Arcane Arts

Over the weekend the husband and I braved the cold rain to stop in at the holiday Renegade Craft Fair and boy were we not disappointed I was amazed to see so many people, it was so crowded I don't think I was even able to see all the booths, but I suppose that's a great sign of folks supporting artists. One booth that did however catch my eye was the colorful walls of Arcane Arts. With natural elements, dreamy scenery and even custom portraits I was sure to grab artist Adrienne Vita's card for future commissioned work. I would love a custom print of our little one by her! And aside from illustrations and prints, Adrienne also has a fun assortment of pillows too.

images by arcane arts

Beautiful flakes

I have a confession, until I saw these amazing macro shots by Russian photographer Andrew Osokin I had no idea each individual snowflake was this detailed. Don't get me wrong, I knew no two were alike but boy I had no idea they were this intricate! I always wondered why we used to cut up those darling snowflakes as kids into odd shapes but now I get it. One of my buddies shared this photographer on Facebook a while back and I can't stop but think of them every time there is a chill in the air. They are just such beautiful images. Can you imagine how hard it was to catch these before they melted! Being a native California girl that has only seen snow a handful of times these shots just blow my mind and make me want to go play in a few beautiful flakes. Be sure to check out the rest of Andrew's amazing photography, he will make your mouth drop with such stunning beauty.

found by jemappelle j rad and peta pixel, images by andrew osokin

Beautiful art

I could stare at this pink sky forever. There are something about collages that are simply stunning and this canyon from Twin Canyons sure is a beauty. Makes me want to create something with my hands.

found via pop rock blog, image by twin canyon

What would you pick?

I'm almost ashamed to admit this but I have yet to jump on the smart phone bandwagon. That's right, I still rock one of those practically free phones that the companies have in store and in stock. I've never needed access to internet or even a great camera for that matter but with the baby coming I wanted a little upgrade. And when the husband sent me a text asking which I would like better, a black or white iPhone, I found myself super excited to finally jump into modern technology. Except now I can't decide on a case. I'm getting a black phone and wanted to give it a little pizzazz with something fun but I just can't figure out which of these cases I like better. Do I want color? A giraffe- my favorite animal? Fun patterns? There are so many to choose from, below are a few of my favorites from Society 6...out of these what would you choose? Help a girl out! I'm leaning toward 1, 4 or 5 but really need help.

images via society 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Kari Herer photography

I've mentioned artist and photographer Kari Herer here before and while perusing her shop again noticed all her new and beautiful images. I like to visit shops frequently since you never know when they will be updated  and I was not disappointed with Kari's newest and greatest. With a mix of soft colors, fresh florals and simple illustrations, these would be perfect to add a little pizzazz to any wall. We have been collecting unique animal findings for our growing girl and one of these might just have to be purchased for her little area. They are just so colorful and detailed, perfect for growing eyes.

images via kari herer

Lovely

Could you imagine an entire fence line like this!? Found at Pascuala Lira, this beautiful flowered piece may be more suited for an indoor hanging installment but I sure would love to see this in my neighborhood as I walk the dog. Such beautiful detail.

image via pascuala lira

Alexandra Valenti

These painted images from Alexandra Valenti are simply stunning don't you think? Being constantly surrounded with fog and clouds the grey mixed with bright colors just keep me staring wishing I could forever live my life hand painting people as I walk along my neighborhood. Years ago the husband had wanted to try his hand at painting over another painting but never got around to it and after seeing this I hope he feels inspired to give it a whirl again. Its such an interesting effect to manipulate the view and feeling of each photo.

found via design sponge; images via alexandra valenti 

Shapes, colors and nursery talk

Ever since announcing our upcoming bundle of joy the questions have certainly been flowing from friends and family. Are we finding out the sex? Are we moving to a bigger place? A fully vegan pregnancy, where do you get your protein? What will the nursery look like? Well, the answers are yes, we want to find out if it will be a miss or mister, we will be staying in our 1 bedroom apartment in San Francisco, I get protein from...well...food, and the baby space will be all kinds of geometric. We do have a rather large 1 bedroom, at least for S.F standards and are in the process of designing a special corner just for the little one. And yes, I am fully aware that we are putting baby in a corner, hehe.
When figuring out how we wanted the look to be, the husband and I agreed on a more subdued color palette and lots of shapes mixed with realistic animal prints and photos. And when I came across artist Serena Mitnik Miller over on Refinery 29 my eyes did a little happy dance. I have already planned a geometric fabric panel {similar to the initials we used in our announcement} to cover our stationary closet door but these beautiful water colors from Serena sure do speak to me. There is just something about the lines of color that are both soothing and interesting, I sure hope our little one likes it just as much as I do. As a child I spent many hours coloring in very similar shapes and after seeing these beauties I am more inspired then ever to get back to painting.

images via serena mitnik miller, bottom image found on refinery 29

Stitched

I've been a fan of stitching on paper for a while now, my Valentine cards this past holiday were a huge hit and ever since I've been aching to get my hands on a bit of thread...I even picked up the Complete guide to Needlework at a garage sale for a whopping 50 cents! And when I came across this charming stitched DIY photo art project from A beautiful mess it was a total 'of course!' moment. Taking a favorite photo and adding a few threaded embellishments is such a fun way to make one of a kind photo for any wall. Be sure to check out the full tutorial, I sure can't wait to find that perfect pic and get started stat.

