Lisbeth Zwerger

I first discovered the art of Lisbeth Zwerger when I came across the book of Swan Lake that she illustrated (Swan Lake being my all-time favorite ballet). Since then I've been hooked. The construction of Zwerger's compositions for her numerous childrens books is what I love the best--her scenes always seem to be drawn from strange viewpoints (either above the scene of action or below it), with unusual perspectives and looming shapes often taking up large parts of the picture frame.
If I had an extra $500 laying around, I'd buy one of her prints here in a second. I've had my eye on this book of some of her collected work, so maybe I'll settle for that instead.

Leaf Love

Is it just me or have the Autumn leaves been particularly spectacular this year?

Good 'ol WPA

I'm a big fan of vintage travel posters, but the thing that I love most about this set of posters is that my beloved Mt. Rainier is included! Everybody expects Yosemite and Yellowstone, but nobody ever remembers my favorite mountain park. The story behind these posters is pretty amazing, too:

"Between 1935 and 1943 the WPA's Federal Art Project printed over two million posters in 35,000 different designs to stir the public's imagination for education, theater, health, safety, and travel. Due to their fragile nature only two thousand posters have survived to this day; less than one tenth of one percent! These rare images were rescued and restored from black and white photos beginning in 1993 by Ranger Doug."

Oh yeah, and guess what the guy responsible for all of this calls himself? Ranger of the Lost Art.

July Flame in January 2010

I'm always excited for a new Laura Veirs album, but after hearing a few tracks off of her as-yet-unreleased latest one, I am now super excited. She's offering a few sneak-peek tracks for free download from her website here. I think she sounds more like Suzanne Vega than ever now (which in my opinion is only a good thing), the gorgeous album art is done by the fantastic Carson Ellis (of The Decemberists fame), and the record itself is named after a type of peach Veirs picked up at the Portland Farmers Market this past summer.
As I said: super excited.

Maggie New Roman

You can make your own font for free at Fontcapture as long as you have a printer and a scanner.
Found via Pikaland.

Amy Stein

Amy Stein's Domesticated series is just amazing. The one with the girl and the bear? Perfect.
Found via Camilla Engman.

Wondrous & Magical

I always love the themed photo posts on The Thinking Tank, but this magical one is extra moody and perfect.

Weekend Pairings - Green & Orange

Had latkes & applesauce for breakfast at this diner.
Saw this gorgeous singer Saturday night.
Carved our pumpkin.
Sat in front of the fire.
Listened to the rain on the roof.

Friday Hearts

, originally uploaded by Olivia Bee.

Things I'm loving right now:
this musician
these photos
this illustrator
& this shop.

♥

Books & Britain

I've been quite the bookworm lately (I think it's the changing seasons--all the dark and blustery weather outside makes me want to stay curled up inside with a good read) and the latest one I've been making my way through is partially set in Cornwall, UK. I have a hunch that the fictitious manor mentioned in the book might be based on this castle. Um, vacation there, please?

Irina Lazareanu: Cropped!

I was initially bummed when my ultimate girl-crush Irina Lazareanu cut her hair short--but now I think I like it even more than her long hair! It makes her look more unique, and she's definitely got the face for such a crop. What do you think: long or short?

Foggy Morning: October

It's been grey and quiet and chilly and beautiful these last few Autumn mornings.
Been staying warm with butterysugary oatmeal and homemade Celery Root & Apple Soup from this book.

Mitsuru Koga

Tiny vases and "stones with feet" (the artist's own title) from Mitsuru Koga. Isn't it amazing how delicate and fragile these appear, even though they are make of rock? I wish I could perch them all over my apartment.

Cuppie Cakes: Sweet & Sweet

Petite Patisserie by Kup Kup Land

I've been enjoying the delicious Harvest Festival cupcakes from this store lately, but how adorable are these felted cupcakes by KupKup?

Coco Avant Chanel

I did indeed end up seeing Coco Avant Chanel last night and oh my, was it gorgeous. Audrey Tautou is glorious in every way.

Weekend Pairings - Inside Days

Finished up this book--heartily recommended.
Laughed out loud and almost cried over this award-winning short film.
Tried to see this movie but it was sold out for both showings! Perhaps this one tonight instead?
My spider plant is making babies.

Say Cheese!

thecraftpantry . slidesideways . monicaejewelry . acerostudio

My digital camera is convenient, small, and cheap, but I will always have nothing but love for my bulky, expensive, and cumbersome manual cameras, and I love how they have now become graphic images in their own right. Maybe if I get the tote to carry my camera around in and the adorable pouch to store my film in I'll be more likely to tromp around and take some film photos?

Lyell

Like just about everyone else who has access to a computer and the internet, I am in love with Lyell's Fall 2009 Lookbook. The muted colors are right up my alley. Also, wherever these photographs were taken? I want to live there.

Keith Carter

Keith Carter is one of my all-time favorite photographers, and I used to pore over a friend's edition of his book Ezekiel's Horse. One of theses days I'll have to get my own copy! I love the way he photographs his animal subjects--they are beautiful and mysterious instead of sentimental and trivialized.

I'm heading out of town for a short Fall trip--I'll be back on Thursday the 15th. Have a lovely couple of days!

Crawsister Jewelry

Stylishly simple silver decorations from Crawsister Jewelry. I think I might have to snap up those falling leaf earrings myself--they are perfect for Autumn.

Shop Update

There's a new card design available in the shop! It was inspired by my growing excitement for Autumn and Halloween--hopefully this year we actually get some trick-or-treaters...

Kimberly Trowbridge: Arcadia

I have two huge, half-gessoed canvases leaning against my studio wall. They are waiting for me to find the time to finish them up so I can start painting again after what has become a nearly 4 month break. Kimberly Trowbridge's new work makes me want to get back into the studio now. So inspiring--and I love the in-progress shot.

Shadow Whales

My whale mobile is happy in it's new home, casting these reflections each day when the sun sets out my window.

Size Matters

How amazing would it be to wander into a narrow Italian street and come across this miniature clothesline? An installation piece that was part of Italy's Fame Festival, more work can be found at Little People: A Tiny Street Art Project.

Weekend Pairings - Autumn Outings

Looked for migrating salmon here, fed some glowing koi here.
Made this delicious tart.
Watched the first episode of this sprawling documentary.
Read some more in this lyrical book.
Enjoyed some blue sky, bright leaves, and Autumn sun.

It was a good weekend.

Europe in The Fall

I'm feeling a little under the weather today, so I think I'll just leave you with this photo of Rome in October, taken almost exactly three years ago (how can it be three years already?!) when I was living and studying there. I always have lots of flashbacks to my time there when Autumn rolls around in Seattle, but this year I've been thinking about it more than usual.
Have a lovely weekend!

Barbara Kalhor

You know how people talk about the one teacher that inspired them/changed their lives/made them who they are today? My teacher like that was my high school photography teacher Barbara Kalhor. She was the one who first taught me how amazing working with my SLR and in the darkroom could be. She was the one who validated my dreams of being an artist in a school where I was surrounded by people telling me that that was a silly, impractical career. She was the teacher who made coming to high school every day seem worthwhile. Not only was she that teacher for me, I had immense respect for her as an artist. Her hand-printed, hand-toned, hand-colored photographs are beyond gorgeous, and she's recently started doing some mixed-media/collage peices that look fantastic as well. While I have a summery print of her work hanging in my apartment, I thought these gloriously Autumnal pieces were perfect for October 1st.

Thanks, Ms. K.