Cashon & Co.

SPECIAL EVENT + SAVINGS @ CURIO

2012-02-03T18:03:00.000-06:00

WE HAD OUR KICK-OFF PARTY LAST NIGHT AT de BOULLE TO PROMOTE THIS SPECIAL PLACE FOR CHILDREN, and I am proud to say that so many people generously helped with their donations send MANY children to CAMP SWEENEY for the summer.

To shop and save AND GIVE!, visit Curio here.

If you know a child with diabetes, please check out Camp Sweeney here.

Families from all over the world are part of their family!

Lisa's Pick of the Week: Mighty Wallets

2012-02-01T08:08:00.005-06:00

They're strong...

With many a style variation.

They can go all over the world, and come back in one piece.

They can float, expand, and brave the destructive exertions of 8 year olds (see here).

You can find great vintage images,

Or create your own.

Perfect gifts or stocking stuffers (start now for next year)...

And this isn't even all of them.

For more Mighty Wallets, go here

SHARPIE... TO THE MAX

2012-01-01T13:23:00.000-06:00

Did you know that Sharpie is making a huge 'comeback?' I say 'comeback' in quotes, as if they ever left! But Sharpie has really expanded its market, and its vision.

Take note:

Of course we all know Sharpie will work on almost anything, as it is a permanent marker. Their website has images where users have submitted their own projects, such as the porcelain coffee cup embellished with marker above.

YES, THESE ARE ALL DONE VIA SHARPIE MARKER.

Can you believe it? Einstein would be proud.

THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT STYLES & TIPS NOW.

This picture below was drawn with marker too!

I haven't tried the liquid pencil yet, but from the sketch above it looks like the perfect artist's tool.

Some projects hi-lighted on their website include Sharpie designed Sneakers, above.

We do use the oil-based paint marker at our house. I used them to make Christmas ornaments this year. I purchased ceramic ones at the craft store and me and the kids colored with them -- well, actually painted them with these paint pens. The colors were bright and paint really does look better than marker for some projects.

On another note, I found this image on DecorPad today, of a GORGEOUS wall treatment in a bedroom done by Rethink Design Studio. Look closely..... The pattern was drawn by hand in Sharpie Marker!

Happy New Year!

Hope it's a CReAtIVE and COLORFUL one!

Artist John Nash: Wood Engravings

2011-11-15T11:28:00.000-06:00

Goldmark Art publishes between 3 and 4 art catalogues a month. They send in the mail these to their customers, but now they are offering them to everyone for free via digital books, on-line. They have some amazing catalogues, of which I'm sharing some of my favorites.

image: druckstelle

image: artelino

Woodblock printmaking is the oldest printmaking technique, originally hailing from China. In 1390 with the beginning of paper production in Europe, woodblock prints began around 1400. It was an trade left to only very skilled craftsmen. Around 1500, woodblock printmaking became the prime way to illustrate books. The centres for this at the time was Germany and the Netherlands, with Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) bringing the printmaking to a new level of sophistication.

JOHN NASH (1893-1977)

Born in London, Nash fought in WWI with the Artists Rifles and worked as an official war artist. After, he taught Art School in Oxford and the Royal College of Art in London. When WWII arrived, Nash was an official war artist with the rank of Captain in the Royal Marines.

Over the Top, 1918, oil on canvas, Imperial War Museum

Although Nash had no formal art training, he excelled at the encouragement of his older brother, also an artist. Nash's first painting that did not contain a war theme was done in 1918, and titled The Cornfield. It is now in the Tate Gallery in London. Nash had become in the habit of painting for pleasure after their war duties were over, which was often late afternoon. You can see the sun-setting shadows in The Cornfield, below.

The Cornfield, 1918, oil on canvas, Tate Gallery

In 1920, Nash became a member of the Society of Wood Engravers. He initially produced woodcuts and wood engravings as illustrations to periodicals, then for books produced by private presses. He did the illustrations to Gathorne-Hardy's Wild Flowers in Britain (Batsford 1938), which showed is interest in botanical subjects. Here are some of his wood engravings, available at Goldmark Art.

Have you ever tried a wood-cut or lino-cut? I did both, in junior high. It was difficult. I remember the tools we used and having to make short jabs to get deep into the wood and linoleum. Do I remember how my image turned out? No. Do I remember cutting my hand several times? YES.

Even Yummier than they are Pretty

2011-11-07T07:39:00.000-06:00

My Tante made these for us this summer, and they are the BEST Linzer cookies I have ever eaten - being half-German I should know. But my Tante and my Onkel, both from Germany, are great bakers and make the best breads and pastries -- and this cookie is no exception. The cookie itself is soft and flakey and just perfect - not too sweet, not too bland. I asked her for the recipe, and she quickly emailed it to me. They are perfect for Christmas time, tea-time, showers, Valentine's, anytime! Make a batch and wrap some in cellophane and give them as Holiday gifts to your neighbors!

Tante Helga's Linzer Cookies

1/2 lb butter 1/2 cup sugar 2 cups flour Beat sugar and butter together in Mixer add flour and make a nice, smooth dough Refrigerate until cool and firm(not cold)

Use a baking sock over the rolling pin (a must or you will use to much flour and they get yucky - if you don’t have one you can buy them at any good kitchen store)

Roll the sock-covered rolling pin in flour; roll out half of the dough and cut with cookie cutters. Place these on a cookie sheet.

With the remaining dough, roll out and cut with the same cookie cutter - but cut a small hole in each cookie. (The tip from a decorating bag works good to make the hole - or even better you can purchase a Linzer cookie cutter like this one here - this is much easier)

Bake both kinds of cookies (solid and with hole in center) in 375 oven until lightly browned. Cool them, then put a dab of jam on each solid cookie and top with the cookie which has the hole.

Store in tight can or tupperware. Before serving dust with a little powder sugar in a sifter.

OF COURSE My Tante Helga makes her own raspberry jam (and to keep it authentic German, you must use RASPBERRY JAM) but you can purchase any high-quality jam. I personally like Bonne Maman France (available at all Grocery stores).

WICKEDLY OUTRAGEOUS

2011-10-31T16:24:00.001-05:00

That was the theme of this year's Family Place 'Escapade' Event, which I helped co-chair Saturday night. It is a yearly Halloween Costume party, which is given to help raise funds for the Family Place, a non-profit that helps women and children leaving violence in the home.

Costume Party? RIGHT up my alley.

I say 'go big or go home' ... hahahah So I started thinking in August of what I was going to "be". I have always wanted to wear a 16th -18th century costume, with the powdered wig and all, and I was initially considering Marie Antoinette or Josephine. But since my husband and I were going together, and we wanted to be a 'couples costume', I knew there was NOOOOO WAY he was going to dress up as a King Henry sort with knickers, pinky rings, crowns and ribboned hair. Yes, NO SIR-EEE.

So it hit me. If I went as Queen Elizabeth I, I could represent Great Britain's "Establishment" and he could forgo the velvet knickers and go as Johnny Rotten/Sid Vicious from the Sex Pistols, and represent Great Britain's "Anti-Establishment"! Because there is nothing more anti-establishment than the group who sang the song "Anarchy in the U.K." and founded Punk Rock!

MY COSTUME:

So I started researching "Good Queen Bess" and what she wore in the 16th century. I compiled pictures AND lots of reference articles and sites.

One thing I knew that I HAD to have was a RUFF. That is the big collar that stands around their neck and head like a cone that a dog wears after getting surgery at the vet. I could only find one place that made it, A Very Merry Seamstress. She makes lots of historically accurate costumes, and this is where I learned what Elizabethan Ruffs, Wisks, Rebatos, Underproppers & Supportasses are.

To make this kind of collar stand up, especially in the back, you need a supportasse/underporpper to help prop up the ruff.

image: here

I emailed her and she said she was already booked solid and couldn't have it made by my Halloween deadline. I asked my friend Cheryl, who I have used for many sewing and monogramming occasions and she said she would love to help me with my costume.

I found this black gothic looking Victorian dress on eBay. It didn't fit the time period, but I thought it could provide a good foundation for my costume.

I put it on a dress form at home and started playing. I ordered some Union Jack Flags and bunched them around as a skirt. When Cheryl came over to see what I had so far, she agreed that we would have to change it up to make it more 16th century. She suggested ordering a handkerchief and we could make that into a more interesting corset.

image: here

I knew through my research that Elizabethan women wore 'bumrolls' and I REALLY wanted this to help make the skirt more pronounced. I had already ordered a 6-ring hoop skirt for the dress, so Cheryl took the fabric and flags and our ideas home with her, to start sewing.

