Artwork of the Week: How Far is Far?

An illustration from How Far is Far? written by Alvin Tresselt

illustrated by Ward Brackett, 1964

There are some other beautiful illustrations in How Far is Far?, but this simple tear through the drawing is my favorite. 

- Cathleen 

[Source: myvintagebookcollection] 

Thanks

Arrows by Julia Kostreva

digital illustration of vintage arrows 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

We'll be taking off the next few days to give thanks for all that we are grateful for, including YOU fine readers. 

It means more than we can ever express that you come here to see what we share everyday. We hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with much love and inspiration!

- Cathleen 

Design Always Repeats Inself: The Duchamp Edition

Swoosh Art Campaign
Nike
2013

 

L.H.O.O.Q.
Marcel Duchamp
1919

 

Been there. Done that.

 

- Grace

Shaved Nice

Red Pencil Shaving Collar

$50 via Green Accordion on Etsy

I just spent the weekend with my besty Grace, her husband Brian and their little darlings Clementine and Teddy. Grace is an art teacher at a grade school, and after hearing more about what her days are like, the antics of her students, the sort of lessons she teaches the kids---and catching her constantly on the look out for old jars and plastic berry baskets to use in her classroom---I definitely have a deeper appreciation for what she does.

I also think she could totally rock this red pencil shaving collar in class and blow all of those little minds apart. Created by Veselka Bulkan of the Green Accordion stationed in Germany, this accessory is so bold and amazing that only she could pull it off with total confidence. Do it, Grace. DO IT.


- Cathleen

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

As much as I've learned about my children as a homeschooling parent, I've learned even more about myself. Many of the subjects that I felt concern about teaching have been the ones that ended up being the most enjoyable. Other subjects that I thought should come easily tended to be continually put off until "next week".

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but Art class was the chief neglected subject. Starting out, I had no doubt that my children would love art because I'd automatically be able to transfer my love of it to them. Unfortunately, I was sadly mistaken. I couldn't figure out how to explain to them what to do and present it in a way that cultivated a creative atmosphere.

Carpenter, 1880 and Woman Mourning, 1882
Van Gogh spent two years teaching himself how to draw

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last month, I happened to pick up Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards from our library. I was fascinated by her discussion of the differences between the two sides of the brain. I've always thought of myself as very left-brained; definitely not the super creative, flighty artistic stereotype. But I discovered that I'm much more right-brained than I'd thought. I happen to suffer from what I call directional dyslexia (I gesture right when I mean left, and vice versa), I have intense spatial awareness, and I often have trouble hitting on the right word for things, picturing it my head without being able to name it. That might just be early onset senility but it also indicates a strong right brain disposition.

Although it was nice to discover these things about myself, as I kept reading, I also learned how to break down the psuedo-instinctive processes that occur when I draw alone. Ms. Edwards verbalizes (an almost impossible task for the right side of the brain) and simplifies the process of drawing to demonstrate how to access that creative, visual right side. Her premise is that not only can everyone learn to draw but that drawing itself facilitates better thinking overall. Tapping into the right side of the brain allows an individual to access the part of the mind that is especially able to see patterns and make connections, leading to more thoughtful problem solving and creative thinking.

I'm hoping that I'll be able to transfers these realizations into my art classes with my children. Instead of just praying that one of my kids is artistically gifted, I'm going to assume that they all have some ability and try to foster and encourage it. And even if they don't become artists in the professional sense, I hope that having learned to appreciate their right brain characteristics, they'll live better and more creative lives all around. 

Fingers crossed, everyone! I'll try to post again on this at the end of the school year 

and let you know if the experiment was a success.

Happy Weekend!

-Alissa

Half Dollar Ring

I had a plan for another post but after finding this video yesterday I had to share.
Outside of my wedding band I would never wear a ring or any other type of jewelry, but this could be a very cool alternate ring option.
I was impressed by the ingenuity but even more by the outstanding use of a hand held drill and a few different drill bits.  One would usually use stationary tools for such a detailed job but this dude (with some long finger nails) doesn't play around and doesn't fear tearing apart his fingers.  My favorite part was the use of a nut and bolt to stabilize the coin.  That and the echo of his hammer throughout, what seems to be, quite a large workshop/warehouse.

Although it's a very simple band, I love that he was able to keep the words from the coin's edge on the inside of the ring.  I am pretty sure it reads "United States of America Half Dollar".  

Since I am on the topic of cool rings, here is one I found a while back that made me happy.

Titanium and Jack Daniel's Whiskey Barrel Ring

-Brian

The Proof is in the Pie

Late one night last week I discovered the holy grail of pie bibles had just been released: The Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book by sisters Emily and Melissa Elsen. I didn't even know it was in the works! Excitedly I told Micky about it the next morning. That it was the very same bakery based in Brooklyn that we loved so dearly. That it had the Salted Caramel Apple Pie recipe in it that he had gotten me for my birthday one year and I had later attempted to recreate to lackluster results. That we HAD to get it before Thanksgiving this year so that we could bake one of their incredible pies for dessert and get it right this time.  

He feigned interest while he went off to brush his teeth and I settled back into our bed to play with Graham as our morning routine began. A few minutes later I overheard some rustling in the other room and then Micky returned with the book in hand and said "Happy early birthday." Squeeeee! 

I have since poured over every page, reading up on what supplies we will need (pastry cutter, glass pie plates) and what techniques we must follow (cider vinegar and cold water in the all-butter crust), trying to narrow down what pies we'll be cooking up next week. The book is organized according to season, emphasizing their practice of only using the best local-if-possible ingredients to make the most flavorful desserts. I cannot wait to bake THEM ALL! 

Obviously Salted Caramel Apple Pie is at the top of the list. We've got to get 'er done. And while fruit-based sweets are my favorite (sorry, Grace), I'm thinking we should try out one of their custard pies perhaps. Because Thanksgiving isn't Thanksgiving without multiple desserts, am I right? Maple Buttermilk Custard Pie sounded good. But so did the Sour Cream Raisin variety. And then there's the Rosemary Honey Shoofly Pie! Wait. Salty Honey Pie?! Yes. I think that's The One. Jackpot. 

What desserts are you guys making for Turkey Day?

- Cathleen 

[image #1 from BrooklynBased.com; grainy image #2 from me]