Category Archives: Art

A look at local, regional, and global art – and of course, the art I create too!

December 15, 2011 · 6:59 am

Land of the Sweets: Checking out the Burlesque Nutcracker

Last night my friend Shannon treated me to a special evening on the town. We went to see the Burlesque Nutcracker. It was her way of thanking me (again!) for doing a bit of artwork for Lucky Duck. I gave the little guy a Santa hat so he’s festive for the holidays. I feel like I got the better end of this deal.

We met at the Musicquarium (lounge) at The Triple Door and chatted over a cocktail while we waited for the show. We talked so long that we were the last ones seated in the theater. As soon as we found our table the show started! I think they were waiting for us.

We dined on delicious food from Wild Ginger, drank wine, and watched a funny, sexy show. Of course I couldn’t take pictures in the theater so you’ll have to go to a show yourself if you want to see what we saw. I can tell you this: The performance was amazing, the costumes were stunning, and the cast was extremely talented.

We saw ballet and modern dance numbers, aerial work and acrobatics, and of course, the sultry tease that is burlesque. It was classy and fun. After the show we met Lily Verlaine, the choreographer and one of the stars of the show, and Jasper McCann, the show’s hilarious and talented host.

I went home with visions of sugarplum fairies dancing in my head. Thanks Shannon, for a great evening out!

(You can read Shannon’s account of the evening too.)

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Filed under Art, Fashion

Tagged as art, burlesque, dance, Nutcracker, style

December 14, 2011 · 6:10 am

Hat ‘n’ Boots: Big shoes to fill

These boots, together with a giant cowboy hat, make up the Hat ‘n’ Boots attraction at Oxbow park in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood.

The Hat ‘n’ Boots were built in 1954 as part of a Western-themed gas station. The gas station is long gone. Fortunately the City of Seattle relocated the buildings/sculptures to the park to preserve them. They are the largest hat and cowboy boots in America.

Sometimes you don’t need to travel far to find interesting things. I like exploring Seattle and discovering Americana from a bygone era. On this day, we wandered though Georgetown. Georgetown is a bit gritty. It’s industrial and residential. It has a thriving artist community and good bars and restaurants. It has a blue-collar feel and is really down-to-earth. Until you see the size of their boots!

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Filed under Architecture, Art

Tagged as architecture, art, hat and boots, Seattle, style

December 3, 2011 · 1:09 am

Urban Knitters Strike Again

This really made my day: A few weeks ago, in an otherwise unsightly park in downtown Seattle, where drug use is prominent and no one really visits to enjoy the park, I found knitted trees.

Urban knitting is the textile art version of graffiti, but it’s soft, gentle, and harmless. I’ve heard about groups like “Knittahs,” “Urban Knitters,” and “Guerilla Knitters” but I don’t know much about them. And that’s the point. Under the cover of darkness, these crafty artists cover trees, lamp posts, bike racks, even entire telephone booths with pretty rows of yarn.

It’s incredible how much work must go into this. As a non-knitter (who’s tried and failed) I really appreciate the effort it takes.

The park was a happy place for a while. I will check to see if the installation lasted. It was up for several days. My husband saw it first and brought me back a few days later. People walked by and marvelled. It’s usually the type of place I avoid, but the common thread of admiring the trees, brought people out.

It’s entirely possible that this was a city-sanctioned art installation, but I didn’t see a plaque or sign, so I suspect it’s guerilla art at work. The best kind, if you ask me. There’s something about the unexpectedness of it that makes me smile.

Have you seen urban knitting in your city?

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Filed under Art, Crafts

Tagged as art, knitted trees, Seattle, style, urban knitting

November 28, 2011 · 6:46 am

Shopping Local at Etsy Rain

This past weekend I went to Etsy Rain with a few friends. Etsy is a great website where you can buy handmade goods from all over the world. Etsy Rain is the Seattle contingent of crafters. They set up shop at the Seattle Center and that’s where we met.

Supporting local crafters is important to all of us. I have an Etsy shop. So does Sadie. Lynn does too. I’ll have to check and see if Stephanie does.

Left to right: Jean, Sadie, Lynn, Stephanie

I bought a neat pair of green coil earrings from Sue at Phoenix Beadwork. I’ll be sure to wear them in an outfit post this week. Here are a few beautiful necklaces from Sue’s booth.

Then I bought a cool green ring from One-eyed Collie made of candy pieces set in resin. I’ll wear it with the earrings from Phoenix. Here’s a sampling of the other items at this booth.

I almost bought a green cowl scarf at the Scarf City booth but it was on the mannequin so I tried on a pink one instead. Surprisingly, the pink one looked great. I’m glad about that. otherwise I’d have a bag full of green things! Scarf City had other items too, like ponchos, leg warmers and hats.

Shawl City

I was lusting after a “ninja rider” t-shirt from the Retro Pop Namu booth, but when I talked to the shop owner, she said she’d be putting that logo on canvas messenger bags soon so I held out. I’ll be shopping online for that one!

I’ll post pictures of the tiny tam I bought from Alise’s Pieces. I have a tiny hat, and now I have a tam.

