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Cattywampus Spring Bizarre

Something Catty this Way Comes

More than 60 of the best artists and artisans in the region will converge in Little Rock for the inaugural Cattywampus Spring Bizarre May 19 at the new Blue Canoe Brewing Warehouse. Since 2016, the Fayetteville-based Cattywampus Co-Op has been organizing art shows and craft fairs across the state, and the first fling in Little Rock is shaping up to be a choice event for local art, crafts, food and music lovers. We chatted with a few of our favorite artists from the Bizarre about what they’re looking forward to at the event and what they’ll have in store for attendees.

Chad Maupin, Cattywampus Co-Op Founder, Illustrator Behind Big Bot Design

What’s your goal with the Cattywampus Co-Op? 

The Cattywampus Co-Op was created to help empower and showcase the creative community  in Arkansas.

Why did you want to bring Cattywampus to Little Rock? 

I spent most of my formative years in Central Arkansas, and once Cattywampus started growing I knew I’d want to “come home” with the show at some point.  Cattywampus is a community, and my hope is to connect our creative community in Northwest Arkansas with our Catty Cousins in central Arkansas.

What are you most excited about with the Cattywampus Spring Bizarre in Little Rock?

After fan-boying over Sally Nixon for years I’m finally getting to meet her and at my show! It’s worth doing the whole thing just for that.

What fictional character do you most relate to any why?

As long as I can remember, I’ve loved and admired Mr. Spock. Spock’s struggle to find a place for himself in a world that doesn’t understand him while conducting himself with dignity and reason is something that really speaks to me.

How can people buy your work? 

Online at www.big-bot.com.

Sally Nixon, World-Renowned Illustrator

How would you describe your art in three words?

Detailed. Nostalgic. Female.

What is your favorite thing to illustrate? 

It changes day to day, but overall I’d say cheeseburgers.

Does your heart still leap out of your chest every time one of your illustrations publishes in Lenny Letter?

Yes! It’s always insanely cool working with Lenny. They’re so nice and cool and pay on time.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on so far? 

My book, Houseplants and Hot Sauce. My publisher (Chronicle Books) was so easy to work with, and I basically got to draw whatever I wanted. Dream project.

Did you hide anything naughty we should know about in your book Houseplants and Hot Sauce? Please say yes. 

Yes.

How can I buy your work?

Sometimes I have stuff on Etsy (Etsy.com/shop/sallustration). And buy my book wherever you normally purchase books!

Krystal Cornelius, Jewelry Designer behind Krystal Bijoux

Tell us a little about your jewelry.

I create are the pieces I want to see in the world.  I want to make things that make people pause and stir the imagination. I have been doing this more recently by using a few more unconventional items in my work as I truly believe it spurs on creativity.

What is your favorite thing to make?

The cameo brooches. I am so proud that I could carve that beautiful of a face and it has given me such flexibility. Then I can give her any style of hair and makeup, and she is just glam. I don’t think I have had the same look twice, and I love wearing them.

What do you do when you’re not creating a glamfestation?

Trying desperately to learn to sew.

What are you most excited about with the Cattywampus Spring Bizarre in Little Rock?

The Cattywampus Spring Bizarre has an incredible vibe. I love the rock-and-roll, brave-new-crafters feel!

You are trapped on a deserted island with one celebrity. Who is it?

Dwayne The Rock Johnson. He’s tough, wise, and I am going to need that muscle to move some building materials around. And he’s nice to look at.

How can I buy your work?

Check out Krystal Bijoux on Facebook and Instagram, and find me at etsy.com/krystalbijoux.

Stacey Bowers, Jewelry Designer Behind Bang-Up Betty

What is your favorite thing to make?

I love to make people laugh. My newest collection of stamped jewelry and lapel pins is all about humor and being hilariously honest with yourself.

What are you most excited about with the Cattywampus Spring Bizarre in Little Rock?

The Spring Bizarre has a wild, fun, laid-back group of extremely talented artists. It’s unlike any event I’ve done.

Quick! What would your tombstone say?

I’m never gonna dance again…

How can I buy your work?

You can find it all at bangupbetty.com.

Lisa Krannichfeld Walden, Award-Winning and World-Renowned Artist

Tell us about your work.

