New updates are finally coming along. There is lots of exciting projects happening. Butterpop Art is actually a nostalgic inspiration of a unicorn in the my little pony toys and animation series during the 80’s/90’s. As a female artist and designer. I find these nostalgic references from the past to have an uplifting & fun energy.
Hoffler Creek Wildlife Reserve
Thank you all that was part of this project, if it wasn’t for Ashley Morgan, John Joyce (SPPA), volunteers, this magical piece will not have happened.
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Check out https://www.hofflercreek.org Thank you @dominionenergy for the grant!!
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I continue in awe with the people willing to volunteer and help the creative community flourish here.
My husband Scott Edwards also had always been a huge support of my path creatively.
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Hoeffler Creek is a beautiful place, a must visit. I feel at peace on the grounds and cherish the continuous healing energy of nature, forests, lakes, bays, oceans, birds, animals, insects, plants this planet has gifted to us. This wild life reserve is well protected and taken care of. These wings symbolize an energy that taught me a lot on why I need to answer to a calling. When it was mounted a certain surreal landscape started to happen. I was so drawn to this new conversation. It was sacred.
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Hello! Finally, end of the year. We made it!
I think we all had enough with all that is going on with this global pandemic. How much it has changed our lives. For better or for worst. I hope this newsletter from my studio will bring you hope and joy. For the community here in Hampton Roads, Virginia, out of state clients and overseas.
I think from a decade of working for myself. Being a parent. Either in Design, Illustration, Digital/Web Work, Murals or Commissions. I have strive for finding balance and providing the best work I can give for all that I’m committed to. At times finding solutions to better the work process has also been a strong focus along with communication. Project work process and management is essential. As well as clarity with contracts, quotes and expectations.
Taking a chance again has been another card dealt. Believing and trusting it all. Whether we worked together closely for a good amount of time in the past, present and or future. Whether we have not even met yet. I sincerely appreciate all the growth through the years. For me that is huge progress whether there was a pandemic or not in 2020. I can only hope my work stands on its own, we were able to connect and mostly it is the trust you have in the talents/skills/service I provided that helped elevate the end product. Your feedback is always valuable however big or small. That is truly what being successful is to me. I hope to continue to elevate this creative integrity and mostly its just fun when all the pieces come together.
The following are some of the of projects that happen this past year. Link to instagram to stay connected daily. BIG THANK YOU for ALL YOUR SUPPORT for Victoria at BUTTERPOP ART!!!
Oh my...It's been too long.
I need to keep up here, though, I’m currently working on lots of things including this mural that will be mounted next to children’s museum. Also a logo and brand coming out of Taipei Taiwan. SWOON I’m forever grateful of the work I currently have and will keep pushing things out of the studio as long as I can. I feel like the universe is giving me lots of good signs, and I will roll with the punches as usual. Though spending home at time with my daughter has been storm and absolutely magical. Life still moves on during covid. The sun is rising. The summer rain feels good on my skin. I can see a sunset. There are trees and leaves moving with the wind.
Goodbye Summer! Hello Fall!
I’m currently in the studio, finally getting some updates in. Im not sure I’m in a space to write too much though It has been an insane ride again. I’m very grateful of all the opportunities. One thing about current studio site is that the Wall/Mural project section has been updated. Lots of amazing projects has taken place here locally in Virginia Beach. Including a Pop up Mural done for https://www.somethinginthewater.com. Now the owl sits in front of the MOCA https://virginiamoca.org/ as symbol and new identity for our community. A lot of proposals went out as well, some didn’t go through, still pending, some were great and I cant show them because they are dealing with corporations. Some were put on hold. Some I can’t tell what it is or who it is for. But I try my best to keep all informed here with exciting ideas. The studio has mural insurance, contracts, quotes for any kind of jobs so just send me a email and lets chat! For now please check out mural site link HERE. for further viewing and reading. After hurricane dorian leaves I will be starting new mural in NEON http://neonnfk.com/about/ Though currently I want to share new art and travel sketchbook stuff. Be safe out there VB!
Good Bye Winter!!! Maybe????
