Art with Aunt Bekah

When we went to Hillsdale a few weeks ago, Bekah really wanted to take Sebastian to Toasted Mud. This was his creation. Thanks, Aunt Bekah! Sebastian was so excited to eat his Marshmallows & Stars in it this morning.

Art | Amy

This is the painting I bought at a Goodwill in Lebanon, Ohio, last week. I had no intention of looking at their art selection, but I glanced over and a woman was standing with this piece, contemplating a purchase, I think. I stood nonchalantly off to the side, waiting to see if she would take it or leave it. As soon as she put it down, and turned away, I tried to conceal my excitement, and seriously consider if this was a smart purchase. But even though I tried to tell myself not to buy it (because I'm trying to acquire only things that I truly love) there was something about it that I couldn't pass up. It strikes me that Amy was an independent lady, but also with an overwhelming kindness to her. I think maybe she was a gardener, too, who had impeccable taste and who never tried in the least to attain to any particular standards of style other than her own, and to those she held to fiercely. Her hat, crisp white shirt, and the colors used by the artist to depict her are striking in all the right ways. I think it’s a perfect weave of openness of expression and determination.

Is this good art? I have no idea, but I love it, and that’s good enough for me. I think Amy would approve.

P.S. Speaking of art, the embroidery done by this Japanese artist is breathtaking. Have you come across any amazing art lately? Or perhaps you have a favorite piece in your home?

Painting by Gary Anthony

Art | Look-alikes

A friend (our talented photographer!) posted a link to these photos by Francois Brunelle on Facebook, and though it's not the type of thing I normally share, I couldn't resist. I love these pairs... the top with their distinctive chins and sympathetic expressions, and the bottom with their grandfatherly, laughing eyes. Photography fascinates me, and something about this subject is so intriguing. As I scrolled through the photos, I couldn't help but think wistfully, "I hope these people are best friends. They must be!" It's funny how we feel that things, which look similar, must have something in common and must be intertwined intimately.

Enjoy this beautiful Thursday!

Seb | "Paint!"

Watch out! Seb's got the camera! 

The only art medium Seb loves more than paint (or at least equal to it) is markers, and even washable ones create a little too much chaos and destruction at this point. So paint it is. Right now we're working on learning the order that goes with painting, meaning, "Dip your brush in the water. Okay, now rub it in the color you want... and now put it on the paper!" He likes the results, but when left to his own devices for a while he finds the method of loading his brush with paint, washing the paint off, and then painting with muddy water much more to his liking.

Today he was excited to paint circles, a triangle, and numbers. Soon we will start some fall themed paintings!

TOP TO BOTTOM

showing off his circles before we cut them out / showing me his "teeth" / artsy shot of those dreamy eyes / Mama! Not only is Seb a painter, but he's an aspiring photographer. I was trying to ham it up for him, and apparently with great success! / messy hands / there are those teeth! / more posing with the artwork & the raw quick oats with yogurt on top that he specifically requested for lunch / surveying the artwork during lunch / circles / numbers

Art | Vintage Logos, oh my

I was perusing Svpply today, something I rarely do, and happily found a gem: This incredible set of vintage logos. With such boldness and beauty, what's not to love?

Please visit Aqua Velvet for the image credits, and to see some other really cool stuff.

Decor | Art from nothing

This should really become my interior decorating motto. Technically none of the things I make come from nothing, but just about. I have so many scrap/craft items filling up our den that we can barely set foot in there. I have no idea how Cody can study in such chaos, and I know that my mom would say I've got the Tillis curse. So in an effort to de-clutter and decorate the kid's (!) room, I'm making a little art from nothing in order to fill the walls, and make it feel cheery. To me, a poorly decorated nursery looks like it can't escape smelling like Desitin. I want my nursery to smell like cherries and vanilla. (You may laugh).

I'll show you the full pictures once I get the nursery done. I used vintage wrapping paper from my grandma (the one on the Tillis side...), and old photos for the first set. Unfortunately they are only pictures from my family because those were the only pictures I had. I would love to do another set of Cody as a baby, and his parents. For the second one, I used an old feed sack fabric and very old frame, also from my grandma, and this sweet picture of my oldest sister and me. On the back of the photo my mom wrote that Bekah was 3 and I was 4 weeks. I hope I can get a picture just like this with Seb and his little brother or sister.

Have you made any art from nothing lately?

Art | Birds & Herbs

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I am taken with these prints from Cake With Giants. I could find so many places to put these.

Art | Cut maps

 Lake Superior | The Great Lakes

 San Francisco Bay | Manhattan

Aren't these papercut topography maps incredible? Papercut is such an interesting, painstaking and beautiful medium. It is amazing to me how much patience one must have in order to create such a thing of beauty.

Meet Flora Douville

I came across the blog Flora Douville's Adventures in Wonderland by way of Lena Corwin, and was tickled to not only see Flora's fabulous photographs, but the lovely prints she made in a recent workshop. She used Lena Corwin's Printing by Hand, a book that has been on my wishlist for ages. There is something so marvelous and thrilling about making your own patterns and printing them on various fabrics. I have a piece I made in college, and absolutely must make it a top priority to frame. It has been in storage much too long. Have you ever experimented with print or pattern making? If you aren't the crafting type, but love the look, check out Muny, Aden & Anais, and Giardino. Muny and Aden & Anais are for babies, but I totally want one for myself.

P.S. This woodcut is my favorite art we have in our home (and the frame!). It was my birthday present from husband last year.

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Have you taken the poll? Look ——>

Pattern—Sonia Delaunay

Learn about the exhibit. It would be so amazing to see this exhibit, running March 18th - June 5 in NYC.

[photos via]

Silhouette Art

Love this! Go here for more fun silhouette art.

[via]

Homemade sweater

Isn't this sweater beautiful? It looks so cozy and warm. Jenny at WikstenMade is amazing.

Art | For baby

 
A Beautiful print for a nursery.

Textile | Equilateral triangle quilt

I found the pattern that I want to use when I make Seb a quilt: Equilateral Triangles! Aren't these just lovely? Both are made by CarsonToo.

[photos via CarsonToo]

The Dignity of Motherhood

 
I love the dignity and strength that Dorothea Lange reveals in this photograph of a Migrant Mother. This woman—she is supermom.