Art & Ferry Rides...

A few years ago, Chris met a really interesting couple- they became regular visitors at hutch studio & fans of Chris' "fine art" as well as his fun creations for hutch. This couple recently opened up an art gallery called Simon Mace Gallery in a small, coastal town about 2 hours away- which includes a ferry ride. The Simon Mace Gallery now represents Chris' work & hosted an art opening this last weekend for a new show called, Tasting Menu: Second Course. This show included 4 of Chris' pieces along with featuring 5 additional Simon Mace artists. We were lucky enough to be able to sneak away for the day to attend the opening in person- while our kiddo enjoyed a sleep over with his grandparents. Admittedly, I turned into a shutterbug- wanting to capture Chris, his work, & the day. Here are some highlights... 

Chris had 2 of his ceramic/ sgraffito pieces & 2 of his gesso on paper pieces. From a distance, you couldn't really tell the difference between the medium used & all of them really engaged viewers. I loved being behind the camera & listening people's conversations & trying to capture their delight in the visual adventure Chris' interior spaces took them on. The gallery was hoppin' all day & into the evening- the town was also buzzing. There was a "first Saturday" art walk scheduled for the evening & you could tell people took the ferry over from Seattle just to participate. After we hung out at the gallery a bit in the afternoon, we had a chance to cruise the town before the opening. 

We lingered in an underground coffee shop & spent time in a very cool, used & out of print bookstore. I was in heaven... I really could've spent all day there. Oh, did I find some treasures... but that's a different post. 

Back to the Simon Mace Gallery - the flow of people was constant & the energy was infectious. It was a really fun end to a fantastic day. We then hopped on the ferry and headed home. I'd say it was a pretty great way to start the new year...

{Music Monday} cool collaboration...

I've been enjoying this First Listen: Kathleen Edwards, Voyageur over at npr music today.  Justin Vernon's (Bon Iver) presence on the album seem like a perfect fit. Happy Music Monday! 

via

{Vintage Finds} 50's Red & Blue...

It seems I've been drawn to the same palette & time frame when it comes to vintage treasures lately. It's all about the 50's/ 60's & - I'm lovin' the reds & blues. I think it all started with this cool little jacket that I found at the fuzzymama's Etsy Shop. It has a great Rockabilly feel to it. Then these vintage toys followed... 

{Queen Buzzy Bee 1959, Humpty Dumpty 1957, Perky Pot 1958, Sports Car 1959}

I'm such a sucker for the old, wood, Fisher Price toys. I found all but the Perky Pot for the hutch etsy shop. I need the Perky Pot in my studio- particularly today!  What are some of your favorite toys from the past? Do you have a palette or time period you gravitate towards?

{Fun} Vintage Muppet Love ...

I'm a such a big muppet fan & when Sayer was a baby, I couldn't wait to I introduce him to all of the vintage Muppet Show episodes that I loved as a kid. It's really no surprise that he's a Muppet fan too- it was inevitable. This fall, I was so excited to take him to the Muppet movie in the theater. He declared his love for Gonzo with loud enthusiasm during the movie & from that point on, I knew I wanted to find him a Gonzo plush for Christmas. I lucked out & found a vintage plush in great condition on ebay- it washed up nicely. But the outfit he came in was  hideous & obviously not the original outfit- it was so... not Gonzo. I was really looking forward to making the goofy Muppet a special little outfit. However, I don't make doll clothes- or any clothes for that matter, & I was really under the wire as far as time because of  the holidays & klt:works. So I was a little nervous about how my vision would be realized. On Christmas Eve, I was frantically working away until the wee hours making Gonzo's outfit out of 2 of my old sweaters (because I felt Gonzo needed to be cozy & to wear argyle) - picturing Sayer's face when he saw his new friend the whole time. I felt like the procrastinator elf in Santa's workshop. The outfit is a funky to say the least & not symmetrical at all- but I do think Gonzo is comfortable in his wool suit. It all worked out ok- I got the reaction I was hoping for on Christmas morning...

Color + Stickers = Colorful 2012

Today is the first Monday of 2012 & it's a day off for a lot of people- but I'm trying to get into a rhythm of production today. When I was cruising the web this morning (procrastinating but also in search of some inspiration) this work by Lionel Esteve caught my attention. It was posted on facebook & I immediately looked the artist up. It's bright, cheerful, & it helped me ignore the rainy weather outside.  The artist used self adhesive dots. 

Then this afternoon, I saw a post on the Colossal Art & Design blog that you really should check out.  At the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane this December,  there was an  installation by the artist Yayoi Kusama that was such a cool experiment.  Read, "This is What Happens When You Give Thousands of Stickers to Thousands of Kids" here. You may have already seen this because it spread like wildfire on blogs & facebook today. But I couldn't help but post it as well. These two artists are very different, but I find it interesting that I saw both of their work today. Regardless, it sure cheered me up. Looks like the new year is full of color & dot stickers! 

If you are looking for a little music this Monday, here is one of my favorite Music Monday posts from last year that I think fits this post perfectly. 

{Happy New Year} Bye Bye Rabbit...

The year of the rabbit was good... a blur really. But I'm ready for the dragon- bring on 2012! Every year I get quiet, contemplative, a little nostalgic, & ooze with extra gratitude the last week of December. This year was no different except for that I was hit with an overwhelming sense of burnout. More than usual - so I slowed down & enjoyed some time off with my little family. It felt good...

My normal routine on New Year's Eve is trying to rearrange the whole house- room by room. I can't tell you how many New Year Eve's Chris & I got ourselves wedged in between furniture trying to make our spaces "bigger" while trying to effectively achieve high levels of feng shui. Not today. Although we fiddled with Sayer's room a bit - it was nothing like the past years of my needing to change everything. I feel a little more content these days. I think due in large part to connecting with so many of you over the year. It really fills me up. So, I thank you - for stopping by here now & then & leaving comments. I appreciate it beyond words. I'm raising my glass (that's now empty) & wishing everyone a very happy new year! CHEERS! In Sayer style, I'm going to groove my way into 2012, won't you join me?

{SALE} a little birdie told me so...

A little birdie told me that there is an end of the year sale at the klt:works shop! It's true, as a thank you for your support & kindness, everything in the shop is 30% off until the last minute of 2011 & the confetti is thrown! Just enter {YEARSEND} at checkout -www.kltworks.etsy.com.Hope everyone is enjoying the last week of the year. CHEERS!