thought2form-living creatively

2026-10-20T11:06:58.118-07:00

BEING HERE, FINALLY!

After thirty years of visiting, we are here!

NANCY'S PARIS

2022-03-24T14:53:00.003-07:00

"The shopping, the food, the views!
Paris is a city that entrances us all. and I'm no exception.
-MICHAEL KORS

Many years ago, we met a wonderful couple living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We have fond memories of our time with them which always included great food, superb wines and scintillating conversations.

Recently, after a two year pandemic break, they returned to their beloved Paris and about a week ago, I received a delightful note from Nancy with accompanying photographs. I would like to share them with you!

Dear Friends,

I visited Lionel* yesterday to order the Robellini for the Living room. Also, I ordered all the flowers for the window boxes. Lionel, whose shop has been our favorite for years was still his clever, endearing self after these two past very difficult years. Says he detests Putain! ( which of course, means “whore” in French)
We are so lucky to enjoy this perfectly delightful spring weather. The Parisians (tourists too) were lining the quais with faces turned towards the sun like rows of Tournesols!

*Marché aux fleurs Reine-Elizabeth-II

GARDEN CLOSE UP

2021-08-04T12:31:00.001-07:00

Every year, we post images of our garden, sometimes in several postings. Here, we post several close up photographs.

Our begonia (first image) is happier because of this and other Praying Mantis creatures roaming our garden. I noticed her when attempting to find the best shot of the plant. She was the best shot!

For years, we have nurtured Ornamental Garlic plants. This year, we planted a number of new baby plants. And roses, which were in-ground and not doing very well, are now in blue pots - thriving. The bright blue bulb-like forms below are from an unknown plant, given to us by our friends in Santa Barbara. After flowering, this plant gifts us with these seed pod gems.

Throughout this pandemic, our small urban garden has provided us with a harmonic respite. We are fortunate and thankful.

MARIKO KUSUMOTO ART and DESIGN

2021-07-10T16:06:00.001-07:00

Perhaps the most revealing statement made by Ms. Kusumoto, more than any other is this: "In all of my work there is always the insistence on skill and craftsmanship."

Although the artist works in several mediums, including resin and metal, the work that stands out for me, is her fiber work - where worlds exist within worlds, in the diaphanous midst of sea-creature-like forms.

Color, in all its gradations, subtle, warm. cool and neutral, astonishes mind and elevates our spirit.

For more information about this artist, please visit her website: Mariko Kusumoto.

FALLEN SKY, ARTIST SARA SZE

2021-07-08T14:38:00.004-07:00

In the artist's own words

Vimeo

Sara Sze website

TRANSIENT DESIRES

2021-03-31T15:23:00.002-07:00

Donna Leon. Never heard of her, until recently.

Questing for a new book to read I spotted, via a social media post, Transient Desires, written by Donna Leon. I wrote to a trusted friend, asking for recommendations and mentioned this book. Returning my email correspondence, she wrote, "Funny you should ask for a recommendation, then mentioned this particular book". As it turned out, my friend just received her copy of the book - having read all 29 of the previous mysteries! And, yes, she would certainly recommend this and all the other books! "Read the first and go from there" was her further recommendation.

I ordered number one, Death at La Fenice, and when it arrived I began reading, voraciously. Carried away by scenes of Venice, the waterways, the dampness, decay and a murder mystery with the notable Commissario Guido Brunetti, my attention was captured.

So, I'm recommending Donna Leon to you.

For more information, please visit Grove Atlantic Publisher, and start your Venetian mystery journeys! Commissario Brunetti awaits you.

MAY - Art and Design Tours of Venice

2021-03-29T15:44:00.001-07:00

From Wallpaper*, MAY was started one year ago, March 2020. Referred to as "a multidisciplinary communication agency, founded by three women combining contemporary and historical approaches to create guided walking tours of Venice". To find out more, please link to Wallpaper*

Below, Lunardelli, a wood atelier, one of the woman owned businesses on the tour.

