February 1 2013
I’m a big fan of You Work For Them. I often drool over the collection of font families that they collect (and the overall design of their site). And right now they have a big font sale on some of the most popular families.
It’s safe to say I went on a little font shopping spree of my own the other day and collected quite a few new fonts. Can’t wait to use them on all the new clients around here. I threw in one free font from another foundry just for good measure.
Frontage | AW Conqueror | Thirsty Script Rough | Trend
*opinions are my own, and no this is not a sponsored post. I just like fonts.
January 30 2013
I’ve been in the living room re-do mode for the last few weeks and have finally gotten to the point where I get to hang beautiful new art on the walls. Let me tell you there are a lot of places to get prints! I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite art prints hoping you could weigh in and tell me which one you like best.
Right now, I’m especially drawn to Mark Rothko or Matthew Tischler for their abstract expressionism. And I’m not usually an Andy Warhol fan, but the American Indian has the right amount of color and style to keep it cool. I keep going back to the Moon Phase print, but maybe she’s more suited for the bedroom.
Matthew Tischler | Mark Rothko | Andy Warhol | Russell Leng | Moon Phases | Kevin Russ
January 16 2013
Lately, instead of creating I’ve been absorbing. I think its a natural process for creatives. We go through phases where we have to exert hours of visual insight and ideas. No waking hour belongs to anything else. Mornings in the shower turn into that ‘ah-ha’ moment and late night dreams turn into design ideas (or is that just me?)
So it makes sense that after all that effort and energy, that we need to be quiet and observant. Now, Instagram is no new place to go looking for inspiration, but lately I’ve gathered up some new favorite IG’ers. I think I might have spent a good few hours digesting these gram feeds. Good for the soul.
@amberasay – I actually happened upon Amber through her portfolio. After drooling over everything she had worked on, it only made sense that she’d be a kick ass IG’er too.
@radioradiowaves – Rachel is actually one of my really good friends, runs her blog bloodstre.am and is a freelance photographer. Which definitely shows through in her mysterious and beautiful IG captures. I can always count on beautiful and dark landscapes or dusk light on buildings. Good stuff.
@twopennykarma – I knew Anna back in grade school, way before she got uber popular on IG. But heck does she deserve it. I literally heart each and everyone of her photos. They’re dreamy, romantic and perfectly encapsulate the spirit of adventure.
@sarahsermansamuel – After happening upon Sarah’s blog, Smitten Studio, I was immediately having blogger envy. What isn’t there to love? Her style, aesthetic, design-eye, and plus her cabin is to die for! So following her IG pics seemed like no brainer.
November 30 2012
1 / this hallway is a work of art and a testament to Daniel’s talent.
Part One and Part Two by Manhattan Nest
2 / one of my all time favorite fashion bloggers. ps her boyfriend’s photography is killer.
Neon Blush
3 / i’m loving the package design and can’t wait to get my hand on these 100% natural bath goodies.
HerbivoreBotanicals
4 / isn’t this concrete tea light perfectly industrial? can’t wait to get my hands on some concrete for DIY time.
DIY Concrete Tealight
5 / probably the only advent calendar i’d want.
DIY Geo Advent Calendar
6 / just stumbled on erin jane’s blog. love it.
Jane Reaction
7 / i’m always one for adding that unexpected pop of color. these beanies do it right.
All For Everyone - Hat Shop
8 / this kitchen complete with chrome finishes and mid mod furniture. le sigh. Est Magazine via
SFgirlbytheBAY
9 / this etsy shop makes geometrical ornaments, mobiles, and collects vintage items. score.
AMRADIO
November 7 2012
“Big question — are you satisfied creatively?” A loaded question for all creative-thinkers. And it is probably the most important question Ryan and Tina Essmaker ask of the many inspiring people they interview.
The Great Discontent is a beautifully designed (and responsive!) website founded by Ryan and Tina Essmaker who cultivate interviews with leading illustrators, designers, photographers, musicians and more.
As for the ‘big question’ each interviewee answers it differently. Some find they’re exceptionally satisfied, like Aaron Draplin. Who find’s himself “too satisfied.” I absolutely love the way he describes being fulfilled by his creative work.
“You know how you eat too much and you’re too full, like at Thanksgiving? I feel that some days. I’ll leave work and go home so full and exhausted.”
However, that wouldn’t be my first answer. I’d have to agree more with Dan Cassaro, who has the more tortured artist angst response.
“I am more satisfied than I’ve ever been creatively, but I’m not satisfied. This is why I like the name of your site — The Great Discontent.”
I find every one of these interviews inspiring and more importantly, encouraging. Not a single response includes the sentence – I’ve always had the answers, I’ve always known what I was doing, and I was always offered the easy road to success. They have all had self-doubt or have second-guessed their own decisions. And they all have taken huge risks that may or may not have panned out for them.
I especially admire the work of Scott Hill, a local Denver designer who started Foundry Collective. His work is always clean and strong. So when I found out that he had experience at smaller local places working client-side before he struck out on his own, it proved to me that there’s no one road that leads to becoming a great designer.
October 10 2012
With the cocktail features I’ve been doing on bloodstre.am, staging and styling has to be just as creative as the recipes themselves. And it’s one piece of the photography/art director puzzle that I want to really improve on.
So when I found out that this month’s Blog Brunch was about exactly that, I had to get involved. During Blog Brunch I had the opportunity to talk one on one with some really amazing bloggers about styling, including Jordan from Create Like Crazy, Kelsey from Pinegate Road, and Lexy at Proper Pinwheel (a fellow Denver bloggie!).