I needed to figure out my hair and make-up. One thing I knew for sure, I wanted BIG HAIR. BIG, TEXAS DRAG-QUEEN HAIR. hahah. I found a website in Las Vegas named Empress Bianca Wigs and she made the wig for me, based on one she had in her store that was blonde:

Then I researched the make-up: first, by looking at what was historically correct:

I knew I didn't want to look "pretty", but I also didn't want to look "scary/goth". I just wanted it to be dramatic. That's the fun part of Halloween. You can use your imagination, everything doesn't have to be 'by the book'. I gathered images of makeup, by searching "editorial" and "theatrical" makeup, and got inspired:

I knew one thing for sure: I WANTED THE CHALK-WHITE FACE & NECK. That I thought was important. I tried the stage make-up and it didn't look smooth. I knew what I really wanted, was authentic Geisha and Kabuki make-up from Japan. I found it on eBay.

Let me say this: IT IS NOT EASY TO WORK WITH. I downloaded a video on youtube of an authentic geisha applying it, and put it on my ipad on my counter so I could have some instruction on how to put it on.

It is a SEVERAL step process. I documented it:

First, I pulled my hair back in a tight bun, for easy make-up application AND because I was going to wear a wig. I went ahead and did double duty, by slathering on thick conditioning butter on my hair: might as well get it healthy while it's under that wig! (I use various conditioning treatments that are for African American hair. I sleep with it in my hair once or twice a week.)
But about his makeup: The very first thing you have to do is put wax on your face. You also must wax down your eyebrows. Then, with a special brush, you apply the white make-up in certain directions, starting with your shoulders and neck. Before it dries, you blot out the brush marks with a large powder puff. Then you must seal it all with a special white powder.

Then I had to figure out exactly WHAT make-up look I wanted to do. My first thought was wouldn't it be neat to do WHITE CONTACTS and keep the entire thing very ethereal. I (after 10 minutes of trying) put in my FIRST contact lenses. Ever. The look of it FREAKED me out. It was NOT what I was going for.

Then I tried an orange and red eyeshadow look and it just looked like bruised zombie eyes. So needless to say, I had to re-do my time-consuming Geisha make-up process THREE times, when I decided (with Cheryl just now arriving to help me put on my dress) that black smokey eyes would be the look.

I had ordered some rhinestones for my eyelids, and at the last minute picked up some great feather eyelashes at Ulta. I used some glitter cream eyeshadow on top, then for cheek colour dabbed a bit of red lipstick on the apples of my cheeks and rubbed it in a circle, in homage to true Elizabethan style.

I still needed to do some last-minute fixes to my dress. I had told Cheryl that I wanted to line the inside of the bustier with LED white lights. Since my skin was going to be chalk white, I thought it would be really fun and different if I had more white light on it to make it glow. We bought the lights here, and used duct tape to adhere it to the inside of the dress.

I found some red & black stockings/socks and I wore my Toms canvas wedges because I HAD to be comfortable. Now, don't get scared at the image below:

It's just me in a HIDEOUS wig-cap. But when I researched how to wear a wig, they all recommended wearing a wig cap which really just looks like a pantyhose sock cut off. But with all that make-up on my face, and the wig cap, I thought I looked like a man. Like an ugly back-up singer from The Birdcage movie or something!

I helped my husband put on his fake earrings. He wore them for 2 minutes, too uncomfortable. That's okay, I was so impressed he was going along with it all anyways! The thing we really didn't figure out though was HOW TO FIT IN A CAR with a 2 foot wig on your head and a 3 foot diameter skirt. After many (unsuccessful and unattractive) attempts, I found the only way to get to the party was to sit on the floor board, in the back seat.

HIS COSTUME:

I didn't need much research to know what Johnny Rotten & Sid Vicious wore. I went to London in the early 1980's and saw a LOT of their followers on the steps of Picadilly. I knew by memory about what I would need for my husband's "Anti-Establishment of Great Britain" costume.

Skinny red and black pants, a 'God Save the Queen' t-shirt, a mo-hawk, piercings, tattoos, and lots of leather, studs and chains. Finding these things took me to sites I never thought I'd shop at. Ha.

I pretty much scouted it all out, and while waiting for a flight at the airport, hit "add to cart" on them and had his costume purchased and planned within one day. The tattoo sleeves look SO real when you put them on! They are almost like pantyhose sleeves with graphics printed on them.

My husband's a little internet-shy so I doodled some glasses and beard on him, but just imagine the most conservative dad wearing a red mohawk, tattoo'd arms, and black eyeliner.

THE PARTY

The party had about 250 attendees, and the costumes choices worn there were NOT disappointing. But I was the one in charge of decorating the venue, so I was anxious to see how it turned out, since we installed it the day before. Anxious and NERVOUS. We had a lot of ground to cover on a limited budget. So here was my plan:

The entrance would have a red-carpet. I can't take credit for that idea, although I think its a great one. The patio in the entrance before the front door was to be a 'beer garden' where we would set up a coffin in which to hold the beer.

I had a delivery company load up everything from my house to take to the venue. On the way, we stopped at one of the other co-chairs' house, and picked her pumpkins and hay off her front porch (she told us we could, I promise!) We used these 'free' decorations in the beer garden. All the beer was donated too!

The venue is cool in that it is basically one large, open space. But you CAN NOT touch the walls in anyway, so that meant no wall decorations of any kind, and nothing leaning on the walls. We knew we had to put 25 tables of 10 in the middle, and the food, music, photo booth, would be surrounding them all throughout the room.

I purchased grey and black gauze from a company in California I had seen at Market. One of the co-chairs supplied the tall cylinder glass vases, and I supplied the branches. I have three live oaks in our front yard, they needed trimming so I kept 26 branches and had someone spray paint them black. The ones that turned out best were the branches with leaves and acorns still on them.

To make the 'floral centerpieces' pop a bit, we added river rocks to the bottom (out of necessity really, and we just 'borrowed' some from the parking lot) and purple Aquabrite lights -- the same I had duct taped in my dress. I ordered some 'stone' goblins and creatures from Dollar Tree on-line, and some glow-stick bracelets (600 of them!) from Glow Granny. We put a bunch of glow sticks on every table, just for fun. We alternated purple and red napkins, and had them hang over the edge to keep it a little modern. We relied heavily on candles and lighting to create the mood.

To keep the costs down, we opted for a CANDY BAR instead of a dessert via buffet. I used all the jars and vases I had myself, and another co-chair lent me two of her apothecary jars too.

I ordered most of the candy in bulk from the Dollar Tree, and picked up the rest here and there while out grocery shopping. I tried to figure out how to make it interesting, and basically just WINGED IT. With all the lollipops I had, in order to make them display well, they needed to be different heights.

Hot tamales, black licorice, and Halloween peeps provided the decorative but necessary filling for the jars, as the lollipop sticks needed support.

I went to Jo Ann's craft store, where they have candy-making supplies. I picked up two different lengths of lollipop sticks. I used duct tape to tape them to the existing lollipops, and turned these cute Frankenstein cookies into Cookie Pops but just using duct tape to hold the stick on those too. While I was at Jo Ann's Crafts, I picked up some Halloween craft labels and drink coasters, which I used on the jars with kraft paper, twine and whatever else I had handy in my supply tub.

We put them on a round table at the party, with a tower of Sprinkle's cupcakes in the center, as they donated 200 boxes of individual cupcakes as well. I provided scoops for the loose candy and little trick-or-treat bags from Dollar Tree for people to fill up and take home.

At the same time I was making the Candy Bar Jars, I also made decorations for the bathroom at the venue. There were separate bathrooms, but a communal sink area, with four sinks. Since we couldn't put anything on any walls, I used the tiny ledges that the deep-set mirrors above the sink provided.

I have several bottles and jars myself, most of them old and from diggers, which I knew I could use, but I also raided my sons' rooms and Curio's Nature section for ideas. I wanted it to be some sort of Experimental - Specimen - Laboratory. I kept thinking of that scene in Young Frankenstein where they show the brain in Dr. Frankenstein's Laboratory and the label says Abnormal, but Igor thinks it belongs to a girl named Abby Normal....

