Simple illustrations. Simple humor.

I love this! Marc John post-its.



And this zine I found at Greencup!

Why yes we are!

I wondered if you knew I was posting. The thing with blogging is that it is always there. Not like a lost letter or words in one ear and out the other. Ironically, I just had a debate last night with my friend Dustin about techonologies' insistence on becoming part of our "humanness". I'm not even sure I know what I'm talking about but I like trying to work that idea out.

I love Miranda July's site. Bold and brazen. Love it. I will add it to our favorites list. I have been told her most recent book is a fantastic read. Speaking of good reading. I found the greatest book at a co-op bookstore here in Birmingham called the Greencup. It is letters between Georgia O'Keefe and her artist friend Anita Pollitzer. It was such a great find as O'Keefe has been on my mind. My photo of my legs below was an homage to her in a loose intuitive sense - the abstraction of form and femaleness. I relate to what O'Keefe thought about and how they shared their ideas with each other. Much as we do and write - I will share the book when I am done. It delves into her relationship with photographer, Alfred Stieglitz and their influencing of each others work. I've been thinking about that lately. Where do I find inspiration? Who influences me? Obvious, that I would try to surround myself with people who are creatively sensitive, see life as art and art as life, people who challenge themselves to think differently, and people who are engaged to the world and really alive.

Another book I am reading is by art critic/theorist Lucy Lippard. It is called Overlay. I just figured out she is the co-founder of Printed Matter! I did not know that. And I bought a book by her there when I was in NY in July. More spheres completing their circles. Anyhow, Overlay is so interesting. I don't know if I'll be very good at explaining why. She basically studies the correlation between art in prehistory involving the land and natural forms and the overlap of some recent contemporary art with ancient imagery. She believes we are drawn to this because

in much art about elementary systems there is a certain longing for precision that is simultaneously anti-technological and anti-romantic

There are so many quotes I want to call out. Maybe in a real letter. My creative spirit is rearing its pretty head and Time is such a luxury. I can't wait for you to come back and share your sights seen in Rio!

we're back!

ms jackie! i didn't realize u were posting! hi back! how r u?
well, here's a link or two worth sharing: www.mirandajuly.com
today i'm off to www.paratyemfoco.com.br - international photo festival in a town near rio. other than that, i'll post some pix when i get back. there's a ton of art going around here, check out beatriz milhazes (google her), she's a big one.
oh and ur napkins r on their way!! u'll get a package soon since i sent it priority/express.
and also, kavalier and clay is good so far. i just started it so i can't tell yet if i love, but so far, good. (it's my 2nd try reading it) beijo ms jackie, have a nice weekend!
i'll come back soon!

More Bham Artwalk Stuff

It is amazing to me that I have not started collecting artwork until this summer. I guess I just thought that the upkeep - space and framing - let alone the cost of artwork was just over my head. I now realize that I am willing to spend money on art that speaks to me and well, as for space and money for framing, I'm more committed to the idea of being a collector. I am so thrilled to be framing. So this weekend I purchased a linocut print of the great Majestic Diner in Atlanta.


It's a small print and I just realized she had a larger one on her site of the whole side of the building. Oh well, probably wouldn't have been able to afford it anyway.


The drawings are so precise and technical. Alot of work. Julie, any new rubberstamps? Can't wait to get the napkins...they will get framed ofcourse!

Bridget just reminded me of a project/website called 20x200
where the artists sell small prints for $20, medium prints for $200, and large limited edition prints for $2000. Such an amazing idea. Props to Jen Beckman. I am pretty sure there is a print I want to purchase on that site so I will save for it. Better not sell out. I'll tell you once I get it. I like the idea of The Hand Project by Jason Polan. And I love these sold out prints by Ken Rogowski!


That's it for now. I'm exhausted.

Hi!

Emily wants to post but we can't figure out how to post it. She said she wrote an essay!
Emily and I went to the ArtWalk in downtown Birmingham this weekend. Interesting to see Birmingham artists' work and all the new development downtown. I am happy to see the revitalization of downtown Birmingham - new lofts and galleries and restaurants!
Will post more with photos.

Bella!

Oh, and some other things you have to see...a movie called Bella. It was emotionally rich and visually stunning. I cried. Watch that and Factory Girl. Okay! Goodnight.

Labor Day @ Lake Martin

I should be asleep but I wanted to share some of my creative energy from a good weekend spent at the lake with Kim and Emily doing yoga by the water, bookbinding and of all things, breaking a pinata (my surprise for the weekend ofcourse)!

Mariebelle!

You would love Mariebelle Chocolates. There are so many unique flavors from cardamom to earl grey, even buckwheat (that's the one with the yogi's - ofcourse). They are so beautiful to eat. Such a treat. I was eating two, sometimes three a day for a month and photographed a few of my daily tea/coffee and chocolates. I was eating from a box I had bought my mom for her birthday (back in December!). She had kept them in the freezer. She said every now and then she would open the box and just look at them because they were so precious! Cute huh? Well, then the power went out after a storm one day and they started to melt, hence my excuse to gobble them up!

DAVID BYRNE ORGAN

One of the most memorable experiences I had while I was visiting new york was a performance on David Byrne's Organ installed in the Maritime Building, an old south ferry station. It was captivating and meditative as we listened to the building sing, literally. The building was connected to the organ by wires so as keys were pressed sounds were made elsewhere in the building- clacking inside walls, whistling through columns, noise from the ceiling...a orchestra of noise! It was one of those moments where I felt I was in the right place at the right time- and time stood still- though above the sun was setting over the city into nightfall. So special. If you want to read more about it, click here for an article from the NYTimes.

I took those photos above during the performance as well as a few other artsy shots I was inspired to take in the space...the first I call "footsies" and a couple of abstract photos of my legs...homage to georgia o'keefe.




My legs are so marred. You can see a scratch and a giant welt of a spider bite!