BUYING LOCAL, GIVING HANDMADE

I love the holidays.  I love the gatherings with friends and family, full of overflowing tables and bars.  I love the traditions, consisting of Bing Crosby or Sufjan Stevens playing endlessly on our record player and getting inky at my annual holiday wrapping paper printing party. 

 Our annual Christmas "tree"

What I don't love, however, is the push for mass consumption.  As a maker, relying on a lot of sales during the holidays to keep myself and family afloat through slower months, this puts me in a great quandary.  While most of this purchasing is for gift-giving, which I love to do, it is still a mass about of money being exchanged throughout the world.  So how do you not feed into the over-consumption, supporting big business craze?  

I like to think the solution(s) can be simple.  Buy gifts within your local economy and support the businesses that you call neighbors.  Give something made by hands, preferably hands that you have seen and shook or better yet, your hands.  Donate gifts and money to people in need or folks across the globe that struggle endlessly through war, poverty, and illness.  

It requires us all to think about the power of money and who's hands we want to place it in.  It's the same ole song and dance that a lot of folks have been saying for some years now, but I thought that I would give an account of how purchases from my shop help me personally.

Here's just a sample of what purchases from my shop allow me to do:
- Pay rent, so that I can support my husband through the long road of med school.
- Take my dog to the vet, so that when that little jerk eats another piece of corn cob, he can be well taken care of.
- Yoga classes at my local studio, Amrita Yoga & Wellness, so that I can de-stress and stay healthy.
-  Buy more art supplies, so that I can continue making things with my hands.
- Gather starters and seeds from Greensgrow Farms, so that I can have a full and prosperous garden each year.
- Occasionally eat, drink, + shop at my favorite local spots, such as Modo Mio, Pizza Brain, and Art Star, so that I can continue to feed money into my local Philadelphia economy.

With all this said, over the next couple of weeks, I plan to highlight my favorite local makers + businesses - ones that would make fabulous gifts for friends and family.  I encourage us all (cause heaven knows I need the reminder too) to think about where each dollar goes as we stock up on gifts.  And to those friends, family members, and strangers that have already made it clear to me this holiday season who they choose to support, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 A sampling of goods that I design, print, & sew by hand.

Available here.  Enjoy 30% entire orders until midnight est 12/1 with the code: HOLIDAY30

 

THE BEST BRAINSTORMERS I KNOW

The New Hampshire duo behind the print studio Brainstorm must seriously be some of the best brainstormers I know.  They design and screen-print highly creative AND informational prints, and if anyone is looking for a gift for me, I'll take any of them.  As an avid traveler, I can't help but love their American Atlas Collection, and their new Garden Bed print has me scampering off to get my hands dirty.  I mean, they even have a print for improving your Knife Skills in the kitchen.  Most prints come in a larger screen-print version and a smaller digital version - both as standard sizes for easy framing.

Briana and Jason, your work is truly delightful.  I can't wait to see what you brainstorm next.

Images via the Brainstorm website

TRAVELS TO AUSTIN

It's been almost two weeks now since we've returned from our short vacation to Austin, Tx and I just can't stop thinking about the trip.  That city sure does have its hold on me.  I knew I would like Austin, given all the hype I've heard and read about, not to mention how much I've been missing the South during this god-awful long winter, but I had no idea I would love it so much.  Love it in that never-make-me-leave, don't-make-me-go-back-to-Philly sort of way.  From our airstream hotel to tacos to tattoos, it was a blast the whole way through.  All I know is, I can't wait to return.

Here are our Austin highlights:

Saturday / We arrived just in time to soak in the last couple hours of the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show / Oil and Ink Print Expo.  My man and I were in design heaven.  And the night kept getting better, first with discovering an In-N-Out for a late night dinner, then with our fantastic Airbnb Airstream find in the North Loop.  

 
Sunday / Our first mission for the day was to scout out some yummy breakfast tacos, so we made our way over to Taco Deli.  With bellies full of queso and taco goodness, we strolled through the nearby Zilker Botanical Gardens before taking a dip in the natural Barton Springs Pool for a mere $3.  We explored the funky antique shops along South Congress Street, including the highly recommended Uncommon Objects and Off the Wall.

