Rae Dunn...clay.

the truth.

2012-01-29T12:14:00.000-08:00

you never know what really goes on in a relationship behind closed doors, but the truth is that CLAY and I are in a BIG FIGHT. i've been working on new cups using different clays, slips, and glazes for weeks now. and after many trials and tribulations, test firings, more test firings, tears, tantrums, disappointments, and new supplies, i thought i had finally nailed down the perfect formula for clay + slip + glaze + temperature = nice cup. well, i thought wrong. turns out that what happens in your test kiln is NOT necessarily what happens in your big kiln, and what happens in your big kiln is NOT necessarily what happens in your even bigger kiln.

i know that all of my testing and inconclusive results are just part of the process and nature of this beast we call CLAY, and it really IS part of the adventure and surprise. but, when you actually need functional cups for a real SHOW, it can be maddening and heart breaking. i wish CLAY would just behave the way i WANT him to right now . . . but at this point, all i can do is cross my fingers and close my eyes.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2012-01-27T08:54:00.000-08:00

july 2004

arezzo, italy

one of my top 3 favorite countries has to be italy (tuscany, to be exact). tuscany is so luscious and rich with culture . . . the FOOD, the colors, the people, the art, the landscape. i could easily spend a year eating and sketching my way through tuscany . . . (a girl can dream).

shake it.

2012-01-22T19:58:00.000-08:00

these are new salt + pepper shakers that i designed for my manufactured line.

they were based on and inspired by these bells that i made last summer in france. i had many requests to design a set of salt + pepper shakers (in addition to my cellars) and this shape was perfect for the job.

the gift shows are now in progress and i have A LOT of brand new products hot out of the kiln. be the first to stock your store while you can. my manufactured line will be shown in new york THIS weekend:

New York International Gift Show

January 29th to February 2nd

Magenta presents in “Tabletop and Housewares”
Javits Convention Center, Booth # 3066

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2012-01-21T08:31:00.000-08:00

24 may 2003

paris, france

one of my favorite things to do in a foreign country is to hang out in a bar with a delicious libation, reading, playing games, sketching, writing, and rubbing elbows with the natives. paris has some of the best bars anywhere and a leisurely drink is always encouraged. did you know that i am going to paris in may with some of my clay posse?

i can't wait.

beautiful ugly.

2012-01-19T08:26:00.000-08:00

i love the term "beautiful ugly." this is when something is SO ugly that it is actually beautiful. i've been experimenting with new glazes, underglazes, slips, and clays. when these bowls came out of my test kiln, i was HUGELY DISAPPOINTED, as they were nothing of what i expected. i slammed the kiln shut and stormed out of the room. but the next day when i looked at them again, i found them to be quite beautiful . . . exquisite, even.

one of clay's biggest life lesson for me is to not have your heart set on something. when you think you want something a certain way, it could turn out in a completely different way and you just might love it even more. i love when the clay speaks to me like this. it opens up my mind to even more possibilities than i ever imagined were out there.

what you think you might want, might not be what you want at all.

(click on the image for a closer look at the beautiful ugliness)

a foot to stand on.

2012-01-17T14:59:00.000-08:00

i'm making new cups . . . hand building the cup and using my new best friend, the kick wheel, to trim the foot. this is much harder than it sounds, as it is IMPOSSIBLE to center something that is OFF CENTERED to begin with, but i am having much fun doing something new. trying as it may be (yes, there have been naughty words cried out, sweat dripping from my face, and cups flying off the wheel), i think i am gaining a new appreciation for the wheel. stay tuned for my new series of goofy footed cups . . .

remembering dad.

2012-01-13T09:23:00.000-08:00

my dad and his brother owned and operated restaurants. one of the restaurants, the leilani, was a HUGE part of my life. it is so often still in my dreams. growing up in a restaurant and having a dad who was the MOST amazing chef is the reason for my innate love of food. my dad and i had many things in common, one being the love of any and all foods. there is not a single food that i will not eat with delight (except mint jelly . . . but that is really a condiment . . . and my dad liked it).

yesterday someone sent me this lighter from our restaurant that they thought i would want (I DO). it is well over 50 years old. and today marks the 4th anniversary of my dad's passing. i'm sure he is having a big feast somewhere. bon appétit, daddy-o.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2012-01-13T09:11:00.000-08:00

2011

berkeley, california

just a page from my clay sketchbook. one day these will be made into actual vessels . . . stay tuned.

savon.

