ORANGE-AID

Where are you spring? As Portland gets ready for yet another snow storm (seriously?) I find my self craving orange, coral, grapefruit, watermelon and everything in between.  So, bring on the HAPPY!

I've been really into art recently that provides large swaths of color. I figure there is no better way to easily change the mood of a room.  Just pop some art on the wall and voila! A perfect starting point for decorating a room.  This photograph by Steve Back (who is new to me, although I'm sure some of you are familiar with his work) achieves just that.  Can you imagine this photograph paired with these murano glass lamps? Devine.

Of course don't discount the impact of a good nail color (I'm sporting this Essie color now), the right necklace (by Floti), or a fabulously saturated sweater.

Background image by Tracy French.

POLACOLOR TYPE 108

Before they were silk screens, they were polaroids. 1stdibs is selling a new release of photographs taken by Andy Warhol, and they are fantastic. What is he searching for in a subject and what are they thinking? Are they aware they are in the act of becoming pop art? How did he pick the photographs to become full fledged silk screen paintings?  This is the interesting thing about photography: It is a three-way between you the viewer, the photographer, and the subject. How involved do we get to be? and why am I so intrigued?  I like them as a collection on screen, but in my house I would devote just one to a white wall, it commands that much attention.  That would be if I could cough up the 25 G's.

Yves Saint Laurent, Farrah Fawcett, Bruce Weber, Carolina Herrera

BUBBLE CAT

Umm, excuse me? I must have one of these, or one for each cat. Wilson and Lucinda would LOVE these! aaand they are easy on the eyes, unlike many many not so cute cat accessories out there. In fact, they are BEAUTIFUL! Hand felted, and the color is spot on.  Vaiva Nat has got some wonderful handmade items in her shop including these splendid cat beds. I especially like this, and this. I wish she could make one for me to sleep in.

TIM COLMANT

Bright, happy, fun, free. That is how I would describe the work of Tim Colmant.  I discovered his work while researching my upcoming trip to Belgium, and was immediately drawn to the playful color and uninhibited joy.I would LOVE to have one of these on my wall (or three!) What do you think?

#SORRYIMNOTSORRY #WWKWD

She's fab.  This is what I love about Kelly Wearstler: She. Ain't. Scared.  Here is just the latest round up of things that rock from the world of KW.  Speaking of fearless peeps (and Kelly Wearstler)... did anyone see this? "Shit Designers Say" with my former employer Amanda "so chic" Nisbet.  Tell me you love it. 

... and majorly inspired by this image right now.Wanting to recover my sofa super bad in some of these greens. It's a nice color for all seasons because it can be cozy, but fresh and springy too. We'll see. Cheers!All images and item can be found on Kelly Wearstler's website: www.kellywearstler.com

MAIRA KALMAN/ NEW YORKER

Saw a show of Maira Kalman's at the Jewish Museum on the Upper East Side a year or two ago and was completely enchanted. She has been a part of my life since "Ooh, la, la, Max in Love" was published in 1991. The whimsy of her sketches make me laugh every time, and there is a feel good quality to her work that I am so drawn to. While exploring her website recently, I came across some of the covers she did for the New Yorker that I hadn't seen, and had to share. The color makes me smile... Killin' it in the duck hat. These could be excellent halloween inspirations.  

I also just picked up her new book "Food Rules" written by Michael Pollan, and have loved it! A definite recommendation and good gift (keep it in mind for the upcoming holidays!)

SK8

The Selby refuses to disappoint... I was immediately drawn to this home because it makes me think of my boyfriend Tim, who went to high school in Japan, loves shoes, had a brief fashion career, is an avid skateboarder, and lover of street art.  I can't help but think this would be his ideal abode, nice work Mihara Yasuhiro.

When asked what the overall idea behind the design of his home was, Mihara Yasuhiro wrote "skate."

