Art: The Framed Scarf

I had the chance to visit the flagship Hermes store in Paris for the first time last month and I was mesmerized by the scarf counter seemingly going on for days and bursting with color; the salespeople hustling to help the line of eager folks wanting to purchase their own iconic piece.

For me, Hermes scarves are more about art than anything else…. and while, I'd like to believe I'd look like Jackie or Audrey or Grace with one draped casually around my neck or wrapped around my head; I think any Hermes scarf I owned would be best appreciated and displayed framed on a wall like the beautiful collection below….

This one seems to be calling my name. :)

Just One Thing…. Art

Spotted this quirky piece on Pinterest a few weeks ago;  and it keeps popping up in my mind… which usually signals a worthy purchase…. the only dilemma…. whether or not to take advantage of the ability to customize the saying….  

…. the appropriate design for my life right now would probably go a little like this…

Hello!

Bonjour!

Ciao!

Hey Ya'll!

take your pick :)

Art

Most of the art around my house these days is of the glue stick, crayon, finger paint variety.... or a growing collection of simple watercolors my oldest daughter and I are working on...  And, while  I adore and greatly treasure our amateur "masterpieces";  I long to one day own some "big girl" art..... like an original of one of these T.S. Harris paintings.

There's something about this vintage inspired; simple yet bold style that I'm always drawn too.  In fact, when I spotted a sampling of these on One Kings Lane yesterday; my mind immediately went back 12 whole years to the Kenton Nelson paintings of a similar genre featured in the perennial favorite "Somethings Gotta Give" movie.  While everyone else seemed to be obsessing about the kitchen or the dining room... I couldn't stop thinking about the foyer... and the painting hanging above the red cabinet.

I think it's a sign.... a sign I need to start saving my pennies! :)

'Let's Dish'...

... about these vintage travel inspired 'voyage' pieces featured on One Kings Lane today.  They'd add a great whimsical touch used as a soap dish, plate for serving olives, coasters, displayed on easels or even as art hanging on the wall....

I feel a collection coming on...

"Waterlogued"....

..... just like the child who plays in the water until their hands look like raisins; that's pretty much what happens to me when I start playing with this app that magically transforms photographs into almost realistic watercolors.

Given I am certainly not a talented watercolor artist; it is amazingly cool to see our family's memories transformed into art.  I've test printed them out on actual watercolor paper on my home printer and I'm quite pleased. (I can't wait to try it out with a more professional printer).

 .... a great addition to a gallery wall..... they would also make charming note cards and gifts.

A big "thank you!" to the folks who designed this app!

Map it Out...

With the crazy Winter weather that has been plaguing parts of the world; I think a lot of folks have developed a case of wanderlust; myself included.  It's fun to look at a map or twirl a globe around and dream of the possibilities....

I love maps as artwork in a home.  Like books, they can hint at a homeowner's heritage and passions.  One of my favorite "going away" gifts when we moved is a vintage framed print of Switzerland that some girlfriends gave me.  I fully expect it will one day make its way into one of my girls' homes as a precious memento of our time spent here.  Since then, I've also added this fabric rendition (with hearts embroidered in Kentucky & Geneva).   But, now, I'm longing to add another map on a slightly grander scale.  Something along these lines would be nice...

LOVE!

Thomas O'Brien can do no wrong!

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 Ofcourse, the sentimentalist (and navy lover) in me has my eye on this one that you can place pins in to show the places you've been and where you want to go .... 

 I wouldn't happen to mind if my first pin came from here....

Dreaming of a getaway?

Selfies

I've spent most of this week indoors, caring for Marlowe as she fights off a double ear infection and chest congestion.  Is it terrible to say that it has been sort of nice..... having the "excuse" not to go anywhere or do anything other than cuddle up together?  She is growing up so fast and I feel I must savor these quiet moments together, especially after experiencing the growing independence of my two older girls.

All of my girls love art and we can rarely be found without some scratch paper and a few colored pencils or markers in tow.  Marlowe has just recently started drawing stick people and last week while patiently enduring a visit to another "old" church; she drew a self portrait.  I'm no psychologist but I love these drawings because I'd like to think they give me a glimpse at how she feels about others and herself (at the ripe ol' age of 3).... It warms my heart to see that all of her people have smiles....

.... and that she is wearing stripes.... like mother; like daughter. :)

It also reminds me of an intriguing article I read recently about the beloved fashion maven Jenna Lyons.  I was struck by the honesty of her drawing hanging on the wall of her office...

.... and got me wondering at what age and/or at what point in life do we stop seeing ourselves in rainbow colored palettes with wonky smiles and happy eyes? 

