What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Dorrie Rifkin

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.

In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people.

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about Dorrie Rifkin.











Dorrie Rifkin
Artist
Englewood, NJ

What do you do?
Depending on the moment, I am a freelance art director, watercolor artist, and teacher. Painting is the most fun and infuses me with energy. I fell in love with watercolors when I was a kid and the passion grows more and more each year.

How do you do it?
Multitasking. My subjects are from my adventures and life experiences. I live close to New York City so many of my paintings are inspired by city scenes that I photograph. I put the photos into photoshop to create a stronger design (years working as an art director serve me well here). Then I do a tight drawing (here is where a strong paper comes in handy). Next a visit to the fridge for a snack and Diet Coke. Then the fun starts.


Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?
I've used iPrintfromHome for a long time. I sell high quality prints in my etsy store.
Let me tell you a story. I was married in July so this is dear to my heart. I just received a thank you note from a customer that purchased a print of a painting I did of New York City's Lincoln Center for her husband to celebrate their wedding aniversay. He proposed to her in front of Lincoln Center. Cool right? Well that was the third thank you I've received from clients that proposed to their mates in front of Lincoln Center.

What a great life!

Contact Information:
Dorrie Rifkin
dorrierifkin.com
facebook.com/dorrierifkin
dfrdesign.etsy.com

What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Lynne Reichhart

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.

In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people.

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about Lynne Reichhart.













Lynne Reichhart
Artist
Westernville, NY


What do you do?
I am following my bliss by being an artist - it is who I am, not what I do. Being primarily self-taught, I work in several mediums including: acrylics, watercolor and colored pencil. My eye is drawn to light and shadow for selecting subjects. Anything is fair game. This variety of subject matter helps me continue to learn and grow as an artist.

I sell my work online at several venues, display my work in solo and group art shows and have recently started selling at local art fairs in the summer. I love the feedback I get from buyers and the opportunity to add to my growing number of collectors.


How do you do it?
I tend to work from photographs, taking liberties to remove items not essential to the composition or adjusting subjects to improve the composition. Photographs tend to wash out the color of the subject, so I always enhance or even change the colors to add more interest. It is important to me not to just copy the photograph, but to interpret it in my own style. Color can also be used to create the particular mood I am going for. I have also painted en plein air and have had some good results with watercolors that way. Working live challenges me to be a little looser and hones my ability to visualize the composition of the finished painting.

Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?
I heard about iPrintfromHome through an etsy group where I have a shop. I really didn't want to invest in a printing set-up at home for creating high quality archival giclees and noticed that iPfH is New York State based, so I thought I would give them a try.

I was floored when I received my first print. The color was spot on and the paper was of the highest quality. I must admit that the packaging also helped put this company over the top. The prints were well protected and received super fast in perfect shape. I have gotten so many items poorly packaged that it is a pet peeve of mine. The affordable prices didn't hurt either!

I love how iPfH makes their customers feel like family. They are interested in what artists need and strive to provide it. Their website features resources to list upcoming art shows, information on resolution and photo manipulation and color management. They also print aceo (2.5x3.5") sized reproductions!

Contact Information:
Lynne Reichhart
www.artbylmr.com
artbylmr.etsy.com
www.cafepress.com/artgiftsbylmr
www.zazzle.com/artbylmr
artbylmr.blogspot.com
twitter.com/artbylmr
www.facebook.com./lynne.reichhart

What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Lynn Cyr

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.

In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people.

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about Lynn Cyr.









Lynn Cyr
Oil & Watercolor Artist
Fort Kent, ME


What do you do?
I'm mostly a self-taught artist, working primarily in Oil and Watercolor. I like to challenge myself by painting different subjects, whether it’s a portrait, still life, or landscape. But no matter the subject or medium, it’s no question that my work follows a consistent theme: color and simplicity.

Although my online store is based in Fort Kent, ME, my working studio and gallery is situated on a peaceful lake in Quebec, on the border of New Brunswick and Maine. In addition to selling my work online, I also participate in art shows on a regular basis, because I love the human interaction between me and my collectors.



How do you do it?
Depending on the painting, I either paint from life or from my own photos and sketches, using various reference images to create my own composition. It could be a combination of colors and shadows I see reflected on a bowl of fruit, or the unique way I compose a design to make my simple subjects tell a story. I generally don’t confine myself to small details, and prefer to let loose and allow my work to have a realistic, yet painterly feel.

Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?
Why wouldn't I? :) Since opening my shop on Etsy, I thought it would be the perfect venue to sell Giclees of my original paintings. They're easy to ship, a fraction of the cost of my original pieces, and allows for more collectors to own one of my creations.

I had three requirements: A) my Giclees had to be created professionally, not from my home printer; B) the quality had to be top-notch; C) it had to be from a company that was big enough to do the job well, yet small enough that I could just pick up the phone and talk to a real person. IPfH met all the criteria!! :) I couldn't be happier with their prints... they're so incredibly accurate in terms of color and texture, you'd swear they were originals. And the service I get there is just outstanding - really something you don't see often in businesses nowadays! I've highly recommend them numerous times to my artist friends!!

Contact Information:
Lynn Cyr
www.lynnlovesart.com
lynncyrart.etsy.com
lynncyrart.blogspot.com

What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Lauren Alexander

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.

In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people.

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about Lauren Alexander.






Lauren Alexander
Watercolor Artist
Overland Park, KS



What do you do?
I am a watercolor artist and I paint fun and colorful things for your home, nursery, or office. I love to use color in new and interesting ways. I am most influenced by nature, animals, music, and kids. I am an art teacher too, so being around people and art every day is a great way to stay inspired.


I love making people happy with my work.

It is the greatest feeling in the world to do something that can make someone smile.





How do you do it?
I generally paint really small 9"x12" or smaller. It makes it easier for me to paint a lot of different things at once. My favorite thing is to paint really small - ACEO size; 2.5"x3.5". I love to do many layers of paint - probably more than a typical watercolor artist, and I think that is how I get my colors so vibrant and bright. I like it when my watercolor paintings don't really look like watercolor anymore!

For a step by step visual of my painting process visit this blog post: Photo Diary of My Painting

Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?
I use iPrintfromHome.com because I don't print from home! I am frustrated by all that goes into home printing with the ink, paper, etc. I have found that iPrintfromHome.com has an amazing quality print that is extremely professional. When I needed a way to print my small ACEO paintings, I went to iPrintfromHome and decided to have them printed on 3.5"x5" paper - a perfect fit for framing. People really like that size and they are a big part of my online store! Fast and friendly service is also a plus - I am big on customer service and I love working with a company that operates on that high of a level.

Contact Information:
Lauren Alexander
www.laurenalexander.etsy.com
www.laurenalexanderart.blogspot.com

What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Lynn Cyr

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.

In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people.

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about Lynn Cyr.









Lynn Cyr
Oil & Watercolor Artist
Fort Kent, ME


What do you do?
I'm mostly a self-taught artist, working primarily in Oil and Watercolor. I like to challenge myself by painting different subjects, whether it’s a portrait, still life, or landscape. But no matter the subject or medium, it’s no question that my work follows a consistent theme: color and simplicity.

Although my online store is based in Fort Kent, ME, my working studio and gallery is situated on a peaceful lake in Quebec, on the border of New Brunswick and Maine. In addition to selling my work online, I also participate in art shows on a regular basis, because I love the human interaction between me and my collectors.



How do you do it?
Depending on the painting, I either paint from life or from my own photos and sketches, using various reference images to create my own composition. It could be a combination of colors and shadows I see reflected on a bowl of fruit, or the unique way I compose a design to make my simple subjects tell a story. I generally don’t confine myself to small details, and prefer to let loose and allow my work to have a realistic, yet painterly feel.

Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?
Why wouldn't I? :) Since opening my shop on Etsy, I thought it would be the perfect venue to sell Giclees of my original paintings. They're easy to ship, a fraction of the cost of my original pieces, and allows for more collectors to own one of my creations.

I had three requirements: A) my Giclees had to be created professionally, not from my home printer; B) the quality had to be top-notch; C) it had to be from a company that was big enough to do the job well, yet small enough that I could just pick up the phone and talk to a real person. IPfH met all the criteria!! :) I couldn't be happier with their prints... they're so incredibly accurate in terms of color and texture, you'd swear they were originals. And the service I get there is just outstanding - really something you don't see often in businesses nowadays! I've highly recommend them numerous times to my artist friends!!

Contact Information:
Lynn Cyr
www.lynnlovesart.com
lynncyrart.etsy.com
lynncyrart.blogspot.com