I Heart Brian Wildsmith

I can't get enough of Brian Wildsmith's ridiculously gorgeous art work!! Flocks of birds and forest animals, surrounded by psychedelic swirls and geometric prints. I just borrowed two books from the library, The Lazy Bear and The Owl and the Woodpecker. I haven't read them yet, but the illustrations alone, are enough to get through the rest of the school day. xox

Kristi Malakoff

I finally went to see the new(ish) exhibition, How Soon is Now? at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Tuesday. Of all the amazing B.C. artists, my favourite was Kristi Malakoff whose work can be spotted immediately upon entering the exhibit.  A huge psychedelic pink and purple skull made entirely of flower cut outs, smiles from one prominent wall of the gallery.

Another of her pieces sits on the floor and is made out of compacted crepe paper carefully shaped into an optical target.  I immediately checked out her beautiful website that showcases plenty more of her intricate and vibrant installations.  (the Swarm butterflies are sweet)  I can't wait to introduce her work to my grade three students in the spring time!! xo

kristimalakoff.com

Stefan Thompson

I have finally started painting again, the sun is shining and I couldn't be happier.  Today I came across some paintings by Stefan Thompson and had to smile.  He is an Ottawa-born, environmentally sensitive artist who uses natural materials and objects in his work.  His style is super charming, interesting and magical.  Stefan is showing his work from April 2nd to April 26th at Studio 161/2 in Victoria BC.  Check out his website below!!

www.stefanthompson.com

design by the book

Design Sponge is a fabulous website and I often check it out for updates and inspiration. It wasn't until recently that I noticed a videos section, including an amazing series called Design by the Book. Head writer Grace Bonney hosts the show and follows five artists as they create work inspired by what they find in the New York Public Library. It's exciting to see the range of ideas they come up with, and also a refreshing change from reality television.

You can find the four videos here (Design Sponge website) or on Youtube. Enjoy!!

If your grandma were a renegade graffiti artist, her mark-making might look a little something like this.  To quote their glorious website, "...a tag crew of knitters bombing the inner city, with vibrant stitched works of art, wrapping around everything from beer bottles on easy nights to public monuments and utility poles on more ambitious outings.  With a mix of clandestine moves and gangsta rap

--Knitta was born!!"  

Check out Knitta's online gallery here for more bad-ass craftiness:

Mandy Greer

It was a gorgeous day outside, and although I have papers to write and books to read, I decided to go for a very long walk, drink way too much coffee and eat a huge frozen yogurt sundae.  I also bought a few second hand books and art magazines including the new edition of Hi Fructose, which I chose specifically for it's article on fibre artist Mandy Greer.  In a recent exhibit at the Bellevue Art Museum outside Seattle, she displayed a new installation called 'Dare Alla Luce', which means to give birth in Italian, or more literally, to give to the light.  It almost looks like a rain forest scene, draped with long hanging knit and beaded ropes, a pearl and diamond moon and black leather pelicans and crows.  I am astounded at the intricacy of her work and the obvious care and dedication that she puts into every meticulous detail. Another installation titled 'A Small but Mighty Wandering Pearl' displays a white stag with pearl encrusted antlers surrounded by crocheted red yarn, thread and beads representing blood.  A blood red chandelier hangs behind the animal's dying body.  I think her work is the kind you would probably have to see to believe and I hope I get a chance to walk through her world some day.  

Check out her website and blog.

99 red balloons

I watched the classic film Le Ballon Rouge by Albert Lamorisse today. I own a copy of this book, but it is currently gathering dust in my mother's attic along with piles of my old paintings.

The film follows a the director's son, Pascal and his 'found object', a giant red balloon, through the streets of Paris. He finally gets swept away by a cloud of rainbow coloured balloons and soars above the city. This film was remade earlier this year, and although I haven't yet seen it, I often wonder why mess with a good thing? Maybe directors should start remaking the really terrible films that need a little makeover instead. You can watch the entire 32 minute film on video.google.com

FFFFOUND

I have a new favourite website!! My brother sent me a link yesterday and I'm already addicted, (and distracted today in my English class). It's a website that allows anyone to share their favourite images they have come across online. If you register, it recommends images based on your personal taste. There is quite a variety; a living room made of post-it notes, vintage book covers, art work and gorgeous photographs.

http://ffffound.com/

Dear School,

I get a kick out of reading other people's lost mail for some reason, but I guess I'm not the only one.  I came across this cute little letter on Found Magazine's website.  I wish all little ones felt such love for school.  There are sooo many sweet finds on this website so if you haven't already done so, you should check it out.

www.foundmagazine.com

piirustusker-wha?!

Gotta love Seripop for making my blog so beautiful...

I miss seeing their gig posters plastered all over the streets of Montreal. I would love to live in a Seripop world full of mazes and rainbow explosions.

If you dig this style, you should also check out the Piirustuskerho Drawing Club from Finland. They are responsible for some pretty psychedelic collaborative drawings and have an amazing website, but I must say, they are rather elusive (maybe that's because I don't speak finnish).

