folky mushrooms

Love the mushroom house!!!
http://belladia.typepad.com/photos/thingsimade/index.html

Folk Art

A wonderful, beautiful french folk art link:

http://www.art-singulier.fr/index.php

Folk art in France is defined somewhat diferently than in Canada. They use terms like "Art Naif" and "Art Brut". The term "Art naif " is very close to the term "Folk art" but it refers to a somewhat systematic style, an Artist with a formula, often an established formula or style used by others as well. Folk Art that doesn't follow a formula may be refered to as "Art Brut" but that term also include what we here call "Outsider Art" so it's almost the same but not quite. Did I fry your noodles yet? ...I was trying!

a favorite artist from that site:
http://www.carollbertin.net/index.html
delish isn't it?

Buttons!!!

I downloaded a few pictures from my new camera here at work so, why not share them? (said-i to myself) I was testing my camera's macro photo abilities last week, on my very modest collection of vintage buttons. I love my old weathered Moderstyle or Art Deco buttons. They are soooo cute! In this picture there's one that is made to look like an electric fan and another like an atomic ring!!! Others look like electric switches... from the era of modern utopia-ism: There is something quite naive about it that I love... like artifacts of thoughts that no longer are.

Another easy How-To

Until my system is fully up and running again ...


A very easy way to make a fancy patchwork/quilt thingy.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/8335/how-to-english-paper-piecing-project

Stand-by...

Hard drive wiped out. Much is lost. No heart to share the long list of all that's lost. But I will rise again!!! ...soon!

bohemian style

I love this bohemian cosy home full of warmth, joy for life and fantasy:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/house-tour-sams-carriage-house-meets-gypsy-caravansan-francisco-079588

Murphy's damn Law

She bought a new awesome camera... She rode the streetcar on that cold spring day ...she brought the camera home... she loaded the software... the software told her that her computer was too old... she downloaded all updates available... her computer wanted to be restarted... she did... her computer now wanted a password... she hasn't got one... she discovered that she probably didn't need to do all that in the first place... she is hitting her head on the wall again and again and again...

But she does not regret getting the camera.

Make your own clothespins!!!

Why import them from China? Those are delightful, here's how to make them! From bloger: "Into the Woode". I love her blog. It is filled with generosity, kindness, soulfulness.

See link above picture (title)

Enki Bilal new book

I am trying to get my hands on Enki Bilal's new book "Animal'Z" a comic book (BD) about a future where humans have finally done it: nature lost it's compas and everything is falling apart. Earth is having a big indigestion and the human race is the piece of rotten meat to be spat out. The ones who managed to survive (mostly the rich) try to find their way to a place that can sustain them. The drawings are done on grey paper in beautiful classic Bilal style. I love his work. I can see a lot of inspiring connections there with my work though, of course, he started many years before me and has been surely a notable influence on my Art. He is so unique in the world of visual arts.

My Uncle Garth

There are so many things I would like to share with you - my old, new and future friends... It's hard to pick one subject. I would like for exemple to talk to you about my uncle Garth. Even though I was born and raised in France, I am biologicaly and magicaly related to a wonderful slice of american culture in the form of my uncle Garth Williams and his wonderful Art. He is most well known for his illustrations of The Little House in the Prairy, Mister Dog and other little Golden books, Charlote's Web, Stuart Little, and some others. But sadly, the most wonderful and beautiful of all his work is a much less known book about two little rabbits that fall in love. His technique there is at it's zenith, and it's one of the few books that he himself wrote. indeed it's one of the most beautiful and sweetest children books ever made. It is called "The rabbit's Wedding" A must-have. Another great one is "Three Little Animals". In both of these books, he uses ink washes and charcoal or pencil, with a very Chinese-brush-like technique, with very few subtle colours. Like his dad -my grand father- who was a very talented artist as well, Garth did not like the world of commercial Art. He avoided as much as possible having to deal with the pains of becoming well known, promoting oneself and humoring art directors and he did not hesitate to refuse a job if it didn't meet his ideals.

another link:

http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2008/03/social-event-of-easter-season.html

Scared Spirit

I was washing my dishes a few days ago when the bamboo spoon I was holding snapped in two - I thought bamboo was a very strong material but I guess when soaked again and again, it is less so - 2 thoughts flashed through my head instantly: "garbage" and ... "Doll". I had already lifted my hand aiming for the garbage bag but held it back. It was just the right shape with enough of a neck to attach it to a body. Perfect! So here it is painted and varnished, waiting for me to invent a fetching body, and tell thus his story.