Sunday, November 30, 2008

Watching People Paint

I love so much to see other people paint. Don't know what it is really... just the magic of seeing the brush cross the page or the canvas and the image appear. It's maybe the closest thing to understanding how someone else's mind works, and that fascinates me to no end.

This link was found via eb:

Art by Andrea Dorfman

This one is an ad for Macintosh:

Picasso painting

There is a really amazing film of Picasso painting - The Mystery of Picasso - where the camera is focused on the back of a blank canvas and Picasso sits on the other side and paints. Magically the picture appears on the screen as he works. If you share my fascination with seeing into an artist's mind, I highly recommend finding this movie.

F for Fake is another amazing movie where you can see a master painted at work. This one is actually one of my favorites for many reasons - Orson Welles is basically just an incredible man - but seeing Elmyr de Hory in action is right at the top. I love his description of how to copy a Matisse he has to make his hand less sure, slow himself down. Lots to think about there.

I am going to spend this dark, chilly Sunday making some things. I hope you are warm and cozy wherever you might be!

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Five Signs You Have Been Watching Too Much HGTV

#5: Your house is a complete disaster because you are waiting for Carter Oosterhouse or Kim Myles to knock at the door with their teams of designers and builders.

#4: You can't walk down the street without evaluating the curb appeal of each house you pass.

#3: The only subjects on which you are able to converse are the cost of kitchen remodels, techniques to add interest to your dining area, and the relative price of a three-bedroom home in Missouri versus Maine.

#2: You have a deep desire to own a nail gun.

#1: You narrate every home project you do, taking care to leave a dramatic pause before the final reveal.

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Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!



I am spending the Holiday - my favorite one, really - with my parents, aunt + uncle, and grandma in Cincinnati, Ohio. We are resting, eating, playing games, sorting through old family photographs, and thoroughly enjoying each other's company.

I hope your week, whether celebrating the festivities or not, is full of love and light.




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Sunday, November 23, 2008

Improved and Updated

I have revamped and upgraded my website. It is now ever so much simpler and less cumbersome, and I think it actually showcases my work in an understandable and orderly manner. Which is the point, after all.


Have a look! And if you have any feedback/pointers/critiques, I would love to hear them.

Happy Sunday!

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Saturday, November 15, 2008

I'm blushing

This is just so nice. Kelly from May Day Studio featured my shop today on the Made in Vermont group blog!

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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Back on Maple Ridge

When I went to Wisconsin, I stayed with my very dear friend Kathryn. Kathryn happens to have just moved into the house where I lived as a young child, from age 3-6; a grand old farmhouse on the top of a windy ridge in the middle of nowhere and yet the center of so much south-western Wisconsin. Pulling up in the yard after my 20+ hours of first-time-solo driving across the country, I was overwhelmed with a strange feeling of coming home and yet being entirely unaccustomed to the place.


That house holds so many vague memories of my early childhood, half remembered, more images than anything else. It is something like my version of Plato's ideal chair - when I hear "stairs" I see the dark wood staircase with the landing that we sat on with out stockings on Christmas morning. "Porch" brings to mind the wrap around porch where the dog had her puppies.


Have you ever had the experience of sleeping in the room you slept in as a 5 year old? I never thought I would, but there I was! The wall paper my mother put up for me was there still, the hole in the closet that peeked into my sister's closet was still open. The large mural of apples my mother painted on the dining room wall was unfortunately gone. I think Kathryn would have liked those.

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Saturday, November 8, 2008

Nature Friends

New dolls have been added to my Amanda May Shop this evening.

This one is my new favorite:



He comes from the forest, obviously, and is clearly descended from royalty (notice the crown and decorated staff). I think he is ready for an adventure...

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Sunday, November 2, 2008

Home to Stay (for a while, at least!)

Around 42 hours of driving, give or take a few minutes. That is how long it took to get all the way to and from LaFarge, Wisconsin, my final destination on this latest jaunt.

10 hours got me to Cleveland, Ohio where I had the pleasure of joining in the work of the Lakeshore office of the Barack Obama Campaign for Change. I was there for two days - a bit of canvassing, calling some phone lists, and handing out free Jay-Z tickets were just a few of the goings on in which I was able to participate. I find it very interesting that every one of the main core of volunteers I met at the office was from out of state - New York, Chicago, California, Washington, Texas, and Washington DC were all represented and each of these terrific people amazed me with their long, dedicated volunteer work. It really is amazing how inspired people are by Obama, and the people I met were all just the friendliest, hardworking, fun, and generous group.


It was hard to leave them to travel on, but I am so very glad I did because staying with Kathryn and Keith in their big farmhouse was fabulous (if slightly chilly!). And seeing Kathryn's terrific shop and spending some time sitting together and working, just like the old days of the costume business, were so wonderful.

I was able to finish C.'s hat (finally) with Kathryn's assistance, and am inspired to try a couple new knitting projects. I am also feeling the urge to break out the felting needles again, and then there are the projects I have been slowly chipping away at for the past couple months. I feel that this time at home will be well filled. How nice it is to look forward to...

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