catching my eye

No theme, no real point—just a few pretty things (all images from my Pinterest) that have caught my eye this week: a bag from Anthro, an anchor bangle, a filigree pendant, a blousy Mexican-y top. Oh, is it Mother's Day?

tappan collective

Alison Cooley, Tourangelle

Tappan Collective was founded by two friends from the University of Michigan, dismayed by the opportunities for artists and curators in the art world as they found it after graduation. So they started this online collective, to showcase emerging artists (in a variety of styles and media, all at reasonable prices) and "rid the world of bare walls." I definitely like their mission. These five pieces would make a lovely little cluster. Done.

Jay Ezra, Los Angeles

Shay Spaniola, Chefchaouen 2

Anna Ayeroff, Cosmic Dust Particle 2

Lola Rose Thompson, People Talking and Other People Not Understanding Each Other

terrain cyanotypes

Japanese maple print

Cyanotypes —bright, bright cobalt blue and white—are so appealing right now. I wrote about these guys a while back, and I just found some really pretty floral prints at Terrain (Anthropologie's home-and-garden cousin). Wouldn't these three look great in a row? I'd leave them unframed and tack them right to the wall with simple pushpins.

Plume poppy print

Virginia creeper print

the blue locket quiz: elyse harrison

Elyse Harrison, The Balloon and the Flower

Elyse Harrison is my children's art teacher. Elyse, an artist, and her husband, an architect, run a gallery and art studio in a former vacuum-repair shop that they've remade into a beautiful sea-green corner of Bethesda. In addition to producing her own work, Elyse offers inspiring, creative, thoughtful classes for children (and occasional workshops for grownups). Elyse, thank you so much for filling out the Blue Locket quiz.

1. What inspires you? The same things that attracted me as a child serve to inspire the way I make art today. Great illustration, toys, fabric, industrial design, music—all of these remain vibrant sources for inspiration. My latest art is a series of paintings for my book “Painted Fables,” which is currently being sent out to publishers for consideration. Above is one of the paintings, “The Balloon and the Flower.”

2. Who are your favorite artists? David Hockney, Stuart Davis, Joan Miro, Fernand Leger, Jean Dubuffet.

David Hockney, A Bigger Splash

Stuart Davis, Skyline

Fernand Leger, Three Women

Jean Dubuffet, Theatre aux Arbres

3. Can you name some favorite works of art? “The Farm” by Joan Miro.

4. Where do you do your best work? In a quiet, undisturbed and minimal environment.

5. What scares you? Nothing.

monday thoughts: recent projects

Safety Pin by Jennifer Ament

I've neglected to mention my consulting work here lately. I'm terrible at the marketing side of things—and that includes updating my blog readers on what I actually do, as opposed to what catches my eye on the internet. But I've started leaving my business cards around town and handing them out to anyone who asks. Sad but true: for me, this is a big step.

Anyway, here's a tiny sample—some not-too-thematic, slightly whimsical art for a kitchen and a powder room. Can you guess which goes where? 

Olive Jug by Wayne Pate

Bow decal by Shanna Murray

Delightful Rue by Monica Gifford

Grater by Alanna Cavanaugh

inspiration, or lack thereof

She always inspires me.

It seems like I've been reading everywhere about inspiration—empowerment, encouragement, whatever word you like. Is it the change in seasons? something cultural? Whatever: Let's just say I don't have a whole lot of great new ideas right now. For this blog, for my business, for my creative life (that sounds so important!) in general. But by way of this excellent blog, I came across this motivational list on something called Zen Habits. (I'm all for Zen, by the way.) These suggestions, for finding inspiration when you're feeling blocked, really struck me:

• Work with inspired people—one of the best ways to stay inspired is to work with creative, energetic, positive people.
• Read daily—varied things, from blogs to magazines to books of all kinds.
• Get outside—nature is one of the biggest inspirations, and you’ll miss it if you’re inside all day.
• Talk with new people—they’ll always expose you to new and interesting things, if you’re open to it.
• Break out of your routine—see things from a different perspective. Take a new route home. Go to a new restaurant. Visit someplace new in your area.
• Find time for silence—it’s more inspiring than you might think. Unfortunately, not enough of us do it.
• Exercise—or at least get moving. It helps the blood to circulate, and gets ideas moving around.

I'm good on reading, getting outside, silence, and exercise. My life is very structured and quiet (during school hours, at least) and disciplined in its way. But I could use some new and inspiring company. And I absolutely need to break out of my routine. I guess I need this list as well. Hold me to this, OK?

my secret crush: horses

Pony by Sharon Montrose

I copped to my secret love of lions (and lion images) a couple of months ago. Here's another from my list of beloved creatures. Or maybe I just like animals with manes. Yes, horses are the standard old-fashioned girl thing—something from the days of Trixie Belden mysteries (anyone remember that Nancy Drew knockoff?). They can be cheesy; you have to sift through a *lot* of bad photography to find the good stuff. But aren't horses just...pretty?

Vintage dala (from an excellent Etsy midcentury shop)

This Schleich animal portrait is on Etsy, but you could easily do it yourself.

See how the horse just makes the arrangement?

Yes, this is borderline corny. But that hair!

The cropping makes this one interesting.