hello everyone ! quick post as we've all come down with a cold here at casa lisa. sigh. it's not a bad one, but we've got the munchkin squeek sneeze/cough from the little, the soprano cough/snot noises from me and the bass snot/cough from hubby covered.
i just wanted to pop in and say hope that you and yours have a wonderful holiday and the best new years possible. i think i'm going to take a break from posting here until 2010 [but will hopefully have a minute to catch up with you all out there]. and while we did not get holiday cards done in time this year, there IS a new years card. and it will definitely go out to anyone who sent us a card :).
this year has been an incredible whirlwind with so much shifting and changing. i'm forever grateful to all my friends and family. and to everyone here. to everyone that reads, stops by, says hello, never comments, emails, stands on their heads, whatever. thank you for being a part of this community in any way shape or form.
for more on my holidays [and a host of other artist's holiday ideas too] see stephanie levy's advent calendar
see you soon.
Labels: holiday
it's feeling a bit more holiday-ish around these parts. i managed to get the mantle decorated during a naptime. after all it's our first christmas as a family of 5 [i'm including the dogs and cats]. surprisingly i even have the urge to listen to some sappy holiday music. so i downloaded some. i tried to find versions by bands/people i like [sufjan stevens, mew, arcade fire] if i like what i found i'll share.... i'll try and share some photos of holiday trimmings soon too.
i was poking around the studio the other day working working working when i opened up one of my doily books and the above envelope/article slipped out. i stopped in my tracks - seeing my grandmother's writing brought a tear to my eye. she used to send me clippings from the LA times, or just random things that she thought i'd be interested in. this article was about an art fair in LA. i know i took it to the studio and read it, and then placed it the book. and then years later here it was. i'm glad i found it. it made me feel as though i was sitting with her for a moment. in the studio she helped me build. it was a nice feeling.
so what am i working on, you ask?
there's a sneak peek. i'm working on some small pieces for the enormous tiny art show in february.
i'm excited. trying out some new stuff mixed with some old ideas. the small format is perfect for experimenting. somehow i feel like i can "see" easier when i work small. these are 5"x5" squares. oh so cute.
[this photo has nothing to do with what i'm about to say. taken on a walk with the little. cold almost winter day. made me think of shari and her pond. ]
so here i am waiting for a studio visit. i'm hungry. get my plate ready. turn on the TV [oh what a luxury]. switch on charlie rose. hello jeff bridges. hello maggie gyllenhaal. oh you have a new movie.
i am convinced charlie rose is a prophet. why you ask? well there was the time in a late night stupor cate blanchet got me started on atrophy [read the post - also around the holidays? here . when i re-read it i realized that i used to write longer and more philosophical posts. hmmm] OK - so maybe it's not mr. rose per se - but i watch the show and somehow things get discussed in a way that shoots to the core of my being. i immediately think - i was JUST pondering that.
today? jeff bridges mentioned fear. fear as the equivalent of fire. how you can warm your feet by the fire and it can simultaneously burn your house down. indeed. feeling a bit fearful about work in the studio and lack of work for money this resonated. then maggie gyllenhaal talked about how her role in this film [ crazy heart ] made her feel vulnerable. how she used to think that you had to be strong and fierce as a woman, but that now she thinks that being vulnerable is OK and is a place you can learn from. um yeah. that would be me. and then the director scott cooper talked about getting back to zero. how you have to start and end a scene at zero. and then jeff and maggie wax poetic about how that's true. you can't recreate a great moment that just happened. you have to re-live - do it again - make anew. that is exactly what i was struggling with in the studio. how to do what i know how to do but also try something new. to meld the two together and see where it takes me instead of trying to force out pieces. or re-make pieces that i already have. that just never works. GET BACK TO ZERO is a good way to think about it.
the lesson here is that if i watch charlie rose in december with actors that i like i have to be careful. or i have to really pay attention because it may just be a mirror of my mind/life. you can watch the show online on charlie rose's website. it was aired 12/16. or search for jeff bridges. [today it's on their home page, but it will move to the archive soon enough].
|||||||||||||||||||||||
ok. if you are in need of a last minute gift idea? under $10? check out what some of us moms have listed on cafe mom
there's a $20 version too
eireann is featuring a month by month re-cap of her year with a photo from her archive. it's a really nice thing.
have a great weekend!
we managed a tree with some lights. no ornaments... but i love squinting at night and looking at the lights....
have managed a bit of last minute santa's workshop around here...
felt flower pins made [click on the image to see from what book - info on flickr]
point hats too. and i'm in the middle of a little baby hat with ears.... [again click on image to see what book inspired the pointy hat]
i just wanted to take a minute to say THANK YOU to everyone who visits here. for those who comment, visit, email, participate in any way.... i am very grateful for this community. you have all inspired me, made me laugh, made me think and i am in your debt.
enjoy these final moments of 2008. see you in 2009! we're getting back to our snuggling around here
xo
oh my god. how much do i want this dress?? anthrolopogie i curse you for making things that i want all the time. why oh why? this dress makes me want to do a gray doily installation and then stand in the middle of it wearing it.... sigh.
over the summer i did a wedding invitation design/printing. go gocco go! they just got married, so i think it's safe to reveal the design. i loved that this couple went for blue and brown - such a nice and nontraditional color combo. i liked the urchin that i drew for them so much that it's going to end up on some underdog goodies very soon. [i'm in the midst of getting it all together]
and speaking of underdog :
the winter skaters are back and i also put up my holiday card from last year:
just in odd chance you don't want to make your own cards this year.... and happen to like mine.... you can buy them [heh heh!]
this year i broke down and just had my cards off-set printed. as much as i love making my own i couldn't fathom gocco-ing all thanksgiving again. not when i have a show i have to finish before the end of december. i actually really like how they came out [i'll show you after i send them out!]- but i do miss the gocco. i'll have to print something else for fun sometime soon.....
the documentary project will return next week. since it's the crazy holiday time of year [already?!] shari and i are going to post every-other week! and shari - you'll be proud - i have SOUND!! :) i just have to figure out how to get it on the blog.
Labels: holiday, underdog ink, wish list
getting your lambs, reindeer, camels and deer in a row [sorry ducks]? i hope so.
the other day i was fortunate enough to have a leisurely breakfast {what a luxury that is!} with the fantastic brianna . she is simply stunning in person - tall, beautiful.... wicked coversationalist.... funny.... charming.... but you can tell of that from the way she writes. i can't help but wish for a bloggy convention - every time i have met someone face to face i am simply charmed..... i suppose the next best thing is risa's virtual tea party on the 12th of jan..... come play along....
so in the next few days i plan on:
hugging those i love
giving a bit of cheer
reflecting and searching for quiet moments
and EATING!! [thank goodness for appetites!]
be sure and check out THE KIM FAMILY AUCTION site..... i'm already drooling over everything..... bidding starts jan 3rd... get ready to spend that holiday cash
be well. enjoy celebrating in whatever way, shape, form that you do!! see you soon!
Labels: holiday
