Liquid Sky Arts: Senseless Acts Of Beauty

Poetry for the Eyes

2010-03-01T17:38:00.000-08:00

(Paris is a feeling )

These dreamy photos by Irene Suchocki are among so many of my favorite things on etsy. Through a stroke of serendipity and our common love of lanterns, Anahata reminded me about them again today.

They pull on my heart strings in all of the right ways.

(A thousand lanterns)

I heart it.

2010-02-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

There's a treasure trove of images that I love on the internet... these are a sampling of my visual bookmarks at: We Heart It.

LaBlogotheque

2010-02-03T11:25:00.000-08:00

If you love live performances and want the feeling of being whisked away to Paris, take a visit to the French blog LaBlogotheque. They've got the best "take away" performance videos I've seen on the internet. I'm so hooked!

And the winner is....

2010-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010 to everyone!

Big congratulations go out to Greta of Lifelong knitter, the lucky winner of Matteo Pericoli's "The City Out My Window". (Winner chosen by random.org)

Thanks so much to everyone who commented for a chance to win.

Winter give-a-way... Italian architect Matteo Pericoli's "The City Out My Window"

2009-12-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Every morning I say to myself that I wish I could be higher. But I know that I would say the same even if I were on the top floor. -Antonio Monda

When Italian architect Matteo Pericoli moved to Queens in 2004, he wanted to take the window view from the studio of his Upper West Side home with him, since it was something he treasured. So he captured the image in a drawing and hung it in his new home. Inspiring the idea of capturing other New Yorker's private views. I began to ask around and looked at other views and realized many people do have a relationship with what is outside their window, Pericoli said. They know their view in a way that nobody else does... in a way that is very personal.

Matteo Pericoli's, The City Out My Window captures private views of New York as seen through the eyes of New Yorkers both famous and ordinary (including Mario Batali, Annie Leibovitz, Mikhail Beryshnikov, David Byrne & more) , revealing hidden perspectives of the city, and of the people living in it.

***

I've been enjoying reading the quirky quotes that accompany his penwork.

Mario Batali: Out our window the view toward Washington Square is the entire history of mid-20th-century pop culture.

David Byrne: I think of my view as pretty typical for a New Yorker. We look out our windows at other windows. That, in a way, mirrors our lives here. We are constantly looking at each other, millions of us, on the streets and elsewhere.

Philip Glass: Water tanks, air-conditioning and exhaust pipes. The infrastructure of New York in plain view. I love it!

For one lucky reader, Simon & Schuster has sent over a copy for me to give away, it's a beautiful book, especially for those with a love or strong connection to New York.

I don't believe the city exists as just an amalgam of buildings, Pericoli says A city exists more as an idea. That's what I wanted to offer in the book an otherwise invisible viewpoint to the city.

Be sure to leave a comment by January 1, 2010 below. I'll announce the winner on New Years Day at 12am PST. Good Luck! I'll throw in a few little surprises for the winner as well...

Cavalier Love & Winter Give-a-way news....

2009-12-22T15:05:00.000-08:00

Gigi got into my stickie notes today when I brought her into work with me... all I can say is that love is a dangerous angel. How can you deny this little face?

Tomorrow I'll be doing another book give-a-way, courtesy of Simon & Shuster... so please stay tuned!

Stylist Ana Richardson

2009-12-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

I had such a heart racing reaction to these photos that I saw today on Decor 8, check out the vibrant colors of stylist Ana Richardson's home. Her aesthetic really resonated with me, I just had to share them here as well. Enjoy!

More photos of Ana Richardson's home in Sussex can be found here, and here.

Inspiration: artist Ann Wood

2009-12-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I stumbled onto Ann Wood's blog, and read about her cardboard stampede. Her creative process is very inspiring, I love the idea of making something with your hands every day. (A creative resolution I'm making for myself in 2010.)

... so thought I'd share her story about them and link to her patterns.

"In 2006 I started making cardboard horses. They were a self imposed assignment, a daily creative task intended to motivate and loosen me up, little experiments, paralysis prevention. My plan was to make a cardboard horse everyday, Monday through Friday until I had 100. I did and exhibited the group at Tinlark in Los Angeles in 2007. I�ve made 3 patterns, two adults and a colt, to share and I hope you make a cardboard horse or two or three or maybe a little family or maybe your own stampede" -Ann Wood

I'm also just so enchanted over these photos she posted on flickr of her work, and Design Sponges recent sneak peek into her creative space.

Free Gifts & Holiday Ideas from Papaya!

