Good Bye to an Amazing Talent

As a young art director in the mid eighties, I was very fortunate to hire calligrapher Raphael Boguslav for a lettering project. My brief encounter with him, which included a visit to his studio, an impromptu piano solo, and a lunch he prepared for us from his garden, left a powerful impression on me. His dedication to exploring every possible combination of forms, paper, inks, and pens followed me for the next 25 years and influenced how I have arrived at answers for my own projects. A true renaissance man, Raphael was hit while riding his scooter in Newport recently and died shortly after. Take five minutes to watch the video/interview and I promise you'll be inspired, shown here. Raphael was a dear friend of my friend, Pat Hegnauer, and the clock you see at the end of the video was a gift to her. His site can be found here.

Kool-aide Dyed Yarn Ring

Cast silver, kool-aide dyed, handspun yarn. Pretty dang cool by robarye, here.

Buttoned Up Beauties

Some sweet little button/brooches from Birthine from Copenhagen, Denmark. Incredible craft, color sense, and of course good use of red thread. Makes me want to loose a button or two. Happy Friday!

Red Threads

I can't seem to get enough of embroidery lately. And I think a lot of the world feels the same way. I don't know is it's my Swedish petticoat showing but I'm really loving the red threads I see out there. Some choice stitchers I've come across lately- First from rocks in my dryer, second from whimsiology, third from liliesovalley, no. 4 from minceco, five by foxesandrobbers, six by courtney, and the last by chartreuserepublic.

Fun Friday Chalkboard Paint

I found some nice pics of chalkboard paint being used in a fresh way.
Have a great weekend. From flickr- bedroom think cloud from sarah here,
spice rack from rhapsody here, from Martha Stewart, baby night table
from babyblogspot here, and from jkenning here.

Keri Rounding's Wearable Felted Art

I've been coming across more and more artists finding inspiration where I have lately- the sea and especially on a microscopic level. Keri Rounding's felted, delicately colored sea creature have been on my "love to have one" list for awhile. I can see one of her petri dish brooches on a nice white coat.

Keri Rounding is a graduate of Sheridan Institute’s Crafts and Design Program: Textile Studio. There she learned that she had a passion for creating unique wearable accessories made using handmade felt and embroidery. She now strives to create what is new and unusual. Using science and the sea as inspiration, she creates a sense of humor, a story and a personality in each piece. Working out of her home studio in, she is now exhibiting and selling her work in person around the Toronto area and online through Etsy.

www.kerirounding.com

Can you tell me about your latest body of work?
I am currently working on a series of felted pieces inspired by the sea. I am hand making the felt from raw wool using needle and wet felting techniques. The pieces are becoming pins, hair pieces and necklaces. I am experimenting with lots of colour combinations and different shapes.

What inspires you the most lately?
I have always been inspired by creatures from the sea. But lately, I am looking into scientific images and working with images of amoeba, germs, and other microscopic creatures.

Can you describe the best thing you saw on your last walk?
Lately I have enjoyed visiting the local nature conservation areas and taking hikes through their paths. I see so many interesting root systems, trees and plants. Specifically, I came across a tree that was split into six pieces that seemed to have been hit by lighting. I stood there for awhile trying to figure it out.

What are five things that would happen in the perfect day of work for you?
- Wake up early without using an alarm clock
- I would be super inspired to create and new ideas would flow
- The lovely spring weather would not appeal to me at all and I would actually stay inside and work
- I would be packaging up lots of sales
- The studio would stay clean!

Can you describe the best pair of shoes you've ever owned?
I bought a pair of flats that cost less than $20 which were the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. They weren't pretty and I wore them until they were
just plain ugly. They finally fell apart on a camping trip.

What are you doing this weekend? (May 15 and 16)
I most likely be outside enjoying the weather, possibly a hike.

Chalkboard Paints That Aren't Old School

My art installation for the restaurant, Trafford is taking a turn. A florescent turn. I discovered Hudson Paint Company's line of wonderful chalkboard paints and haven't been able to stop. Using chalk board paint and scraps of wood I've been collecting from a local factory that makes large plywood cable spools, the cost of materials has been very little. Here are the first look at some of the elements I'm working with and piling up. The palette I found around the docks- oranges, blues, reds combined with some greens I love, the project is starting to take shape. I've been combing some vintage books about sea creatures, paying attention to fish tanks and what's usually below the water surface around here. Not sure where it will end up. Won't be another seafood restaurant in white and navy.

Tinctory

Sigh.This week's artist is Eva of Tinctory.  "Tinctory is a word that may not exist but if it did it would mean a place where things are dyed. Tinctor means 'dyer' in Latin" says Eva. Eva is a Czech living in the UK. She's self-taught and interested in fabric manipulation, dyeing, natural dyes, batik, and shibori. Her inspirations include the intricate needlework seen on historic textiles, geometric patterns in nature, variation and repetition, romance and fairytales. Her smocked jewellery is made entirely by hand, using simple tools and time to produce complex designs. She likes to repurpose vintage silk or dye materials with natural dyes which gives each piece uniqueness. To  find her blog your can go here, her flickr collection here and don't forget to become a fan on Facebook here.

Busy Bees at Beehive Kitchenware

I am so lucky to have so many clients that are friends or friends that are clients, not sure which comes first. And among those near and dear who make something beautiful with integrity and don't dent the earth very much are Sandy and Jim from Beehive Kitchenware. We've worked together for about ten years and they've entrusted me with designing their logo, website and marketing materials. Portfolio worthy pieces and many lovely practical perks that end up in my kitchen. I do love my sexy lemon reamer. Paul and I recently finished shooting photos for the new brochure they've asked me to design. Thought I'd share a peek inside the studio/factory they have in Fall River, MA. To get to beehive's site go here.

Opening the Kimono a Bit More

A few more beauties from Jenna Goldberg.

Japanese Rainbow for Friday

Japanese artist Aki, an FIT grad based in NY, has two etsy shops well worth the stop. For her bags in a rainbow of colors and patterns go here. And the lucky you shopping for a baby go here.

More of Jenn Stark

A Little Sun for Fun Friday

Yes, yes, yes, really happy the last week and a half is coming to a close. I feel like I may have a true weekend coming up. By Sunday we should be done with the bulk of the flood clean up and I can get back to the usual craziness. Some pretties for you with that yellow I've needed all week.

Top found on etsy here. Middle you can find here. And bottom piece here.