Miranda July is my religion

Though I wish I could claim to have participated in her original Joanie 4 Jackie video-tape-chain-letter project, I think I first became aware of Miranda July when I somehow stumbled upon Learning to Love You More circa 2004. I've followed her artist journey ever since, and am continually inspired by her immense imagination and empathy.

So, apologies for sharing the latest Miranda July project, We Think Alone, a wee bit late. But, better late than not at all, yeah? Read the About page to learn, well, about it. Nutshell: MJ has aggregated emails from 10 different folks on 20 different topics. You can sign up to receive said emails. If you're a curious (read: nosy/snoopy) person like I, you may wish to sign up. We're only 3 weeks in, so you'll still receive 17 emails (from the likes of Lena Dunham!) that address the weekly topic.

So far the topics have covered: money, advice, and Barack Obama.  One of the many things I dig about this project is where the idea can lead us unexpectedly. When I finished reading all the emails re: Obama, I wondered, Do I have any emails that mention Obama?...which led me to search my gmail archives. Which led to the rediscovery of this gem. A lil' somethin' I sent to commemorate a dear friend's day of birth.

 

And now, consider this gift yours. You're welcome.

How do I work this thing?

I totally forget how this thing works. Do I capitalize every letter in a post title? Or treat it like a sentence? Grammar vs. style. The ultimate showdown. In my mind, at least. I choose style. Yeah. So.

I finally started watching Adventure Time after admiring its aesthetic for a few years. (Remember this?! Ah!) All this time, I had no idea that Jake the Stretchy Dog is a kindred.

p.s. I usually don't include images unless I can give proper credit. Unfortunately a Google Images search didn't help me find the original source. Fucking tumblr culture. If you happen to know which AT fan created this, please let me know!

The Trading Tortoise

It's no secret that I am a fan of 

• art
• travel
• exploration
• spreading the beauty
• stories
• documenting said stories, and
• all things awesome.

If you also love any of the above, I encourage you to watch Monica Choy and Souther Salazar's Kickstarter video, and be inspired.  The duo imagined a way to combine all of the above into a unique experience called The Trading Tortoise.  I love that Ms. Choy and Mr. Salazar created a way to give (both to those who are lucky enough to witness the sure-to-be-stunning installation in person, as well as the pledgers who earn rewards for donating via Kickstarter) and to facilitate giving, among people from communities far and wide, at their traveling trade post.  Not to mention, the stories behind traded items will be a gift available to all on the website.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who feels The Trading Tortoise is an absolutely necessary project, because their Kickstarter campaign met its funding goal last night, with 17 days to go.  Even though the project has been funded, you can still contribute (and earn super cool rewards like postcards, mixed CD's, and zines created while the Tortoise is on the road!).  Extra dollars will go toward making extra stops on the tour.  I hope they stop in a city near you, so you are able to see the Tortoise and trade something special for something marvelous.

What would you bring to trade?  Would you make something for the occasion?  Do you already own an object you'd like to share with someone from somewhere else?  Just thinking about the possibilities makes me giddy!

That's the spirit!

True fact: I love receiving texts from Alicia.  Alicia tends to text me when she notices awesome things—street musicians with fancy instruments and the like.  As though she's a magic scout, keenly attuned to detect wonderful things, compelled to alert me to the beauty that abounds.  A couple weeks ago, she spotted this charmingly embellished advertisement on a BART train, and gifted it to me.  Behold the Googly Eyed Gnome!      

I believe we should start a movement to make 53% of all texts, messages of this sort.  (The other 47% can be the practical kind, of course.)  Agreed?

Sweet.  The next time you're out and about, I challenge you to 

1. recognize when you're witnessing something worthy of your admiration,
2. take a moment to appreciate whatever you see,
3. snap a photo, and 
4. send that photo to someone you think will share in your joy.

It'll be like one big, never-ending scavenger hunt for awesome.  We can assign points for various sightings: 25 for spotting an origami dinosaur on a park bench, 50 for a yarnbombed bike rack, 996 for a unicorn noshing on an ice cream cone.  We'll call our game Magic Scout.   

p.s. My cousin Melissa also plays this game.  She found a purty pink-haired gal in San Francisco.  How many points should we award her?

