Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Incantations for the new year




Here is my Christmas Tree decorated in my favorite festive colors: gold and orange. Also on the tree are hanging these oval ornaments, that I made myself. They all have an old fashioned black and white image, surrounded by white glitter and underneath a scroll with a hand calligraphed word. The words all refer to qualities that we want to have in our life or hope to invoke in the new year, such as:courage, prosperity, benevolence, curios, knowing, valiant, etc. I call these ornaments "Incantations". This is the second year we are having them on our tree and it feels very personal. I hope that all your wishes for the next year come true. Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Holiday Sale


Here is the reason why I haven't been blogging: I am preparing for my holiday sale. I will show brand new designs in silver with gold leaf and of course some lovely gems.
This year I teamed up with my good friend Pam, a talented artist, who makes wonderful ceramics. The sale will be at her house. We'll be joined by some other artisans, including my daughter, who made really cute t-shirts.
The sale is this Friday from 5pm to 8 pm and on Saturday from 11am to 2pm. drop me an e-mail if you want to come : elisabeth@technoir.net

Albina's necklace


I have been so very, very busy making jewelry. Here is a very special piece I made for Albina's birthday. This necklace has my beloved fine silver ginkgo leaf as a center piece and big iridescent Labradorite rondells. I think this is my favorite Ginkgo necklace I made and will offer two of them at my up-coming sale, for which I am working a lot.

The birds



A couple of mornings ago the crows assemble on my front yard tree making an incredible noise. When I went outside to see what this was all about, I was taken by the sight of their silhouettes against the blue sky and was reminded of paper cut outs.

Window Stars



2 weeks ago I visited Ms. Searle's 7th grade class and brought in an art project that was connected to their learning about historical Islamic culture. We made paper stained glass stars, trying to replicate the beautiful and intricate geometrical patterns found in the mosaics of Islamic architecture. We talked about how their very advanced creation of patterns and arabesques was connected to their religion and the flourishing of science, particularly mathematics. This is another example that proves how close art and science are.Often people don't put the two together and actually think of art and science opposed to each other.
I also liked this project, because it is perfect for the holiday season without being traditional or leaning towards any religious holiday symbols. Its just festive and can be used by anybody.

Friday, November 16, 2007

A modern Dutch Portrait




Surfing the web I came across these interesting portraits by the Dutch photographer Hendrik Kerstens. He started photographing his daughter in 1995 and called the on going photo project "the Paula Pictures". His pictures stand in the old 17th century tradition of Dutch painters and one is reminded of the beauty and solitude in Vermeer's paintings. The modern version of girl with the pearl earrings is girl with an iPod.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Thinking about the perfect studio

The ideal studio

Fornasetti 's Studio

This is big: I am in the process of changing my studio space! I have a small office/studio space off the dining room. The space is too small for all my art supplies and so I often spill into the dinning room, cluttering everything with my boxes of art supplies. In the evening there is sometimes hardly any place for dinner and dishes on the table, because my art projects are taking up the space. Soon this will change and I am so excited to get my own clubhouse, where I can play, make art and jewelry and have tea parties.
When this whole studio idea started I ripped out pictures of studio spaces that I liked. Some are of course unrealistic, but you gotta dream first to get somewhere. My ultimate idea of an art studio (top picture) is far from my reality - love the high window!
Storage possibilities is another important issue when thinking about setting up an art studio. Picture number 2. shows the perfect drawers to keep papers and images. No wonder it is the studio of Fornasetti, the Italien master of decoupage. I love Fornasetti's art objects and would love to own one, but they are expensive. He was an artist and interior decorator in Milan and he applied his images to all different kinds of objects and furniture.

I saw the fabulous porcelain urns at Barneys in San Francisco.

Also fun is this Fornasetti lacquer tray that I found in a magazine.

I love decoupage, collage, multi media arts and an exhibition I have recently seen springs to mind: Joseph Cornell at the San Francisco Moma : Navigating the Imagination
Cornell created these fabulous boxes and multi media collages. I loved learning that he actually started out as a collector of all sorts of stuff, like postcards, photos, magazines etc. that he bought at flea markets and garage sales. Eventually he wondered what to do with all the stuff he had accumulated and started making art out of it. I can relate to the need for collecting and creating and love the surrealist aspect of his dream like images.
Tilly Losch
Painted: 1935
Construction

Untitled (Medici Princess)
Painted: 1948
Construction

Untitled (Bebe Marie)
Painted: Early 1940's
Construction

The Moma writes about Cornell:
"A self-taught artist, Joseph Cornell relied almost exclusively on found materials. He collected items from books, newspapers, second-hand stores, exploratory walks — even sweepings from his studio floor — to create intricate, elaborate box constructions and collages. These enchanting works of art transformed commonplace objects into extraordinary and magical dreamscapes, earning him immediate and enduring respect as a sort of artistic alchemist."
Talking about found objects - have you heard of FOUND Magazine? My daughter Valentina bought it in the bookstore the other day and we love it. This magazine publishes found stuff, like letters, to-do lists, ticket stubs, birthday cards, doodles and photos that people have found on the street. Some of these notes/writings are random, crazy, hilarious or sad and they offer a brief glimpse into a stranger's life.
Check out their web site, because they post the "find of the day", like these following two, that I love:

note and nice wedding photo from Found Magazine


And believe it or not, continuing this perfect stream of consciousness, I found a blog today that celebrates the discreet charm of to-do lists. This girl Sasha Cagen got obsessed with to-do lists. She collected people's lists and published a magazine, a blog and now a book about to-do lists. The interesting part is that people make not only lists about mundane chores, but about important life decisions. Sasha says that a list can give away it's makers personality or at least offer a glimpse into emotional inner workings. Myself being endowed with a slight compulsive obsessive streak (how else would I enjoy stringing tiny beads for hours?), I have to admit that from the tender age of 10 I was a faithful list maker. I not only make the lists, but particularly enjoy the crowning act of crossing items off the list (preferably in a different color pencil - now, how sick is that?) Right now as I am typing this there are several lists on my desk, including the precious list-book (yes, you heard right: I own a book into which I write my most important lists) So you can imagine, that the to-do list blog struck a chord with me.
The precious tall and slender List book and a selection of my lists du jour

