Book signing night with Grace Bonney at Anthropologie.

Book signing by Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge

In a good way, my world has been turned around lately and I'm just getting my sea legs (so to say)! I am busier than ever, so I'm sorry for the few weeks delay in posting again. Well, right back at it:

Here's some details from the Grace Bonney book signing event at Anthropologie last Thursday night in downtown Seattle (thanks to a great friend who planned the night). In my 2 minutes (or less) speaking with Grace, we talked about music-- most specifically, about Wild Flag (so, of course; also about Sleater-Kinney and Portland). Here's a live Wild Flag video from a KEXP 2011 SXSW performance:

Back to the book. Wow, it's a behemoth!  You could buy two of them and use them as weights to tone your arms. Once toned, give one copy to a friend so that you can compare favorite pages. You'll be on your own to figure how to keep both arms in shape-- yet you will be all the richer in the home design realm! 

A beauty of a book-- both inside and out!
The Anthro version has 16 extra pages-
for a total of 406. Wow.

Anthropologie has the best design teams in their stores. I'm always blown away:

Ascending the stairs at Anthopologie.

A haunting portait of a little girl in an Anthropologie dining room display.

Let me know when you've picked up this new book, too. It's a keeper--  and will look so lovely on display in your home. Personally, I'm partial to that gold etching on the cover! Enjoy...

Whatever we did, we DIDN'T run!

Here's a brief glimpse into Seattle's most engaging and elaborate art event of September (potentially summer, too)-- the NEPO House 5K Don't Run extravaganza set up with site-specific stops and multiple performances happening along the route to artist Klara Glosova's Beacon Hill home. Participants started warming up (by chatting) in Occidental Park where there was an anonymous registration system handled by the Vis-a Vis Society. All we had to do was choose a name and hope that it wasn't already taken. We were A-OK on that front, so once our numbers were pinned to our shirts, I hopped on over to buy myself a t-shirt which was silk-screened on the spot for me by Duck Ugly. It sure is nice (and a little wrinkled from being carried around in a bag):

NEPO 5K paraphernalia

As we began moving in and out of various Pioneer Square galleries, the sun was very hot; thus, we had one child who wanted to go NO further. We feared that our team would soon have to pull out of this 'non-race'. That would have been a surefire letdown to our non-competitive, art loving spirit!

Paul Vexler at Foster/White Gallery

The GREAT news is that our teammate soon pulled out of her visible turmoil. Once we started trudging underneath the freeway (with all it's seedy elements) she was good to go. Before we knew it, we were making stops into shops that we would not normally even glance at. On foot, we started seeing the city with new eyes.

Whispers to me, shouts to me by Keely Isaak Meehan. This is one of
my favorite photos that I took-- what with the drama of that vibrant fabric and pose,
combined with the casual observation of the people walking by.

Almost to Beacon Hill-- glancing back at the city.

Amy-Ellen Flatchestedmama Trefsger
A Good Reminder to Always Sign Your Work.

I spy encouragement to keep going! Julie Albert & Andy Arkley
@ Fold-Up Elephant stop #22

Amanda Manitach - Free TV. Actually plugged in and working in a yard
along the sidewalk--
it was displaying mirrored, free floating images and words. 

Follow the arrows up a flight of stairs and down an alley to
find a garage installation by ________.

Mike Pham - Forever. Captivating performance. 

I started to take a picture of the shimmering silver strips
when the most adorable baby came out from beneath them.
Art for all ages!

 Arrival at the front door! Overall, it took about 3.5 hours...

I'd say that the general magic was in the camaraderie of a group of likeminded individuals exploring the city streets, galleries, sidewalks, front yards, garages, homes (etc), in a way that encouraged conversation while showing us a multitude of artistic talents. The constant juxtaposition of big city living was on view simply by walking along. There were some gritty societal elements, numerous architectural touches that I'd never noticed while driving by, a bird's eye view of the crazy Sounders traffic; and finally, the arrival at a contemporary home filled with people and art. 

NEPO Soap Box--all ready for the evening festivities.

