Maman, you frighten me and comfort me...

Louise Bourgeois (Dec. 25, 1911 - May 31, 2010) was on my mind. . . she passed away a year ago today.  

I was in Ottawa a couple of weeks ago visiting family and I ran into one of LB's Maman (1999, cast 2003: bronze, stainless steel and marble) purchased by the National Gallery of Canada in 2004. 

A French class, number 2 pencils and old-school craft...

I have been preoccupied with a new endeavor, the task of learning French...compliments of the province of Québec. All immigrants are strongly encouraged to learn the official language = free classes, yes please!  And this is no joke, the classes are 6 hrs/day, 5 days a week, for about 2 months for level 1. (Other levels also available for free).  I have about 3-4 different instructors throughout the week.  It is really quite impressive.


I suddenly found myself in need of #2 pencils.  While shopping at my favorite stationery store, papeterie nota bene, I came upon a stack of 
Field Notes pencils with the following inscription:   About the pencil: Lacquer-free, renewable Cal-Cedar Wood Casing, Recyclable Aluminum Ferrule, Enviro-Green Degradable Eraser and Certified Non-Toxic Imprint Inks.  I immediately thought, "...this sounds like something Made in Oregon".  I bought a few and because I possess an inquisitive mind, I googled the name.  It turns out that Field Notes is from Portland, Oregon. (Created by the Draplin Design Co. in collaboration with Coudal Partners). The man responsible...Aaron Draplin. Read more here.  
The pencils work great, but the Vimeo videos below (thanks Coudal Partners) . . . WOW . . . they motivated me to share this find with you...Contemporary old-school Craft at its best! 


IMAGE credits:  Aaron Draplin pic borrowed from House Industries. Other images borrowed from here. COLORS image borrowed from official site.

The family that I did not know I had...

FYI...Fredrik Färg's limited edition collection, Succession: The family that I did not know I had, is on display at the RH Gallery in New York until June 19, 2011...I am a big fan of his work...how hysterical are the pictures with the ducks...I love it.


Photos courtesy of Fredrik Färg.

Haute Couture à la papier...

Today I am bombarding you with the exquisite work of Belgian artist, Isabelle de Borchgrave.  Borchgrave's work is jovial, genially detailed and simply gorgeous. I love it when I come across inspirational craft. True artists really do surround themselves with non-stop creating.  Serious dedication is worthy of reverence, don't you think? If only I had that discipline.   


FYI: If you live in San Francisco, her work is currently on exhibit at FAMSF: Legion of Honor. 

All images borrowed from Isabelle de Borchgrave's official site.

Bill Cunningham New York...I cried.

Bill Cunningham New York has finally come to Montréal.  Mark and I saw the film last night and it was absolutely inspirational.  To my surprise, it was showing at a tiny theater (Cinema Du Parc) and very few people were in attendance. This film should be projected on a big wall somewhere in the city...for everyone to see.  I am not going to summarize the film, watch the trailer here and check out your local theaters. 


New York has a magical way of fostering ardent artistry.  Merci beaucoup, Bill Cunningham. Thank You New York! Thank you Richard Press and Crew + Zeitgeist Films!


He is a living Don Quixote; his bicycle, his Rocinante.  His understated blue coat, his armor.


Image Credits: Images in color borrowed from the film's official site. B/W photos: (left) borrowed from here. (right) borrowed from here.  Newspaper:  Bill’s first spread for The New York Times, December 30, 1978. (Borrowed from the film's official site).