Jane Birkin

This is a digital collage I did a few weeks ago. Because of the size I wanted it, I opted for a custom mat at Michaels. Afterward it was put into a ready made 11x14 frame.

Jane Birkin is a model and musician who was popular in the 60s. Her style is still imitated by celebrities today, for example Nicole Richie. Anyway, I too love her look. As Nicole would say, "that's hot".

When I went to Michaels for a frame, the woman at the counter kept saying she wanted to make it "pop". And kept pulling out this 90s mat that was - no joke - "dusty mauve". I said "yikes" in my head a few times, but tried to be nice and explain what I wanted. But no matter how clear I thought I was, or how I kept saying what "look" I was going for. Out came the "dusty mauve".

I started to resign myself to ending up with this hideous color, out of fear of hurting someone's feelings or going off like a crazy person. My friend Dian is very good at taking charge of situations, with the right amount of assertation, and also without being rude. So remembering this, I stopped and just reached over and grabbed a white mat and asked for some "retro" colored frames to be brought over.

I removed the "dusty mauve", replaced it with the white museum mat and instantly, I had the look I wanted. I tried out some of the retro colored frames, in blue, orange and green. I settled on the green. The same "dusty mauve" lady, who had walked away, came back over and said "oh, that looks great!" "gosh, I would have never thought to do that."

Lesson, learned. It's okay to keep trying to get what you want, even if it means stopping to take a breath, refocus and try another approach. And you might even help someone who is stuck in the 90s to find their way out. :)

Robot Love

Robots are so cute! This little guy took longer than I thought, because of all his tiny details. I've been hand sewing all of these so far. Originally, this idea was so that in theory, I could do them anywhere. The kitchen table, my office, or late at night while watching TV.

But as my little collection grows, I've started to realize that the "hand sewing" is what makes them unique. And it's been a good experience to completely make something by hand. It certainly helps me have a greater appreciation for things that people put their time and thought into.

Anyway, when my boyfriend saw this one, he instantly named him "Bender".

"Bender" is now keeping "Sedona and Belle" company on the fridge.

Flying Saucers

My my boyfriend woke me up the other night to ask if I thought this light on the horizon was "weird". I told him it was the moon, and went back to sleep. So the next morning, I was making these. Strange huh?

I honestly think it was the moon. But there are lots of strange stories where I live about disappearing cows. I don't know what to think about those, but I do like to make strange stuff. And I'm fascinated by futuristic stuff in general.

Both saucers are made of felt and have a "magnet" attached to their backside, so they can be refrigerator art. I used tiny yellow buttons for their landing lights. They're lightly filled with fiber fill to give them some dimension. I liked giving them "googly" eyes. They have more personality that way. :)

My friend, Dian named them "Sedona and Bell Rock". We're calling her "Belle" for short.

Sweetgum Handbags!

Don't you just love getting new stuff?  And remember when I said I was going to try to give credit to artists who deserve it?  

This awesome little bag arrived last week.  It's my second Etsy purchase, and it's from the coolest shop, Sweetgum Handbags.  I had been looking for an alternative to a wallet, for putting my miscellaneous cash, lipstick and credit card in.  So, this appeared one afternoon on the Etsy front page, and I thought...hmmmm.

It exceeds my expectations for quality.  The fabric is ultra deluxe and the color combinations along with the craftsmanship are something to brag about.  I really like the fact that I didn't spend money on yet another commercially processed wallet, or designer label.  I don't know why as Americans we're so into this stuff and so afraid to try something different.   

It's easy to have value for something that you know someone took hours of their time and imagination to make.  These folks should never go without acknowledgement.  Even if it comes from some stranger on a blog.

Kim, thanks for this!  You're awesome, your bags are awesome!  And I encourage any one of the 3 people reading this, to check out Kim's Etsy page for more of her amazing work.  :)

More Bad Weather - Another Painting

About 3 days ago it got to -10.  It was so cold it was hard to move my hands.  But I sat and worked diligently for about 3 days, painting and watching it snow.   I really like retro shapes and prints and can get lost in them for hours.  That's amazing considering my short attention span.  I like the bright colors though because they were an interesting contrast to the gray sky and snow that filled my window. 

I hung the painting in my office near my favorite 70s lamp.  I think some of the antique stores in my area are in danger of closing and this makes me sad.  One of my favorite places has already closed their doors, and the other looks like it's about to.  I rescued this lamp from my favorite little booth that's all 70s.  I just stand there sometimes, lost in 1975, wishing I could buy it all.

One of the things I try to do in my painting is to use retro as inspiration but still keep it somewhat modern.  I love the things from the past and I think we're meant to learn from them, but I also like living in the present.  I hope that when I paint, I bring to it a little of both.

New Painting

I've been stuck inside a lot lately.  Painting has been very therapeutic.  I paint in the evenings.  Whatever strikes me. Whatever has been the inspiration for that day.  I try to put it into the form of a painting.  

I like the works of the odd ball others who paint the non traditional, the modern or the illustrated story.  I will try to post the work of others I see from time to time that more accurately describes what I am trying to say here.  

Artists don't often get the praise or genuine recognition that I they always deserve, and so I will attempt to make a small difference with that, with my words, when I can.

This is a painting I did recently.  It was inspired by a retro pattern.  I am really into patterns and prints for some reason. Swirls are fantastic.  They make me happy.  :)