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Napoleon I on the Imperial Throne
By Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
Circa 1806, Musée de l'Armée, Paris
Monday, August 23
Saturday, August 21
Not Art (Technically) Fashion Blogger Wow
Victoria and Albert would totally lay a huge art smack down on me for saying that. Fashion is a decorative art. Thus, some of it is allowed on this blog... Je regrette V&A, heart y'all. :)
Jenny and I are really hearting Marisa Lynch of the blog New Dress A Day. She has given up shopping for an entire year (how!?!?!) and is making all of her clothes from stuff she finds at yard sales and thrift shops. And the coolest part is that she is doing it for only a $1.oo a day.
She isn't just taking something that is pretty wearable, adding a few buttons and bringing up the hem. She is buying totally unwearable things (think 10 sizes too big) and turning them into something completely fabulous. She keeps a hint of the original's style though, which we like alot.
Marisa's Super 80's Glam Before:
The 'I would totally buy that' after:
Me thinks she is pretty close to a book deal or a stint on Project Runway. Go check out New Dress A Day. You'll heart it.
Friday, August 20
It's Friday...
and it has been a long week.
Seated Dancer
by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, c. 1890
Pick yourself up off the floor. Come on, you can do it.
You should probably shower...
Study for Woman Putting on Her Stocking
by Henri de Toulouse-Laurec, c. 1894
Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, Albi, France
And put on some make-up, it will make you feel better.
Madame Poupoule at Her Dressing Table
by Henri de Toulouse-Laurec, c. 1900
Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, Albi, France
Tonight, you should go to a show!
The Large Theater Box
by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, c. 1896
Or maybe even dancing!
Ballet de Papa Chrysanthème
by Henri de Toulouse-Laurec, c. 1892
Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, Albi, France
So grab that little black dress.
La Goulue Entering the Moulin Rouge
by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, c. 1892
MOMA, New York
And a date.
Training of the New Girls by Valentin the Boneless
by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, c. 1890
The Philadelpha Muesum of Art
And hit the town!
Marcelle Lender Dancing the Bolero in "Chilperic"
by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, c. 1895
I have a sneaking suspicion that Friday was Toulouse-Lautrec's favorite day. I hope you have a happy one! ;)
Thursday, August 19
Etsy's British Stepsister, DaWanda
I just met DaWanda and am intrigued.
DaWanda is a lot like Etsy. She isn't as pretty and she doesn't have as much to offer at the moment, but she has some potential. Take this for example:
Old Prague 2 by Maria Kitano
Really nice. So are these:
Like Etsy, it has the usual collection of handmade soaps, scarves and pillows. However, DaWanda's art offerings are not nearly as sophisticated. DaWanda seems to have a much higher population of weird sexy fairy art and I found myself digging a little bit more for the good stuff. And the fact that all of the prices are in British pounds is not a plus.
But one thing DaWanda does have that Etsy doesn't is Surrealerotik.
He is German and he sculpts shocking life-like "erotic fruit."
Surrealerotik knows he way around a bell pepper, that's for sure.
So, I think am going to bookmark DaWanda and peruse occasionally. I don't think she'll ever outshine Etsy but I am willing to give her a chance.
PS. If you want more Surrealerotik and you aren't at work...here's his link.
Tuesday, August 17
Tuesday, August 10
A vacation from blogger vacation
Well, that didn't last long!
I'm back, feeling a little less bored and a little more inspired. So, let's kick things off with a reader question. Lauren found me via my friend Jennifer of The Newlywed Diaries and she emailed with a question about this pretty, weathered print of what looks like a toucan:
image via Southern Living
She cannot find it anywhere and sadly, neither can I. But, I can tell you that this appears to be an older print, possibly used once in a classroom. I don't think it is a true antique, since the real thing would be displayed more carefully (I hope!)
While I couldn't find an exact match for Lauren, here are a few close options for her to consider.
A Toucan by Fransois Le Vaillant
circa 1806
South American explorer Fransois Le Vaillant found this long billed toucan while walking in the forests of Guiana and documented it in his book, Histoire Naturelle Des Paradis Et Des Pollier. You can see several beautiful plates from this book at the New York Public Library's Digital Gallery.
Okay, so AllPosters.com it isn't exactly my favorite gallery, but they do have a massive collection of historic prints and their prices are hard to beat. And since I'm an art lover on a serious budget, I highly recommend them.
This one, also by Le Vaillant is another great option.
Date unknown
If Lauren felt like deviating slightly from the original print of a single toucan, I think this colorful couple by English ornithologist John Gould is gorgeous option:
Short Billed Toucan
John Gould, 1804- 1881
Date unknown
All of these prints can be ordered without a border, like the one in Lauren's picture. To get the complete look of the mystery inspiration piece, Lauren will need to hang it using a rail system. Rail frames were often used to display those old school maps we used to have in class before overheads and smart boards took over. (Don't you feel old...)
I suggest buying a cheap hanging frame like this one and spray painting it matte black. Since the rails are fairly light, she can replace the chains with a heavy duty fishing line or a perhaps a elegant cord for a more traditional gallery look.
Lauren, let me know if you find the perfect toucan!
Tuesday, July 13
That's All Folks!
You may have been wondering where I have been. I've been around, mostly here. Out of town some. Doing a little of this and that.
As you can probably tell from both the lack of posts and lack of interesting topics, I'm a little bored. You have probably also noticed that my posting partner has become more of a silent partner... She is around too, but mostly there rather than here.
So I am going say peace out y'all. I may be back. Jenny may be back. We'll play it by ear.
But before I leave, there are just a few more things to say...
1) This is my favorite painting. It doesn't match my personality or taste at all. But I have always loved it.
The Figure 5 in Gold
by Charles Demuth circa 1928
2) This is by Iain Faulkner:
(Self portrait, I believe...)
He is a brilliantly talented painter from Scotland. I stumbled upon his work one day while googling. He is a modern day Edward Hopper.
I just felt like you should know who he is.
3) Art should make you smile.
Ron Krajewski
Thank you so much for reading (really). Thank you.
Until next time... :)
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