I’m loving these floral collages that mix photographs of models with flowers by Ernesto Artillo. The Spanish mixed media artist knows just where to place the flowers to make for an interesting portrait.

Ernesto Artillo’s website
via [Trendland]

Art & Design

April 18 2016

Olivia Bee Shows Youth at the Brink of Adulthood

I first discovered Olivia Bee back in June of 2009, when she was just 15-years-old. Even at such a young age, she was coming up with images that were wonderfully through-provoking. They took you back to the time you were a teenager again, those years when you’re on the precipice of adulthood; young, free and up for any kind of adventure.

Time has passed, and now the Portland, Oregon-born photographer is 22-years-old. In between those seven years she has shot for brands like Hermès and Levi’s, and has had editorial features for Vogue and the New York Times.

She just came out with a new book called Olivia Bee: Kids in Love that showcases two of her series, Enveloped in a Dream and Kids in Love.

This first series offers a visual diary of girlhood friendship and the exploration of self, showcasing Bee’s unique ability to convey the bittersweet nostalgia of adolescence on the brink of adulthood and new possibilities. The second set of images is drawn from recent work and continues Bee’s photographic chronicle of her circle of friends and new loves, capturing both the pleasures and terrors of the fleeting passage of romanticized youth.

Just scooped mine up on Amazon.

Below, find a general selection of her work.

Olivia Bee’s website

Art & Design

April 15 2016

New Sweetly Surreal Paintings by Camilla D’Errico

The online preview of Camilla D’Errico’s new series Dances With Dreams was just released and it includes so many sweet and surreal paintings. The upcoming show begins on April 23 and runs through May 21 at the Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles. The Canadian painter is completely self taught! (How inspiring, right?) She is among a group of female artists, which include Audrey Kawasaki, Amy Sol and Stella Im Hultberg, who paint beautiful young girls in the Pop Surrealism category.

Camilla d’Errico’s website

Art & Design

April 15 2016

Fun Links of the Week

What are you up to this weekend? We’re hanging out at my in-laws to celebrate my mother-in-law’s birthday. The grandparents just bought a pool for the kids along with other fun toys like roller skates and a toy train table. I feel like I’m reliving my childhood! (Which is a great thing.) It’s going to be in the 80s out where we are which will be perfect for all the outdoor activities we have planned.

Is this the next Poloraid?

Conan exposes the culture gap between Koreans and Korean-Americans. (Loved all the Conan in Korea clips, especially this one.)

I was so close to getting tickets. They’re probably gone now even with the addition of the second performance.

I’m smitten over these miniature houseplant treehouses. (Reminds me of the bonsai treehouses.)

Dream-chasers, check out these books. (I’m currently reading Drive.)

What’s a childhood look like that’s free of modern electronic devices?

Broken glass? Not quite.

Four more days until Hermes releases the new Apple Watch straps. (I want the double tour band in brown.)

Citizen’s “time” installation at Milan Design Week is out of this world. (via NotCot)

I love all white houses with pops of color.

Want to attend this online workshop on Instagram.

“If you want to lay the groundwork for a big idea, focus on developing one segment of it until it has strong roots. ‘Pick a vertical. Pick a focus area. Keep it simple.’

When editing in Lightroom, be careful of these traps.

I think Sammy (and maybe all of us) needs this.

Donut art makes me hungry.

I want to add these to my notebook collection.

Love reading on my iPhone but I’m mesmerized by this.

Interested in making mochi ice cream?

Cookie Monster belongs on my shoulder.

BB-8 stole my heart.

Is it time to attend Summer Camp? (via SwissMiss)

Above: ‘Kick Push’, an animated GIF by Swedish graphic designer Markus Magnusson. (via We and the Color)

Art & Design

April 14 2016

Acrylic Rocking Horses and Smile Stools by Nendo

My old time friend, Jaime Derringer of Design Milk, just put out a story on CNN titled Salone del Mobile 2016: The 15 most desirable objects in the world right now. Jaime’s got an incredible eye for design and the way she explains design to the world makes her an excellent communicator.

This year, she got to attend Salone del Mobile, an annual design fair that takes place every spring in Milan, Italy. It is the largest exhibition in the world for design, which encompasses furniture, lighting, and home furnishings. It’s basically the Art Basel of the design world.

As she writes:

“The objects of luxury I’ve chosen here are only a small representation of the creative talents displayed in Milan this year, but they are some of my most coveted items. These objects are made to be talked about, to be in the spotlight, and to set the bar, so let’s give them their shining moment.”

One of her top picks is the all-acrylic modern rocking chair by Japanese designer Nendo. Called the H-horse, it can stand alone as a beautiful sculpture, though it’s meant to be ridden.

At this year’s Salone del Mobile, Nendo also put out these stools that were inspired by the shape of a smile. Happy faces can be found as imprints on the seats. Want!

via [CNN, Wallpaper]

Art & Design

April 14 2016

Girl With Hidden Flowers by Clare Elsaesser

I’m loving this simple but sweet art print by California-based artist Clare Elsaesser. I found the piece on Anthropologie’s website. You can’t see the girl’s face but you know she’s holding a bunch of flowers behind her back. Who could they be for?

Art & Design

April 12 2016

TED Talk: The Magic Ingredient that Brings Pixar Movies to Life

If there’s one movie studio that has my heart it’s Pixar. I was lucky enough to visit their HQ back in August 2011 when story artist Josh Cooley invited me up for an interview. Ever since I saw Toy Story I’ve been a fan of Pixar not just because of their groundbreaking animation work or their captivating storytelling but because of how they run their company. (For more on that read Creativity Inc.)

Back in November, Danielle Feinberg, Pixar’s director of photography, gave an inspiring TED talk called The Magic Ingredient that Brings Pixar Movies to Life. In it, she talks about how Pixar uses math, science and code to create magical worlds. Mostly, it was inspiring to hear about how she, personally, found her true calling. I love people with passion!

via [Mac Observer]

Art & Design

April 12 2016

Fun Sea Creature Planters

These funny planters crack me up! The hanging vessels were designed for Anthropologie by Californnia potter Cindy Searles. They’re completely handmade using porcelain and wire. The four planters comes in small squid, octopus, jellyfish and large squid. I love how the plants are suppose to hang down like arms or tentacles. (While we’re at Anthropologie’s page, check out their cute whale doormat. I’m a sucker for animal-inspired things.)