The work that went into planning the minutia of tiny details must have felt never ending. For that, I feel thankful for a seamless day that felt otherworldly at times-- yet always incredibly special. After mingling near the FINISH line, we went out to Indian food and then caught the Light Rail back to the car. Whew- a time to rest!

Let's give a big round of applause to all who helped out! 

Take a peek at the latest Prairie Underground!

Moto Hoodie

Fall 2011 Collection by Prairie Underground-- inspired by hand made clothing, uniforms, and distressed garments... I think I see a bit of the back-to-school look going on, too. From the mind of Davora Lindner, a Fine Arts grad and former sculptor; to that of Camilla Eckersley, a fashion industry pro with degrees from both Evergreen and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandizing--- you'll see that they're putting their smarts and the arts into their

 edgy/chic styles! Learn more as you read along....

Don't you want in on this look? I have no idea what took me so long, yet in the last year, I have finally become a convert to the Prairie Underground line of clothing. The three pieces that I own have carried me stylishly to fashion shows, weekend markets, cocktail parties and even a middle-school parent night. There's a little something for everyone in their designs. You'll notice that some pieces are definitely structured; while others are certainly not. The delightful fact that they can often be mixed & matched is a bonus to your entire wardrobe-- especially when you need to pull together outfits quickly.

In a way that'll make you want to kiss the ground, these clothes are also comfortable, durable and washable. These thoughtful co-designers met in Nebraska in the 1980's, and have since carried their early influences out West to Seattle-- to the delight of a city that thrives on having eco friendly, local choices. In each of their collections, Prairie Underground has utilized sustainable fabrics such as hemp and organic cotton. They also help support the livelihood of a diminishing trade of local sewing contractors. There's so much to love...

For a full list of shops and websites, view this list. Please note that there's even a shop in Tokyo! To see even more styles (and colors) be sure to check out the full Prairie Underground Web Site and their facebook page. 

...plus, don't forget to tell me all about your favorite pieces!!!  Thanks, friends!
All photos courtesy and copyright of Prairie Underground.

A Lovely Venture, Creating Your Charmed Business (@ Olivine's Charm School)

Olivine's creator Julie Wray is a pro at creating businesses women will love. Do YOU ever dream of taking the plunge on your own business or blog? Julie has lined up an amazing on-line course: so look no further-- here is your class! O.M.-Goodness, it's great!

Back before Ballard Avenue turned into one of the most popular, old-town hot spots in Seattle, there was Olivine-- my favorite boutique in town. Nowadays, Olivine is run entirely online-- of course, it's still a delightful place to shop. But ladies, have you checked out the blog Olivine's Charm School? It's superb, and it's always nice to read "hello gorgeous" at the top. Charm School doesn't care if you just tumbled out of bed, or had a late night-- and I'd guess the curator would say that you were all the lovelier for it!

Also, don't you just LOVE her blog banner? I think it's the best!  If you're at all thinking about running your work world, go ahead and sign up for this course-- I think you will learn SO much. I'm planning on it for the 'monetizing my blog portion'. That's something I've never done...

CLICK to LEARN ALL ABOUT IT, & have a great weekend, friends! 

Moroccan Doorways

Morocco takes the prize for the prettiest doorways and entryways in the world. I don't believe that I've ever been anywhere else where they were more elaborate or intricate. Walk with me through the streets of Fez and Meknes for a few shots of some true stunners...

Inside Dar Al Andalous

Massive doors into the medina of Meknes

Doorway into a home in the historical Jewish Quarter of Meknes.

Door in the Medina of Fez

Leaving the Bab Berdieyinne Mosque

As the old saying goes, details matter, don't they? I wish I had taken more snapshots when I travelled there in May 2009 with my dear friend Sue and her brother who joined us from Germany. This was a (pre-planned) three night detour while on our trip to visit a friend living in Paris. During this long weekend, another friend who'd come with us from Seattle to Paris went to the South of France--- yet we all reconvened for a few more days in Paris. Living it up, I'd say! A rare, and delightful treat as I'd never left my husband and children for 10 nights; nor had I even left the North American continent for over 17 years.

