The Potbelly Pixie

FRUITY FRESH FASHION FUN

Given my new, passionate fascination with contemporary Japanese street style and Asian ball jointed dolls (which are often costumed in wild, vivid style: Gothic Lolita, Doll, or Cyber fashion, all inspired by the kids who inhabit the Harajuku region of Tokyo), it's maybe no surprise that Shoichi Aoki's FRUITS (2001) caught my eye while I was browsing art titles at BORDERS yesterday evening.

Certainly, I have no intention of actually dressing like these beautifully costumed Asian youths (most of them teenagers).  And for all I know, these styles are already long out of vogue.  No matter, though; the eye candy in this jam-packed, inspirational volume is extraordinary.  It's perfect, wildly original, incentive to create for artistic types of every ilk.  And what's exceptionally cool is that the "models" in these shots are all regular people, walking the streets of Tokyo... every one of them photographed against an urban backdrop that makes Japan itself a character in each image.  I think I've read and reread the book no less than ten times since I brought it home just last night.  I was supremely thrilled to find there's even a sequel, FRESH FRUITS (2005), which I'll be nabbing at my local Barnes & Noble later today.  Both books are compilations of photos taken by Aoki for his magazine of the same name (FRUITS) which has something of a cult following in Japan, or so it's written.

If, like me, you're inspired by vivid colors; foreign locales; fancy, funky costumes and altered fashions; and beauty in all its varied forms; check these volumes out.  Pretty, pretty!!

Seeking VOGUE Bambini

When I used to live in Zurich in the early 90's I fell in love with the children's fashion magazine VOGUE BAMBINI.  It features beautiful children's clothing that's incredibly creative and colorful, and the layout of the magazine and its advertisements are just gorgeous.  It's a whopping load of eye candy and so inspiring!   

I have a few issues on hand I've managed to gather over the years and I consult them from time to time for inspiration, especially when I'm looking for textile ideas.  I'd like to have more issues, though, because BAMBINI is one of those magazines you keep on your shelves for an eternity -- it's THAT pretty.

Unfortunately, it's increasingly difficult to find this magazine for anything approaching a reasonable price, and even when it does appear somewhere -- like eBay -- the options are really limited, especially when you consider that this is a magazine that's printed and distributed broadly, monthly.  Right now on eBay there's a copy priced at over $50. Even though it was never a CHEAP magazine, especially since I always bought it outside of Italy as a "foreign" periodical, it wasn't $50 -- plus shipping!

It doesn't appear possible to subscribe to BAMBINI from the US, although you can from Australia -- lucky Aussies!  Even Amazon.com rates the subscription as "unavailable."   When you can't find something on Amazon, doom is in the air. :)

I'm wondering, dear reader... Are you living in Europe or Australia, and do you have access to VOGUE BAMBINI at a local newsstand?  Would you be willing to buy me a copy/copies, and then mail them to me?  I have PayPal and can pay you immediately for your efforts. 

Please let me know!  You can email me here.

Separated at birth?

I keep getting the funniest comments on two of my Zetti pages.  People at my swap sites, and who read my blog and see the pages here, are writing me to nudge-nudge, wink-wink and say, "I see you, Shel!, in some of those pages!"

But the funny thing is, I'm not in any of them.

I'm guessing that people see some kind of resemblance between me, and the Molly Ringwald portrait I used as the basis for a paintover on two of my Zetti pages.  I like to use paintover techniques for collage pieces sometimes because it gives me a solid foundational portrait from which to start when my goal is not to "paint a portrait."  For that, of course, I do all original, hand-drawn work.  But when I just need a face or figure to base a collage concept around, I'll find something suitable (I try to use copyright-free images) and then often "paint over" it to alter it.  Since I never sell this stuff and consider it "altered art" I think I'm okay on the copyright infringement thing, by the way.  But if you want/need to write to tell me I'm a crook for stealing images, feel free.  My heart is pure and my cause is just.  Just so you know.

Anyway... my question for you is:  Do Molly and I appear to be separated at birth or something? I guess the smallish eyes and, in this picture at least, close-mouthed smiles are similar.  But frankly, much as I'd like to (I think she's darling), I plain and simple don't see the resemblance.

Do you?

Hmmm... Well, now, THAT'S interesting.  Actually, now that I've posted these side by side (or top to bottom, actually), I guess those smiles are strangely similar in their left-sided smirkiness, and we do both have makeup ONLY on upper lashes in these two images.   

Funny!

Princesses, every one!

This sparkly confection arrived at my doorstep yesterday courtesy of Amazon.com.  What girly delights reside therein!  A fun read it is, with some very inspiring eye candy.  I'm conjuring up a new line of teddy bears with a whimsical, vintage look, and funky crowns like these will be perfect for them!

My work space

I'm lucky to have a guest bedroom I can use as a permanent work space.  It's really pretty, too, with terrific indirect light, so in and of itself, it's kinda an inspiration to get working.  Since I'm not able to share pictures of most of my recent teddy bear work  -- and I miss sharing them so much! -- I thought I'd share some photos of my work space instead.  Be sure to click on the photos for a closer, larger view.