I used my own dessert platters, and whatever glass jars and bottles I could find and again, WINGED IT. I used craft washi tape that already had letters on it, and they looked like vintage labels. I found gummy fingers at CVS and it looked and FELT like a real finger, it was so gross. And of course you have to have brains, hearts, mice, roaches, etc.... which were all included.

I purchased the labels at Jo Ann's and color-copied them, so I could burn the edges (I burned one without copying it first and the burning adhesive smell lingered for quite some time) and then I taped them to the jars.

We turned the lights to dim, and lit the candles and it looked really good.

The party started and I had more fun looking at everyones costumes than anything else. It is AMAZING everyones creativity! My camera did not take great pictures because I didn't keep the flash on, but I snapped a few anyways:

I have NO idea WHO this skeleton is, but his "Fire Marshall Bill" grin really creeped me out! I couldn't tell what was real, make-up, or mask! You can see the glow from my lights really well in this picture. When I started dancing, I pressed the button on each one to change it from a solid glow to flashing. Woo-hoo. I am SO crazy.

All in all, it was a great night for The Family Place, which is a SUPER organization. If you live in the area, you are probably aware of Partner's Card, which a fundraiser that greatly benefits Family Place victims. One Partner's Card buys diapers for an infant for 8 weeks, provides one night of shelter for a woman and her child, and buys 25 bus passes to help women find employment, receive medical care, or secure protective orders.

Purchasing this ONE $60 card does ALL that, AND you get 20% discount off all purchases for 10 days at local stores. And HUNDREDS of stores now participate! If you live in the Dallas area, Partner's Card days are active until November 6th! Go here for more details.

HAPPPPPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!
From Queen Elizabeth I, Johnny Rotten, Army combat boy, Zombie boy, and family Halloween mascot, Rosie

ROSALINDA

2011-10-28T11:04:00.001-05:00

MEET OUR NEW PET ROSIE....

Just in time for Halloween

One of our sons came home from school on Wednesday with a Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula. The science expo at my sons school was selling Frogs, Snakes, Spiders, Fish, etc... When my son came home Tuesday he was BEGGING for one. I said no to the Snakes, Hermit Crabs, Frogs, but I signed off on the Tarantula.

My son used his own money, and paid $25 for it and its 'habitat'. We went straight to the pet store after school to get her food, which happens to be live crickets. I learned RIGHT AWAY that the 'habitat' they supplied him with was way too small (of course it was) and we had to now buy her a big glass aquarium. How do I know it's a 'her' you ask?

Well, Rosie came with an egg next to her. The Pet Store people asked me if I wanted to keep the egg. They were overcome with excitement when they saw it. I said NO, I don't want ANOTHER Tarantula. And they said "Ohhhh, no, (smiling) there's not one baby in there. When it hatches at least ONE HUNDRED Tarantulas come out"....

The male and female clerk were both begging to keep it and take it home to hatch it themselves. I said GO FOR IT.

So we got the glass aquarium, filled it with a soft moss/bark kind of fiber, put a little fake plant in the corner for her, a small bowl for drinking water (which I NOW HAVE TO CHANGE DAILY because my son is too scared to put his hand in the cage with her) and a rock-like hut for a home. We then moved her from her plastic tupperware bowl to her new habitat. NOW it was time to feed her.

The clerk said they eat only once a week (YEA FOR ME!) and you need to feed her three live crickets. So we got to watch her eat her first meal, there at the checkout counter.

That is when my feelings about tarantulas changed a bit. I have never been scared of spiders, or these in particular either, but after seeing her lift her front legs and pounce on that cricket and stick her two big fangs into it, I have a little trepidation now about Rosie.
Or maybe should I say respect.

Which wasn't helped by the following comment by the clerk: "Oh, and did you know they can jump STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR five feet?"
No, I did not know that and neither did my son. Thank you for now making him completely frightened of his new pet.

The last comment --as we finished paying (for this science expo pet that turned into a costly family member within one hour) and were heading out the door --she said to me was....and she was smiling, because she thought that this bit of information was GREAT..... "Oh, and did anyone tell you how long tarantulas live?? The males don't live as long as the females, and you're so lucky you have a female, because they live on average 10 years but can live up to twenty!"

WOO-HOO! LUCKY US!

But if you're a mom whose kids bring home pets, you really know it's

LUCKY ME!

Leaving the pet store on Wednesday

Lisa's Pick of the Week: Rosenthal-Thomas "Dragon" Biscuit Jar

2011-10-19T08:00:00.011-05:00

I am a sucker for lovely little objects and this one takes the cake (or the biscuits, rather).

This is a small piece: 7 inches tall with the lid on, and 5 3/8 inches in diamenter.

The gold accents and stars are delicate against the image of the floating dragon.

I can imagine this full of scones, biscuits, jam or even flowers... maybe a couple of bright green spider mums to complement the edges of the stars.

I love it when objects and images make me begin a narrative in my mind, and this one does that.

How else would I ever have started to think about biscuits and dragons together?

Here's what Shop Curio has to say about this lovely piece: The marks on the base of this date this piece from 1939-1952. A green "Thomas" shield mark with the red style/pattern numbers "4223 99" is printed on the bottom of the jar.

Porzellanfabrik Thomas & Ens was founded in 1904 by Fritz Thomas, in Marktredwitz (Bavaria).

Five years later, the porcelain factory, at the time called F. Thomas, Marktredwitz, was aquired by Rosenthal, but continued with its own production mark.

In 1960, porcelain production ceased at the Marktredwitz Thomas factory.

This beautiful canister has no chips, cracks, crazing, or damage. The gold trim shows no wear. A mint condition piece!

Find it here on Shop Curio.

Black & Gold, Inside & Out

2011-10-17T09:14:00.000-05:00

I LOVE THESE TWO TOGETHER!

Above two images are of the Selig Retail Building, Los Angeles. 1931, It was originally the Richfield Oil Building. Image by laplaces

Dallas Power & Light Company, Dallas TX

Brill Building, NYC

Above three images: American Radiator Building (American Standard) 1922. NYC

Canada Trust Towers, Toronto by topleftpixel.com

Black lacquer dressers with gold detail by Paul Clark Wilson

Slate Top Cabinet by Dorothy Draper, 1960's. From Lewis Trimble, VA via 1st Dibs

Louis XVI Bureau Plat, 19th C from Clark Graves Antiques, via 1st Dibs

Furniture by Phillip Plein

Mignon collection by Italian company Eban

From Lyring.com

Dees is All Very Versace, No?

Talk amongst yourselves....

Interchange: Art for you (and your plants) - Sculptural works from Jonathan Cross

2011-10-12T08:00:00.005-05:00

Last month, Interchange focused on Tori Kaspareit Pelz's public art works. This month's feature spotlights an artist whose work will change your personal space in a different way -- and it's available in Dallas! Jonathan Cross is a Dallas native, and he is currently working on his MFA at Arizona State University. I knew him first as a painter and printmaker, but a few years ago, Jonathan began making very sculptural pieces. You can see his art in person in the gift shop at the Nasher Sculpture Center. (Interview by Lisa Renz)

LR: Would you talk a little bit about your process in terms of how you begin pieces? Do you plan pieces before your start them or is it more of an intuitive process?

JC: I typically begin with a block of clay which I carve out during the various states of drying. I do draw a lot but the works that I carve are the products of a more intuitive process.

LR: What is the firing and finishing process? How much is chance a part of the work as far as how much control you have over the glaze and chemicals you use to treat the clay?

JC: After some of the pieces are dry I spray them with metallic oxides which will give them directional color variations. Most of my work is then fired in a salt kiln or wood kiln to approximately 2500 degrees fahrenheit. Recently I have been experimenting with refiring works in both the salt and wood kilns to create layers of color, and surface texture. With these two firing methods there is the element of chance, but like most art, all of the conditions through which chance happens are controlled: clay, oxides, position in the kiln, etc.

LR: Your forms are really structured, architectural, solid, heavy. What inspires your forms? How do you look at your own work when thinking about the history of ceramics and sculpture? How do you think of your work in terms of contemporary ceramics and sculpture?

JC: After making work for a couple of years and reflecting on the types of inspiration I draw on, I have noticed many of my other interests showing traces in my works. Some of these are geology, architecture- modern and ancient, minimalism, science fiction, and japanese pottery (specifically wood-fired ceramics).

