Category Archives: Art

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

September 12, 2011 · 12:05 am

Rust and Gray and a Custom Necklace

When I went to Santa Fe, NM this past spring, I went a bit crazy with my jewelry-buying. There were so many cool artisans in New Mexico and so many unique materials and designs.

Two stone miners/jewelry designers working at a table at an outdoor art market made this for me on the spot. They had hundreds of stones to choose from and, after choosing one, they’d wrap it in silver “while-u-wait.” I wish I could remember the name of the stone. The guys, if you’re ever in Santa Fe, work at the tables next to the Inn at Loretto.

As a side note, Loretto is a chapel in the old part of Santa Fe. It houses a beautiful spiral staircase, to which a few miracles have been attributed. I hate to break it to you, but it looks like a case of fine carpentry and sound engineering. The only miracle I can think of is that no one fell off the staircase. It was built without a railing and one wasn’t added until ten years later.

Anyway, skeptisism aside, after I got home, I realized the stone pendant would go nicely with my rust and gray tunic. So I wore them together with skinny jeans and ballet flats.

Top: JC Penneys
Jeans: JC Penneys
Pendant: Santa Fe street vendor
Cuff: Greenbelts
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Bag: Nine West via thrifted

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Tagged as ballet flats, fashion, Loretto Chapel, necklace, Santa Fe, skinny jeans, style

August 27, 2011 · 5:37 am

Shadow Shot: Glassy Reflection

Hey Harriet has a wonderful weekly photo challenge where lots of people submit their shadowy shots—pictures that show the play of light and dark.

This week, I want to share a neat shadow cast by a clear glass lamp. I never really thought of something translucent having much of a shadow, but this glass lamp does. In fact, the shadow is more prominent than the lamp itself.

I found the lamp hanging in the window of Quoin, a bar that together with Revel, a restaurant, occupy the building at 36th St. and Phinney Ave. in Seattle’s eclectic Fremont neighborhood.

The yellow wall behind the lamp serves as an ideal frame. It contrasts against the shadow nicely and helps the shadow pop out of an otherwise dark scene.

I also like that the telephone wires and trees outside are reflected on the window, further merging the elements of indoors and out onto one pane of glass. It’s a peek inside and a display of the exterior.

Be sure to check out all the other submissions at Hey Harriet.

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Tagged as art, glass lamp, Seattle, shadow shot sunday, shadows, style

August 19, 2011 · 6:10 am

Film Review: Escape from New York

I might not be timely—Escape from New York came out in 1981—but one of my goals is to watch more movies (especially classics and cult classics that I’ve missed along the way). I want to use this space to share my thoughts about films I like.

I recently rented Escape from New York and enjoyed it immensely. It’s directed by John Carpenter (of Halloween fame). The film is set in a distopian future America. Crime has skyrocketed and the entire island of Manhattan is a walled-off prison where inmates are left to fend for themselves. When Air force One is hijacked and crashes inside the walls of Manhattan, authorities turn to Snake (played by Kurt Russell). Snake is a special forces soldier turned criminal. The film follows Snake as he tries to find and rescue the president.

I enjoy a good story—and this movie has it—but more than that, I enjoy compelling visuals. This film was so fun to watch. It’s dark and moody. There are shadows everywhere (and people lurking in them). The high tech government offices with their super computers is a stark contrast to the rough, almost Medievel feel of the prison. Shots were composed beautifully, and it was a joy to watch. I took photos of the screen with my phone while I was watching the movie in my living room. Strange, perhaps, but the colors, lighting and composition of the scenes inspired me to paint what I saw. Now I have photos to work from.

In addition to Kurt Russell, there are terrific performances by Ernest Borgnine as a cab driver, and Isaac Hayes, who plays the Mayor of New York City.

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Tagged as art, Escape from New York, film, Kurt Russell, style

August 7, 2011 · 12:02 am

Shadow Shot: Jamestown Factory

Today’s Shadow Shot post is a collaboration between my Dad and me. And by collaboration, I mean he took the pictures. I’m writing about them and posting them. I got my interest in photography from my Dad so I thought it would be fitting to show things he finds when looking through his lens.

My parents are in Jamestown, NY this weekend to celebrate Lucille Ball’s 100th birthday. My dad found this abandoned factory there. I love that, through the magic of technology, he can take pictures, upload them, and email them to me across the country, and moments later I can add them to my blog.

