Gaudi Mania

Artwork by Jordi Labanda

Ever since my first time I lay eyes on Antoni Gaudi’s work in Barcelona, I felt in love.  For those who haven’t visited the famous cathedral Sagrada Familia, you still have time. About 144 years after what Gaudi started this amazing architecture, the cathedral will be completed in 2026.  I love many Gaudi’s buildings in Barcelona, particularly in favor of La Pedrera (Casa Milà) and Casa Batlló.  The latter has bone shaped columns inserted to the balconies and the dramatic roof design of dragon’s back.  Antoni Gaudi drew inspiration from nature and its organic elements with touches of fantasy. Casa Batllo partly inspired our jewelry brand name, Lacey Bones. I love the way Gaudi’s balance of architectural elements…decorative, rustic and yet modern.

 

eBoutique: http://www.LaceyBonesJewelry.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaceyBonesJewelry

Instagram: https://instagram.com/laceybonesjewelry

 

Source:  Sagrada Familia, Daily Mail, Globo Treks, Casa Batllo, La Pedrera. Jordi Labanda, Huffington Post

 

 

 

 

Frida Kahlo’s Amazing Wardrobe Revealed

 

Frida Kahlo’s amazing wardrobe revealed after 50 years. After her death in 1954, her husband Diego Rivera locked her belongings in a bathroom of their home in Mexico City. He demanded it to be locked until 15 years after his death. The room was not opened until 2004.

The artist in her, Frida Kahlo’s creativity expanded to her wardrobe. She worn long traditional dresses to conceal her lower body due to the childhood polio which made her right leg thinner than her right. When Frida in her 20’s, her legs were fractured in 11 pieces from a horrible bus accident. She was in full body cast for three months and she painted her casts and corsets into artwork. Her leg was amputated in 1953, Frida designed the prosthetic leg with embroidered red lace-up boots and a bell attached.

 

London’s Michael Hoppen Gallery is now exhibiting ‘Frida by photographer Ishiuchi Miyako’ from May 14th to July 12th, 2015.

 

Source:  The Guardian, WhoWhatWear, Michael Hoppen Gallery, London

 

Mixed-Culture Jewelry inspired by world travels

 

Are you in search of stunningly stylish and remarkably unique handmade jewelry for women? Well, if so, you’ve undoubtedly come to the right place to select from Lacey Bones Jewelry eBoutique. This indie brand is created by designer, Marbella Charles who strives to provide women with handmade jewelry that not only allow them to express their individual style, but gain a little worldly culture with the material she uses by collecting them from her global travels. Each piece of Lacey Bones Jewelry (www.LaceyBonesJewelry.com) is done on a small production scale in Jersey City, New Jersey to guarantee uniqueness.

Any woman who prefers to stand out instead of blend in will truly appreciate the exclusivity of Lacey Bones Jewelry. Each limited edition of handmade necklace, bracelet and earrings are designed to bring cultures together by telling a story by melding materials with a boho-chic styling. Semi-precious gemstones and dazzling crystals are carefully chosen and placed to honor the tradition of their healing spirit. From Bali to Beijing and Africa to the American Southwest, colorful beads, mixed metals, supple leather and vintage charms create unique looks like never before. Marbella Charles’ new design collection of hand-dyed and beaded lace necklaces are truly art pieces which you will treasure as heirloom jewelry. These one-of-a-kind or limited production pieces are destined to spend most time out of the jewelry box by getting the wearer noticed at every occasion.

In her early years, Marbella enjoyed sketching in grade school in Hong Kong and later attended the High School of Fashion Industries. After graduating, she then went on to earn a degree from the world renowned Parsons The New School for Design in New York City and attained employment as a Design Director and Creative Merchandiser for a number of lifestyle brand retailers. While waiting out the aftermath of hurricane Sandy in 2012, Marbella decided to take the leap and created her first jewelry line. From her travels, she draws design inspiration from local artisans to design a culturally rich, handmade jewelry line.

Let loose and show off your individual style by mixing-and-matching the gorgeous handmade pieces of Lace Bones Jewelry channel your inner wild child by wearing an edgy spiked design, or perhaps adorn yourself with a single statement piece to add style to your daily wardrobe.

Lacey Bones Jewelry, handmade jewelry inspired by world travels.

 

 

eBoutique: http://www.LaceyBonesJewelry.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaceyBonesJewelry

Instagram: https://instagram.com/laceybonesjewelry

 

 

Not your Grandma’s lace doilies

The first time I saw a beautifully handmade lace was in Brussels. Since then I became a big fan of using lace for accessories, trimming on vintage tees, or incorporating to my fashion artwork.

Every few season, lace appears in the fashion trend list. Designers have created many new ways to use this classic material: beyond the vintage lace dress you find in flea market, or your grandma’s lace doilies you find in your parent’s attic. Lace always finds a new way to come back in style.

