Leah Giberson.

I had to order one of these prints. Can you guess which one I picked? The Jealous Curator has been knocking my socks off lately. When I saw this artist (and others – this spider web repair is unbelievable) on her post recently on SF Girl by Bay, I just got lost in the looking. Blogs, flickr pages, personal sites, etsy... The world wide has made so many artists out there accessible and I truly love the internet for connecting me to all these amazing creative people and their work.

Pool season, summer, is slipping away from me, and glancing at this little reminder of good things to come might help me get through the winter ahead. Love that the pools appear to be empty.

It's dark again when I wake up and I keep thinking as my eyes are opening, It must be because it's raining. But then the sun rises through the window in the shower and I feel a little despair. Oh how I love Summer. The light, heat, humidity, cicadas singing, bonfires, fruit and vegetables, and an excuse to let all things just... SLACK. Thank god for September, who lets us ease into the holidays slowly. I'm actually looking forward to you too!

Weekend plans.

These are some nice brushes. They remind me of a book I read once about a painter who was so particular about her brushes she wouldn't even let her assistant touch them. At the time I was like, That's obsessive? They're just brushes? But now I sort of get it. I've had the majority of my brushes since college, and I have definite favorites. Some of them are starting to fall apart. The ones I really love are sort of irreplaceable? Like really broken in tennis shoes or blue jeans.

Anyway, this image makes me happy. I really need to do something creative that's not done on the computer. It might be cleaning out the garage and rehauling the studio. I feel the need for a major purge and reorganization. I also really need to nap in the hammock. After I mow the lawn. I love laying there smelling the freshly cut grass.

Image by The Mountain Label, via A Thing For, via Lobster & Swan.

Miso + Ghostpatrol.

Automatism led me to Daydream Lily, which led me to this really interesting documentary about two street/professional artists in Melbourne, Ghostpatrol and Miso. I am fascinated by them. The 30-minute, 3-part film, miso + ghostpatrol, an ABC2 documentary is available for viewing on YouTube. Take a look at the Ghostpartrol website, the City of Reubens website and Miso's Flickr too, for more images and information.



I'm becoming more and more enamored with art that is given away to the public and love when I discover it in and around Chicago and on my travels as this free expression that (to me) beautifies without permission. The evolution of these two artists to full-time professionals with collaborative, unique, packed gallery shows is also quite inspiring because they have found success doing simply what they love and must do, seemingly regardless of the recognition they receive.

I feel I may be naive, but I find it surprising that there hasn't been more attention paid to these artists. The third video of the series had only just over 500 views at the time of my watching it. Perhaps there is another posting of it somewhere with a lot more hits? But I love that people who draw command the attention to have a documentary made about them in the first place. For me, drawing is a really beautiful and intimate art form, quiet and personal, just like these artists' soft-spoken voices.

Regrouping.

I spent another amazing weekend away from home in Michigan and thankfully took today off to float back to earth. Last week didn't count, as I continued as if I was still on vacation while going to work, and let everything else slide. Lots of cleaning, laundry, wrapping up projects, a trip to Target, groceries and rearranging my bedroom in my future.

On a side note: In part of my dream last night, I was in an old, rusty Bronco or Range Rover with one of my childhood friend's mothers at the wheel. She was wearing a straw cowboy hat and barreling through a field of tall grass, taller than the hood and reaching at least half way up the windows. The noise of that grass as we burst through it was incredible. And the thrill of being unable to see where we were headed as we bumped and bounced forward in the sunshine and blur of maize is something I'd like to carry around with me today.

Image by d.jane.85 via Flickr.

NYC.

Ruth and I finally nailed down our plans for this weekend and it's just so exciting! It would be great if the crappy weather the city's been having all summer would hold off for a few days. Really. Please. Oh, how I love the hot and humid atmosphere that's supposed to be present the month of August in New York.

So I'm already overwhelmed, but excited to browse the furniture, and even more the rugs, at ABC Home & ABC Carpet. Also to view the patterns of Madeline Weinrib Atelier. Mostly I just want to take pictures to put in the someday files. Then, I think it would be fun to pick up a little accent or small piece of art at John Derian. We've joked about the fabulous John Derian and visiting his shop for a while now – and this weekend we get to do it!

But the real fun for me is some of the art we're planning to see and some of the incredible opportunities that have materialized. My trip happened to coincide with the opening of a new installation by Liz Jaff, who I've written about before. So we're headed over to +Kris Graves Projects in Brooklyn to see the work Hedge*, and meet the artist. I can't wait to see how these are put together, and get the effect in person. Yay.

I also decided to bite the bullet and contact Elizabeth Schuppe, to find out if I could view her paintings anywhere. Talk about excitement, she suggested we come down to her studio. If this happens I might flip out**. I've mentioned this art having a strong effect on me. I need to have a piece of it in my home some day. I just love it.

