Hi Hello!
PixelGrin is where fine & functional art meet.
PixelGrin is home to my fine art photography in over-sized poster prints, ceramic Polaroid coasters and other products to incorporate fine art into your home and office. PixelGrinPhotography officially launched in 2011, but I've been a long time Etsy member.
AN IDEA WAS BORN
I created a practical way to display my photography in addition to prints you hang on the wall. At first I was just fooling around.... I carefully cut circles out of corkboard and glued on some of the photos I had laying around. I gave them to my big sister as a gift and she loved the coasters so much that she displayed them in her home instead of using them as intended.
After talking about them on my private blog, an online friend wanted to purchase a set - so I made them for her, but her children ended up destroying them. From that point on I needed to find a way to use my art in a practical way that could both be displayed gracefully and durable enough to not meet doom by tiny idle hands.
Instant film has always fascinated me. I started using Polaroid instant & 110 film back in the 80's! Waiting patiently for moments that just passed to appear back into vision will always be magical. The iconic instant photograph immediately brings back memories for so many people, sometimes just as much as image! My coasters contain a nostalgic element wrapped in modern day functionality and are individually hand crafted for their new owner.
Creating my ceramic Polaroid Coasters is super fun and the backbone of PixelGrin today. I re-purpose new tiles to share my love of photography and film. Building each coaster is time consuming but it's completely worth it knowing that my art, my passion, and my love is making people smile all across the globe.
I've always craved the interaction between people and art. I never liked that "look, but don't touch" rule anyway, so I broke it! I'm that girl that needs to touch everything.. looking just isn't good enough!
ABOUT MY COASTER BUILDING PROCESS.
I print each photo in my studio using a dye sublimation printer. Dye-sub printers use dye and heat to transfer an image to paper unlike an inkjet printer you might have in your office. This method, although costly and timely, produces stunning clarity and vivid true-to-life colors. Each coaster is then hand sealed with a high gloss glass-like coating finish for durability and decades of enjoyment. This process requires a great attention to detail, patience, and eagle eye vision!
I hand sign each coaster as it is created, like an painter sign a masterpiece, and just as I would sign one of my photography prints.
I pack my coaster sets with love in a open windowed paper gift box and a handy care instruction card. They are ready for gifting (or indulging)!
I only use my original photography! My aim is to make you smile and feel good. So give your walls or coffee table a hug today!
ABOUT MY PRINTS
I specialize in Large Format Photography, 18" on the long end at minimum. However, prints are available in all sizes upon request. All of my Large Format Prints are printed at a local Professional Lab. By supporting local printers, we are ensuring the medium for the future.
Smaller Prints may be printed in my home studio using the finest inks and papers or commercial lab.
Sizes larger than 20 x 30" are reserved for gallery exhibition only.
WHY LARGE FORMAT?
I am a down to earth photographer who finds beauty in the land, light and colors of our planet. I strongly believe that sweeping landscapes and nature's tiniest details should be viewed on a grand scale just as they are found naturally.
Large Format Photography make viewing easy up-close and far away, and really does bring a room together giving the space a WOW! factor.
ABOUT MY OTHER PRODUCTS
It is impossible for me as a solo photographer, artist, and crafter to be able to afford production means for everything under the sun :) With the help of some other production companies my pillow cases, tote bags, and more are created offsite and shipped to me for inspection before being shipped to you for enjoyment! This explains why some products take 2 weeks or more before shipping!
Metta
Please enjoy my profile to learn a little more about me:
http://www.etsy.com/people/nirvanaqween