2012-01-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

this artful photo was taken by the lovely food stylist + painter pouké .

you can get one here.

o p e n .

2012-01-07T09:46:00.000-08:00

the gallery will be OPEN today from 11-5

come by and say hi !

and the winner is . . .

2012-01-06T09:49:00.000-08:00

contest closed. wilma chose the name of the lucky winner out of a hat. the last winner she picked was a friend of her aunt's, so people were just a little suspicious. i blind folded her this time so no one could question the outcome. NOBODY likes a cheater.

next contest will be in february.

you will enter it here.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2012-01-06T09:04:00.000-08:00

2010

emeryville, california

yes, it's true. i am one of those typical girls who LOVES shoes. but not just any shoe. i love sturdy, good leather, well made shoes. fiornentini + baker shoes fit the bill for SURE. ooooops, i left out the "i" on the sketch . . . fiorentini puts the "i" in I WANT MORE fiorentini + baker shoes !

HAPPY. NEW. YEAR.

2012-01-01T09:30:00.000-08:00

(click on the photo for a closer look)

in celebration of this first day in 2012 . . .

i'm giving away some new year inspiration HERE.

enter to win ALL of the products above.

happy 2 0 1 2 .

it's a good time to . . .

2011-12-31T08:54:00.000-08:00

i wish a wonderful new year to all.

winter wonderland.

2011-12-30T11:12:00.000-08:00

this is our new winter studio post card.

i love the wintery feel of it.

ho ho ho.

2011-12-24T08:24:00.000-08:00

wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season.

woof.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-12-23T09:01:00.000-08:00

2009

emeryville, california

for those of you who don't know who WILMA is, she is simply my most amusing muse. she is a very funny human little girl, trapped inside the body of a jack russell ~~terror~~ terrier. and i love her as if i birthed her myself.

i'll drink to that.

2011-12-21T15:17:00.000-08:00

my job is rather strange. i interact with hundreds of people that i never actually get to meet. mostly, people are quite wonderful in their communications and transactions, some not so good, and then there are those like ML who make my job worth it completely. a customer that you just *click* with, have great interactions with, who appreciates your time and talent, someone who just "gets it." ML wins my customer-of-the-month award, hands. down. this person actually sent ME this beautiful bottle of wine a few days ago. i was dumbstruck. i'm so used to doing the giving, that i forgot how NICE it is to be on the receiving end. THANK YOU so much, ML . . . and though we have never met in person, my cyber crush on you lives strong.

a really good show.

2011-12-19T10:05:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU so much to everyone who came out to the FABULOUS SHOW on the weekend. it was such a treat to see so many old friends and to lighten my load for the new year. i have a few more days of shipping out orders and then i am SO HIBERNATING for ONE WEEK. i'm looking forward to 2012. though i already have some projects to start on, my new year resolution is to WORK LESS + PLAY MORE.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-12-16T09:11:00.000-08:00

2010

emeryville, california

i have a *thing* for great leather bags. i can't seem to get enough of them. this one, that i bought from neiko designs, is one of my all time favorites. it's a great size, super sturdy, and it smells nice.

let there be light.

2011-12-15T13:23:00.000-08:00

i have some new votives HOT out of the kiln.

i'll be taking these to the renegade show this weekend.

speaking of light, i am just now beginning to see the light at the end of the holiday tunnel and i'm heading STRAIGHT towards it.

it's beginning to look a lot like winter.

2011-12-14T11:13:00.000-08:00

i love the sparseness and darkness of winter.

these latest new items of mine remind me of just that.

be square.

2011-12-12T21:51:00.000-08:00

my square salt + pepper cellars are back in the s h o p .

be a RENEGADE.

