Things That Inspire Me: ART

Sorry that I haven't posted in a while, but it's summer in the Pacific Northwest...i.e. it's mandatory for me to spend every possible moment in the sunshine getting my year's supply of Vitamin D. Check and check. Aside from that, Nial and I have been busy with house projects GALORE. You wouldn't even recognize my house, and I know this because I hardly notice it.

Anyway, back to the main point. When the sun is out, my creative juices emerge from hibernation and I actually want to paint and create again. My usual creative vehicle is random abstract mixed media art projects (less pressure) which I spend countless hours working on, and then inevitably chuck into some kind of heap of sad, art purgatory. I'm more enthralled with the process than anything else. Long story long, here are some of the abstract pieces that are making me twitch. Enjoy!

Things That Inspire Me: Iris Apfel

Like most people, I'm not super jazzed about aging- -but I am ridiculously reassured and inspired by people who add their own flare, style and charm to the process. I recently read a very cool article about Iris Apfel in Architectural Digest, and it compelled me to want to know more. I mean, the glasses, the outfits- -she's so clearly the kind of older woman that I will end up being (or that I aspire to be anyway).

LOVE: Jean Shrimpton

It's sad to admit, but I didn't know who Jean Shrimpton was until I read Patti Boyd's Autobiography. I love that not only is she just stunning, but she's also an icon from an era and scene that I wish I could have been a part of. Please enjoy a few of my favorite images of her.

Perfection

Random Love & Inspiration

I want to know everyone in the front row of this Josh Goot show (c/o Jak & Jil Blog).

LOVE: Who What Wear

The idea for this website is genius, and most certainly inspired me for my own blog. It's the idea that people look at magazines for the images, so why not create a website dedicated to the images we desperately seek?! I love it! They even go a step beyond and answer important questions like, "what was this person wearing?" and "where can I get it?" Needless to say, this website is on my regular rotation of website I visit on a daily basis.

This selection is about Sarah Jessica Parker's Maxi Dress.

Love her! Don't even get me started...

Hi there, most gorgeous jacket EVER

Can you please direct your attention to Sienna Miller (who I thought was Elle MacPherson)?!?

Rachel Bilson is perfection in this image.....and usually.

You make me want to dye my hair platinum...and wear maxi dresses to go hiking.

Olsen in animal print....I don't even see anyone else in this image.

Charlize Theron!

This is an image that supported my decision to go with chunky bangs this past spring

Ms. Meester's hair/makeup/everything is pretty spectacular (albeit understated) here.

Blue+orange+fishnets!! THANK YOU!!!

Everyone was baulking at Cate's dress and I thought it was the MOST fabulous and interesting dress at the whole event....also Gwyneth.....and Kate Beckinsale.....that's it.

YAHTZEE!!!

YAHTZEE again!

Tattoos

I realize tattoos started as a rebellious practice by societal outliers, and then they became uber mainstream (with shows like "Miami Ink," "LA Ink" and the like). I've always been a fan. I mean, there's a lot of crap out there, but there's a lot of crap out there, in general. I have never been a "beige" girl, or one that felt comfortable living in a place with a lack of decoration, or similarly dressing in a way that seemed void of color and decoration- -my skin doesn't feel very different to me on that front. I feel like these days "no tattoos" is the new "tattoos," but that's fine with me- -I just can't have white walls on this proverbial house, so, popular or not- -they're here to stay. Literally.
Whenever it gets warm out in the Pacific Northwest and people begin daring to bare a bit of skin, I'm reminded of all the hidden inked skin out there. For some people it's something they wear blatantly for everyone to see, for others it's like a secret that is only revealed occasionally or by accident. I like the hidden ones that one catches a glimpse of. For me it's like, "well I thought I had this guy in a suit all figured out, but that's the story with that little tattoo that just poked out of his collar line?"
Here's a few tattoos that I quite like. A few are from one of my favorite local tattoo shops, Scapegoat Tattoo, which also boasts to be a vegan shop (as most or all of the employees are vegan and all products used are free of animal byproducts and animal testing). It's a very Portland, OR thing, I know- -but it's a great shop with gifted artists and I feel fortunate to have collected a few of their fine pieces over the years. Ryan Mason of Scapegoat is pictured below.

Peak-a-boo

Brian Wilson is pretty gifted at roses. I have a few, as a matter of fact.

I've always loved tattoos of dogs, but I think Nial would actually kill me.

MORE: Really Cool Vintage Estate Rings!