Shop Local. Shop Independent.

Last week I wrote quite a bit about display as art. See previous posts, here and here. Today I'd like to share with you a local store that really rocks display. The Clothing Brigade. Upon entering the store, I was greeted warmly and treated patiently as I gushed about the the explosion of art and display and the interplay between the two. The staff are are sweeties! How wonderful it must be to work with creative people!

The first thing I noticed upon entering was this gorgeous display by men's clothing designer, Dana Hardy.

I've been wanting to spray paint branches. Dana explained that the secret to the high gloss is enamel spray paint for appliances. Cool. I adore this, and can imagine how fun it would be to change the objects in the branches.

Next I noticed this fab light fixture. I want it for my dining room! Dana told me that her boyfriend made it. Awesome.

Creative display was everywhere. Vintage military suitcases and branches held shirts and hats.

Continuing the military theme is this amazing stencil work done by artist Brandon Vondrek.

Here's more of Brandon's work:

Creation is a necessity. Damn straight.

Coffee table with detail. Who doesn't want a brawny man on their table?

Brandon's work is obviously influenced by street art, but it's so much more than just that. His art is deep, thoughtful and tempered by local inspiration. He turns the inconographic image of the blue collar worker into art, much like the hip Communist propaganda currently being reinterpreted by Chinese artists. In addition, it is fascinating to note that Brandon uses metal as his medium. In a nod to his home town, Brandon has honored the tradition of the blue collar worker in what used to be a booming steel town.

This amazing screen print of Huey Newton of the Black Panther Party is by Sheppard Fairy of Obey Clothing. Images of revolutionaries are a staple in popular culture. In an earlier post, I wrote about a young man who was wearing a Che Guevera t-shirt. He explained to me that revolutionaries are motivated by great love for their people.

Okay, I probably need to add some yin to all this yang. They have cute girl stuff too. This cute little face was on a t-shirt, but I'd like to have her on a poster. As if the place isn't hip enough, here is some manga influence.

If you like pop culture, the Clothing Brigade has all the bases covered.

For Now

Remember the tulip chairs I found on the curb that I wrote about here?



I played with lots of different fabric, and finally decided that I would recover them in pink vinyl.

Here's what they look like now:

Another shot to add to the Incredible Changing Dining Area!

...

I started by applying primer. The very helpful person at Home Depot recommended Gripper by Glidden since I am unable to spray paint. It worked like a charm, so I decided my table needed a new coat as well. Work is very busy right now, so I won't have time to work on the set for a couple of months. Well, it just wouldn't do to have it looking not done, because I plan to have a couple of guests for the holiday season. So for now, I just added cushions from Target. Couldn't find pink, so got the next best thing. Red. I still intend to add high gloss white and pink cushions. But this works for now. I love my new chairs!

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I am really pleased with the cost of this little dining area. The table cost nothing. It is actually three separate pieces found on the curb at three different times and then assembled. The chairs cost nothing. Glidden paint - $9.99. Two Target pillows - $9.99 each. Bottles on table, $.99 each at Salvation Army. Painting entitled "Red Sun" by me.

...

Ahh. It's good to be creative.

If Money Were No Object, Vol. II

Yoga Vasa and ETA Vasa by Guglielmo Berchicci. These are some of the most sublime vases I have ever seen. I adore them. Love the simplicity and gentle curves. I find these vases very sensual, and believe they must have been made by a tender hand. Handmade of fiberglass. Berchicci designs many beautiful things, including the fab lamp that I wrote about here.

Beautiful, sculptural handblown glass by John Pomp.


Friedl Kjellberg porcelain rice vase for Arabia. Available at Hi and Lo Modern.

Virtual Shopping

I'm doing all of my Christmas shopping on the internet and I love it! Here are some gifts I'd like to give or receive.

Ceramic pears from Chiasso.


Tea towel from Marimekko.



Scribble bowl by Diana Fayt.

Martha Stewart collander available at Macy's.

This falls into the "dig it but don't know why" category. I think this pillow is adorable! Available at Sprout Home.

Sequined pillow and floor pillow from Wake Up Frankie. This site is for teenagers, but I dig it! As my readers know, I'm really five years old.

Everyone needs a Buddha in their pocket. Available from Urban Outfitters.

