{Bibliophilia} Pinocchio: Jim Dine

I've been diving into my art books a lot lately - rediscovering favorite artists to introduce to my drawing class. It's safe to say that I'm a bibliophile through and through. I haven't traveled to Europe yet (a dream of mine) but I do own tons of books. Jim Dine is one of my favorite artists. He's so versatile and I really appreciate his drawing style. When I found his Pinocchio book, I was so excited. It matches my love of puppets and drawing all in one beautiful book. 

I was preparing for class today and thought it would be nice to photograph a few of my favorite drawings from the book to share.  

I also found this great interview with Jim at the Tate. The exhibit looks fantastic! I wish I could've seen this in person- oh those hanging books!

I'm showing this work in class tonight and thought I'd share it with you too. Do you have a favorite artist? 

{Music Monday} Do it anyway...

Happy Birthday Jim Henson (he would have been 76 today)! This Music Monday is for you...

What a way to start the week. Thanks Ben Folds Five - this was awesome! 

photo credit: here

www.henson.com

{Music Monday} Hey Daydreamer...

Neil Halstead: Hey Daydreamer on Nowness.com.

I love the way this video by Hilary Walsh was shot. Such beautiful photography. Not to mention- the song, Hey Daydreamer, off of Neil Halstead's new album is lovely as well. Happy Music Monday! 

via: Nowness 

{Music Monday} Mystery Film Experiment...

This new Sigur Ros video caught my attention today- it's beautiful...  Happy Music Monday! What are you listening to? 

(Sigur Rós 'Valtari' Mystery Film Experiment: Varúð by Ryan McGinley. Taken from the "valtari mystery film experiment")

{Thrilled Thursday} Play & Repeat...

Ok, so "thrilled" may be a bit strong, but seeing this Andrew Bird video this morning via Etsy was really cool- it's awesome! If you've been here before, you know that Andrew Bird is my all time favorite musician & I've been enjoying his new album in the studio non-stop since its release. The thing that sort of blew my mind, was that this video embraces everything that Sayer is interested in right now (space, human body, putting together drawings).  I showed it to him & he went bananas! We watched it 6 times before school this morning. I'm particularly excited that it's possibly replaced the bloodmobile video. This is a video/song that I don't mind playing over & over-  I really can't picture myself saying, "Sayer, will you turn off that Andrew Bird now?.  I hope you enjoy the video as much as we do! It was just what I needed on this rainy Thursday. I just couldn't wait until Music Monday....

Read about the video on the Etsy Blog

Andrew Bird's Etsy Shop

{Music Monday} Pencil Revolution...

Oh, how I love this - it's definitely right up my alley!  My pencil is tappin' & I'm ready to start the week... Happy Music Monday!

via UPPERCASE Mag
photo credit : schradinova

{Music Monday} Texture & Tone...

Andrew Bird's new album, Break it Yourself, came out last Tuesday & it's been playing non-spot in the studio ever since. I actually listened to it & became hooked when it was available on npr's "first listen" before the album release. I know Andrew Bird gets a lot of blog time here at the klt:sketchbook, but he really is my favorite musician. It's his approach to music & his willingness to experiment that I'm really struck by. This album has received mixed reviews being called, "songs of quiet contemplation" which I really respond positively to- it's perfect for when I work in the studio. It also was recommended to listen to it early in the morning or late at night- not during busy/rushing hours. I suppose that may explain why I like it as well. AB seems to take risks & explore things that he is interested in, rather than being concerned strictly with what is going to sell. Which as an artist myself, I embrace & admire. 

"Since I first picked up the violin, I've been very interested in tone and texture: I would have very visceral reactions to the texture of a snare drum or a pedal steel guitar or a violin," Bird tells NPR's Linda Wertheimer. "To this day, I'm still very interested in the range, palette and colors that I have to work with."

I listened to this great music interview yesterday on npr called, Andrew Bird's World of Wit, Whimsy and Whistling (March 11, 2012) that's worth a listen if you are an AB fan ---> here This quote from npr interview really struck a cord with me - I can identify 100% with his words as they are my interests in my work as well (but substituting musical instruments with drawing/painting instruments). Happy Music Monday! 

art - scan from album lyric pages

photo via

{Fun} Color....

Color, color, color!  What a fun video to explain color to kiddos....love this!  via Kid Crave

Music & Shadow Puppets...

