Woodson and Rummerfield

Woodson and Rummerfield are two very hot and young designers. What I like most about their decorating is that they can take the smallest room such as this tiny little bathroom and make it glamorous. I came across the Woodson and Rummerfield website while browsing on Alkemie. Alkemie is a great website for interior decorating. There are tons of links to designers and all things related to decorating.

Simon Wild

The Yellow Submarine - by the Beatles
Another fun artist - Simon Wild. Simon created all of the above illustrations except the last one. Some of you may recognize or remember the yellow submarine from the Beatles. Simon's work reminds me a little bit about that era. My favorite images come from his older work. I do also enjoy his black and white illustrations, but I am a HUGE fan of color and I really like his color choices. I wonder how he makes his color choices? Simon, would you care to comment on how you make your color choices? See more of this inspirational work at simonwild.com

Monsters

Not only are these images of monsters fun, but once you see how they are created you must admit, they are even MORE fun! Stefan Bucher came up with this great idea to place a blot of ink on paper and then blow the ink around with air (like from an air compressor or can of office air) and then from whatever appears, create a monster. The first three images were created by Stefan, but the last three were sent in by his viewers. He has a website where viewers send in their own ink monsters and the best part, he has a video everyday. You can watch him create a new monster step by step. The videos are fun to watch. Click here to see Stefan's website. First seen at doodlage.com

Rogner Bad Blumau Hotel

These are photos of the Rogner Bad Blumau Hotel in Styria, Austria. They have spa packages, yoga, accupuncture, detoxifying treatments. Everything your little heart desires. Reminds me a little of Dr.Seuss. Learn more about it here. I first saw this here at Doodlage.

Joe Ramiro Garcia

I first saw Joe's artwork several years ago and I just happened to come across it again. I like it just as much today as I did back then. Fun stuff. Joe says that his paintings don't necessary mean anything and I love that. I've had people ask me what I think a painting means, or why I like it so much and I just look at them with a blank look on my face. I agree with Joe. It doesn't necessary mean anything, it just gives me a feeling that I like.

Joe says:

"I believe that we possess more than five senses and I’m convinced these extra perceptional senses allow us to create and digest art. If there is a message in my painting, it’s that I’m not sure of anything and I’m okay with it." See more of his artwork at joeramirogarcia.com

Fun with Photos

How fun is this? Take any photo you have, (well as long as the size isn't too big), and upload onto this website. The software will place your photo in the middle of these other photo images. So, I took one of the table numbers (the bumble bee)from my wedding and loaded it in. My photograph did get cut off, there is supposed to be a full number 8. My photo is rectangular, you might resize or use a square photo. I don't know. I was so excited I had to show you right away. Isn't it fun? I found this via Le Train Fantome. Load your own images at Photo Funia.

Design Freebies

Just a reminder about Design Freebies. Print these labels for free from Creature Comforts.

Ceramic Projects

Darling Dexter posted these etsy mugs by skinny laminx and I wonder how difficult it would be to make something like this using these ceramic markers from dick blick. I know you wouldn't get the same quality as what is on these mugs but it might be a fun project.

Urban Outfitters

I like these recycled letters from Urban Outfitters.

Takashi Iwasaki

I think I'm going to name my all of my children Takashi, because I know they will be artistically talented. If you don't know what I'm talking about go here to see the talent of Takashi Murakami. But, the amazing artwork you are seeing is not Takashi Murakami, but Takashi Iwaskai. What's not to love about his artwork? It was so hard to narrow it down to just a few pictures.

I know that some people do not appreciate abstract art, and I think it is because they don't really understand that it still takes a lot of talent to be able to make abstract art. We've all heard people say things like 'my child could paint this...'. So, I want to help people understand that no, their child could not do this.

So, for those who want to understand more about abstract art, I want to share my thoughts with you. If I were to attempt something like this, my first challenge would be balance. Each object needs to have some sort of balance in the final composition. If it isn't somehow balanced, the piece just won't feel right. Next, the colors have to work well together, they need to be the right tones, shades, hues, brightness etc....When you mix the colors they could all turn out to look like mud.

Sometimes, I think abstract art can be much more challenging than painting something that stands right before you. So, that's all. When you see abstract art as beautiful as this, that grabs your attention, gives you a happy feeling inside, understand that there is an enormous amount of talent behind that piece of art. I think Takashi describes his art best in just a couple sentences:

"...Shapes and colors in my paintings and drawings evoke figurative qualities which embrace a kaleidoscope of emotions. Life is too short to take gravely all the time. I want to delight in what I can when I can. Having this as my essential philosophy, my goal of art making is to create a positive and playful atmosphere, and generate warm feelings of intimacy and substance through my work..."

To see more of this amazing work by Takashi Iwasaki, just click here.

Pinky Toast

Pinky Toast has so many fun prints, it was hard to narrow it down to just these few. Pinky Toast describes herself as the following in her etsy bio: Living and working in Brooklyn, NY, Pinkytoast...has a soft spot for all things, (well, most things) sweet and sour. Her original paintings, dolls, and drawings are peppered with pinks, sour pouts, big eyes, raindrops, baby doll dresses, twins, moon balloons, and flying bananas. Check out her etsy shop here.

A Reminder to Tonia

I have to post this so that I have this image in my head the next time I have the urge to grab a bag of chips.

Cali Rezo

I found these images on Stumbled Upon. I thought you would enjoy these images from Cali Rezo. What attracts me to these images is the movement or motion of the characters. Something I love about the calirezo website is tutorials. The artist takes photographs, draws the images on the computer and then makes the alterations and shows you how he does it. Be sure to check out his blog too. Oh, I should warn you, only small portions are in English. The blog and majority of the website is in French.