Photo of an ancient, arched stone lookout onto Fez, by Brad M. 

Tell me what your entryway looks like! My own front door was replaced a few years ago, yet we took the antique peephole out of the original door and reused it. It looks solid and aged; like a small maritime window even. The tiniest detail, yet one that works in my Ballard home. To carry off a door like those in Fez, would I have to live in an ancient, walled-off city? Probably not, yet certainly a house that's got more mystery outside.

My eye on the world.

  Since I've been picturing doorways as the entryway to possibility, these Moroccan beauties kept coming to mind. 

Have a great end to your weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by.

My own Miss M

Ta-Da! This is my 50th Blog Post. I can hardly believe it. As such, at the suggestion of my dear friend Jules, I am featuring my daughter, a 15 year old teen artist-- including some of her older works dispersed throughout. It's possible she was born with a paintbrush in her hand, yet I only remember the depth of her eyes (in which I was sunk). This girl is Tactile (with a capitol 'T'). She was born to create, and create she does. She sketches, paints, woodblocks, bakes, needlepoints, sews, makes puppets, wands, videos, and all manner of clever things. If she merely thinks of something that interests her, at her hands it becomes real; it becomes art.

The bottom line best part of all this talent is that she simply does it for herself and doesn't see that it's anything special, really. It's clearly a drive-- and the gift part is lost upon her since she feels it's only natural.  I am forever amazed by it (and will even admit to sometimes being frustrated by the mess of it all!).  Also, while I wish I had access to her current sketchbook, I simply don't at the moment!

Anyhow, Welcome to our world...

Lost * charcoal, 26.4" x 40" * final project for Gage Academy Intensive Drawing 2011 Summer course taught by Ryan Finnerty & Spyder Peterka. Find Ryan on this post I wrote.

Molasses Cupcakes w/ lavender frosting.

A few years ago, she'd frequently whip herself up her own bento box lunch .

Self Portrait in 2009- scanned in b&w 

Halloween Costume 2009, skirt sewn solely by her-- blouse and corset with the help of grandma. These days, she is sewing up costumes all on her own.

2011, sewn for Sakura Con. This is Miku from Moonlit Bear. The detailed needlepoint
 on the apron is shown below:

A birds nest hairpin and two rings.

How to properly wrap a friend's present:
newspaper comics made into flowers;
use a little wire, and create a bird name tag.

Sound & Vision * needlepoint * 2010 Assemble Gallery & Studio
entry for their 'Not For All The Tea In China'
themed contest (the #2 is the tag number is all).

Painting from a live model at the Gage 2010

Another live model at the Gage.

Woodblock print made at Angielena Chamberlain's
Georgetown Arts and Cultural Center 2009

Real life photo on the left, 4 ft tall spray paint art on the right.

Self portrait print carved from looking at a baby photo
in 2010.

Twins

An old favorite of mine...

Sketchbook (an old one, from an anime I think).

Testostrotoes sketch 2011
(specializing in Male Pointe Shoes)

Sketchbook

OK, multiple pages of the sketchbook during this period. It's a miracle the painted pages didn't stick together.

Live model 2011

Live model sketch night, Gage Teen Art Studio

Puppets made (at home) with a copper wire armature, and a
polymer clay overlay (Summer 2011). the cotton ball midriff
is there to give them shape for the clothing.

Hand sewn clothes for the puppets.

More of her cast. She had planned a stop-motion film, yet that's on hold.

She even whittled a few wands this past Spring. This one is Driftwood
with a heart of gold (maybe). 

The End Will Come * The End Is Near * Now It Has Come
triptych (you can't see the row of nails at the bottom of
the first panel). Summer 2006, age 10


At the rate she's going, I'd say it's really just the beginning... Lucky for us all, I'd say. I 'll be sure and remember that myself the next time my home is covered in paint or materials. 


Here's a big THANK YOU to all my readers. You're the best!