Just a few things

 

 my booth design "in the works" for Dutch interior decorating fair "Woonbeurs"

Wishing True blog

 Chic Modern Vintage blog

I can hardly keep track of all the things that are happening at the moment.

First I need to thank Tonia of Chique Modern Vintage and Kate of Wishing True for doing wonderful postings on my work. It means so much to me when talented inspiring women blog about my work. It is so motivating and supporting. If you do not know their blogs I can highly recommend to hop over and check them out!
With the summer vacation coming up I am getting a bit nervous getting everything "done" in time. I am working hard on new paintings, putting the design together for my booth at the interior design fair "Woonbeurs" end of September in Amsterdam, creating new pillow designs, had two magazine interviews and a photoshoot this week and I have a television crew coming in next Tuesday! Oh yes and I have two events this weekend one of which will be at Dutch couturier Peter Rommers where we will showcase our designs together....So as said just a few things :) Keep you posted!

Pillow Talk in Toronto - Hollace Cluny

 Lamps by glass artist Tracy Glover available through Hollace Cluny

 Coco chair by Sarah Richardson and my blue bird & in bloom purple pillows available through Hollace Cluny

 Hollace Cluny, Toronto

Alanna Cavanagh's murals at Hollace Cluny

Very proud to share with you that my pillow collection is now available at chique boutique Hollace Cluny in Toronto thanks to owner Susan Fowlie who believes that my designs are a welcome addition to her stylish collection. Her store is a feast for the eye. Susan is known for creating a signature style, mixing established international brands such as Knoll with boutique brands and unique pieces from local artisans and artists. I would love to put the complete content of the store in a big container and ship it to Amsterdam. But if I could just pick a few I would definitely go for a pair of stunning handmade lamps by glass artist Tracy Glover and the elegant Coco Chair by Sarah Richardson which I find perfect to team up with my pillow designs.
What I love about Susan is that she doesn't "go" for just the usual suspects in (interior) design. She creates possibilities for new talent like gifted illustrator and printmaker Alanna Cavanagh for example who made wonderful murals for the shop.
A big thank you Susan for having my collection and looking forward to meeting you again in July!

Miami in the works!

Adelaide Price, Studio Proprietor of DWR West Palm Beach

Oeps last blogpost was last Thursday. I have been locking myself up to paint. The upcoming events in Miami at Design within Reach (DWR) at their Coral Gables and West Palm Beach studios have inspired me to create some new oils.
Last Friday I had a visit here in Amsterdam from the West Palm Beach studio propietor, lovely Adelaide Price who gave me me valuable feedback on my work. She will be hosting an event on August 28 (the event at the Coral Gables studio will take place on Juy 31). I am excited and a bit nervous showing my work for the first time in the US. Above is a peak at new work in progress.....and thank you Adelaide!

Women with Passion - Anna Spiro

 Interior Decorator Anna Spiro

 Absolutely Beautiful Things

3 pictures above: Anna's magic touch

One of the first blogs I started to follow was Anna Spiro's Absolutely Beautiful Things. Anna is a leading Australian interior designer based in Brisbane. She has this certain magic touch, whether it is Black&Spiro's delightful window displays, client projects or her own interior. Personal, eclectic, colourful, fearless, everything with a soul, simply irresistible! So what happens if someone I admire blogs about my work....goose bumps, a big big smile and lots of energy to continue my creative journey.

Thank you Anna. I am grateful for your vote of confidence  xox

...and for those of you who don't know Anna's blog (which I can hardly imagine) it is an absolute must :)
Absolutely Beautiful Things

Sweet Dreams

Okay, confess, soooo tired I am off to bed, but I am not going to zzzz without leaving something to inspre you. The French oh la la ils avont un style que j'adore! From my files: this bedroom featured on the cover of Maison Francaise (Octobre/Novembre 2007). Sweet dreams x

Moodswings

 moody detail of my appartment

Just a quick one today. Since my move to the new studio cum showroom, my appartment feels a bit empty. I have been moving around furniture, trying to get a bit organized in my newly gained "territory". I am missing my artistic clutter and have to find the right balance again. It will come I know. My interior is ever evolving and with big changes it ususually takes a while before I am perfectly satisfied again with the new arrangements. In stead of decluttering I will reclutter. That is in the end what makes me happy. Off to my studio now to paint!

.... and don't forget to enter the give away over at The Decorista!

Six to Bliss and Give Away @ The Decorista

Ashlina The Decorista

Ohhhhh I am running embarresingly behind (again), but all for a good cause as I spend some down time with my kids at the beach this weekend.  Beautiful inspiring blogger sister Ashlina of The Decorista did a wonderful posting on me (already on Friday!) in her Six to Bliss series. In conjunction with this posting we took the opportunity to emphasis my role as a Decorista sponsor by including a give away of boxed note cards Blossom and Okura (with Japanese recipes) AND one of my limited edition pillows! So if you haven't done so rush over to The Decorista to make a chance! And if you don't win all procucts can be ordered from my webstore. Thank you Ashlina for your enthousiasm and daily dose of inspiration!

