This week I want Kim Russo's Life

This is where artist Kim Russo is for an artist residency this month. I don't get this- no one else gets to go on a "work vacation" quite like artists. UNFAIR! Anyway, I was thrilled when I read about Caldera in Oregon and what an incredible arts organization it is. I didn't even know something like this could truely exist. The studios are beautiful and their support of youth programs with the arts and artists is impressive, especially given the economic and political times our country is going through right now. It is great to see an institution give so much back to its community and art. I wish I was at Art FunCamp right now with Kim- I think she's on to something...

www.calderaarts.org

Migrating Golden Rays

Some of you may have already seen these images as they are being forwarded around the internet, but I just wanted to share the simple beauty in these photographs of thousands of migrating Golden Rays in the Gulf of Mexico. It would have been so amazing to be Sandra Critelli (the amateur photographer), who happened to be in the right place at the right time to see this. Even more amazing is putting into perspective that each of these rays has a wingspan of about SEVEN FEET. What a visual treat...

Ultraminimalism

I love Ab Fab. Something about watching a couple of deadbeat best friends drink champagne, smoke too many cigarettes, and rip on the world resonates with me. This "Ultraminimalism" clip makes me laugh every time. Having worked around Minimalist art I think it just hits the nail right on the head.

Mon Oncle

Just finished a fabulous, fantastical movie, Mon Oncle. For those of you who are rolling your eyes and saying "duh", why didn't you tell me about this movie sooner!? This was like watching a little piece of art straight out of the fifties. Great sound, beautiful cinematography, four stars on visual candy. I am sort of in the mood to time warp back to Paris so I can dress like some of these fabulous French women on a daily basis. Hell, I think I'll just do it anyway. This movie touches on the humorous absurdities of "design and living" in a way I've never seen but experienced. My favorite moments are with the fountain, the stepping stones, and the garage door- but, you'll have to watch the whole thing to know why. Enjoy- and netflix that now. Top o' the queue.

Designer Christmas Tree

46,000 Euros for this bad boy from Zaha Hadid. Just give me a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. At least these overpriced designer trees contributed to charity though! Read more here.

My 2009 Calendar- Shawn Creeden

Shawn Creeden
This year, my 2009 calendar will be from Shawn Creeden's illustrations. It's the first time he has done a calendar! His work is sort of a warped Beatrix Potter/Encyclopedia Britannica imagery of peculiar, but familiar little animals. If you check out his blog you can see he does pretty extensive research on his critters but still manages to give them unique personalities. They make me smile, even when they are without eyes or barring their teeth. I do realize they fit into this, "big paper, little drawing" fad happening right now- (as Tim Rogers of the NM Museum of Art recently said to me). They work really well with his books, so be sure to check those out as well. Any man who can embroider snuggling whales is alright in my book.

Just something cute for cute's sake...

Krapooyo Yannick Puig (2005)