Is Minimal Bohemian Retro-Mod Asian/Moroccan a Style?

My apartment and I are having a love affair. Indeed, my place hugs me every night upon returning from a stressful job in the city and has eased my broken heart. I live simply and humbly, and even though this is by far the smallest home I have ever had, it has inspired the most prolific artistic period in my life. I am obsessed by decor, love decorating magazines and blogs, love decorating my place, and helping others decorate. I have no budget, but creativity greatly eases poverty and I thank God for my creativity.

My furniture has either come from the curb, second hand stores or through trading.

sfgirlbybay is one of the many design blogs I love to read. I completely understood when she described an identity crisis in her apartment. Sometimes I am so flooded by ideas, I can't decide. It probably doesn't help being a Libra!

When I first moved into the apartment, I wanted to defy the rules. My brother and I painted the walls in a saturated fushia and I bought an Italian, orange daybed. My brother built a room divider for my collection of pottery.

THE PAST:

Orange day bed, white dresser, acrylic lamp, goddess prints, pink and periwinkle pottery - all sold during unemployment. Cest la vie.

I loved the place, but I just couldn't believe it. For years I had done white on white and was an avowed lover of minimalism. While my place was the smallest I'd ever had, conversely I displayed more stuff than ever before. Sometimes too much stuff makes me panic. I go into minimal mode and want to get rid of everything.

We have long, dark winters here. During the work week I often only see the sun on Saturday. I found the color too heavy during the winter and I didn't like the way my art looked displayed with the fushia. So, I caved. I painted the walls white. By the way, Behr paint is the best. When I started earning a little money again I bought a red (RED!) mid-century modern day bed at my favorite vintage store. It was cheap, built better than any new sofa (and prettier) and sturdy. For a long time it was my bed too.

I love it, but often cover it in white sheets and many pillows.

Lately, I have been obsessing about the color turquoise!
Turquoise vases from Target, a gift from my sister-in-law.

This is from Turquoise's showroom. Isn't this gorgeous?

These beautiful and inexpensive vases are from Z Gallerie.

And beloved Casapinka hasn't helped matters with her beautiful foyer.

I fell in love with textiles after reading Tricia Guild's book White Hot, where she described being influenced by the colors of India. Pillows satisfy this urge nicely, as do scarfs carelessly thrown over lamps or used to tie back curtains. I was influenced by Bohomo (Bohemian Modern). I wanted my place to have an undecorated look, a kind of careless abandon, but with restraint. And I love orange and blue, but I still don't like patterns too much.

Orange and blue pillows. See my flickr site for more information.

Pink bulbs, pink scarf thrown over retro moon lamp purchased from CB2 with overtime money. I always wanted one of these lamps!

Some of the beautiful things I love are lanterns, prayer beads, buddha heads, exotic glass bottles, erotic hindu prints, Noguchi lamps.

Lantern, Pier 1. Blue glass vase, Salvation Army, $1.99! Prayer beads, see my flickr site for details.

Amber buddha head bought at garage sale.

Vintage erotic Hindu print. Vineeta, do you know who the artist is? Buddha postcard from Indonesia bought at City Buddha. I'd like to have this image rasterbated for over my bed.

Buddha heads from CB2. These are so cute and the price is right, only $14.95. I'd sort of like to have the green one, but I don't really like resin. Still, they are cute. I think they had orange last season. It would be fun to have different colors lined up on a shelf.

I'll save Noguchi for another post since I love his work so much. But, all I can say is thank God for Target, I can't afford a real Noguchi.

I've moved things around many times and created many different looks. In fact, often when a painting is incubating in my mind, I start moving things around in my dining area. Okay, I vaguely remember the rule that art shouldn't blend in with a sofa. Well, I've already talked about how I feel about rules. Furniture, lamps and pottery are like sculpture and when moved around they start dialoging with the spirit of my apartment.

The dialogue lately is about Moroccan design. I love poufs and ottomans. I have several ottomans, which I found on the curb. Ottomans are incredibly versatile, can be moved on a whim, can be used as tables or seats. I've even served tea on them to my nephews.

Then along came the current issue of Elle Decoration, UK Edition, reading my mind. There are several absolutely stunning pictures of Moroccan design. Now I want to start over and completely redo my place! Maybe I should just sit in the corner and take a deep breath. Ahh. Sometimes I just wish my place were done.

Oh, and did I mention that my favorite color is pink?

They're Not for Sale, Not in that Way

When you're a creative type you get used to people thinking you're crazy. Well maybe you don't get used to it, maybe you just come to expect it. Someday you hope someone will understand you, but until then, you create because you must. And you don't always know why you create. You just know you have to.

Last weekend I watched the movie Must Love Dogs. I fell madly in love with John Cusak's character. He was miserable and broke and a bumbler, in other words, he was perfect. He made wooden boats. He made them in a way his heart called him to do. His closest friend couldn't understand because he hadn't sold any.

