Hello and welcome to the Minnesotamade Holidays series where we’ll be spending the better part of a month getting acquainted with some local artisans.  If you’re new here, be sure to glance over the introductory post to get up to speed on what’s happening and check out other interviews.  If you’re a returning reader (thank you!), grab a comfortably warm cup of something and read on.  And don’t forget to peruse the accompanying slideshow- its chock full of images of each participant’s work and an occasional glimpse of their studio. 

Now let’s have a warm welcome for Cindy Lindgren.

Please introduce yourself and your work.

My name is Cindy Lindgren; I'm a Minneapolis freelance Illustrator who enjoys creating Arts & Crafts inspired Illustrations in my own graphic style of flowers, native plants and Minneapolis landmarks near my home studio.  I draw images by hand in a graphic style and create flat color digital images in rich color palettes for cards and high quality prints.  I also create my own fabric thru a company called Spoonflower and produce designer rugs thru Rug Rats. 

Where can I purchase your work?

My work is available through my online Etsy shop, and locally at The Linden Tree, Bibelot, Mother Earth Gardens, Articulture and art shows with HandmadeMN.  My cards and prints are also at Lu-Handmade Goodness, in Superior, Wisconsin and will be expanding to other retail shops nationally in the near future. 

Is this your full time job? If no, what else do you do?

I have been a full-time Illustrator since graduating from MCAD and evolved from being an airbrush artist with advertising agencies to working digitally creating logos and icons with graphic designers. Then a few years ago I saw an exhibit on the Arts & Crafts Movement and loved the approach that the textile, wallpaper and tile makers had for florals. I experimented with abstract native florals and other surface design patterns. After creating some cards for a national company, I continued the style and built up several designs and opened my Etsy shop a year and a half ago.  This year my cards were in a national magazine called Style 1900 and a rug company approached me about creating rugs with my illustrations.  At the same time I was experimenting with fabric design and intend to create projects to show on my blog how to bring my Arts & Crafts inspired style into contemporary home decor. 

My interests include: gardening so I have flowers to illustrate, being a member of The Twin Cities Bungalow Club, visiting Frank Lloyd Wright homes and buildings, finding art-inspired groups in the Twin Cities like Articulture and Old Arizona, picking wild blueberries at our cabin in Northern Wisconsin, taking classes at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais.

What is a typical day like for you as an artisan?  Which parts of managing your enterprise give you the most energy and which parts do you least look forward to?

A typical day starts with checking emails for Etsy orders, packaging them up to drop off at the Post Office. I work on any freelance projects I have, like the current project for the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and a home portrait of a Craftsman home for a client out East.  The Linden Tree in my neighborhood consigns my art so I drop off cards, prints and fabric which is great fun.  I love that her shop is all handmade local artists!  I spend some time on the computer learning new software programs, updating my blog, Facebook fan page, check HandmadeMN's social page and work at my drawing table sketching flowers for new card designs or rugs and patterns for fabric.  I always try to go for a walk around Lake Harriet to get out of the studio. I appreciate the flexibility of being a freelancer in charge of my own schedule.

My husband is a graphic designer and partner at Compass Design and my son is a sophomore at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design so there's a lot of art projects around our house.  There are art magazines and books on the coffee table, large stencils from Taylor's spray paint projects hanging on my clothesline in the basement drying, a stack of frames waiting for prints for my next art show, and a variety of personal art and art by friends hanging on our walls. I'm a fan of Charley Harper's work and would love to own a print of his someday.

I am energized by creating good work, by wonderful feedback from people who like my style, meeting other inspiring artists, and visiting beautiful gardens or natural wonders like the parks along the North Shore. I am drained by bookkeeping, long lines at the post office and keeping track of sales tax.

What would you make Santa for Christmas?

For Santa I would design a special Thank You card and write a note thanking him for his generous spirit. I believe 'handmade' is special and 'handwritten' is even more so.  I encourage people to send friends and family handwritten cards as often as possible in this email/texting world.  Your handwriting is unique to you and make your written words so much more special.

Is there anything I forgot to ask?

Last of all, I'd really encourage people to support handmade artists in the community.  I can't tell you how many people I've met who not only love what they are doing, but it is helping them get thru tough economic times as either their only income or much needed second income. You are purchasing something unique, created with care and attention that can't be purchased in a 'big box store'.