The art of tattoo

I went to the opening of L.A. Skin & Ink at the Craft and Folk Art Museum tonight.  I had wanted a tattoo in my '20s but I'm not sure it's really me now in my '30s . . . but I did like trying out a cool fake one from Tattly.  I also really enjoyed the show . . . some of my favorite pieces are shown above (apologies for the weird angles and bad lighting).

Also, some sights along Wilshire Blvd.  Yay, Artmageddon.  

Weaving

Weaving is the new DIY craft of the moment so I hopped on the bandwagon, and it's been fun!  I bought this vintage potholder kit on Ebay for a few bucks and have been experimenting with twine and yarn.  I'm hoping to create a little base for my plant so that the base doesn't scratch my desk at work.  I like the neon green and twine combo (neon, also a trend at the moment :)

I'm such a homebody.  I'd rather stay at home and weave than go out (especially at night).  I think "home" is my favorite place in the world. 

 *Update: I finished my first weaving.  Now it's off to bed.

Miroco Machiko

I love the vibrant, child-like, abstract work of Miroco Machiko.  I also love the kitties napping in the artist's studio (all images from artist's website).

Summer 2012

Beautiful

1. Trensa 2 by Pola Lopez
2. She Plays the Jarana Jarocho by Sonia Romero

Good things happening at Ave. 50 Studio in Highland Park.

Lately

Original Cathy McMurray painting sent to me in the mail.  I love how she packages everything so thoughtfully.  I've been wanting to own a piece of hers for awhile, and finally took advantage of her May sale!

Whales swimming through the blue ocean.  I can definitely see Cathy's Pacific North West influence in this painting.

My parents have been growing lettuce on our narrow balcony, and it's been a nice treat to eat fresh lettuce every night.

We're also growing rosemary.

I've also been printing again.  The tree on the left was created by gluing card stock onto another piece of cardboard.  The image on the right was created by stamping lotus root on paper. 

Spring, a time for celebrating life!

One thing I've enjoyed about this blog has been keeping record of the seasons through everyday gifts in life--such as food, fun activities, the weather, and plants and flowers.

Spring is a season where many of my loved ones celebrate their birthdays, including little loved ones turning one (!), and it's the traditional season to celebrate mothers, new life, and new marriages.

I was really inspired by this webisode from Heather Taylor of L.A. in Bloom, so I decided to celebrate the birthdays of two dear friends with a gift of flowers (I bought some milk glass vases at a hardware store and bought a few bouquets of greens and flowers at my local TJs--super low maintenance).

I'm also really grateful for opportunities to exercise my creativity in different ways. You will definitely see more floral arrangements from me.

Linguine with Clams!

I made linguine with clams over the weekend and it was 1) super easy, and 2) delicious.  I don't have a recipe on me (I kind of eye-balled everything), but I think Mario Batali has a good one . . . or Giada I'm sure.  I will definitely make this more often.

Speaking of food, I really want to see The Art of Cooking at Royal T.  Food-related art will always get an A in my book.

New print

New print carved on linoleum.  I tested it out on newsprint, and will try to show a picture of the one I printed on mulberry paper (with two colors!).

Art show

Photo by Stephanie Yu

I'm taking a few minutes to post an update from the weekend as I eat lunch at my desk.  I made a bean, kale, and sweet potato soup and brought it to work in a Thermos.  It's definitely a nice way to slow down mid-day.

But back to the weekend, I was in another art show with DR96 Gallery.  This time I created a linoleum print and printed out more cards, and styled them using a hand-woven mail holder from Turkey (a gift), a thrift store stool, Ikea rug, and Bells of Ireland and eucalyptus.  It was a very relaxed and laid back show.  

Modern day impressionists

"Flowers for Kelci" by Lulie Wallace

I like contemporary artists who still paint in the style of the Impressionists. 

I discovered Lulie Wallace recently and fell in love with her expressive florals.

Untitled by Bella Foster

Bella Foster is another contemporary artist I admire . . . there's a great interview with her here.  I love that she paints a lot of living rooms.  I always want to jump into her paintings and settle into a soft chair with a cup of tea.

California design

I paid a visit to the CA design exhibit going on at LACMA right now.  Love!

Artists who cook

I've been so inspired by illustrators lately (and am always inspired by food) so this web discovery was perfect: theydrawandcook.com

Artists from around the world submit an illustration of their favorite recipe.  Here are some of my favorites:

Via here by Caitlin B. Alexander (Austin)

Via here by Elena Goryatcheva (Israel)

Via here by Mine Oktay (Turkey)

I can get lost on this site for hours!

More posters for the kitchen

Claudia Pearson Tomato poster (Brooklyn)

Claire Neirem Winter Fruit poster (Los Angeles)

Jill Bliss The Onion, Beet, Carrot Art poster (Portland)

I took a trip to the farmers market today and I can't seem to get fresh produce + art for the kitchen out of my head.  These artists and their posters are some of my favorites.

Rifle Paper Co.

I'm loving this citrus print from Rifle Paper Co., illustrated by Anna Bond.  Actually, I love all of Anna Bond's illustrations.  This would look nice in a sunny kitchen.

A collection of images