thought2form-living creatively

Emily Allchurch, Photographer

2012-02-09T16:04:00.000-08:00

PORTAL INTO THE PAST - Tokyo Story

Photographer, Emily Allchurch

Tokyo Story: Lotus Garden (after Hiroshige)

In the prints of the so-called “floating world” known as Ukiyo-e, produced between the 17th and 19th centuries, beautifully illustrated local faces and scenes appear as fleeting events moving through time - existing in an ever-changing, ephemeral world.

Utagawa Hiroshige

Stylistically, Ukiyo-e employed elegant graphic outlines, unusual perspectives with unexpected cropping of imagery, vibrant colors along with open colorless fields free of modeling, and bold compositions. Considered ahead of its time, these techniques found their way into the work of post-impressionist artists, including Vincent Van Gough and Claude Monet.

Vincent Van Gogh, Portrait of Pere Tanguy, 1887, Musee Rodin

A famous artist of that time, Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), was a master at capturing the atmosphere of place. Each work, whether his “Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido” or his great landscape series entitled, “Famous Places of Edo: A Hundred Views”, illustrates the artist’s genius at depicting the daily life and events of Edo.
Photographer Emily Allchurch, inspired by the Hiroshige's "A Hundred Views", traveled through Tokyo, documenting the city, ever mindful of the earlier artist's work. She refers to his prints as intimate "windows or doorways" allowing us a glimpse into his past.

Tokyo Story: Bridge (after Hiroshige)

Ms. Allchurch's work acts as a portal into the past, where digital imagery is manipulated and where contemporary Tokyo and centuries old Edo overlay and blend. The earlier period is differentiated by contemporary cityscapes, which include a Ferris wheel, bill boards, sky scrapers, graffiti, a sign with instructions to Mt. Fuji, and other paraphernalia (and people) of today's city.

Tokyo Story: Cherry Blossom (after Hiroshige)

The artist, referring to herself as a "privileged observer", shot more than 6,000 photographs of the city. However, Ms. Allchurch does not strictly photograph and present. Instead, she digitally collages each work together by extracting pieces from any number of the original photographs to rebuild a new holistic image. In the end, the reconstructed work, assembled rom a multitude of fragments, is a remarkable accomplishment. At the heart of it all is a bow to tradition - respected in Japan - with an appreciation for artistry and a commitment to excellence.

Tokyo Story: Shrine (after Hiroshige)

Ms. Allchurch, born in 1974, lives and work in London. She completed her MA at the Royal College of Art in 1999. Her work is included in both public and private collections. "Tokyo Stories" was exhibited, originally, at the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation in London. It was also exhibited at Diemar Noble Photography. Most recently, it was exhibited at the Minneapolis Institute for the Arts (MIA). MIA purchased the entire series for their permanent collection.

For more information about the artist, please visit the websites of Emily Allchurch and GBS Fine Art.
All images provided by and with thanks to both Emily Allchurch and GBS Fine Art.

Tokyo Story: Twilight Passage (after Hiroshige)

Tokyo Story: Willow Landscape (after Hiroshige)

Tokyo Story: Temple (after Hiroshige)

Tokyo Story: Bankside (after Hiroshige)

Hiroshige

2012-02-02T14:50:00.000-08:00

UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE

Video:

HIROSHIGE (1797-1859)

From YouTube, "The Art of Hiroshige" (with permission, DigitalMillenium)

Chocolats

2012-01-31T13:03:00.000-08:00

CHOCOLATS du CaliBresson

Jean-Michel Carre - Chocolatier

Jean-Michel created Le CaliBressan in 1996 and for those fortunate enough to live in or near Santa Barbara, CA, you will find this wonderful shop at:

1114 State Street, #25

La Arcada

To find out more: Chocolats du CaliBressan

KidsGoGlobal-Shop + Give

2012-01-26T13:57:00.000-08:00

KIDS GO GLOBAL
Support Your Favorite Non Profit or School

Last December our favorite restaurant, Canelé, invited us to one of their festive open houses. With tables moved to the perimeter of the restaurant, artisans sold their wares, while we talked with friends and enjoyed delicious appetizers and Prosecco.

