lately.

I'm painting small cute things.

fancy farmers

Clare Rojas:Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs:

Yesterday I stumbled across a lovely hex sign at Ugly Luggage on Bedford Ave. I usually find super special items there, and even if I don't buy anything, I always leave intrigued and inspired. Luckily, I copped this amazing Pennsylvania Dutch hex sign, featuring unicorns, tulips, and a heart. These symbols represent peace, piety, contentment, faith, and love. Even more fortunate, the sign was made by Jacob Zook, who originated silk screening hex signs in the 1940s. Yay, printmaking!!!
Tradition has it that the Pennsylvania Dutch "fancy" farmers decorated their barns with these bright, symbolic hex signs to promote good fortune. Folk art is amazing to me. It's simple, clear, and always has a purpose rooted in daily life. I'm so happy to have a hex sign in my home and I hope it brings me lots of luck! I am excited to collect more of these pretty and inspiring objects! Plus, they remind me of one of my favorite artists, Clare Rojas.

cursed and wounded

Marci Washington's paintings should not be ignored. They are beautifully haunting images of cursed and wounded characters, frozen in the moment of their discomfort. I love her use of color. It's stark, simple, and sunless. I find peace in the tragedies of these figures, and I hope to have such an elegant death.

http://www.marciwashington.com/

gangstar

I'm not sure what you put on the top of your Christmas tree, but I put a ganstar on top of mine. A dear friend made it for me about three years ago during a tree decorating party I had. It's my favorite Christmas ornament ever, and it will adorn my Christmas tree every year. Happy Holidays!!!

vintage tea cup candles!

Today I had fun making these darling vintage tea cup candles. It's a super fun crafty thing to do, and easy! I bought the tea cups at Junk here in Brooklyn, found soy wax and wicks at Micheal's craft store, and added some amazing smelling oils to the melted wax so that they smell delicious. The finished ones turned out very delicate and pretty. I can't wait to make more!

aesthetic comfort

When I went home to Cincinnati for Thanksgiving, I had the pleasure of swinging by the art museum to check out Ryan McGuinness' black light paintings. His work is always dazzling and captivating, but he really took it to the bridge by incorporating the black light. It was really psychedelic and spiritual in the room. Although I do wish I were shuffle skating around the paintings, and that there were fog machines. Because then I could go on a vision quest.

Aesthetic Comfort on view from:

October 25, 2008—February 15, 2009
Cincinnati Art Museum

For more info: http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/absolutenm/templates/ArtTempExhibitions.aspx?articleid=772&zoneid=65

mustache key holder!

This mustache key holder is just AMAZING! It also just made my Christmas wish list. I love whimsical home treasures that keep your spirits up and keep you giggling.

Find it here on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17268065

at war with the obvious

This past weekend, I went to view William Eggleston's show at the Whitney. I found the work profoundly calm, familiar, beautiful, lonely, still, and rich. The compositions were really subtle, and seemed to reveal a lot about the pure act of perception. The colors were very specific, rich, and retro. The subject matter was enchanting in a way. I found the images felt familiar, but not entirely. Eggleston said of his work that he was "at war with the obvious." His words are a sublimely accurate description of the common subjects in his work. I think the ordinary scenes become pretty zen in the aftermath of their photographed form.

I was surprised to learn that Eggleston pretty much paved the way for color photography as a fine art form with his 1974 solo show at the MOMA, which was less than favorably received by the public. In fact, one critic called it boring! I found this an interesting idea as I recalled the ordinary and quiet images I saw. In this case, I think boring is a perfectly flattering description of his work. I think we can appreciate great beauty in the everyday environment around us. Sometimes it's the only thing that keeps us going.

P.S. Interesting fact: William Eggleston is a huge drunk:)

On view through January 25, 2009
Whitney Museum of American Art
945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street
New York, NY 10021

sad celebrations

Richard Colman's work is really doing it for me right now. I'm a huge fan of pattern and repetition, especially when it is used with narrative. I love these drawings. They look like sad celebrations. The outstretched hands and hanging bells seem melancholy against the somber figures, but the colors and patterns seem cheerful and good-natured. I like little complexities like these. It's like being tricked.