LR: It seems, in looking at the pieces, that you put a lot of thought into what plant goes into what pot. Do you see the plants as finishing each piece?

JC: I used to think a lot about the plants and pots together making a complete design. This concern sprang mainly from my desire to make containers for my own plant collection. Now that all of my plants are happily situated in planters of my own make and design I find myself very much less concerned with the practical aspects of a planter and more concerned with the formal sculptural issues of my work.

LR: You used to work quite a bit on paper, making drawings and prints, but even your prints had a sculptural aspect to them -- ink standing up on the page, holes torn through the paper. Then there was a shift towards making three dimensional work. Do you see your work continuing to be mainly three dimensional, or do you also continue to make two dimensional works?

JC: Yes, the printed works I made 10 years ago were very much about the object aspects of paper and ink. With our current understanding of physical objects even paper can be perceived in three dimensions however faint. Creating textures, embossments and holes in the paper emphasized the paper's qualities as an object not an image. I have not made any two dimensional works for about 4-5 years now. There are similarities between the two kinds of work- color pallet, negative space, and texture are a few. For now, I see myself continuing to explore the sculptural concepts in my ceramic work.

LR: What is next for you?

JC: More work.

Check out Jonathan's work on his website, http://jcrosscactus.wordpress.com/ or go see it in person at the Nasher Sculpture Center. While you're at it, check out the stunning Tony Cragg exhibit, which runs through January 8, 2012. Thanks Jonathan! Truly beautiful work.

THE NEW DIRECTION OF EDITORIAL

2011-10-11T07:48:00.000-05:00

Neiman Marcus 2011

I have noticed a trend. Subtle, but nonetheless its there. I don't even know what to call it. But this is what it reminds me of:

I remember in 8th grade art class, my instructor was teaching us about Matisse.

(Speaking of my art instructor, I have to give a shout out to W.L., who was my first mentor and such an integral part of my creative development. See Wally? I'm still noticing composition and design, and making my living from it and recalling where I first learned it!)

Anyways, we were supposed to recreate a Matisse painting, with colored chalk or pastels. That was the assignment. Okay, go.

I don't remember which one I chose; I do remember it had a round table in it, and maybe some plants and lots of pattern; similar to the one above, but not that one. It wasn't until I started sketching the layout, copying this master, that I understood the lesson to the assignment.

We've all seen Matisse's paintings a million times, or maybe at least thousands, right? But it wasn't until I tried to recreate one that I finally understood what makes his art so unique. Besides the layering, besides the colours, besides the patterns, and besides the 'everyday subjects brought to life', it was HIS PERSPECTIVE.

There is a natural Perspective in our vision that artists re-create on a 2-dimensional canvas to make it appear realistic.

You remember I'm sure, if you've ever taken an art class or tried to draw, that you make objects in the distance smaller than the objects in the foreground. Art students study this, similar to the chart above, when we learn how to draw and compose subjects. It's called One Point Perspective.

Now, when you look at a Matisse painting, what do you notice? This is what I found out when I tried to copy his art on paper, at age 14. He skewed the perspective on canvas. That rug in the foreground... Our eyes naturally see the part farthest part as smaller than the end nearest us, but Matisse paints it all the same size. There is no delineation between near and far.

And now, looking at Matisse's other paintings, plates and platters are all the same size, like an oval disc cut out and placed atop the canvas -- instead of being drawn to scale, or correct perspective. A tabletop in the painting that was my assignment is where I noticed this lack of perspective. And trust me, it's harder than it looks to go AGAINST your eye's natural view, and paint in 2-dimensions.

This must be ONE reason Matisse is a master of art. Did he do it on purpose? Was it accidental? I happen to think it was on purpose. It is that perfect balance of naiveness without being contrived. It's like this: When a child paints a picture, and they do it from their head without thinking and it's GENIUS. Purely magical.
BUT when an adult tries the same thing, it comes across as CONTRIVED. You can tell the difference. Similar to personalities. Someone who is just 'cool' without trying, and someone who tries SO hard at being cool, that it is contrived and backfires.
So, I always wonder, did Matisse do this from a sort of naiveté OR did he know exactly what he was doing, wanting to mess with our perception, but do it SO well that it didn't come across as contrived?

ALL OF THIS brings me back to my original point, and title of my post: The New Direction of Editorial. It hit me, as I was looking at images throughout the web and magazines, created by stylists and stores alike: They are changing their perspective on these collages. Everything is being shot from ABOVE, with a lack of 'one point perspective'.

While these images of place settings, both from West Elm, are shot from above and looking down on the subject...

... I remember, and they still do this, them shooting scenes straight on, looking AT objects, instead of DOWN at them (seen below).

above and below, both West Elm

Can you see the difference now??

And it's extended itself to every editorial shot...

above and below: Styled by the Blue Issue for ON Magazine Shop 2010, Photographed by Park & Sabine

FASHION SPREADS NOW: LOOKING DOWN

above and below: Neiman Marcus 2011

FASHION SPREADS HOW WE KNOW THEM: LOOKING AT

And in the same catalogue from Neiman Marcus, is some inspiration boards, shown how we would normally look at a wall:

And how I am seeing them more and more: FROM ABOVE:

THE COATHANGERS by J TRAV

Even Kelly Wearstler, who is sets the trends, has images in this editorial style:

KWID for Sferra

KWID for The Rug Company

above & below: KWID for Sferra

And my FAVE, DIANE VON FURSTENBERG shows here home goods line in the same style, below:

WHAT DO YOU THINK, Am I on to something?
It's just one of those 'je ne sais quoi' things that stood out to me.
And if it makes me go back and reminiscence about 8th grade Matisse, then for that alone, I am glad.

SHOPPING THE CASES AT THE ANTIQUE MALL

2011-10-03T11:06:00.001-05:00

Maybe I should rephrase that: WINDOW SHOPPING THE CASES AT THE ANTIQUE MALL.

As I am almost always looking, and rarely purchasing, I think 'window shopping' is more appropriate. But nevertheless, it is calming and relaxing for me to take my time (when I have it) and go up and down the aisles (of ANY Antique Mall, this trips pictures are all from Forestwood Antique Mall in Dallas) and look at EACH and EVERY thing in the case.

There are lots of cases at Forestwood, and they have a great selection of Kenneth Jay Lane costume jewelry -- which I love.

I find that when I go shopping with friends, that it seems no-one stops to look inside these cases. But to me, the little treasures are sometimes the most interesting.

I have always been fond of insect jewelry, probably because I grew up remembering my grandmother wearing a gold bumble-bee brooch. The dragonfly pin above reminds me of early Art Nouveau jewelry, as the French did so many pieces in the form of insects, but especially dragonflies.

This frog by KJL above reminded me of a lady that was in a post I did on Advanced Style blog, and she was noticed by the photographer for wearing a frog ring. He soon found out that she collected frogs.

So when I was at the check-out counter, visiting with my Forestwood Friends, I spotted these two brooches sitting there. I was instantly smitten with these. Especially the bees, as it reminded me of my grandmothers. They told me that they were already sold, and I figured it was okay, since I was sure they were out of my price range, with the diamonds and rubies for the eyes and all....

Then I flipped over the price tag. They were $15 each. And signed!! DRATZ!!!

That is the great thing about high-end costume jewelry, especially vintage. Sometimes it is hard to tell if they were made of real gold or if they used real stones because they were so well made. The costume jewelry of the past (and some of the present too) would employ really skilled jewelers who would hand-set the stones, hence the high-end quality to them and why they keep their value and demand today.

Looking at this picture of the pin with the $15 tag attached is still hard, I REALLY wanted it! But I bet if I keep looking in the cases, I'll find another one... one day.

ADVANCED STYLE: INSPIRING AND AMAZING

2011-09-30T13:59:00.001-05:00

I discovered this fantastic blog called ADVANCED STYLE on my Flipboard (this is an app you MUST HAVE if you have an iPad - It's one of my very, very faves... you can purchase it here), and I stayed up way too late last night looking at every image and reading every story, all from the genius mind and talented eye of Ari Seth Cohen.

BEATRIX OST

In the same manner of The Sartorialist, Ari hits the streets and captures stylish women with his lens, but what he's done for me is make me realize that fashion, style and spunk don't decline as you age... The difference is these women still have it, and they wear it even better than the young ones... because they have confidence and grace.

