Appalachian Chic

Tulum Ocean Views

Can Anyone Say MEXICO!

  We are in Tulum, Mexico this week spending time with my husband's family. Today we visited the Mayan ruins in Tulum. Jack was so good despite the heat and the crowds. A special treat for the goodness was a turtle necklace that is similar to DaDa's.

Color Palette Inspirations

  I found these wonderful pieces of art truly inspiring for my color palette for painting. Aren't they juicy?

 

COLOR

 

     A Japanese fabric book

    Shipping Containers

           

          

          Gage Openbrouw

              Artan Hajrullahu

      

           Turkey

                Exterior Wall

 

    India

  

Inspirations

Inspirations for my paintings...

 

 

Penelope Dullaghan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Kennedy Jones

 

                            from Tiny Texas Houses

 

 

Wolf Kahn

 

Amanda Blake

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Grady McFerrin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Momma's Day Out....

 This afternoon I had a few hours to myself on the town. I wanted to see an art exhibit and see Julia Child's kitchen. Come walk with me and explore a little of Washington D.C.!

 

  

  First stop the Hirshhorn and Andy Warhol's shadow exhibit. It took Andy about a year to create these silk-screened and acrylic canvases that span the whole back side of the museum. Very impressive!

  Next stop the Julia Child's kitchen in the American History Museum at the Smithsonian.

  This was one of my favorite exhibits. I felt as if I was walking right into her kitchen. Her tools are placed outside her kitchen along with videos, books and memorabilia. Her kitchen table was from a tour of Norway with her husband that was shipped to Massachusetts. I can't imagine all the conversations that occurred around that table. 

  

   

 

   

        Julia's fridge. I loved looking at all her magnets.

             

 

      
     I found this photo endearing!

 

    It's amazing how many amazing things you can see here in the city in a few short hours!  

Bits and Pieces

      I am back working in my studio again. I have been missing my space and my  creation time. The little bits and pieces of paper and fabric that fell on my studio floor have inspired me. Their little whispers made me bring out my scissors and start creating collages again. I have been creating collages since my childhood. My first collages were made from my Dad's prized National Geographic Magazines that were kept in the bottom of our bookcases. I fell in love with the beautiful colors of the paper and the images from distant lands. My Dad wasn't to keen on me cutting holes in his magazine collection but I am sure that he is happy to know that those magazines helped start my art making.

    I ran into Hollie Chastain's(Dr. Kennedy Jones) work again in the Small Show in the Nahota Gallery in Portsmouth New Hampshire. I just love this video that she made with Etsy. 

 

 

Our New Hangout

  I think Jack and I found our new hangout the Glen Carlin library. It's a little library with amazing books and beautiful gardens that surround the outside. A perfect spot for viewing bees and butterflies! Thanks for your recommendation Nate and Jen!

 

This Moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

-Amanda Blake Soule

Holland, MI Tulip Festival