February 15, 2010

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Things were far from quiet here in Vancouver, the perfect antidote for the mid-February blahs…

I blogged just the other day about working with what you have available to you and I think this post is in much the same vein. The art below by Yuken Teruya also makes me think about seeing art in the every day, and about working with found or reclaimed materials – no matter how humble their beginnings (take a close peek at each of the works below and see if you can determine their origins). Found via 2modern blog.

Category: art | 2 Comments »
Tags: art, yuken teruya

February 12, 2010

Looking at this site yesterday made me smile – so I thought I’d share it here today. Thanks to Lesley at Smidgebox for letting me know about it!

Katie Sokoler is a street artist and photographer from Brooklyn. From looking at her site it seems clear to me that she has a sunny outlook and chooses to look at the bright side of life! She encourages others to cultivate their own artistic talent – and what particularly attracts me to her projects are the vibrant colors she uses and that the materials are relatively inexpensive. If you’re in need of a mid February pick-up perhaps you can take Katie’s lead and create some temporary art to lift your mood and brighten your space!

Would love to hear your ideas for fun projects around your home or neighborhood – hope you have a wonderful weekend!

For more information on each of these projects (the stories behind them are enjoyable to read) do check out Katie’s blog here.

~Posted by: Amy

Category: art | 1 Comment »
Tags: art, katie sokoler

February 11, 2010

So you may not be a fan of pink – but I am very certainly quite enamoured with this dainty color… But I’m one of those gals who likes everything. Yes – really, everything.

I’ve gone through my phases – throughout high school I scorned those who listened to pop music and was very attached to my olive green pumas… I was into grunge the first time it was a trend – uhoh aging myself here… But I’ve lightened up some and for me fashion and art are no longer a way to identify myself, instead I appreciate and love art in all it’s forms – and I look to see what I can learn from each different artist and their point of view. So any style is good in my books from the very vintage and grungy to the ephemeral and the truly girly…

But enough about me – on to the pictures!

I was thrilled to stumble upon Jackie Rueda’s photostream on Flickr tonight. Her collages are just wonderful and I was excited to see that she’s a fellow Canadian. She is clearly multi-talented as she juggles motherhood and work as a journalist, TV writer and photographer.

The first set of pictures below are all available in her etsy shop.

Each of the gorgeous collages below are from her flickr stream. Please click on the link below the collage to see the credits for each individual photographer.

Click here for credits

Click here for credits

Click here for credits

~Posted by: Amy

Category: Home Decor, art | 1 Comment »
Tags: art, lovely pink hues, Photography

January 30, 2010

Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! If it’s snowing where you live, here are some images to remind you that summer really isn’t so far off. When Mina commented on Handmade Evolution earlier this week – I took a peek at her lovely work and knew I had to feature it… Her current collection is a blast of sunshine – and I wish I could put myself right into one of her wonderful photos. See them all for yourself right here.

~Posted by: Amy

Category: Home Decor, art | 2 Comments »
Tags: art, Home Decor

January 27, 2010

It’s not quite winter, it’s not quite spring – at least that’s Vancouver – when we should have much colder temperatures, daffodils and cherry blossoms are blooming – yet we haven’t seen that much sunshine (until today – hello!). The holidays are over and Valentine’s is approaching…

Are you feeling as inspired as you were in early January – as enthusiastic about the New Year? If yes – what’s helping you to stay inspired?

Personally, I had a bit of a “day” yesterday – filled with distractions and didn’t get nearly as many things ticked off my to do list as I would have liked. Got started taking photos for my shop and that alone was a gong show and made me a tad bit grumpy… I’m no photographer, let me tell you! But I feel like I’ve turned it around… I think sometimes we need to concentrate on taking things one step at a time, and accomplishing what we can – even if it’s not everything we set out to do. And take pride in the small steps we are making – interestingly, time away from a project sometimes allows me to come back to it with a fresh new perspective, which is just what’s needed. And at the end of the day it is all about thinking positively – finding the best in yourself and in others. And when you can, employing Magical Thinking, couldn’t hurt right?

1). For me For you 2). Lorena Siminovich

~Posted by: Amy

Category: Lifestyle, art | 2 Comments »
Tags: art, for me for you, inspiration, lorena siminovich

January 21, 2010

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the creative process – how it works for me, and wondering how it works for others. For me it comes down to being in the right frame of mind – which can be tough to control at times. Every day is different, but when I’m starting a new project for a web design client there are those moments when you stare at your white computer screen canvas and the only feeling you know is doubt. At this point some self-reassurance comes into play and I start trying things, fiddling and moving things around until I look at the screen and it feels “right” to me… If I’m really stumped I’ll have someone else take a look and see what they think. I’ve been a web designer for a few years now and haven’t really worked on projects for myself much – starting this blog and opening an etsy shop have changed that. Both have brought me so many fresh moments of inspiration that pop up here and there, usually at very unexpected intervals! It’s caused me to appreciate other people’s work even more, and to recognize the beauty in small every day moments to a greater degree.

