Encased in plaster

(via a subtle revelry)

           For the longest time, I used to step over a little black widow spider web as I walked in and out my sliding door to my back patio. It wasn't that I was content in letting the little spider nest at my doorstep, but rather that I thought it was easier to take giant exaggerated steps over my doorstep than to deal with the obvious problem at hand. Until one night I was up late outside spray painting some clay figures I had just made when I stepped barefoot into the spiderweb! After a momentary freakout (like high pitch shrieking, running around in circles/triangles/hexagons, flailing my infected leg around - freakout), I grabbed the closest weapon (my can of white primer spray paint) and attacked with full force. And when it was all over, I was standing before this little web that was flecked with a million drops of microscopic white paint. And in the center hanging from a string was a tiny curled up dead spider entirely encased in white paint. It was all so morbidly beautiful and surreally peaceful. I don't think I've ever had a moment of complete clarity, but that is what I would imagine it would feel like. I had the intention to spend the next morning's sunlight to take photos of it, but it was so windy that night that everything blew away before I could document it. I had almost entirely forgot about it all until I saw this DIY on dipping brightly colored faux flowers in white plaster. They have the same sort of terrible, quiet beauty that my spider had. It's nice to be reminded of the beauty I saw that night in the spiders nest and to be reminded to always look for the exquisite elegance that comes with (the often unexpected) moments of life.

Ice Cube and Eames

          If you live in LA, you should have deffinitly heard about Pacific Standard Time by now. "Pacific Standard Time is an unprecedented collaboration of cultural institutions across Southern California coming together to celebrate the birth of the L.A. art scene. Beginning October 2011, over 60 cultural institutions will make their contributions to this region-wide initiative encompassing every major L.A. art movement from 1945 to 1980. Celebrate the era that continues to inspire the world." So basically, a whole bunch of galleries (including every damn major gallery and museum you can possibly think of) in LA are holding exhibitions that are dedicated to recognising art and artists from 1945 - 1980 (aka the dawn of the LA art scene and what has led to the wonderful world of LA art that we all know and love today). 

        To promote the collaboration, Pacific Standard Time has posted short videos of musicians and actors giving homage to artist showcased in PST. (Brilliant! Artist celebrating artists!) I have a mild (ok, not so mild) obsession with midcentury design, and my all time favorite is the video above of Ice Cube talking about Eames! It's absolutely fantastic! Who knew Ice Cube studied architecture??!? He just jumped a few notches higher on my cool scale. He talks about the hidden beauty in LA, bougie traffic, and compares making music to making the Eames :

 "It's not about the pieces, it's about how the pieces work together. Taking something that already exists and making it something special- kind of like sampling. In a world full of McMansions- where the structure takes up all the land, the Eames made structure and nature one. This is going green 1949 style, bitch. Buhhleedat. Who are these people that have a problem with LA? Maybe they're just mad they don't live here."

And those are words to live by, kids......

Faber Castell

(Faber Castell from eric yeo on Vimeo)

          I'm sitting on my bed listening to Tegan and Sara, and I'm too exhausted to write anything witty or interesting or pretty, so I'm going to post this video. I'm about to bust out some FB's and lay on the floor, draw, and drink tea. Catch you on the other side, kiddies! 

Reykjavik street art

(via because im addicted)

       These street art style installations of glitter and sequence are bananas! Artist Theresa Himmer created these beauties on building sides in the streets of Reykjavik (go ahead, try to sound that one out), Iceland. They were inspired by glaciers, volcanoes, and waterfalls- I love how Himmer alludes to the idea of natural and urban colliding. Brilliant!



It did happen...

(via lost)



"This Photograph is my proof. There was that afternoon, when things were still good between us, and she embraced me, and we were so happy. It did happen. She did love me. Look see for yourself!'

This is My Proof, Duane Michals, 1974

I love love love Duane Michals! Which is bizarre because I'm not really a photography person. (I think that's mostly because I just don't understand photography enough to actually get it get it.) But, Duane Michals is no mere photographer, he's an amazing poet. He's known for pairing his beautiful black and whites with words to make his art more personal and understandable (and trust, understanding is something I greatly need when it comes to photography). The handwritten text is so intimate and it gives the viewer a totally new perspective of his images. It's kind of like getting to peek inside Duane Michals head. This piece is my current obsession. The photograph itself seems happy-go-luck, but it's textual revelation is mindblowingly heartbreaking. A momentous laps of time is represented by a few understated words. It is beautiful. And unbelievably relatable. Everywhere I look there are pictures just like this one.  