We're also going to the Guggenheim to see the current Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit. I watched this video and decided I needed to see it. These models are amazing! Hopefully while we're up there, we'll stroll around the park a little too.

Sunday we're going back to DUMBO to browse the Brooklyn Flea Market. I can only imagine the treasures we'll find here. I can't even begin to guess. But what a great way to spend a morning!

And I haven't even mentioned the food yet. We've got reservations at Salt, Pastis, and Pearl Oyster Bar. And we've been pulling recipes because we're also going to shop and cook at home one night, which I look forward to as much as all the rest of it. And High Line Park. We're going there too.

*About the work: Hedge describes something that surrounds, separates and protects what is valuable. It defines space and restricts movement. It suggests avoidance, doubt and risk. During a time of anxiety and uncertainty, it is reassuring to think of it as something that grows and changes.

**Luckily for all involved, this only means I'll probably just get real nervous, quiet and slow, and have difficulty talking. After the experience, I'll probably act like it was no big deal, but then say over and over, Can you believe...?. I fear that looking at these paintings will make my eyes water.

Credits: NYC street scene image by Melinda Applegate, found on Flickr at Scandblue. Safety Pin image by Hugo Guinness via John Derian. High Line image by Douglas Friedman via the High Line Park website.

Ahhh.

I need to be doing this.

We moved our offices yesterday and today, while still trying to get work done. I'm wiped out. We're still in transition mode, but I'm in my permanent space. I've been in the "dark" for 5 years. Now I get to watch the el, people, bikes and the weather go by while I'm sitting at my desk. Sweet!

Top image by LeilaLeilaLeila via SF Girl By Bay.

Detailed drawing.

I've been trying to figure out how to get these drawings online. Via Flickr, it's kind of representing the real thing if you look at the large size image. I've done about 10 of these, different ones, and given them away as gifts. When I was a kid, we'd take these "long" road trips. My parents would keep me busy in the back seat, drawing. I would show them what I was doing, and my Dad would say, "Add a spider" or "Add a squirrel". I think that's where these adult drawings may have originated. All done freehand, not pre-meditated, with a blank sheet and a black pen.

Oh, Peonies!

With the recent seasonal blooming of peonies, it seemed not a day went by where you didn't hear someone say, Oh! Look at the peonies! I love peonies! and gesture wildly with excitement. This always makes me think, Really? You do? Those? I finally just have to give up and admit the fact that I do not like peonies, and in fact, might proclaim them my least favorite flower. I realize this puts me in a very small minority among plant and flower admirers. Okay.

What's funny is, the whole week or two when I was realizing my true, unpopular feeling about the peony, I was given an opportunity to make a painting for someone, with the simple direction, Pink, Purple, Peonies. Uh, universe? Is this a joke?


I conveyed to the client that I could create something representational of the peony, but that it would definitely not be a painting of peonies. She said that's fine. So now I have photos of peonies occupying a wall in the studio and I'm studying them every day trying to envision where this thing's going to end up and I basically have no clue. I do find the pursuit to make something I love out of a subject and color direction I would never choose an interesting challenge.

The pics hanging in the garage are from Flickr search for peonies. I didn't get the links to credit them. The first image is by Ecritures.

Joao Ruas.

My friend Tom first showed me the art of Joao Ruas last year. Since then I have seen his work posted on a few blogs, and found his Flickr and website. I think these drawings are pretty beautiful. Fantasy. He has a show opening tonight in LA, so if you're looking for something to do, and you happen to be there, check it out.

*click to enlarge*

He Said Yes!

I got to talking with my neighbor Jim. The conversation went something like this.

Me: I finally have a family in my birdhouse!
Him: Really? My neighbor when I was a kid had one of those apartment birdhouses, for the Martins. We'd hang out, watch the birds.
Me: Oh cool. I've seen those. Martins migrate don't they?
Him: Yep. I've been noticing some hawks around here.
Me: Do hawks eat chickens?

He kind of ignored me, then said, Probably. We launched into a dialog about Palos, growing up, horses and land.

Him: I grew up with horses. Yea, horses, chickens, rabbits...
Me: What do you think about chickens?
Him: I don't.
Me: What do you think about a couple chickens hanging out over here?
Him: Why'd you want to have chickens? [kind of smiling] I don't give a shit what you do.
Me: What would your wife think?
Him: She'll think you've gone crazy. Then she'll probably want some ducks.

So there was my first step. Success! Next up finding out if it's even allowed. I know my other neighbor Earl won't "give a shit" either but the big hurdle is behind me.

Image found on Flickr by Antoine. I love the misty background.

I also want to share this very funny article I found while searching for a chicken and duck image.

Elizabeth Schuppe.