NOTE: FOR ORDERS AND DELIVERY WITHIN THE UNITED STATES GO TO INTERDECORATIONS!

The Common Reader

I recently bought a Harvest Books edition of Virginia Woolf's "The Common Reader". I have been buying quite a few of her books recently, not in first instance to read but as props for my booth at Dutch interior design fair "De Woonbeurs" (end of September). This edition instantly attracted me because of its cover design by Rudi Bass, but reading the back page I was sold!
"The common reader," says Virginia Woolf, "differs from the critic and scholar....He reads for his own pleasure rather than to impart knowledge or correct the opinion of others. Above all, he is guided by an instinct to create for himself, out whatever odds and ends he can come by, some kind of whole-a portrait of a man, as sketch of an age, a theory of the art of writing." Reading these words Woolf's reader doesn't sound so common to me. Should it have been "The Creative Reader" in stead?

Bright Young Things - Will of Bright Bazaar

 Image from Bright Bazaar posting which was the inspiration for my purple Studio wall

Bright Young Thing Will

 Bright Bazaar

We all work hard and some of the best motivators to keep going are appreciation and recognition. I only started blogging in October last year and the blogging world continues to amaze me as it brings so many talented kindred spirits together. We want to share ideas and our creativity, inspire each other  across oceans. Yesterday "Bright Young Thing" Will of Bright Bazaar gave me so much honour in his blogpost about me. Pure rocket fuel which will fly me to the moon and back! Will is a talented blogger, he has a great eye and sparkling style, he loves abundance, like me he is allergic to minimalism. For everyone who loves my blog Will's Bright Bazaar is right up your street so check it out! Thank you Will I am really over the moon :) xox

Design Within Reach - Miami

 

Design Within Reach @ Coral Gables

 

 

Last week I introduced Eva Roepers of Interdecorations as my distributor and agent for the United States and mentioned the first event she is planning for me in Miami. I am thrilled that she confirmed to me last night that I will be exhibiting my paintings for a month in the fantastic setting of Design With Reach starting with and opening reception on Saturday July 31st! The happening will take place at their Coral Gables' Studio situated on Coral Gables' historic Miracle Mile, an area which is famous for its art galleries, trendy boutiques and beautiful hotels and restaurants. Leading up to the event my pillow collection is already on display teamed up with wonderful designs like Arne Jacobsen's Swan Chair. Don't you just love it when a plan comes together!

An Idea that didn't make it

The Grand - Amsterdam

While working on new press material I came across a design suggestion for my first brochure. We wanted to situate the first pillow collection at a luxury hotel here in Amsterdam. The Hilton Amsterdam is famous for John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1969 'bed-in for peace" which gave us the idea to reinvent the bed scene. Great idea but there were just too many legal issues to consider. So in the end we did the shoot at Sofitel/Accor's 5 star hotel The Grand. Still love the result (design work by Petra Bullee)!

Only a Glimpse

 "Owl 76" throw in yellow (detail)

 "Owl 76" pillow on the weaving machine

Bless the Dutch Textile Museum

"OWL 76" pillow in blue

I know I have made you curious and the full presentation for the Woonbeurs (Dutch "Maison et Objet") is not ready yet but here is just a glimpse of one of the products that will be on display. In the picture details from my "OWL 76" throw & pillow collection which I have created in co-operation with the Dutch Textile Museum.
I work in an old fashioned way. Graphic design is like algebra to me so I draw or paint all my designs first. My throw is inspired by a 70's owl necklace I bought a few years ago in a small vintage shop around the corner of my appartment. I loved its shape so much that I decided to reinvent it. The throw is woven by the Dutch Textile Museum and consists of 80% mohair and 20% cotton. It is warm and soft and my kids keep fighting over it when they cuddle up under it on the sofa!
The design is very different from my handpainted prints but my booth at the fair will have a bold mix of colours, patterns and styles showing that the not so obvious can work. Have a great weekend!

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Nearing the deadline for my press presentation, hence my posting today! The image is from a postcard that I bought 10 years ago in New York at The Whitney which had a wonderful exhibition of Barbara Kruger. The work "Are we having fun yet?" was one of my favourites but there were many more that made me smile despite their "sharp" edges. Kruger really knows how to hit the nail on the head (this is a Dutch expression and but I am sure that when you see her work you understand what I mean). Still, I am having fun because the presentation is starting to look good and you will see some of it very soon.
Wishing you all the fun you deserve!

Colour Palette: Purple-Yellow-Turquois-Red

People often ask me about my creative process. Where do I get my inspiration from. How do I choose my combination of colours. Inspiration is all around me. My brain stores impressions, I collect things I find attractive, whether it is a piece of packaging, a vintage book or beads. I hardly ever make sketches before I start on a painting or design. I mix a cocktail in my head with all the ingredients I want to use: colours, objects and patterns. I don't follow rules but simply follow my instinct
To visualize I took a snapshot of some items that inspired me for my Red blossom oil paintings and pillows: coral coloured beads, Tiffany blue box, Aqua di Parma egg yellow box, vintage books in purple & yellow (altough I found the yellow "David Copperfield" after the process but bought it of its closeness in colour to the egg yellow of Aqua di Parma) and to conclude the result: a "Red Blossom" swatch in satin silk. Curious to know where you get your inspiration from!