Clam Lab

 

    It's nice to look at pretty things on a Sunday morning. I first discovered Clam Lab while browsing the ceramics & pottery section of etsy for inspiration on my own work in the ceramics studio. I immediately fell in love, and I often find that I keep visiting their etsy shop, especially on days when I feel an inspirational void (and not just when it comes to my ceramic work). I love the organic shapes and the freshness of the glazes. The way the pieces seem slightly off balance and their subtle imperfections perfectly reveal the hand of the artist. Every piece uniquely embodies the perfect balance between blemishes, simplicity, and grace.
    Too often my posts aren't an example of  “a way of living that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfections of life and accepting peacefully the natural cycle of growth and decay” , in which spirit my blog was created. We get to distracted with pretty things, and neat videos, and interesting designs, and cool knick-knacks. While none of these things are really terrible, it's not a way to live an inspiring life. These are the sort of things I find when I look for inspiration, but they tend to leave me feeling a little more lost and dizzy than when I first started. It's sort of like "keeping up with the Joneses", but for artists. Maybe everybody, and most certainly myself, need to take a humbling step back and take a look at this totally imperfect and terribly beautiful world that we all live in, then take a deep breathe and appreciate it all. And if we do, we might makes something as beautiful as what you see above.

 
       On a side note, Clam Lab studios also has a wonderful "clam blog" aaaand the artist behind it all, Clair Catillaz, was featured on etsy with an amazingly cool and insightful interview. My two favorite quotes are:

-(when asked about the name of her future memoir) "Something witty and dashing, but I hope that by the time I am distinguished enough to write a memoir, I will be humble enough to leave it unpublished."

-"Anyone who works in clay knows about letting go. So much can go wrong. Pots break, kilns misfire — it’s foolish to be attached to a fixed outcome. The only survival strategy is to be in love with the process. I make products, but my real work is the practice."

       While following Clam Lab for at least the past year (Clam Lab was only founded about two years ago), it is amazing and inspirational to see its growth and recognition. One bitter sweet detail that I've noticed is the rise in prices. It's disappointing to realize I could have bought the same amazing pieces for about half the price a year ago, but it's awesome to see that some artist recognize the value of their work. There is an AMAZING article about the value of handmade crafts that EVERY artist should read. Aaaand, because I know most of you won't read it, I'm obligated to leave you with a break-down:

-You must value what you are making.

-When you set your prices too low, you are undercutting everyone that creates handmade goods.

-You took your two hands + the required tools + out of love for the craft + your developed talent you then made something beautiful + useful.

-Create something that you love, value what you do + others will value it as well.

I know I rambled on more than usual this today, guess I had a lot on my mind... Hope you all had a wonderful and creative Sunday!

 
    

Sticks and mirrors



     Oh, be still my little heart.

     I couldn't tell you enough how I am obsessed with artist Lee Borthwick....  Everything Borthwick creates is sooo simple and uniform, but still so mesmerizing.

Have a Happy Saturday

(via Art Equals Happy)



     Ain't that the truth! And I plan on doing just that tonight while I'm off at the NELA art walk enjoying Chicken Boy Gallery and Cafe de Leche.

Have a fantastic Saturday and check out these things I love from around the web:

A great reminder.

A beautiful nook with desk- perfect for doing crafts!

I would buy this in a heartbeat- it combines my two fav things...

Whoa! Awesome!

I don't like online shopping, but I wish I did so I could buy this & this.

Before I die

     With chalkboard paint, stencils, and chalk, public intallation artist Candy Chang created sheer inspiration. She transformed an abandoned home in New Orleans into a canvas where people can share (and discover) their dreams. “It’s about turning a neglected space into a constructive one where we can learn the hopes and aspirations of the people around us.” I would do a lot of things to go and see this wall right now.

P.S.- Here is a photo-strip of the responses after the first day. They're all beautiful, but here are some of my favorites:

Before I die I want to love recklessly...again.

Before I die I want to cure cancer.

Before I die I want to beat the sense into you!

Before I die I want to marry LL <3

Before I die I want to understand.

Before I die I want to be o.k. with NOT understanding.

Before I die I want to see all the homeless people with homes.

Before I die I want to do it with Robert Doweny Jr. (this one is for my sis :] )

Before I die I want to feel like the only girl in the room.

Before I die I want to enjoy everyday in many ways.



WHAT WOULD YOU WRITE??!?

Tall

Props to this video: If you close your eyes and listen, it's amazing. If you open your eyes and see, it's breathtaking.

P.S. Here are some of Holton Rower's Pour series. He's incredible... I love what the man can do with locks.