Lots of exciting things are happening this year! Mural proposals are being sent out as we speak, and traveling plans coming up this summer which will evolve into a book. Butterpop Art team is ready to go with ninja fox like skills. Spring we are going all local this year including the Tidewater comicon. Where I am pretty excited to dress up weird and fun for the event. I'll be back at charlottesville joining forces with Craftcville and visiting friends like Wunderbar. Then we are driving further down south a bit to join coral-van. Suffolk earth day arts festival which could be a nice family outdoor event. This gypsy art life is on the go again!
End of the Year Gratitude Note
I've been wondering on how to create an end of the year post, there is so much I think I need to share and remind. Though sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I am so very happy of all the pop ups I did locally and out of state. Mural opportunity right here in the neighborhood that my child is growing up in. New people and old friendships ignited that I've connected with from charlottesville to new york city. In the end, a transaction no matter how small or big is an relationship. I'm super thank-ful of all the commissions that came in during the holidays. Your love for my art, the weird things I draw and paint. I will continue to persist and continue to dream keeping in mind the realistic sides too. That is always hard for any business owners, but it brings forth clarity and courage that will truly make all of these journeys so worth while. My daughter and husband especially has been an amazing team and support. I couldn't do anything without them. Sending this little note of thank you to all the social media tribes and communities out there! It is so important to KEEP SHINING!! SELF CARE truly is not selfish. I'm always trying to find balance in all the hats that I wear so I can be there fully for everyone as well as myself. Also trusting yourself.. One favorite quote to leave you with by Rumi to help plan the goals you seek. Happy Holidays! and Happy New Year!!
“What you seek is seeking you.”
― Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi
So, this happened in September 2017!
CRAZY IS IN THE BLOOD, GOOD CRAZY, YOU NEED IT TO MAKE IT ALL WORTH IT!!
September of 2017 I started on this amazing mural project on a Restaurant called Esoteric in a new neighborhood I reside at the oceanfront. It's an art district called the Vibe district. I'm excited that public art is blooming both here in Virginia Beach and Norfolk Neon District. Standing on the scaffolding here was 9/11/2017. I look down and am super happy grateful that this New York Girl made it alive out of the jungle here now painting and making a living from it. A mom, creative business owner wearing many hats, just in general going for it. I also think to myself I must be half insane still going for these mural dreams. Though I just can't seem to shake them off. It started 25 years ago, with small restaurants and clubs in larger cities. Then when I moved here a few opportunities just popped and jumped on it. I love painting outdoors in fall and spring. I love to be able to see art whereever I am walking around. I love the energy after a good painting session. When painting this big, you loose yourself. The art has a life of its own. It truly just moves into another form of energy. The best of all, is my 8 year daughter can see it now in the neighborhood she is growing up in. That makes my heart skip a beat.
ART & BRAND MEETS IN HARMONY
Applying for this proposal was interesting, I was tagged on a Facebook post. I actually wanted a few to collaborate and propose together with me. I thought about the restaurant's triangle logo and created a layout with current art I'm working on. Cicadas and moths have been coming up so were these seaweed like plant patterns I have been drawing non-stop for a year. Then the proposal emerged and I just sent it out. I didn't have huge expectations. I know it was conceptually sound which was from years of working with businesses as a designer. But I knew this is something I need to do. It's a great restaurant business evolving here, so I support that kinda of thing fully. Plus I lived so close. Why not?
PROCESS
The biggest challenge with this project is the wall texture. Stucco eats a lot of paint and time. The proposal art was very clean. Therefore testing were involved prior starting. I created a system of latex primer, spray paint, and outdoor acrylic house paints. Some big brushes were involved. Stenciling was another option as well. I knew it was not going to be exactly same with the proposal. Though years of experience helps with confidence and trust level. The style or repeated skill function allows me to paint pretty accurate and natural. My background is a graphic designer/illustrator and I can write chinese characters as well. I'm hoping all of it will pay off. Once the brush went in my hand it just started. Spray painting this round was SO FUN!!! This is the most I will probably talk about a project. Its because, well I'm pretty happy about this and I still have one more day to go on it, though I'm blogging about it already so these are just great signs of the path I need to be on. Though in general October I will need some time to recover and get back to things in the studio for the holidays. So bare with me if I owe you emails and commission info!
