The aesthetic of funk

"This is my message to the community.  We can create currency from anything we apply our creativity to." 
Xenobia Bailey is another artist I discovered via Etsy videos. 
What an amazing woman.

Winner

I was the lucky winner of Inger Marie's giveaway (I never win these things)!  I love my new teaspoons and the lovely floral paper she wrapped the package in.  The package was quite beautiful and thoughtfully wrapped.  Thank you, Inger Marie!  Her blog is such an amazing source of inspiration for me.

Side note: Blogging can be such a great way to connect with people who share your interests, and a great way to meet new people from all over the world.  Blog connections are kind of like modern pen pals.  And winning these teaspoons was so cool since I got to connect to someone in Denmark who bought the vintage teaspoons at a farm in Sweden.  Now they have a new home in LA where they'll accompany many bowls of ice cream and cups of warm tea.

Ghost Dog

I really like this movie, and I really like this scene.  The soundtrack is also amazing.   

Papel Picado

I always get happy when I'm in spaces decorated with papel picado!  I just need to hang some up in my room one of these days.

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.  

Homegirl Cafe

This pretty picture is from the Homegirl Cafe Facebook page.  I have yet to visit the cafe but I love all their photos, and the food always looks so delicious and fresh.  I get so many 'food styling' ideas from their photos :) 

I also love their blog (beautiful photography).  Is there anything more beautiful than a transformed life?

Alexi Murdoch

I didn't start liking Alexi Murdoch until a year or so ago . . . I guess my musical taste is mellowing out now that I'm getting older :)  I'm constantly looking for calming, thoughtful music, and there's this feeling I get--that I'm on vacation--whenever I listen to Murdoch's music.  Enjoy the live session of "The Light (Her Hands Were Leaves)" for hauskonzerte.com.

An inspired meal

My new job has kept me pretty busy just because there's a lot to learn, and it's a busy time for us.  Hence, I haven't had much time to cook or engage in the things I enjoy. 

Fortunately, I got the chance to pick some figs from a friend's tree last night and used them tonight to make roasted pork loin with figs in a balsamic reduction (it sounds so fancy). 

It was all very inspired and came together last minute.  Plus, I just like fruit mixed into savory dishes. I made a simple glaze with balsamic vinegar, honey, herbs de provence, and S&P.  I added shallots, figs, and pork loin (on sale, friends) and roasted everything in my trusty cast iron pan. 

This meal was a nice sign that life could slow down for a moment, and my energy could go into something creative and nourishing. 

Emily Henderson

I have learned so much about decorating from the amazing Emily Henderson.  I loved her on Design Stars, love her HGTV show "Secrets from a Stylist," and now love her instructional videos.

This one was especially helpful. 


mixing patterns from modshift on Vimeo.

Hiroko Shimanuki

Painting by Hiroko Shimanuki found at Mr. Kitly (a gallery space/store in Australia--new to me, and a cool source for inspiration).  I love the vibrant colors and texture of the brush strokes in Shimanuki's paintings.  Seeing this painting makes me want to bring out my paints and canvas.

A pretty scene

I discovered this photo taken by Michael Graydon on Oh Happy Day earlier this week. 

I'm loving everything about the painting and the table setting.  I really like vintage furniture, tableware, and accessories paired with modern paintings and prints.  The painting gives everything a sense of freshness while the accessories ground the painting and give it sophistication.
 
I saw some similar brass candlesticks at the thrift store the other day but didn't get them because I knew they would just collect dust!  I'm just not a candlestick-using-diner but I do like the idea and the look.

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.

Joni Mitchell

I've been mesmerized by these two videos/songs for the past few months.

Finding Beauty in the everyday

As you can probably tell, I like taking pictures of everyday objects :)

In the Zone

I think I like watching artists create just as much as experiencing what they create.

Daedelus via KCRW

Alvin Ailey Dance Company: image via here

Maya Lin: image via here

Basquiat: image via here

Untitled

Do you see the circles?

A Prayer

I sometimes find that I have a hard time knowing how to pray so I find it helpful to use the prayers of others to express my thoughts to God.  I discovered this prayer in high school and have gone back to it time and time again . . .

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
-Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

New Project

I finally worked on a new project this past weekend! 

I was starting to fear that I was stuck in a creative rut but it all came together as I sat in my room Saturday night and started carving (thank you, dear colleagues and friends for the art supplies gift card).

I was inspired by the gates at the Glendale Narrows shown in my previous post:

To create this:

And these:

I was excited with how the stamp turned out and look forward to fine tuning my printmaking skills.  There's something so earthy and imperfect about handmade prints that I love.   

Friends, you will probably get a variation of this print this Christmas season.