Have a great weekend!

If you are looking to take a road trip this weekend, I have a recommendation!
Head west to North Adams, MA where you will find modern art by a great little bed and breakfast where you can rest after an inspired day. I took this trip last year and wrote about it here. But currently at MassMoCA there is a very special work by Xu Bing that should not be missed. That's a photo of it above, but trust me when I say it does not do it justice.
So get in your car and go!

Site Visit: DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

It took years, but circumstances have finally led me to visit the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum.  The day was cloudy and stormy; the landscape green, lush and vibrant. And the art? It sat still and silent in stark contrast to it's surroundings.

As I walked the grounds of the DeCordova I encountered sculpture after sculpture. Each thoughtfully placed in the site to enhance the visitor's experience of the artist's intention. The clouds rolled by above us, but as evident in the images above, they only intensified the experience.
I later met my group of twelve students who's project this semester is sited at the Sculpture Park. We explored together and discussed the principles of integrating sculpture and landscape. They seemed engaged and excited about the project to follow.

As I drove out of the museum that afternoon, I felt unsettled. I couldn't quite pinpoint what it was about this place that felt strange. Perhaps it was the impending storm or maybe the sense that these faces, creatures, slabs of steel were watching me and each person that had been there before and recording time. In their stillness they seemed to be keeping track.
It felt like a little piece of me remained there that day. Perhaps I should return...I think I'll wait for a sunny day.

A weekend at MassMoCA

A few weeks ago I drove west to Mass MoCA, the mill turned modern art museum in the Berkshires. It is a pilgrimage I had taken before, eight years ago. After that amazing trip I promised myself I would do it again, yearly, on the same weekend. Eight years later I hadn't yet returned.
So when I arrived on a cloudy Saturday afternoon at the Porches Inn, the worker's housing turned contemporary bed and breakfast that sits in the shadow of the enormous mill building of the museum,  I remembered why I had wanted to return.

There is something erie and beautiful about this place. It's past is still palpable in it's present. The mountains surrounding the small town, the historic mill buildings with their juxtaposed modern content, the slow pace of life, all feel beautiful yet out of place somehow.

As I settled in, however, the strangeness dissipated and the quiet was a welcome change from the city. The next day, in the sunshine, I explored the museum. For three and a half hours I poured over the inspiring art and architecture.

I eventually found my way to the Sol LeWitt exhibit. I didn't know much about LeWitt's work, but as I explored the endless galleries of his wall drawings I fell in love. The simple beauty of hand drawn lines on a wall spoke to my own training and sensibility as an architect. Room after room the complex constructions pulled me in and I was hooked.

LeWitt's philosophy about art is fascinating. A series of instructions describe the way each piece is created by a draftsman. Each time the "art" is made anew and therefore slightly different than it's previous incarnation. The draftsman has a hand in the process of creating and the sacredness of the work of art lies in it's accessibility an impermanence.

I plan to return to this strangely magical place next year...as I had always said I would. After this trip, I felt inspired and renewed. I wanted to create, to make, to even attempt my own LeWitt wall drawing...Maybe I will do just that and become a part of this amazing process of creating.

New Paper Vessels

During my walk in Blue Hills a few weeks back Penny discovered a wasp's nest delicately perched high in a tree. I was fascinated. The form, the delicate layers, and the way the wasps wove in and out. I wanted to know more. How do wasp make their nest, what materials do they use, etc.
So, today, Charles and I set out create delicate vessels inspired by the wasp's nest. We shaped wire mesh and layered paper dipped in glue. Pretty cool!

Create something everyday.

It's not as easy as it sounds.
However loosely the word "create" is interpreted, it's still a challenge to accomplish. Most days I look around and there is in fact something made, invented, produced that wasn't there the day before. On other days...well, the day has just slipped by. Luckily, I get another chance tomorrow...

One drawing at a time

Last night I wanted more than anything to pick up a paint brush, a pencil, charcoal anything and just draw. Sometimes it happens like that.
So I pulled out the pastels and started.

Color and Line

Yesterday, as I scrambled around trying to find some good quality drawing paper for a project I was midway thorough, I stumbled across long forgotten drawings and paintings. They were neatly tucked away precisely where I had stored them a while back. I pulled them out, one by one, and to my surprise, time and distance has somehow made them better.
I had painted them two summers ago at a class I took at Mass College of Art. It reviewed the technique of layering drawing and painting to achieve a hybrid image that was neither drawing nor painting, but something in between. I recalled the professor, Patrick, a sandy haired older gentleman that never sat down, walking energetically from easel to easel passionately talking about how the line and the paint work together to build the drawing. He would pick up one of my pencils and show me how it was done, but in a way that never made me feel inadequate or that I was doing it wrong. The nude model stood silently, lit by the sun as our eyes and minds learned the line of her figure and the tone of her skin.
It was an electrifying week! For five days, 8 hours a day we drew and we painted, and we listened to Patrick knowing that if we were distracted only for a moment we would miss it.
Yesterday, when I pulled out those drawings, it all came back to me. I remembered the way it felt to just draw all day and think of nothing else, to be immersed in line and color for so long that when I went to sleep that night I sill saw the image imprinted in my mind.
I also don't remember thinking my drawings has turned out great. But, yesterday as I scanned them with my eyes and my memory I felt differently. Regardless of their technical merit, they are so honest and free. I see them now and know they are exactly what they should be.

