runny bunny

Runny Bunny is one of those wonderful shops on esty that I know very little about, but suspect that the artist, Robin VanValkenburgh, is someone who experiment in her work and will be fun to watch out for. She has just started blogging so hopefully we will learn more soon. Obviously, I am drawn to the hybrid ceramic series. Their subtle humor and wonderful craft create a sense of jamais vu that is hard to resist.

Stop by the Runny Bunny shop to see more of her creatures.

art-o-mat

Selling snack-sized original art wrapped in cellophane was a project started by Clark Whittington for a solo art show in 1997 and is still going strong with over 400 artists contributing from around the world. Repurposed cigarette vending machines dispense original art for around five-bucks! Art-o-mat machines can be found in museums, galleries, cafes and various shops. The machines themselves are incredible pieces. Check out their website to see more. Planning a trip? Be sure to check if there will be an art-o-mat machine in the area - each one's different and worth searching for.

To find an art-o-mat near you, click here.

the great schlep

The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.

feed the dog

ERRRGGGHHH!!! You know me, I love monsters! These quirky pillows are from Feed the Dog. Children's drawings interpreted into limited edition hand printed, stitched and appliqued pillows. Lots of fun. The inverted spikes on the dino tail with the short stick figure arms are excellent! Added bonus: you can't help but make sound affects when you see them.

Visit Feed the Dog's shop on etsy to see more.

jello cityscapes

Stumbled upon Liz Hickok's jello cityscapes a few months back @ an open studio night in the mission district of San Francisco. Wandering the studios, I saw these curious candy colors peeking out from under a tarp - I HAD to find out! The artist wasn't there. I wanted to be respectful, but I HAD to see. Gently peeked under a corner: It looked like a miniature of San Francisco made out of...hmmm, I'm not quiet sure what - wait, is that's aged jello?!? Yes. Yes, indeed it was made of jello. Absolutely mesmerized, I could NOT be pulled away. Soon someone came - not the artist, but a friend and I was given permission to peek (phew, I felt better). Wow.

Her photos are amazing with the vivid glow of colors. And I love how the sweating buildings begin to crystallize and jiggle, but I'm glad my first experience was peeking from under a tarp and seeing this magnificent techno-jello color city emerge from the darkness.

Click here to visit Liz Hickok's website.

HEL LOOKS

HEL LOOKS is a street fashion photo project from Helsinki, Finland that started in 2005. (Out of respect to the individuals, HEL LOOKS asks that the photos not be republished - that's why you don't see any images with this post.) Flipping through the individual photos and reading their comments on style is so much fun. And the wonderful combinations of textures and colors! Go take a peek - you’ll find yourself hooked.

"The most important thing is that clothes fit the mood of the day. If they don't, the whole day can be spoilt." - Merja

Sana Ndiaye: Senegalese Akonting

In August, we stumbled upon the American Folk Music Festival in Bangor, Maine. One of the highlight of the festival was Sana Ndiaye who played the Sengalese akonting. During the festival, Ndiaye was joined by percussionist Backa Niang on the djembe - both were amazing! We saw them perform several times because we were so mesmerized. At times, the percussions and the akonting reversed roles, where the akonting carried the rhythm and percussions floated above.

Believed to be the West African ancestor of the banjo, a gourd bodied lute, the akonting has three strings. Two longer melody strings and one shorter drone string - akin to the short fifth string on the banjo. The music of the akonting is composed of short sustained notes that are played over and over again.

Unfortunately CDs aren't currently available of these traditional songs but keep your ears open - expect more to come from these performer. Both are members of the African hip-hop group Gokh-Bi System, which combines traditional musicians and instruments with hip-hop.

To hear more of Sana Ndiaye playing the akonting, click here and here.

Diem Chau

I LOVE how Diem Chau uses ordinary, everyday objects in such an elegant & quirky way.
Her narratives are so beautifully crafted. Each piece leaves me with a sense of awe. And always a smile.

(Crayon commissions are available upon request.)

As a long time admirer, I am excited to see Diem gaining more and more attention in the media and on the web. This month she is on the cover of Fiber Arts magazine! Currently exhibiting @ the Pulliam Deffenbaugh Gallery in Portland, Oregon through Sept. 27th.

I contacted Diem last week to see if/and when she might be exhibiting in the San Francisco bay area. And much to my delight, she will be in a two-person show @ the Mark Wolfe Contemporary Nov. 4th through Dec. 24th. So, if you’re in the bay area - mark your calendars for the chance to see these really wonderful pieces in person. (Don’t worry I’ll remind you – because I’m REALLY excited!)

To see more visit Diem Chau's website.

head-lint...

is a collection of obsessions and inspirations. Random bits of information, visual overload, needed distractions - call it what you will, but this is the stuff that consumes and motivates me. Feel free to email or post a comment.

Lint may stick to your sweater, but this stuff sticks to my brain!