Craft the Rain Away

Weather reports predict more rain this weekend in my neck of the woods.  More rain = more indoor time.  More indoor time = nonstop craft-fest (okay, maybe not nonstop, like, I'm sure I'll pause to feed my cats now and then. And should you concur with my transitive relation re: rain + craft time, you are welcome to take snack breaks, of course.).  So, I browsed ye olde world wide web in search of fun, rain-related projects to share with you.  Behold:

     

Bust out your scissors and electrical tape to create a mural with brightly colored construction paper, then admire your relaxing rainstorm like Color Me Katie.  If the outdoors aren't currently cooperating, might I suggest this soothing sound accompaniment?

If you'd rather create more dainty wall art, try your hand at embroidery.  Take inspiration from Katrien of pilli pilli.  Aren't her cloudy creations delightful?  I love the simplicity, and how they feel simultaneously modern and traditional.  I know the third piece depicts snowflakes, not rain drops, but it's so pretty, I just had to show you.  (One, two, three.)

Feel like channeling your inner Calder?  There are some darn sweet tutorials for cloudy/rain-inspired mobiles online.  Granted, the instructions for the one above (available here) are in French, but I'm sure someone with your smarts, and a little help from Google Translate, would make it work.  Other options:

Happy Raincloud Mobile

Rainy Day Mobile

Crumpled Paper Mobile

and I still think cloud lanterns are dreamy.

Or, if you'd prefer to pretend you're a Project Runway hopeful, alter some t-shirts using homemade appliques or bleach.  (I'm certain you could work wonders with a bleach pen if you'd rather "draw" than "paint".)

If you complete any of the above projects, you deserve to treat yourself.  This charming crocheted brooch would be a perfect reminder of your rainy day crafting—like a grown up Girl Scouts merit badge.  Be prepared (for people to compliment your uncommon ability to accessorize)!

Rained in

If touring my Rain Gallery and listening to my Rain Dance playlist aren't quite enough to entice you to pledge the Rain Appreciation Society, perhaps I can convince you with the following cozy scene.  Don't get me wrong, I love running, letterboxing, picnicking, and all sorts of outdoor activities.  But when I'm rained out (or in, as it were), I revel in the opportunity to create a snug-as-a-bug atmosphere.  Imagine: lit candles in comforting scents, starry string lights, soft and colorful blankets, chunky wool socks, and a treasured book and/or favorite film.  And if you don't have access to the real thing, this could help set the mood as well. 

What are your must-haves in a snug-as-a-bug situation?   

Please note: In the interest of a symmetrical vignette, I left out two of my favorites: warm beverages and cuddly kitty cats.  In no way should this reflect upon their essentialness.

Left to Right, Top to Bottom

Hazelnut Latte Soy Candle by Koko Candles 

Warm Vanilla Soy Candle by Sprout Candle Shop

Banana Cream Pie Soy Candle by Candle Kitty

Bee Keeper's Quilt, pattern by Tiny Owls Magic Attic

Starry String Lights @ Restoration Hardware

Brahms Mount Cotton Herringbone Throw @ Schoolhouse Electric and Supply Company

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Cotton Slipper Socks knitted by postscript love

Amélie by Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Let it rain

Further inspired by the rain, I compiled a playlist.  I hope my favorite rainy day songs encourage you to celebrate the awesomeness that is spring rain! 

p.s. My seventeen-year old self would be very disappointed that November Rain was not included.  And I fear to think what nine-year old Sarah would have to say about my deliberate snubbing of Prince.  Don't get me wrong.  Prince is brilliant.  I love him.  I just wasn't in the mood for eight- and nine-minute, gospel/pop/rock/orchestral pieces with epic guitar solos.  If you are in that very specific mood, by all means, enjoy the Purple Rain.  :)

Synchronized umbrella twirling?

If it were snowing where I live, I would be outside doing this, right now.  I wonder what the comparable activity to do in the rain would be?  Ideas?

Snow Drawings by Sonja Hinrichsen, found via Colossal

Great GOOD article + Ira

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

Remember, yesterday, when I said "we should create because we can"?  If your response was either "Yeah, but I'm not creative," or "Yeah, but what I come up with is crap,"—well, then, today's post is for you.