Helen Dardik

What's not to love about Helen Dardik's artwork? I just love it all! The first time I saw her work, it brought back a fun type of nostalgia from my childhood. You can see more of her wonderful work on her website One Lucky Helen, and her blog Orange you Lucky. Also, she sells her prints on etsy at a very reasonable price.

Kitchenware

Ohhh how I wish everything in my cupboard fit together like this set of bowls and measuring cups. With our space issues, we would need everything to fit together. The image of eggs is a cutting board. I thought these were some fun kitchen items you can find at Morph and JosephJoseph.

Shoshona Snow's Etsy Shop

I like the retro feel to the pottery at Shoshona Snow's Etsy shop. I especially like the bright colors on the inside of the pottery, just like they used to make pottery back in the 50's & 60's. See more of her work on her blog.

Camille Young

Would you believe all of this is done by the same artist? Yes, it is. The very talented Camille Young. The first image is called incense and was orginally painted by her mother back in the 70's. Camille dug the painting out of the closet and digitally painted it in illustrator. Adding a few of her own details and nearly 3 months later, Camille created this very colorful piece of art.

What I love about the next few pieces of Camille's work is that they were all done in polymer clay. Yes, folks, polymer clay. The flowers are actually pieces of jewelry you can wear. And Camille has done what I admire most, she has shared her techniques on her blog. I love it when artists share their knowledge and let us know how they have created their works of art. Thanks Camille!

Douglas Walker

I love how Douglas uses many shades of one color in his paintings. I love his use of brush strokes and I love the sexy appeal. His paintings have a mysteriousness about them. They are dark, sexy, elegant,and oh so creative. Just beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. See more of his work at his website: Douglas Walker

Window Shopping

Just window shopping at Horchow. I thought I would share with you what I bought (in my mind anyway.) The problem I have is that I think I can make everything. And I'd love to try making the last image of the cut wood wall hanging. I love the texture and I really don't think it would be that difficult. There is a very similar DIY project at How's House that shows you how to create a table similar to this step by step.

The Aphrodite Project

The aphrodite project has come up with a pair of platforms for street workers. The shoes have a built in alarm to scare off the attacker and contact the police or workers rights group. I can see this technology moving to children's shoes, so if a child is abducted, they can push a button to alarm the police and find the child. Source: Wired

Sticker Watch

Sometimes I look at something, some kind of object and think...hmmm, someone invented this over a hundred years ago and we still haven't come up with a better design. Naturally, I can't think of any examples right now, but I have thought that many times. So, when someone can come up with a better design for something as simple as a wrist watch, I'm impressed. Sometimes, watches get too bulky and uncomfortable. Here is a translucent watch that is a sticker and can be stuck anywhere. Source: PopGadget

The Best Kept Secret

I was in the car today and heard a quote from a singer and I don't remember who said this, but he said that he was on tour and had to come to Minneapolis. He said he would really have rather stuck a fork in his eye than come to Minnesota. I'm afraid so many people have a misunderstanding of what the Twin Cities are all about. He then said to his surprise that the Twin Cities is the best kept secret in the United States. And that my friends, is the second time I have heard that phrase within the last few months. I have a friend who came to the cities from New York and has said the exact same thing. I'm glad that people are starting to recognize and appreciate the Twin Cities. So, for us locals, we love the cities and know that it's the best kept secret in the United States, however, most of us would probably like to keep it that way too. By the way - the photo and more great reads on the twin cities can be found at 2Modern Design Talk.

James Michael Lawrence

I like how James manipulated his images to create these fantastic pieces of art. How did he do it? I wonder... This is how I think he was able to accomplish this look(using the last image as an example). Using a software package such as photoshop, I believe he probably took a photograph of bottles and maybe an image of his hand by using a copy machine. He then manipulated the color and look of the bottles by increasing the blue palette. Then he brought in the copy image of his hand enhanced it to a light blue and made it a layer behind the bottles. Then, he would have to put on a layer of green and then maybe use the eraser bring the hand image forward. And, before this gets too technical geeky boring, use a stamp to stamp on the flowers. What do you think? Any ideas? Please leave your thoughts. Images from mnartists.org

Cute idea

Just another way to use decals in your home. Image from le blog deco.

Helmets

My friends Amy and Lynnette are moving to Oregon. So, last weekend they held a moving sale to make their move just a little easier. I helped them with their moving sale and put a red vintage, in perfect condition mind you, helmet out on the shelf. Before Lynnette could say 'Noooooooo', someone had their filthy little hands on it. He started to barter...'Will you take three instead of five?' Lynnette really did not want to sell the helmet so she said 'no'. He proceeded to explain that he was really really broke and the helmet barely fit his head. Lynnette was firm with her decision. So, he put the helmet down and again, before she could grab it, someone else picked it up. "I'll take it!" He put it on his head and was as happy as a lark. So, because I accidently 'gave' Lynnette's helmet away....I'm dedicating this post to Lynnette. You can look wayyyyy more cool than those fools. Check out these helmets babe!

Nau Helmets

Moschino Helmets at new max

From Les Ateliers Ruby

You can find these cool gems at pod pod

Brooklit's Etsy Shop

I've always been a fan of fashion illustration. Brooklit's etsy shop has some nice fashion illustration prints for purchase. Beautiful and elegant; Simply Chic! All illustrations are done by Brooke Hagel. Check it out - she even does original custom artwork!

Cori Kindred

Cori Kindred has a blog of her own artwork and photographs. I really enjoyed browsing through her photographs. You can view more Cori's photographs at her flickr site.