Window Dressing

Shop windows have always been the most effective advertisement for the latest fashions, the enticement to shop, the aspiration for luxe goods. I fondly remember walking in the busy New York City shopping district and losing myself in the fantasy of the shop windows. I don't live in a city and I miss out on those glimpses into the rabbit hole. The best ones tell a story so well constructed that it's easy to loose your place and think that you're on a theater stage or movie set. Children are drawn to movement; a train circling a Christmas scene or animals in a menagerie while adults relish in the fantasy world where everything is perfect, nothing gets dusty or out of place, and luxury has it's place in our lives. I think window designers and artists are the best storytellers in the world. Have you seen any good ones this holiday season? - l.o.d.

Cyber Monday

I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by friends and family and a little bit of art and design. I found this year's holiday to be more harried and consumer-oriented than I can ever remember. The actual holiday seemed to be muscled-out by retailers mad dash to entice consumers into the store. It felt a bit like being in an Andreas Gursky photograph, did you feel like this too?

I believe that art and design has an uncomfortable relationship with consumerism. Most artists would love to be purely at their own whim, painting according to their moods and desires, but then there's the need to make a living too. Most designers are bound to commercialized projects or individual commissions, both of which carry their own requirements to get the proverbial paycheck. Magazines, websites and blogs (including mine) all promote consumer goods at some point to keep readers' interests. After all, most people would like to "own" rather than "visit". To be sure; any museum's gift shop is likely to be busier than the museum itself.

So today on "Cyber Monday", I challenge you to seek a piece of art or a design element, take a long look at it, and relish the idea that you won't be buying it today. Make a plan to visit it again soon. Take one step closer to the idea that we don't have to own it to love it. - l.o.d.

Tilt-Shift Your Holiday

 

I'm just starting to experiment with photography as evidenced by my recent Holga snaps.  I'm definitely not proficient nor totally qualified to educate on this medium. But I've been so smitten by the Tilt-Shift technique that I had to share, especially in follow-up to yesterday's Small Things post. Yet unlike the small accessory people, these subjects are absolutely real!

Essentially, the Tilt-Shift technique makes real world images appear like dioramas with miniaturized subjects. I find it truly amazing. You can find an explanation of the science of it here. There are two ways to achieve this look; with an SLR camera or with Photoshop. Simplified, here's how to do it with Photoshop:
1. Chose a picture with a high angle on the subject, such as a high story building looking down.
2. Mask the area of the picture that you'd like to keep in focus.
3. Use a gradient blur on the areas surrounding the masked area, keeping the sharpest closest to the mask.
4. Adjust color saturation and contrast to achieve a primary-colored, high contrast look, especially on the in-focus area.
5. Voila!

So during your holiday travels and gatherings this week, don't forget to take time to observe the possibility of a tilt-shift picture from the plane window, the fall colors of a Thanksgiving table and the fonts of a black Friday store sign. Cheers to a well-designed life. - l.o.d.

Small Things

Anthropologie sent the cutest accessory email this week with a very artistic and informative play on proportion and scale. Click here to see the whole video: Anthropologie – The Scenic Route
 
It's really quite something. The little people in a bucolic countryside with accessories as landscape props really gets my imagination going. Remember making shoebox dioramas in grade school? It's also a great reminder that design can happen on a small scale too. For example, they definitely chose the belt's colorful textural design to play a walking path and the natural elements of the bracelets to mirror the natural park setting. So clever. Now I have an overwhelming urge to create small things.  Stay tuned for tomorrow's topic: tilt-shift photography. - l.o.d.

Better than the Fridge

 

"Hey, there it is!" That's what the moment of seeing your artwork on a real studio wall sounds like. That's my watercolor Still Life with Gourd in the top photo and also next to my instructor's exceptional Asian-inspired watercolor work. I don't consider my still life piece my best work - I prefer my abstracts much more - but I wanted to show support of the show and appreciation for being asked to participate in it. I'm grateful for all chances to exhibit my work; it helps me appreciate the act of showing work and raise confidence in having my work shown for all to see.  It's still nerve-wracking but I'm getting more used to the practice.

