Hello! I’m Amy Mathews, a printmaker, painter, and ink artist based in the Minneapolis, MN area. I first met Tyler in college as a fellow graphic design major, and how lucky I was to have met her! Tyler is one of the most fabulous humans I’ve ever met, and I was completely honored when she asked me to curate a Friday Finds. If you’d like to check out my work, see my Facebook and Instagram accounts!
A lot of my biggest sources of inspiration—and consequently, my own works—center around ink. Ink from a pen, tube, and/or tattoo gun. My Friday Finds will be all about some of my favorite ink artists and the incredible work they create. Be sure to give them a follow if you love their work as much as I do!
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Maarit is a linocut artist based in Amsterdam. I first found her work on instagram and she has been one of my favorite accounts ever since. Her work centers around nature and botanicals, and is absolutely breathtaking. She also has a YouTube where she shows off parts of her carving and printing processes. A must-follow if you are interested in printmaking!
Feral Tattoo was founded a little over a year ago by Janel Diamond and Sarah Meyer of former Mpls Tattoo fame. They both view tattooing as a fine art form and I am absolutely in love with everything they create. Their styles are complimentary but not identical, and I particularly love the sculptural and renaissance art-inspired pieces that Sarah has tattooed. The space itself is also incredible, and they feature a rotating roster of other visual artists on their walls which I think is wonderful. I can’t wait to get in there to get my own Feral tattoo!
Kathleen is an Oklahoma-based printmaker whose work absolutely captivates me. She creates scenes full of mysterious creatures, flora, fauna, and landscapes that are really a visual treat. She also makes incredible multi-block color prints, which is something I have never been able to wrap my head around! Her attention to detail, quality of work, and imaginative illustration work are stunning. Go give her a follow!
Based in Berlin, Mo Ganji is a master of minimalist single-line tattoos. I am particularly fond of his single-line animal tattoos. I actually entered a contest a while back to have a tattoo of his, but sadly didn’t win. (Mo, if you’re reading this, give me another chance!) He also offers a gallery of tattoos on his website that are free to use, but I’d rather get one from the real deal. Give him a follow if you love minimalist art, tattooing, and/or international artists!
Where to begin with Kat’s work. I have been a fan of Kat for many years, and honestly she is one of my printmaking idols. Kat’s work centers on folktales, mythical creatures, adventure, and wives of various kinds (you’ll see what I mean if you look at her work). Her work is often tiny, but absolutely packed with incredible amounts of detail. I am also a huge fan of her illustration style, choice of subject matter, and cheeky instagram captions (I have laughed out loud more than once). An absolutely phenomenal printmaker who is as kind as she is talented.
I discovered Justin’s work early on in my Instagram days and not only is he a super talented pen and ink illustrator, he is also a great person. His subject matter is amusing, creative, and imaginative, and his style demonstrates an expert level of skill and attention to detail. I just love his line work!
Hailing from London, India is a printmaker that specializes in woodcuts and wood engravings. Her work is absolutely mind-blowingly detailed, often with hidden details and intricate patterns that need a good hard look to be appreciated. Her work is inspired by ancient folklore, mythology, and cultural practices, so ceremonies, rituals, masquerades, and mysterious beings are often a part of her pieces. She is a truly outstanding artist that deserves so much appreciation.
Sophy is a ballpoint pen artist that lives in Vetlanda, Sweden. I was first drawn to her work because of her incredible creatures, figures, and landscapes that seem to emerge straight from either dreams or nightmares. She says she is fond of “ribs, giant beasts and trees,” which is very apparent in her wonderfully surreal body of work. Plus, her pictures of her adorable cats sure don’t hurt!
Taking a complete left turn from Sophy of Sweden, we come to Sofie van Schadewijk of the Netherlands. Sofie’s work is playful, fun, sweet, and all-around charming. But within that cute exterior there is incredible skill and craftsmanship--just look at the lines in the hair of her characters! As a printmaker, I can tell you that level of detail is no small feat. When I want to look at work that makes me smile (especially in these times), I turn to Sofie. A wonderful, talented artist with work to match!
There are so many good things I could say about Gaëlle’s work. A Swiss printmaker and tattoo artist, Gaëlle’s work often depicts some of my favorite art subjects--celestial bodies, eyes, skulls, and fascinating creatures. Plus, can we talk about that style?? I could go on and on about the absolutely incredible cross-hatching, linework, and lettering in Gaëlle’s pieces. Just wow. Run, do not walk, to Gaëlle’s Instagram or Etsy.
Thanks so much for coming along on this inky tour of mine! I hope you’ve found some new folks to follow, and please remember to support their work if you can. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram or Facebook if you’d like to see more of my work!
Take care,
Amy