I think all artists understand this. Somehow your art is not real to your friends because you haven't sold any. Or a friend thinking they are being understanding, says, wow, you could sell that shit. Don't get me wrong, money is nice. And lots of money even nicer. Of course artists want to be recognized, but an artist creates because he or she has to. Without creation, they suffer. I know when I have neglected my creativity for too long, it is like dying and my soul withers and droops.

John's character is finally offered money for his piece of art. But the character wants to cut it in half. John says to the guy, "It's not for sale in that way." He turns him away even though he is broke. His friend is mystified.

I know the feeling. I love my art. My paintings are like my children. I am sure most artists will tell you they love their art. A couple of years ago I was unemployed. I sold almost everything I had to survive. Luckily, I had a lot of stuff. I hard yard sales, I sold books, CDs, pottery, lamps, my sofa, and paintings. For cheap. My apartment was empty. But hey, I was grateful. I was determined to keep my roof. Better to have a roof with no stuff than stuff with no roof.

Three little paintings I did not sell. They were influenced by milk glass. I'd post the pics of milk glass that inspired them, but I sold it all. Milk glass is very collectible and can be found for cheap and it looks great juxtapositioned with modern pieces.

At one of my yard sales, a woman bought one of my paintings and several of my framed photographs. She really loved my art, but didn't want to cough up much money. That's ok, I know the deal with a yard sale. She had blisters on her feet so I went to my apartment to get some bandaids. She asked if I had any other paintings to sell. I brought more paintings down with a heavy heart and the bandaids. She wanted all of my paintings. I began to feel like I was being taken. Then she said to me about the three pieces inspired by milk glass, "I think I will take those home and finish them." "Finish them?" I was aghast. "Yes, they need more paint applied," Now granted, I often add more paint to a painting later, sometimes even after I have thought it was finished. But I would never alter anyone else's artwork.

I was broke, but I told her they were not for sale. Not in that way.

Paintings Inspired by Milk Glass
2005, 14" x 18", acrylic and pencil on canvas board

Baby, It's OK to Color Outside the Lines

I had a really really mean kindergarten teacher. Mrs. VanSickle. It is a testament to her meanness that I can remember her name 40 years later. One day upon arriving home from kindergarten, I was sporting a very large, stinging red welt on my cheek. Yes, in those days physical violence was allowed in the schools. Mrs. V had slapped me silly that day.

My infraction? I had the gall and audacity to color my duck blue. To make matters worse, I had colored outside the lines. I still remember the pleasure I got doing that. It wasn't that I was sloppy. I actually enjoyed coloring outside the lines.

After that fateful day I was terrified to color outside the lines. So much so that I was very constrained in my creativity. Somewhere along the line I came to realize that everyone is creative, and there should not be any constraints on creativity.

I began purposely breaking the rules in my painting, which was easy to do since I can't draw. Perspective and precision were thrown out as I attempted to leave my perfectionistic tendencies behind. I actually began to derive an almost perverse pleasure at purposely coloring outside the lines.

Ms. V. - I owe you a debt of gratitude. Sometimes it takes a slap in the face for me to listen to my intuition. I really enjoy coloring outside the lines and I owe it all to you. Sometimes the meanest people in our lives are there to teach us the most profound lessons.

I don't paint blue ducks these days, but I do paint blue flowers. Mrs. V. these are for you. Oh, and I threw in some pink ones for good measure.

Big Blue Flower, 2007

30" x 16" Behr wall paint and marker on canvas - SOLD

Big Pink Flower, 2007

24" x 24", Behr wall paint and marker on canvas

Blue Flower, 2006

16" x 20", acrylic and marker on canvas

Pink Flowers on Blue Background, 2006

16" x 20", acrylic and marker on canvas - SOLD

Blue Flowers, 2006

24" x 24", acrylic and marker on canvas - SOLD

Broken Diets, Broken Vases

This beautiful vase was my all time favorite. It was $48.00 about four years ago, the most I have ever spent on a vase. I usually pick up vases at the Salvation Army for about $1.99 or at second hand stores. This one came from my favorite vintage store which I will be writing about frequently in this blog.

Everyone I infected with the pottery sickness coveted this vase. I mean look at it. It is perfection. The vase was white with a matte finish. Anyone who loves pottery knows how difficult this is to find reasonably priced. Most pottery is either off-white, ivory, or glossy.

Portuguese is my very favorite pottery, followed by Vietnamese, German, then Italian..... I guessed that it was Portuguese because it had no markings.

I broke this vase. My rambunctious nephews have never broken any of my pottery, and I've allowed them to handle any piece they desired. Afterall, pottery is meant to be handled, and it is a wonderful tactile experience.

This is the only piece I've ever broken. I found it ironic that the only piece I have ever broken (even though I've moved often and sold many pieces) was my favorite. Oh well, even though it was my favorite I didn't get upset. I don't get upset at at the loss of things. They come and go. And the more things I let go, the more things come. When I dropped it, I just swept it up and thanked it for serving me.

And speaking of breaking things, I broke my thing diet the other day. But what's a girl to do? It couldn't be helped - I spotted a white, matte, Portuguese vase in a vintage store, so I didn't hesitate. The little beauty was only $18.00 so I snatched it up without a thought.