Green School

I am currently doing some research into various types of building structures in an attempt to get one step closer to designing the ultimate art school for kids. I came across this gorgeous school in Bali, Indonesia.

The school is absolutely beautiful and is built entirely from bamboo, the world's fastest growing woody plant.

The school's aim is to educate students to be environmentally responsible using creative and innovative approaches to teaching. The website includes a cool time lapse video of the school being built, which can also be found on youtube. Check it out: www.greenschool.org

I know you've got a heavy heart...

Montreal art collective, HVW8 collaborated on this amazing portrait of Barack Obama.  The trio that consists of Gene Pendon, Dan Buller and Ty Gibney, were invited to participate in a show called 'Manifest Hope' at the Democratic Convention in Denver.  The show included various forms of art work and was designed to raise funds for the Obama campaign.  

HVW8 work together to combine various styles of painting, including graffiti and stenciling.  They often set up live painting sessions at music events, parties and in galleries. Their subject matter usually focuses on a cultural icon, who has made a significant contribution to their respective field.  A few of the 'heavyweights' that they have painted to date include Jospehine Baker, Mohammad Ali, David Suzuki and Frank Gehry.  

I got the chance to watch them paint live at Osheaga music festival in Montreal.  If you would like to check out some time lapse painting there are some pretty cool videos online. 

all the pretty little horses

I loooove the film The Science of Sleep directed by Michel Gondry. I think I just might have to watch it again in the spirit of Valentine's Day (if there is such a thing)...

I remember this film being so charming and surreal. The idea that two people are able to connect through the adventures in their minds is quite captivating. I don't know if it is possible to ever know what another person is thinking in a creative sense, but I suppose that the underlying purpose of art is to connect with one another. The deepest spiritual connections must come from a combination of true love and a shared creative vision. What could be more powerful than that? xox

Nothing to see here...

David Eggers rules. If you haven't had a chance to check out his TED talk, it is amazing. In 2000, he transformed a space in front of McSweeney's, his literary magazine, into a drop-in tutoring centre for children. The building was designated to be used as a retail space, so Eggers labeled it a Pirate Supply Store and filled it with pirate-related merchandise.

Although the store layout and goods were intended to be cheeky, i guess a lot of pirates have been purchasing supplies, which has helped them to fund future projects.

Eggers has recruited volunteers to operate stores across the US including a Superhero supply store in Brooklyn and 'The Boring Store' in Chicago, which is apparently a front for a spy store, which is actually a front for the literacy centre. I always thought the Spy Store on Broadway street in Vancouver looked a little suspicious...

Steve Kim

Oh wow, I just adore Steve Kim's paintings!!  My roommate bought me Edition #79 of New American Painters, a magazine/book that showcases new artistic talent.  His paintings caught my eye right away. They possess all the curious and subtle details that make this medium so enticing to me.  His joy is so evident in his application of paint and the vibrancy of his colour palette.  

I miss painting and I think Steve Kim just nudged me one step closer to the unfinished canvases gathering dust in the corner of my bedroom.

 

http://www.stevekim.net/index.html

Harvesting Dreams

I discovered Friedensreich Hundertwasser ten years ago while wandering through the streets of Vienna.  I came across a beautiful patchwork building and was blown away by the design inside and out.  The building was Kunsthaus Wien and housed a magical exhibit of Hundertwasser's paintings, screen prints and models.  I have read many interviews with the artist since, and learned a great deal about his philosophies and the techniques he uses in his art.  His use of colour is extraordinary.  Although he is a dedicated naturalist, he creates his own pigments and incorporates unnatural fluorescent colours for added interest and depth.  

I bought a book today called 'Harvesting Dreams: Hundertwasser for Kids' to use in the classroom with my grade threes.  It is a great book and I can't wait to show it to my kids.  I hope they love his work as much as I do!!

Alice in Rainbowland

I visited Duthie Books on 4th avenue today and 

discovered a beautiful version of

Alice Through the Looking

Glass featuring illustrations by British artist Peter Blake.  It is going on my list of enticing books to buy when I'm able to afford a library of gorgeousness.

I also came across a short video that goes through the process of hanging this beautiful collage (unfortunately an ad for Coca Cola) however still quite lovely.  It stands 7 meters tall on the Southbank of the River Thames in London.  And who doesn't love a giant rainbow anyway?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX61KbAhVa4

All dressed up in dreams..

This is my beautiful friend Alicia adorned with a dress made from some random scraps of fabric and paper.  We were asked to use fabric to create an Artography project expressing our feelings about teaching.  It was such a fun exercise, and I loved the process of gluing scraps together to create a rather pretty piece of material.  I hope to try something like this with my students down the road. xo

Soft Airplane xo

At this moment in time, I am in love with Chad Vangaalen's new album, Soft Airplane.  His rich and beautiful illustrations and animations are all created single-handedly and are pretty trippy.  His art work makes me want to take out my markers and spend a rainy day colouring indoors. xo

I would definitely recommend watching his new video for 'Molten Light' on YouTube.

It is insane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLw5b70OJH8