The Ann Arbor Art Center is showing a Student-Instructor Art Show now through January 2, 2011. It's really worthwhile to check out when you're downtown for holiday shopping or dining. Not only are there many exceptional instructors showing their work but they are juxtaposed with their students. You can see tips, techniques and directions passed on and how two people can interpret the same subject or medium so differently. The show is exceptionally curated, especially considering the broad spectrum of media, subject and abilities. Then head downstairs to shop for art-inspired gifts by local artisans. At the risk of sounding like an ad for the Center, it really is important to celebrate original work and the talents of those around us. - l.o.d.

Collage Redeux

Liberty of London

Anthropologie

Today's post is a wander into dreamland, where literally the fabric of reality merges with the fantasy of illustration. I was immediately taken to this old Liberty of London lithographic print from their history books. The age of this print is unknown but my guess is the 1960's because of those epaulettes. They remind me of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper. In a spark of serendipity, the catalog from Anthropologie came in the mail and voila! The same technique. I have always been a huge fan of collage and mixed media. It tells quite a story in ways that pure painting or illustrating alone cannot. It has stood the test of time and makes me wonder - are any ideas original? - l.o.d.

Swimming Conditions are Good

Two areas of my watercolor palate caught my eye last night; the geography of the minerals really look like a lagoon. I thought they were a nice way to introduce today's topic: Swimming Pools!

I know that we're nowhere near summertime and the weather outside is positively gloomy, but aren't these the best two reasons of all to look at pools?  The beautiful invitation of a pool of water is just too good to pass up.  I'm always drawn to the zen-like modern pools, but traditional style also suits well sometimes.  It's all about the compatibility with the setting, the extension of the lines in the landscape or architecture.  Here are a few sigh-worthy samples to get those winter-vacation thoughts brewing! - l.o.d.

Hotel Caruso Belvedere, Amalfi Coast

Viceroy Miami

Anantara Koh Samui Resort & Spa, Thailand

Florida

Today's Scent

I was recently given a challenge of how to represent the sense of smell - a hearty challenge because I consider smell to be indescribable.  We associate scents with things, colors, feelings, yet it's difficult to broaden the scope of a scent to an abstract.  But I'll give it my best shot.

Today's damp mist left a cool mustiness in the morning air, making the leaves dense with water and a smell like moss with a twang of anise in wet earth.  Add a dash of rusty brown copper like the smell of an old penny.  Finally, add the zest of a blood orange for a zing, just enough to sweeten the flavor.  What do you see in a scent today? - l.o.d.

Maps

It wasn't too long ago when a road trip meant a large paper map unfolded on the floor, highlighters marking the route, the mystery of each town left to the imagination.  Now, like most people, I rely on the incredible technology behind Google maps and my GPS.  But this makes me wonder if I'm missing part of the journey - the part that involves a bigger picture of the planning process rather than the shortest or quickest way from point A to B.  My fondest road trip memories are when I got lost or decided to take the road less traveled.  All of these moments were caused by or remedied by a good old fashioned map.  I think maps themselves are works of beauty, the natural geography outlined and blocked by color.  Here are a few of my favorites maps from worldly places that amaze me, both on and off the map.  - l.o.d.

Kauai

Tuscany

London Underground

Paris

Treehotel

Treehotel, Sweeden

There's something eternally playful and imaginative about a tree house. Like a fortress of solitude in the sky, you chose for whom to lower the ladder or leave to daydream at ground level. The mystery of elevated nature unfolds at a birds-eye view. Part Swiss Family Robinson, part Lost, the escape offers both a sanctuary and study.

My next door neighbor when I was growing up had a tree fort in his yard - a unsteady and somewhat rickety one at that. We climbed up planks of wood affixed with one single nail to our tree fort in the sky. Barely enough room for the two of us, we'd drop acorns out the window and watch the birds flit around the nearby branches. One day my friend moved out and our new neighbors pulled the tree house down. I was a teenager with neither interest nor a small enough body to fit into it anymore. Although I would never have admitted it, a big part of me was saddened by the loss.