image via a beautiful mess

Kathy Macleod

Lately the husband and I have been spending more and more time searching through comic book stores and while he now has a rather large collection going one thing is very clear. He likes them scary- full of blood, guts, zombies and weird plots. I however like them clever, stylized and often times without words. There is just something about comics that are both fascinating and entertaining I just wish they were longer. And when I came across the funny works of talented Kathy Macleod my eyeballs did a happy dance. Filled with hilarious commentary and story lines, Kathy has a fun outlook for everyday life. These were two of my favorites, I think we can all relate a bit to the whole procrastination strip and that kitty comic, change it to a dog and you have my every day interaction with my adorable Uli.

images via kathy macleod 

10 am

Always a fan of fun prints for the home, I fell in love with the little shop that is 10 am. Filled with simple sketches, handmade notebooks and geometric broaches, artist Olga of Athens Greece has a fun way of creating style. That bunny is so cute I just want to pinch its cheeks. Prints are great way to bring a little life to your walls while keeping a bit of money in your wallet, perfect for those that like to change up their scenery often. And most of the time you don't even need frames, just a bit of fun tape, metal pins or even clothespins will the do the trick.

images via 10 am

Fine art

Perhaps one of the biggest things I miss from Los Angeles besides the weather is my membership to LACMA. It was and still is by far my favorite museum with its wide range of artwork and architecture. And though I cannot visit on a regular basis, I can check out the amazing artistry available through Etsy...have you ever just browsed their finer arts? Truly beautiful. And when I came across this oil painting from William White Art, it quickly grew to one of my favorite online pieces. There is something so simplistic and natural about this piece. I was drawn in by the beautiful glass reflection and lets face it the subject matter is totally up my alley. While the original pieces may be pricey, this Irish artist also specializes in printmaking so do check out his shop, he is one talented guy.

image via william white art

Wine portraiture

Some people are just so incredibly talented and creative and the lovely Amelia Fais Harnas is one talented portrait artist. I simply love her series of wine portraits {the first is a self portrait!} they have so much dimension and feeling its incredible that it was done with wine and embroidery. Using a form of wax resist and select vino, Amelia has created one of a kind pieces that just ask to be stared upon.

images via amelia fais harnas

Birds of a feather

Talk about some serious patients and talent! These handmade birds pieced together by Colombian industrial design artist Diana Beltran Herrara and are simply mesmerizing. I love how she captured movement and expression in her pieces, truly one of a kind. You can find quite the flock over on her site, Pine, as well as super intricate tridimentional hand cut paper pieces.

images via pine

Create: lots of lines

Sometimes when I'm out of ideas for projects I simply look around the house for objects to use and something usually comes to me, like this little wooden art piece. With a mixture of acrylic paint and pencil I grabbed a piece of plywood we had laying around and started doodling. And you know what, I really like it. Simple patterns and lines make this a modern piece yet super simple, perfect for adding a personal touch to your walls. If you have a spare hour I would highly recommend walking around your place in search of creating something truly unique.

image by our designed life

Creative challenge: No 1- making art, No 2 - hand painted flowers, No. 3- making space, No. 4- beaded necklace, No. 5- jazzing up ceramics, No. 6- creating fun.

Totally temporary

I've never really been one to enjoy a temporary tattoo since they are mostly of the butterfly or flower variety but these designed tats available from Tattly are pretty awesome. With a gang of talented designers creating a more grown up look, who says you have to make a permanent decision for you skin? I'm absolutely loving this What to focus on one from artist Mark Johns because sometimes you just need a little reminder.

images via tattly

Create: art

Welcome to my first creative day, I've decided to make something with numbers. I've had a number stamp for a while now and have yet to create anything with it. So with an ink pad, a recycled security envelope and a frame, I have myself a small piece of art. As a gift for the husband I laid out all the zip codes we have lived in {in blue} to personalize it and after a decade we sure have had a few! Its completely personal yet not in your face with romanticism. He loved it, I like it I would say its a winner. 

images by our designed life

Beautiful art

I keep moving my giant paper stash from one spot to the other all with hopes of finally doing something with it and after seeing this beautiful bird Haus Vogel from Lydia Kasumi Shirreff and Castro Smith, a colorful art piece for the wall might just be the perfect project. Lydia, a London based illustrator and installation artist sure has a way with shapes, colors and the abstract don't you think?

image via lydia kasumi shirreff 

Paul Davies

Always a fan of color, I just fell in love with the works of the amazingly talented landscape artist Paul Davies. Using a mixture of techniques, Paul creates stunning scenes with photography, stenciling and acrylic to get intricate detail of the familiar. If you have ever picked up an architectural book you will notice a few familiar and iconic mid century homes in his works. Browsing through his pieces really took me back to my college days, there is just something so soothing about these homes its hard to believe they have been around for decades- they just ooze modern.

images via paul davies

Sculptural paintings

These intricately detailed paintings from Mathew Tom are simply stunning don't you think? American artist living in London, Mathew creates beautiful symmetry with oils on linen in a way that you just can't stop staring. And throw in a bit of drawing and you have yourself one creative art piece. In college I used to play around with sculptural paintings like this, I might have to put this on my list of inspiration for future projects...there is something so soothing about painting.

images via mathew tom