Lisa Hoffman

Another Rabbit Hole

So I was looking around the web for something totally unrelated when I came upon the website for an artist named Mark Ryden.
This guy reminded me of the current crop of painters in the John Currin genre. These are the people that restore our faith in realistic painting. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the op-arty look of Peter Max and Andy Wharhol, but there's something exciting about a person that can make a blob of paint look like a photograph. Mark's work is StoryBook Surreal. Some of it is a bit creepy, a bit sexual, a bit nightmare-ish.
Like a very dissonant version of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. VERY dissonant.  It looks as though his partner, Marion Peck, is a painter as well. Their work is very...shall we say : "Compatible"...?
Enjoy your trip down the rabbit hole. Whoa.

Auggh...Cool!

Those of you who already subscribe to the wonderful Very Short List (daily emails that hook you up with books, music and various cultural amazingness..es) have already screamed, gasped, grabbed the computer screen with both hands and emailed your people to shove them, shoulder first, to the site of Yeondoo Jung. Before you freak out getting the "Can't find server" thing, know that there are about a trillion people looking at this site, so it may take a while to hook up. Make a note and keep trying. This artist took the work of a bunch of kiddo-s (see crayon work at the top) and created "sets" that matched the art, complete with cool titles. "Cinderella" is the tamest title of all, but I thought that you might like this image.

Okay...what else?......oh WAIT!!!
My pal Marylinn Kelly from the world of whimsical rubber stamps (as well as being a fellow True Colorist) and now suspiciously cool in the way of all images from Japan and the World of Designer Vinyl Toys....brings us a big collection of new images by way of Stampington WHO will be releasing a magazine targeting the World of Plush. Coincidence?...you be the judge. The hip stuff, not really the "oh, my grandmother would love those" kinda cute. More like the "Ohmygawd how fun!" ....kinda cute. Go and see.
So what did we learn today?
*we learned that you might want to subscribe to VERY SHORT LIST for cutting edge cool alerts.
*we learned that Yeondoo Jung does freakin cool work but you might not be able to see the site due to your art-y Brothers and Sisters getting to the party first, but that you should keep trying.
*We learned that Marylinn Kelly and Stampington have joined forces to toss some new images RIGHT AT YOUR  HEAD.
*We learned that Typepad would not allow me to give you any live links today, so you learned that Lisa is about to fire off a very naughty email to Customer Service. If there IS such a thing. Here, take THIS:

Very Short List=   http://www.veryshortlist.com/home/index.cfm

Yeondoo Jung=  http://www.yeondoojung.com/artworks_view_wonderland.php?no=88

Stampington, Marylinn Kelly stamps=   http://www.stampington.com/html/postscript_07082008_stamps.html

*We learned that Lisa is a very big Craig Ferguson fan. Thank you Tivo. Wait....we did?...call me, Craig.

Crafty Bastard

No, no, not YOU...although you probably ARE. That's the name of the craft fair that I visited in the O.Z. (wink to TIN MAN fans). The streets were filled with the Tattooed Blue Haired Girls. The guys were all very hip, creative and tattooed as well. Anyone interested in investing in tattoo removal research with me?...we're gonna be rich, RICH I tell ya! There were throngs of very good looking families with their very good looking babes in tow. I'm convinced that the strollers cost more than my car. ANYWAY, if I couldn't have you at my side, the least that I could do is flip a few links your way, right?