Feng Shui desk set designed by Daphne Haefliger. I'm usually not into figurines, but these are so cute! Love the graphic nature of them. I think I need these for my desk to help me create new beginnings. Available at Acacia.

And look at this cute set! Hotei, the Wandering Buddha or sometimes called the Laughing Buddha. A reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. Also available at Acacia.

You're Not Too Sensitive

Jewel's CD available at Amazon. This post is dedicated to my nephew, GP, whose kind words lifted my spirit yesterday.

Dear GP:

I want you to practice these words. "That's not true." Say it calmly and softly with love in your voice and a smile on your face. You know, the way Thich Nhat Han speaks.

Whenever anyone says any of the following: 1. You're too sensitive. 2. You can't do that. 3. You're not creative, or any other such bullshit. You say: "That's not true," and walk away happily basking in the knowledge that you can do anything.

You are a marvelous, gifted person with an acute sensitivity. Contrary to what many people think sensitivity is strength, not weakness. It affords acute perception.

Here is a survival kit for you.

Jewel's first CD. It's profound. This young woman and her mother set out on a journey to create Jewel's career. At one point they were living in a van and a frustrated Jewel was thinking of learning to type as a fall back plan. Her mother told her not to have a fall back plan. She said if you have a fall back plan, you will fall back. GP, have no fall back plan. Do what your heart tells you to do, knowing without doubt that you can do anything. Never entertain doubt. Any time doubt tries to rear it's ugly head, say "That's not true."

I have often used the line on the cover of Jewel's CD. "What we call human nature is actually human habit." Sometimes adults take part in behavior that is cruel and just plain wrong. They then try to cop out by calling the behavior human nature. Abhorrent behavior and words are not nature, they are habit. The nature of human beings is to be joyful, and kind, and yes, even sensitive. That's true.

I am particularly in love with Jewel's song about sensitivity. Wish I had written it. She talks about how careless words tear her apart, she's sensitive and wants to stay that way. She owns her sensitivity proudly. She realizes sensitivity is strength, not weakness. That's true.

Here is a survival kit for you. You should probably read these two books before embarking on corporate America (or maybe even high school). We can read them together if you like.

The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron. Link.

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. Link.

GP, you have given me some of the happiest moments in my life. I am so glad you came from Heaven to share yourself with us. You are an angel. Now that's true.

Old Art

I'm about to embark on a painting-a-day project for 30 days. Before I start in this new direction, I wanted to share some old art.

Sluts and Goddesses, 1996-1998. Multimedia.

Each piece is 11" x 14". Faces were found from various sources, including junk mail and a few of my drawings are included.

At the time I was working on these, I vaguely remember a debate going on in the art world about whether collage was an art form. I happily set about making collages ignoring the debate. The answer was obvious to me. I actually began collaging because I was frustrated that I can't draw. I had notebooks full of thumbnails for paintings I wanted to do, I could see the image in my head so clearly, but I just couldn't make my hand cooperate. So I made collages.

I had folders full of faces. The faces I selected were either non-traditional beauties or iconographic. I was trying to create a circular pattern that was feminist, erotic and spiritual. My favorite is probably the one with a picture of Jackie-O that I cut out of the newspaper. The collage was intended to be a tribute to her, as she had just passed. It amused me that the most photographed woman in the world - was now eternally turning the camera on us - in one of my collages.

This is the first piece of art I exhibited. Cleveland State used to have an unjuried show (meaning anyone who brought a piece could exhibit) every year, called The People's Art Show. These exhibits were the most fascinating I have ever been to. Unfortunately, the show became controversial. Instead of defending free speech (like a good university should), CSU cowardly ended these shows. I heard they were going to resume, but don't know if they did.

I showed this work in 1998. At the time another debate was raging in the art world about the validity of so called "outsider art" or folk art, and whether it was actually valid since it was not scholarly. I happily ignored this debate too. How ridiculous. I have found "outsider art" often to be more visionary than scholarly work. And it doesn't matter to me whether art is "good" or not. What interests me is what people feel compelled to create. The journey is more important than the destination.