2011-12-11T21:37:00.001-08:00

i'll be at the RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR THIS weekend.

i have a lot of NEW WORK + a HUGE SALES BIN.

booth no. 139

(say to me "rudolph is the red nosed reindeer" and get 10% your purchase)

a sweet night.

2011-12-09T21:38:00.001-08:00

THANK YOU to all of you who attended our opening last night. it was SO FUN. truly a very sweet and satisfying night . . .

we packed the studio + gallery like sardines. but there is still some great work available from the show. we'll be open for the rest of the weekend and then next thursday thru sunday 11-5. there is still a little bit of time left to shop before christmas !

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-12-09T09:14:00.000-08:00

december 2011

berkeley, california

this is from a new series of work hot out of the kiln. i want it to resemble a page out of my sketchbook. as you can clearly see, i was always the kid who couldn't stay inside the box. in fact, i recently saw the father of a childhood friend of mine who told me that growing up, i was like a wild indian . . . i'm not sure what he meant by that, but i'll take it as a compliment !

DESSERT, p l e a s e .

2011-12-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

here is some new work for our DESSERT SHOW that opens tomorrow night. these are my new tea-coffee-ice cream-pudding bowls.

holiday plates.

2011-12-06T07:39:00.000-08:00

i have a new set of holiday gingham plates available ONLY at terrain.

see them right here

a platter of holiday cheer . . .

2011-12-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

this is the selection of LIMITED EDITION holiday banner ornaments i made this year. they will only be available until december 17th.

shop here.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-12-02T07:37:00.000-08:00

2010

trax gallery

berkeley, california

i purchased this little ceramic bird at a trax opening last year. i was so drawn to it and now it hangs on my own wall. i love the detail and i love fowl. guess who ELSE loves fowl . . .

WILMA does. she loves this time of the year when the fowl is good + oh so plentiful. this was her thanksgiving dinner. a whole turkey leg.

she can't believe she ate the WHOLE thing.

P A R T Y !

2011-12-01T09:28:00.001-08:00

our 2011 HOLIDAY SHOW is all about DESSERT. we invited 9 local ceramic artists who each invited another local ceramic artist. the work will all be "dessert inspired."

the OPENING NIGHT PARTY is next week.

thursday, dec. 8th

7-11

come party down with us for this SWEET event.

lump of coal.

2011-11-28T07:47:00.000-08:00

well . . . these are (slightly) better than a lump of coal.

stuff these in your christmas stockings.

new rocks in the s h o p .

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas . . .

2011-11-27T10:22:00.000-08:00

NEW holiday ornaments in my s h o p .

there's no place like home . . .

2011-11-26T20:02:00.000-08:00

with family + friends.

there's no place i'd rather be than home for the holidays.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

2011-11-23T21:18:00.000-08:00

one of the great joys in my life is receiving a hand written letter in the mail. it doesn't even HAVE to be beautiful handwriting . . . but when it is (like this one), it's even more the better.

this was from the incredible artist elizabeth hubbell. she does beautiful custom letterpress + design work and is a very lovely person, to boot !

it even came with this recipe card of pumpkin spice cupcakes . . . and i am a SUCKER for anything pumpkin.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL.

good spice.

2011-11-20T23:41:00.000-08:00

my salt + pepper cellars were featured in the HUFFINGTON POST 2011 gift guide. i was quite honored, as the huffington post is one of the few periodicals that i actually read !

happy holidays . . .

2011-11-20T08:21:00.000-08:00

wilma is ready to help you spread your holiday greetings.

you can order her here.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-11-18T07:53:00.000-08:00

september 2008

lunenburg, nova scotia

mmmmmmmmmmmm my poppyseed bagel.

clean up your act.

2011-11-16T07:24:00.000-08:00

i have new handmade linen napkins in the shop. isn't it time to be kind to our planet and stop using those paper napkins ? assign everyone in the family their own special napkin. it instantly makes every meal just a little more fancy.

w o o f .

2011-11-15T10:11:00.000-08:00

my dog bowls + treat jars are under the O magazine gift guide tree !