Postcard love

(via postsecret)

     Every Sunday, I check the site for the infamous Sunday Secrets, but lately they have been sort of bleh. But this week made me fall in love with Post Secret all over again.

Ten Venn Diagrams

    In my last post, I wrote about how two separate worlds overlapped, in a venn diagram sort of way- which made me realize I'm sorta obsessed with venn diagrams!! They may be slightly nerdy, but they're beautiful and creative and colorful and quirky too! Here are a few of my favorite venns from around the web...

(via foodbeast)

     These colorful pancakes are made into a super cool edible venn! I'm not a big fan of cakes, but if somebody stuck a few candle in this and gave it to me on my birthday, I would be in birthday heaven. 

(via supermarkethq)

   Framed venn art!!! I can picture this print in a nursery, right next to another colorful venn print that replaced the word love with a baby's name! That would be the sweetest baby shower present!

(via collect3d)

     Combining broidery, venn diagrams, a pair of working clock hands AND crucial zombie info... why didn't I think of this?!?!! Although the venn clocks are no longer avalible, the artist responsible -Beth Cummings-  has an amazing etsy shop.

(via buzzfeed)

     Because I am such a closet nerd, I know that venn diagrams are often used to represent logical concepts. I also happen to love logic. I also love quotes. And art. And have a general appreciation of quirkiness all together. This diagram pretty much sums that up.

(via: unknown)



    I can't get enough of this venn doodle. Who knows if the artist was inspired by wishful thinking of just pure puppy love, but whichever the case, they were clearly smitten! ...not to mention whoever drew this fantastic diagram of love had excellent cross hatching techniques.

(via swiss-miss)

     Speaking of love... Valentines Day is around the corner. This print would make the lovleiest Valentine's card. And yeah sure, proclaiming your love via venn diagrams is slightly nerdy... but who says that's a bad thing!?!

(via lucinda)

     These beautiful venns were created by a 4th grade class as part of a geography lesson!!! UH-MAZ-ING!!! I want to frame them and put them in my bedroom! I'm telling you, the world would be a better place if we stopped underestimating the raw creativity and profound intelligence of all those babies out there!

(via yay!everyday)

     I love quirky tattoos! But nomatter how much I dream about getting one, they just aren't me... It's sorta like the pixie hair- everybody loves it, but only twiggy can pull it off.

 

(via buzzfeed)

     This is just silly! I couldn't help myself...c'mon, a unicorn and a narwhal!!!! I mean, unicorns ARE kind of overrated, in my opinion. BUT WHO ISN'T INTRIGUED BY NARWHALS?!?!?! They actually exist!!

(via flickr)

    This venn-like peice of art is magical and fancy and lovely and perfect in every way! It looks like it is the last illustration in a whimsical childrens book. Although it only whispers, "I'm a venn diagram!!!", it's my favorite.

Tim Burton

    Tim Burton's Exhibit is coming to LA!!! It's going to be at the LACMA from late May till late October!! I CANNOT wait... Not only will it feature art associated with Burton's movies, but also his own private and original works.

     The pictures above were taken when the exhibit was at the Museum of Modern Art. The first is called Melancholy, and the second, featuring a monster of the land and a monster of the sea, is called Romeo and Juilet!!! It makes me so giddy...

P.S.- The event info is not on the LACMA pages yet, but you can find it here!!!

Store the sunshine for the night-time!

(via dornob)

   My favorite thing about Christmas is that everything sparkles!!! Christmas lights, tree ornaments, shiny bows and paper.... I can't get enough of the stringed lights!!! I wish we could keep them all year long... These DIY solar powered light jars are perfect for keeping the sparkle all year long!

Dreamy winter gardens

The one thing I really dread about Winter is the lack of perky little plants and flowers. Fortunately, the one thing that doesn't disappear is moss!! I love this perfectly tiny indoor water garden, and it's terrific for the winter blues! The glass mug makes it so chic- as in "I don't really try all that hard, but I'm lovely anyways".

Speaking of moss, I seem to have an odd infatuation with moss of all kinds, especially these Marimo balls! Marimo are a rare form of algea that grows underwater in the form of a perfectly fuzzy spherical ball! They are considered to be lucky and treasured in Japan, and they even have the tendencey to bounce!!!

 This is one dreary winter garden that I wouldn't mind having in my backyard! Arte Sella is an environmental art exibit that takes place in the fields and woods of the Sella Valley in Italy. How enchanting! Rather than making me feel like a beaver, I imagine walking through this forest would make me feel like a kid who just crawled into the ultimate snow igloo!



(via In Words and Pictures & Black Eiffel)