The adorable image above is a rubber stamp from FISHCAKES. It's about 1"by1" but gets it's point across at $3...wouldn't you say? She also has the best collection of little buttons (the type with sayings and her own graphics) for a buck...                                                                          
Hey!...all of you "Plushie" fans!.....I found the best source for cheap and adorable Plush Sushi on the Planet. The guy above is called Tofu 4 Obama. The heck with the bumper sticker.....I'm gonna hand THESE out....not really...wish I could. The couple who make these things are insanely prolific. The stitches are teensy and perfect. I'm sure that somebodies grandmother passed mad sewing skills along. Their business cards fold up into teensy Boom Boxes. I KNOW!.....so they have an ETSY site. No web or Blog... listed on the card anyway. I noticed that the whole dang thing is sold out (they're traveling til July 14) but the link will take you to the SOLD page so that you can see what may be available in the future. Click here on ChrisCreatures
By the way...the reason the layout on this post is lame may have something to do with the fact that I can't figure out how to navigate the "New and Improved" TypePad posting page. I'll go and get a doctorate in computer programing when I get a sec. Glad that you can't hear me cursing like the soundtrack of TRAIN SPOTTING.
Welcome to the adorable graphics of Squid Fire.Two fabulous men are behind this label that started like all massive, international clothing companies: being sold out of the trunk of their cars. The Womans shirt above is called Counting Crows and I slapped myself for not buying it on the spot. I'm going to their site though....will I see you there?....oh, be sure to check out the mens shirts. I find it hard to find really fun, uncorny, slightly wacky Guy Shirts. I could see any of the SquidFire men's shirts under jackets at the meeting place in the evening or just by themselves lookin' fun. There are Guy colors too, not just aqua...MY FAVORITE COLOR.
 
So enjoy a few links from me to you. You don't have to buy to be inspired, but like we always say: Buy Handmade..when ya can. Hey. What's that big line doing next to the shirt?...oh come ON....TYPEPAD??? you @##$%%^^&**(())____+*^$@#!'s...okay. I fixed it. Kinda.....muttering my way to that glass of wine.....

Houston?...we have touchdown

Hello to my three remaining readers. I've been away for AGES, as if you didn't know. I chose to not dialog about this trip, as it was NOT filled with beautiful Grecian Hills or fascinating Japanese Temples. I'll spare you the story for now, but I have been composing a novel in my head. A narrative in the spirit of Julie & Julia, a very fun memoir about a Blogger/Cook (NOT me, obviously) told in the spirit of a real voice, complete with the sailors mouth (sometimes...me). Writing in my head kept me from the reality of feeling like a hostage, and like a hostage, the internal dialog kept me sane. Here's a YouTube clip about aforementioned book to distract you for a sec.....if the link takes you to a NOT FOUND ON THIS SERVER page, cut and paste THIS :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om3_e74iGvI

Okay. I feel my Blog Legs returning. I did manage to attend the coolest Craft Fair while I was away, and I grabbed excellent links to share. Great stuff to see...people like us who believe that you may NOT have to pay a billion dollars for really good art. People that have creativity flowing out of every pore. Just being around them made me happy. They also shoveled very Italian-ly good shaved ice into my gasping mouth to assist me in fighting off the effects of 99 degree heat and 99 percent humidity that my Colorado body is just NOT used to anymore. But that's for later. Next subject?...
Here's some Good news if you live in Colorado......My pal Steph Hilvitz and company are having an Art Garden show. If you are in the hood, please stop in and know that you will be delighted with the magic that this girl creates in her garden shows.
If you are wealthy, hop on a plane and visit on the spur of the moment. Sigh.

Now that I'm back, I promise to keep the posts as they were before  I....well, before.
If you have hung in with me, Thank you. I hope to make it worth your while.
Your Field Agent,
Lisa

juicy links? "Stick" with me

You're going to thank me for this one in spite of the crappy photo above. It's a study in "what NOT to do when you are given a good camera". As I was walking past the BLINK Gallery in Boulder, Colorado I was knocked unconscious by this sculpture. The entire window was stunning, but I had NO time, being late for a dinner thing, so I snapped and ran. Doesn't matter. Here a better shot:

Ahhh, that's better. Meet the talented and creative Geoffrey Gordon. His work is TRULY inspirational. Think wacky and crazed rabbits. Like Liz McGrath, Tim Burton and Louise Nevelson in a centrifuge. Stretched-out cats....wild birds. Wait til you see these creatures!!! I'm jumping up and down.I wanna get lost in Geoffrey's woods.  Being a fan of all things Tree-related AND loving the slightly creepy edge...this distracted and inspired me for hours. No DAYS. Go and see.

