Chalkin' it up

Back in the day I always had bad associations with chalkboards...

I viewed them as dusty and messy

They gave me the major chills

when that screeching noise ever happened

And of course, I associated them with school...bad!

Recently I have been investigating chalkboards 

for creative applications and the artistry that can be involved.

For instance check out this chalkboard (at Uchiko in ATX)

it has its own blog!

I have encountered a graphic designer

(originally from TX who now lives in NY)

who specializes in custom chalk lettering.

Her name is Dana Tanamachi and she is one of the many reasons

I have changed my attitude

on one of my most disliked school-girl memories.

Some of her work:

Here are some other alternative uses

for chalkboards/chalkboard paint...

For a fun commercial installation of a chalkboard,

visit the newly opened Pondicheri restaurant in West Ave (Houston)

...in the Restroom vestibule.



Fancy Cigs ~

When I was younger, during a visit to Portugal,

my aunt had some cigarettes that I thought looked so pretty...            

Disclaimer: I do not smoke             

...I wanted to share them with my friends who did

so I brought them back with me...they were a hit!

You can buy this brand in the US:

I bring these up because the other day

I saw someone smoking one of these...

(I can see a group of bachelorettes smoking 'em)

But from a designer/photographer's point of view

I dig these

outside flicks

I came across a layout in a Pottery Barn catalogue recently, one that I wanted in my life either now or in the future...either way, I WANT IT IN MY LIFE!

I have yet to go to a drive-in, but it is certainly on my BUCKET LIST.
Listed below are drive-ins in Texas.

Town & Country Drive-In Abilene, Texas
Tascosa Drive-In Amarillo, Texas
Sandell Drive-In Clarendon, Texas
Fiesta Drive-In El Paso, Texas
Galaxy Drive-In Ennis, Texas
Last Drive-In Picture Show Gatesville, Texas
Graham Drive-In Graham, Texas
Brazos Drive-In Granbury, Texas
Showboat Drive-In Theater Hockley, Texas
Sky Vue Drive-In Lamesa, Texas
Stars & Stripes Drive-In Lubbock, Texas
Wes-Mer Drive-In Mercedes, Texas
Big Sky Drive-In Midland, Texas
Midway Drive-In Quitaque, Texas
Tower Drive-In Rule, Texas
Sky-Vue Drive-In Tyler, Texas
Apache Drive-In Tyler, Texas



mothers

A special, personal, Mother's Day post...

It is human nature to take things for granted
Yet it can be humbling and at the same time empowering to recognize what you have
and how things change so fast

This Mother's Day I was overwhelmed with gratitude.
Gratitude for:
-My mother, alive and doing well
-My father, for selflessly stepping in as mother when strength was needed
-My sister, for proving to be a role model and inspiration to not only her daughter but continuously to me
-Her husband, for embracing and supporting his family
-My friends, for metamorphosing into motherly versions of themselves

My family loves to have large meals on special occasions.
Typically it is either some large Portuguese extravaganza, fondue, or (my favorite) breakfast/brunch.

This Mother's Day we chose brunch:





























Everyone brought flowers...flowers galore!

There were small gifts too...



Metrocard Bench

Steve Shaheen is an artist who most recently has found a large part of his work gearing towards seating design.  When he heard about an exhibit called Single Fare 2 at the Sloan Fine Art Gallery with the theme of all artworks being created with used Metrocards, he took off...playing between the realms of sculpture~architecture~design, Steve set forth in creating “livable” art...

His current design utilizes a 1/8” steel understructure (for strength and durability).  The single cards are held together by Gorilla Glue. The rows of Metrocards are glued using aquarium-grade silicone. The Metrocard sheets were laminated on the steel, in sections, using contact cement.
This bench can hold three adults sitting across.

How did he get so many Metrocards? Craig's List!
Steve paid up to 10 cents per card...requiring that they be only yellow, plastic metrocards.
It took him just under one week to obtain 5,000.

