Friday Feature

This week's featured seller is Devyn Larson Designs where you will find great illustrations featured on cards.




1. Tell us about you and your shop.

The beautiful & quirky Portland, Oregon is home. I am an obsessive painter who has decided to lay canvas aside until either: a) the kids stop knocking it over or b) I get the green paint out of my carpet. As a result, I have switched to creating with pen & ink.

As you cruise through my shop you’ll bump into whimsical, light hearted doodles direct from my sketchbook. There are also a few paintings prancing about.

I create because I need a moment of sanity & an illusion of control. I have a 2 year old.

I am Mom who loves to garden, build fairy houses with my two girls, lurk in the local art stores, doodle ideas for children’s’ books, drink coffee with friends and go fishing with my hubby of 10 years. I also teach computers and technology 1 ½ days a week, kindergarten-fifth grade.

2. How did you get started in your craft?

My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Norman, said she loved the ship I drew for the cover of my Sea Explorers report. After that, I doodled on everything.

The doodles began to stack up . . . and up . . and up . . . my VERY patient hubby finally pleaded with me to find them a home. Artist Trading Cards were my first “formal” jumping off point. From that amazing community, I gained the confidence to sell my designs. Greeting cards have become my illustrating “boot camp.”

3. What is your favorite material or tool?

My name is Devyn Larson . . . . and I’m a Prismacolor addict.
I collect pens like most women collect shoes. It is an illness.
I adore painting, but with a lack of square footage, and kids, dogs, husbands constantly bumping about – pens are a bit more practical at this point in my life. Microns and mechanical pencils are also on the list of favorites and always in my purse.

4. Where do you get your design inspiration from?

I am constantly inspired by the energy of my sparkly, pink, twirling “Tutu Divas” of 2 and 7. They are complete characters with irresistible imaginations. I also love to people watch, cook and garden. Thus, there are a lot of cakes, flowers and little twirling people in my shop. Music and Sunday sermons are also big sources of inspiration. I adore the old hymns.