Rock and Film

The Brooklyn Museum's Who Shot Rock and Roll exhibit ends Sunday, so if you haven't been over there to check it out, do yourself a favor and make it a weekend outing. This is an excellent show, featuring work by some well-known and many unknown photographers, covering Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse and everyone in between. My favorites (there were many) included Elton John wearing silver pants and platform boots, doing a handstand on the piano, and a trippy shot of former Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett by photographer Mick Rock (above). Other interesting tidbits on view: an overview of the album cover art by design duo Hipgnosis (who created Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy and Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, among many others) and film footage of an early-80's Grace Jones performance.

We even picked up a very fun and bright Yellow Submarine (PVC-free!) shower curtain to match our retro yellow bathroom tiles. Groovy.

High Line Flora

I was very into all the different plants we saw along the High Line; good sketchbook inspiration. I can't wait to go back in the spring and summer to see how things change. That, and to catch some rays and maybe watch the sunset from one of those cool wooden loungers that line parts of the walkway (but I think I will bring something cushion-y - they don't look so high on the comfort level, probably to keep people like me from lying on one all day).

High-O

We finally made it over to the High Line this weekend; I recommend a visit if you're in the area. In case you're not familiar with it, the High Line is an elevated railway, in use from the 30's til the 80's, that runs along the far west side of Manhattan. It's been recently transformed into a mile-long park with a long walkway, benches, and lots of unique architectural details. I also took several shots of the unique plant life that surrounds the walkway; I will be posting that tomorrow.

Stina So Fine

Today's inspiration comes from incredibly talented Stockholm-based illustrator Stina Persson. I have been enamored with her watercolor work for a while, but am totally loving these super graphic cut-paper illustrations, bringing some much-needed color on a gray and rainy Monday morning!

All You Need Is Love

Adding some new card designs to the shop today, just in time for Valentine's Day! Hope you like them.

Scenic Indeed

Love these painterly takes on San Francisco's scenic drive sign, by artist Annie Galvin. Annie runs a cool shop with her husband, fellow artist Eric Rewitzer, called 3 Fish Studios.

Photo-Ephemera

My sister-in-law generously bequeathed to us much of her late father's photography equipment collection, which includes a late 60's Polaroid Land camera, a Kodak Brownie box camera from the early 1900's, and a few Super 8-type video cameras. Included in the huge box we received in the mail recently (like Christmas morning all over again!) were a few of the original brochures that accompanied the cameras as well as some early 60s photography magazines.

I love seeing this kind of vintage print material so I thought I would share a few of my favorite spreads with you here. Wouldn't you just love to wear this excellent striped bikini/shorts/jacket combo to your next archery lesson? There's also an excellent demo showing how to make a groovy projected background from a doily. And included with one of the projectors are some great sticky letters for titling your slides and films.

It's clear these products were geared towards men, because besides the borderline-racy patterned figure study below, there were a lot of chicks in bikinis. I guess photography was really a male-dominated field back then. Times have changed!

Yum.

Thought I would kick the week off with a healthy lunch item today. This simple vegan-friendly dish was inspired by a recent trip to Le Pain Quotidien, where I had the delicious black bean hummus tartine. Instead of using whole wheat bread, I toasted whole wheat pita wedges sprinkled with paprika and a little sea salt. Then I spread a bit of fat free refried black beans on each wedge, sprinkled it with a tiny bit of cheese (obviously this part is optional), then topped with avocado slices. So easy and tasty!

Feeling Very Violet

I'm into purple for spring - how about you?

Top image, from left: Trey Speegle wallpaper from Anthropologie, fuschia-tinged looks from sunshine and shadow

Bottom, clockwise from top left: Bikini by J.Crew, spattered purple man-tee and fuschia clutch from Urban Outfitters, Hand-crafted hair comb by L'ape zoppa

New Art Prints on Etsy

Lots on the old to-do list today; seems to just keep growing longer as I cross things off! That said, it's been a productive morning, and I managed to finally add a few new art prints to the etsy shop. First, the original birdcage illustration that inspired my letterpress thank you cards. The second is a variation on my "OM" print, this time on a colored background which somehow gives it a totally different look. On white, it is very peaceful, serene - this is a punchy, cheery version.

Campbell Raw Press

I came across these really sweet and special hanging letterpress calendars in a local paper shop last week. By Brooklyn-based bindery and print shop Campbell Raw Press.

ten14 textiles

I met textile designer Josi Severson at last year's Surtex show in New York and loved her designs, so needless to say, I was psyched to hear that her eco-friendly line, ten14 textiles, has officially launched online. The textiles are printed using only water-based, non-toxic inks on organic cotton or recycled cotton blend. Beautiful and sustainable.

Because it's Friday...

...and because there's the prettiest light dusting of snow on the ground outside. (although I think they may have gotten more snow in my hometown of Savannah, GA last night!) I am craving this amazing confectioner's sugar-dusted breakfast, spotted recently on Frolic. Gah. Well, cinnamon-raisin toast will just have to do!

Etsy Faves for Friday

Rosie Music's "I think I'm in Love" print was a featured Etsy Find recently and it led me to her shop where I fell hard for the very dapper Mr. Elegant Cat, top. He is just awesome. I'm pretty sure if he was here in my studio we would have stimulating imaginary conversations about the state of the world and such.
The Elegant Cat by Rosie Music

Other Friday faves: Tangerine cosmetic bag by quiltish, 70's Sheer Striped Dress by Ainslie Wood Co., Screenprinted poster by honey & bloom

New Patterned Notecards!

I'm psyched about these new card designs I just added to the etsy shop. I developed a series of patterns - for another, bigger project that you'll be hearing LOTS more about in the coming months - inspired by my love of textiles and folk art from around the globe, like suzanis from Afganistan, hand-woven fabics from Peru and Tibet, and embroidery from Mexico. I took a whole bunch of my own illustrations and hand-drawn design elements and went to town, layering and coloring and adding textures as needed. As I mentioned above, these are intended for another project, but they made such awesome notecards that I couldn't resist adding them to the shop. I hope you like them too!