Charlotte Culina, owner of Kids Go Global, was stationed at one of the tables. Her company sells fair trade and eco-friendly items where 15% of each sale is given to schools and non profit organizations. When making a purchase on their website, you may either give to an existing charity or school or specify your favorite. Simply by linking to the registration form and filling it out - and with research and approval form Kids Go Global - your choice will be added to their list of affiliates. For now, they include Smile Train, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, and Holden's Hope Train, among others. According to Ms. Culina, "This may not be that big annual fundraiser for your school but if you looking at a few new computers or a school garden for example this could be the answer."

From the Kids Go Global website - statements regarding fair trade and eco-friendly standards for products are as follows:

"Simply put, Fair Trade is thinking about the people behind the products we’re buying and choosing to buy products that compensate the worker by paying them a fair, living wage."
"We have very carefully selected Green products that are recycled and recyclable, sweatshop- free, cruelty-free, PVC and lead-free, phthalates-free, BPA-free and in many cases 100% organic. We are fortunate to have forged relationships with responsible eco-minded companies and hope that we can collectively make a difference in the future of our planet!"

Products include jewelry, bags and purses, paper goods, accessories, kitchen products, children's books, toys and crafts and, most recently, cleaning products - all for your shopping and giving pleasure.
Kids Go Global website

Chilanthropy Candle - Riverbed Bracelet

Go Fetch Backpack - Infant Socks

Dhaka Silk Scarf - Twinkle Twinkle Cuff

Bulk Cotton Paper - Yoga Planet Interactive Card Deck

Clyfford Still Museum

2012-01-25T15:57:00.000-08:00

CLYFFORD STILL MUSEUM

Too many years ago, when I studied painting and drawing in San Francisco, I was intrigued with the work of artist, Clyfford Still. His paintings at the SF Museum of Modern Art always attracted me and quietly lured me into their jagged crevices of color and light.

Long after his death, I remember reading that within the will of the artist, he strongly desired the remainder of his work to be housed within a museum fully dedicated to his art, life and career (see, "The strange will of Clyfford Still", by Colin Dabkowski, Buffalo News, Spotlight, January 6, 2012).

This morning I came across a posting on my reading list about the new Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, designed by Allied Works Architects. From the website of the architect:

"In 2007, Allied Works was selected to design the Clyfford Still Museum, a single-artist institution devoted to the life and work of one of the 20th century’s most influential and enigmatic painters."

and

"The galleries respond to the evolving character of Still’s art, changing scale and proportion, while varying the intensity of light."

In an article written by Leah Ollman (Los Angeles Times, November 20, 2011), she states,

"Clyfford Still was averse to showing his art in architectural settings that he considered either flamboyant or coldly impersonal, and he railed against anything that distracts viewers from the art itself."

From the photographs, it would appear that the designers were particularly sensitive to the artist's work. The exterior concrete, with its rusticated, hammered texture, seems to prepare the visitor for what is to appear inside; while the interior concrete, smooth and colored with a soft gray - along with the prerequisite stark white gallery walls - seems the quintessential background for displaying the artist's abstract paintings.

As an admirer of Still's work, I was pleased that the architecture (viewed via photography), while raw and beautiful in its own right, allows the work of the artist to shine.

Installation view of the inaugural exhibition

Installation view, Still's early figurative paintings

According to the museum fact sheet, the collection includes, "825 paintings, 1575 works on paper, three sculptures and archival materials such as letters, sketchbooks, and photographs." The building encompasses 28,500 square feet of space, including 10,000 sf of exhibition galleries, containing one of the "most comprehensive single-artist collections in the world."
I look forward to visiting the museum in the future and hope to return with photographs and a follow-up report. In the meantime, you may find out more about the museum and the architect by visiting the links provided below.

Clifford Still Museum
Brad Cloepfil, Allied Works Architects

Year 2 - T2F Living Creatively

2012-01-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

T2F - LIVING CREATIVELY

Year 2

What began as a simple idea in 2010 has remained simple: a blog about creative expression. And each month we have added new viewers from all over the world.
As T2F-living creatively enters its third year in February 2012, our goal is to continue to present stories about imaginative, talented people and creativity in all its forms.
Following is a selection of photographs illustrating the past year.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-22T16:45:00.000-08:00

HAPPY YEAR OF THE DRAGON!

Wishing prosperity to everyone - 2012

Photo: Caseman, Wikimedia Commons

Valérie Buess

2012-01-18T16:36:00.000-08:00

A NEW TAKE - PAPER SCULPTURE
Artist, Valérie Buess

Amazonenhelm, 20 x 16 x 22 cm

What does Valérie Buess have in mind when she sits with an old book in hand, transforming its pages into sea creatures or other organic forms; a metamorphosis completely twisting the mind into wonder?