THANK YOU, oprah.

you can order by emailing orders@magenta-inc.com

a good shot.

2011-11-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

my new "mini cup / shot glass / espresso cup / salt + pepper cellar / holder of small things" are now available in the shop. we tested them out during our friday happy hour and they held the perfect shot of tequila . . . cheers !

11-11-11.

2011-11-11T07:34:00.000-08:00

Ha PP y 11-11-11.

i hope everyone has a wonderful and auspicious day.

say "cheese."

2011-11-08T07:35:00.000-08:00

my cheese plate + knife sets are now available at GARNET HILL (these are from my manufactured line) and just in time for the holidays. it's the perfect way to serve hunks of cheese. we could use about 10 of these at the studio . . . we do LOVE our cheeses there !

late nights in the studio . . .

2011-11-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

santa's workshop is officially open and in full swing. i've been working like a dog every single day + night. i've also been having many technical difficulties and other problems (i.e. forgetting about a certain purchase order which ended with me having to make 102 plates in ONE SITTING). my life becomes insane this time of year. luckily we had these german digestifs to wash down the giant burritos we ate at 10 pm one night . . . burp.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-11-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

(click on image for a closer peek at the peaks)

june 2011

vallauris, france

these GIANT pastries were always in the window of the corner bakery. they were literally around 8" wide + 5" tall and they never failed to make me smile when i'd pass by. they were so colorful and cartoon-like.

tattoo me.

2011-10-31T08:27:00.000-07:00

last weekend i got my first tattoo . . . albeit a henna tattoo. i am quite enjoying looking at the ornate pattern on my wrist, and it alleviates choosing which bracelets to wear that day because it IS the bracelet. though i find some tattoos very beautiful, for me, i'm opting for the henna kind . . . i just don't have enough commitment in me to choose a permanent bracelet.

seek beauty . . .

2011-10-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

there are a few of my new hieroglyphic vases available in the SHOP !

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-10-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

2005

oakland, california

this chair was at yoshi's in jack london square.

patience is a virtue . . .

2011-10-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

. . . and sometimes it gets you FREE BOWLS.

about 7 years ago i sold some bowls to a customer. 2.5 years ago he decided he wanted more of the same so he ordered 3 more bowls. this man patiently waited. sometimes gently nudged. checked in every now and then. waited. tapped his fingers. asked how they were coming along. waited. gently nudged. checked in with me. waited. and waited. and waited. finally, 2.5 years after he ordered these bowls, they were ready and yesterday he came to pick them up. i couldn't bring myself to charge him for these said bowls. he was such the IDEAL customer. so patient. never got angry. never mad. no threats. quite understanding. and very pleased with his 3 new bowls.

moral of the story:

1. it would be nice if more customers understood the theory of CUSTOM HAND MADE objects and what goes into it. lots of failure, time, and motivation to make something that you really don't want to make in the first place. (the first batch of these bowls came out too small, the next batch 2 of them cracked in the kiln, this was the 3rd batch . . . 3's a charm ? i don't think so)

2. to check in with MYSELF before i accept a custom order (in the future i will be accepting a LOT less of these).

end of story.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-10-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

2005

san francisco, california

this was in my clay sketchbook.

2011-10-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

the emeryville art exhibition is closing THIS sunday.

there is a LOT of really great work there this year.

don't miss it !

the mystery drink . . .

2011-10-18T18:54:00.001-07:00

today was ALL about the color "butterscotch-caramel."

it started out with these crazy pantaloons that i wore to the studio.

and then on my apron pocket (fabric from erica tanov) . . .

i was painting MANY plates with this . . .

a new gingham series for terrain . . .

and ended the day drinking this drink.

the FIRST person who guesses EXACTLY what was IN this drink will win 2 free shot glasses.

(enter as many times as you need to)

GAME OVER . . . the drink was correctly identified !

and the WINNER is . . .

2011-10-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

today wilma helped me pick a name out of a hat for our CONTEST. thank you everyone who played, it was so great to hear all of your words. there will be many more free giveaways to come. the lucky winner will be getting a vase in the mail this week.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-10-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

september 2007

athens, greece

there were amazing pots at the acropolis museum.