LADY FRANCESCA TODD met Ari while sitting on the bus on a rainy New York nigh. He noticed her because of her statement ring - a large green frog. She told him that she collects Frogs, and that he was welcome to take her picture.

A stylish shopkeeper in Milan, Italy

RUTH, NYC

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS WOMAN IS 100 YEARS OLD?

Her name is Ruth, and when Ari met her, she was just leaving her Pilates class in the Upper West Side of NYC. Her best beauty advice is from Elizabeth Arden: "If you want to look this good when you are 40, start when you are 20." She should know....she is getting ready to go to Bermuda in a few days.... with her boyfriend.

GERMAN WRITER AND ARTIST, BEATRIX OST

BEATRIX OST, NYC
I think this Ms. Ost might be my new style muse? (THIS IS HOW I SEE MYSELF IN 30 YEARS)

... And I love her style tips she passed on to Ari:

"Age appropriate I would say is silly, but please look in the mirror. Do not populate airports, places of sightseeing, churches, any of such in foreign countries, wearing shorts like a teen. Sexy is in the eye of the beholder -- be sparse with showing your flesh."

RITA HAMMER
"If you look in the mirror and it offends the eye, then don't do it. I don't think women of a certain age should wear hot-pants or miniskirts, but they can wear skirts an inch or two above the knee. That can look very elegant. It's up to the woman to know what she's doing and see if it feels right. It's personal taste."

CLAIRE, Battery Park, at age 80

LINDA FARGO & LYNN DELL (79 YEARS OLD)

MADISON AVENUE, NYC. It's all about the red lipstick and matching nails!

Another Madison Avenue woman, wearing red lipstick and matching nails, with a classic trench and triple-strand pearl necklace. So chic.

PROOF THAT GRAY IS THE NEW BLONDE...

is the title of one of Ari's posts, and the picture above and two pictures below are great examples that maybe he's on to something. As for me, I am not accepting the patch that is taking over my temple...

ALICE CAREY

New York City writer ALICE CAREY says she developed her sense of fashion by studying the ladies who lived off Park Avenue in the 1950's and 1960's. She also learned about style from her Irish mother, who shopped at Bergdorf's and wore Hattie Carnegie. Her own style philosophy that sets her apart from the rest is to "look as chic as you can, but your average person on the street would never wear [it]".

ALICE CAREY in her favorite designer, Bill Blass. She found this vintage Blass dress in a thrift shop.

ROSE, NYC

ROSE, NYC... AT AGE 98

"The other day I had the wonderful opportunity to interview an amazingly stylish 98 year old woman by the name of Rose . I met her a few weeks ago when I stopped to take her photo off of Madison Ave. She told me that she never allows anyone to take her picture, and she is not quite sure why she decided to say yes to me that fateful day. After appearing on Advanced Style, her grandchildren emailed me telling me that Rose loved her picture and that I could come by her place and ask a few questions about her life and style! Even more inspiring than Roses' fantastic fashion sense is positive outlook on life; Enjoy every moment and be happy with what you have.At 98, she has more vitality and spirit than most people half her age." (as told by Ari, creator of Advanced Style, October 26, 2010)

Rose's style tip #9

Here are her Top Ten Ways to Stay Stylish and Look Great at 98:

Find your perfect perfume, people will remember you by your scent. Rose is known for her Pauline Trigère fragrance. She tells her granddaughter "I'll give you anything in the world, but I won't give you my perfume".
Belts and Beads. Rose believes that a belt or unique strand of beads can really make an outfit and they don't have to cost a fortune.
Take care of your feet and wear good shoes, but when you are going out for a night on the town, "Fashion comes before comfort". At 98, Rose goes out every single night!
"Walking is a must, it's better than doctors or medicine."
No need to use expensive moisturizers, Rose swears by Oil of Olay which she has been using for decades.
"Inexpensive lipstick is as good as expensive, only better!" Rose has tried every brand from Chanel to Lauder and has recently been turned on to Revlon.
Be Unique: "If everyone is wearing it, then it is not for me".
"Be smart enough to know what you don't know".
If you have trouble reading the dinner menu, Lorgnettes are a fashionable and elegant alternative to reading glasses (see her own example above). [If you like this idea, we have a gorgeous pair in our store. Go here to see them!]
"Be happy, enjoy what you have at every moment!"

ROSE, NYC... AT AGE 99

And YES, that IS an Hermès studded belt she's wearing.

Another year older, and almost a century old, Rose has some more lifestyle tips, that she shared with Ari:

Stay Organized. "If you take a toothpick out, or a pair of pantyhose, or a hundred dollar bill, always put it back where you found it, because if you add up the time you spend looking for it later, that's a waste of time"
"Always tell the truth because if you don't you'll have to think of another lie."
"Be More, appear Less."
"Always take the phone off the hook when you are in the bath."
"Make friends with the Maître De."
"Never loan, Never borrow."
"Never keep anyone waiting. Always be 15 minutes early."
"Never look back, always look forward."
"Don't be afraid to tell your age, that's silly. Be proud of your age."
"Don't frequent a restaurant where they don't crumb the table."

[my take on this? I can relate, except for the pantyhose, misplacing hundred dollar bills, and eating at restaurants without 'crumby' waiters. Dives are the best restaurants, and I bet if I took Ruth to my faves, she'd love them.]

JOYCE, NYC... AGE 79

Joyce believes "To age is a privilege." I have to say, I've never thought of it that way before, but she's right. She also believes in Fishnet stockings, Fiocco's, and that a good pair of gloves can make an outfit. To read hear style tips, go here.

IRENE, who met Ari on the NYC bus, told him that she once wrote a bio in 6 words: "My life threads weave wondrous tapestries".

A neoprene suit! Not traditional at all! And worn with those gloves and glasses... very chic and edgy.

Upper West Side, NYC. You can't go wrong with a scarf wrapped around your head, a chic alternative to a hat. And I like her bright pink lipstick, also a nice alternative to the red!

Ari snapped these photos of this woman leaving a cafe on the Upper East Side of NYC. Wow, does she know how to dress. The colour combinations, the textures of her coat and scarf and feathered hat, and then the modern jewelry on her wrists.

Looking at the picture above and below, you would never guess that it is the same woman! The hat is so prim and proper, and her jewelry is so edgy, yet they go together so well. Let me rephrase that: SHE puts it together so well.

LINDA ZAGARIA

LINDA ZAGARIA, NYC

WOMEN IN NYC -- LIKE LINDA ABOVE AND BELOW -- REALLY KNOW HOW TO DRESS... And I'm not even going to show you the picture of Linda where she is cinching her waist... It is depressing. Scarlett O'Hara, eat your heart out.

"When you are younger you tend to dress for other people, when you are older you dress for yourself."

NANCY OZELLI, NYC

GITTE LEE

My mom is a little camera shy, and I REALLY wanted to include her on this post as she is such an example of "Advanced Style", I am picking these pictures of the striking Danish woman Gitte Lee instead, as this is the closest I have ever seen anyone else dressing JUST LIKE MY MOM.

GITTE LEE, NYC... AGE 76

Gitte (short for Birgit) Lee is Danish, and has dark hair instead of the blonde that we usually think of the Danes having. So is the same with my mom. She is German, but not blonde. She has the same colour hair of Gitte's and brown eyes. My Oma, German also, even had an olive complexion, so my mom sometimes appears to look more like a Spaniard. My mom also loves to wear hats, and the outfit above is something straight out of her closet: She wears gold jewelry, brooches, red lipstick (well it's getting lighter, but I think you should bring out the red again mom), bracelets... everything except that fabulous purse that Gitte is carrying. I can't see my mom (or me either) justifying the expense of the Hermès bag... Although it looks SO DERN GOOD with her outfit, doesn't it?

Gitte is so elegant, proof that plastic surgery is not necessary to stay beautiful as women age. Although she WAS a famous model back over 50 years ago....

My mom has always said that when she wears hats while shopping, she gets treated SO differently ... I am thinking SO much better. This happened to her in New York City, over 20 years ago, at an art gallery. She was wearing what my dad describes as an "orphan annie hat". As soon as they walked in, they got escorted to this VIP back room. I am sure they thought that they had these 'big spenders' in town, because my mom looked as elegant as Gitte does above.