Our Lacey Bones Jewelry online boutique offers handmade beaded lace necklaces. Our intent is to add a new twist to lace which provides us the perfect canvas for beading embellishments and hand-dyed colors for necklaces. Each piece requires many handmade details and man-power, but the results are uniquely stunning art pieces which you can wear as Statement Jewelry. These lace necklaces will transform your style from day to night. Edge up your look with a cool t-shirt and jeans, or amp up for date night with a LBD.

Select from a beautiful bouquet of turquoise gemstone and shimmering beads hand-sewn on the Bouquet Lacey necklace, allure by the iridescent crystals on Venise Tassel necklace, or the make a great impression wearing our one-of-kind of Gracious Grey with shimmering sequins and bugle beads.

We are simply crazy about lace.

http://www.LaceyBonesJewelry.com

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https://twitter.com/MarbellaCharles

http://instagram.com/laceybonesjewelry

Handmade Jewelry Inspired By The World – Lacey Bones Jewelry

Lacey Bones Jewelry…handmade jewelry inspired by the world.

Where old meets new and

vintage gets some culture.

Where Boho goes global,

Fine Art is handcrafted and

semi-precious gems take on a universally eclectic vibe.

Inspired by the life journeys of artist Marbella Charles, Lacey Bones Jewelry was born out of a storm—Superstorm Sandy, to be exact. While safely waiting out the aftermath of Sandy in 2012, Marbella began to muse about her life, her travels and her favorite, and usually unforeseen, experiences.

Early on, Marbella was able to share her artistic ability through sketching in grade school in Hong Kong. She later attended the H.S. of Fashion Industries and went on to earn her degree at the esteemed Parsons New School of Design. While employed as a Design Director and Creative Merchandiser for various lifestyle brand retailers, she alleviated the stress of a full-time New York City career by creating unique accessories and jewelry for friends and private clients.

Extensive travels throughout her life have cultivated a love of the art of handcrafted, personal products—most easily found in the traditions of exotic cultures. It was this appreciation and the inspiration of local artisans abroad that led Marbella to the world of jewelry design. From sketching to fashion and jewelry design, Marbella strives to celebrate every woman’s desire to wander the globe and discover their own cultural gems.

Each piece of Lacey Bones Jewelry is designed to bring cultures together by telling a story and melding materials and textures with an urban, feminine spirit. Gemstones and crystals are carefully chosen and placed to honor the tradition of their healing spirit. From Bali to Beijing and Africa to the American Southwest, mixed metals, leather, semi-precious gems and vintage charms create unique looks that touch the very soul of a woman’s life. These one-of-a-kind or limited production pieces are destined to spend most time out of the jewelry box by getting the wearer noticed at every occasion.

Wander the globe with Marbella Charles & Lacey Bones Jewelry and set your spirit free!

 

www.facebook.com/LaceyBonesJewelry

http://instagram.com/laceybonesjewelry

https://twitter.com/MarbellaCharles

 

 

 

Creator of ‘Creamous’ – Alan Leong (@helloalanleong )

‘What do you get when you meld quirky art-infusions, retro-fitted subcultural leanings, pop surrealism, and post-punk sensibilities? You get CREAMOUS.’ – by Alan Leong, Creator of ‘Creamous’ (www.creamous.com).

This is what you will read about Alan Leong…

An artisan, Alan was recognized for his work by the Industry in numerous award shows, including One Show Interactive, Webby Awards, John Caples, Digital Media Awards, London International Awards and Effies.
Here is the Q & A with the designer.

1) When did you first know you wanted to be a artist/ designer, and what are your inspirations?

Alan Leong: I think I never know about this. It just comes naturally and I enjoy it. If I have to state when, that will be during 16 year old when I published my first comic to the newspaper. The feeling is really good when you see your work published. Begin working in the advertising company gives me lot of exposure. I meet and work with different people and given me lots of inspiration.

2) If the sky’s the limit, what type of new design/ artwork would you create?

Alan Leong: I will love to design a device that brings us back to past. Because of the modern days of technology people miss out the “non-tech” enjoyment.

3)  You have the artist’s block today, what do you do to get unstuck?
AL: Sleep, wait and look around. Ideas and inspiration need sleep too.

4) What LIVE celebrity would you like to send your creation for FREE and why?

AL: Dennis Rodman. During young days I watched a lot of NBA matches and I love to watch him play. Besides being titled “The King Of Rebound”. He always revels in the outsider image especially his colorful hair. He had clearly differentiated a style of his own among great players like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in the Chicago Bull’s team.

5) What obstacles did you face when starting up your business? Any new challenges when creating your product lines? What advice would you give to those who wants to start their business in this difficult economic climate?

AL: I run a small label CREAMOUS, where I sell items like my handmade figuring’s and fashion accessories. My main aim is to combine fashion, art, culture and toy figuring together. I think to setup a design label, beside cash flow, you need to know your target audience well and make relevant connection with them.