The artwork by Elizabethe Schuppe makes my chest hurt. I like every single piece I have seen on her website and flickr pages. It reminds me of me. Inside. I don't know if looking at a painting has ever quite made me feel like this before.





I learned about Elizabeth Schuppe through Katy Elliot. She recently reminded me of her again.

Thanks for sharing.

Ready.

Haven't felt very verbal this week, I'm realizing, since all I seem to be doing is posting images. Back from a good dinner catching up with Tony. Now all I want to do is lay here under warm covers and think until I fall asleep. It's still so cold here, and I'm ready for Spring. Really, already.

This image by One Blue Wren on Flickr. It says to me, happy warm rain (not cold, sleeting snow).

Olivia Bee. Part 2.

This girl continues to amaze me. This photograph, taken with a disposable underwater camera, is so beautiful. I know I have a thing for underwater and pools, but really. I have added Olivia Bee to my Flickr list on the side because every time I go there, something moves me.

Good Morning.

I was doing a little browsing with my morning coffee and came across this capture. Nice. I love the greys and yellows.

Photo by Anpamuca on Flickr.

I Like Grass. (Me too).

Stumbled upon this Flickr pool, "I like grass". I too, like grass. I love watching it move in the breeze. Or large fields of it swaying in different directions. On one of the woods hikes I like to take, almost my favorite part is the open field stretch, any time of year. The dried and dying is as beautiful to me as the green and thriving. I love the colors and I love the movement and symphonic rhythm it creates.

Pictures of it aren't bad either, huh?

I think this is a great set to visit when you need to take a break. Well anyway, it's a great set for me to visit when I need a break, so I'm recommending it. These last two are a little more gratuitous. Sun spots and glare have become appealing to me recently, and I'm always drawn to a good barn scene. Can't you feel the dampness of that grass?

This last one depicts one of my favorite color combinations in nature. I noticed this first as a lifeguard, and now consider it a treat when it happens: Bright sunny day with a thick storm rolling in. The contrast between the deep dark grey against a sunlit green. I normally see it in tree leaves, but this field (with the maize as an added bonus) is so lovely too.


All images from Flicker pool "I like grass" by (top to bottom) Julius the Cat, Jason Benjamin, hn, Avarie Riot and Dingbat 2005.

An unlikely stress reliever in Leandro Erlich.

For a day that started out fairly pleasantly even though it was 18º on my way in to work, it took a deep pitch to the dark side this afternoon. I tried to let it go but I couldn't shake it.

I decided to search pools on Flickr to see if it would lift my spirits. Laying on a deck chair by a pool thinking about nothing in particular would be a luxury right now. I need some mental time off. Looking at it = next best thing.

This image is nothing like what I was looking for but isn't it something? It totally mesmerized me and calmed me down despite the disturbing quality of the image. A lot of questions started zipping through my head. Of the, How did he take that picture? variety.

Visit Leandro Erlich's website. Click on "Swimming Pools". I was surprised. And totally mellowed out.

Leandro Erlich's "Swimming Pool" at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art @ Kanazawa, Japan via Purple Cloud.

Nicole | The Habit of Being.

I did a Flickr search for "before" and "after" hoping to find some decorating ideas and came across this image browsing a photostream that came up in the results. This was about the third image I looked at and the first I wanted to *favorite*. Then as I clicked, I kind of wanted to favorite every one. Somewhere along the way, I noticed images I recognized. The cat on the rock in particular I know I've seen before. These peaceful photographs are by Nicole The Habit of Being.


I seriously don't know what I like more, her home or her photography. The contrast between textures is so beautiful. It's all so natural and calm. I am so completely drawn to these colors.


She also has a blog, The Habit of Being. This I know I have also seen before.


This last picture right here? Yeah, this just seals the deal that of course I'll be getting another kitten some day. Look at Ralph!

Olivia Bee.

I have no idea how long ago, or what prompted me to bookmark Olivia Bee's Flickr page, but I did. It's on my work computer at the bottom of a not-so-long list of basically my friend's flickr pages. I barely ever visit it, but every time I do, there's something new. I'm always blown away by how many views and comments she has, but I never really investigated too far until recently.


I think these pictures are very well done. They aren't exactly my "style" but I appreciate what goes into them. They remind me of fairy tales or dreamlands. They're so charming and beautiful, soulful. The colors are amazing. I love the pretty dresses and vintage feel I get looking at them, like I'm looking at something in the past. The "sets" are unique and well thought out. I could go on and on.


Anyway, like I said, it's usually a quick, sporatic look to see what this woman is up to, and I take away something pretty. Then I realized something. Get this: The photographer is FOURTEEN YEARS OLD. If you go to the earlier pages, she's talking about being nervous to START HIGH SCHOOL and GETTING HER BRACES OFF! Uh, what was I doing when I was that age? Honestly I hope this kid keeps it up because I can't wait to watch what becomes of her.