They left later, without any canvases under their arm. I think my parents enjoyed the brief attention, and as an 18 year old girl, I took note of their story: Appearances matter - the way you are dressed - and people treat you different accordingly. There are shops here that I REFUSE to go into anymore, because when I am slumming it (like I do almost every day) in comfy sweats or t-shirts, they refuse to help me. And if I happen to pop in to the same store after a luncheon and am all dressed up, they are so fake and all over me. Just on principal alone, I won't go there anymore. And it's hard, because I have to pass those window displays all the time and they have the cutest clothes... but I've stuck to my guns for years now.

Gitte's outfits are the same for every season: a sweater, long coat, and pair of loose trousers [you could never get away with this in Texas. It is still 100℉ and almost October]. and she changes the fabrics of these according to season. She mixes it up with the changing of a hat or bag, and picks pieces that can be worn day or night. Her overcoats were all purchased in India, and she no longer feels the need to purchase new clothing. Her signature accessory is a big pair of black glasses, which protect her skin from the sun. I think she's brilliant!

ALL IMAGES ABOVE BY ARI SETH COHEN

VISIT COHEN'S BLOG ADVANCED STYLE FOR MORE STUNNING SENIOR DARLINGS!

HOLLYWOOD'S FAMOUS... WHEN THEY WERE BABIES

2011-09-23T10:50:00.001-05:00

MOVIE STAR: 'K'

Hollywood's Most Beautiful Stars are known to us all, and I'm not talking about the current ones who are famous for nothing. I'm talking about OLD HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR and the actors & actresses who coined the phrase "movie star".

We have seen their photos a million times, but what I thought was interesting was, we have never really seen many images of them when they were young. So I found my favourite ones and thought it'd be fun to see if you can guess who they are by their baby picture. We'll start easy.

(I dedicate this post to my star friend Angie, who is the biggest movie buff and lover of old films that I know. Let's test your skills girl! ☺)

SO, AT FIRST I thought I would mix the stars up and give hints, but 'me tired' and I will post this under the guise that I am wanting to challenge ya'll in figuring out who they are without any hints.

So Think.....

And Think.....

And Here are the Answers!....

NORMA JEAN MORTENSON

★ MARILYN MONROE ★

1926-1962 (died at age 36)

one of my very favourite pictures of her

★ LUCILLE DÉSIRÉE BALL ★

1911-1989 (died at age 77)

HARLEAN HARLOW CARPENTER

★ JEAN HARLOW ★

1911-1937 (died at age 26)

D.
JANE ALICE PETERS
★ CAROLE LOMBARD ★
1908-1942 (died at age 33)

E.
DORIS MARY ANN KAPPELHOFF
★ DORIS DAY ★
B.1924, 87 YEARS OLD

ELIZABETH RUTH GRABLE

★ BETTY GRABLE ★

1916-1973 (died at age 56)

G.
MARLON BRANDO, JR.
★ MARLON BRANDO ★
1924-2004 (died at age 80)

H.
ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER LEACH
★ CARY GRANT ★
1904-1986 (died at age 82)

I.
FREDERICK AUSTERLITZ
★ FRED ASTAIRE ★
1899-1987 (died at age 88)

J.
VIRGINIA KATHERINE MCMATH
★ GINGER ROGERS ★
1911-1995 (died at age 83)

MARIE MAGDALENE DIETRICH

★ MARLENE DIETRICH ★

1901-1992 (died at age 90)

EUGENE CURRAN KELLY

★ GENE KELLY ★

1912-1996 (died at age 83)

ELIZABETH ROSEMOND TAYLOR

★ ELIZABETH TAYLOR ★

1932-2011 (died at age 79)

AVA LAVINIA GARDNER

★ AVA GARDNER ★

1922-1990 (died at age 67)

VIVIAN MARY HARTLEY

★ VIVIEN LEIGH ★

1913-1967 (died at age 53)

MARGARITA CARMEN CANSINO

★ RITA HAYWORTH ★

1918-1987 (died at age 68)

I am stopping now, at the letter P....

for no Particular reason, except that I am Pooped from this Post already, and I am sure you are Peeved that I have taken up so much downloading time with all these Photographs. Not to mention that I am tired of looking at all these Pretty people, especially after I just had Oreo's + Milk for breakfast. Last thing I need to see is their Perfect skin and Perfect bodies! ha!

Shop Curio: Lisa's pick of the week

2011-09-21T08:00:00.075-05:00

Lisa's Pick of the Week!

This vintage needlepoint handbag is one of a kind, so get it now or you'll have to stitch your own. And really, do you want to be at home sewing instead of out on the open highway with this beautiful, beautiful bag?

The handles are celluloid and are in lovely condition.

You'll need your driving gloves.

and postcards to send to friends from your destination.

(Map's already on the bag for those of you who like to travel light)

Don't forget a scarf to tame your hair in the convertible.

Available at Shop Curio.

Who is this guy?

2011-09-19T13:58:00.001-05:00

A. a disgruntled TMZ reporter tired of pretending like he's having a blast stalking celebs

B. the mug shot of a 34 year old man currently enrolled as a 15 year old in a NJ middle school

C. the German president of the Justin Beiber fanclub

D. none of the above

If you answered ......... D, you are CORRECT!!

WHO IS HE THEN?

He's not a 'who', he's really a 'what'. This picture is actually an oil painting hanging on the wall of the National Portrait Gallery. Yes, this image which looks startlingly like a photograph is actually paint on canvas.

Artist Jan Mikulka painted this realistic portrait with the intent of wanting to produce a photographic quality portrait with paint instead.

It is currently in the National Portrait Gallery and visitors have voted it the best in the exhibition.

WOW.

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies ( & TOADSTOOLS? )

2011-09-07T07:29:00.001-05:00

My mom makes these cookies and they are my children's FAVOURITE treat.

I think it's the oatmeal and the hint of cinnamon that makes them so good. I like them a tad crispy, but regardless, they will not be wafer think cookies. They are stout and round and no-doubt, so am I after about 6 in my tummy.

OMA'S OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

½ pound (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt (optional)

3 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)

1 cup chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350℉.

Beat together margarine and sugars until creamy.

Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.

Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well.

Stir in oats and chocolate chips; mix well.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto un-greased cookie sheet.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack.

Makes about 4 dozen.

VARIATIONS:

For High Altitude: increase flour to 1 ¾ cups.

Bar Cookies: Bake 30 - 35 minutes in un-greased 13 x 9-inch metal baking pan.

These freeze well too.

These are the plates my mom had, on which we placed the cookies on as shown above.
The call it the "Champignons Plate":

10.25" dinner plate from Anthropologie, here

These Stoneware plates are made by the Parisian artist Nathalie Lete, and show these fantastical mushrooms in the French Countryside. The blue lines and dots on the fluted edges just add to the charm.

Although these plates are called Champignons at Anthropologie, the more technical name for the Toadstool is Fly Agaric, or if you are REALLY technical, Amanita Muscaria. I think somewhere in all of our childhoods we have seen these in books, cartoons, even toys. Just by looking at them it evokes a sense of fairy-tale, and are often seen with gnomes. Over the last 3 years, I have collected these other images of the Toadstool Mushroom, and now is the perfect time to let these little guys get center stage.
Well, honestly, the cookies get center stage. But these come a close second.

via lepista/flickr

via Aviruthia/flickr

HAPPY NEW YEAR

madewithlovebyhannah/flickr

via *amber e*/flickr

lilfishstudio/flickr

toadstool doorstops/madewithlovebyhannah/flickr

moline (up again, enjoying autumn)/flickr

Anthropologie

madewithlovebyhannah/flickr

8X8 PAINTING
via kelbug/flickr

madewithlovebyhannah/flickr

antique book from utrect/happymeat/flickr

THIS IS A CAKE!!
via Cake Star/flickr

via TM - the crocheteer!/flickr

dolls named mira and maga from Revoluzzza/flickr

baby toy Malou from Revoluzzza-toy/flickr

A great collection of old German ornaments, sent to me and owned by the stylish Road to Parnassus

IT IS REALLY INTERESTING TO READ THE HISTORY AND DETAILS OF THIS HISTORICAL AND HALLUCINOGENIC MUSHROOM.