First, I'd like to remind you that both Ursula Le Guin and Pablo Picasso believe that creativity is innate; it's just a matter of recapturing it (if you ever feel you lost it).  If Ursula and Pablo's wisdom still isn't persuasive enough, please read Becca Nath's article on GOOD, How I Learned to Be Creative.  Before she needed to hem a pair of pants for a hot date, Becca would've said "nature" when asked if creativity was a nature or nurture thing.  But, now she knows the truth: being creative truly is a matter of being creative.  Creativity begets creativity.   

Now, for the scary truth: you may not like what you create, at first.  But fear not, friends.  Every creative person who is renowned as a "genius" created "crap" at some point.  (Don't believe me?  Perhaps Milton Glaser will convince you.)  And, if all of the words offered so far are still not enough to encourage you to create something, I direct your attention to Ira Glass's take on creative work (watch video up there ↑).  True, he's speaking of storytelling, but the same principles apply to creating in general.    

So!  What will you make because you can?

Fill in the blank

You may have noticed that I like me some whimsy and cheek in my street art.  I also have a penchant for pieces that make me think.  But Candy Chang's Before I Die project goes beyond simply making me think.  She re-imagined an abandoned house in her neighborhood in New Orleans, and gave her community a public place for reflection and awareness.  Using plywood and chalkboard paint, and offering chalk to all passersby, she created opportunities for individual expression and community interaction.  Brilliant.  I am in awe of her vision and its execution.

The project has grown, and continues to spread into other communities.  I found the wall in Santa Cruz particularly poignant.  And, as a runner, I appreciated San Francisco's twist: I Run Because.  Reminded me of the exceedingly sage pontification I once offered the world, via Twitter (the source of all contemporary philosophy worth its salt): we should run because we can.  

I now expand my credo to incorporate living an art-ful life—we should create because we can.  Thanks for the reminder, Ms. Chang.

Makes me smile

when people re-imagine their surroundings—

making streams of hearts gush from once-obsolete pipes,

and dumpsters smile.

Makes me smile when folks see potential in objects, and use them for something other than their original purpose.

And turn something mundane into something amusing.

Makes me smile to daydream of a home that greets me with a cheeky grin.


Sources
Color Me Katie's heart pipe 
Kristin Farr's smiling dumpster
refrigerator magnet letters mural
piano stairs
smiling house

Progress Report

Have you guys crossed off any tasks on GOOD's Art Every Day list this week?  I managed to check off a few, especially if you allow for altering and amending (which I do!).

✔ Doodle for 10 minutes straight.  Here's a close up of my favorite part (the yellow squiggles!).  Little did GOOD know, I keep a notebook exclusively for doodling, and I "assign" myself one doodle a week anyway.  :)

✔ Create something handmade.  Here's a crocheted cowl I'm working on.

✔ Research an art topic.  I began my quest to learn more about the origins of street art.  Yarn bombing is a form of street art that is particularly close to my heart.  On the left: Ben shows appreciation for a yarn bomb in Leipzig, Germany.  On the right: a tree cozy in Salzburg, Austria.
  

✔ Share links to a favorite artist's work.  I am smitten with Björk.  Not only is she a talented, hard working, and unique musician, she collaborates with others to create stunning visual aspects to her music performances.  Have you seen her videos for Crystalline and Moon?  Mesmerizing!  But, since we're about to usher in the weekend, I thought I'd also share my favorite upbeat Björk tune: It's Oh So Quiet.  I dare you not to dance along!

✔ Support the local arts scene.  Tomorrow is my first day of volunteering at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco, and I am so excited!  (But not like Jessie Spano excited; not to worry.)  Some of my first tasks will be in preparation for the closing party of the Randy Colosky Fiat Lux exhibit, which features the piece pictured above, Axis Mundi.  The entire exhibit is interesting and thought-provoking—especially in regards to how we view ordinary objects and their use.  If you're in the Bay Area, you should come check it out between 4:00-6:00 p.m. tomorrow.  MOCFA is near the Powell Street BART station.  And I hear there will be beer. 

I hope you all have an art-ful weekend!

p.s. I have a few other ideas for how to incorporate art into your weekend, if you're interested.  ;)

Thought for Thursday

Spotted in Portland

Grab your world-watching gear + do as the sign says, people!