Playing with a new vase is a lot of fun, it's like sculpting.

Here it is with a bowl from Asa Selection that is also white and matte. This bowl was $24.00 about two years ago (which I think is expensive for a bowl). I love Asa Selection, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

I can always start my diet again tomorrow.

And, oh yes, here's a couple of my paintings of vases.

Orange Vases, 2005. 11" x 14", acrylic on marker on paper.

Pottery Jones

I'm still trying to stay on a thing diet. I've come to realize it's the hunt that is so fun. Even though there are so many beautiful pieces of pottery, more doesn't necessarily make me happy. 100 vases doesn't make me happier than 1 vase. In fact, I am happiest when my place is sparse and simple. Photographing, drawing and painting helps ease this addiction. I wish I could add making pottery to that list. Maybe I should take a pottery class.

These beautiful pieces were spotted in a lovely store called My Secret Closet. They are out of my budget, but I love them all. I especially love the pink imperial vases and the white porcelain ginger jar. It is hard to believe that the shiny silver pieces are actually ceramic. I think this is a new process, I've only seen it in the last couple of years.

Children Are Our Teachers

I love children's art. When a child sits down to create, they do it earnestly. There is no self-judgment nor are there any notions that some colors don't go well together, no preconceived notions. No shoulds. Just absolute freedom and abandon. Children are our teachers. Watch a child create. There is no greater joy. Somewhere in their path to adulthood, children have this absolute freedom and joy pounded out of them. I think that's sad. I believe everyone is creative and everyone should be encouraged to create. Creation is life. I know when I am creating and not imposing my perfectionistic garbage on myself, when I am really creating with abandon and not judging - that is when I am happiest. The key is not to judge your creations but to just create with joy, like we did when we were children.

My nephews are a constant source of joy and inspiration for me. I love watching them create. Here are a few of the masterpieces they have created.

G.P. created this when he was five. He is fascinated with rollercoasters. He told me that this picture was he and I on a rollercoaster. Note the fab hat he gave me.

The following are all created by his younger brother, G.G.

This is my favorite picture of me. G.G. said it's me under a rainbow. Doesn't my hair look lovely?

The following was created by a coworker's daughter, who knew I love mermaids. She cleverly pointed out that my intitials "MER," are actually short for mermaid and even invented the City of MER in this beautiful drawing.

I first noticed Korean artist Yeondoo Jung's fascinating work in a travel magazine which I stole from a local diner. He has a wonderful blog called Blue Sloth. Jung brings children's art to life.


Below is a picture of Snow White and his reinterpretation of it.



I love it, love it, love it! I would love to see his interpretations of my nephews' work.

In my own collage and multi-media work, I have used the most perfect of all icons, the stick figure.

Community Too, 1999, 14" x 8", Mixed Media. I think Jung could have some fun with this one too.

Fred, Don, Don and the Ugly Dining Room Set

We have a large Salvation Army in our city and their thrift store is the best. They do a great job with display. I've bought pottery, dishes and furniture there. So, even though I am on a thing diet I went there the other day. I had no intention to buy. I just wanted to be out and enjoy looking.

I've gotten in the habit of carrying my camera everywhere with me, so I find that collecting images can be just as satisfying as collecting objects. Sure takes up a lot less room too.

I snapped a lot of pictures of cute things which I posted on my flickr site.

The most interesting thing I saw that day was probably the ugliest dining room set I've ever seen.

I said to Fred:

"Hey, Fred, isn't that the ugliest dining room set you've ever seen?" He said, "I dunno, I think I could see it in a sci fi movie." Hmm. "Like 2001?" I said. "Yeah." Hmm. I love movie sets. Wish I'd thought of that. I contemplated the set once again. I think I could see it spray painted white. Of course everything looks better spray painted white. And perhaps in a very large loft-like room with no trim or detailing. Yeah, just a white room and this white set. As I was picturing Tilda Swinton as the Queen of Narnia sitting there, along walked Don with his cup o' joe.

Don was a very jovial guy and got right into the spirit of the conversation. I asked him if he thought the set was ugly. "Nah," he said, "It's a great conversation piece." Hmm. Indeed, we were having a very pleasant conversation about it. He said he'd love to have it in his place just so people could talk about it. And it would be a great place to play bingo, he added. Since Tilda was no where to be found, Don obligingly posed for me with his java and shit-eating grin. He said, "Hey, I'm not going to be on the internet am I?" "Yeah," I said, "Do you mind?" "Nah," he said.

As I walked out Don No. 2, who had listened to our conversation, asked if he could pose for me. Of course!

It's amazing how fun it is to go anywhere with a camera. I guess everyone has the same need, the need for self-expression. It was a very fine day at the Salvation Army. And I started to think differently about that little set. Perhaps it was an ugly duckling and a can of white spray paint could transform it into a swan.

And, oh yeah, since I want to share my artwork with you, here's a painting I did one day while contemplating swans:

Dance of Swans, 2006

24" x 24", acrylic on canvas