My work focuses mostly on women. I love depicting them in ways they are not often depicted in art and imagery in general: aggressive, powerful, confrontational, not passive and hypersexualized. I paint loose, expressive portraiture and figures in interiors with a pattern-rich, saturated aesthetic using a lot of different materials.

You recently got a nod from Anthropologie stores?

I partnered with a fine art print reproduction company, then pretty new, called Artfully Walls several years back. A couple of years after that they partnered with Anthropologie and bada-boom, I had work available through Anthropologie! I’ve had two paintings turned into fine art prints available through them so far.

You can invite any artist, dead or alive, to dinner. Who?

It would probably have to say Njideka Akunyili Crosby. Her work is amazing and her career is crush-worthy.

How can I buy your work?

You can find originals at M2 Gallery in West Little Rock. You can find limited edition prints on my direct websitesite, www.lisakrannichfeld.com, as well as other links to find work.

Jordan Wolf, Jewelry Designer

How do you make your jewelry?

I started making polymer clay jewelry about 7 years ago for my band. We would give away pins with embossed phrases or words that fit the theme of the show to the first 20 or so people who showed up. Since then I keep coming back to polymer clay because of its versatility, its super bright and saturated colors and its matte finish.

Why is color so important to you?

I am inspired by a lot of things, but I think most of the color inspiration in my current work stems from Memphis Design, the B-52’s and The Flintstones. I love mixing patterns and colors and keeping it humorous and playful.

You’re also an art teacher, a radio host, and a performing musician. How do you juggle all these creative projects?

The phrase “jack of all trades, master of none” comes to mind, but I think I’ve finally learned to embrace the idea of being a generalist. I like to explore new things and I try not to take anything too seriously. It’s a blessing and a curse. My job also demands this kind of thinking. Teaching middle school art is super invigorating and fun but it can also be very consuming at times, so I take advantage of the breaks. You’ll usually see a burst of activity on my studio Instagram account during holidays and summer months.

What is your favorite thing to sing in the shower?

The last song I sang in the shower was a spoof I made up of “The Thunder Rolls” by Garth Brooks called “The Pizza Rolls”.

How can I buy your work?

The best way to buy my jewelry is through direct inquiries either in person or through my Instagram account, @jordanwolfstudio. I try to keep my Instagram account updated with events that I’m participating in and the items I currently have in stock.

Julia Andriotis-Sharp and Travis Sharp, Candle Makers at Little Bison Co.

Why are your handmade candles so incredibly special?

Little Bison Co. is a handmade, small-batch candle company where each and every item is hand poured. Our goal is not only to produce high quality candles that you love burning in and around your home or office, but also to create a product that gives back. With every candle purchased, we donate 10% of the proceeds to a nonprofit charity. With this idea, we believe that a little donation by a lot of people can make a big difference.

What is your favorite scent to create?

We generally gravitate towards woodsy or earthy scents. We love drawing inspiration from the Ozarks, since we love spending time out camping and hiking. A customer favorite is our Black Currant Tea scent, which has subtle hints of honey, vanilla and tea leaves.

What are you most excited about with the Cattywampus Spring Bizarre in Little Rock?

We haven’t done an event in central Arkansas before, so we are really excited to see some new faces. We love Little Rock, as we both spent some time growing up in central Arkansas, so we’re hoping to see some old, familiar faces, too. We’re really excited about the space as well; what could be better than local makers and a local brewery?

You can only eat one meal for the rest of your life. What is it? 

Travis: It sounds boring, but you can’t go wrong with chicken strips.

Julia: Is it weird that my favorite food is broccoli?

How can I buy your work?

Find us online at www.littlebisonco.com, or purchase directly through Instagram (@littlebisonco).

The Cattywampus Spring Bizarre will be held Saturday, May 19, at the Blue Canoe Brewing Warehouse, located at 1637 E. 15th Street in Little Rock. Shopping hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and an after-party with music by Jamie Lou and the Hullabaloo starts at 6:30 p.m. Both are free and open to the public. Several food trucks and all the Blue Canoe beer you can responsibly drink will be available in the beer garden. Find more information at gocattywampus.com and through the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/432634270486876/.

Inviting Arkansas

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