Lethal Beauty

 

I saw the Samurai exhibit, "Lethal Beauty" at the Currier Museum of Art this week. It's definitely not the sort of show I would have pictured myself enjoying (guns! knives! mayhem!), but I walked out of the museum really inspired. The level of craftsmanship in a samurai's armor is just mind-boggling, an amazing example of the utilitarian becoming art.

And don't tell me you wouldn't run screaming if this guy came hurtling towards you on a battle field.

The Saga of the Spark Plug

 

Reason #297 why you should carry a sketchbook with you everywhere: because you never known when your plain jane oil change will suddenly turn disastrous. And by disastrous I mean, your car is having a midlife crisis ($) and you'll be spending 2 1/2 hours (!) catering to its whims.

In non-automative news, I didn't know until today that a group of peacocks is known as an Ostentation. And if that isn't the most perfect name for a gathering of creatures, I don't know what is.

Faces + Places

 

Sketchbook randomosity to end the week.

Symbiosis

This week:

* New shelves in the studio (thanks, Dad!). You guys, laser levels are the best. I'm already filling up the shelves with art supplies and assorted ephemera. In case you're curious, my sister made the bird.

* I'm still trying to make peace with oil paints. I don't think I've quite hit my stride yet, but I like the change of speed and (if I am being brutally honest) making a mess.

*I brought Natalie Chanin's Alabama Studio Style home from the library the other week -- the book has completely blown my mind. The way she combines sustainability with creativity is really something else and it's well-worth the gander if you're the slightest bit crafty. So when Favorite Sweater started sporting a hole this week, it got a makeover, in no small part due to the aforementioned book. And lemme' tell you, from henceforth, NO beleaguered garment shall be safe in my presence (insert: Vincent Price style-laughter).

Edith?

And another season of Downton Abbey is over. In case you haven't seen the finale yet, I won't give anything away other than to say, "JULIAN FELLOWES, DUDE, ARE YOU FOR REALZ?"

Okay, much better now. As you were.

Helm to Starboard

 

I started working on something new today, cutting, painting and pasting scraps of paper and cardboard. Hello, uncharted waters, you're making for some rather entertaining sailing.

Also, a sketch to end the day, pulled from the "My Daguerreotype Boyfriend" tumblr. It's a great source of photo reference and obscure 19th century hilarity. And despite the ennui-laced expression, you got to admit, all those cords and tassels are pretty boss.

Hunker Down

A bit of what life looks/sounds/tastes like at the moment. The aforementioned snow and cake are represented, as well as oil painting, garland making and songs playing.