What's Happening?
Ed found a tiger moth on our front steps a few weeks ago.
Further research uncovered how unbelievably ornate and fuzzy these moths can be.
(please forgive me, I couldn't find where the above image was from. If you know, I will gladly give credit.)
Ed suggested a moth staring at a light bulb and then it hit me...a lightning bug!
"Mutual Admiration" was born. 7" x 7" acryic on beveled pine plaque.
And this inspired the hell out of me. New work from Greg Simkins via
I just spent the better part of today prepping and then printing about a hundred prints for new plaques. Not the most exciting work but it needs to be done. I figured I could use a little break and hopped over to Apartment Therapy to look at the beautiful homes. I can dream, can't I?
First up, a gorgeous San Francisco condo...
Owned by Greg, Brian and their chihuahua-brussels griffon, Mr. Biggs...
They write about Greg's eccentric art collection, including a vintage Keene print, Eric Joyner, super-heroine figures (especially Wonder Woman)...
...and some weird little characters in the kitchen.
Wait a minute...that's my work! A quick scan down the resources list and sure enough I'm listed.
Such a wonderful surprise for an otherwise boring day. Nice to know that my work is out there making people smile everyday.
Thanks guys!
Last year I posted about how I was sick of all the snow we'd gotten here in the northeastern US. Yet I would love to see the snow corridors of Japan. This year has been even worse and we are all equally snow-weary. But once again, I find another snow phenomenon in Japan that I would love to see!
"Snow monsters" or juhyou (frost-covered trees), covered in snow and hard rime, from the northern regions of Japan.
Mt. Zao, Yamagata prefecture
Mt. Moriyoshi (Moriyoshi shrine), Akita prefecture
Mt. Zao, Yamagata prefecture
Via pinktentacle.com where they have collected tons of spectacular photos about this.
Love their store and their philosophy about art -- "Poketo takes art off of gallery walls and makes them a part of your everyday life." Kudos to Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung for putting together such a wonderful collection of wares!
Some of my favorites:
Elephant mug designed by Silvia Portella
Sky Planters amazingly hold your plants/dirt/water upside down
Mini Designer Blind Box Chairs - Series 1
Enjoy!
I had a theme of 'tigers' for one of this month's Flash Magazine illustrations. After doing the initial sketch...
...I was inspired to actually paint him instead of continuing on in Photoshop for the final. I roughed in the colors, shading and textures in Photoshop...
...and then transferred that to a plaque and began painting yesterday afternoon:
Just a teeny bit nervous since this is my first painting in months, but then again, I was always nervous painting ;)
I'm still having trouble remembering things today but they just got a whole lot better: Ed booked us a little trip to Disneyworld in January!!! SOB made me cry! We haven't been on vacation in...well, I honestly don't remember but he tells me we haven't been to Disneyworld in six years. So all this bullshit will be over and we'll be able to have some fun :D Now all I need to do is try and focus on those three days in Jan to get me through the next couple treatments. I'm pretty sure I can do that!
And I'll write it here so I definitely remember it: the memory loss/confusion is only temporary. It seems like I'll never get it back then BOINK! it's back again and I'll feel great. And after all that, I'll be going to Disneyworld!
So even with the shitty hand I was dealt concerning my emotional state, I more than made up for it when I found Ed. Thank goodness that sneaky bastard can't keep a secret for more than an hour :D
I love you honey and I can't wait to go to Disney <3
Perusing Super Punch this morning and found the art of Justin Hillgrove. I had never seen his work before and am thoroughly in love with it now :D
"Wampa Encore" from his show going on right now, Black and White And Read All Over at Mineral.
"Group Hug" from Imps and Monsters
"Every Little Bit Helps" from his Robot collection
He's so darn prolific it's amazing! Definitely going on my list of loves and inspiration :D
A friend of mine shared this site with me and before I could even ask her where she found it, I was all over it. It's called Q-pot Island and is a line of Japanese accessory shops. This Strawberry Milk Melt ring immediately caught my eye:
As well as this meticulous Rose Cupcake ring:
And this is just the ring portion! They've got necklaces, charm bracelets and such beautifully detailed trinkets as this Choco Biscuit Strap:
And last but not least, the Caviar Ring:
They have an English version of the site, but the online shop is only in Japanese and only ships within Japan. There are three places to get their wares in the states, Ala Moana Center in Hawaii has the largest selection, as well as the MoMA Design Store and Takashimaya in New York City (although limited items).
Either way there seems to be more than enough eye candy to keep me busy for days to come. :D