Move over, Peter

Look at this guy! His name is Rodney Alan Greenblat. He went to my rival high school outside of Washington D.C., but we won't hold THAT against him. He landed in the East Village in the early 80's, making a name for himself in pop culture along side pals Keith Haring and Kenny Scharf. Wouldn't you have loved a coffee date with THAT crew?  Check out his site and be sure to read his bio...more interesting than many...Here it is: WhimsyLoad. Excellent name, wouldn't you say?
I love this guys work. I may have to give Peter Max the ring back (not really..just kidding Peter).
Here's something else great. The work is not THAT expensive. Below, a sculpture to hold an IPOD??!!! STOP IT. Okay, those are expensive, but SHOULD BE.

My new crush

 

I live in the land of highways and people who toss cups of ice on bicyclists for fun. There are HUGE SUV's and pick-ups driven by nuts. There. Get the picture? Add to that my long commute. Beautiful, yes. We have crap public transpo. Why scooters? how about 100 MPG?...too bad I have a strong desire to remain intact. This is one crush that must remain unrequited. For now. Anybody out there drive a scooter this cute?
My Boulder dealer is Sportique. A family owned business...my favorite kind.

Dialog?...what dialog?

Here I go again....when everyone else is watching the characters and listening to the dialog, I'm Room Watching: "...wait!...STOP!...did you see THAT!!???".
 Unless you've been on Mars for the last few months, you know that SEX AND THE CITY, the movie, came crashing into theaters recently. You need not be a fan, or even familiar with it's 4 female character leads and their stories, to appreciate the inspiration that flew from the talented hands of set designer, Jeremy Conway.
He took sets that the huge fan-base grew to know and love over the years, and "evolved" them into what he perceived would be a current spin. When we entered a redecorated apartment for Carrie (played by Sarah Jessica Parker, for you Martians- wink) I think that I grabbed my friends leg. I really can't remember...it's a blur. From that point on, they could've turned down the sound for all that I cared.

I went on a search for all the info that I could gather about the sets. My friend Lynne Perrella patiently listened while I raved and foamed at the mouth:
"...the walls were my shade of hyacynth!...the upholstery was actually in one of my Blog posts!...and WHO did the art hanging by her door???"
Infinitely patient, Lynne (having never seen the show) found an article for me that reviewed the sets.
I then found a design Blog that I'm mad about this week: Casa Sugar...and guess what? SHE had the same reaction and went on to INTERVIEW the designer. Read it and track the links!

I read that Jeremy found a ton of the stuff at THIS fab place...The Rug Company , a gorgeous web site as well! So those are my links for you to enjoy this weekend. You don't have to be into interiors to be inspired by pitch-perfect design and innovation. Grab your inspiration from, well...everywhere!

Hey Colorado!

Miz Angela Cartwright is in town!
She and Sarah Fishburn will be at the Barnes & Nobel on College Avenue in Fort Collins tomorrow night (Thursday the 12th- 7:00 pm). Go over and say Hello, get a book or two. Can you imagine getting a bunch of Holiday gifts out of the way before July 1?...how cool are YOU??!!!
Have Sarah and Angela write something for your BFF.
Now, go to Sarah's Blog for more local details. For my far-away readers.....you can snag one of these books at your local stores or on Amazon. Happy Shopping!

Extreme Creativity

I prepared a post about this fantastic Design Blog, when my co-worker Shane TOTALLY stole the show with his creation. Yes, it's an altered Rubik's Cube!!!...and get this: each little charm represents an element. There's a Buddhist script that goes along with that, but Shane would have to tell you himself, but LOOK...

When Shane isn't working as a day councilor, he is doing a million interesting things. I've seen him work a piece of paper into something very 3-D and sculptural - always a brilliant engineering feat. Sheesh.