Here's where the magic happens, whether teddy bear, art card, or other.  It's not a huge amount of actual table top to work on, but it's enough for my needs.  It's great to have this huge IKEA desk and hutch with so much storage space, because I rarely have to get up to get supplies since they're literally an arm's reach away.

Behind me is my supply wall, where you can see the awesome ribbon rack my dad custom made just for me and my available space; my rubber stamps, ink, and scrapbook supplies; my Xyron cartridges; and a stack of fabrics I can choose from to use for footpads.  To the far right of the photo, below, you can see the door to the closet where I take all my bear photos.  It's outfitted with about 15 flourescent bulbs, permanently mounted to the sidewalls and ceiling.

I get to work in a light-filled space and my cats are frequent visitors.  When my parents or friends visit, this is their bed.   Unfortunately most of the storage areas are stuffed to the gills with my art stuff, but at least it's a very comfortable queen sized bed!

Somerset ROCKS!

Boy, was I in for some unexpected, but entirely welcome, treats today .  Lucky Shel!

Not only did I nab a huge bag of  pretty ribbon and notions for under $25 from our local Hancock Fabrics (which is closing, and you can color me WAY  SAD about that)...

... but also, while at Michael's grabbing some embroidery floss for my next project, I stumbled upon not one, not two, but three new Somerset magazines:

• Somerset LIFE (premiere issue!)
• Somerset Studio
• Art Doll Quarterly

Reading these magazines is like falling into a chocolate covered, organiza ribbon tied, slice of fluffy, sky blue heaven.  I actually BREATHE better when I lose myself in the art & beauty to be found in these volumes.  That is, until I get a little tight chested, all jacked up on creative adrenaline as my mind races to plan, coordinate, and complete my next 328 projects -- simultaneously! -- all of which somehow spring fully formed from my head after being inspired by some "thing" I've seen on a Somerset  page, and all of which I  feel I have to start churning over RIGHT NOW!  It's like excitement in a bottle, that Somerset stuff, packaged neatly and ready to take home, like a drive-thru order of curly fries.  But in this case, it's not curly fries in cardboard at all, but rather vintage photos of wee, bob-coiffed damsels holding robin eggs, accented with butterfly wings and ephemera and applied German glass glitter, turned into articulated paper dolls with wire accents and antique jewelry findings, adhered to an alcohol-ink painted, decoupaged cone holder with a pipe cleaner handle, instead.  If you've read Somerset publications at all, ever, you'll know EXACTLY what I mean by that.

ART DOLL QUARTERLY

It was an absolute gift to see Arley Berryhill's  gorgeous Gypsy Mermaid in ADQ, printed in rich color at high resolution.  I've only seen his work on the web before and as beautiful as it is in cyberspace, 72dpi just doesn't do it justice.  Check out the mastery of this elaborately beaded, soft sculpture piece.  It measures nearly two feet tall!  For more photos of this ocean beauty, visit Arley's website, where he offers a step-by-step photojournal of his creative process with her.

Lisa Lichtenfels' amazing nylon soft sculptures are also featured in this issue, among other artists;  the photos of her glorious, gallery-quality creations are nothing short of breathtaking.  Lisa creates a wire skeleton around which she forms anatomically correct muscles and connective tissue.  She then layers nylon stockings, securing them with invisible stitching, to create her figures' "skin."  Here's a sample of her work for your enjoyment.  Can you believe the sense of joy and movement she achieved in this piece?   <Sigh> now.

SOMERSET STUDIO

Somerset Studio has a great editorial in their "Business of Art" area entitled Competition.  The writer, Quinn McDonald, seems to share my own feelings on the subjects of both competition, and "passing the torch"/sharing.  One standout quote:

In every field, the real goal of winning is not to stand alone in the spotlight, relieved at having triumphed over someone else.  The real goal is to stand in a long chain of creative people, knowing that there is enough creativity to go around, that it won't run out before it gets to us, and that our handful needs to be shared with those behind us in line.

Quinn, whoever you are... Beautifully worded.  For what it's worth, you have my heartfelt appreciation, for expressing that sentiment so poetically.

Also in the current SS, teddy bear artist Karen O'Brien of Quiet Companions, whose work and person I adore -- I met her in 2004 when I attended the Nevada City show as a visitor; she's gracious, lovely, and incredibly talented -- branches out into painting.  Rock on, bear lady!  Here's a photo of one of her bears (sorry, sold!), SMILES.

SOMERSET LIFE

Last, the premiere issue of  the incredible Somerset LIFE has a terrific article on artist blogs... something we've been discussing frequently of late at Teddy Talk.   I've added links to the three featured artists under "Life as Art."  Their blogs showcase in gorgeous, crisply detailed fashion just how beautiful everyday life can be.

Even if you don't have the spare change to grab these photo rich, beautifully printed volumes and bring them home, do consider a visit to your local book seller for a browse.  Grab yourself a mocha and have a sit once you arrive, with one or all of these beautiful magazines in hand.  I promise, you won't be disappointed.  Just... transported, to a beautiful, dreamy place.

Eye candy

Here, some of what's inspiring me this week.