FREE GIVEAWAY.

2011-10-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

these are from my new hieroglyphic vase series HOT out of the kiln. i designed these in france but you can be the FIRST person in the U.S. to own one by entering the contest on my facebook page. the winner will be announced there on monday.

just go HERE to enter.

(for those of you who DON'T use facebook, my next giveaway will be right here)

do you "like" me ?

2011-10-07T08:58:00.000-07:00

i mean do you "really" like me ? . . . if you are not a fan on my facebook page, now might be the time to DO IT ! not only will you get a more behind the scenes look at my work life, but next week i am starting my first FREE GIVEAWAY. i will ask a question and a random replier will be chosen out of a hat. tell me, WHO doesn't love free STUFF ?!

click HERE and join in on the fun.

(you must be a "fan" to win)

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-10-07T07:46:00.000-07:00

june 2011

vallauris, france

these are sketches of the french porcelain spoons i made during my residency in france.

cute as a button.

2011-10-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

are you a member of the BUTTON CLUB yet ? it's a great way to get frequent FUN mail in your mailbox (how often does THAT happen these days ?). i was asked to be the september guest artist. you can read about it H E R E .

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-09-30T07:33:00.000-07:00

2010

berkekley, ca

painting/sketch on porcelain.

MADE IN FRANCE.

2011-09-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

3 teapots that i made in france will be on display at the EMERYVILLE ART EXHIBITION. the opening night party is THIS friday from 6pm-9pm. come by for some good food, live music and a LOT of art . . .

october 1 to 23

11:00-6:00 daily

1480 64th street no. 125

emeryville, ca

click HERE for more details.

santa's workshop is OPEN and CLOSED.

2011-09-23T08:38:00.001-07:00

for some reason, the holiday crunch is hitting me much earlier this year and i am already swamped with holiday orders. for those of you who know me, you know that i am a one-girl-show. i have no help in the studio in any way, shape, or form. if you order something from my handmade line, i'm the one who made it, glazed it, packaged it, and shipped it. many of my friends think i am CRAZY not to have help in the studio. but this is how i like it. plus, my inner-ethic tells me that if my name is on the bottom of it, i should be the one who made it.

my manufactured line, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. this line is produced in a factory in the south of china (the same village where my father's family came from). i design the line, by magenta, and other people make it, glaze it, and ship it.

if you placed your holiday wholesale order with me early, thank you. if you have NOT placed your order, i am sorry to say that i can not take anymore wholesale orders this year. but you can always order my manufactured line here.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-09-16T08:05:00.000-07:00

june 2011

the south of france.

everyone in the south of france was wearing these sandals. they were sold at every single shoe store. i did try a pair on and meant to eventually buy them, but i ended up forgetting to get them. i wonder what the "in" shoe will be NEXT summer ? i will be sure to get them then . . . yep, i'm going back.

MAHALO.

2011-09-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

MAHALO is the hawaiian word for "THANK YOU." such a pretty word. i had a customer who special ordered these plaques. i love the way they turned out. there are 2 extra plaques that are available to buy

right HERE.

full moon.

2011-09-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

yesterday was the moon festival. growing up, we always celebrated this day by eating moon cakes, which i eagerly looked forward to. though some people find moon cake repulsive, i always thoroughly enjoyed them. i am also very drawn to the moon and feel strangely and powerfully connected to it, i even keep a moon sketchbook. with the recent discovery that i was actually born on the full moon (and today is my birthday), it makes complete sense why i habitually feel lunar powered rather than solar powered.

rae dunn + linea carta.

2011-09-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

(click on the images for a closer look)

my custom collaboration plates with LINEA CARTA are now available ! i am making the porcelain plate and diva is beautifying them with her amazing calligraphy. you can customize your baby's birth date, your wedding date . . . or the milestone of your choice.

you can order one here.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-09-09T07:53:00.000-07:00

june 2011

vallauris, france

when i lived in france for the month of june, i ate caviar almost every day. it was the perfect addition to my breakfast (a spoonful over my eggs) and the perfect mid-day snack (dolloped on a cracker). my corner grocer always had it stocked but why is it so much harder to find here ? weird.

tres chic.

