Rugadoro Handmade Carnival Masks

While exploring the streets of Venice two weeks ago, I came across the most fantastic of mask shops: Rugadoro. All the masks in this shop were handmade with a patchwork of colorful fabrics. When I visited, the artist was in working on a mask. She uses a craft past to adhere the scraps to a basic mask mold. The shapes range anywhere from traditional human faces to those of animals (rabbit and pig below).

I was completely captivated by the beauty and originality of these designs. I already regret not claiming one as my own, but with prices of 50-80+ euro perhaps it is best that I wait until I'm no longer working with a student budget! (Photo Credits: Image 3 below by Brian J. McMorrow.)

Paul

In Aix-en-Provence, France I came across a fabulous bakery. The identity design was clean and refined but still had the personality one desires in a French bakery. The interior was inviting and filled with charming things to eat. I ordered a pistachio macaron (pistachio being a flavor of the region) and the memory of it still lingers in my mind. Definitely try this shop out. Don't worry though! You won't have to dust off your passport for this bakery, Paul is established in Europe, the Middle East and Asia as well as the United States. Find one near you online.

Acqua Alta Bookshop

A friend and I recently traveled to Venice. This is the kind of town that you want to explore on foot (or ideally by gondola). While wandering through the streets we found the Acqua Alta Bookshop. There was a sign as you entered that claimed this was, "the most beautiful bookshop in the world" and the shop completely lived up to that claim. Gondolas and boats were filled with books and every other nook was stuffed with volumes on art, Venice and any other topic you can imagine. (Photo credit for image above.)

On the floor a path is marked. Following the yellow footprints leads you to the shop's view of a canal.

The next time you are in Venice you must check out this shop... but it might be best if you just happen upon it. Happy travels!

Charleston on Design

I spent Saturday in Charleston with these lovely ladies. We wandered the cobblestone streets admiring historic architectural design and poked around Charleston's garden's. I recommend a harbor tour for a quick overview with plenty of city history tossed in. Below are a few highlights of the beauty of this southern jewel city. Clockwise from top left: Charleston harbor/Maritime center, Arthur Ravenel Jr. bridge, Hyman's seafood, St. Michael's church

The Sketchbook Project Tour :: Atlanta

This weekend I spent a short time at the Granite Room in Atlanta to see the Sketchbook Project. My adorable friend Christin participated in this unique show and I wanted to "check out" her book... literally. (See sneak peeks from her book at her blog, Wishful Thinking.) My sister and I arrived to see plenty of show-goers flipping through sketchbooks. I signed up for my library card and requested Christin's book from the stacks. It was a lovely experience and I wish I had a few more minutes to explore additional books from other artists. The Sketchbook Project is on tour for a while longer and is headed to Washington, DC next. I recommend stopping by!

 The Granite Room

 Signing up for my library card!

 The stacks—plenty of colorful spines

 A peek at Christin's book

 Cute library card—aka souvenir

 Me and my sis

Support Teachers (& Local Art!)

 

I recently picked up this piece at the faculty exhibition of the university I attend. It is always inspirational and humbling to see the personal work of those who teach me. I sometimes get accustomed to attending their classes and forget the talent that should make me sit up and listen while taking down every word from their lips. I am grateful for all I learned from them and am thrilled to have pieces by my professors'.
(The piece above: Firefly by Jon Andrews)

Babar's Dream :: the concocted universe

I've been reading Edward R. Tufte's Visual Explanations this evening in search of useful tidbits on William Playfair (the inventor of the pie, bar and line graphs). The topic is as interesting as I could expect a history paper topic to be. Just as my head began to nod I flipped the page to the colorful image you see above: Babar's Dream by Jean de Brunhoff (1933). Tufte uses the watercolor to illustrate, "concocted universes, showing all at once what never has been together...an impossibly wonderful scene". This image of Babar launches me back to my childhood. I grew up with King Babar and distinctly remember accidentally finding a wind-up doll of the peaceful elephant hidden in a cupboard. It was intended to be a Christmas gift for me and I felt like such a bad girl for discovering him early. The books, stuffed elephants and even the Babar perfume...I was completely in love. (Did I mention that as a child I hoped to become an elephant doctor?) Did you grow up with Babar?

I would like to recommend Tufte's work on the basis of his sound, useful instruction to designers on the topic of information graphics, but I especially enjoyed running across the, "graceful winged elephants who chase Misfortune away...and bring back Happiness". I know they brought me a little Happiness tonight!

