AGNES MARTIN

{page images; Agnes Martin: Painting, Writings, Remembrances, by Arne Glimcher}

This book.  Agnes, oh Agnes.  I really needed that.

This book is amazing!  It is a massive book with full page spreads of her work.  Along with the fabulous biography written by one of her long time dealers, there are inserts that look like notes and letters Agnes had written herself.  I had never read about Agnes' life, have you?  She took a long hiatus from painting at the peak of her career.  She moved to a remote place and then started painting again. She devoted most all of her time to her work, living very modestly.  She struggled with mental illness, poverty, and alienation.  Although, I am not sure she would ever put it that way.  She seemed okay with the way she was, focusing her thoughts and energy on her work in an obsessive way.   Her work is just so mesmerizing.   Painters, in my opinion, air on the side of obsession when it comes to their work.  But I notice this is mostly portrayed as a male painters' obsession in the history books.  But, this is far from the truth.  Women are obsessed too. Not in a bad way at all, just a very unique connectivity they have with their work that is not often seen in other mediums.

WEEK LINKS

Image:  Painting by Stella Maria Baer / Found via Honey Kennedy

Great relationship advice for all types.

Had fun at the launch of West Elm Local at the Seattle store.  You can now find a selection of my goods there!

After much research and this DIY, I started experimenting with Shibori leather dyeing techniques. 

I ate here last weekend in Portland.  We need more places like this in Seattle!

Congratulations newlyweds...or should I say already wed?  So proud of my city!

I made cod tacos inspired by this dish.  Super yummy.

Excited to see this show at Seattle Art Museum. Oh, and my husband and I are collaborating on a table setting for the Party in the Park event.  Get tickets here.  Hint...there will be indigo.

WEEK LINKS

It has been a fully committed month for me.  I have many announcements to make but for now I want to share a few links for your busy week.

Can you imagine all the waste from the meat industry if there was no leather industry.

Just another day in the studio.

This podcast keeps me going in the studio.

I read about Agnes.

I wish this was in Seattle... maybe I will start one.

COMMITTED

Time has really been escaping lately.   One thing I knew going into this whole building a business thing was the sacrifices to be made.  As an artist or creative, usually you have a day job to pay the bills, and then you go home to work on your work.  Except now I go home and work on the business and make stuff.  I am not complaining, just trying to be transparent. Believe me, I am much happier making sacrifices so I can make stuff, over not making stuff. I guess it is just hard to keep perspective sometimes.  It is hard to work hard.  It is not always fun or stimulating.  Just like any other job out there.  So, any of you out there who want to do what you love, try to change your expectations a bit. There will be tears, sweat, and a lot of anxiety.  But you will most likely learn a lot, gain confidence, and continue to cultivate ideas.  The questions do not go away.  But hopefully you start answering them bit by bit.  I am not busy, just committed.

Eroyn Franklin explains this dilemma very well.  More here.

MINDFUL BRUSHES

This is my favorite shot from my Spring/Summer 2014 Lookbook.  Thank you Cristie Schrader for the lovely photos once again.  We are always in sync with the mood/style we want to capture, and am so lucky to have her as such a supportive friend and cheerleader.  One thing I have learned this year, is the importance of finding community that is supportive.  While I tend to be a bit of an anti-social due to my social anxieties, my small efforts to reach out have really benefited me 10-fold.  So, if you are thinking of doing or making something new, I strongly suggest reaching out to those you admire who are already doing it and share the same creative goals.  Have you heard of Go Mighty?  It is an online community of goal sharing.  You create goals, encourage others, and see you are not the only one struggling to complete a goal.  It is a good way to stay on track and learn from others.  You can follow me here.

In light of these thoughts, I have to announce making the Mindful Marks Wall Hanging is a meditation in itself.  I really love the long and watery brush movements on the muslin fabric.  I grew up painting with watercolor, and these really remind me of the feeling of painting in a more innocent state.  No anxiety of the end result.  Just the feeling of the color, water, and paper working together.  I hope to keep moving in this direction.

ARTIST COLLABORATIONS

One goal I have for Pine & Boon is to create limited editions with artists I love.  I launched Pine & Boon with artists in mind, so inviting collaboration seems like a natural fit.  First up is, Cable Griffith.  Not only is he an amazing artist with years and years of painting under his belt, he is an educator and curator at Cornish College of the Arts.  Oh, and...he is my husband! Below are a few samples of the collaborative fabric design and waxed canvas for our tote design.  We will be making hand-painted pillows too!  All of these goodies are set to launch in Seattle in May, and on the website later that month.  Be sure to follow subscribe to may mailing list if you want details of when the shop will be open.

STOP GO

I had an unexpected sewing break this week and next.  My sewing machine is broken, and the back up machine I use at a co-op space is also not working properly.  This set back has delayed a few orders and the launch of my spring lookbook.  In the mean time, I have had time to do some leather painting, reflect, and plan for the upcoming seasons ahead.  Hopefully, this week I will have the new machine ready to go. While last week was frustrating, I am currently very happy and excited with what is ahead.

Here are a few swatches/inspirations from around the studio.  I have been feeling the need to be more playful and take a few more risks with my designs, and I think painting leather is the perfect place to start.