MONA KUHN: WORKS

2021-03-22T16:27:00.006-07:00

Mona Kuhn:Works, is the first retrospective by one of the most respected and widely exhibited contemporary art photographers at work in the world today.

Published by Thames&Hudson.

For more information, please link to the publisher, here.

CHRISTINE NOFCHISSEY MCHORSE

2021-03-18T17:10:00.001-07:00

In February 2021, having contracted Covid, Christine Nofchissey McHorse passed away. Her career ended too soon and we are saddened.

To honor her, we post an informative interview with Ms. McHorse and Curator, Garth Clark - at Peters Projects, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Vimeo and Cfile

Lorraine O'Grady

2021-03-17T16:15:00.006-07:00

Recently, Artforum magazine presented artist Lorraine O'Grady in "Under the Cover" with David Velasco, Editor-in-Chief.

Her first retrospective opened at the Brooklyn Museum in New York on March 5, running through July 18.

For more information, and to watch a talk with Ms. O'Grady, please link to Artforum.

LAKESHORE PLAZA - Phase 2

2021-03-12T14:14:00.010-08:00

Completed in 2020, our design of phase 2 of Lakeshore Plaza at Dos Lagos is a new four story office building as part of an earlier master planned corporate office complex on a 17.7 acre site within the mixed-use planned community of Dos Lagos in Corona, CA.

For more information regarding this and other projects, please link to our website.

http://www.rfa-architects.com/copy-of-lakeshore-plaza

Photographer: Steve Ridlon

From My Window

2020-04-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

PANDEMIC VIEW
The virus began three months ago. China was the first to experience its lessons. And while the United States dragged its feet, the virus traveled to most of the planet.

Beloved Italy, everyone's destination spot, suffered most. And I fear no country, when this is done, will escape its lessons.

From my window, I can see mountains and water. From my window, I can see automobiles, both parked and in movement. From my window, I can see people, walking themselves, their dogs, their children. Familiarity breeds proximity, while strangers stay their required 6 feet of distance from one another.

I workout each day. Miranda Esmonde-White is my DVD workout partner.

I cook. I eat. I use the bathroom. Toilet paper is used sparingly. And cloth towels are used for most everything else, from wiping a counter to drying hands to sopping up spills on the floor. They are no longer sacred. They are used and washed and used again. In everything, usage is conservative. Everything, including food.

Fortunately, we - my partner and I - are good cooks. We use recipes, we prepare from memory and we invent. Creativity knows no bounds in this cloistered time. Fresh pasta was made, recently, accompanied with a lite tomato sauce. It was both delicious and tender. We relished every morsel. And last week, we made homemade rye bread.
Keeping us sane throughout, are both a residential project and our garden. Azalea blooms have come and gone. Our wisteria blossoms were eaten by a pesky squirrel. However, new leaves are sprouting on all branches. Soon, it will provide shade as it reaches across our trellis. Dianthus bloom, profusely. And a potted yellow rose has already given us a few gifts.
Three weeks and counting, we behave, staying inside or very near our home. The virus, as lesson to the Earth, is giving us all time to think and be. And it has given us the gifts of a sky, bluer than any I've seen in this city.
Entering week four.

TREASURES

2020-01-25T17:30:00.001-08:00

From preserving and reinvigorating an old building to loss of a great artist to a winning chocolate-peanut butter combination, to immigrants as they travel to better their lives and, finally, to a California ceramist, gone but not forgotten.
Enjoy our selections!

Qishe Courtyard by Archstudio - arch daily

John Baldessari interviewed by Tim Griffin - ArtForum (ABOVE)

Dandelion Chocolate 2 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cup ! - CoolHunting

Venezuelan Family Portraits illustrate the difficult journey of migrants - Colossal

Richard Saar, Ceramist

Montecito Remodel - Before and After

2019-09-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

Ronald Frink Architects
Designing the remodel of an older, dated home into an elegant contemporary home demands time, energy and a meeting of minds.

Sited well, the home is light and bright with sunlight shining in throughout, with great views to the garden, fairway and mountains.

Lightening the color palate, opening up and clarifying existing spaces, and creating an improved flow were all goals of both client and architect.