Looking at my desk brings me back to my research of artist's studios and I stumbled across this website, called On my desk: artists, designer and illustrators share the stuff on their desk . I would love to roam around Jane Ann Wynn's studio space and check out the goodies on her desk.
Jane Ann Wynn's studio

and desk

Last not least I saw this book on Amazon and wonder, if it is just as enticing inside as the cover is:
Maybe you have some suggestions, advice or ideas for my new studio? If you do, leave a comment.

Victorian leather chaisse lounge


I saw this leather lounger in a store and tried it out. It was divinely comfortable and all I needed was my book and a cup of tea and I would have been perfectly happy to stay there. The best part is, that it's big enough for two! Wish it would magically materialize in my living room.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Paper Theater




Yesterday I attended Ulla's Christmas paper theater class at Castle in the air. I had so much fun creating this three dimensional collage. Ulla had a big assortment of paper goodies and images spread out and you got to pick and choose. We spent the whole day creating these intriguing wall pieces. I can't wait to make another one. Check out Ulla's blog for more theaters. Also, if you never have taken a class at Castle in the air, I recommend you do so. It is a wonderful place to create and play.

It's not only a paper moon!



Yesterday I had a wonderful surprise from my friend Ulla, who gave me a very special gift in celebration of my anniversary. Wow! I was speechless. A beautiful scene with a couple embracing in a glittering paper moon adorned the package. Inside I found one of Ulla's gorgeous soldered glass pendant necklaces: a fan and geisha. What a beautiful gift, it means a lot to me! Ulla is a fantastic teacher and artist and a very generous soul, always sharing her ideas and know how through her blog or by teaching at Castle in the Air. She is also the inspiration that got me started on this blog.
The beautiful image of the couple on the paper moon reminded me of one of Scott's and mine favorite song , which you can listen to, if you click on the link:

It's Only A Paper Moon

Performed by Cliff Edwards in 1933

Written by Billy Rose, Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen


Say, its only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade

It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me

Strolling down Valencia Street

Paxton Gate
Mural on Clarion Alley
Through the window of the Curiosity Shoppe

Recently strolled down Valencia Street in San Francisco. There are always cool murals to look at on Clarion Alley. A lot of fabulous new shops have opened. Check out the Curiosity Shoppe. I love the shelf, that is made of different sized boxes. Amazing though is the art installation they have right now, of bats hanging from branches. You can faintly make them out on the right side of the box shelf. They sell stationary, gifts and whimsical curiosities also from their web site.
New is also Five and Diamond, a clothing and jewelry boutique. Their look reminds me of Victorian Cowboys Wild West Cabaret. They have amazing leather items.
Of course Paxton Gate is still my favorite. I bought there a beautiful glass crocodile's eye and some very sparkling oval shaped fool's gold.

Eric Joyner: Painter of Toy Robots

"The usual suspects"

"The last Tin Man"


"The Incident"

"Time Travelers"

Believe it or not, but toy robots have been somewhat a theme in my marriage. On our first Christmas together Scott gave me a red toy robot and read science fiction stories out loud to me. Connecting to the symbols from the beginning of our love story, I gave Scott a tiny little toy robot for our 10th wedding anniversary. This year for his birthday and our 15th wedding anniversary together, I had a special surprise for him. A couple of years ago when we visited La Luz de Jesus gallery in LA, we saw a beautiful small painting of a toy robot and admired it very much. This September we saw an exhibition by the same artist, Eric Joyner at the Shooting Gallery in San Francisco. Afterwards I checked out Eric's web site and saw that he had prints of his paintings for sale. I knew immediately that this was my present for Scott. The best part of this present was, that we visited Eric's studio and Scott didn't know where we were going until we rang Eric's door bell. A perfect surprise! Eric was so gracious and fun, showing us his art, although he was getting ready to pack for a show in Vegas. It was hard to pick out a print, because they are all wonderful, but I think Scott picked the best "The Time Travelers" (last image). I love the composition of the two scenes meeting in the middle. Samurai warriors fighting robots is the ultimate little boy dream. It is also interesting in the sense of two worlds colliding: the old japan versus the new.

A beautiful ring


This is my anniversary present from Scott: a lovely John Hardy ring. It is somewhat reminiscent of Eastern European jewelry with its hammered, gold dome in the center. I love John Hardy jewelry and Scott has found many pieces for me on ebay.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Our 15th Wedding Anniversay

This is how it all started: 15 years ago Scott and I were married in the beautiful old City hall of Frankfurt, Germany. My mother and my best friend Petra were witnesses. Also my grandmother Helene and uncle Lothar were present.

We celebrated our anniversary yesterday in San Francisco at Absinthe, a wonderful romantic French restaurant. The food was delicious: oysters, wild mushroom risotto and pork confit. The waiter and staff were really sweet and brought out this plate to wish us a "happy anniversary".

Scott and me blissfully celebrating this special day at Absinthe.

I bought this midnight blue, sequins silk dress on ebay about 1,5 years ago and never wore it. I was hiding it away in my closet and waiting for the right occasion. Well, yesterday was the day!
I felt like a mermaid in it - wrapped in shimmering scales.