What if

"What if you slept, and what if in your sleep you dreamed. What if in your dreams you plucked a strange and beautiful flower and what if when you awoke you had the flower in your hand. And what then, what then, what then..."

We spent a rainy day indoors today at the Naples, FL museum of art which was having a fair for kids.
The calligraphy above was part of a modern version of an illuminated manuscript bible that was in display. It was stunning and so evocative, don't you think?

We enjoyed the hours surrounded by stunning art, taking advantage of all the things to build, make and eat at the fair, having face painting and otherwise indoctrinating our young ones.

Art is Life.

A bed of butterflies

We've arrived here in sunny but chilly Florida, although the cold here is nothing compared to the snow that we left back up north!
The most inspiring thing that I saw yesterday was this amazing installation, a room with that turquoise river snaking through and those delicate white butterflies made of paper fluttering along and over the bed.
It felt so poetic to me, like harnessing a dream.

It was part of a design contest, where each decorator had a "room" with 3 walls in a showroom window, to create an installation to show their design aesthetic. So interesting! Frank and I happened upon this on our annual date to the Miromar outlets near my in-law's home. I look forward to this excursion as some of my favorite shopping for the year, the whole experience is fun plus my in-laws watch the kids so it is like a date!
The mall is designed to look like a European street, which makes it feel festive and sort of transporting.


When we come to Florida in the winter I usually spend the first couple of days feeling like I am coming out of hibernation. Yesterday I found the most perfect hat to help me along though...and warmer days are in the forecast.

Warm sunshine

I don't know about you but I'm feeling tired of the slush puddles and gray days. This time of year I always start to long for the warm sunshine. So, surprise, we're going on a trip!! Are you ready? We leave this afternoon, on a plane to Florida, and I'm taking you with me this time. (I thought you'd like to come) .
I'm off now to pack for all of us...that's what I do. So get ready for a week of tropical goodness, I know I can't wait!

Some little post cards

Fresh in the shop...I had 6 of my favorite images printed up as postcards and I am offering them now as sets.
They are perfect for sharing, framing, keeping, or of course sending for any occasion.
They are available in sets of 3, and a set of 6, here.

I have a little surprise something up my sleeve for the next week or so...check back tomorrow to find out my secret.

Lunar new year

Happy Year of the Tiger! We spent yesterday exploring New York's Chinatown on the lower east side of Manhattan, which was elaborately decorated for the celebration of the lunar new year and the entrance of the year of the tiger.
We wove our way though the crowded streets, ducked into little shops, ate yummy noodles and soup for lunch and came home with bags of treasures!



When we returned home I let the kids lead the way with the decorating. Banners were put up on bedroom doors, lanterns were hung from shelves and ceilings. The lanterns were our absolute favorites with such festive colors (I am starting to feel ideas forming for Carys's approaching birthday party theme...I can see these lanterns everywhere!)

Even the studio got a little burst of color!

The MET

We visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art this week, oh how I do love that building and all that is in it.
When I was in Graduate School at Parsons, one of our visiting artists was an eccentric and celebrated man who famously visited the MET every single Friday to sit in front of painting after painting. I get that, truly. Oh, to have the luxury of time to sit in front of those paintings! Instead, this visit we were there with friends and decided that each child would pick out a postcard of one of the pieces in the museum, and then like a scavenger hunt we were off to find each piece!
It was magic! The kids loved their project. Here are some of my favorite things that we found...

A peaceful Buddha.

This sweet lion.

A woman lifting her way out of a block of marble (loved this one!).

Yummy art deco.

Of course, I think the kid's favorite was probably the view of Central Park on our way home!

Thicket

Thicket

Can you feel it, the spring energy, its there...even if maybe right now it is all just in my head and in my body.
Yes, I'm dreaming of the smell of the earth, of a thick, dense growth of shrubs and flowers.
I am ready and waiting.

Prints of this new painting are in the shop today.

To see a flower

Nobody sees a flower - really - it is so small it takes time - we haven't time - and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.
~Georgia O'Keefe

These photos are of our Amaryllis bulb that is in glorious full bloom on our kitchen table right now, making our winter days so much brighter! Frank, my amazing husband, is working on a painting of this flower that he posted about here on his new blog!

LOVE

One way that I dressed up our home for Valentines Day was with these incredibly fun and fabulous new shams that I am beyond in LOVE with! They just make me smile.

I got them here.

Aura

Aura

Here is another spring-like new painting. I feel as if I am inviting springtime with these colors that are seeping into my work lately. So bright and cheery for a snow bound winter day. I just want to wrap myself up in them!

Today we are doing a little Valentines crafting.

My little ones had their own special Valentine wish for you...

Here they are sending you finger hearts...

Well, you get the idea!
xo

P.S. I am listed in this sweet Etsy treasury this weekend!

New supplies

Oh the possibilities and wonder of new art supplies and a big roll of fresh paper. I truly do feel giddy walking into an art store.
My girl, at all of 2, loves to draw as much as I do, in fact its become a daily activity. I was recently inspired by my friend Kirsten (who has a wildly inspiring new blog) to go out and buy a lovely rainbow set of 100 colored pencils, new washable markers and a big roll of paper... all just for the kids. My little ones had art supplies, of course, but stepping it up with these new materials has opened up such a door to creativity, keeping things fresh and vibrant. Never underestimate the allure of beautiful materials laid out in a pleasing way...this works for all ages doesn't it!


These days I roll out a long piece of paper, covering the length of our whole dining room table, and Carys just goes wild. The gestures and freedom with her marks are so expressive and it is such a pleasure for me to watch her creating for just the shear joy of it!

After the snow

Our blizzard was wild and beautiful yesterday.

A snow fort was built, with high walls all around, and a deep corner where my boy nestled and carved his secret snow walls.

Then back inside where wet clothes dried by the fire.

While stories were spun, of far away secret forts buried in deep snow, as we watched the flames dance.

Deep Ocean

Deep Ocean

::The heart is deeper than any ocean, wider than any sea::

Today its a snow day here in NYC, the flakes are coming down thick and the city has pretty much called everything off...people are walking down the middle of the streets, pulling kids on sleds, and everyone is in a jubilant mood.
I think that we'll spend this afternoon building a snow fort in our backyard, then coming inside to get cozy.
I'm leaving you with another new painting, Deep Ocean...a piece about probing the layers and depths within our own hearts.
Its over in the shop now.
Happy Snow Day!

Burst of spring

Yet another reason to love Anthropologie, their amazing window displays!

We marveled at this cascade of flowers, made with cut open and spray painted plastic bottles, in the window of their 5th Avenue store in Manhattan.

Quite an innovative recycling idea...

and a much needed burst of spring.