See all the color and line drawings here.

So-Not-Russian Nesting Gourds

I have a confession to make. I have always wanted a set of Russian Nesting Dolls. Why, you ask? Well, I can't remember when the obsession started, but I do know it goes way back. I can't remember a time when I didn't love these cute little pieces of carved wood that, when opened, revealed a smaller replica of itself inside. I think it's the genius design that gets me. The adage "form follows function" comes to mind, except they are completely useless aside from being decorative. None the less, I have lusted after what I see as an object that still stands today as an example of great design.
So why I have never bought myself a set is perplexing. Perhaps I have been waiting for a trip to Russian to treat myself to an "authentic" one.
Well, my wait ended when my girlfriend Rebecca, upon discovering this obsession, took it upon herself to end my wait. Brilliantly, she opted for a modern, abstracted version of the classics. I call them my So-Not-Russian Nesting Gourds. My favorite is No.2, with it's pretty little polka dots. Which is your favorite?

Independent Designer's Market Boston

This sunday, November 7th, I will be at the Independent Designer's Market! This is a relatively new market that promises to showcase a great group of local, and yet unknown artists. I'm so happy to be among them. Stop by this sunday and say hello!

An evening of handmade art at West Elm

Last night I ventured up to the Fenway area to attend the West Elm Handmade Art Event. This pop up shop featured local artists showing their wears among the loveliness of the West Elm Collection. I was greeted at the door with a Boston Iced Tea and 20% off card to use on a later purchase. I was smiling already.
As I strolled sipping my tea, already being familiar with West Elm's products, I search and searched for the artists who's work I had excitedly come to see. It took a while to find the first, and this a while longer to find the second. In total, there were about 9 artists present with a small, but lovely selection of work on display. There were stationers, printmakers, a soap maker and jewelry designers. But it wasn't until I arrived at artist Alli Herrmann's table that I got really excited.

(Golden Glow2010encaustic4"x4")

Her beautiful and tiny little gems of layered seeds and wax are lovely in their translucent, almost underwater quality. I bought one of these encaustic pieces immediately for fear of the few that were left would be gone by the time I made the rounds.

Another favorite of the night was the fellow Jamaica Plain-er rennes. The designer's sensibility to line and detail was spot on and her use of bright color was something I identified with.
I spent a fun few hours chatting and browsing and eating mini crab cakes that were too delicious. It's nice to see handmade goods coming so far as to gain the attention of a design giant like West Elm. The future is looking bright for the handmade nation and I'm so glad I get to be a part of it!

open.market

Big news! 
MAKE.GOOD studio will be at SOWA Open Market next weekend September 25+26!!! This is a great weekend outdoor market that features many handmade wears, music and food. What makes this weekend even more exciting is that it's also South End Open Studios! You can stop in artist's studios and see their work, meet them and buy art.
I am over the mood about having been chosen to participate. It's a big step for my little operation and a great way to get my handmade bags and home collection to a broader audience.
I'm working extra hard this week to have lots of new bags in great winter colors. I'm also planning a great GIVEAWAY that weekend so don't miss it... I look forward to seeing you there!

letter.press

Last week's trip to the antiques market was more than just about a fun morning out with friends. It was also a day to find inspiration for MAKE.GOOD studio. Winter is fast approaching and I've started working on a new line of bags and home accessories, but inspiration is lacking. It must be the changing of the season. It always brings on the urge to hibernate.
But this Fall I'm staying focused and luckily my finds at the market are helping. I found these beautiful antiques printing plates! Some have text, others images, but overall I'm loving that the results are still abstract.
I'm not sure yet how they will make their way into the new designs, but I'm excited to try.
(My favorite is the series of squares in the second image on the left! Click on the image to zoom in and take a closer look)

shopping.vintage

Last weekend I spent a crisp end of summer morning with my good friends Rebecca and Chris. Along for the treasure hunting was also their gentle greyhound Trevor. We strolled an outdoor flea market looking for beautiful things with a good story. I just love the moment when you spot something wonderful among of all the "other stuff".  Turns out, Rebecca and I agree on what falls into the wonderful things category and so a great collaboration begins....hmmmm, I like that.

We both fell in love with big old jars. I especially loved the printing on them.

And I just couldn't resist adding this deer antler to my personal collection. I plan to hang it in the light somewhere it can cast a lovely dark shadow on a white wall.
I'm missing Brimfield this week, but taking this little trip only a few days ago makes up for it!