Thrift Store Gem

If you can get past the dirt, the smell, and total lack of organization thrift stores can offer you those rare one of a kind finds that won't cost you an arm and a leg. A few months back I stumbled upon an artisan enthusiasts dream! For $7 I scored an embroidered floral landscape with layers of greenery and flowers of every kind. Someone with a talent for hand stitching spent many hours to complete this work that is part of a dying art.

You Know What They Say, "Paper Wife, Happy Life!" Right?

After a small hiatus due to camera malfunctions I am back to share with you my second bout with paper wedding portraits. This time it surrounds a couple who are not only partners in the successful event planning company Sweet Sunday, but are best friends who have traveled the world together. I'm just shy of finishing this 1st Anniversary gift (now a heavily belated one), and hope to finish within the next week or so. More details of their truly special day set in a quaint little town in a not so distant land will come later, but for now here are a few pictures to tide you over.

Paperdoll Extravaganza

So after many months of creating I am happy to unveil my new mini artistic endeavor!

PAPER DOLLS!!

This little guy was a Christmas gift for my favorite fellow.

The idea came about when I stumbled upon an amazing artist on Etsy.com that uses this medium to create the cutest most whimsical scenes in miniature scale. At that moment I was so captivated....my chest got tight...my eyes got big...it was happening...my first official "Artattack!" I had to try it! So when I had the opportunity to make a paper doll ornament for a guy whose face I could draw in my sleep I jumped on it.

There in my room I began to sketch, and cut, and glue the tiniest of pieces until before my very eyes a little opposable paper person was born. I tried to create a wardrobe that mirrored that of the real person which meant he would have to rock a plaid shirt, a cool pair of jeans, and of course some teeny weeny Toms. And no little man is complete without a few key essentials. In this case it was a favorite book (Be Here Now), a good drink (Topo chico), music (The Strokes: Is This It vinyl), and his wallet (in case the paper doll wanted to go out for a mini paper dinner).

After successfully completing my very first paper doll I couldn't wait to make more and this time I would try something a tad more challenging....a wedding portrait with a paper twist! In the early part of 2009 I was asked to take part in the union of two of my very special friends, both who are amazing artists. As a wedding/anniversary gift I decided they would be perfect candidates for my next creative adventure.

And what an adventure it was! With each detail I completed a new idea emerged and a project that I expected to take a couple of months turned into a 5 month paper manipulating journey. The couple wed in late November under the Austin sky next to the stunning Laguna Gloria Museum of Art and before the wedding the entire bridal party lodged at the fantastic St. Cecilia Hotel. The evening was filled with magic and each detail added to the whimsy. White lanterns graced the ceiling above the dance floor, giant oak trees with twinkling lights towered over us, and as the festivities came to a close the bride and groom were whisked away in a beautiful classic car to begin their lives together. These were all things I tried to capture within a 5x7 shadow box.

I fell in love with those miniature versions of my good friends and frankly did not want to let them go. But the shear joy and enthusiasm in their voices when they called after receiving them just days ago was worth the loss. Happiness is the best word to describe the feeling I have during the process and completion of my paper dolls!

I've already begun my next project for another fantastic couple whose wedding was simply breathtaking. Pictures Coming Soon!

Inspiring

 Bovey Lee

 Bert Simons

 Jen Stark

Elisa Mora

Terrarium Mania

I recently saw the film Penelope, a charming love story starring Christina Ricci, filled with amazing scenery, wardrobes, and particularly set designs. Penelope's bedroom was one of little girl's fantasies! Swings, a miniature piano, AND lots of teeny tiny Terrariums!!

Etsy.com offers a variety of shops that focus on the creation of these miniature habitats allowing you to create your own personal world of whimsy!

Vintage Apothecary Jar Terrarium by Blithe Garden

Bring life to your wardrobe with this Terrarium Pendant by Warm Country Meadows

Terrariums are a unique and affordable way for any household to bring the outdoors indoors!

The Paper Perspective

I've always been fascinated with the art of transforming paper into intricate objects or creatures. Since I was little, and still to this day, I will take my straw wrappers, twist them around, and go "Look it's a turkey!" This draw to paper works may have been the subconscious reason for my short lived decision to become a Fibers major (which lasted only but a year or so). But as life often does my interest has come full circle and I am again exploring the idea of transforming the 2-D into the 3-D. In the near future I'll be ready to unveil what I've been tinkering with, but until then I'll share with you some great examples of how paper manipulation has made a revival in the art and advertising world. We're taking a detour from digital creations and getting back to what really puts the art in artisan.

Anthropologie loves to use fibers in fun and creative ways in their window displays and recently in their catalog. These images are so quirky and cute. I'll admit they made me a little giddy!

At a recent visit to the Dallas Museum of Art I also came across a piece called Card Shark by a budding young artist named Hannah Kim. She was one amazing artist among many pulled from various high schools in the Dallas area in a collection entitled "Young Masters." And they certainly were! I wish I had this much artistic insight when I was in high school.

http://dallasmuseumofart.org/View/CurrentExhibitions/dma_297999

Heads of Houston

Tucked in the corners of our massive city are an array of artistic treasures. The Orange Show, the peeled banana that changes color every six months, and the glass house hidden away in Houston's historic Heights. But those design marvels are for another day. Today is all about what I call the "Heads of Houston." Off of I-45 heading into downtown and on a desolate patch of 288 south are the large busts of a variety of our nations Presidents. It's hard to appreciate the detail put into these figures as you whiz by going 70 on the highway which makes the experience of visiting David Adickes' studio that much better.

Within the confines of the studio grounds are about 25 busts averaging at approximately 25 feet in height. LBJ, Roosevelt, Clinton, and Van Buren (chops and all),among others, stare back at you with impeccable realism. But Americas political leaders aren't the only representations that occupy the grounds. The towering Beatles sculptures dwarf those of the presidents and are done more in the style of Adickes' downtown sculpture "The Virtuoso."

David Adickes' Studio, SculpturWorx, is located on 2500 Summer St. just south of Washington Avenue. A great place to take in some local art produced by a Texas staple. And it's FREE so no excuses!!