Observation is Inspiration

Today (or tomorrow) when you walk out your front door, take ten steps then stop. Look to the right for ten seconds. Look down at the ground for ten seconds. Look up at the sky for ten seconds. Look to your left seconds. I would bet your morning coffee that you noticed something beautiful and inspiring that you would have normally walked right past. We all get caught up in the day to day, but taking time to observe and enjoy your surroundings is a great way to recharge and revive up your creative juices. Taking pictures of your usual surroundings is also a great way to narrow in on those quietly amazing moments you normally miss.

The below photos are from a school project involving circular forms. For two days I walked around with a camera in my hand, and these are just a very small sampling of the everyday beauty I encountered during that time. Try it for yourself - what will you rediscover?

MoMA Lecture at GWU

Next week GWU's Interior Design program is hosting Paola Antonelli from MoMA. The lecture is free and open to the public, so if you are in the DC area don't miss it! Plus there will be tasty treats and fancy balloons at the reception (I should know, I'm on the planning committee). 

Upcoming Craft Shows

Purple Clover's fall craft show schedule is set! If you are in the DC-area, come visit at one of these upcoming shows...

Saturday, September 29
Fenton Street Market
10 am - 4 pm
Veteran's Plaza, Silver Spring, Maryland

Sunday, October 14
Oktoberfest at the Kentlands
12 - 4 pm
Kentlands Village Green, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Saturday, November 3
Handmade on Hamilton
12 - 7 pm
Hamilton Street & Queen's Chapel Road, Hyattsville, Maryland

Saturday, November 10
Trash to Treasure: A Green Craft Fair
10 am - 4 pm
Watkins Nature Center, Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Saturday, November 24
Fenton Street Holiday Market
10 am - 4 pm
Veteran's Plaza, Silver Spring, Maryland

Exploring Other Genres of Art

The regular readers of this blog are familiar with the upcycled collages I create for Purple Clover, but have you ever wondered what other type of artwork I do? Probably not. But that's ok! Many artists may have a certain style or medium they are known for, but generally artists love to explore all of their creative avenues even if it's outside their normal box. Here are a few examples of my "out-of-box" work. I hope it inspires you to try something new!

Charcoal and Conte Crayon on Paper, Summer 2012

Conte Crayon on Paper, Summer 2012

"Pattern makes Pattern," Original Photograph Collage, Fall 2012

"Light and Shadows on Water," Original Photograph Collage, Fall 2012

Inspiration Fix

An end of summer sunset...just look at those beautiful pastel colors courtesy of mother nature!

Bright Textiles

Hi there blog readers! My apologies for the extended absence. A few weeks ago I started grad school - an MFA program in interior design. The downside is the seemingly unending amount of work. However, now that I'm a bit more adjusted to bring back in school full time, I will be regularly posting once or twice a week again. The upside, at least as far as this blog, is exposure to inside world of interior design which I will be sharing with you!

Today I have a few of my new favorite fabrics for your viewing pleasure. The bright, bold colors in these fabrics will stand out in an otherwise neutral space or pair them together for a look that won't soon be forgotten. Enjoy!

Above two textiles from KnollTextiles

Above two textiles from Clarke & Clarke

Above two textiles from Holly Hunt

Inspiration Fix

Today's inspiration fix is from the Finnish Embassy in DC. I went on a tour earlier this summer, and came away feeling very inspired. Between the oxidized copper, glass panelling and lush greenery (yes, lush greenery does occur in DC) the exterior of the building almost looks like a building forgotten by time.