Monday / We woke up to pouring rain, so we opted for a super fascinating and educational indoor activity - a stroll through the LBJ Presidential Library.  We cozied up at the East Side Show Room for a few cocktails before catching some live music and two-stepping at the nearby The White Horse.

Tuesday / Slept in, grabbed some pre-ink bbq and arrived at our tattoo appointments at Mom's Tattoos on S. Lamar that we had made the day before.  While in our post-tattoo high, we drank at the ever-romantic outdoor bar at Hotel San Jose as the sun set.  And finally, we watched a gazillion bats fly out from under the Congress Avenue bridge as we said goodnight and goodbye to Austin.


(But not for long, I hope.)   

WORDS FOR A FRESH START

 Spring is here, finally.  Technically.  It's always nice to have a fresh start, whether it's a new day, new year, or a new season.  I am so ready to pull off my bitter winter layers (full of complaining, over-eating, and too many colds to count) and spring into action (full of optimism, healthy habits, and creativity).  It is time.

These gorgeously hand-lettered quotes, designed by Nashville-based Oh My Deer, are just what I need to reflect upon today and this fresh, new season to come.

Images via Oh My Deer

It's a new season - and things are about to get a whole lot better.

JUCO'S PATTERN-INFUSED PHOTOGRAPHS

Check out these crazy, cool photographs from LA-based duo JUCO (Julia Galdo and Cody Cloud).  In this shoot, they've created a stunning medley and fusion of pattern + print, fashion + background, identity + environment.  To check out more of their fashion and editorial photography that incorporate a super fun mix of color, pattern, and texture, go to their website.

Photos by JUCO

WALLS THAT SPEAK

This summer, I'll be working on my first large-scale mural project here in Philly.  Yikes.  I gotta start thinking big, really big.  As a way to prepare, I've had a lot of fun recently collecting some awesome wall inspiration.  I mean, these are walls that speak - full of pattern + color + magical scale.  From block-printing or writing directly on the wall to creative cut-outs, these walls make bold statements.  And if I don't end up incorporating these ideas into this project, you better believe I'll use them in my apartment.

Sources, top to bottom, left to right: Printed Anchors, Colorful Triangles, Handwriting, Cut Wallpaper, Printed Embroidery, Watercolor, Folklore Flowers, Chevron Stripes, B+W Flowers

ARIELE ALASKO'S PATTERNS OF WOOD

I'm so in love with these simple patterns and compositions created by Brooklyn-based Ariele Alasko.  She and I share the same alma mater (Pratt Institute) but clearly I was holed up in the print studio too much to cross her path.  Boy is she rockin' it with her work.  Using wooden lath pieces, collected from old Brooklyn brownstones, she creates her pieces without the use of stain, including tables, headboards, and wall pieces.  She also carves spoons and bowls out of wood.  I can't wait to see more from her studio.  Stunning. 

Images via Ariele Alasko's website

MYTHICAL MAGIC OF DENNIS MCNETT

I first met Dennis McNett in 2008 on my first day of grad school at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.  From that day forward, we've been good friends.  And thanks to him, I can carve a block like champ.  He is one badass printmaker.  Dennis (aka Wolfbat Studios) creates work that stems out of mythology and narrative - mostly print and performative - and it transforms viewers and participants into heroes.  

 Images via Wolfbat Studios

This past month, I sweet talked him into coming to Philadelphia for a month to work with me in the Art Education department of The Mural Arts Program.  So he decided to come to build a viking ship.  That's right.  Built it and and covered it with screen-prints of his block prints.  And it looks soooooo good.  Not sure if I can unveil the ship's final destiny as of yet, but I know that it will be on view at our Spring Exhibition at the Crane Arts Building which opens Thursday, May 8th.

Ship photos by Steve Weinik

Having him here was a warmed welcome reminder of the importance of artist mentors.  Well, everyone needs a mentor regardless of their field or passion - but I can mainly speak as an artist.  It's not always easy to be creative or to make money doing it.  I often struggle with so many questions or distractions that keep me unproductive and unfocused.  It's important to have someone who will tell you (ideally, over ice cream) that it's going to be ok - keep working hard.  Thanks for the inspiration and lending an ear, Dennis.  You keep doing what you do, too.