Currently the bench resides in his studio...

DON'T (give up)

You have probably seen some of this GIVE UP graffiti around Houston at one point or another...if not, you will notice it now.

Here are couple pics I have taken over time:

Here are some photos from others:

There is a studio show this Saturday at Nance Street Studios, that will display recent works.

(I am personally not too crazy about this particular artist, but if it's your thing, go check it out!)

ACL 2011

ACL-2011 daily lineup found here.

My Kind of Book

I ran across this guy, Isaac G. Salazar, in Esquire Magazine...neat stuff!

Apparently you can purchase his work on Etsy...I am investigating this outlet...but in the mean time I know that you can  send an email to ikeroni@hotmail.com and they supposedly add you to the waiting list for commissioned orders.











Some more images can be found on flicker

Colorful Max

Peter Max is on display and for sale at Off the Wall in the Galleria.
**Please pardon the tardiness of this post; Blogger has been down since last Wednesday.
Unfortunately this post comes after a back to back in-store visit by the artist himself.**

Who is he?
You may recognize one of his most popular works:

Max is referred to as a pop culture ICON...
His work has been a part of historic events such as Woodstock, Olympics, various pivotal sporting events, and The Grammy Awards.  He has worked for both celebrities and presidents.  Max is best recognized for his Poster Revolution which came on the cusp of the print media explosion of 60's where psychedelic movement in graphic design was imitated in commercial illustration.
Max’s art was often cited by journalists and art critics as the visual counterpart to the music of The Beatles.

My favorite:

Some current popular pieces:

 

TWO TIMES

;)

Captivating Youth

Greg Gorman is best known as an American portrait photographer of Hollywood celebrities who primarily works in black in white.  It all began for Gorman with a series of images taken at rock concerts in the late 60's. Afterwards, he "made the rounds" in Los Angeles until he got noticed.

My favorite quote from him:  "For me a photograph is most successful when it doesn't answer all the questions...and it leaves something to be desired".

His current book:

The Decorative Center of Houston is displaying a 200 piece retrospective exhibition of four decades of photography by Greg Gorman.



A Distinct Vision 1970-2010
April 27- June 3
Suite 1050

Please note that the Dec. Center is open M-F 9:00-5:00



Something to be admired...



Get it. Got it. Good.

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committiee Pt.2

Cinco favoritas

My five favorite Mexican-things.

>Tissue decor...all kinds<
But especially papel picado (those banners you see hanging in Mexican restaurants). I love the colors and the layers of detail. I had always seen custom ones in magazines and on other blogs, but in person they are much better!  My family had some made for my brother and his wife for their rehearsal dinner. 

My recommendation is to use a lady (Yreina Flores Ortiz) out of California...her listing is on Etsy.

Here is some more of her work I am in-lust with:

>Margaritas<
Best place to drink em on Cinco de Mayo in Houston is at El Pueblito. The atmosphere is perfect. They have all kinds of dancers, kids selling "chicle! chicle!" in the restrooms, cabanas, and fun/delicious drinks. Their margaritas come in coconuts and pina coladas come in pineapples!

>Chips & Salsa<

NUFF SAID.

>Mi Tierra<
So far this is my top "Mexican" experience in the states, as far as atmosphere and amusement.  Mi Tierra is decorated floor to ceiling, has a wonderful bakery (panaderia) and is in the Market Square (another must visit).

You will forget you are in the USA!

>Pinatas<
I probably buy 3 a year! I love everything about em...the blindfold, the element of surprise, the colors and shapes.  Recently I found  a gold-mine...Confetti System...AMAZING stuff here.  I have seen their work in Bergdorf Goodman adds and most recently in a wedding.

Above is a photo from a wedding I attended...not a pinata, but looks like work by Confetti System.

I am not certain this is Confetti System's work...but it sure does look like it.

Below IS some of CS's work *sigh*