2009-11-26T21:54:00.000-08:00

I've been in the middle of another big move this month, so have fallen back in my blogging with all of the busy preparations... but will be back soon!

In the meantime, for fans of Papaya... I wanted to point you in the direction of Anahata's latest blog post offering a chance to get one of our Papaya Lotus market bags, and a randomly selected art print that's being giving away to blog readers (only) for free with holiday orders over $35 placed between now and Dec. 31 2009... click here for further details.

Tim Walker's Imaginative Photography

2009-10-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

At work today, I came across a wonderful magazine from the Netherlands called "Flow". Scouring it's pages, I went totally weak in the knees when I came across the work of London based Photographer Tim Walker.

A lot of the stylized themes in his work are influenced from childhood dreams, and fairy tales.

"His images capture a sublime moment in time, evoking a sense of epic drama and beauty. Stunning sets and lavish locations juxtapose the everyday with the absurd and the fabulous, to create captivating, original photographs. Tim�s evocative images are full of textured nuance and intriguing detail. His innovative photography is amongst the most imaginative and exuberant being produced today." -designmuseum.org

His book, Tim Walker Pictures, is without a doubt going on my wishlist.

Imagination...

2009-09-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

A peek at one of my new card designs for PaPaYa!, coming soon.

Julene Harrison

2009-09-04T15:02:00.001-07:00

Inspiring papercuts by Julene Harrison.

Christina Hankins New Prints

2009-08-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

I just came back from a very relaxing vacation on the central coast of California visiting family. While I was there, I helped my sister Christina, build a new etsy shop to showcase her giclee prints. Her work is always bubbling over with vibrant colors and expresses the fine balance between the beauty and chaos of everyday life. To read more about her artistic process be sure to visit her blog Art Candy. You can also view more of her work, by visiting her website.

Betsey Johnson's Retro Renegade New York Apartment

2009-08-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

A few years back I saw a feature on tv about Betsey Johnson's New York apartment, there were two things that really stuck with me. The shawls and clothing that she used in lieu of curtains, and the quote "if you love it and it is beautiful, then it goes with everything else you love and is beautiful".

This morning I was poking around on some wonderful social bookmarking sites (more on that later!), and found this article from the British magazine Elle Deco. Her home is a mirror to her utterly free spirit, and everything has a story.

"Every fabric in here is dyed. You can't find bright upholstery fabric anymore; it's all dusty rose or beige"

"I think fashion and interiors are exactly the same. A chair is like the female body - it's a shape that you cover".

Her favorite decoration is flowers. They prove that any color goes with any color. "I mean, you never say, that flower doesn't go with that grass and that sky! You can never look at nature and say it doesn't match."

The full article is posted here.

Pink!

2009-08-05T17:04:00.001-07:00

This is a peek into my new office space at Papaya.

My office is a bold pink, because as one of my favorite sayings goes... being afraid of color is like being afraid of being happy.

My workmates hand crafted this amazing desk for me, armed with a skillsaw and drawings I gave them with birds and scrollwork (inspired by a piece I fell in love with at anthropologie). The top is galvanized metal, giving it a more modern edge. I seriously have a mad crush on this desk!

They also built this custom oversized corkboard for my wall. Perfect for displaying projects, and for creating an inspiration board.

Our amazing boss Gina, made our new space for Papaya so magical. Every room has it's own flavor, and really fits the personalities of everyone working inside of them. For more photos of our new offices and warehouse be sure to check out Anahata's blog.

Create a tea party in your garden

2009-07-31T21:53:00.001-07:00

Magical lilliputan size gardens by my friend Jill at Wee Garden.

Check out Jill's Wee garden starter kit and miniature garden supplies... fantastic!

coming soon...

2009-07-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

Here's another photo I shot this week, of Sarah in the railroad district modeling one of Papaya's new totes. (Featuring Anahata's "Future Beauty" design.)

My double pheonix bag design, and it's secret lovely patterned lining.

And to top it all off we're debuting this great new line of water bottles.

There's a little clip from the film "what the Bleep do we know", describing the findings from Dr. Emoto's water experiments, that inspired adding words with positive intentions into the design.

Yes, may be my favorite word of all... there is also one for Love, Bliss, Intuition, Joy, and cha-ching!

Papaya Totes

2009-07-08T20:32:00.000-07:00

This is a sneak peak of a new line of tote bags for Papaya's 2009 fall catalog that will include artwork by Anahata (shown), Sabrina, and myself. Today the first round of samples came in from the factory, bringing all of the details we've been hammering out for the past few months to life.