And to my followers, especially the new ones. Thank you for all your lovely comments on my blog and sorry I haven't responded to you all yet. This bee is still busy working on her 1st of June deadline for a press presentation for the Dutch "Maison et Objet"!

Busy Bee

Limited edition Blue bird pillows 

 Mr Smith's Blossom (Limited edition of 50 giclee)

Okura - Boxed notecards

Today I am trying to catch up with a couple of things as over the weekend I was working non stop. Yesterday I was in Leiden all day exhibiting at the Japan Market organized by Het Sieboldhuis museum and sponsored amongst others by the Japanese Embassy. Sieboldhuis is a small museum where traditional Japanese artefacts and object collections are shown as well as Japanese modern art. It was a beautiful sunny day and the stalls were perched along the historic canal "Het Rapenburg" (dating back to 1360!) where the Sieboldhuis is located.  I am sorry to say that I have no pictures of the event this time. I was simply too busy talking to the many visitors. I love the whole interaction and feedback on my work, staying close to my (potential) customers. What I can share with you is some of the top items of the day.
1. Blue Bird Pillows. Made in Holland, printed on 100% satin silk, backed by Irish Linen. Available in 3 sizes 35x50cm, 40x40cm and 50x50cm.
2. Mr Smith's Blossom. A colourful giclee, 45x45cm. Limited edition of 50, printed in The Netherlands by Waterland Art Press.
3. Okura Boxed Notecards. 10 double notecards, with envelopes, blank inside (2x5 designs). The Okura hotel commissioned me to create 5 designs for their Michelin star chef Akira Oshima. The designs on the front each correspond with a Japanese recipe on the back. Fun to give as a present when you are invited for dinner or just to write a thank you note!


ANOOK CLEONNE'S GIVE AWAY!

And I would like to anounce the winner op the beautiful gem pin handmade by Anook Cleonne, a gifted Dutch artist who's work is in the collections of many established Musea in the Netherlands. It goes to blog follower Jacqueline in Italy who dedicated the pin to an old friend that recently helped here out when she could not fly to Italy because of the ashes of the Iceland Vulcano. In stead he drove her all the way!

Miami Maven

Meet Eva Uribe-Roepers, Miami maven and founder of Interdecorations. A few months back Eva  approached me with the question whether she could represent me and become distributor of my textile designs in the US. She couldn't have come at a better moment as I was already tinkering with the idea having set my first step into Canada where Hollace Cluny (Toronto) sells my pillow line. The fact that Eva only recently established her company and that she has no formal background in the interior design industry did not withhold me to engage her. I love her dedication, passion and enthousiasm for my products. She called me today to share that the date for my first event in Miami has been comfirmed. I will share details with you within a week or two. Miami here I come!
Eva also sells my pillow designs, original oils and screenprints to retail through her webstore (until 31st of July free delivery within the US!). Welcome Eva and if my US blogging friends have any suggestions as to store locations in the US that would be the right fit for my products we would love to hear!

NEW STUDIO - DAY 8

Yesterday I had time again to play in my studio. I spend a few hours working on a new series for which I have decided to paint over work that I am not pleased with. Nothing better than recycling. I have also been rearranging furniture and creating little dispays as I am having a photoshoot tomorrow in preparation for the Dutch "Maison et Objet" de "Woonbeurs" in September. Deadline for press kit is 1st of June (...."keep calm and carry on")! In the picture a new painting I am working on inspired by Gerberas and vintage vases.

At the end of the day I went with friend Josephine to an inspiring art opening of Contemporary Aboriginal Art at Leslie Smith Gallery. I love the purity and apparent simplicity of this artform. The dedication and patience of the artists is absolutely amazing. In the picture we are standing in front of a beautiful piece by Nancy Ross Nungurrayi I.M. Thank you David (son of Leslie) for showing this work in Amsterdam!

ROYAL DELFT GIVE AWAY AT LITTLE BLUE DEER!

Beautiful Shari of Little Blue Deer blog is doing a give away! Her blog is one of my favourite daily doses of inspiration. Shari is very resourceful, creative & fun!
The give away is a set of boxed notecards that I designed for the Royal Delft museum last year in celebration of 400 years trade relations between The Netherlands and Japan. Each illustration contains a Delft blue object from the Museum collection combined with blossoms. There are 10 (2x5 designs) double cards in the box, blank inside for your own message, with envelopes. So far I have designed 16 boxed note card series with different themes, including a culinary range. You can check out all designs on my webstore. And if you are not winning this box there will be another opportunity soon at another beautiful blog...

A big THANK YOU to Shari for hosting my give away!