I can’t remember how or when I got into art. As far back as I can recall I’ve always drawn on things. Whether it’s scraps of paper, canvas, trains, walls, what ever. I guess I’m a bit of a compulsive scribbler. I got serious about making pictures while I was attending Pratt Institute. Up until that point I think I was just playing around. I was at Pratt from ’99-’02. It was like getting thrown into the deep end, but I had
a lot of fun and I was influenced by some amazingly talented people.

After school I stayed in Brooklyn and was doing technical drawing and graphic design for various fashion brands, painting on the side and showing sporadically. In November 2008 my wife and I moved to Austin to set up the studio which houses my work space as well as my wife’s clothing line 81 Poppies.

This month 81 Poppies is included in Austin Fashion Week Award show at the ACL LIVE on 8-27.  I have a few drawings at Gallery Gray Duck off of S.First, and I have a big show lined up for next fall at the Julia Butridge gallery inside the Dougherty Art Center. I’m  excited about that show because it gives me a chance to show some of the larger pieces I’ve been working on.

” home sweet home ” 2011, 16″x20″ acrylic on linen.

” strike anywhere” 2011 16″x 20″ acrylic on linen.

These 2 paintings are kind of a pair. I worked on them at the same time. They are a combination of painting from life and
tear sheet reference.

“old and new” 2011 12″ x 48″ acrylic on birch panel.
3 judges thought this would have made an AWFUL billboard.

My wife grew up in TX and the first time I visited Austin I thought it was a cool town. We were both kind of burned out
on NYC, and after a little research we figured Austin would be a good place to start a business.   Here we are!

You can find more work from KC at his website http://studio189.com/

Malissa Long has been around fashion and making clothing since she was a child.  Winner of several design competitions, Malissa will have submitted her entry for Project Runway by the time this interview airs.  Take a few minutes to meet this Austin fashion designer.

Austin-Artists had the opportunity to meet with Linda Asaf, Austin’s leading fashion designer, at her studio recently. Linda has made a name for herself in fashion, not only in Austin, but around the world. She was recently asked to provide designs for the opening of the Wilhelmina modeling agency in Austin, which in the fashion world, is a big deal. Take a few minutes to meet and learn more about this outstanding artist.

We compiled a short video (under 2 minute) of some responses we’ve received from our artists when asked how Austin compares to other cities.  The responses are really varied, which is one of the things that makes these people so darn interesting!  Have a look…and let us know what YOU think of Austin.

How about a sneak peak at some of the people that will be featured on Austin-Artists.com in 2010? In less than two minutes, you’ll get a glimpse of some of the local artists that make Austin a richer, vibrant community. Enjoy!

Austin is home to all types of artists. Fashion is art, and fashion designers are popping up throughout the city. Austin-Artists.com caught up with Valerie Abrego-Liszewski and a few of her models recently to capture her story and check out some recent designs.