Etsy Rain was a great place to buy gifts. There are other craft fairs coming up too.

December 3rd and 4th Urban Craft Uprising is at the Seattle Center.
December 3rd and 4th Winter Fest and Craft Fair is at the Phinney Ridge Community Center.
December 10th Punk Rock Flea Market is in Belltown.
December 11th the Mourning Market comes to SoDo.

Update:

Hot tip from Elizabeth Space:

December 10th I Heart Indie Holidays at the Wallingford Boys and Girls Club.

And from CraftyClementines:

December 17th Bizarre Bazaar at the Erikson Theater in Capitol Hill.

Do you know of others? Is your city hosting craft fairs for the holidays?

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Filed under Art, Crafts, Fashion

Tagged as craft fair, craft show, crafts, Etsy, fashion, style

November 26, 2011 · 6:57 am

Shadow Shot: Fall Foliage

Hey Harriet hosts Shadow Shot Sunday, a weekly photo challenge where people can submit their shadowy shots—pictures that show the play of light and dark. I haven’t participated for a few weeks so I thought I’d get my act together and share some pictures with you. Check out her site for lots of inspiring photography.

Here’s a glimpse of what I saw while walking the perimeter of my building at work a couple of weeks ago.

fiery trees

I love autumn. I can’t get enough of the colors and I marvel daily at the fiery shades of the leaves.

golden tree

The day was cool and sunny and the sun brought the colors to life.

parking garage

It’s interesting how something dying can be so beautiful.

brick red

Fall is part of the life cycle of the ecosystem and the falling leaves add nutrients to the earth so things can grow again in the spring.

light on the leaves

I’ll have to remember that. I’ll have to sing The Byrds more often: “To everything (turn, turn, turn) there is a season.”

Sadly, a few windy days and a rainstorm blew all the leaves away.

Maybe it’s the temporary quality that intrigues me. I’ll have to wait until next year for more vibrant color like this.

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Filed under Art, Photography

Tagged as art, autumn, fall, leaves, photography, Seattle, shadow shot sunday, style

November 19, 2011 · 1:24 am

Visiting Pike Place Market

Sometimes my husband and I pretend we’re tourists and visit popular spots on Seattle that locals often forget about and visitors frequent. Pike place is a very touristy spot, but there’s enough fresh produce to keep residents happy too.

Pike Place Market is over 100 years old and is one of the oldest continually operating public markets in the country. It’s a large expanse of a building with several levels. Flinging fish might have put Pike Place on the map, but I usually skip that section of the market (or hold my nose as I run past). The wonderful flower stalls are more interesting to me.

You can always count on fresh, local produce when you visit Pike Place, but there are tons of artisans too. Whether you’re looking for a watercolor paintings, ceramics, jewelry or textiles, you’ll find it here. The main arcade has rows of vendors selling their wares. Downstairs, the permanent stores offer visitors everything from books to clothing.

The market sits on a hill overlooking Eliott Bay so it’s a great place for a photo-op. Across the water, you’ll see the shipyards, West Seattle and Alki Beach, and maybe even a passing ferry.

Seattleites are a bike-friendly bunch, and you’ll see just how many people cycle to the market when you pass by the make-shift bike racks on the railing near the market entrance.

The original Starbucks, opened in 1971, is right across from the market. It’s funny how long the lines are for an “original” brew. I can walk to at least two other Starbucks (and Seattle’s Best, Tully’s, and Peet’s, not to mention smaller shops like Cherry Street and Caffé Ladro), but this one started it all and I guess they think it’s worth the wait.

If you visit, don’t forget to walk along Post Alley. It is an alley, but it’s well-populated and safe, especially during the day. All along the alley are shops and other stops, like the Market Theater. There are restaurants too. We like to eat at The Pink Door and The Alibi Room, but there are many more places we have yet to try.

One of Seattle’s grossest attractions is in the alley too: The Wall of Gum. You wouldn’t think people would appreciate that, but they have their pictures taken in front of it (and contribute to it) all day long. Eww!

Finally, enjoy the sounds of Pike Place. From a capella gospel and bluegrass to blues and ragtime, buskers around the market add to the vibrant atmosphere with their songs and antics.

Jacket: Guess via thrifted
T-shirt: Old Navy
Scarf: DIY
Jeans: Citizens of Humanity
Shoes: John Fluevog

What are the best tourist spots in your city? Do you frequent them or do you leave that for the visitors?

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Filed under Architecture, Art, Crafts, General

Tagged as Pike Place Market, Seattle, Starbucks

November 3, 2011 · 7:12 am

Graffiti-Inspired Pink and Gray

While wandering through Belltown, a Seattle neighborhood, a few weeks ago, I took a picture of a graffiti wall. It’s next to Vain hair salon and is part of a public parking lot. I enjoy artistic graffiti, but don’t appreciate tagging or vandalism. There’s a fine line between the two and a lot of it boils down to personal opinion. This wall reminded me of living in Toronto. I loved when the subway emerged from underground and ran, surface-level, behind the buildings on Bloor Street. The back of the buildings had an ever-changing array of graffiti.

