/inspiration

My Favourite Book Publisher Is Having A Sale!

This month is Craft Month at Chronicle Books, and I just had to share this sale with you!  If you are thinking of stocking up by adding some inspiration to your shelves for the nesting and nurturing months ahead, you will definitely want to get in on these crazy deals.

All of the titles in this sale are $3.99 or LESS, so snatch up a bunch before the leaves change colours and you find yourself in need of some projects to keep your fingers busy and warm. What better way to make the colder months pass happily by than to make beautiful things? If these images have you jones-ing for some DIY time, this is definitely the sale for you.

Oh the inspiration that awaits! Happy Thursday.

xo
s.

By |September 12th, 2013|0 Comments

The Art of Inspiration: Photographer + Filmmaker Brooks Reynolds | Indie Musician Alexander Fairchild

Art begets art. Creativity begets creativity. Inspiration begets inspiration. This is what I truly believe, and this is why I explore, experiment with and express my own creativity through various mediums, always attempting to break down the cardboard boxes that quietly and insidiously attempt to contain the ideas and keep them small. It is also why I am always interested in connecting with creative artists of all mediums. There is no better source of inspiration than someone who is inspired themselves.

Brooks Reynolds is an inspired and truly inspiring photographer and burgeoning filmmaker. I’ve had the privilege of working with him on past projects, and I thought I would share a bit of his work with you in the hopes that he inspires you, too.

As you can see, Brooks’ work has a very distinctive look to it no matter the project. I can’t wait for him to do another run of prints so that I can purchase a print of the first image you see above (the one of the girl in the red dress holding the Polaroid camera). The saturation of colour and vintage warmth have me charmed, and I think this print will make the perfect starting point for a new grouping of art here in our home.

A photographer who bridges fine art and commercial work with artistic integrity and authenticity, Brooks has recently moved beyond stills into filmmaking, most notably by creating beautifully organic and visually inspired music videos. Given that I love indie music – and that this musical artist happens to be a friend of mine – I couldn’t resist sharing this video with you.

Alexander Fairchild is something of a creative genius, playing all of the instruments (and of course singing all of the vocal tracks) featured on his prolific and ever-expanding catalogue of records. If like me you are charmed by witty, thoughtful lyrics…if you love a more stripped-back and organic, folk-inspired aesthetic with a decidedly modern edge…and if you have a penchant for love songs that paint delightfully unexpected pictures on the canvas of your imagination…then this is the artist for you.

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, so I can only conclude that temporarily unavailable albums must make an artist’s new release all the more highly anticipated. No doubt that will be the case here. Alexander Fairchild Volumes 1, 2 and 3 have been temporarily pulled from iTunes in preparation for an exciting release coming soon. I’ll definitely keep you posted on dates and details. In the meantime, you can get your fix by keeping this video on repeat.

Off to snuggle up with my guys and have another listen. Hope this leaves you inspired for a weekend filled with creativity!

xo
s.

By |July 6th, 2012|2 Comments

Lofty Inspiration – The Art of The Mix

I don’t know about you, but there is a version of me that could totally do big city loft living. In my mind, the building is an über chic, converted warehouse oozing with massive-windows-and-exposed-brick-and-wooden-beam charm.

Photo courtesy of www.thestwrd.com

My neighbours are of course artists and architects and musicians and innovators, and we all take turns hosting wine tastings and cooking parties where we talk about art and inspiration and our favourite recipes (and never discuss politics). The kitchen would no doubt look like this:

image found on Pinterest

My husband and I spent several glorious years living in the charmingly European neighborhood of Bloor West Village in Toronto. Though not a loft neighborhood, the 18″ gumwood baseboards and beefy (nearly edible) matching wood door casings were delightful. It had some of that ruddy charm that I love about a good loft, too. Something of a sense of history that made you feel very much at home and somehow connected with a meaningful story right there in your own neighbourhood.

We live in Oakville now, and it has many benefits including mature trees and bigger back yards. With that also comes normal ceiling heights, no 18 foot high walls of architectural windows, no real exposed brick or beefy gumwood baseboards…so we need to think of other ways to bring that vintage warmth and nostalgia into our spaces. For me, it’s about the art of the mix. It is about a home that is carefully curated over time – perfectly imperfect and reflective of a journey.

I recently trotted off to the local Christie Antique Show in search of just this kind of nostalgic inspiration. Here are a few of the treasures  I found:

As it turns out, I went on this little adventure with something very specific in mind. I was searching for an antique, square, pressed-glass, footed cake stand. I knew exactly what I wanted (a dangerous place to start, I find) and had stuffed two $20’s in my pocket in the hopes I would find it. After spending $10 on parking, I had a generous $30 budget left and a pocket full of dreams. I had nearly gotten through the entire show and was feeling rather deflated when – like a mirage in the distance – there it was. A perfect, square, pressed-glass footed cake stand (skirted, even!) that was exactly as I had imagined it. 
My elation quickly turned to deflation once again as I learned that my intended treasure – a Fostoria American collectible cake stand, patented in 1915 – was in fact $275. The fact that they took Visa did not help in this case (a budget is a budget), though the dealer was really hopeful when he saw how excited I had been to discover it.
So instead of going home with my intended treasure, I came home with an education on what I’m looking for, a little less naivete over the price of things and a few images to share with you! Hope to see you at the September edition of the Christie Antique Show!
xo
s.
By |June 20th, 2012|0 Comments

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