It used to be a furniture factory, and coincidentally, Lucille Ball’s father, Henry, worked there.

I love the stained glass and arched windows. Even factories were beautiful in the past. There’s something eerily beautiful about this place still.

The morning sun shone through the windows and the holes in the roof, revealing sturdy machinery that look like, with a little TLC, would still work today.

Don’t forget to check out all the other shadow shots from people all over the word. They’re at Hey Harriet.

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Tagged as factory, Jamestown, photography, shadow shot sunday, style

July 25, 2011 · 12:02 am

Mad Art Homes Take over Seattle

Run, don’t walk, to the Mad Art Homes in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood! Until August 7, 2011, five soon-to-be demolished homes are works of art. Several artists were given access to the interior and exterior of the homes and have created installation pieces in, on, and in between them. Here’s a small sampling of the photos I took of the exhibit:

Sculptures adorn the lawns of the homes

The homes are wrapped in art

A mechanical wolf pops out of the floorboards at regular intervals

Paintings on globes appear whole when viewed on the monitor

Clothing lines the surfaces of the rooms in this house

This free, art exhibit is open to the public every day between 12 and 7. You can find them at 711 Bellevue Avenue East, Seattle, WA. It’s vibrant a residential neighborhood, made even more so for the next two weeks.

They might not be fit for inhabitation, but the homes have become a perfect canvas/gallery for art.

Shadow Shot: Dog Days

I’m getting artsy on you again. It’s time for another Shadow Shot post. Don’t forget to check out all the others over at Hey Harriet.

Before you chide me for featuring pet pictures, hear me out: Over the years, I’ve been intrigued by the shadows my dog casts. I love how his shadows distort him and make him seem like a little monster. Here are a few of my favorites:

The sandy shot was taken at Cannon Beach in Oregon. The glass bridge crosses the Sacramento River in Redding, California.

Not only is Frankie my muse, assistant, and subject, he’s also an artist in his own right. Have a look at the photos he “took” recently.

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Tagged as art, dog, shadow shot sunday, shadows, style

July 19, 2011 · 7:58 pm

Wedgwood Art Festival

Nothing says summer like an art festival. Practically every weekend all summer long different Seattle neighborhoods hold festivals where people gather to eat, drink, listen to music, enjoy the weather, and of course, shop.

My friend Lynn is a volunteer coordinator for the Wedgwood Art Festival, and encouraged me to sign up for a shift as a photographer. I was excited to be an officially sanctioned picture-taker for the day and ended up capturing about 125 photos. Here are a few of my favorites:

Lynn was also a vendor at the festival. Here are her soy candle B-lights. They’re tiny candles in wine cap lids.

The weather was perfect, and as I wandered around the festival, I ended up buying a few things. At Laughing Girl Arts I found an adorable ring. You’ll see it in a future outfit post. Here’s a sample of what her booth had to offer:

I bought a scarf from Tasha’s Accessories. There were so many beautiful, soft fabrics that is was hard to decide (I chose the giraffe print).

I was intrigued by the recycled metal sculptures at this booth, and suddenly wished I had a yard to put one in:

In addition to these booths, there was handblown glass, photography, quilts, dolls, watercolor, pastels, gift cards, woodwork, and so much more. Kids had their faces painted, I had a delicious vegan quesadilla, and I listened to music and wandered around in the sun. I met the author of The Lost Sea Cat, a children’s book, and I petted many a dog.

Check out the Festival website and don’t forget to like them on Facebook.

I’ll be heading off to more art fairs this summer. Do you have plans to visit some as well? What’s the best score you’ve found at a street fair?

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Filed under Art, Crafts

Tagged as art, craft fair, crafts, decor, style

July 16, 2011 · 3:44 pm

Shadow Shot: Trellises and Walkways

I’m starting to participate in Shadow Shot Sunday, a photography challenge over at Hey Harriet. I might call mine Shadow Show Saturday because I’m in Seattle on PST and I’m 15 hours behind Australia! If I wait until Sunday, It’ll be Monday everywhere else in the world.