PACK-IN' HEAT

So my friend Lucy is a GENIUS. I laughed OUT LOUD at some of these! Aren't they fabulous?  Lucy Pack: artist, cat lover, Texan turned New Yorker, best laugh ever, creative wonder... I love Lucy.  She works as an artist in New York City, painting, collaging, and more.  To see more of her work, visit her website, www.lucillepack.com. Cheers.

"Don't Speak to a Girl That Way Unless You Mean It!" // "Tug" // "Horsey for Mayor"

CURATE: MILTON AVERY

Meet my namesake, Milton Avery.  Buddies with Mark Rothko, lived in New York (and even Maine fore a summer!), and most prevalent in the 1940's, 50's, and 60's. Fields of color, and flat figurative representation, make for sublime images. I just love it, and I love that I am named after him (one of my mothers favorite artists too!). Which is your favorite? This top one makes me think of my mom painting away...

The color! So happy. Found these images here.

DAZZLE

Dazzled by this color this morning!  It is a rainy day here in Portland, ME dreaming of warm island destinations... 

via here.

YEAH THEY ARE!

Lovin this! Especially now that its swim suit season!

via Friends of Type, by Eric Merinovic.

DIFFERENT BUT THE SAME

I found these artists through Click Gallery and wanted to show you how cool it is when an artist is able to distinguish their own style so clearly that someone could recognize their work without having to read who created it.  Both of these photographers have a hefty amount of landscapes in their portfolios and I picked out two for each.  The subjects are opposites, but the style is the same.  See what I mean?  Isn't it great? I appreciate each artist's vision so much, and wish I was this talented.  Just beautiful.  

The top two are by Ana Cabaleiro, and the ones below are by Coley Brown.  I would love to know where these photos were taken, I think they capture the geography of each place to perfectly, distinctive.

DAY IN THE LIFE

3191: the number of miles MAV and Stephanie live from one another. These pioneering visual journalists consistently amaze me with their simple yet interesting snap shots of life, which are made all the more dynamic when juxtaposed next to their daily counterpart.  MAV and Stephanie each take a picture everyday and post them side by side.

You can see more here!  Also available in print as a quarterly publication, 3191 Quarterly.

MOUNTAIN MAJESTY

It's all about turning the looked over into the looked at... Peter Croteau has created some seriously stunning images using the "in-between waste spaces in the landscape" we often overlook when transitioning from window shopping to wilderness.  I discovered his work when Tim and I went to see the Masters of Fine Art Show at RISD a few weeks ago. 

My favorite part was that instead of business cards, he created mini postcards with images of his work, all for the taking. I've already sent out two! You can find more of his work here.

THRIFTED

I LOVE these photos of all this fabulous thrifted stuff by Maggie and Sparrow (see more here).  Its exactly what I like to do in my home, create little vignette's of funky stuff.  Totally inspires me to do my own photo shoot with all my wacky things.

WINTER LANDSCAPE

By Mrs. Eliot Books, get it here. I love the sparse composition of this and the use of negative space, perfectly captures the winter, which by the way, it IS still winter here. 

HOT HOT SUN

Wishing today looked like this here in dreary cloudy Maine!  Loving these desert shots by Stefan Ruiz from one of my favorite sources, 20x200.  The color against the sand is beautiful and the bleakness somehow feels so inviting.  Considering getting these for my living room...

POSTER PRESS

Love these.  I need to get the My Morning Jacket poster for my collection. Found them here: My Morning Jacket, Eilen Jewell, Jolie Holland.

CONFESSION: I'M A BOOK JUDGE

I actually do think you should judge books by their covers.  Especially these treasures.  I stumbled across them last week on Grady's tumblr and pinned them, but couldn't stop thinking about the typography and illustration! So for you, beautiful cover art design by Grady McFerrin... Aren't they mesmerizing?  It makes me so happy to know that some where, right now, someone gets to hold this, and read it, and admire the cover, every day. I like books.

The color, the lettering, the graphics, oh my! So fresh. Which is your favorite?