It was great learning experience that really inspired me to get serious about staging; to take my time, learn to tell a story, plan out accessories, and even get the lighting just right. Fellow Blog Brunch goer, Anne, inspired me to start a Pinterest board solely dedicated to Styling inspiration.
How much do you think about styling? Let me know if you have any good tips or style boards to follow.
October 3 2012
I’ve been reading Ann Marie’s blog, Age Old Tree for a little while now and each of her posts are pleasantly romantic and melodious. Her travel writing uplifts and inspires me to enjoy my own adventures full heartily.
So you can understand when I say that I’m excited to share a tidbit from Ann Marie, Britt Chudleigh and Marte Marie Forsberg‘s first issue of the new online magazine – Voyage. Peering through the pages I couldn’t help but be blown away by the editorial on Norway.
With Britt and Marte as contributing photographers, the first issue of Voyage is lofty, romantic and evokes a playful adventure to Neverland. The chilling pastel blues and mossy greens of their photos took my breath away. The feeling of crisp air and warming sun just beamed through the magazine and inspired me to plan my next trip sooner than I had imagined.
Looks like Norway will be adding itself to the list of places to visit next year. A list that’s growing exponentially I’m happy to say.
September 19 2012
Ok. I officially have a photographer crush on John Cullen. Not only are his photos moody, colorful, and greatly composed, but he makes food look oh so delicious – I promise it’s much harder than it sounds.
Cullen shoots all sorts of subject matter. From traveling snip its of Croatia, to moody thoughtful portraits, and even editorial subjects. One of the fabulous things about his portfolio site is that no matter what subject he shoots you become lost in the sense of story he creates. Especially in his editorial work. I really love the Report on Business Investors series from his portrait work too.
But when it comes to food, I’m always looking for great ideas on how to style my shots. I happened upon Cullen and found his food work absolutely stunning. He captures texture and light so well, both of which are highly important when it comes to food.
There is also a soft feeling to the color – almost painterly. Much of the produce he shoots reminds me of a carefully composed Cezanne painting, with a range of high contrasting lights and darks, but full of saturated warmth in the tones. Wonderful!
All Photos – John Cullen
August 7 2012
There’s something magical and exciting about road trips. They capture adventure in the purest form. Nothing but you and the vast road, an unknown frontier, and the wind blowing through the open windows.
Maybe it’s the pioneer blood that American’s have, but road trips call to us all. The open land and its vastness holds so many people, from all different walks of life. Sights beautiful and varied.
I’ve fantasized about the ultimate road trip. Dropping everything for a year and bumbling my way along going wherever my fancy took me. A dream for me, but near to real life for Kevin Russ.
Russ travels to parks and places far and wide offering a small glimpse into wilds beyond our everyday. A viewport into the deep woods of an old forest or the cold mist lingering among shacks on the bay.
I’ve been wanting to share some of Kevin Russ’s work after I stumbled upon him some time ago. Most of his work is posted through Instagram. And every time one comes through, I end up falling into the daydream of that mysterious little square image.
Ah. Well now I have to go plan a road trip. Excuse me.
July 9 2012
This weekend was the last showing of the special exhibit, Yves St Laurent: The Retrospective. An impressive collection of over 40 years of fashion history and creative courage. The show held over 200 unique haute couture garments, each and every one just as playful, shocking, and feminine as the last. Besides Paris, Denver has so far, been the only other city to host this outstanding collection.
I’ve never had a particular interest in the history behind famous design houses. To me fashion out of reach always seemed impractical to spend any time thinking about. What could it offer me?
After this exhibit I’ve realized the breath and range that fashion can communicate. It questions perceptions, comments on society, and echos the inner most changes of an unspoken world. The subconscious aesthetic.
The exhibit displayed a replica of Laurent’s all white inspiring French studio, complete with pictures of his black and white french bulldog, a caricature of himself, and collections of color swatches, and several dress sketches. It was a perfect glimpse into the mind of a creative. And makes me want to get a desk just like his.
My favorite collection at the exhibit was his 1971 Spring/Summer collection, which at its release the French press dubbed it “the ugliest show in Paris.” It featured exaggerated fur lined pieces, velvet turban headdresses, and controversial – completely sheer black dresses. The collection was eclectic but sultry and completely feminine.
Women, he said, were his inspiration. How they walked, how they moved. He often said every dress or garment he created was based on a single gesture of a woman. Yves St Laurent was a knight for the expression of feminine strength in the fashion industry.
He was the first couture designer to feature a collection of women’s evening wear with slacks. His famous “Le Smoking” was a piece based on men’s tailored suits that he often recreated over and over in his shows. Shocking for its time, the idea of women wearing slacks – as a sexual statement of attractive masculinity was completely groundbreaking.
Never traveling much in his life, Laurent often created whole collections based on the books of far off lands he only imagined visiting. Peasant blouses made their first appearance in his Russian collection, he mimicked the colors of Morocco and the silky fabrics of Japan. He was also the first couture designer to use black models in his shows. Quite a movement for his time, he was genuinely inspired by the beauty of all women.
As a designer all his friends and colleges noted that he was a painfully shy man, but always assured of his work. He was playful, consciously aware, and fun loving. What inspires me the most about Laurent, was his confidence in his aesthetic and work. He was often greeted with harsh criticism and shock from the press, but he always did what his creative soul directed him to do.
And his work ethic. Laurent was always making, always creating. If not couture, then funny cartoon films, or recreating art onto fashion staples. He was never stagnant and poignantly aware of all that was around him. A true creative inspiration.
[All Image Copyright Yves St Laurent]
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