Taking a well-known material and painstakingly working it until each element is retooled into another familiar, unearthly object, Ms. Buess extracts the extraordinary from the ordinary.

boycotting the original content, 21 x 16 x 7.5 cm

A fan of twisted, braided paper - a once familiar book - never to be read again - instead to be enjoyed as something new and as inspirational as its former self.

cloud 2, 30 x 28 x 65 cm

Above, a cluster of violet "sea anemones", their tendrils once held as flat pages in a reader's hands.

While origami was transformed into an art form at the beginning of Japan's Edo period, I wonder what an artist of that time would make of Ms. Buess' captivating paper sculptures.

Ms. Buess is a Swiss artist, living in Germany. She has been included in various exhibitions, internationally.

Ms. Buess is, not only a sculptor, but also a photographer. A couple of examples are shown below.

For more information about these and other work, please visit her website: Valérie Buess

Canelé, anyone?

2012-01-17T16:42:00.000-08:00

CANELÉ RESTAURANT•BEST BREAKFAST IN LA

It was October 26, 2010 when we published a story about one of our favorite restaurants, Canelé. Today, they are recognized by LA Weekly (Tien Nguyen), as one of the 10 Best Breakfast Spots in Los Angeles! Congrats!

Mr. Nguyen writes:

Canelé's rustic, seasonal brunch menu certainly seems innocuous enough. "Thick French toast," for example, or a "side" of "baked pancake with meyer lemon custard." As it turns out, this "thick French toast" is a trio of inches-high slabs of French toast, ridiculously crispy on the outside, wonderfully custardy on the inside. The "baked pancake" is what happens when a pancake meets a tart, a fluffy concoction served in a ramekin and topped with a custard just lemony enough to offset the sweetness of the dough. The savories, like the fried faro with eggs and sriracha, are just as good, and that house-cured bacon! Is everything you want in bacon, and then some. That the dishes are nothing you expect - only infinitely better - is endearing, in a way, as if the restaurant is much too shy to ever tell you that the best brunch in Los Angeles is served up between its lil' ol' brick walls. We'll be a pal and toot its horn on its behalf: this is indeed the best in the city.
Canelé•3219 Glendale Blvd•Los Angeles•(323) 666-7133.

Chicken Pot Pie

2012-01-14T11:43:00.000-08:00

FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE DELICIOUS

It all began with a recipe from Epicurious.com (Bon Appetite, February 2003)

Although delicious as is, the recipe did not include carrots or corn, and whipping cream is usually not part of our diets. So, we improvised a bit. As my Mom would have said, so long ago, "It needed 'doctoring'." So we took the basic recipe, changed and added to it - not knowing what to expect in the end.

As we lifted that first morsel and began eating, it was perfect; perfumed with the subtlety of herbs and topped with a store-bought pastry sheet which was crispy delectable.

So, we take you from an exceptional violinist to an equally exceptional singer to this - our recipe for Friday Night Chicken Pot Pie. (Recipe follows photos)

Friday Night Chicken Pot Pie
Yield: 4 - 6 servings
Ingredients:
1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed
Bouquet garni of 6 parsley sprigs; 6 thyme sprigs; 1/3 cup celery leaves; 2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon butter or Ghee
1 cup diced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped shallots
3 cups low-salt chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breast halves
1 cup of low fat milk or 3/4 cup low fat milk, mixed with 1/4 cup lite sour cream
1 10-ounce russet potato, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup frozen corn
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter 11 x 17" glass baking dish. Roll out pastry on lightly floured surbace to 13 x 9" rectangle. Transfer to baking sheet and chill.
Place herbs onto a large square of 2 layers of moistened cheesecloth. Gather cheesecloth and tie securely.
Melt butter or Ghee in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add diced celery and shallots; saute 5 minutes. Add broth and bouquet garni; bring to boil. Add chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until chicken is just cooded through, about 12-15 minutes. Remove chicken. Increase heat to medium; boil mixture until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add low-fat milk or low-fat milk with lite sour cream, combined and return to boil. Add potato and carrot cubes; cover and cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Using tongs, remove bouquet garni, squeezing juices back into pan. Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks and add to pan. Mix in peas and carrots. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Pour mixture into baking dish. Top with pastry; press overhang to sides of dish. Bake until golden, about 35-40 minutes.
ENJOY!