   

It probably doesn't need to be said that I'm fond of shadow puppets- but I love everything about them. So, I was glad to have stumbled across this video for the new Kate Bush song,"Eider Falls at Lake Tahoe. The shadow puppets were created by Robert Allsopp - I think they're just lovely & wanted to share.  Hope you are having a great week!

{via}

{Hutch Demos} A thread drawing for you...

On November 5th, Chris & I both did demos at hutch studio. We spent the day working together in the same space- Chris worked on various whirligigs & I drew with thread by using free-motion on the sewing machine. My parents actually live on the other side of the fence from hutch studio & Sayer was hanging out with them while we were at the studio, but he did come over to watch a bit & was our first visitor. I know he really enjoys watching us work & being in that creative space. Maybe someday all three of us can do demos together. 

It was such a pretty, sunny day & I thoroughly enjoyed working next to Chris & chatting with the occasion visitor. There were two teenagers that hung out watching me for the longest time & I got a real kick out them. My brain usually works fast - plus I had consumed my share of coffee that afternoon & even I couldn't keep up with their constant banter. 

My friend Chantale edited some footage we had of the afternoon & gave me this video for an early Christmas gift (I know, she is the sweetest!). You can sort of get a feel of the space & the way that I create my drawings that I use for my klt:works tees & plushies. I hope you enjoy it! 

  

One of the things that Chris & I try to instill in Sayer is the importance of making things by hand & how special a drawing or piece of art is. He has been drawing like crazy lately & we are encouraging him to give everyone a special drawing for Christmas. With that in mind, I thought I would "walk the walk" & do a special giveaway that comes from my hands & my heart. I'm actually not really sure how it will be received, but I thought I would give it a whirl. It's not meant for any other reason than to say "thank you" for sharing your time & comments with me. So... during this demo at hutch, I did quite a few little owl drawings - they are fairly quick & on small pieces of canvas. I would love to give them away to people who would enjoy them. If you would like one, just leave me a comment (& a way to reach you). If necessary, I will draw names & announce it here on Friday. Thanks again for reading this blog & for reaching out. I truly value the connections & people I meet here!  Hope you are having a great week! Happy Holidays! 

{Music Monday} A Holiday Kick...

How's that for a little holiday spirit pick me up? Oh man can Vera Ellen dance!! This is just what I needed to start off the week. Happy Music Monday! 

{photo via}

{Music Monday} Color...

Hudson - Against The Grain from Dropbear on Vimeo.  

It's going to be a busy week with (hopefully) a lot of color. This stop motion, colored pencil video fits my mood today. Happy Music Monday! Now I'm off to the studio... 

via ::  Design Mom

{Fabric Friday} Wonderful Textile Archive

Andrea Aranow Textile Archive from Aaron Rayburn on Vimeo.

I learned about Andrea Aranow's textile archive last week on the FORTPORT blog. It's such a great project & truly amazing collection - I felt the need to share it with my fellow textile enthusiasts. Pop on by to read the article if you have a chance- it's a great blog as well. Can you imagine having all of your fabrics organized & archived like that? Well, maybe you already do- but I don't & I'm in awe. Happy Fabric Friday! I'll be doing some sewing this weekend. Will you? 

Also, a big thanks to the men & women that have & continue to serve our country. Happy Veteran's Day!

{via here}

{Music Monday} 2 Cousins...

When I saw this video on the Handmade Romance FB page Thursday, it made me smile. So much so, that I knew that I had to pass it on.  It was a rather appropriate find as we've been talking a lot about cousins at our house.  Sayer is going to have a new cousin (one that will be in this state - rather than across country) sometime in February & we are all VERY excited. I've been going through old pictures lately & found this one of me, my little brother, & my two favorite cousins (who also have February birthdays). I really don't think I need to tell you which one I am, do I? If you have any doubts, just look at Sayer's picture & you will know right away. In this picture, I'm very close to the age Sayer will be when his cousin is expected to arrive- they will have about the same years apart as my brother & I do (4yrs). We all look forward to the day that Sayer will have a cousin to dance with too! Happy Music Monday!  

{Mid-week Inspiration} Rob Ryan...

Handmade Portraits: Rob Ryan from Etsy on Vimeo.