Eliminating the original dark wood finishes and removing old and dated patterned wallpapers all helped to enable reaching our design goals and created an open and bright environment which enjoys gracious indoor/outdoor living.

At the end, the new home elevates the owner and visitors into joy. All of the owner's original furnishings found their way back, but in their new setting they are seen and given the showcase they deserve.

2019-06-03T15:27:00.001-07:00

FOUR

Written on sand, a delicate message, imploring Japan to reduce plastic by sculptor Toshihiko Hosaka.

Haruka Misawa designs graceful glass environments for observing fish ecology.

A coffee shop located within a bookstore, designed by Nota Architects - a misty, magical space.

Tableware, inspired by the colorful work of artist, Wayne Thiebaud - slices of colorful imagination.

All presented in this first week in June. Four images, four links from our reading list. Enjoy!

Toshihiko Osaka sculpts in delicate sand, environmental art with a message to reduce plastic waste, Colossal (above)

Haruka Misawa, Waterscapes, designboom (above)

Nota Architects designs a misty magical coffee shop, Contemporist (above)

Wayne Thiebaud inspired tableware, Cfile (above)

HIGH FIVE!

2019-02-08T14:52:00.000-08:00

Bright colors. Beautiful shapes. Thought provoking art. Delicate nature.

From hybrid ceramics by Tal Batit to delicious ceramic donuts (Cannibis, not included!) to ethereal fashion designed by Iris Van Herpen to a government shut-down allowing damage to precious nature to an installation of art by Iranian-American artist, Raheleh Filsoofi.
Five from out there into the here. Please press on the captions, below, for more information!

Tal Barit, Hybrid Vases, Chile (above)

John Quick's Donut Pipes, especially made for smoking cannabis! dezeen (above)

Stunning, ethereal gowns, by Iris Van Herpen (above)

Joshua Tree destruction in the midst of government closure, The Guardian (above)


Iranian-American artist, Raheleh Filsoofi,O’kane Gallery, Houston, Texas August 16- September 25, 2018)"On Transcending the Inhabited Space" - cfile (above)

Renderings

2018-11-06T15:10:00.002-08:00

LAKESHORE PLAZA AT DOS LAGOS, Phase 2
Corona, CA

Ronald Frink Architects is pleased to announce a new project.

Following, are several exterior and interior images representing our design for Lakeshore Plaza.
Thank you, Jim Riley of Arc Media Design!

TIME WARP and FOUR

2018-06-05T16:14:00.002-07:00

We have returned. Has it really been almost three months? Time warp.
•When you walk through a forest, what comes to mind? Do you feel the vibrant and electric air? And what about the canopy of branches above - what comes to mind? Peter Wohlleben's book and interview will open your vision as you venture out on your next walk.

•Are you aware of the sensuous, flowing works of Georgia O'Keeffe? Then you will thoroughly enjoy the ceramic bowls of So Yeon Park. They will take your attention into subtle color, fluid shapes, as you are take into a state of active meditation.

•Have you thought about your summer reading? No? Well, allow The Rumpus to assist you in choosing a book or two!

•Speaking of meditation, when you are either in that forest or atop a bluff peering out at the continually crashing water of the ocean, do you see mythical creatures? As a child, photographer, Rachael Talibart would - and you can see them in her new series, Sirens.

Find out more about each of these gleanings from our reading list by linking to them. Enjoy!

PRI.org Interview with Peter Wohlleben

So Yeon Park, Georgia O'Keefe Inspirations at cfile.org

The Rumpus recommendations for summer reading

New England seas conjure mythical creatures, photographer Rachael Talibart at Colossal

One through Four

2018-03-01T14:40:00.000-08:00

A Graphic Designer and Illustrator goes within to create a multitude of stars in blackened space. Using what might be termed, "old fashioned" tools such as a Rapidograph, Ms.Kostova allows us to leave planet Earth to soar into the Cosmos - Petra Kostova of Pet + Dot, as seen on Colossal.

