Mike Joos: Superheroes on Bicycles

Well, hello there. I know it's been a while but I've been buried under a s#it ton of work lately. I'm just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel...hopefully it's not a train. Miss. Nichole Berger shared this amazing post from IAMTIBO'S BLOG about Superheroes on Bicycles by artist Mike Joos. If I were super, what would my ride be? I'm digging Mr. T's.

The Optimistic State of Mind

Photo courtesy Ace NY by Angela Datre.

New Years Resolution: More Svpply

First of all, Happy 2011!

It's a new year and there's no better way to ring it in with some new found inspiration, oh, and some new purchases, mind you. Svpply just so happens to be my favorite new discovery this year. Although one of my new years "resolutions" involves "saving money" it's hard to stick with it when a site like Svpply comes along. It's basically an online shopping blog that allows you to add items to your own personal Svpply list as well as add and follow what friends, and other users whose style you dig, are swooning for at the moment. I've already discovered so many new shopping sites and, needless to say, my "resolution" is taking a lot of motivation to follow through with...but, then again, does anyone ever really?

Check out some of my recent finds, which I will title "color explosion" for good reason. It's one way to beat the winter blahs.

Happy Holidaze

Vivi Dot: Graphics Alive 2

I want to give a well deserved shout out to my friend Molly Gaines and her finance Duncan Hooper to congratulate them both on their Vivi Dot feature in the new Graphics Alive 2 book! Not only is it an honor to be included in this amazing design book, but they are the first brand to be featured. I also want to thank them for giving me props on my "popular" feather design illustration that I created for Vivi Dot last year. Unfortunately, the publisher got the credits wrong, as the two of them actually did the photography and all the rest of the designs, but it's great to be mentioned regardless! Thanks guys!!

Photography: America in Color from 1939-43

The photos below are selected from a series entitled "Captured: America in Color from 1939-1943" that were taken by Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information. They are, apparently, some of the only color photographs that show the effects of the Great Depression on America's small, rural towns. My favorite thing about these ones, in particular, is the amazingly rich, color-saturated floral fabrics and patterns that make up the clothing and textiles. It's such a stark contrast to their hard, tired expressions and the dingy surroundings that they endured.

Design: Dowling Duncan

This past week in San Francisco has been so fogged in that I swear it's the middle of July and not December. I know that sounds backwards but we all know SF is famous for it's foggy summers (among other seasons). The local design firm Dowling Duncan was asked by AIGA to create designs that they felt best represented San Francisco and the result were these amazing cards, entitled Summer in San Francisco, that you can find for sale in designer stores and museums around the City.

Fashion: Magnetic Mumu from Tigerlily

You had me at "oversized blanket style mumu with fringe."

More Gemstone Inspiration: Carly Waito

I love the natural, effortless beauty of these raw minerals that artist Carly Waito captures in her hyper-real oil paintings. As stated on her website, I love that Waito's small paintings (about 6x6") indulge a lifelong fascination with the natural world – especially the little parts we feel compelled to pick up and keep. I would happily collect and adorn my walls with all of these treasures.

Inspiration: J. Tillman's Album Artwork

When I was a younger I wanted to grow up to design album covers for a living. Somewhere along the line the reality of doing that was brushed aside, but in a sense, I still dream of doing just that. These album covers for musician J. Tillman (of Fleet Foxes) just reignited that not-so-recently-lost desire within me. I know the first one, for his album Year in the Kingdom, was designed by the amazing Mario Hugo (who I will do a separate post on later), but I can't figure out who did the artwork for Vacilando Territory Blues. Do you know?