2011-09-07T19:54:00.000-07:00

i love when customers send me their own photos of my work . . . it's nice to actually see where my creations end up living ! this was a great shot by lisa on her blog chiclectic.

you can see the post HERE.

fall.

2011-09-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

fall is my FAVORITE season of the year. i love the slight crispness in the air, the abundance of root vegetables, and the onset of the holidays . . . (my birthday, thanksgiving, and christmas).

and although fall is not quite here yet, i designed a limited edition set of fall plates that you can ONLY get at terrain .

see them here.

seeing beauty.

2011-09-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

i was part of the sketchbook project 2010. my sketchbook consisted of drawings/findings of beauty that i find in the ordinary, the mundane, and the unexpected. i tried to capture these objects in quick sketches drawn in under one minute. i drew one a day from august 31, 2010 - november 22, 2010.

you can view my entire sketchbook right HERE.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-09-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

june 2011

golfe-juan, france

it's true, the mediterranean sea is my favorite body of water.

H E L L O ?

2011-08-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

when i find a product that i LOVE, i have to share. this is my answer to the (almost) perfect headset, which i had yet to find. i hate sticking something in my ear (or BOTH ears), i hate those cords that tangle up and i hate the muffled sound quality of most headsets. and because i don't talk on the phone much (my verizon salesman was convinced i had a land line, as i use SO FEW minutes a month . . . i don't) this is the perfect solution. yes, it IS a little bulky and NO it is not a hands free headset, but i love the retro phone-ness of it . . . it takes me back to my youth. and it comes in an assortment of funky colors (i liked the red hot line phone).

you can get one HERE.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-08-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

june 2011

vallauris, france.

anchovy + a tart = a delicious treat.

merci, T E R R A I N .

2011-08-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

i was interviewed by one of my ALL time favorite stores, TERRAIN.

(see my love for this store HERE.)

you can read the interview HERE.

mix + match.

2011-08-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

i am a big fan of the mix + match. you can tell by the way i dress and in the things (and people) i have around me. i have ONE pair of these oddball salt + pepper cellars in my store. this is the combination i have on my own stove.

you can see them HERE.

dog day afternoon.

2011-08-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

i love a good dog day afternoon on the beach. wilma and her friend, lottie, had a ball frolicking at the beach on the berkeley marina. woof.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-08-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

august 2011

rutland, vermont.

bird in the woods.

2011-08-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

new bird in the woods plate in my on-line store.

h2o lily.

2011-08-16T07:23:00.001-07:00

the water lily at dawn . . .

the same water lily at dusk.

this was at our dock in vermont. water lily flowers are beautifully showy and fragrant and they last only a few days. some open during the day and close at night, others do the opposite. this one did the former (did you know that most water lilies are pollinated by beetles?). i think they are simply magnificent.

nature + nature.

2011-08-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

this is my satellite office in vermont. and though i did bring some work with me to do on this trip, the project is water color sketches of flowers. no, i can not complain.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-08-12T05:38:00.000-07:00

august 2011

truro, massachusetts

this quaint little village, located on cape cod, is lined with these cute colorful houses that look like legos to me. very cartoon like and so fun to draw.

the simpsons clouds.

2011-08-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

the clouds in vermont often look like this . . . so beautiful, no ? they always reminds me of the opening title sequence of the simpsons. and FYI, did you know that springfield, vermont was voted the springfield home of the simpsons ?

(click on the image for a closer look)

a little bit country.

2011-08-10T05:54:00.000-07:00

vermont is wilma's favorite place on earth. it's the only place + time where she actually WANTS to exercise (without me dragging her along on my roller skates). here in vermont she is free to be outside all day long . . . we go on daily walks and hikes and swims (she never tires). she is truly a country girl.

the good old days.

