Damn, If this Ain't True...Euro Work Ethic

Why is it that we don’t have “down time” anymore? There used to be periods where we’d be running like hamsters on a wheel, and then periods of next-to-nothingness where we’d bond with the sofa, hog the TV remote and spend a whole day—or more—in our pajamas.  Now it’s hamster time all week long, and weekends, too. What gives?

Seriously, let’s start a movement to bring a European work ethic to the States.  Let’s all close up shop for the summer—we’ll shutter our city homes and travel to the coast to take hikes, read books and bake pies. Then we’ll return in fall, refreshed, so we can buckle down and work work work through a dark winter. It makes sense, doesn’t it? It’s cyclical, it’s restorative, it makes for better mental and physical health. Yeah, it sounds good, but nobody will go for it. So it’s back to Plan A: Buy Lottery Tickets.

NARRATIVE BY Kathi O'Neil: Founder and contributor to the weekly newsletter Portlandpicks.com

http://www.portlandpicks.com/newsletter/0434.php

TANGERINE Tango - 2012 Pantone

TANGERINE TANGO is Pantone's 2012 color of the year.

I know color forecasting is a major industry, but when it comes to fashion, if you buy into this color, it'll look outdated next year. I suppose this is what retailers want.

With that said, I still like the energy of the color.

Image source: homebuildlife

JEN STARK - paper sculpture

I am not one who is easily impressed.  With that said I AM COMPLETELY IMPRESSED! with Jen Stark's paper sculptures.

The color, the layering, the craft, the 2-D vs. 3-D are all there.

Her paper works are complex, as are her drawings, which reveals someone with an intricate mind.

Now, if only I could be a fly on the wall as she creates these sculptural paper pieces, I would be able to sort out her process of cutting/layering.

Image source:comtemporarylinks

Stephanie KUBO, artist and designer

California artist and designer, Stephanie Kubo, creates beautifully repetitive designs in her sketchbook, as well as in prints and drawings.

The pattern use and its overlapping is reminiscent of Japanese art/design.

Check out her website and see more of what she can do: www.stephaniekubo.com

Image source: stephaniekubo.com/earlyo.html

CHRISTOPH NIEMANN's In-Flight Sketchbook

One laugh does not comprise the hilarity of Christoph Niemann's in-flight sketches as he flies to Berlin.
Like every international flight I've taken, he sums up the experience succinctly (and perfectly).

Image source:
Red Eye - NYTimes.com

MARGAUX LANGE: Barbie Doll Jewelry

A doll-lover from an early age, artist Margaux Lange repurposes Barbie doll parts into one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.

I love her jewelry's unique qualities, whimsical compositions and use of design!

The feeling these pieces evoke in my mind is "crazy cute"!

Image: Smiley Neckpiece NE-08

Saguaro Cacti

Saguaro cacti near TUCSON, AZ (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum).

I can't get over how visually foreign these plants are (compared to those in the Pacific Northwest).

Ubiquitous Family Stickers (Vancouver, WA)

Someone's been busy.

Talavera Pottery

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Mexican Talavera pottery (which I saw in Southern Arizona - Tubac, AZ), I realized how similar the motifs appear to that of European decorative folk art.

Additionally the motifs appear much more loose in handling than that of say, Hungarian folk art.

I discovered this brightly-colored ceramic-ware was brought to Mexico from Spain in the 1500's. Authentic Talavera pottery only comes from the City of Puebla and from nearby communities of Atlixco, Cholula, and Tecali. 1

1 Source Wikipedia 
Image source ellaeco.com 

Prickly Pear CACTI

Looking at various CACTI in the Arizona desert is like looking at the other side of the moon (compared to plants the Pacific Northwest).

Rounded shapes like these are so attractive, you want to hug them, but attention! the spines are frighteningly painful.

This is dangerously passive nature!

Image source: tucson

COLOR BOARD on Pinterest.com

I have been absolutely fascinated and addicted to PINTEREST.com.
It feels like I am working artistically via seeking out imagery for inspiration.

In light of that, here is one of my boards.
Simply click on the image.