Web Sites »Fifi Lapin

Fashionable Bunny

Oh how I love anthropomorphic drawings and when they’re matched with high fashion you get the adorable Fifi Lapin. You just have to love it! I’ve been browsing the site lately and it’s getting me excited about Spring – ah Spring, when it will be warm enough to take the baby out for long stretches, eat in sidewalk cafes, and wear cute clothes again!

Really, getting dressed nice is the biggest thing I miss from my pre mothering days. But, once it’s warmer, Van’s a little bigger, and I’m a little slimmer I am not embarrassed to say that I’ll be stealing some sartorial ideas from this fictional little bunny (thick black tights with an all white ensemble?, tiny jacket on top of an over-sized dress plus a fur hat? yes yes yes!)

Fifi adorns lots of merchandise too if that’s your thing. I personally wouldn’t say no to a cute pin for my tweed blazer. I love that you can look up previous posts by designer and that the blog is consistently updated.

See more: Web Sites


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on January 22, 2011

Web Sites »Every Person In New York

“I am trying to draw every person in New York.”

I adore Every Person In New York (the site that is, maybe not in the literal sense). A charming experiment where artist Jason Polan is “trying to draw every person in New York. I will be drawing people everyday and posting as frequently as I can. It is possible that I will draw you without you knowing it. I draw in Subway stations and museums and restaurants and on street corners.”

The simplicity of his drawings reminds us how much emotion and personality can be conveyed with a few lines. Once you’ve browsed through the substantial number of sketches, you can get more of your Jason Polan fill by visiting his website that features books, prints and other goodies to buy including a life size giraffe drawing and a thirteen dollar bill.

Click here for the rest of Every Person In New York

See more: Web Sites


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on November 12, 2010

Movies »F for Fake

directed by Orson Welles (1974)

Orson Welles‘ (mostly) documentary film, F for Fake, is a kinetic, meandering, stimulating experiment in story telling that would be a great watch for anyone interested in the art of editing and inventive movie making. While it doesn’t hit one hundred percent of the time and can take a little bit for the viewer to get into the pace and tone of it all, it’s very interesting.. or as Jim put it more succinctly and probably better “it’s fun to watch a master just fuck around”.

The story Welles’ is fucking around with here is one of fraud. Elmyr De Hory is the world’s greatest art forger. We see him create Matisses and Picassos on camera (which he burns) and his work has fooled the greatest “experts” and museums in the world. Clifford Irving is the man fascinated with the man and writing a biography of his exploits.. but it seems Irving has a few of his own fakeries going on. Welles touches on his own greatest fraud/work of art the radio program War of the Worlds, a story of Pablo Picasso and a beautiful lady (with an even more beautiful wardrobe that you can see in the stills below/after the jump) and ultimately the innate element of lying whenever anyone creates something.

As Welles’ last film, it was sadly a total failure upon its release in the US. Its avant garde style was largely frowned upon but is now considered highly influential. Criterion released the film a few years back and it’s currently available on netflix instant.

Click here for the rest of F for Fake

See more: Movies


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on August 8, 2010

Books »The Art of Vogue Covers 1909-1940

by William Packer (1988)

Vogue Magazine was not always the relatively artless showcase of the Jennifer Anistons and Sienna Millers of the world as this lovely hardbound book, The Art of Vogue Covers 1909-1940 proves. It’s an amazing trip through the legendary magazine’s past with hand painted covers that are beautiful, inventive, and in some ways as modern as ever. I’ve photographed a few favorites, but the all color book is full of inspirational fashion eye candy. Worth seeking out used for fashion and fashion illustration lovers.

Click here for the rest of The Art of Vogue Covers 1909-1940

See more: Books


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on July 25, 2010

Web Sites »brittanyhague.com

That’s Me!

It may be shameless self promotion but I am very excited about my new online portfolio, Brittany Hague dot com, a collection of a few of the textile, graphic, and poster designs I’ve been making for the past many years. As some of you know, I recently decided to go freelance so if you are looking for anyone to do art, take a look and think of me!

Jim put the site together – thanks Jim!

Click here for the rest of brittanyhague.com

See more: Web Sites


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on June 6, 2010

Laughs »Peep Dioramas

A Perfect Combination

I love Peeps and I love dioramas, so you can just imagine how I feel about this Washington Post gallery. Below/after the jump are some favorite entries from this and years past.

Click here for the rest of Peep Dioramas

See more: Laughs


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on April 4, 2010

Web Sites »Anonymous Works

anonymous worksBecause Reading is Fundamental…

Joey, curator of the inspiring Anonymous Works site writes of describes himself as:

“Interested in American primitive folk art, vernacular photography, outsider art, basically anything visually interesting and great.”

Interesting and great indeed! Below/after the jump are just a tiny sample of the amazing images you’ll find on the infinitely browsable site. I mean, really, a skeleton locket stick pin?! I love it too much to explain!!

Click here for the rest of Anonymous Works

See more: Web Sites


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on December 26, 2009

Web Sites »Artist’s Homemade Christmas Cards

Holiday-Cards-Glee-Mail-Crist-3On the Smithsonian Website

My good friend Laura forwarded this inspiring link of Artists’ Homemade Christmas Cards. I’d love to say it made me make my own, but I am afraid that it’ll be another year sans craftiness sent from my house.

Still, it’s great to peruse and will definitely get you into the Christmas spirit. Some of my personal favorites are below/after the jump.

