332 : lunch posts

I came across this blog and was completely captivated by its content. The concept is pretty simple (and very creative): everyday since Kindergarten, a father sticks a sticky note to his son's lunch box with a half-completed drawing and a half-written story. These drawings just prove how seriously awesome children and their imaginations can be.

You can check out all the post-its at wandermonster.com

328 : button magnets

These button magnets are super cute. They're so much better than plain old magnets, plus I could make use some of my great grandma's vintage buttons.

Find out how to make them at bigboxdetox.com

269 : moonstruck packaging

I'm definitely a minimalist girl. Clean, modern lines, and tons of negative space makes me one happy girl. But occasionally, I'll see something elaborate that speaks to me. The newly designed chocolate bar packaging for Moonstruck was designed by typographer Kate Forrester, is one of those things. Love the hand-drawn lettering and drawings. So pretty.

257 : this drawing

Weeks ago, on a pit stop to the office, a certain someone decided to get creative with the markers and my dry erase board and show off his... um... drawing skills. In case you're wondering, those are clouds, a smiling sun, the sky, a ball, gizmo (who somehow turned into a wiener dog), me (who was apparently having a bad hair day), and him (sleeping while standing, maybe?).

I can't bring myself to erase it, because it's just too funny...

243 : tp art

I came across the most amazing thing today. Toilet paper roll art that goes beyond making telescopes and noise-makers. Paris based artist, Anastassia Elias makes these amazing silhouette scenes inside the roll of, you guessed it, toilet paper. Seriously amazing.

239 : house industries

Over the past few years, I've become seriously obsessed with House Industries. Not only do they have some amazing fonts (Day 191) but they've come out with some crazy beautiful products. In addition to the Alexander Girard blocks from Day 16, there are also these beauties:

Between the Girard alphabet blocks and this set, I know no regular ol' blocks are gonna cut it for my future kids.

And how seriously amazing is this Girard memory game. Love it.

234 : vintage art books

 

Years ago I'd scour the used bookstores and library sales for vintage art books. I had two favorite series that I'd look for: The Pocket Library of Great Art and Petite Encyclopedie de L'Art (both from the 50s). The Pocket Library contained 39 volumes, a much smaller set than the Petite at 120. With only 8 more to find for the Pocket Library, and a bunch of the Petite versions, I wonder if my collection will ever be complete. I know I could hunt them down online, but it's so much more fun to find one unexpectedly.

223 : twig pencils

Finally broke away from my computer to check the mail and saw a package on top of the mailboxes. As always, whenever I see a box up there I hope it's for me (who doesn't like getting stuff in the mail? yeah, that's what I thought!). This time was no exception. As I neared closer, I saw that it was for me! The all caps lettering...unmistakably my dad. In true Jen fashion, I tried to rip it open before I even got back to the office.

Inside? A card that made my heart happy and these cool twig colored pencils. Such a lucky girl to have such an a amazing dad.

Thanks Dad & Betsy! I love you guys.

(And since I'm told you sometimes read this, a hi to Grant. Hopefully we'll meet one of these days)

220 : the powers of ten

I first saw The Powers of Ten in elementary school before I even knew who Charles & Ray Eames were. It was years later, while watching their short films that I realized the film I had watched oh-so-long-ago was by the famous duo.

The Powers of Ten depicts the relative scale of the universe in factors of ten. The film starts out with two people on a picnic blanket, and slowly zooms out at a rate of one power of ten per 10 seconds. The final zoom out is at 10²⁴ meters, which is the size of the observable universe. The camera then goes back to the people on the picnic blanket, and then into the negative powers of ten (so inside their bodies). The last stop is at 10⁻¹⁶ when the camera comes to quarks in a proton of a carbon atom. 

209 : pencil art

Dalton Ghetti makes tiny little sculptures out of the graphite tips of pencils. Yeah, you read that right. I can't even fathom doing anything like this. Craziness. But amazing craziness.

206 : jackson pollock

Known mainly as the "splatter" painter and for his volatile personality, Jackson Pollock was truly a magnificent American artist. His use of color  and composition is just amazing.

Many years ago I drove down to Orange County to an exhibit just to see the one Pollock painting they had on display. I was mesmerized. I couldn't look away. Why? I'm not sure. Strangely enough, the person I was with (who had no interest in art whatsoever) felt the exact same way.

If you're interested in finding out more about his life, I highly recommend the 2000, Academy Award winning movie, Pollock, starring Ed Harris. It's entertaining, inspiring and heartbreaking all at the same time.

196 : mondrian's early work

I love the rawness of Piet Mondrian's early work. Don't get me wrong, I think the newer, more modern stuff is great as well. There is just something about his early pieces that just speak to me. I myself didn't even realize their amazingness until I was standing face to canvas to one at MOMA.

Seeing them makes me want to start painting again.

186 : gustauv klimt

The subject of today's post is an artist that many people have seen, but probably have no idea what his name is...Gustauv Klimt (1862-1918). An Austrian painter, known mainly for painting women and for his paintings during his "gold phase", Klimt created some absolutely stunning pieces of art. On screen and in print they look nice, but in person, they'll take your breath away.

The Kiss (above) is probably one his most recognized works.

172 : diy concrete bookends

I came across this today on notcot and LOVE it! It's a diy concrete bookend. So ridiculously simple to make (at least it sounds simple) and so many possibilities for what could be done with it.

Check out The Beat That My Heart Skipped to find out how to make your own.

154 : hermosa beach artwalk

I try and make a point to expose myself to as many art-related activities as possible. Sure, I don't get to as many exhibits, openings or shows as I'd like. But sometimes life just gets crazy.

I do try to make it to the Hermosa Beach ArtWalk every year. Last year I was in NY, so I'm more than looking forward to heading out there this weekend.

And it's not just because I design almost all of their promotional materials, although it certainly doesn't hurt. An ocean view and local artists? Match made in heaven.

Check it out this weekend (Saturday & Sunday) from 10am-5pm on the corner of PCH and Pier. You may even see the bf & I there.

153 : lady rene

I saw this and instantly fell in love. Seriously. I searched the internet, because I HAD to have this book. I must say, they got me. It is not in fact a vintage book, but simply showcases the potential use of a font.

Although I'm disappointed my library won't be one book larger, it's still some major design eye candy.

Lady Rene, is collaboration with designer and illustrator Laura Varsky, is the latest release from Sudtipos.

151 : vintage fruit crate labels

  Right now I'm on a vintage kick. It's mostly type and art related materials that are capturing my heart. In addition to my expanding ampersand collection, I can feel the faint sound of vintage fruit labels calling my name. I love the typography and graphics. It's nice to sit back and remember there was design before the computer. Strange concept for many of us designers, I know.

147 : sleeping beauty

I must admit that I've been super excited about seeing South Bay Ballet perform The Sleeping Beauty for months. Yes, months. It's a brand new production, and the costumes are out of this world amazing. Truly breath taking.

To make it even better, I get to catch up with an old client turned friend and her adorable kiddos.

It's going to be a good day :)

145 : the getty

I love the Getty. Yeah, they have some nice artwork, and occasionally a nice exhibit, but what I really love is the grounds. From the flowers and plants to the water fountains and the stone buildings. It's an amazingly beautiful place to just stroll around and relax.

140 : moma

Last summer while in New York, I fell head over heels. Hands down the most amazing museum I have ever been to (yes, I've been to the Louvre), MOMA now holds my heart. I could wander around there for days, and frequently wish I could hop on a plane just so I could lose myself among Picasso, Pollock, Mondrian, Klee and many others.

The bf and I at MOMA last year... <3