This is an art-related post (I am, after all Jean of all Trades). You’ll see some fashion shots here, but most won’t be. All the pictures I post for this challenge will show the interplay between light and shadow (that definitely fits my style blog theme). I really enjoy shooting shadows, and have a few in my bag already. Let me know what you think. Here’s the first set:

I shot these over the past couple of years. The first is most recent. It’s the trellis at Gilman Village, a quaint, olde timey shopping area in Issaquah, Washington. The second is the bridge that joins two department stores and saves shoppers from having to brave te elements. It’s in Portland, Oregon. Finally, the Seattle Arboretum. It’s another trellis, and the shadows it created captivated me.

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Tagged as art, shadow shot sunday, shadows, style, trellis

June 28, 2011 · 8:13 am

Bumble Bee Tattoo

When I was about five years old, my mom and I went to the park one beautiful summer day. We played on the swings and jungle gym and then sat in the grass to relax before going home. While we sat there in shorts and t-shirts, legs extended, a giant bumble bee landed on my mom’s thigh.

She didn’t panic, but rather explained that bees are good. They pollinate flowers and make honey. This guy was just resting and wouldn’t sting her unless she angered him. Made sense. And growing up, I remembered that lesson and ignored bees when they came around. I didn’t hit them and they didn’t sting me. It was a perfect arrangement. After what seemed like forever, the bee did fly off, and we went about our day.

As an adult, I reminded my mom of that event and to my surprise she told me she was scared out of her mind that the bee had landed on her. She didn’t want to make a negative impression and give me a lifelong fear of bees so she remained calm. Funny, I’d been thinking of getting a bee tattooed on my thigh to remind me about my mom’s common sense that day and how I should also not be afraid of things. Now, the bee symbolizes a whole lot more. It’s also about keeping calm when things get scary. “Calmon sense” if you will.

This past March, a bumble bee flew into my home. What she was doing outside on such a cold day is beyond me. I caught her in a glass, photographed her, and let her go. This, I felt, was a sign. Time to get the tattoo.

It took me another month or so to find an artist. I chose Suzy Todd from Two Birds Tattoo. I booked an appointment for early June. Suzy was fantastic. She drew a bee based on my bee photo and tattooed it on my thigh, exactly where the bee landed on my mom so many years ago. I’ve been waiting to show you. It’s ready now.

It’s a life-size bee tattoo, so it’s not very big. Perhaps the size of a quarter. It’s a great reminder of what my mom taught me about nature (that it’s important), and what she kept to herself (that she was scared). Now, when I’m worried about something, or scared, I think of remaining calm in spite of my fears. I am reminded to live beyond my fear.

You’ll see the bee (in relation to the rest of my leg) in future outfit posts when I wear shorts or minis. The only problem now is that the bee is all alone. I think I might need to give her some tattoo flowers soon.

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Filed under Art, Fashion

Tagged as bee, bumble bee, Suzy Todd, tattoo, two birds tattoo

June 1, 2011 · 11:23 pm

Three Little Paintings

I really enjoy painting. I have since I was a kid, and I even minored in fine art in university. Lately, though, painting has taken a back seat to some of my many other interests. It’s tough being Jean of all Trades and having my fingers in so many pies!

This evening, however, I kept away from the television and brought out the paints. I chose acrylic for its fast drying time. I kept the paint flowing and worked on style and blending, not perfection.

I like creating painterly pieces and I wanted the bottles to have an element of whimsy to them and possibly even look like you’ve consumed the wine and can’t see straight. Or maybe they look like I drank the wine before embarking on this project!

I like deep yellows and blended a few colors together to come up with a marigold shade and some lighter yellow too. I thought that would be a good background for the richness of the bottles.

I painted the bottles with different tones too, so they look like glass. I didn’t try to make then photorealistic though. They float on a relatively flat plane (although I did add lighter and darker tones to create a sense of roundness).

Explanations aside, the main thing is that I had fun painting the bottles. I hung them in my kitchen (next to my wine rack) so I could take pictures for this site and for Etsy (I’ve posted them on my Etsy page so, yes, they are for sale).

Fortunately for me, they fit right into my kitchen where I’ll be keeping them on the wall until someone buys them.

I have a few other painting projects in mind. A coffee cup series is probably next. I also want to paint a giant enlargement of what viruses look like under a microscope, but I doubt people would want to hang those in their kitchens.

Do you paint? What type of creative endeavors are you interested in? What inspires you? Feel free to leave a comment and tell me about it.