Jennifer Nettles - Voice

2012-01-11T14:15:00.000-08:00

A RICH, COMMANDING VOICE

Jennifer Nettles, Kennedy Center Honors 2011

There's something special about this singer. It's not only her exceptional voice, it also has something to do with charisma and heart. If you have not heard Ms. Nettles sing, we know you will enjoy this video of her on stage at Kennedy Center - singing to honor Neil Diamond.

Regina Carter at the Lobero

2012-01-10T14:56:00.000-08:00

REGINA CARTER

Jazz at the Lobero Theater, Santa Barbara, CA
Appearing at the Lobero Theater, Friday, February 24 @ 8:00 pm, violinist, Regina Carter will perform from her new CD, "Reverse Thread".
From the Lobero website:

From the varied schools of classical music conservatories and R+B, this inventive violinist explores new territories as she blends world influences into the vocabulary of straight ahead jazz. Her sophisticated technique and lush tone took the jazz world by surprise; and through her albums, incessant touring and various guest appearances and collaborations, Regina has developed into a distinctly diverse musical personality. She has toured throughout the world, was the first jazz artist and African-American to play Niccolo Paganini's famed Guarneri "Cannon" violin, has been featured with several symphony orchestras and performed with artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Billy Joel, Kenny Barron and Mary J. Blige.
“A talented, charismatic player who is almost single-handedly reviving interest in the violin as a jazz instrument.” ― Los Angeles Times

A "must see"!

For more information:

Lobero Theater

Regina Carter

Holly Hunt Collection

2012-01-07T11:32:00.000-08:00

HOLLY HUNT COLLECTION - Los Angeles

Discriminating Taste • Elegance

Holly Hunt Showroom - Los Angeles

Frequently, we visit StumbleUpon or our blog's reading list to find stories or items for new postings. Today, while "thumbing" through our sources, the Holly Hunt Showroom came to mind. Along with our clients, we recently visited the showroom and, as usual, thoroughly enjoyed our visit. A pleasure to walk through, the showroom is enjoyed, not only for its contents, but also for its calm, spare elegance.

We understand why Ms. Hunt is referred to as "an arbiter of refined taste, her eye for what is now and what's next has lead to her success."

From the Holly Hunt website:

Known for a look that is consistently at the forefront of style and quality, HOLLY HUNT showrooms and collections lead the industry in luxury home furnishings. The company designs, produces and showcases custom made product including indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting, rugs, textiles, and leathers.

Here's our quick-pick of furnishings and lighting from the Holly Hunt Showroom. We hope you enjoy and appreciate them as much as we do. For more information, links are presented below.

Hadrien Daybed, designer, Jean-Michel Wilmotte

Aileron Occasional Chair, designer, Christophe Pillet

Siena Indoor Dining Table, Holly Hunt Studio

Beacon Pendant, Alison Berger

Damask Rug with Borders

Split Dining Table, Holly Hunt Studio

Paris II Table Lamp

Kolom Hanging Light, designer, Kevin Reilly

Holly Hunt Showroom

Holly Hunt on Facebook

Happy 2012!

2012-01-01T15:55:00.000-08:00

WARM AND SUNNY START•2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T15:15:00.000-08:00

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU?

We often hear, particularly on the last day of a year, "What are your goals?"

2011 brought us one special gift. What more could we desire?

We would like to share this gift with you. No, it is not Jewels, gold coins, shiny new cars, a mansion.

We wish you the ability to see without eyes, hear without ears, soar without wings, enjoy without expectations, etc. We want you to simply, BE, this year.

essence

Love where you are. Enjoy what you have. Allow yourself the peacefulness of being.

Make this your only resolution and you will find the greatest treasure - all else will fall into place.

Journal Writing - Diane Keaton

2011-12-16T16:45:00.000-08:00

THEN AGAIN

A Memoir - Diane Keaton

This autobiography, which is in part extracted from journals written by Diane Keaton's Mother, is of interest to us - we began the adventure of journal writing some months ago.
We've discovered that writing about our thoughts, feelings and events bring to focus that which is important and worth keeping and remembering.
According to Ms. Keaton, her Mom wrote daily - until she could not write any longer. A selection of her memories, written and sometimes supplemented with newspaper clippings and photographs, now reach out to us as a reminder that she lived a full and wonderful - and thoughtful - life.

