// La douce France // - arts and crafts

Earlier this week we visited this cute little village, Puy l'Eveque, and found quite a few surprises there besides the weekly market we intended to visit. Different alleys across the village were "dressed up" in one way or another - with old shoes, umbrellas, word art, ... So much fun - we felt like being on a treasure hunt wondering what would turn up in the next alley.
And we all loved this tree decorated with a most colorful crocheted scarf.

To be honest: this visit made my fingers itch...

I *heart* Centre Pompidou

We made it to the Centre Pompidou yesterday afternoon. It's one of my favorite places here. We should go more often...
We got there at a good time. By the time we left, lots of people were waiting in line to get in.

Here are some photos of some of the things I liked - too bad I didn't write down the artists names. I should take a notebook next time...


Nikki de Saint Phalle


Nikki de Saint Phalle








the girl's favorite - projections on the floor which they could walk on

Beaufort03 :: revisited

I know, summer vacation is way behind us. School has started again. We've almost adjusted to the new routines. And as little H. announced this morning, next week will be the beginning of Fall. That's why I'd like to take you back to summer one more time. A tribute to what was a wonderful summer for us with family and friends...

I've mentioned the Beaufort03 art exhibit before and how much fun we had exploring it.
But I actually didn't show you any pictures of it, I realized. Last night, I went through my, vast by now, collection of pictures on my computer and I stumbled upon these: pictures of Aeneas Wilder's work. It was by far my favorite piece in the exhibit. It's a tall open wooden structure on the beach, shaped like a dome, a beehive, an upside-down basket, or whatever you'd like to call it. I found it magnificent, of an overwhelming beauty, ... The light play, the shadows, the different views on what's around, beyond, beneath, the airy feel, and yet the feeling of being protected. Well it's hard to express in words, so I hope the pictures will take care of it...

Enjoy!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

P.



























Aeneas Wilder - Untitled #143
Beaufort03, Westende, Belgium

The Uten.silo

As I (thought I) needed some fabric, I went to the Marché St.-Pierre yesterday afternoon. I did get some nice linen fabric and some time soon I will show you what I'm making with it (I've been working on something today already). But that's not what this post is about...

This post is about the Ingo Maurer 1969 Uten.silo. To be honest, before yesterday I had never heard of Ingo Maurer nor of the Uten.silo. That is until I passed "Pages 50/70" a nice store specialized in 1950's - 1970's designer furniture and home deco. Something in the window drew my attention - a red wall organizer. Simple - beautiful - a piece of art. It stuck to my mind and on my way back to the metro I dared to enter the store to ask more about it - like the price (how naive!!). Of course the price was steep, the Uten.silo being in mint condition and a 1969 original. No need to tell I didn't buy it. But I had an interesting and nice chat.

Back home, I did my research. Ingo Maurer is mainly known as a designer of light installations and lamps. The Uten.silo was designed by his wife, Dorothee Becker, in 1969. A smaller version followed one year later. The production of the original Uten.silo was stopped in 1974 due to the oil crisis which considerably increased the cost of production. However, in 2002 they got reintroduced by Vitra design. They're now available through several online stores, at a much more interesting price than my initial find (they're replicas after all).

I didn't order one (yet) but this thing is definitely sticking to my mind... I even know where it would come, if...

the small version of the Utensilo by Vitra - photograph found at http://www.velocityartanddesign.com

Art on the beach :: Getij-dingen...

... or translated in English: "things in the tide". That's the name of an ongoing art exhibit on the beach between Koksijde and Nieuwpoort, Belgium. The name of the exhibit - Getij-dingen - has to be taken literally as artwork has been attached to 15 wooden beach poles and gets flooded as the water comes and goes with the tides. The pieces change over time, through the works of the see, the wind, the sand. Some get lost and replaced. An interesting concept, if you ask me.

Here's a selection of the ones we've seen on our walk. There are more and I definitely want to go back on our next visits...

For those of you interested in this exhibit, go check here for more information - unfortunately it's in Dutch only.


This one's a bit creepy, but somehow it's my favorite...



Also a favorite...







The girls loved the more colorful ones...

January 20th, 2009

... inauguration day of Obama! The world is watching... And so will we!
But also: Daddy's birthday!! Double hurray!


The girls have been really busy in anticipation of their Daddy's birthday. Last week they've secretly made this banner, a tradition by now in our household. I love the little details. Did you see the glasses? A little inside joke, as K. has been complaining about his sight lately. They found it hilarious when he couldn't read the instructions on a package of rice noodles last week. Hence, the glasses!



Also last week, they've made this painting. Together, we browsed through "The weekend artist"-book to find the concept. They decided to use the stamping method, using a plastic yogurt cup and an empty spice jar. M. came up with the idea of adding crosses -- kisses! -- in the center. Doesn't it look great? I only helped them painting the background. Everything else is theirs - including the choice of colors! Of course, they couldn't wait giving it, excited as they were, so he got the painting over the weekend, as an early gift.

Me, however, I didn't come up with anything yet, I'm afraid...Bad planning, again!

So, what about lunch today? Just the two of us...


Update: I did find something! Cool, isn't it! Thanks to One Pretty Thing I discovered the Obamicon.me site where you can create these. Check it out!

Happy birthday!
Love
xo

Weekend artist

I hesitated for a long time about posting this picture. But what the heck! I probably made a fool of myself already, anyway! So, here we go. It's there! Right in front of you.
I painted this a while back -- somewhere late November, I believe it was. Originally, I planned this painting as a Christmas gift for K. but I spilled the beans way before the holidays. I had been wanting to try something with paint for the longest time ever. And then I found this book: The Weekend Artist, by Gary Smith. The subtitle says it all: "creative inspiration, techniques and simple projects to unleash your inner artist" (hum). I discovered the use of gel medium and got a little carried away I'm afraid. I used a little (way?) too much of the stuff, I believe, so the right hand side part looks a little too shiny in my opinion and hence made it really tough to photograph. (That and poor light -- but I gave up. Lets label this under beginner's mistakes -- both the gel medium and photograph). It was actually really fun doing. A bit like frosting a cake. I didn't paint it on the weekend, though, but during the week in between cleaning sessions (allowing the paint to dry...). I got inspired by the paintings of Mariangeles Soto-Diaz, artist, friend and former neighbor. I really love her artwork. All of it! You should check it out.

And so now, for the time being, this painting is hanging right in front of where I'm sitting to write this post.
Call it one bare wall covered...

Obama-rama

A couple of weeks ago, while my brother was visiting, on one of our walks through Paris, we came across this little art gallery with Obama-inspired art work. I thought it was really fun, so a couple of days later I went back with my camera.

I truly hope he’s going to make it… Good luck, Mr. Obama!

I’ll keep my fingers crossed