Designing with a Purpose: Jihyun Ryou

I recently stumbled upon this brilliant video featuring artist/designer Jihyun Rou who creates new ways to store food while challenging our consumption and waste habits through her (practical) installations.

She writes:

Observing the food and therefore changing the notion of food preservation, we could find the answer to current situations such as the overuse of energy and food wastage. My design is a tool to implement that knowledge in a tangible way and slowly it changes the bigger picture of society. I believe that once people are given a tool that triggers their minds and requires a mental effort to use it, new traditions and new rituals can be introduced into our culture.
Jihyun Ryou, 2009

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. 

Jake Shimabukuro + the quiet Beatle

Someone recently told me about Jake Shimabukuro (yeah, Asian American artists!). Wow, it's crazy what he can do with the ukelele.  I really like his version of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

The You Tube video was directed and edited by Michelle Osorio.  If you have about eight minutes to spare, enjoy :)

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.

During the day

I've really been trying to walk and exercise more during the work day.  

I took a really nice 15 minute walk today in the South LA neighborhood, and found this flower and twig along the walk.  Such nice gifts are helpful motivation to get out and about during the week!

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.

At work

Here are some pics from my office which I had a chance to redecorate.  Some of it's my stuff from home, some thrift store finds, and some are my boss' things.