And just like that, he has set sail.

ITCHING FOR INK

I'll be honest.  I'm itching for some new ink.  You know, the type of print that stays with you forever.  For those that know me well, I'm no stranger to the tattoo needle.  I waited until I was 26 for my first tattoo.  I took my decision and the process very seriously.  It was at Brooklyn Tattoo, in Brooklyn naturally, with the talented Robert Bonhomme, who has gone on to tattoo the likes of Lena Dunham (fun fact!).  But like most folks who have tattoos, one was not enough.  I've had a few more since then, and I'm feeling like it's time again.

So I'm having fun gathering some ink inspiration.  There a so many lovely tats out there today.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Sources: top to bottom, left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

All I need to do now is answer: what, where, and when?  (Oh yes, and how much?!)

AUSTIN-BOUND INSPIRATION

Last week, I reached my max of winter.  So my husband and I found a warm spot / cool city on the map and booked plane tickets to Austin for April.  Funny enough, even though I grew up in the South (the ATL-area), I have never been to Texas.  I'm so excited to see what the Austin scene is all about.  But even though I've never been, I've been enjoying the work of Austin-based artists for a few years now.

Here are my favorite Austin artists:

Works by Callen Thompson / Beam
   

Quilt Drawings by Alyson Fox

Prints + Textiles by Leah Duncan (who is moving BACK to Austin!)

SEEING GREEN + IN THE MOOD FOR SPRING

It's been a ridiculous snowy winter these past few weeks here in Philadelphia.  "Snow" has unfortunately become a new four-letter word in our home.  What can I say, my husband and I have Southern blood pumping through our veins.  Needless to say, I have springtime on the brain, and I can't wait for the first signs of green.  Until then, I'll lust over these patterns and patiently wait for the snow to melt. 

  

From the top: 1/ Marina Molares  2/ Sian Keegan 3/ via Pinterest 4/ Charlotte Trounce

COTTON AND FLAX TEXTILES

The more I see the super simple, yet stunning textiles by Cotton & Flax, the more I like them.  Run by Erin Dollar out of Los Angeles, these geometric, screen-printed linens are bold, but without making too much noise.  I especially love her brushstroke pattern, with its funky blobs (sorry, couldn't think of a better work for it!).

And since I'm such an avid letter lover and writer, I love that she has designed some sweet postcards for a friendly hello in the mail.  I can't wait to see what she'll roll out this fall.

Images via Cotton & Flax

~ Bonnie

KAY HEALY'S PRINTED HOME

I remember distinctly the first time I came across the work of Philadelphia-based artist Kay Healy.  I was rushing to a Delta gate last year when her 350 ft installation in Philadelphia Airport's Terminal E stopped me immediately.  The installation of a house interior captures the memories of home of four Philadelphians through objects, furniture, and rooms made out of hand drawn, screenprinted fabric.  The entire installation hangs in low relief, with pieces just barely stuffed with filling, like a massive quilt.  The craftsmanship and attention to detail is simply stunning.

It is always a delight to stumble upon someone's work that not only inspires me in the studio but also opens my mind to ponder issues close to my heart.  When my parents sold and moved from my childhood home in Atlanta last year, I lost the place that I had called home for over 20 years.  The rooms and objects in that place are etched deep in my mind.  While my husband and I work hard to design our home together, I am thankful for work that recreates the comfort of home from days gone by.

Images via Kay Healy's website

~ Bonnie

summer is the best

I'm still trying to get over the fact that September has arrived & warm weather is beginning to make its exit.  I've had a fantastic summer - clearly, since I've checked out from blogging for the past month.  My days have been spent with friends and family, my dog and my plants, full of dining al fresco, exploring new cities, and experimenting in the studio.  I can't wait to share the highlights of my summer months . . .

Image taken by myself while enjoying an adult beverage or two at Silk City's outdoor patio. 

~ Bonnie