I love little surprise design elements, and became especially smitten when it came to creating fun patterns for the coordinating inside linings and handles throughout this line. The hidden pink cherry blossom lining that you can see a hint of top right is one of my favorites.

This afternoon, Papaya's newest graphic designer Sarah and I slung our cameras on our shoulders and went about capturing photos of the new bags around town. I would ask her to do offbeat things in the moment like standing in the Lithia Park fountain while posing with 12 over-stuffed tote bags draped from her arms and she wouldn't even wince. Now that's what I call loving your job!

More photo adventures await tomorrow... stay tuned.

Down the rabbit hole

2009-06-22T22:49:00.000-07:00

Alice & Tim Burton fans...

Just in case you missed it, USA today published previously unseen concept and character photos from the upcoming Tim Burton film Alice in Wonderland this week.

I'm still loving that first glimpse of Alice's wardrobe.

(Thanks to Hope, for passing the Alice link love this way).

Summer Peonies

2009-06-02T22:16:00.000-07:00

Possibly the best thing about summertime in Oregon for me is the flowers. Today I ran over to our weekly farmer's market at lunchtime and picked up this bouquet for $6. Perfect.

A bit of velvet and a dash of lace

2009-05-26T20:29:00.000-07:00

Recently at the Papaya studio we all fell head over heels over Robin Brown's book, A bit of velvet and a dash of lace. Robin of Magnolia Pearl's home style overflows with textiles, texture, and a true passion for collecting beautiful time worn objects. In her book I loved seeing how she fused indoor & outdoor decorating together in unusual ways like using Persian rugs, mirrors, and artwork displayed on the front porch, and (my favorite bit by all means) a chandelier in the chicken coop!

Her story is filled with a genuinely creative spirit, and love for life. My favorite thing about Robin?! She wears flowers in her hair every day .... just another reason why she is one of my new heroes.

I love hearing how other creatives found their niche, don't you?!

Les Roulottes

2009-04-26T15:58:00.000-07:00

I keep returning to Eclectic gipsyland's photo set "Roulottes" on flickr, when I crave a bohemian dose of color and textile.

Imagine having one of these caravans in your garden...

Jeanne Bayol, pictured above has carved out her own unique niche in restoring old gypsy caravans and decorating them like no other. Her Caravans are for sale at les verdines. Be sure to check out her website and book: "Les Roulottes : Une invitation au voyage"

ISO50 Playlist No.2

2009-04-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

I'm really loving all of the music that Jakub's posting over on the ISO50 blog. I've been in dire need of some new music to listen to at work (I guess I finally outplayed my Pandora stations), and was so pleased to find this gem of a playlist. I'll be listening to this on heavy rotation this week in the studio. It's Bliss.

The Domino Effect

2009-04-09T22:16:00.001-07:00

Thanks for all of the wonderful comments! I'm so excited to announce the winners of the give-a-way... the results are courtesy of random.org's random number generator. Thank goodness for the help, I needed it!

The winners of the Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy are... Jerusalem & Kelly. Congratulations!

April Give-a-way! Domino The Book Of Decorating

2009-04-01T15:32:00.000-07:00

When Domino magazine first came out, I was instantly hit by the bug of obsession. It was like a designer's bible. The principle of it's magic was simple: here is a beautiful room, and here are all of the resources to make it happen. Simple. They broke a room down right down to the paint color. They were pioneers in their field, showing us all of the clever ways to design a unique space, to make you happy.

It was painful to hear of the end of my favorite publication. I'm still harboring a belief that when this economy turns around, it will come back! But for now , I can at least attest to their beautiful legacy with Domino's book, "Domino The Book Of Decorating, a room-by-room guide to creating a home that makes you happy", I have two copies to share with readers of this blog courtesy of it's wonderful publisher Simon & Schuster.

To enter: just leave a comment. No need to ever even have cracked open the magazine... this is the best of all of it's pages, and I'm so excited to share this with 2 lucky readers!

"Domino: The Book of Decorating cracks the code to creating a beautiful home, bringing together inspiring rooms, how-to advice and insider's secrets from today's premier tastemakers in an indispensable style manual. The editors take readers room by room, tapping the best ideas from domino magazine and culling insights from their own experiences. With an eye to making design accessible and exciting, this book demystifies the decorating process and provides the tools for making spaces that are personal, functional and fabulous."

Contest Ends Wednesday, April 8. Two random winners will be picked to receive a free copy of this wonderful book... good luck!!!