CONTRACTS, QUOTES, TAXES, SCHEDULE & BUDGET PROPOSAL
Creating this work this large, outdoor when scaffolding is involved. YOU MUST GET INSURANCE. Locally I went with Friedmans Insurance. I charged by an estimated SQFT on the art that I will be painting, which I based on the prices of large paintings. Your budget for scaffolding, paints, brushes, stencil boards etc. Also how much you would have to pay for taxes. Ofcourse write offs during this period is helpful. Any artist assistance you may need. Give yourself a good time span with outdoor projects. Due to weather. I have been SO VERY LUCKY with this project. We dodged 3 potential hurricanes!! But still saw a lot of rain and winds. Winds are not great too, so check your wind speed because your paints will fly off the brush. Contracts are important. You can research on what works for you online and get a general lawyer to look over it if you have more questions. Be responsible and careful taking it on. This will avoid so much drama and or issues down the road. Happy Painting ;-)
Here are some more fun pics from this project:
Middle of Summer, Reset, Keep painting, Holding on to time.
Summer came too quick, now we are right in the middle. Humans, are we ever satisfied with our current state of being. In the winter we day dream of summer days.. Now we are here wondering about the fall. Beach town life has been really amazing. Pros of living here in Virginia Beach. Summer biking is definitely divine. You feel like you are inhaling happy drugs once you hit the ocean front air. So with that we all need to hit a reset button. Wheel it in. There is work to be done and the child is in summer camp this week! I continue painting cicadas this summer. As it buzzes and sing away at night in this area. I'm also working with norfolk growler and just free-styling painting on growlers for gifts/charity. It was really fun to work on hand made ceramics. Other great news is I will be working on a mural for Esoteric restaurant. They are so wonderful from food, drinks and community. Sourcing from their own garden and local farmers only. So much to be grateful about, and so much to celebrate.
NYC Recap: I finished doing a pop up in Brooklyn at the living gallery. It was so nice to be back home, meeting new creative peeps, and reuniting with old. Here are some pics from the event.
No Sleep Till Brooklyn
Well summer vacation for my daughter has started and that means mommy can get a little more sleep in the mornings. It also means weekends will be filled with working all summer without much child care, though I got my focus on and completed three small commissions and it will be sent out right on time as planned today.
On other news is who can sleep when I'll be in NYC this weekend! I'm so excited to be part of this pop up that my friend Toofly has created. If you will be in Brooklyn over this weekend please come say hi! Great talent selling amazing things, hand made from the heart. There will be a sangria bar, rooftop BBQ, henna painting. I miss home a lot all the time. Mostly it's also everyone that I have crossed paths while growing up there. The history that is still there, aging beautiful brownstones to skyscrapers high in the sky. We are one. Peace and love.
1094 Broadway Bklyn NY 11221 | 12-6pm | Saturday
Boom!! It's definitely a spring bloom....
It's been busy and packed with projects bubbling in our small studio of Love. Currently just working on a few design and web projects from abroad with amazing folks. Continuing on painting projects, online classes at Make Art that sells. I'm getting certified with Body Positive/Yoga for all to help and expand my practice as a yoga teacher. We are 10 months into our new place close to the Oceanfront here in Virginia Beach. The studio is getting really organized. The color coding love has started. It's been a wait of anticipation with the weather getting warmer and my daughter finishing off the school year so summer vacation can start already! I don't think I can ever give up freelance life now when a walk to the ocean front is so close. Ocean air is really an experience that sticks with you. I truly wake up every morning pinching myself and pray of gratitude. I always thrived staying positive while society and past friends telling me that this life was not possible. That I can't achieve the things that I'm doing now and well, you just never give up, and let go of toxicity in your circles. Lately I have been listening to lots of Audio Books by Wayne Dyer, Abraham Hicks and Louise Hay Radio. It's so nice to have mentors with you daily to help guide you so you can live the life you always wanted. Wayne talks about surrendering to your calling. And that is the process I'm constantly working on.. I also talk a lot about that during my yoga classes at collective yoga vb.
