Etsy Guest Curator

I was so excited to be invited to be todays' Etsy Guest Curator.  My love for Etsy runs deep and if it isn't already a first stop for you when you are on the lookout for gifts or unique purchases, now is the time to jump in. 

I know that people can feel overwhelmed with where to begin - there is just so much stuff to browse through....Which is why I was really thrilled to find out about the Etsy blog.  There you can find Artist Spotlights, how-to's, reviews, events, as well as Guest Curator pieces like mine.  This allows you to scope out people's favorites and once you begin to find others with a similar style to your own, it's easy to find great new pieces, artists and shops. 

To hear about my Etsy picks, click here.

ice-cream cake

I'm apparently all about illustrated recipes right now.  How awesome is this? 

French Toast Girl - Please make an entire cookbook just like this!

Liu Bolin

I am blown away by this series entitles "Camouflage" by Beijing based artist Liu Bolin.  Covered entirely in paint to blend into their surroundings, each installation can take up to 10 hours of painstaking work.  I find his work utterly compelling and beautifully executed. 

Thanks to my brother Jamie for the tip!

{photos from here and here}

Eric Zener

For us, school starts Monday and we are taking our last sips of summer.  I just came across these paintings by Eric Zener and not only are they achingly beautiful but they also perfectly embody that one last dip of summer:  sun on my face, water on my skin, the whole world at bay. 

best of....

Two spots that we were particularly taken with were the shop Fancy Pony Land and the  Gallerie Urbane. 

Fancy Pony Land is connected to the fantastic little shop Wool & Hoop which I posted about several weeks back.  Shop Owner and Artist Lorna Leedy has created a space full of her own and others unique styles.  I was particular taken with her own line of penny necklaces and skirts.  So fun & pretty. 

The guest house that Tawny & I stayed at was just behind the Gallerie Urbane and run by the Gallery's owner, an artist himself.  This was our favorite Gallery in town and we were particular in love with the candy colored pieces by Andrea Zuill.

 

 

birthday weekend, Marfa style

Food, art, endless skies - we had an insanely good time in Marfa.  I would have to say that I would be hard pressed to come up with a better way to usher in 32 (thank you for all of your kind birthday wishes!). There was time & space & quiet enough for reflection and rejuvenation and I feel as though I am entering this next year full.  Excited even for what is in store.  Thank you Marfa for an invited assault on my senses and soul and for wide open spaces, to boot.

(all photos are our own).

storypeople

Years ago my friend Katie bought me the above print "Kindred Spirits" by Storypeople. I remember finding it to be just the most meaningful gift.  For a time it hung in my husbands' classroom when he taught junior high math to inner city kids.  I often hoped that perhaps art might silently teach the lesson junior high kids so desperately need to learn - our differences are a gift.

Quietly, willingly - Brian Andreas' prints tell a story with but a few brief words & some watercolor.  And yet these stories are enduring and compelling.  That, as I see it,  is no small feat. 

Jasper Johns

As we inch closer in our adoption process, the name games have begun. With each of our children, naming them has always been quite the event. I'm talking polls, charts, diagrams, and quizzes. This time I have chosen a name without any of the usual fanfare. I call our baby to be - Jasper.

Problem is that Sean and most of my family (excluding my perfect niece, Maddie) all shrink back in horror should ever I mention the name. This is nothing new and we have successfully named two children despite the public outcry. But at least with the two previous, Sean and I were in it together. This time I have had to fight the "Jasper" crusade all by my lonesome.

Until...Sean began to crack. There has been some new acceptance, some new admiration for the name these past days. It didn't hurt that Sean's current author of choice is named Jasper. Or that legend has it that one of the three Magi bringing gifts to baby Jesus had the name. Or even our shared mutual admiration of artist, Jasper Johns.

Whatever the reasons, or however deep the outcry, I shall perserve. Until, of course Sean puts his foot down and we end up with an Elliot instead.

Regardless, Japer Johns - here's to you...and thanks for your help in the fight.

best of Santa Fe: Rainbow Gate

Rainbow Gate studio is just outside of Santa Fe and houses a fantastic assortment of colorful dinnerware.  My favorite is the stunning collection of bird plates.  I would happily fill a wall with these beauties.

best of Santa Fe: La Manita

I met Becky of La Manita at the Sunday Community Fair in Santa Fe. I was immediately drawn to her colorful array of children's goods. Hand sewn hats, dresses and barrettes are the mainstay of La Manita and I would have cleaned her out of her offerings if I could have.

You can visit Becky's Etsy shop here.

Christina Drejenstam

I am loving the watercolor illustraions of Swedish artist, Christina Drejenstam.  You can find more of her work here.

Grammy Art

I am loving the fresh approach in advertising that was used for this years Grammys.  The campaign was done by TBWA/ Chiat/ Day and I think they came up with some pretty fantastic results.  A Grammy spokeswoman says each artist depicted was asked to give the Recording Academy 10-20 songs that influenced or affected their life and career. The lyrics and song titles are then featured in the print and television ads.

first spotted here.

David Graeme Baker

I have yet to pick my chin up off the floor.  David Graeme Baker's work is mind-blowingly beautiful.  How I love his honest choices for subjects.  Yet in his hands - chores, exhaustion & mess -  look all together lovely.

Urban Accent Home Duvet

I'm not really a "theme" decorating kind of girl but somehow it has occurred it my home.  There is a noticeable tree or perhaps branch, kind of thing going on.  So I know that I should just walk away from this duvet.  But I cannot.  My friend Jill found it on Etsy and I can't stop thinking about it.  The artist behind Etsy shop - Urban Accent Home hand-painted each duvet.  I just love the simplicity of the motif. 

Walk away, walk away.

W a l k   A w a y. . . 

Laura Stoddart

Over the years I have seen illustrations here and there by artist, Laura Stoddart. They have always struck me as being super whimsical and somehow, smart.  I have only now taken the time to look up more of Laura's work and I am smitten, indeed. 

the Artist's Way

If you are interested in joining us in reading through The Artist's Way - grab a book this weekend.  We're starting on Monday!  If you're a blogger and joining us, you can grab a button from my blogroll page. 

To read more about this, click here.

Marzena Czyzewski

I am absolutly blown away by Marzena Czyzewski's illustrations.  Absolutely exquisite.  What more can I say?

Gaelle Le Boulicaut

Check out the beautiful work of photographer Gaelle Le Boulicaut.  You can find more of her stunning pictures here.

Jennifer Collier

These pieces by UK-based paper artist Jennifer Collier are sewn together.

Really extraordinary. 

{spotted on Richardsonshine}

Pamela Dalton

I have gone through several a Gump's catalog, only to end up earmarking pieces from Pamela Dalton.  That's no small feat as Gump's has some pretty exquisite things.  I have only now made it over to Pamela's site and found plenty more to drool over.  Her pieces are "in the tradition of early American paper cutting popular in the Pennsylvania Dutch regions of this country in the early nineteenth century."  It is her parade series that really has me swooning.