Starbucks Petites

Went with the coworkers today to try out Starbucks' new petite treats. I chose this precious pink cake pop to accompany my chai. Not only was it a delicious 3 o'clock pick-me-up, but it was just about the cutest thing I've seen all week. Watch out for those 170 calories though—a bit of a splurge for what amounts to two bites. Worth it? Um, yeah.
(Photo credit: Starbucks.com)

Laundry Sacks

Today my laundry sacks were printed and delivered to their new owners. Before I sent them out the door I snapped a few pics to share with you. The sacks were screen printed at Dapper Ink in teal and charcoal. I'm happy with the results and enjoyed custom wrapping each package before it went out. Check it out below:

Vintage Valentine

I wanted to share this sweet vintage valentine from my dad's collection. I think it's super cute how this one folds open for an additional message. The front reads "All in a nut shell My Valentine" and the inside says "Why nut-meet me half way". So it doesn't really make sense to me, but isn't that what makes old stuff so cool? Happy Valentines day :)

Stationery Designs @ Dapper Ink

You can now find my stationery at Dapper Ink Custom Outfitters. Drop by their shop and check it out. These little cards are so sweet for dropping a line to friends. They are blank inside so they work for any occasion you want to dream up! (Dapper Ink is located on Wade Hampton Blvd. in Greenville, SC)

Graduate Thesis Exhibition: Harris & Spalding

One week ago was the opening of my graduate thesis exhibition at Dapper Ink Custom Outfitters. Thanks to all those who came out to see my work and make the evening a special one for me! Today I installed the show in the exhibition hallway in the Sargent Art Building on Bob Jones Unversity campus (1700 Wade Hampton | Greenville). My pieces currently share the space with the breathtaking work of Jaime Spalding. In addition to her colorful paintings (one of which I am the proud new owner!) Jaime works on wood with torches and wood-burning tools. You really don't want to miss this. Come by to check out a one of a kind show. (As a side note: the piece pictured below is taller than me!)
Exhibition hall hours: M-Sat 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
For those out of town you can see snipits of our work here.

Fallen by Jaime Spalding

Some Love from Parachute.

My Typographic Pillows make an appearance in this fabulous photo shoot over at madebyparachute. Doesn't the ampersand make a great addition to this Valentine's shoot (if I do say so myself)? Be sure to snag one of these stylish tees for you and your sweetie! Photos by Matt Moreau of Dapper Ink.

Map Wrap

Remember the map design from my previous post? I've printed it up as gift wrap. The bright colors would be great for birthdays or just because.

Asheville :: Biltmore/Tobacco Barn

A few weeks ago some girlfriends and I took an inspiration trip to Asheville. Our first stop was the Biltmore Estate which was completed in 1895 and served as a "mountain escape" for George Washington Vanderbilt II. It is the largest privately-owned home in the United States and its 250 rooms are full of inspiring fabrics, patterns, ornately carved wood and original artworks by the likes of Whistler, Sargent and Durer. Our favorite? the library brimming with antique volumes! If you have not yet seen it for yourself be sure to add it to the list, it's worth it!

To keep with the historic theme we had to swing by my favorite antique shop in Asheville, the Tobacco Barn. This is the place to go for unique and exciting treasures from periods past. Below is a sampling of what you might discover upon visiting this must-stop shop.

I wanted to find a place for this cabinet in my life. How about those typographic drawer pulls?!

Loving the huge graphic simplicity of this vintage type

 

So many vintage chairs to choose from. I liked this one.

Maroc

Last night while digging through a drawer of scrap paper I unearthed this handkerchief given to us by my grandparents. They picked it up during the years they lived in Morocco (1950s). I've put it up at my desk today and am drawing inspiration from the illustrations and colors. It inspires not only my design, but the idea of bringing something memorable back from my world travels. What have you kept from your adventures to reminisce about a place and inspire your work?

Graduate Thesis Exhibition

I've been neglecting this blog a bit lately while preparing for my Graduate Thesis Exhibition. However I am back briefly today to invite you all to the exhibition. The opening will be January 28 from 5:30 until 9 p.m. at Dapper Ink Custom Outfitters in Greenville, SC. Dapper Ink is located at 207 Wade Hampton Boulevard. Hope you can come by and see what I've been up too! (Click image to view larger.)

Upcoming Exhibition

Spent all of today framing. Thanks to AR for helping with (more like single-handedly building) the frames. These are pieces I've posted on this blog before, but I feel the larger frames make them look much more regal. These will be in my exhibition at the end of the month. What's that? Yes, I will be having my graduate thesis exhibition the last week in January! Stay tuned for details about when and where you can see more of my work.

Choose Your Adventure

Have you discovered Notventures yet? I love keeping up with the latest from around the world on this site (a division of Notcot). New adventures, cultures, events, traditions and other magic are added each day. Follow this site/blog and start planning your next world adventure!

A favorite post of mine is the Operation Window Seat series. For those who treasure the view from the sky as I do, check out these inspiring entries.

How gorgeous are these shots? It's enough to make ya wanna break the no-electronics during take-off rule! Next time... next time...
Here is my own take on Operation Window Seat :: CLT-LAX
The Grand Canyon and an anonymous set of snowy peaks