As my readers know, I have been very shy about showing my work. The day I submitted the work, I carried it in a big beach bag. There was such a long line, I was too afraid to take it out of the bag. I gave the bag to the curator and said hang it however you'd like. He could see my shyness. He asked me the title of the piece. "Sluts and Goddesses," I said sheepishly. "Far out," his reply.

Opening night was one of the best nights of my life, and took me by surprise. My sister-in-law went with me, and said she didn't realize I was an artist. She has been my greatest supporter ever since. Walking in the door was incredible. My work was on the wall facing the entrance. It was literally in your face as you walked in! The curator chose to hang the work vertically. It was so very powerful seeing my work among the other artists' work. I couldn't believe the strength of the piece.

As an exhibiting artist, I was entitled to a free t-shirt. The woman who gave me my shirt, checked off my name and gushed about how my work spoke to her. Every time I looked over at the piece, there was a crowd around it. One of the best experiences of my life. A true miracle.

I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

I don't usually decorate for Christmas. But.... If I did, I'd definitely have a pink Christmas tree. This cutie is from Treetopia. Their white tree is cool too.

And I don't really need anything. But... If I were going to make a Christmas list, I'd like some pink stuff for my kitchen. For some reason, I don't buy much kitchen stuff.

Coffee maker and toaster from JCPenney. Wow. this is not the JCPenney of my childhood. Who would've thought JCPenney would be hip?

Waste canister, toaster, salt and pepper shakers, thermos, oven mitt and microwave (pink microwave - how cool is that?) from Pink Princess. This site is totally awesome if you are a lover of pink! Too bad it's in the UK. Or maybe it's a good thing it's in the UK, provides budget control.

Cutting board, can opener, dirt devil and teapot from Target. I have been needing a cutting board and can opener forever. What could be better than having them in pink? Maybe with cute pink accessories, I'd be tempted to cook more.

And isn't this the cutest cookie jar you ever saw? From Etsy user Fruit Fly.

I am totally in love with the Typhoon shocking pink bread bin. Available at Amazon. I featured this in a previous post about pink, here. Just in case you need a bigger fix of pink. Can never get too much pink, right?

And, these aren't for the kitchen. But totally groovy. Hello Kitty humidifier, CD case, pink rain boots and bedding from Target. Even though those rain boots are for girls, I swear I'd wear them. Like I said in an earlier, post I'm really five years old.

Robot Love

Robots in GP's bedroom.

I'm currently obsessed with toys. Maybe it's because I would love to give my nephews something really hip for Christmas. My love of toys has led me very interesting images of robots. So groovy I just had to share.

Images from flickr user Tubes. Sean's an amazing graphic artist. I love looking at his work. Not only does he take these amazing polaroids, but he does amazing design. His site is here with lots of great gift ideas!

Sentry robot by Doma, Octopo by Unklebrand and Plex available at Kidrobot.

Dig this cute bag! By flickr user Miss KittyKat.

HugBot painting by Michael Aldrich. You know you need eight hugs a day in order to maintain good mental health. Maybe we all need one of these. Would love to see this produced as toy by Kidrobot.

Hedonism Bot from flickr user Pink Loves Brown.

Robot Smile. Painting by Joey Slaughter.

Tofu Robot available at Fugitive Toys. I love this one! Too cute

Cha Cha timer from Chiasso. Sure to brighten any kitchen!

I'm really five years old

Foofa, Kiiro and Trey from Kid Robot. So ugly they are cute.

I am really a five-year-old stuck in a woman's body. I don't know what's going on, but I like urban vinyl toys and there is no explanation for it. I never really liked baby dolls, even though my mother bought many beautiful ones. After all, I had a baby brother and he was way better than any doll. My father worried about me. I had a beautiful baby carriage, and when he peered in to see who was in the carriage, there were my two favorite babies (besides my brother). My slinky pig and my troll. My dad shook his head and said, "I worry about this child, she roots for the underdog."

Such mysterious words. I had no idea what an underdog was. I knew it had something to do with the mysterious words we recited every morning while facing the flag. "I pledge allegiance .... one nation, underdog...." Years later, I learned what an underdog is, and I guess my dad was right. I do root for the underdog. Maybe that's why I like urban toys. They are designed by guerrilla artists, who are now being recognized for their talent.

I'd like to see these in my baby carriage, or peeking out of a holiday stocking.