Nothing good comes easy: 3 links

by jen (today)

Thanks to Heather for that sweet post on Friday for my birthday. I really missed her this weekend.

Dinner on Saturday night was at Mary's (as in Mary Hawk from the Feb. group art show), because her husband's birthday is the day before mine, so they put out the most deliciously beautiful sushi spread for us. Thanks Mary and Jonas--gracious hosts and entertainers extraordinaire.

On to 3 links:
*But first a little heads-up. The three this week will take a little work if you're up for the challenge, but anything good doesn't come easy, right?

1. Baltimore Museum of Art--there is a children's Matisse online activity that I think is worth while for kids to experience. I've used it as a tool when presenting a lesson on Matisse for my volunteer work as an art docent at elementary schools. For younger kids, they will probably need help navigating and reading. Matisse's dog, Raoudi, takes you through a colorful lesson about Matisse, which takes about 10 minutes, and at the end, you've collected items for a portfolio that can be used to create and print your own Matisse masterpiece.

DIRECTIONS: From the link (http://artbma.org/families/activities.html#Matisse), click online activity.

2. Kexp--yes, I know I reference kexp a lot, but it is so inspirational. Today it was Preachin' the Blues, hosted by Johnny Horn. There is a particular song that made me laugh out loud when I heard it, called Conversation With Collins, by Albert Collins. He's recounting a bluesy story between he and his lady, and it's awesome (I can dig it). The beauty is, he not only tells it verbally, but he illustrates the conversation with his guitar, and you can hear the banter. It actually inspired a piece I listed in my etsy store today called still mad.

DIRECTIONS: from the link (http://kexp.org/ondemand.asp) go to streaming archive,

then listen by time and submit Sun. Apr. 5 at 10:54 am--that pops you right into the beginning of the song.
I personally think the whole show should be listened to, but this song in particular *as well as use what you got, by Freddy King (10:35 am), which made me smile really big.

3. Vincenzo Rizzo--this link goes to Vincenzo Rizzo's etsy shop, full of very cool art, and makes me wonder how one person could produce so much original art that is so affordable? Nice. (http://www.vincenzorizzo.etsy.com/)

I wasn't kidding. You kind of have to work for the links this week, but they're good.

(jen)

A plea to the sun and 3 links

by Heather Jarvis 2009

First I want to begin with a plea to the sun.
Please come out, we could use some vitamin D here in the Northwest. Cozy days of drizzle and naps are becoming tired.

*On to business, the 3 links this week are as follows:

1. Scooter Pop--featuring our photographer friend Scooter Lowrimore, and in his premier post he advises readers on how they too can become a spy in less than 2 hours.

2. Simply Supper--a blog by Laura Prothero, who also happens to be a writer. Her recipes, photos, and words come together so nicely, it almost (almost) makes me want to cook.

3. Willow Bader Artist--art by Willow Bader. I happened upon her when looking at the map from the Edmond's Artwalk that I participated in last week. When reading through the names and descriptions, I thought her name seemed lyrical and that was enough to make me want to look her up. Her drawings are my personal favorite, yet her encaustic tango pieces are entrancing.

These are three that are inspiring to me today, making me laugh, sit up straight (as all impressive art work does), and want to want to cook.

(jen)

Three links and a thanks.

cardboard blue bird by jennifer 2009

I first want to extend appreciation once again to my friend Bill, who has cut some plywood for me, so that I have 32 little squares on which to paint--thanks a bunch Bill.

I also wanted to initiate our 3 links deal again...you know, 3 links that don't stink, generally highlighting art in many forms or other bits inspirational to Heather and me for whatever reason, explainable or not.

This week's 3:

1. D.S. Brennan Photography- a photographer from Rhode Island, chosen because I thought I'd research what's going on artistically in RI and came across Diana Stith Brennan--I really dig her work.

2. Rat City Rummage- a rummage/arts and crafts sale in South Seattle at a roller rink. I thought this would be a cool link for artists, junk collectors, and art collectors alike. I'd like to participate in the future, maybe sell some stuff, and I'm wondering if they'll let me live out my childhood dream of skating as a roller-boogie queen while selling my wares?

3. Walker Rock Garden- a charming garden in the former backyard of the Walkers of West Seattle. I went there as a child and still have a rock that Mr. Walker gave to me somewhere in my collection of things. I linked to a flickr page that opens tons of photos that many people have contributed of the little gem in West Seattle.

So find our 3 links off to the right to click and enjoy.

*A thought on junk and collecting occurred to me while considering this week's links:

I'm a collector from way back, and used to be a bit obsessive. I've kept some of the most ridiculous treasures, like (as a teenager) the matchbook to a friend's friend's friend's sister's wedding, to commemorate that we crashed 2 weddings that night. Really was it necessary? I have a million of such treasures and I realized how silly it is to keep the tangibles. Stuff comes and goes--things, money, relationships, seasons; all we really have is our memories, and even those are fleeting, so really what we have is the moment.

So on that note, I probably should strap on my roller skates and boogie on down to Rat City and sell some of my rummage.

*example, artwork above is from recycled cardboard that used to line my work area when I painted, and I kept it for no other reason than it looked cool and was a journal of colors, materials, and notes to myself during the period in which it was used (at least I've given it a little justifiable purpose).

