Artwork of the Week: Up All Night

Up All Night by Jean-Jacques Sempe

We were up with a cold last night and the night before. It's Graham's first. The poor little guy is all mucus and mouth breathe-y. It's so sad to hear him snorting like a Gremlin in the humidified darkness of his room. Hopefully all of the saline dropping and snot sucking and nose wiping that he wails against will be over soon.

- Cathleen  

[Found on thisisnthappiness.com]

David

An open call to artists went out: create a portrait of the founder of the School of Visual Arts MFA Fine Arts program and recently retired chair, David L. Shirey. Organized by SVA alums at the studio/art space that they run and named after the man himself, The Shirey will be showing the work in their exhibition simply titled David on October 18th, 2013. 

I sent in my ink on paper version (pictured above) last week. When I was thinking about how I might want to portray the man, the myth, the legend, I knew that his eyes should be most prominent, as they are one of the first things you notice about him. They are a bright, piercing, other-worldly blue. Like, there is no way this blue exists in real human eyeballs on this earth. He is also super broad and muscular because he works out constantly. Like, he knows people at his local gym so they lock him in at night when they're done cleaning up so he can continue his grueling regime well past midnight. Oh yeah, did I mention he's also in his 80s? And while his physical fitness is important to him, and he often wears obscenely tight shirts to show it off, there is always a side of Shirey that remains hidden, buttoned up. He is extremely private and incredibly smart and he has a wonderful way of making you feel like you're the most important and interesting person in the room when he talks to you. I had the privilege of working with him at SVA for two years after I was a student in the program and I am so very grateful for the opportunity he gave me and for the chance I got to know him better. 

Go see this group exhibition at The Shirey located at 47 Thames Street in Brooklyn, NY on Friday, October 18th, 2013 from 7 pm-11 pm. While you're there, take pictures of everyone's work and send them to me. Then hoist a light beer (his favorite) to the man who brought us all together. 

- Cathleen   

Oh, Hipsters.

"I'm wearing plaid ironically."

Some things never change. Not least, everyone's love of laughing about hipsters. No matter where you happen to fall on the hipster spectrum, they're always funny. Actually, hipsters laughing at hipster jokes gets a little meta. 

Which everyone knows is the essence of hipsterism.

"No, I'm just rolling up my sleeves and pants because it's hot outside."

And although I don't think this is exactly what the artist intended, Leo Caillard's photographs of classical statues dressed as hipsters seems to cement the idea that hipsters have always been around. 

Somebody has to be on the cutting edge, right?

"I was totally Christian before it was cool."

But I feel like the biggest take-away from this series is that you'll never be as cool as Jesus in chambray. But keep trying. 

Just don't look like you're trying.

Happy Weekend, Friends!

-Alissa

New Mama Care Package

When I was just home from the hospital and friends started coming over to see us and meet the new baby, we received so many thoughtful presents. One of the best things people brought was definitely FOOD. There is something so meaningful about the gift of sustenance, made with love to give you strength in those first few days, something easy that you can just put in your tired face when your hands are too full of squirmy baby to do much beyond microwave. 

Through the miracle of Facebook, I recently reconnected with someone I worked with YEARS ago who now happens to live near me in NC and just had a baby herself, so I felt it was time I returned the favor that so many others helpfully granted me. Last night I whipped up a big batch of Lasagna Soup to bring over to her today (the very same that I made in advance of Graham's arrival), with all parts labeled for easy assembly and reheating. I also got her a couple bars of nice chocolate as well as a book for her baby because chocolate and books always make the best gifts. 

I can't wait to see her again and meet little baby Juniper for the first time! 

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: The Clasp

The Clasp by Tim Lahan

Last week was not as bad as I feared it would be. Don't get me wrong—there were plenty of moments that tested my mettle, but I did it. I ran necessary errands, I took morning walks, I kept us both fed, and I single-handedly bathed a little twisting mister five days in a row without (too many) tears or life-threatening incident. There's also this hyper-vigilance that sets in when you become the main person responsible for keeping your child alive. The 24-hour high alert state is exhausting. I know women everywhere do this kind of thing on their own all the time, and I deeply admire them. I only had a handful of days to get through, and I probably shouldn't be surprised that I did just fine, but I am. Still, I feel incredibly lucky to have the partner and the support that I do, and these last few days made me appreciate him all the more. The best part of my week was definitely when Micky came back. 

- Cathleen 

Fall Wishlist

With every season change, I lament the state of my wardrobe. To be honest, I have abused it. I've had four babies in three different seasons so sizing is just a nightmare, not to mention style changes which affect me pretty hard since I tend to latch onto a trend only to realize later that it totally doesn't suit me. At all.

So I perennially vow to streamline my purchases and only buy looks that are classic and versatile. Then I get my heart set on something that doesn't fit that category and I get derailed all over again. 

Enter this year's nominee:

J.Crew Pixie jodhpur pants

I know that to most people J.Crew is not exactly the cutting edge of trendiness, but when your fashion sense is shaky, at best, J.Crew shines like a beacon of hope. (It simultaneously causes your wallet to burst into flames as well.)

And these pants just kill me. I love the navy with the black leather. Only one problem though: they WON'T go on sale. I've been watching and waiting but no luck.

But don't worry friends, I will own these. Even if it is the only article of clothing that I buy this fall. And I might regret it next fall when they don't fit or I don't like them anymore (doubtful) but I'm not going to think about it too much.

I hope your weekend is full of crisp air, falling leaves, and pumpkin spice lattes. And a kick-arse new pair of pants. 

Happy Friday!

-Alissa

P.S. I'd take those black heels in a hot minute, too.

Artwork of the Week: Twelve Days of Twelve Nights

Twelve Days of Twelve Nights by Félix de la Concha

installation of 12 oil on canvas works of 28 × 23 cm

Micky's out of town on business for four nights this week. Yes, only 4 and not 12. But still. Our bed and our days are going to feel awfully empty while he's away. 

(Dear robbers and home invaders: this is not an open invitation to stop by.)

- Cathleen  

[Image courtesy of Open Museum]