I've been a fan of Rob Ryan's since I gave Chris the book,  This is For You  a few Valentine's Days ago - I just saw this great video about him this morning on the Etsy Blog & thought I would pass it on. After I watched it, I cruised through Rob's  shop, where I saw the, "Our Adventures in Wallpaper Collaboration with Mini Moderns"! Lovely - I'm a fan of Mini Moderns as well so I was thrilled to see this. I recently saw a great post about Mini Moderns on Bright Bazaar too that you might want to check out. Nothing like a great collaboration between some amazing artists/designers to help get you through Wednesday. Hope you are having a great week! 

{Music Monday} Stay Young, Go Dancing...

I couldn't resist this new video release from Death Cab for Cutie. Words to live by... Happy Music Monday!  {Photo via here} 

{Music Monday} Colorful Knots...

I don't always buy albums in full anymore- I tend to pick & choose songs. But the minute I learned that Lisa Hannigan had a new album out I bought the whole album without a second thought.  Her new album is called "Passenger" & I was interested to learn that it was made between the 14th & the 22nd of February 2011 in Bryn Derwyn in Wales and the Church Studios in London. February is my favorite month so that in itself was a cool bit of information to read. Plus, I love things that are recorded like that. The timing for this album's release is perfect! I've been so busy lately & in need of some great music to help me along the way. I've been listening to it non-stop in the studio (& in the car) since Wednesday. She even sings a  duet with Ray La Montagne (another studio favorite)- their voices are amazing together. Her videos are always wonderful so I was excited to see this one for "Knots"- it seemed like a good way to start the week. Happy Music Monday! Alright week... bring on the color! 

Photo via here

big ideas & adding machines...

I'm knee deep in stacks of papers with visions of numbers & colored files dancing in my head today. Ah, tax time...gotta love it. It may be a little quiet in klt:sketchbook land in the next few days. But I will leave you with this really cool video that my friend Daria sent me a link to. She always has a way of knowing what my mood is. This sort of summed it up for me. It's pretty genius (it's slow to start so be patient... something more will happen). Thanks D- it's very cool indeed!  {images via here, here, here, & here}

Big Ideas (don't get any) from James Houston on Vimeo.

Office supply stores here I come! Maybe by the end of the day I will be able to make some music like that with my calculator, printer, & file cabinet.... 

{Music Monday} In the dirt...

In My Room: S Carey "In the Dirt" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

When I read that Sean Carey, the drummer from Bon Iver, had a debut album that was released this summer, I was curious to say the least. Bon Iver is a constant on my studio playlist so I checked out S.Carey's, All We Grow, right away. I found a live version of  "In the Dirt" on S. Carey's blog that was shot by Yours Truly in San Francisco. I always prefer the energy & heart of a live performance so I thought I would share this one for Music Monday. It really fits my mood on this rainy & mellow day. What do you think? Happy Music Monday! What are you listening to?  {image via} 

{Everyday Inspiration} Vivian Maier...

A few weeks ago a photographer friend of mine, Richard Sayer (Sayer's namesake), passed on a link to me that made my head spin. It was a blog dedicated to the recently discovered photographer, Vivian Maier. She was a street photographer & nanny that  had a prolific collection of photos that were discovered by John Maloof at an auction in Chicago. John had such a strong reaction to her work, that he has been documenting, scanning, & unfolding all the information that he can find about this mysterious lady. The Chicago Tonight show, did a feature on her work that can be seen here. 

It was these first two self portraits of Vivian that really sucked me in. I absolutely love them. Since seeing them, there has been a lot more information unleashed- a documentary film is being made, a book, along with a museum show in Chicago. The whole story is really fascinating to me & I knew that I wanted to write a post about it all. I've been seeing her photos pop up in the blog world lately, like here & here. But I never can get enough of a good thing. There are tons and tons of photos to choose from and they are all wonderful. What really struck me about a lot of her photos is her ability to capture relationships between pairs. She has a lot of pictures of sweet & vulnerable moments between, friends, couples, strangers, and children. So in the spirit of spreading the word, here is a handful to browse through...

I find both the story of how her work was discovered & her photography itself, inspiring. Looking through the published photos makes me shiver. I'm grateful to my friend for passing on the link to me. It's pretty exciting to know that this project that John Maloof started is really taking off!  Check out this video if you have a few minutes. Enjoy!