feeling quality to it; you might say an energy or vibration, which is uplifting and positive in nature. I love sharing both what I've seen and the beautiful energy of the images. Because of working with images, I find myself looking closely and seeing more. Doing this kind of work keeps me more present to the moment and beauty around me. It's a delight to see patterns, flowing lines, shifting light, the depth of color, and the variety of textures. There's joy in discovery. Then once the images are transferred into the computer I get to work with them there. What can be done with a computer and the right software is magical. If I can "see" something in my mind's eye, I can make it visible and share it with other people. That's amazing to me.

3. How much of your day do you spend working on it?

I do some creative work very nearly every day. Switching back and forth between tasks and projects gives me greater clarity, and helps keep my perspective fresh. It also makes it hard to tell how much time I spend on my work. Some days I'm out shooting, other times editing, or seeing new connections and creating something new from combining my work. I love learning and trying out new techniques too. Time seems to stand still when I'm creating new work.

4. How much of what you produce in your product, did you learn in “school” (define this as you wish)? How much is self-taught? How do you self-teach ... books, trial and error, etc?

I have taken a few art classes; they can really help to make creating a priority. I consider myself mostly self-taught, learning through reading and direct experience. Reading points out a path, and trying what you've read about teaches you. I also like to look at things that I admire, and think how could that be achieved with what I know? This can lead to interesting discoveries.

5. When you aren’t working on producing, marketing, shipping, your product, what to you do? What are your other fascinations and passions?

It's so much fun to play the ukulele and sing. I also have a 16-inch djembe. As much as I love drumming, I don't seem to have a natural rhythm, but with practice I'll get better I'm sure. I'm learning Spanish right now. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I enjoy doing tai chi and reiki, and have an ongoing fascination with acupuncture, Chinese medicine and tonic herbs, and Chinese face reading [note: Google this, it’s fascinating!]. I've always loved pens, pencils, and papers too.

6. How do these other interests affect, or influence the choices you make in your product design?

It's a sensibility, style and feeling that I'm attracted to. I love beauty, balance, grace, and flow. My work is a kind of meditation. Everything I do or see becomes a part of me and contributes to my work. I work intuitively. The quieter my mind while I'm working, the better the result.

7. What kind of space do you work in? How big? Is it separate from your living space?

My studio is a six-foot by seven-foot space at one end of the bedroom. When I'm out shooting, the world is my studio; it's so very spacious! :) The computer feels quite roomy too.

8. What other kinds of marketing do you do for your product, apart from NRM? What is your marketing approach? Are you “in person” at art fairs and shows, or are you a big online presence? Do you tweet or blog; are you on facebook; how about flickr? Do you have a website?

I'm developing a strong online presence. Here are some of the places you can find my work and me.

• Website
• Blog - Photo Energy - Art That Captures You
• 1000 Markets
• ByHand.me
• Twitter - karencaseysmith
• Facebook Fan Page

9. How does the act of creating affect your view of life?

It fills the world with possibilities and potentials, with beauty and connection. Allowing yourself be creative makes life an interesting adventure.

What a terrific beginning for this ongoing series of artist interviews, here on the NRM blog. I hope you agree. Please stop again to meet more of our wonderful Romantics.

Midsummer Romance

Exciting News!

The New Romantic Market has been chosen as the market featured this month in the 1000 Markets Newsletter. Congratulations - artists of the New Romantic!

Sign up for the 1000 Markets newsletter HERE - info@1000markets.com

Best Kept Secrets of Summer

Looking for a summery gift or wedding items?
How about a new summer frock and sweet hat?
Want to add some design zing to your living spaces?
Maybe you want to pamper yourself with luxurious body care?
Don't forget to buy a love note to send to your darling.

Let us make your summer shopping easy.
Take a stroll through our lovely shops to discover irresistible
"Best Kept Secrets of Summer" @ The New Romantic Market .

When Love Sweeps You Away

(Click on image to be taken to the New Romantic Wedding Collection)

To create the most unforgettable wedding day, you must visit the New Romantic Market where you will find exquisitely beautiful wedding, bridal items and more…..

The New Romantic is a group of artists who create artistic, elegant designs for the well styled life. They bring to you hand created items all with the special appeal of having a romantic, yet thoroughly contemporary vibe.

Go shopping at the New Romantic Market today. Choose from the exceptional items in the Wedding Collection and the Body, Bath & Spa Collection. Are you looking for one of a kind jewelry? The Jewelry Collection is a must see. Do you need invitations, announcements, thank you cards? Look in the Paper Arts Collection. Wedding finery for yourself or your bridesmaids? The Apparel Collection.

The New Romantic is all about classic, with a fresh modern twist. Visit us…you’ll be glad you did!

Here Comes The Lovely Bride

For your romantic wedding day, pieces from
The New Romantic

Advertising Opportunity

The New Romantic Market offers affordable advertising to members of the independent art and design community, businesses that share and practice the ideals of the indie community.

To sign up, contact us HERE (Put NRM Ad Box Inquiry in Message Title)
________________________

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99% are women - ages 24 through 64
45% read the NRM blog at least twice a month
66% regularly click on banner ads
37% make regular online purchases

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