(jen)

Portland Art Inspired the 3 Links

The Annunciation Campin 1425

Being gone over the holiday kept the 3 links from being poppin fresh…sorry. Heather stayed in town to host her first Thanksgiving and make her first turkey. I really wanted to attend her dinner, if anything to enjoy her domestication (which neither of us really are), but following tradition, we went to Portland to visit family. While in Portland, I gathered a few cool links—being the artistic epicenter that Portland is.

Crafty Wonderland—super colossal holiday sale! It’s a monthly “arts and crafts extravaganza” featuring many vendors with handmade wares. Check out the photos—looks cool—as well as the list of vendors for the December show. Well worth it if you’re anywhere near the area.

Charles Dwyer—artist. I saw his piece titled Grace at a gallery and looked him up. His figurative art and abstract art are my favorite, but his photography is equally as intriguing.

grammargirl—owner of NOUN a person’s place for things. If you scroll through a few pages, you witness a fair representation of the cool items for sale in NOUN. I was excited to see one of my favorite etsy artist’s (Rachel Austin) paintings in person.

That’s it. As for the visual feature today, it’s a page out of a book I made as a project for an Art History class. It explores the notion of what I might say or think if I were in Mary’s shoes, featuring various painted Annunciation scenes. The one above is the center of a triptych altarpiece by Robert Campin (and Assistant) 1425, and of coarse my comment inserted [caption reads: "Focus Mary, just pretend like he's not there"]. Below is the cover to the book [fortune reads: "You will hear a kind word from a stranger"].

Just thought you should know & 3 links

So Heather came over today, we were designing some postcards for her new project—pet portraits—but while we were setting up the program, somehow the pictures she intended to use vanished. Not too surprising, we’re artists not technology experts. So the postcard deal fell through, which is a bummer, because that’s one of my most favorite things, picking up new postcards fresh from the printer. Instead I thought I could coerce her to say a little something on our blog, but she pointed out how it’s actually funny at this point that she hasn’t said anything. So she convinced me she should be the silent mysterious partner behind the scenes, and I’ll act as the public voice. I tried to convince her to at least post her picture/profile/ statement, yet keeping in character, she suggested it’s best that I do these things on her behalf. She gave me full permission to say whatever I want, which is a little concerning for two reasons:

1. She must really trust me; honestly, she shouldn’t. What if she ticks me off? I could tell everyone about the time I caught her licking frogs in her backyard (but I would never do that).
2. People may think she’s a figment of my imagination, which I guess really isn’t that big of a deal, and really this all adds to her mystique—lucky her, mysterious, funny, and maybe not real.

Anyway, she said I could post whatever picture/statement/profile I want. Should be fun.

*Also, here are this weeks three links:

1. bagpainter.com—art of Chris Crites (other works is visually rewarding).

2. Amy Carleton—portrait artist extraordinaire.

3. Poor Sailor—beautiful art ( I love the honesty of her post on the 18th).

I'm off to see some art.

(jen)

Petite Project & New Links

These are a latest creation, hand-painted magnets, constructed from recycled materials (metal rounds and magnetic backing). Thanks to Britanny for the rounds--see I knew they were valuable.

As for the links this week: Heather has contributed two. These are two sites she finds inspiring.

1. smart mama's blog--cool ideas and her gallery is impressive (looks Klimt inspired).

2. decor8--"fresh finds for hip places"

As for me, I'm choosing:

3. daily candy--a publication to keep you apprised of any happenings in many major cities (including Seattle). My pick is the art section.

So there you have it--this week's 3.
Look right, and click away.

(jen)

A Favorite Mural & *new links*

This is a photo of a mural Heather and I recently did for a nursery. I was the photographer that day, so I apologize for the quality of the photo (but I'm not entirely to blame, it was also a gloomy rainy Seattle day, so I was working with limited light source). This work is designed by Heather and painted by me--a circus theme--which is actually a running joke with us. Heather loves circus themes; I think the fact she keeps suggesting them to clients helps her work through her deep seeded fear of clowns (notice no clowns?). We've both painted children's furniture in the past, and Heather was fortunate enough to be able to paint her walls while growing up, so that may have something to do with most of our murals being children's themes. We do occasional "grown up" designs, but mostly gravitate toward children's projects...they are the most fun clients to gain inspiration from.

As for this week's three links that don't stink:

20/20 Vision--Burien Arts Association art show, so this one is for the Seattle locals. *please note the $40*

Pierre Riche--cool sculptor.

Mo Willems--super funny author/illustrator. I actually once went to his book signing (Knuffle Bunny Too), while my kids were in school. I think I may have been the only grown up unaccompanied by a child, but it was worth it--he's so entertaining. *check out Pigeon Presents* and play hot dog dress up & Elephant and Piggie Dance Game

(jen)

Only One Chance to Make a First Impression

stratagem 2006 (jennifer culp)

Inspiration has come to step up the blog situation, and here's why:

The diverse crowd that visits our blog (various countries, states, and cities) is humbling and impressive; good effort should be made to present something worthwhile to those who stumble upon Menagerie...it's a small world after all.

For this reason, the hope is to keep it visually fresh. Some links have been added--only a few, because it can be overwhelming to come upon a huge list of links, Menagerie features 3 links...the three that are inspiring, (that day) for whatever reason...and they will be rotated on a regular basis, in hopes of not becoming stale.

An explanation of the three chosen today:

Two feature really great art, and KEXP is candy for the ears.
When visiting KEXP, you can stream live, or archive. Check out the various genres, there's something for everyone. Favorite pick: positive vibes/Kid Hops (Saturday the 25th was a good show).



(jen)