Architect Ulrika Saar together with builder Russ Davis bring us back to earth with their design for an atypical garden shed guesthouse. Small, but mighty, this 312 square foot shed is divided into several spaces with different functions, including office, kitchenette, bathroom, laundry, etc. - as seen on Contemporist.

Oh, dear. It seems social media has had an oops! moment, thinking it could place fig leaves on the famous Venus of Willendorf fertility statue. For 29,500 years, this old girl has been nude in all her lovely glory. Then this. Although she is depicted here in her new attire, you may find her as lovely and nude as ever, online!

We have always loved Paris - a city of cities, beautiful and always charming. In time, our favorite will be even more lovely with the potential addition of a 1,350-hectare suburban forest. You may find out more at inhabitat.

Four

2018-02-12T15:54:00.001-08:00

From an elegant interior design, to a stunning portrait of a memorable First Lady, to recipes from Persia, then onto an innovator turning 50,000 Australian homes into solar generators - here are four links to noteworthy stories.

First, Le Bon Marché (Paris) department store escalators tie themselves into knots by artist, Leanfro Erlich - as seen on dezeen.

Second, while President Barack Obama's portrait was recently seen in the news, with its backdrop of green, leafy foliage (artist, Kehine Wiley), today we beheld First Lady Michelle Obama's stunningly beautiful, subtly colored portrait by Amy Sherald - as seen on Colossal.

(above) Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama by Amy Sherald, oil on linen, 2018. Courtesy National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.

Next, we introduce you to Yasmin Khan's, The Saffron Tales, where culinary secrets of everyday Iranians are shared - so that you might enjoy gaining knowledge about Iran and learn to prepare delicious Persian food in your own home.

Finally, Tesla will provide batteries and South Australia will provided solar panels, transforming homes into power generators - creating an interconnected energy system - as seen on inhabitat.

All to inform and delight you on this Monday. Enjoy!

Tuesday Three

2018-01-30T15:56:00.001-08:00

ECLECTIC TUESDAY THREE

• Algorithmic design using computerized methodologies by Greek Artist, Dimitris Ladopoulos.

• A misunderstood solid gold toilet by artist, Maurizio Cattelan, entitled, America, is a Van Gogh replacement (loan) from the Guggenheim to our current President. Accepted? Not accepted?

• Stunning Zen tableware, as seen on Cfile - "simple forms and muted tonal palatte, embue a sense of serene."

Three selections gleaned from out there and into here - all for your viewing pleasure!

RFA New Website

2018-01-24T14:13:00.001-08:00

RONALD FRINK ARCHITECTS
Welcome to our New Website!

Ronald Frink Architects

Jesse Rieser, Photographer

2017-12-20T14:41:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA

Artist, Jesse Rieser, expresses his feelings about how Americans celebrate Christmas via his current photographic series.
We find all types of aesthetics, from flashy to exotic to "traditional" all-encompassing. For more photographs, you may visit BOOOOOOOM or Mr. Rieser's webiste, here.

All That Glitters

2017-11-18T16:18:00.001-08:00

ALL THAT GLITTERS

Brazilian artist, Vanderlei Lopes, is a metaphysician. Much like medieval alchemists, he takes base metal and transmutes it into "gold". However, the artist's metal is neither precious nor gold as it dribbles into or out of drains, or lingers on a table top as rings from after-party beverage glasses - or as an after-thought, walked upon without regard by an unknown, boot-wearing workman.
What is precious? Who determines value? These are the the questions we ask when viewing this work.
For more information, please press here.
Photographs, Vanderlei Lopes.

Take it, Leave it

2017-11-10T12:45:00.001-08:00

Would your freshly baked cake enjoy a temporary home within this plate with cover?

Would you enjoy the cuddly comfort of a chair that envelopes and warms you?

How about wearing this glass topped watch on your wrist - knowing your friends will ask, "Where did you find that?"

Finally, be careful, you might fall into a carpet hole! Yikes.

Usually, we post items we think we would enjoy and share them with you. So, what do you think?

NDT Design

Kseniya Alferova, Furniture Designer

Tokujin Yoshioka Design

Scott Jervie, Product Designer