2011-08-09T11:13:00.000-07:00

here in vermont, there are antique stores galore (i always stock up on beautiful treasures). i love the simplicity of how life used to be before technology, mass production, and planned obsolescence. products were so much more lovely, simple, and charming, like this handspun linen and enamel spoon which i now own and cherish.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-08-06T12:56:00.000-07:00

june 2011

vallauris, france

feeling blue.

2011-08-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

i found this robin's egg on my run today.

now i completely understand the color ROBIN'S EGG BLUE.

so pretty.

2011-08-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

V E R M O N T .

the simple pleasures.

2011-08-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

eating a fresh lobster sandwich on a beach in cape cod.

it doesn't get much better than this.

sea rocks du jour.

2011-08-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

there is so much inspiration and beauty to be found out in nature. i can spend hours just sitting on the beach looking at nature's treasures . . .

these colors and shapes were very appealing to me.

sunset over wilma.

2011-07-31T17:03:00.000-07:00

did you know that provincetown is one of the few places on the east coast where you can actually watch the sun set over an ocean ? very beautiful and magical.

cape cod.

2011-07-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

6AM en route to the airport (you can sort of see wilma) . . .

after a full day of travel we finally made it to cape cod. we flew to boston and then drove to provincetown, the tip of cape cod. what a beautiful and FUN place to be. it's a constant party on the street, beautiful beaches, galleries galore, LOBSTER ROLLS, etc . . . the perfect start to my holiday.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-07-28T22:37:00.000-07:00

(click on the image TWICE to see the true beauty of this mediterranean sea glass)

june 2011

cap d'antibes, france

well, it's not really a sketch, they're findings . . . but it's not really friday, it's thursday. tomorrow i will be traveling all day. flying to boston at the crack of dawn and and then driving to cape cod.

back to nature.

2011-07-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

tomorrow we leave for 4 days in cape cod and then off to our annual summer in vermont. i'm looking forward to a little rest (though i am bringing some work with me) and a LOT of nature. i had an intensely busy month catching up with the previous month that i took off. it's kind of a vicious circle, no ? BUT i'm reading the 4-hour workweek and i feel like a change is a coming . . . stay tuned.

you can keep a closer watch here.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-07-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

june 2011

vallauris, france

this is picasso's man with a sheep that stands in the main square in vallauris. i would pass by it many times a day. it is so powerful, you can't walk by and not notice it.

"in the context of the symbol of sacrifice, picasso's sculpture of the man with the sheep, of 1942-1943, assumes a unique position in his life work. it was created during those anguished years of the second world war of which churchill wrote that "everyone realized how near were death and ruin." after the war picasso donated a bronze cast of this sculpture to the town of vallauris as a memorial to the resistance fighters." (art journal vol.32. no. 3. spring 1962)

holy land. holy water.

2011-07-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

if i can't BE on the mediterranean, the mediterranean can BE with ME.

M E R C I .

2011-07-18T08:08:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU san francisco chronicle + ahn-minh le for the article in the sunday paper.

you can read it here.

HaPpY BiRtHdAy to wilma.

2011-07-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

(cake stand by whitney smith + cake by george)

today is wilma's 6th birthday. it seems like just yesterday that i was choosing her out of a litter of 8 other seven week old puppies. her mannerisms are still exactly the same as they were back then . . . a little strange, shy, awkward, a wallflower who always stands off to the side from the crowd. but back then she had a huge belly full of worms, which made me fall in love with her even more.

the pour house.

2011-07-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

there is a new pourer in the house.

see it here.

2011-07-17T07:45:00.001-07:00

before glaze.

after glaze.

the Salade Niçoise study.

2011-07-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

i think that a Salade Niçoise is pretty much the perfect meal . . . and i ate quite a few of them in france. click here to see some of them.

friday field trip (from the sketch book).

2011-07-15T08:21:00.000-07:00

(click on image for a closer peek)

june 2011

golfe-juan, france

golfe-juan is a cute seaside town right on the mediterranean and 2 miles from vallauris, the town where i was living. i ran to golfe-juan every morning and swam in the mediterranean sea. it was the perfect way to start the day. one night while i was waiting for my dinner companion in front of tétou, i quickly sketched this view of the golfe-juan hills.