Click here for the rest of Artist’s Homemade Christmas Cards

See more: Web Sites


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on December 20, 2009

Desserts »Will Cotton at Partners and Spade

will cotton partners and spade40 Great Jones Street

As a fan of Will Cotton’s scrumptious and almost creepily saccharine paintings as well as fun things secret and rare, I was thrilled to make it to his two day only bake shop hidden inside the usually appointment only Partners and Spade space.

The epicenter of the bakery/installation was the towering stack of pastel cakes, of which I could hardly get enough of and took many photos. One of his paintings hung in the back as a team of little helpers rushed around with fresh baked birthday cakes and macaroons.

I spoke to the artist himself to say I was a fan of his work and he was totally adorably embarrassed and hoped we liked his baking as well before scimpering off to his frosting and flour.

The treats were tasty, though having just come from the New Amsterdam Market, I was stuffed almost too full to truly appreciate more than a bite (Jim chowed the rest). The entire experience left me feeling almost like one of the nymphs in his paintings, surrounded by a tempting, sugary landscape.

Click here for the rest of Will Cotton at Partners and Spade

See more: Desserts


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on November 29, 2009

Books »Dreaming in Print: A Decade of Visionaire

Dreaming in Print: A Decade of Visionaire (2001)

Every fashion loving aesthete dreams of being able to subscribe to Visionaire Magazine, a tri-annual, multi-format, limited edition style and art album. While the $700 subscription fee is simply out of many of our price ranges, fortunately, for their tenth anniversary in 2001, they published a retrospective coffee table book the rest of us could enjoy called Dreaming in Print: A Decade of Visionaire. As their twentieth anniversary approaches, it’s fun to look back on all the brilliant contributions.

Click here for the rest of Dreaming in Print: A Decade of Visionaire

See more: Books


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on November 22, 2009

Web Sites »The Art of Poster

Why do I mention it now?

Because after that tiny show at the MoMA, you might be jonesing for more spectacular Polish poster design.

Here's what I said on 5/1/06:

This is a phenomenal website for design inspiration. The Polish certainly know a thing or two about composition and imagery.

See more: Web Sites


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on June 15, 2009

Spend a Couple Minutes »Giant Robot Gallery

giant robot gallery nycA sliver of a gallery and shop, Giant Robot NY is currently hosting Printed Matter Five, a collection of one offs and prints from over thirty young artists. Priced from $15 up, you are in luck if your searching for something bright and hip for your walls. The show ends July 3rd, though, and prints are limited, so hurry on over in case your favorite sells out like mine did.

Still, the staff is extreemely friendly and helpful and will even put a request in for artists to deliver more prints if possible if there's something you really want. I may be back this week to grab a frowning hamburger by Justine Fines and this lovely piece by Chris Bettig. If you're not in the area, you can also purchase remaining pieces from their website.

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on May 25, 2009

Spend a Couple Minutes »Polish Posters at the MoMA

polish posters at the MoMANestled in the corner of the design areas on the third floor of the MoMA, The Polish Posters (1945 to 1989) exhibit is not an expansive one, but as a huge fan, I think it's definitely worth a visit. If I had my way (and tons of money), my living room would look just like this exhibit. See a collection of photos here.

From MoMA:

In the Cold War era the vitality of the Polish Poster School attracted international attention and admiration. Although state controlled, the posters—which are characterized by sophisticated imagery and surreal tendencies—often carried powerful, oblique commentaries on the designers' political surroundings. This exhibition presents a selection of posters from MoMA's collection that typify the striking look and bold spirit of Polish poster design from the 1940s through the 1980s.

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on May 18, 2009

Spend a Couple Hours »Picasso Mosqueteros

Picasso MosqueterosThe Picasso Mosqueteros exhibit at the Gogosian Gallery is a wow display and one that many people (not just me) who've seen it will urge you to visit; you'd be wise to heed our advice. Just the size of the collection is impressive, more like a museum show than a standard gallery-sized operation – and the space is great for the ten huge paintings; it's wonderful to step back and see a wall full of vibrant color and shapes.

The work itself is from a very contained time period, when Pablo (in his later years) was clearly mesmerized by the history of art (particularly Rembrandt and Goya it would seem), his wife/muse Jacqueline Roque and musketeers and conquistadors.

While I love some of the more colorful works, particularly those with dark muted background like the one pictured, some of the most inspiring pieces are the black and white etchings and drawings.

Crowded even early in the day, this is a show (which ends June 6) not to be missed by Picasso fans – and I promise that those of you that don't count yourselves in that group will still be pretty amazed.

See more: Spend a Couple Hours


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on May 18, 2009

Spend a Couple Hours »Framing and Hanging Your Art

Framing art is notoriously pricey, so much so that Jim and I have been squirreling away money to do it. We were lucky to find the little shop Imagic Studio down the street (where we got our hideous passport photos taken), to be reasonable, helpful, and efficient. Our walls have been bare since we moved into this place, but no longer!

With the help of Jim's dad our bedroom is now home to an adorable BB&PP Inc print and our old WR: Myteries of the Organism and Godard posters hang in the living room with our newly framed Eggleston poster (I found a guy that sells subway posters and ads if you're ever interested). A huge (67″ tall!) print is at the shop as we speak and, despite the high price tag, it will all be worth it. After all, these are pieces we'll have forever.

We decided in the end to forgo the expense for our over sized Blood Beach and Joysticks posters and are currently on the lookout for a cheaper solution. A friend recommended pictureframes.com.

See more: Spend a Couple Hours


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on May 11, 2009