To read more about it, like its religious significance, habitat, toxicity, uses in Siberia and with the Vikings and Christians, usage in food, literature, and Christmas decorations ... visit here.

via mattberry/flickr

F. Schumacher's AU NATUREL COLLECTION 2011

2011-08-30T12:33:00.001-05:00

Early this summer we received the trim books and fabric/wallcovering books from Schumacher's Au Naturel Collection and it is pure subtle elegance. Full of tonal patterns and textures, and all usable in SO many different applications.

Nicole Linen Braid in Greige, here; Greek Key Embroidery II, here

I thought I'd share with you some of my favorites, enjoy!

I can't ever get enough of the classical Greek Key motif: Dominque Linen Tape in Greige, here

Marcel Tie Back in Blanc/Linen, here; Roussillon Embroidery in Chalk, here

Marcel Braid in Blanc/Linen, here

Belfort Linen Applique in Linen, here; Anton Linen Ruche in Natural, here;

Charleroi Paisley Embroidery in Linen, here

Maxime Linen Paisley in Natural, here

Amboise Linen Embroidery in Greige, here [AND LET ME TELL YOU, THAT IN PERSON THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST EXQUISITE LOOKING FABRICS. IT COMES IN THREE COLORWAYS TOO.]; Madeleine Bobble Fringe in Greige, here

Monceau Linen Embroidery in Zinc, here; Montauban Stripe in Greige or Nickel, here; L'Orient Fret in Greige, here

Chinon Silk Weave in Moonstone, here

Ottoman Flower in Moonstone, here

Zoe Linen Ruche in Flax, here; Madeleine Bobble Fringe in Greige, here

Maya Ikat Print in Indigo, here; Kandira in Indigo, here; Rene Linen Tape in Greige, here

A pillow made from the Kandira in Indigo (here)

Maya Ikat Print in Ash, here

Ambala Paisley in Greige, here

Vincent Linen Braid in String, here; Laurent Linen Rickrack in String, here; Henri Braided Lipcord in Greige, here

SO IF YOU THINK THIS WAS GORGEOUS, JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE NEW COLLECTION JUST RELEASED FOR SCHUMACHER, DESIGNED BY MARTYN LAWRENCE-BULLARD.

Our gorgeous rep brought it to our office yesterday, and it is FANTASTIC. I might have one picture to show, as I don't think it's on-line yet, but its very Marrrrtyn.... (if you watch MDD).... very Alahammbra meets Beverly Hills meets Morocco, dahling....

BUT IN A GOOD WAY.

AND....

If you are liking any of these great trims, wallcoverings, or fabrics I just shared with you from Schumacher, there is a wonderful company run by a friend of mine that specializes in purchasing To The Trade Only products. If you don't work with a decorator or know exactly what you want to order, she's your gal. Visit her site Maddie G. Designs, here.

Interchange: Public Art Works from Tori Kaspareit Pelz

2011-08-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Today, Cashon & Co. Blog proudly presents our first installment of a new series, called INTERCHANGE.

By definition, the word interchange is a verb that means: (of two or more people) exchange (things) with each other : superior and subordinates freely interchange ideas and information.

• put each of (two things) in the other's place : the terms are often interchanged.• [ intrans. ] (of a thing) be able to be exchanged with another ...
... AND that is exactly what this is about. Lisa Renz, who is the wearer at many hats at Cashon & Co. Interiors Ltd. is by trade an artist. And by that I mean - not only is she talented, but she is an active artist, that also holds a BFA and a MFA in Printmaking. Her work is currently on display in a one-man show at the Boswell Mourot Fine Art Gallery in Little Rock, AR and she has works in the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Art Library in New York.
In the series that she entitled INTERCHANGE, Lisa will interview artists from around the world. I am personally SO excited to have the opportunity to be involved with her AND with her Art World, via her works, stories, and now her interviews. So, please welcome the very first Interchange and welcome Lisa to the blog world! Take it away, girl!
〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮〮

Tori Kaspareit Pelz is an emerging artist who hails from Dallas, Texas. She's someone you should know. She's someone you'd want to sit and have coffee with. Make that a glass of wine and some yummy chocolate cake. While much of her work is made alone in her studio, she constantly gravitates towards bringing art to the community, and engaging people in the process or the installation. She currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, having just moved from Little Rock, Arkansas. Hopefully this interview will allow you to get to know her a little better. (Interview by Lisa Renz)

LR: You tend to make art that reaches out to the public in unexpected, even ephemeral ways, such as your Flannery O'Connor piece, or to include people in the process of your art making, as in your most recent project re-entry. Talk a little bit about both projects and what drives you towards interactive, collaborative, public art works.

click on image to view larger

TKP: When I first moved in to my neighborhood in downtown Little Rock, I fell in love with the overgrown, abandoned façade. It was tucked behind unkempt rentals on a side street. It had this tragic, romantic quality about it. I knew I had to do something with it. (I later came to learn that an older gentleman had conceived of the structure as a dream house for his wife, but when she passed away mid-construction, he couldn’t bring himself to finish the building or sell the site. That’s the lore, anyway.)

I just wanted to love on the space, bring a bit of redemption. It was funny, as I was putting up the stencils, neighbors would pass by and exclaim how glad they were to see something being done to that space. That was gratifying.

click on image to view larger

The mud stencil project was more about creating a spectacle in an overlooked space. Flannery O’Connor, along with other Southern writers evoke this visceral yet spiritual interconnectedness between identity and geographical place. Her characters always seem to vacillate between a dangerous familiarity and a resultant displacement. The overgrown structure that was simultaneously being swallowed up by its environment and viewed as a neighborhood eyesore seemed a natural monument for O’Connor’s quote, “Where you’ve come from is gone, where you are going was never there… Nothing outside you can give you any place.”

click on image to view larger

The choice of mud was mostly pragmatic—I didn’t want to get in trouble for vandalism, and the stuff washes off pretty effortlessly. But it also works in again, that southern connectedness to physical place, soil. But I actually did get in trouble—as I was finishing the last few words, the never-before-seen owner came ranting and raving that Michael’s carried canvases for this sort of thing.

One of my favorite community artists—I think he actually refers to himself as a social sculptor—Hugh Merrill once noted that “drawing a picture of social justice is not the same as working with a homeless kid.” While I value and need a private studio practice to work through ideas, experiment, I find that my real reward of being an artist comes when I make work that directly engages a community. I’m still trying to find that balance or way of being that is as much about generating new ideas as it is about being a vehicle or facilitator for those who have little or no opportunity to be heard. Maybe that extends to forgotten architecture…?

LR: While working on re-entry, you acted as a curator as well as an artist, interviewing the women, and then organizing artists to respond to the interviews with drawings and prints. What were some of the challenges you found in this additional role?

cover art by Kim Wardenburg

TKP: I had to let go of the need for a specific outcome. I have a deep respect for the work of each of the artists I invited to participate in the ‘zine (in this case, a small, self-published mini magazine) so it was relatively easy to relinquish control.

artwork by David Bailin

I did find it interesting that many of the artists assumed the former inmates were African-American and responded accordingly with figurative imagery. Interestingly, only one of the five women was African-American. Upon learning she had assumed incorrectly, one artist panicked a bit and considered redoing her piece. I find this messy - this inaccuracy of how we relate race, and identity to experiences that we don’t necessarily share.

artwork by Delita Martin

Community seems to be a trendy topic these days, but too often we stop short at superficial context of tolerance, friendliness and general kumbayah-ness. I’d argue that at the heart of tolerance is indifference, a general I’m okay- You’re okay mindset. But that’s not engagement. That’s not community. Community happens when there is offense or misunderstanding that has to be confronted—when we grapple with others’ experiences that we could never feign to understand. In that tense space of open wounds and awkwardness, real engagement begins.

artwork by Katie Dunn

The women that I met with actually created that honest space for themselves. Each of them had come to a place of authenticity, I’d argue, by being loved unconditionally. They blew me away by the frankness with which they spoke of their pasts. They had no secrets, no shame. They weren’t trying hard to be “better.” They possessed a spiritual awareness that they’d been forgiven, restored. One woman, after sharing her struggle with various addictions, asked me, “So what’s your addiction? You know they come in all shapes and sizes.”

artwork by Lisa Renz

That was an unexpected element. I went into the project seeing myself as a facilitator for their stories to be heard. But really, it became more about a conversation. I wasn’t comfortable simply listening. I felt like I was taking without giving. Here they were, pouring out raw, inspiring narratives of where they’d been, how their faith and pain had transformed them, and I suddenly felt like I had nothing to give. Listening took on a whole new, active meaning for me.

artwork by Anita Horton

LR: What's next for you? Do you feel these works are serving as a springboard for future works or are you sensing a pull in an entirely different direction? Also, there are rumors of a parade in your future. Would you talk a little bit about that?

artwork by Holly Laws

TKP: After these "others-oriented" projects, I crave some quiet studio time. I’m definitely interested in continuing to involve marginalized communities. I’d really love to work with refugee populations. There’s something privileged about the perspective of those who have been thrust into unfamiliar environments. They see things with a bit more clarity. I want part of that heightened awareness.

