Merry Christmas :)

Instead of posting photos of snow-capped huts and reindeers, I have decided to share two pieces that inspired me today, and represent a part of what I am feeling this Christmas. I do not know the three young women in the first photograph, but I can absolutely relate to their feeling of elation and joy. I am having such a lovely time at home with my family, appreciating this time of togetherness and love. The second image is a card from an etsy store (which I will later find and credit!). Anyway, besides its gorgeous hues and folky illustrations I love it because it inspires me to do better and be better for those around me. So I suppose that will be my new years resolution. To do better & be better. Happy Christmas to you all and all the best!

the wandercard

I have a new product out this week which I am really super-duper excited about. Its called "The Wandercard" and I love it! It is a personal work for a number of reasons which is I think why I am so fond of it. Inspired by one of my favourite quotes of all time, "All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost" by the wonderful J. R. R. Tolkien. This poem has a fascinating history, read more here if you like.

Anyhow, I found myself surrounded by close friends who felt a little bit lost in the world. Unsure of the future and what they should study and do, they felt a little bit helpless. Myself included! So I came up with this idea to make my friends feel better and to remind them that everything will be okay. You know what they say, if its meant to be, it will find a way. So there you go, that is the story of the Wandercard.

an education

Last night while writing my essay I found time to indulge in some quality British cinema in the form of An Education. I really enjoyed this film and revelled in the careful details it took to make nineteen sixties London come alive. The beautiful old cars to the stunning costumes Jenny (Carey Mulligan) and Helen (Rosamund Pyke) wore were wonderful.

I especially enjoyed the short romantic sequence in Paris, which was rich in saturated colour and sun spots, as though shot with a Super8 camera (fitting for the time). The nostalgic depiction of Paris really makes me want to go back there, but in summer this time! Have any readers seen this film? I'd love to know what your favourite part was.

keen as pie

I just discovered one of my favourite illustrators, Julianna Swaney's online shop, and I have to say I am keen as pie to get my mits on her limited edition prints! They are just too beautiful to resist. The folky style reminds me a lot of the animations I would watch in Hungary as a child, as they had that pinned-limb motion to them. The delicacy and depth of this work really warms my heart, and I can't wait for the day I start my own art collection! Lovely!

Keller

I just stumbled upon Keller, an amazing label by Brooklin based designer Kelly Clark. I really love the Spring\Summer 2010 collection lookbook and would really like to get my hands on these amazing pants patterned from these series. Unfortunately the only stockists are in America and Canada, so fingers crossed she broadens her market and hits Europe, or even Australia!

numb

i guess sometimes you just need to be held.

feh feh feh feature!

Instead of talking about Sam Weber, I decided to let him do the talking himself. I read an interview with him and discovered his art through a friend's blog and am absolutely in love with it. amazing amazing! And now i HAVE to go to NY, not that I didn't before but now I simply must. So here is an excerpt from an interview on Lost at E Minor.

There always seems to be a dark undercurrent to your work. The subjects never seem particularly happy but rather have expressions of either surprise or fear. Why is this is such a prominent feature of your illustration work?
‘People have said that before about my work. I think it has a little to do with the type of stories that interest me, and have always interested me. Fairy Tales, cautionary stories, things meant to scare children. I’ve grown to appreciate those stories even more as I’ve grown older. There is something in those stories, and the exaggerated misery and tragedy, that I respond to, or at least have recently. As far as a tool for convey my own ideas and interests, they serve as wonderful metaphors and jumping off points. There are so many horrible things going on in the world, it’s calming I think to garner a little surprise or sense of unease from a fictitious image. A lot of it could be chalked up to simple escapism I suppose’.

i like your knees

Today I found out that the knee is the largest and most complicated joint in the human body. I really don't think it gets enough love or attention. I personally find kneecaps really sexy. And mysterious. Sortof.

I also think grazed knees are really cute. Especially with bandaids. Bright bandaids.

~the image above is by deviant cut-and-paste

thoughts

birthday inspirations

with my birthday impending (monday the 15th!) I've been confronted by a need to create a wishlist, as I keep getting asked what I would like. I compiled a small list of little things, namely brooches, socks (american apparel ones I loveeee!) and arty magazines like Kingbrown. To gain inspiration I looked through my list of etsy loves/favourites and found some really cute things I thought I'd share..















the whole list can be found by clicking on my profile and then on 'favourites' in the toolbar on the right hand side.

oh. and today I completely reorganized (annihilated/decluttered) my desk space, shifting my monitor to a different spot. It feels quite strange and alien. i can't wait for my birthday :)

an unrequited love

i love this.