What would your stick person self-portrait look like?

Art & Inspiration: Jumpology

I'm incredibly charmed by the decades old work of LIFE magazine photographer Philippe Halsman.... wherein he asked many of the world's most notable personalities at the time "May I take a picture of you jumping?"  In his theory of 'jumpology'; he believed that you could tell more about a person 'mid-air' than when their 'face-mask' was on during a typical photo.

Philippe Halsman

... I'd certainly agree although I have to say I think it's because jumping is just plain 'ol child-like fun.

.... and who doesn't need a little more of that?

I feel a another little photo project brewing....

Art: Caitlin McGauley

I simply never fail to be inspired by Caitlin McGauley's amazing watercolors..... the perfect addition to any gallery wall...... she just makes one want to grab an easel and brush.....

I start a mosaics class with fellow expats tomorrow..... part of this goal to "go back to school".

I did always prefer the arts to algebra. :)

Wishing you a great Monday..... and Martin Luther King Day in the States!

Gift Giving: Art Prints

A gallery wall somewhere beckons for a touch of whimsy, inspiration, or just plain loveliness with the addition of an art print this season.... 

Wishbone, Grace not Perfection; French Girl;  English Lit Ideal Bookshelf; Faith, Hope, Love;  Four Eyes; Top Knot; Arrow

With great prints and frames so readily available and surprisingly inexpensive these days.... it's easy to find something befitting of a loved one and his/her interests (like the above pieces are for me)....
I wouldn't mind finding one under my tree. :)

H(ART)

"Every child is an artist, 

the problem is staying an artist when you grow up." 

 - Pablo Picasso

...... my 12 year old created these renditions of the girls in our family over the weekend and I couldn't help but smile at how well she captured us..... can you tell who is who?

..... bet you recognize this jolly fellow...... :)

..... might have to make these into Christmas thank you cards here.

Art: Recently.......

....... I've been falling for abstract paintings

I have the lofty goal of painting one for myself one day (I know.... don't laugh!)....
 but until then I'd love to start a collection of smaller pieces like this one entitled "Sugar" by Kerry Steele....

Art: What a Racquet......

In general, I'm not a big fan of "themed" decor..... but as I've mentioned before decorating a tween's room can be more difficult than most...... especially when you consider art for the walls that involves something other than a gigantic bulletin board (which is ofcourse, necessary..... but not essential on EVERY wall) :)

So..... in an effort to try and keep things personal and meaningful.... I purchased a vintage tennis racquet from Etsy for my tennis loving daughter.  I was just planning on displaying it on the wall but I've recently been inspired by these great ideas......

This is my favorite.  Hmmm... I'm wondering if I could do a diamond monogram design. :)

Personal and practical..... a great combination for a tween.

Love this executed in a boy's room too.

Love, love, love this!...... but don't have the wall space.

Like the mirrors used for a practical purpose here...... also might be fun to do chalkboard inserts.

What do you think?......

Kitsch or Cool?

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Wise Words: Audrey Hepburn

.......and while we are on the subject of icons..... I happened upon these beautifully printed quotes from Audrey Hepburn (available here)

my favorite is the one about the happiest girls being the prettiest girls..... I couldn't agree more!

I'll never think of this word the same way again.

I'm going to buy this and frame it for my girls' room.

....... a very inspiring and lovely woman inside and out...... like so many of you!

Have a great day!

Art: Cathie Carlson

I don't know about you, but I'm happy to see Friday this week.  Things seem extra busy this time of year with school activities, sports and such and quite frankly, I'm pooped!   I'm glad to know the lazy days of summer are just around the corner.

Speaking of....... I can't stop admiring these vintage inspired prints from the artist Cathie Carlson.......

...... makes me want to go for a dip!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Interiors: Hats as Art

Lately, I've been thinking of creating a display of straw hats.  If you've been reading this blog for a little while now, you know that I am very fond of two things in my home:  things that tell a story and quirk.  Therefore, I think this might just be the perfect kind of display for me in which to marry the two along with function (an added bonus).  Here is my inspiration:

photo sources here

 I already have hats on display in other areas of my home..... 

a vintage jockey hat .... in honor of Kentucky where I live;

and a decorative hat of the metal variety that I have had for years and that makes me happy each time I see it.  

I'm thinking of creating a simple horizontal display of my floppy straw hats at the end of our back hall.  What do you think?

"Enough with the hats already and you are ruining the sight line!" 

or 

"You can never have too much of a good thing. Go for it!"

Thanks for helping this indecisive girl out! :)