Random House

Diane Keaton at Amazon

Holiday Lights Atlanta

2011-12-15T14:45:00.000-08:00

GARDEN LIGHTS•HOLIDAY NIGHTS

The Atlanta Botanical Gardens presents a grand display of holiday magic using nearly one million lights, including "...a galaxy of stars in the woodlands; whimsical bees, butterflies and other lighted pollinators in the Edible Garden; and 200 show-stopping, color changing topiary forms choreographed to holiday music on the Great Lawn."

Wish we lived closer to this spectacular celebration of light:

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

November 19 – January 7
5 – 10 p.m.
For more information: Atlanta Botanical Gardens

On a Winter's Day

2011-12-14T13:34:00.000-08:00

ON A WINTER'S DAY

Silverlake

At the beginning of the year, we posted a photograph taken as we walked along the ocean shore. As we approach the end of 2011, we post several photographs shot as we walked the path at Silverlake Reservoir. It rained the day before, and in the distance we enjoyed lightly dusted snow capped peaks. Cool, crisp and beautiful weather accompanied us as we walked.

Climate Change - A History

2011-12-13T17:35:00.000-08:00

ARE YOU STILL A HOLDOUT?

If you still are not a believer in climate change, then this should change your mind - assuming that your mind remains open while watching and listening:

TEDxPSU - Michael Mann - A Look into Our Climate: Past to Present to Future

Saveur - Best Food Blog Awards

2011-12-13T13:25:00.000-08:00

THE BEST OF 2011

We enjoy reading Saveur Magazine, not only because it guides us through recipes, but because it concentrates upon specific countries or regions - or a type of food, meat, dessert, etc. Much like reading a journal, we are treated to in-depth writing and come away learning something more than how to prepare a particular dish.

So, when we came across Saveur's list of blog winners, we decided to present a selection of them to our readers.

For a complete list of Saveur's Best, please go to: Saveur

SAVEUR'S BEST 2011

Best Baking and Desserts Blog: Joy the Baker

Best Cooking Blog: Smitten Kitchen

Best Food Photography: What Katie Ate

Best Wine or Beer Blog: Vinography

Best Video Content: FoodWishes

Best Culinary Essay: Bon Appetempt

Best Restaurant/Dining Coverage: The Girl Who Ate Everything

Robots - Next Gen

2011-12-12T14:40:00.000-08:00

INTO THE FUTURE
NAO - the new robot of Aldebaran Robotics

Inspiring Tiny Home

2011-12-12T13:11:00.000-08:00

GARAGE•MAISON

Usually big ideas come in big packages. However, the inspirational idea for this very small home makes use of every spatial inch (meter). An abandoned garage is transformed into a functional home for a photographer who splits his time between Paris and Bordeaux.

You will be amazed at this "house within a house".

Fabre/deMarien Architects
Video:Kirsten Dirksen, Fair Companies

T2F Shopping + Giving

2011-12-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

A FLOW OF ENERGY

During the year we have given our support to selected creative people - whether in small businesses or the arts.
Please give this season, supporting your favorite local shops, your museums and playhouses, your local artists - and your favorite charities!
The Huntington Gardens - Membership

Santa Fe Clay - Ceramics

Joe Cariati - Glass

Belinda Oakley - Music

Alyssa Remington - Photography

Modern Folk Living - Curated Goods

Naja Utzon Popov - Carpets/Rugs

Eckhart Tolle - Enlightenment, books, etc.

di Rosa Museum - Membership

Georgia O'keeffe Museum - Membership

Kathryn Pallakoff - Healing

Lobero Theater / Danceworks - Live Theater, Music and Dance

Santa Fe Clay - Holiday Gifts

2011-11-30T16:55:00.000-08:00

Santa Fe Clay

Support Local Ceramic Artists!

December 2: 3pm - 7pm

December 3: 9am - 2pm

Studio members, students, teachers, and staff, will be selling their work for the upcoming holiday season. This is a chance to meet the creator and buy handmade holiday gifts.
545 Camino de la Familia
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Tel: 505-984-1122
Fax: 505-984-1706
Santa Fe Clay website

Five on the 30th

2011-11-30T16:33:00.000-08:00

SELECTED POSTINGS OF THE DAY
As gleaned from several of our favorite websites and blogs:

Holiday Gifts for Foodie Friends - Cool Hunting

Wearable Sculpture - Cool Hunting

Green Holiday Gift Guide - Inhabitat

Earthscrapers - TreeHugger

Algorithms and cars running red lights - Popular Science