poppytalk's indie love lookbook

It's truly an honor to be amongst the talented artists featured here: Poppytalk Handmade's "Indie Love" Lookbook. The presentation is equally beautiful. Enjoy!

Open publication - Free publishing - More art

keeping a promise to myself

This week I kept a promise to myself: I made time to work on my "Art is My Compass" project. It wasn't easy given my chaotic parenting and volunteering schedule, but, like I've said before, without art I am lost.



I've experimented with staining art papers with coffee, tea, and wine. I'm most happy with the uneven edges of the stain and I'm really digging the use of pencil and ink. I like to think that my great-grandmothers would approve of the use of natural colorants to create my art -- I've heard stories they, too, used coffee to dye fabric.


I've added a number of photos to my new flickr account. You are more than welcome to take a peek. Cheers, Mandy

inspiration: Patty Haller

"Dawn Salutation" - by Seattle artist Patty Haller - casein and oil on birch wood panel

As some of you know, my daughters have been studying Kenpo Karate at Alpha Martial Arts for the past four years and both are on track to earn their Junior Black Belts within six months -- we're so proud!

Over the years, my family and I have had the pleasure of developing rich friendships with fellow karate parents and students. One such parent is Patty Haller, mother of three and graduate of the 2009 Gage Academy Landscape Atelier.

Patty is one of the sweetest, most caring people I've ever met and she only recently let on that she is an award-winning landscape artist. Her work is spectacular and I feel a connection to her artist statement:

"Nature to me is a rich perceptual experience, where the whole seems ordered but the details are wild. I want both in my art. And so I establish parameters, lightly imposing systems of visual organization which allow my imagined spaces to breathe and hold life. I aim to create a visual experience which reflects how we actually see the natural world, as we survey the land, move around and focus on the elements around us." - Patty Haller

"Una Foresta in Prospettiva" - oil on canvas 30"x51" overall - 2009 by Patty Haller

I invite you to browse her galleries of work here -- enjoy!

making connections through Poppytalk Handmade

I'm thrilled once again to be participating in a Poppytalk Handmade online street market! The best part about participating is making connections with incredibly talented artists who share my passion and value for art, craftsmanship, and living sustainably. Thank you so much Poppytalk!

The Indie Love market starts today and celebrates, "Everything handmade, indie and things we love! -- co-founders, Jan and Earl". I invite you to check out all the AMAZING works of art, each handcrafted and one-of-a-kind.

Poppytalk Handmade is also celebrating FIVE hugely successful years of bringing emerging artists together with buyers, all in an online environment -- Jan and Earl are true pioneers! Congratulations for following your passions. Cheers, Mandy

my morning walks

I thought you might enjoy these images I captured on my morning walk to my youngest daughter's school for volunteering. I've really been enjoying my time helping out in her Japanese-immersion classroom--they are a lovely class and it's been a privilege to see them mature over the years.

Someday I swear I'll grow my own Chinese Lanterns. Aren't they beautiful?

shorpy find - Cleon Throckmorton

Renowned artist Cleon "Throck" Throckmorton at work at Krazy Kat (circa 1921)

The weekend is finally here and I'm ready to rejuvenate! I trust I'll find time to escape to my tiny art studio to finish work on a few of my "art is my compass" drawings.

To jump start my creativity, I turned to one of my all-time favorite sources of inspiration: Shorpy, a vintage photo blog featuring thousands of high-definition images from the 1850s to 1950s. I've blogged about my Shorpy crush here, here, here, and here.

Well, this morning I hit the jackpot! I found this incredible image of artist Cleon Throckmorton on the terrace of Krazy Kat painting a lovely lady rumored to be his wife. What's not to LOVE about this photograph?

Click on the photo above to view a high-res image and soak up all the beauty. Be sure to check out the blog's comments that tell more of the story behind "Throck" and the bohemians who frequented Krazy Kat. Enjoy!

the Mix Tape Lookbook is here!

The lookbook for Poppytalk Handmade's Mix Tape marketplace is here and it's a page turner! I highly recommend setting aside some time to check out all the incredible artists featured on these pages. Cheers, Mandy

Open publication - Free publishing