Be GOOD: Art Every Day

I'm a bit tardy alerting you guys to GOOD's 30-Day Challenge for March.  But you know what they say about late and never.  Plus, I'm giving you the opportunity to double up on some artistic activities for a few days in order to catch up, thus enhancing your enjoyment on said days twofold.  You're welcome.  ;) 

I digress.  The good people of GOOD are challenging us to incorporate art on the daily.  They've brainstormed 31 tasks that will ensure we are maximizing our artistic interactions with the world.  A few of my favorites:

• doodle for 10 minutes straight
• take a street art walking tour 
• make origami

Ok, you know what?  All 31 are my favorites, and I don't want to retype their whole list.  So, follow the link above to see which daily art activities you'll perform in March.  Feel free to alter some of the tasks, delete any you're not into, and/or add your own!  I even see some major crossover opportunities should you still desire to participate in the Magic Mission.  :D

p.s. That stunning Tupac/Adventure Time mural up there?  Is in Castro Valley!  I know!  (I mentioned it once before.)  Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would not believe it either, friends.  But extraordinary surprises are all around us.  Are you looking?

Seeing the world through extraordinarily-colored glasses

"I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary.  I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was." - Jacob Portman in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs

Kinda reminds me of the Roald Dahl quote about magic—you gotta keep your eyes peeled.  Or wear special glasses, I suppose.

Apologies for the thug face.  I promise you I'm smizing behind those sunnies.  :)

Starting with #4

My partner in whatever the opposite of crime is (aka Ben) and I finally completed one of the projects for the Magic Mission.  We gathered provisions:

(yes, bubble tea played an essential role in this particular project)

and got busy.  Ben was, of course, all about the pun.

(TAG! You're it!, Don't leave me hangin', bro!, etc.)

Rhyming anthropomorphism also served as a muse—Cats shooting craps!

I, too, tried my hand at the visual pun.  See the corner of Have a [soccer] ball peeking out down there?  I was kinda proud of that one. :)

But sometimes just-plain-cute trumped clever.

Bonus points for sparkle.  Always.

We tied our tiny-messages-to-the-world on chain link fences, tennis court nets, tree branches, door handles, and bridge railings.  Today was such a windy day, though, that it was difficult to get photos of our tiny messages "in the wild".  Let's just say this guy reads, "you're a shooting star," ok? 

We saved quite a few of the lot, so the adventure will continue!  Do you have plans to complete a Magic Mission this weekend, friends?  If you're looking for an easy/fun one to start with, I highly recommend #4.

Cheers + magic to you!

Spring Cleaning

Here are a few songs that get me in a cheery mood.  Cheery enough to launder my clothes and cleanse the ol' powder room, even.

What songs would you add to create a chipper atmosphere?

Wish ignition (say that 3 times fast!)

I just finished reading Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (yes, I'm well on my way to reading more than my usual number of books intended for adults this year).  One of the circus tents in the story features a Wishing Tree: "You take a candle from the box at the entrance and light it from one that already burns on the tree.  Your wish is ignited by someone else's wish."  Charming concept, no? 

The image reminded me of Yoko Ono's Wish Trees, which were inspired by her childhood memory of writing a wish on a piece of paper and tying it around a tree branch at a temple in Japan.  Wish trees appear in various forms in other cultures around the globe, as well.

If you're still trying to devise a way to participate in the Magic Mission, I believe creating a Wish Tree for your community is another lovely* option.  Igniting some hopefulness in this world fits the purpose of the project perfectly.  :)

*and simple!  All you need is paper, a hole punch, yarn or string, some writing utensils, and wishes!  Oh, and a tree, of course.  

Inspirational Potholes

What?  You heard me.  I'm telling you: folks can make magic pretty much anywhere.  Case in point: check out these re-imagined potholes!

Juliana Santacruz Herrera enhanced the heck out of some potholes in Paris with some yarn.  I originally typed "I wish I'd seen some of JSH's pothole enhancements when I was in Paris last fall," but then I worried I was guilty of humblebragging.  Thought you should know.  (Discovered @ Honestly...WTF.)

And Claudia Ficca and Davide Luciano's cheeky pothole vignettes amuse me to no end.   If potholes persist, why not get some doughnuts, baptisms, and down the rabbit hole-ing out of them?  Read a nifty interview with the creative duo over at My Modern Met.

I hope both the pothole projects inspire you to make some similar magic in your neck of the woods.  You are still cordially invited to participate in my birthday celebration, the Magic Mission.  In fact, the offer does not expire.  :)