That’s why I chose this photographer from Etsy to share today, the talented 18 year old Hannah of honey and jam – her pictures all speak of those small but wonderful moments. They don’t need to cost much money to be worth a lot. I feel like I can put myself and someone who is dear to me in each of these photos, we’d be enjoying time away from work and our computers – outside, just soaking in the day!

I’d love to hear what inspires you in your day to day life – or as you challenge yourself creatively…

~ Amy

Category: Home Decor, art | 6 Comments »
Tags: art, Home Decor

January 12, 2010

For me, feathers are the perfect accessory this season. Natural textures are a compliment to any outfit and you’re guaranteed a perfect match since feathers come in thousands of colours, shapes and patterns from stripes to dots and everything in between. Delicately blowing in the wind, feathers also add visual excitement to a look. I love the fanciful feel of feather jewelry and uniqueness of the materials. What would you wear with feathers?

Images: 1). Noemiah 2). Clutch That 3). Golly Bard

~Posted by: Christine

Category: Home Decor, Indie Fashion | Comments Off
Tags: accessories, art, Indie Fashion

January 10, 2010

Lately I’ve found myself very inspired by a group of talented photographers. It’s made me think more about photography than I have in a while. As a web designer I have to look at how an image tells a story and how it fits into the brand image of the business I’m working for. But lately I’ve returned to looking at photography in it’s purest form, as art unto itself and the positive impact it can have in our lives. I know for me a beautiful photo gives me the freedom to dream about what’s possible. It connects me with emotions that I have neglected or forgotten for some reason or another and motivates me to try new things – or even just reminds me to get away from the computer and to explore the great outdoors!

I’ve included some favorite shots from 3 wonderful photographers whose work I’ve come across recently below, with a little bit about each of them – please feel free to comment and share some of your favorite photographers or what inspires you.

The Alphabet Project
I was excited when local Vancouver photographer Erin Gilmore wrote to let me know about her new Etsy shop. At strike a pose you’ll find ‘The Alphabet Project’ – a fresh, modern take on the traditional A-Z illustrative alphabet. No longer does the letter ‘E’ only stand for ‘elephant’, but also for eyelash. ‘B’ isn’t just for bear anymore, instead it’s represented by a textural red brick wall. Using stunning photographic images, a kid’s room is instantly cool instead of cutesy. Even if you don’t have a child, the art is sophisticated enough for any adult space. You can get the whole alphabet (imagine how amazing that would look framed and arranged on a wall), or just one letter, either way the art stands out with it’s striking colours and imaginative subjects.

Johnna Lafaith
Lately all I seem to do is dream of spring. When I came across Johnna’s photos on flickr recently the winter beauty she has captured reminded me that winter has it’s own magic – to be enjoyed while it’s here.

Simply Hue
I was so happy to stumble upon Simply Hue Designs on Flickr and to “meet” the very kind and friendly Vicki Dvorak of Seattle, who also has an Etsy shop. She has the uncanny ability to make the very simple look fresh and beautiful, transforming vintage objects like radios, typewriters and birdcages into works of art. Many images feel of gentler times and places. For me, her soft, pretty photographs are like a dessert for the senses. Can’t get enough? Check out Vicki’s blog Simply Hue and be inspired!

~ Posted by: Amy

Category: Home Decor, Vancouver, art | 3 Comments »
Tags: art, Home Decor, Photography, Vancouver

December 29, 2009

Wild! about wildlife

There is something inspiring about wildlife. Julie Cudahy captures the strength and complexity of wild animals, which she demonstrates in her original art and reproductions. You have a chance to see her new wildlife paintings and drawings up close at her latest exhibit, Wild!, and you can see more of her work online here. I’m personally drawn to her wildlife photography and could easily incorporate “The Growl” and “Lazy Day” into my home for a little bit of ying yang.

Where: Lexus of Portland, 8840 S.W. Canyon Road (Portland)
When: 7 days a week through January 2, 2010

- Posted by Lisa

Category: Portland, art | 1 Comment »
Tags: art, julie cudahy, Portland, wild!