Polaroid Week 2012

It's that time again! It's Polaroid Week (Aug 13-17) on Flickr, and there are already some pretty great submissions even though it's only the first day. If you're a fan of instant film, you should check it out. Or better yet, participate! Here are a few of my favorites so far:



(Click on images to go directly to sources.)

7 Days of Sunsets

Last week, I decided to take a photo outside my window each day at twilight, or as close as I could manage to the same time each evening.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

I think I could keep taking photos every day and never see the same sky twice. Also, I didn't add any filters or do any serious editing on these; why mess with perfection? (I mean the sky of course, not my camera skills-haha).

Hope everyone has a magical weekend. xo, Mary

(Clockwise from top left: "Birds" by Dante Terzigni; "bundle of sticks" by olive dear; "Girl: Fall" by Weinberg Design - James Weinberg; and "Seed Head II" by littleprintpress - Emma Lawrenson.)

When most people think about pattern, they probably think of textile arts, fabrics, wallpaper, that sort of thing. But patterns pop up in all art forms, probably most notably in printmaking, ceramics, and in recent years, digital arts. The four artists above all use pattern in different ways to create a balanced composition.

I love that the criss-crossed lines in the background of James Weinberg's portrait echo the girl's windswept hair, suggesting a brisk fall day with leaves fluttering about. There's movement all around the print, and the repeating lines move your eye so that it doesn't quite have a chance to rest for long. My favorite part, and I'm not quite sure why, is that one dark leaf behind her head. Again, the pattern on the leaf is repeated in her hat and coat.

In olive dear's print, it only takes a few angled black lines and a field of green to suggest a forest perhaps, or literally just a "bundle of sticks"; it's a simple design that begs to be hung in a series with other prints. Daniel Terzigni's print employs an all-over composition, which is probably what most people associate with pattern. The birds are all different but have repeating colors and shapes (the half-moons that make up their wings or bellies and the triangles that form their tail feathers). Emma Lawrenson's abstract seed print also makes use of repeating colors and shapes, this time centered in the frame, which gives weight and significance to the simple forms.

All of the prints share a similar color palette of rust, orange, mustard, olive, or teal combined with neutrals...colors that make me think of fall, which I'm craving lately. And when you put these prints together, they have that kind of retro vibe that I love.

What do you think? Anyone as crazy for pattern as I am?

House of Ismay

I came across the delightful shop House of Ismay recently, and I'm not quite sure how I missed it before. This UK-based artist with a degree in Book Arts makes wonderful journals, cards, and jewelry out of vintage reclaimed materials. But it's these animal brooches, all made with well-turned pages of classic novels that stole my heart. I mean really, animal brooches that combine classic literature and vintage materials!! It's like Sarah climbed inside my brain and found the absolute perfect thing to make to send me swooning. I wanted to order one immediately, of course, but since they ship from the UK, I thought it best to wait until we're settled. By the way, I hate this limbo period of knowing we have to move soon but details not being sorted yet. I'll have more to share on that hopefully in a couple weeks. Until then, I'm left clicking back and forth and trying to decide which one I love the most.

Have you guys found any new exciting shops lately?

Scenes from Life

My latest library book matches the bookmark my mom sent me from a recent trip to China...fortuitous color harmony makes me happy.

I made Kate's confetti salad the other day, and it was really good! I just scaled back the recipe for two. I also put the carrots and onions in simmering water on the stove for a few minutes to soften them up because they were a bit too hard (and I don't have rabbit teeth). This step probably isn't necessary if you grate the carrots like the recipe says to do (I couldn't find a grater)...likewise, I guess, if you use a food processor.

The most delicious chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting from Best Buns.

Packing up an order to go to someone awesome. This journal was one of my favorites.

Peter and I were watching the Nats play Milwaukee, and something happened to the network and everyone turned blue. It was like watching a baseball game in the twilight zone. This is what passes for entertainment when it's too hot to go outside.

So, what are you guys up to this weekend? I have a lot I'd like to do--there's always fun stuff going on here--but I've been feeling a bit crap lately, so I guess it all depends on how I feel when I wake up tomorrow. I was so tired yesterday I started falling asleep at my desk. Anyway, I'm definitely going to make some stuff this weekend whether I feel up to going out or not, and hopefully, I'll have some new stuff to show you next week. I'm way overdue for a shop update. Hope everyone has an awesome weekend. xo, Mary

(Clockwise from top left: Pomegranate by Nancy Desmond; "It is raining strawberries" by Lucile Prache; "Bowl Stack" by strawberryluna; and "Milk bottles" by Mrs Eliot Books.)

I'm not really a fan of kitchens decorated top to bottom with roosters and hens and eggs and...you get the picture. However, I do love food-themed art, especially when it's colorful and a bit tongue-in-cheek. These four pieces would bring a bright pop of color and style to any room but would be especially nice, I think, in a breakfast nook.

If you are new to this blog--hello and welcome--click here, if you like, to see past Instant Art Collections.

Flickr Favorites

(Click on images to go directly to sources.)