Needless to say, one day I will visit a tree house hotel, whether this one in Sweeden or closer to home, to relive those king of the jungle feelings anew. - l.o.d.

Post-modern Edwardianism

I'm rounding out this week with a continuation on my Edwardian theme from the past two days. I can't get enough! I made up today's blog title to convey the resurgence of Edwardian-themed fashion that I see in some boutique chains, though I'm pretty sure this really isn't an official trend. And I can only make a guess as to why these styles are coming back; economy? a love of texture? the pendulum shifting away from the bare-all trend? fall coats? Whatever the name or the reason, I find it exciting. The drape of the folds of clothing, the rich suede and leather, buttons and pleats and ruffles, lots and lots of ruffles. Romantic. Maybe an item or two will appeal to you in your shopping travels this weekend.  - l.o.d.

Anthropologie

Sherlock Holmes

Nina Ricci Spring 2011 Collection

Edwardian Fashionistas

The Edward Gorey post from yesterday must really be striking a chord with me because I can't get the fashions out of my mind.  What appeals to me right now is the sense of mystery with the layers, the tactile senses of the different materials, the rich yet subtle colors and the careful presentation of the proper dress for society.  And of course, I love the woman on a bike in a long dress.  Practical!  - l.o.d.

Edward Gorey

Today's post turns me to the macabre thanks to a thick morning fog over the countryside and reading a bit too much Edgar Allen Poe lately.  I feel that November is the spookiest month despite that fateful October day that steals its thunder and our turkey-obsessed holiday distraction.  The trees are bare, the skies are gray and somehow the drama of an Edwardian-dressed illustrated satire seems completely now.

Edward Gorey is one of my all-time favorite illustrators.  His macabre and whimsical illustrations convey as sense of literary nonsense, as he once described his style.  Upon the question of being called gothic, he replied, "If you're doing nonsense it has to be rather awful, because there'd be no point."  I fully respect and enjoy the surreal twist of his work.  Off to tea in the Zagava tree... - l.o.d.

Breathing Space

Las Almandas Resort - Mexico

Today I need a little warm space in my mind to calm some rough seas.  So I'm focusing on this small portal into paradise. The colors are instantly cheery, the promise of sugar sand between toes is meditative and I can hear the light ocean waves lapping the shore from here.  Have a restful evening, friends. - l.o.d.

Winter Nests

It's almost time to put the bird feeder out for winter, always a bittersweet chore for me.  I'm a novice birder and really take pleasure in watching the backyard birds during the summer and miss their presence in the winter.  The bird feeder is a bribe so that I can see them all year.  I noticed something missing over the past few days; the sounds of silence from the avian world.  They're starting to hunker-down in their winter nests.  So I've got to find some replacement birds for my home; these are a few of my favorites. - l.o.d.

Jonathan Adler - Pop Bird Box

West Elm - Bird Candle

CB2 - Red Bird Pillow

Etsy - DesignedDesigner

Ma Vie Parisienne

This weekend, the infamous Bathroom Project is just about to turn from the renovation phase to the decoration phase. I'm brimming with anticipation and all sorts of ideas are floating around my head. Right now I'm in the mood for some graphique du France, a whimsical Parisian look like Amelie or someone with an adorable curled mustachio and striped shirt.  I think these items below fit the bill and would completely charm the pants off of anyone visiting that room (pun intended).  Meanwhile, I think a nice french croissant with a demitasse cafe is in order for breakfast tomorrow.  Have a great weekend, mes amis! - l.o.d.

Freewheeling by Blanca Gomez

Rooftops switchplate - Anthropologie

Black&White hook - Anthropologie

Charcoal Study

 

The foundation to any great painting is a charcoal value study. I learned this through my current watercolor class, and the study is proving to be a nice challenge and time very well spent for refreshing my drawing skills.  What is a value study?  It's the placement of light and dark in relation to each other.  It's a map.  It takes the guesswork out of composition and color.  Here are a three of my recent sketches - the challenge is to work through them in less than 10 minutes so that I can get started on the painting.  This is no small feat!  I'll be practicing this art for a while but enjoying every minute of it. - l.o.d.