I liked the combination of the black wall and brights, so I promised myself to use this inspiration. I pulled out my fuchsia pants and paired them with a graphite-colored top. Sometimes it’s nice to have a casual day.

Sweater: Ross Dress for Less
Tank: Wet Seal
Pants: JC Penneys
Boots: Dr Martens
Necklace: Claire’s

Bright pink pants are not for the shy. I wore these for the color-blocking challenge recently. How would you style pink pants (or would you)? What do you think about graffiti? Does it have a place? It is art?

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Tagged as fashion, graffiti, pants, Seattle, style

October 27, 2011 · 6:26 am

Visiting the Glass Pumpkin Patch

Every fall, dozens of glassblowers from the Tacoma Glassblowing Studio create hundreds of glass pumpkins for a travelling show called the Northwest Glass Pumpkin Patch. Each handmade pumpkin is signed by the artist and is sold at various locations around the Puget Sound. I’d never been, and the show was coming to Bellevue, so I popped by the Northwest Arts Center and checked it out.

The exhibit consisted of only two small rooms, but they were packed with pumpkins. And people were picking them! Visitors had their baskets filled with glass orbs, which ranged from $35 for the wee ones to well into the hundreds for a basketball-sized one.

There were a lot of orange pumpkins, but to my surprise, there were other colors too. Something for everyone.

different colors

I watched a video about how the gourds are made. It’s a really neat process and it takes teamwork. Two glass blowers work together to heat the glass, blow the shape while spinning the orb, and intricately fashion a stem from a taffy-like string of hot glass. It’s amazing to think that the glass is so hot it turned to liquid.

The show hits two more cities before it ends, so if you’re in the area, check it out. I’ve heard about similar events in other areas. If picking hand-blown glass pumpkins sounds like a warmer, less muddy way to get in the Halloween spirit, go online and find a patch near you.

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Filed under Art, Decor

Tagged as art, glass, glass pumpkin patch, pumpkins, style

October 22, 2011 · 11:46 am

Shadow Shot: Walk in the Woods

My husband and I took a walk in the woods a few weeks ago. Seems like ages ago: The temperature was in the mid-80s, not like the cool fall weather we have now. Despite the heat, it was about 15 degrees cooler in the woods. The Redmond Watershed Preserve to be exact. I love the quiet tranquility of a forest and really appreciate nature’s air conditioning. We walked along an interpretive trail with signs that explained how the early loggers worked. Some of the old-growth remains were massive. Even the replacement trees towered over us.

The forest was a nice reprieve from heat. The sun shone through the trees and created beautiful patterns of light. I enjoyed finding this little berry bush beneath the massive conifers. The berries were perfectly placed, almost like they were Christmas tree ornaments.

During our walk, we heard a real racket coming from a large tree. We were amused when we saw this angry little squirrel shouting at us. There was a plaque explaining that the northern flying squirrel lives in these parts. But this little guy looks more like a red squirrel—at least that’s what this squirrel site would lead me to believe.

We left the squirrel alone and kept walking until we found a pond. I looked for turtles but didn’t see any. I was enchanted by a beautiful, blue dragonfly.

On our way back, we retraced our steps but didn’t hear the squirrel. Luckily Redmond isn’t too far away so we can come back to this wonderful sanctuary again. On the west trail, there’s a bigger pond complete with beavers and their dam! I’ll be sure to share photos of them with you next time.

Hey Harriet hosts Shadow Shot Sunday, a weekly photo challenge where people can submit their shadowy shots—pictures that show the play of light and dark. Check out her site for lots of inspiring photography.

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Filed under Art, Photography

Tagged as art, dragonfly, forest, photography, shadow shot sunday, squirrel, style

September 24, 2011 · 12:10 am

Shadow Shot: Oregon Travels

I recently visited the Oregon coast and Portland, Oregon with my husband and dog. Oregon is a beautiful state south of Washington and north of California. It has great, windswept beaches, gorgeous mountain ranges, fantastic forests, a hot desert region, and cool cities. It’s prime wine country too.

We started in Cannon Beach, a tiny town and beach along the Pacific Ocean in the northwest corner of Oregon. The first recorded visit to Cannon beach was by William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Of course, the Tilamook Indians already lived here.

Terrence and Frankie walked ahead of me on the wide, sandy beach. I like how instead of shadows, they are reflected in the wet sand. We stayed in a quaint cottage right next to the beach. The “tsunami zone” signs worried me a bit but the location was prime.

Portland is an hour inland. We drove along a twisty, two-lane highway through a forest, back to the interstate, and on to the city. Hats off to this town of half a million and their dedication to public art.

The architecture in downtown Portland is wonderful. If you visit, you’re in for a treat. You’ll find plenty of shopping, restaurants, parks, and a live music scene that will keep you busy any night of the week.

Hey Harriet has a wonderful weekly photo challenge so people can submit their shadowy shots—pictures that show the play of light and dark. Check out her site for lots of inspiring photography.