Dog Art Today

Tag: grace bonney

  • Design Porn

    Design_by_the_book

    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!

  • Design*Sponge L.A. Biz Ladies Meetup

    Design_sponge_meetup_1
    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.

    Design_sponge_meetup_2
    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!

    Design_sponge_meetup_3
    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.

  • Running Late

    Runningdog

    I’m running late for a meeting this morning. Feeling like this amazing painting Running Dog by Sixty Minute Artist Jerry Lebo, whose very cool blog is devoted to artistic discipline and striving to “turn consistent effort into something worth looking at.”

    Check back later. I have lots to tell you about the Ladies Biz Meetup I went to last night hosted by the fabulous Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge. It was terrific!

  • Retro Modern Cmielow Dogs

    Cmielow_fox_terrier_2

    Fox Terrier

    When premier shelter blogger Grace Bonney picks a dog, I take notice. Grace, who’s gorgeous Design * Sponge sets a standard for us all, recently visited Eden & Eden in SF, a store she describes as “oozing a genuine love of beautiful objects.” And after three days of indecision, she decided to purchase one item — a Cmielow Fox Terrier.

    Cmielow_eden

    Cmielow figurines at Eden & Eden

    The Polish town of Cmielow has porcelain factories that date back to 1790. In the late 50’s and early 60’s renowned artists such as Lubomiren Tomaszewski, Hanna Orthwein, Henryk Jedrasiak, Mieczyslaw Naruszewicz designed modern figurines that were influenced by the works of Picasso and Henry Moore. These highly sought after pieces soon became harder and harder to find as the factory’s production declined and eventually stopped.

    Now, new owners have recovered the original molds (from the basement) and are making these wonderful works of art again. Each one is crafted by hand, signed, and shipped with a certificate of authenticity. England’s Blue Poppy Art is one of the top wholesalers of Cmielow. They issue 2 limited editions each year, a catalogue upon request, and they are happy to sell retail if you contact them directly.

    Cmielow_collie

    Collie

    Cmielow_borzoi

    Borzoi

    Cmielow_poodle

    Poodle

    Cmielow_bedlington_terrier

    Bedlington Terrier

    Cmielow_dachshund

    Dachshund

    Cmielow_whippet

    Whippet

  • BlogRolling

    The shockingly dense design*sponge is always a thrill to visit. Victoria of the dreamy design blog, sfgirlbybay, guest edited last week for Grace Bonney and she posted this darling print, “Doglove,” from FrauMathildaArt she found on Etsy, a beautifully designed website to buy and sell handmade goods. You could spend all day surfing these sites, and your whole life redoing and re-redoing your living space. Drop by their blogs to be endlessly inspired.

    Doglove