Onwards to art and design. Last month in April I did the tom tom festival. Charlottesville was amazing and I hope to go back to do more shows there. We met awesome friends like Wunderbars. Next month I will be going back home doing a pop up with the Ladies Love Project. ON JUNE 24th SATURDAY 12-6pm / 1094 Broadway BKLYN NY 11221 It will also be a slight reunion with some of high school girl friends! Which will be lovely as well. I also ignited an old spoonflower site so I will be uploading patterns monthly if you are interested in purchasing fabric. Thanks again for all your follows on my instagram and Facebook feed. I'm ALWAYS open on logos, small websites, art licensing contracts, art commissions, shows, festivals, and collaboration with mural projects. So do send me an email at vicweiss@gmail.com anytime to get started. BOOM it's spring. ;-)
I'm Victoria Weiss, Owner of Butterpop Studio. We are a small diverse disciplinary studio focusing on logos, brand, websites, art licensing, surface design, art commissions, Illustration and murals, We work independently and collaboratively with hired talent from all over the world. Currently the studio is available for logos, small sites and art commissions. Murals collaboratively or for public walls, small businesses/restaurants. We work timely with integrity and BIG on communication. Please email vicweiss@gmail.com or call 212.920.4945 / Weiss Design llc
starting on a year long owl project..
I think I will stick to this.. It's been really fun working on it weekly. With the limited time juggling and juggling.. Trying to stay positive with help of owl friends...
Exciting spring chapters..
Lately its been a huge editing and organizing process for the website, it's fun again to revisit some archived art work and see the amount of love and energy that was placed on the work. More to come as weeks go by. Stay tuned! ;-)
Holiday Bird Count Down
Wise Owl
Pink Unicorns Unite!!
Box Art Series
FOR THE LONGEST TIME I have wanted to dive into making box art after seeing a show of Joseph Cornell's Box art work in New York during college days. His biography is very interesting. His house is actually not too far from where I grew up in Flushing Queens during my teenage years. So this was super fun to do!! I reproduced the watercolor owl I did and played with some mixmedia in the back ground. Then placed in shadow box.. I've listed these on my etsy shop! Check it out!
Watercolor Fun
Been working on a lot of owls, strange cactus plants. Playing with different materials. I listed this on my etsy shop! Check it out!
Art Video Tutorial: Lets Go To The Moon Together
I am thrilled to be embarking on a new journey of making fun tutorial videos that will hopefully inspire everyone that is interested in making things. From crafters, advanced level mix media artists, beginner levels. Anyone that wish to create a unique piece of work for themselves or with a child together. The point is not to make art like me but rather get inspired and see what you can do on your own given the context of the videos as a guide. Mindy Lacefield will be my guest artist in this part one series. She is demonstrating a beautiful art tag making process. I will be launching part two of the lunar theme project with yoga & meditation. And if you sign up now with part one art tutorial now, part 2 yoga and meditation class is free! I kept this launch separate so that you can have a choice and not feel so pressured to do it all. The point is to have fun. Little beginnings are certainly the best.
Sign up here in RUZUKU to get Started!
WOAH! I got in!! 2015 Global Talent Search!
I hope everyone is having a great labor day weekend! Not sure what happened though the day the contest started. I was in a wedding in Montreal, Canada. Honestly its been a very busy and joan of arc lead kinda of marathon these last few years. At this point. I'm just happy I'm making a living with what I love to do but also understand that the illusion and euphoric starts of any art career has long faded. Though I'm working on retaining the magical part of creating that is the essence of it all. To be in that space, you just got to draw something everyday. No matter how bad it looks or how you feel. You keep going!! haha.
Being in the top 50 for this contest is certainly a huge surprise! There were so many entries!! I don't have any expectations I always believe in challenging yourself and having fun. So thats the attitude I took on. I'm happy I did it. Because I have a sneaker fetish and this was perfect assignment. Here is some pictures of the process. I set up the studio with flowers I got from the market that day and just played with the art and sketching in sketchbooks to painting some florals and just went with it. I really love the floral patterns that are trending on shoes to sneakers and leggings these days so I went with that. The cat came to me in a dream with butterfly wings. I wanted to experiment with black and white florals so I played with it. In the end the complete collection was designed in illustrator with a few coordinates. Then arranged onto the shoe. The shoe layout, I wanted it to layout like how I would buy it online. It was very simple. I didn't really think too much. My plan B was if I did not get in I would just turn this into fabric on spoonflower or add into my portfolio. This was such a sweet gift I'm so thankful. I really needed this push right now after summer has ended. Pushing through goals is one thing though reaching some is seriously cherry on top! Happiness comes from discipline for sure..
My Ellie ;-)