Yes! Parades! I can’t say that without an exclamation. So we just moved to Grand Rapids where ArtPrize has been a big deal for the last 2 years. It’s part art fair/ part competition with huge cash prizes. I’m not a fan of the public voting aspect, but it does engage crowds who may not normally discuss art. The parade I’m planning with long-time friend, Danielle Kimzey, is the We’re Proud of You parade. We’re inviting artists and locals to make costumes and orchestrate performances that celebrate what makes Grand Rapids grand. I’m hoping for this to be an annual event.

Sometimes, my own art can be a little serioso, so I need an alternative art persona, one that can throw a parade. And, it’s again, a chance to engage community in a direct way. Come out on September 24, 2011 near the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Should be fun!

Please continue to check Tori's website. Under Construction. Art will be coming soon! www.toripelz.com

To view the pdf of the entire zine with interviews, and to see more artwork from the re-entry zine, go to: http://cloudofwitnessesdotorg.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/re-entry_reader-with-cover.pdf

To learn more about the Re-entry project, go to:

www.cloudofwitnesses.org

Bibliography:

O'Connor, Flannery. Wise Blood. New York, New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1949. Print.

NATURAL & MAN-MADE GEOMETRY

2011-08-24T07:33:00.000-05:00

I dedicate this post to the first week of school starting back.
HALLELUJAH!

I REALIZE I must have a fascination with geometric shapes. The very first week I started this blog, one of my posts (here) was on Geometry. And only a few months after that, I did another post on it here. This was 2 years ago, and and with one post more in 2010, I apparently have some kind of passion with Geometric shapes.

SO......

While on vacation this summer, I was sitting alone with my camera in the mountains, waiting for my children to come down the mountain on a slide. They of course wanted to do it many, many times, so I found myself trying not to be bored (my phone was out of batteries. What did we do before we could check e-mail and text messages?)

I had to use my *(sigh) brain. I looked around me, and I started noticing shapes. Many different shapes. Most of them were geometrical shapes, imposed by man, but living amongst nature. It reminded me of my College days and my Art/Photography classes way back when. When you start looking at things around you with a totally different perspective (through the lens, changes your whole way of viewing everything) you notice things that you never would of before.

So that's what I did. I snapped images, slowly at first, then I couldn't stop. On the way to the car, in the parking lot, stopping at a fruit stand, in the ladies restroom, I couldn't stop seeing man's impact on nature, and also nature's own geometry.

Here are the results.

See if you can guess WHAT THEY ARE.

BEFORE I GIVE YOU THE ANSWERS,

...I want to show you where this whole thing started.

I was sitting next to a 'shed', at the base of the mountain where the kids were taking the lift up to slide down. Summertime in the Rockies is just BEAUTIFUL. This was my view right in front of me. I didn't even get up from my seat to take this. Just gorgeous.

And ahead of me was a large lodge; I started noticing the sharp angles of the roof, eaves, and balconies. This large monumental building standing strong and quiet itself in the mountains.... amongst all the Summer's wild flowers and Winter's remaining snow.

I was admiring the sharp angles of the pitch of the roof against the sky; the acute angle to the right, the obtuse angle to the left. I am pretty verbose in the geometric definitions, especially angles, because I had helped my son with his Elementary Geometry Report, which I posted about this year here. It's pretty fun to go back to learning this! If I hadn't of recently helped my son with this, I don't even think I would of noticed the different types of angles on this building.

Then I turned to my left, and this was a door on the shed. Just a lovely image I think. Initially when I started taking all these photographs, I didn't even get up from the step I was sitting on. I started looking around where I was sitting and began to notice all the different shapes and textures. That is when I started snapping away.

THE ANSWERS:

This is the metal stairs next to me, and I am sure the 'teeth' texture on the steps are there to grip the snow boots that use these steps every Winter.

This rubber square full of holes is right next to those stairs. I am guessing it is one of those rubber tiles you see in bathrooms at pools, to lay on the floor and let water drain. It has been weathered by the sun, and was just laying next to me, with no purpose. I love the colour version of this image, the blues with the terra-cotta hued wood in the background. It almost looks Moorish to me.

Now I KNOW most of you ladies (and a few of you fashionable men *wink) got this one. My handbag sitting next to me, and the strap below is actually a shadow on the splintered wood. But hidden in one of those squares is the recognizable LV. When the image is taken to black & white, you REALLY notice all the texture in the vinyl of the purse. I don't think I ever noticed before how many tiny shapes and the grid of them that exist in EACH square.

Looking to my right, was some long metal 'runway' kind of thing. I am thinking it is a place to store ski equipment or something, as it is near the base of the chair lift. My husband and father waiting patiently for the children too, at the end of this 'runway' thing.

These metal steps changed a little bit, like an Escher illustration, when the sun cast different shadows in the sky. They almost look like those old plastic shades you put on your windows, don't they? What were those called, Levolor?

It is hard to see the bulb in the black & white image, but this was a gorgeous, old rustic and somewhat Arts & Crafts -inspired outdoor lantern attached to the shed. I just had to turn my back around to take this photo. That glass is so pretty, you have to pay so much extra now to get this kind of glass for interior design projects! And this fixture almost looks nautical to me.

This one isn't hard to guess. A man-hole cover. But it was in the middle of nowhere on the mountain. Almost undiscoverable.

Another easy guess, but I still liked the variety of circles, not excluding the tire itself! It's like one of those games. How many circles are in this picture? I'm going to try and count, using the original on the right. I see 40?

Those gnarly grated steel stairs next to me, upon further looking, made the neatest shadows below it.

Above the steps, and in similar fashion to the light fixture behind me, is this railing system, that when view close up, almost looks like a jail. A Ski Jail. Ha.

So we took a Gondola back down the mountain. My mind was still on shapes. I saw my son's foot in front of me. I had never noticed his shoe's soles were so crazy and had these large circles on the heel.

And the gondola's windows, also full of circles!!

And my husband's tennis shoes, again with the circles. But of course, when he saw me focusing my camera on his feet, he looked at me like I had 3 heads and asked WHY IN THE WORLD was I taking photos of his shoes.

At a quick stop in the restroom, my mind is still going with this. I was glad no one else was in there with me, because I even embarrassed myself taking photos of the sink's drain.

We got to the parking lot, to go back home. My shutter didn't stop stop then. I'm annoying everyone by now.

One last shot, stepping out of the car door, looking up at the air conditioning vent.

And walking to the door, once at home, I spotted a few more interesting things I had to shoot before going inside. These aspen trees are just beautiful, but something about the black plastic netting wrapping the bases of so many looked stunning to me. It's akin to seeing a pair of beautiful legs in fishnet stockings.

And when those trees have to be cut down, the pattern they leave are amazing too.

And the last one might be kind of hard to guess.....

A mushroom that just happened to be sitting on a rock. I am guessing one of my sons had picked it earlier, and laid it here to rest?

So, I enjoyed my day shooting images. I am glad my cell phone's batteries were dead, and that I did this instead. And it was a good thing I was sitting away from the lift on the mountain where my kids were sliding. Because as I got up to leave, only 2 feet from where I was sitting, I passed by this sign:

I KID YOU NOT. Funny Funny.

I CHALLENGE YOU TO GO OUT TODAY AND LOOK AT YOUR SURROUNDINGS WITH A NEW VIEW-POINT.

CARRY AROUND YOUR CAMERA AND LOOK THROUGH IT, AT ALL THE OBJECTS AROUND YOU, FOR 2 HOURS. It changes your perspective on everything, I am not kidding! You notice little things that you normally wouldn't, you notice colour and textures, you notice relationships, you notice composition (when you look in a view finder, all of a sudden YOU have to arrange where objects go, it's not decided for you like it is with your eyes), and you notice dimensions.

Good Luck!