I noticed this artist, Clare Elsaesser, on Design*Sponge last week. See more of her lovely work at her Etsy store, Tastes Orangey.
And I couldn't resist including this adorable kid…
Tag: design sponge
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Design*Sponge Dog Photos
Design*Sponge editor Amy Azzarito recently posted an excellent round up of 32 dog photos from designers' homes featured in their sneak peek series. Here are a few of my favorites. But they are all adorable.
Click here to see them all.
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Dog Crate Desk
Design*Sponge has been featuring some fantastic DIY projects lately. This dual purpose dog crate desk by Austin designer and photographer Jamie Kovach is particularly inspiring for anyone with a big dog, a small space, and an ingenious sense of style.
Visit Design*Sponge for details.
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Acrylic Dachshund Bookends
It may be obscene to feature $265 acrylic Dachshund bookends when we're getting mauled by the Great Recession, but I love how endlessly inspiring the Doxie silhouette is. Handmade in Italy where designers don't know the meaning of the words "economic downturn." Available at Barneys New York via Design*Sponge.
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Jen Bekman’s Dog
I don’t think Jen Bekman has time for a real dog right now as she works tirelessly to bring affordable art to everyone via the internet through her brilliant 20 x 200 project. But this little guy, Maynard the Bulldog, purchased at Woolworth’s in 1989, brings great charm to her cozy, eclectic apartment. If you’re feeling that Autumn nesting instinct or you are still putting off actually hanging your artwork, stop by Design*Sponge to see Jen’s place. Trust me, you will be inspired.
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Dog Dishes by Sarah Cihat
Thrift store finds reimagined, reglazed, and refired by artist Sarah Cihat. Sustainable and lovely. Via Design*Sponge.
Not sure why it's just Frenchies and Greyhounds. Hopefully, more breeds will follow.
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Design Porn
Sometimes working alone and being an artist can feel a bit masterbatory (sorry, mom). I wonder how other people “do it.” Create, that is. But in the same way it would be pervy to ask someone about his or her process in the bedroom, it feels uncomfortable to ask an artist about his or her creative process in the studio. Enter design porn, a term I coined this morning when I clicked on Design*Sponge and got totally turned on by its Design by the Book video series, a collaboration between Grace Bonney, D*S founder, and the New York Public Library.
The series follows five New York City-based artists,
Lorena Barrezueta; Rebecca Kutys; Mike Perry; John Pomp; and Julia Rothman, as they explore the library’s collections in search of inspiration. Assisting them in their quest is dream reference librarian, Jessica Pigza, who not only has that naughty-girl-behind-the-glasses look that nicely extends my porn metaphor, but gets as much delight in the artistic process as the artists get from the extraordinary treasures she finds. She also has her own blog called Handmade Librarian.There are four videos in the series. I am only posting the first one here (if you’re reading this in an email click through to the blog to view it). But I urge you to watch them all. There is a dog in the video, but today’s post is more about art than dog art. About the glories of the analog world in the digital age, and about seeing other artists explore and play and find their way. And feeling that it’s OK to watch. Enjoy!
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Whigby: Heads of State
Super cute dog and cat wrapping paper from Whigby, a stationary company run by Todd and Frank, two Canadian guys who design locally and think globally. All products, like the adorable Heads of State (above), are made with recycled paper and water-based ink. Love it!
Via Design*Sponge.
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Design*Sponge L.A. Biz Ladies Meetup
Grace Bonney gives her PR tips.Tuesday night’s Biz Ladies Meetup at Design Within Reach was as educational as it was inspiring. Organized by design and blogger maven, Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge, the event attracted nearly 200 talented, crafty, entrepreneurial women looking to connect and learn about taking our cottage industries to the next level.
It was so great to meet so many creative women and listen to the generous guest speakers share their expertise. Grace gave an excellent presentation on PR for the independent designer which you can download here. Billie and Tootie of the indie-oriented store Reform School discussed making their retail dreams a reality. Brilliant furniture designer Tanya Aguiniga illuminated us with her passion for work and philanthropy that has paid off with a skyrocketing career in a male dominated industry. And Lindsay Horstman of Smith Barney knocked on our right brains with reminders about finances and investments.
Tanya Aguiniga talks about her passion for perfection and giving back.What was really fun was to run into people I’ve blogged or who’ve blogged me, like Lynda Keeler of Delight.com. I’ve proudly been on her Delightful Blog for close to a year. I also met the fabulous photographer Grace Chon whose beautiful black dogs I recently featured here. And Amy Turner who makes gorgeous dog art using wood grained contact paper. I featured her way back in April 2007, when Dog Art Today was just a baby. I definitely need to revisit Amy’s work with a new post for all my new readers. She’s a true original!
L.A. ladies listen to the Reform School founders.Next time I attend one of these events, I think I should wear a sandwich board indicating "Looking for Dog Art" because I’m sure there were dozens of artists and crafters who would be perfect for DAT. So, let me just say, L.A. Design*Sponge Biz Ladies, if you have something you would like me to feature, put together one of those handy digital press kits Grace taught you how to make and shoot it over to me. moira@dreamdogsart.com
Thanks again, Grace, for organizing a great night! And DWR for being such gracious and stylish hosts.
Photos courtesy of Laure at Apartment Therapy.
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Camilla Engman and Her Little Dog Too.
CamorranToday I’m introducing a new artist and a new term. Sweden’s Camilla Engman is what I call a coffee pot artist. This means, when you discover her work, put on a pot of coffee, because you are going to be lost in her creativity for a long, long time.
Camilla is a wildly talented illustrator, painter, and printmaker. I recently discovered her guest blogging at design*sponge, which was superb. But, take a trip to Camilla’s blog for a look at how to live your life as a true artist. For example, always take your camera on walks…
Look for beauty everywhere or make it yourself…
Fresh flowers and candles at breakfast should be standard…
At Camilla’s blog you’ll also see that one of her most important influences is her Swedish Farm Dog, Morran, who sleeps at her feet as she works…
…and often finds her way into her paintings…
Recommence
Bite or Burner
Morran In The Woods
Love Me. Obey Me. (I’m not sure if this is Morran. But every dog owner knows this feeling.)Poppytalk has a great interview with Camilla and asks her “How much do you think Morran affects your creativity process?”
I love Camilla’s answer:
“Morran loves me no matter how ugly or bad things I make. She also keeps me away from working all day and all night. You can always say that you don’t have time to your friends and family, but a dog is craving attention and long walks. She makes me a better, nicer and happier person.”
I always think about my dog inspiring me to work, but I think Camilla might be right. Dogs inspire us to get out in the world and look at it though different, more sensitive eyes, and more importantly, get out of our own heads now and then. What more could an artist ask for in a muse?
One of my favorite Morran images is available in two limited edition prints.
Can We Dance. Edition of 16. $160 each.
close up.
Cane We Dance (line drawing). Edition of 7. $130 each.See dozens of gorgeous Morran photos and short films at Camilla’s Flickr site.
P.S. Be warned that nearly all the links on Camilla’s blog take you to more “coffee pot artists” — enjoy!
