Bobber Eyes

Kid Art Inspiration and Collaboration

My kids have inspired me for a long while now,  but lately….lately they really are impressing me.  Alex did the drawing above.  He is 6 years old.  I think it shows so much restraint and character.  It reminds me of that Picasso saying –

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

Alex also took a drink umbrella and removed the colored paper skin leaving only the skeleton.  He gave it to me as a gift.  It is so precious.

Recently my boys asked me to teach them how to sew.  At the same time I was trying to organize my thoughts on what to focus on, creatively, for the new year.  Our sewing session went so well that I started to think that I’d like to work closely with my boys on some projects.  I want to really pay attention to their work. I want to get inspired by them and collaborate with them.

All of this reminds me of the work of Lizette Greco.  She makes plush toys and embroidery designs based on her kids’ drawings.  You can see a flickr slide show of her work here.   I want to do some of that.  Maybe start there…but I want to let it go wherever it goes.  I want to let the boys guide me.

Inspiration for 2010

I am feeling inspired this morning.  My boys are making beautiful drawings and Lego creations and magnet art installations.  I will try to take some Selby inspired photographs and post them after Xmas.

This morning I read this great post by Chelliswilson.  I admire how she has organized her thoughts for the upcoming year.  I want to do the same.  I have next week off from work.  I will work on collecting some thoughts and images to guide me for the new year.

In the meantime — Happy Holidays!

P.S.  I took this photograph in Kittery one time when the boys and I took a walk down to the boat docks.

Maira Kalman :: Back to the Land :: Thanksgiving 2009

I stole these images above from Maira Kalman’s Thanksgiving blogpost.

p.s. I love that she uses the word cockamamie in her post.

Not a word you see everyday.

Paper Towel Roll UpCycle

I’m playing with paper towel rolls.  I think I might make a wreath or something.

Maine Talent

I love finding out that there is so much talent in Maine.  I just found out yesterday that the couple responsible for this book live in Maine.  I found their blog through their website.  I get such a kick out of seeing their yard sale finds, especially the things they find for $1.00.

Also there is a new magazine in Maine called maine.  Gorgeous photography.  Great layouts.  I might have to subscribe.  There was a nice one page interview with Alex Carleton of Rogues Gallery in the October issue.

BTW — I think it was genius that LL Bean tapped Alex Carleton to do a special signature line for LL Bean.  He has such great style.  I hope the prices make his style more accessible.   You can see a sneak peek here.

But wait — that’s not all.  Did you know that the woman behind Le Bouton Studio is living on an island off the coast of Maine.  When did that happen?  She sells her clothing through a shop in Portland called chelliwilson.

P.S.  The chelliwilson blog has a great blogroll.

Dos Family & The Selby

I am loving Dos Family.  It is like The Selby but for families with small children.

Tateshots

I just discovered Tateshots.  I was browsing around Itunes and clicked over to Itunes U.  If you scroll to the bottom you will see a collection of podcasts dedicated to art and design.  Love.  I just watched the video podcasts for Jim Dine, Julian Schnabel and David Hockney.  David Hockney is so fun.  I love how he sits in a chair. I love how he crosses his legs even.  I loved seeing Julian Schnabel say at the end of his little talk that he wasn’t embarrassed by his work.  My favorite one so far is the one about Cy Twombly.  The director of the Tate, Nicholas Serota, along with another curator are in the process of putting up Twombly’s work or as they say –they are “in the middle of the hang”.  The director is so knowledgeable and interesting.  I loved learning that Twombly was influenced by Turner. I never knew that.   It makes perfect sense.

There are many more podcasts to see.  I just started with some names I recognized.

Vintage Wool Coat :: Recovered

I earned my title of recovergirl with this winter coat.  I bought it about a year ago for $15.00 from Goodwill.  It was one of those finds that made me gasp.  I absolutely love the pattern and style.  It needed a lot care but I was happy to do it.

The lining had to be replaced.  At first it seemed fine but after I had the coat dry cleaned the lining just disintegrated.  I thought about trying to replace the lining myself but I’ve never done that before and I didn’t want to mess it up.  A local tailor replaced the lining for $115.  I picked out the lining myself.  It is a perfect vintagey mustard color.  The cost of having the lining replaced felt high at first but I figured I’d spend at least that much for a new coat and I like that I was repairing a coat rather than just buying something new.

The front of the coat was missing two buttons.  Fortunately, the side pockets had the same matching buttons.  I moved the side pocket buttons to the front of the coat and replaced the side pocket buttons with these vintage shell buttons.  These buttons came from a stash of vintage notions handed down to me from my husband’s Granny.  They make the coat even that much more special.

Now all I need is a nice crisp fall day.  <grin>

Vintage Shopping on Etsy

I am so in love with 13 Bees on Etsy.  The 13 Bees blog is here.