6)  If you want to branch out your business, which store s / venue would you like to carry your products?

AL: Japan, Tokyo. I always like to branch out my Creamous label to Japan. Japanese people love kawaii things and I love the culture over there, especially fashion. They are unique and aren’t easy to influence by other.

7)  What would you do differently for your products to stand apart from your competitions?

AL: I think every product need to have a unique story of it’s own. I always try to connect a story when creating new products. I believe that will kind of create a creative strategy behind them.

8)  Which music CD are you listening now?
AL: The Analog Girl

9) what’s in your toolbox?

AL: A bunch of sculpturing tools, black markers, and photoshop

10) What else would you like the readers know about your work and future business plans?

AL: Follow our blog and twitter (HelloAlanLeong) that will give a good update on my future projects.

Illustrator Billy Almond

Illustrator & Designer living and working in Lancashire, England, Billy Almond loves art at an early age. He studied Art & Design at Blackburn College and went to obtain an Honor’s Degree in Scientific & Natural History Illustration at the Blackpool & Fylde College.

Billy Almond takes inspiration from artists as diverse as Hockney and Wyeth. He specializes in hand drawn illustration, computer based artwork, and custom art & design. Work mostly from photographs and all his paintings are highly detailed, Billy’s diversity in portfolio includes broadroom paintings to family portraits, pets, and landscapes.

A gifted artist with a keen eye on details, Billy brings the beauty of his subjects to real life!

1) When did you first know you wanted to be artist and what are your inspirations?

Billy Almond: I have been surrounded by art from a very early age. My inspiration comes from my father and grandfather who were both talented artists, but they where not given the opportunity to take it further. Backed by my family I was given the opportunity to be an illustrator. I am inspired by music, travel, natural history and other artists.

2)  If the sky’s the limit, what type of new art would you create?

Billy Almond: I would love to work on a much larger scale. The thought of painting on something where everyone would see it, may be on the side of a large building. I would like to shock people and cause controversy, causing people to think. Recently I have seen some of Jeff Koon’s work – I like the fun aspect and the controversy that has been caused. I would like to produce new art joining design with illustration creating a new art movement.

3) You have the artist’s block today, what do you do to get unstuck?

BA: I listen to music, read, get out in nature, flick through my notebooks (I am constantly doodling in my notebook and taking photos of the world around us).

4) What LIVE celebrity would you like to send your creation for FREE and why?

BA: I have actually done this. I sent artwork to Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson and was greatly pleased to receive a letter from him thanking me and giving me advice. I sent the artwork and asked if he could assist me in getting my work in the club shop.

I think David Attenborough would appreciate a piece of my artwork because he has spent his life dedicated to exploring animals across the planet and he would appreciate the finer points of the illustration.

5) What obstacles did you face when starting up your business? Any new challenges when creating your art/product lines?

BA: Gaining notoriety. I am quite a shy person and it is very important to get out there networking and meeting people in the industry. It is also important and a challenge to change and improve with the times –keeping one step ahead of everyone else.

6) If you want to branch out your business, which stores / venue would you like to carry your products?

BA: I would love to be associated with major brands in the industry. I would like to see my work in movies, on television and in such publications as the National Geographic, BBC, National trust and WWF. I would then like to sell my products in Galleries all over the world and online on exclusive websites.

7) What would you do differently for your products to stand up your competitions?

BA: I would learn, grow and improve with every painting. Whilst keeping my own style, I would like to adapt to the ever-changing world and keep my work fresh. I am in the process of getting a new website built in order to gain a better online presence. I am on Twitter, LinkedIn, Saatchi online and other websites. Id like to join the Association of Illustrators. I think that the internet is a fantastic place to show my work as it is free. Each month I send out and online newsletter.

8) What advise would you give to the newbies (fellow artists who want to turn their artwork to business)?

BA: Network. Don’t give up. Ask questions. Keep a notebook.

9) Which music CD are you listening now?

BA: Eddie Vedder ‘into the wild’,  Lena Del Rey ‘Video games’ to name but a few.

10) What’s in your tool box?

BA: Katie’s toothbrush, magnifying glass, lots of paints, pencil sharpener and shavings, masking fluid, ink, watered down ink, natural sponge, masking tape.

11) What else would you like the readers know about your work and future business plans?

BA: I hope to improve and expand my skills base whilst gaining notoriety for my work. I am in process of updating my website –  http://billyalmond.tumblr.com – please check it out and let me know your feedback. My plan is to make it as easy as possible for people to access and purchase my work.

I am going to continue to send my work into agencies until I get an agent and then hopefully the skies the limit. I hope to get into book illustration, advertising, freelance illustration for literature, television and movies. My dream is to see my name on a movie credits. Once I have achieved this I will just move onto the next challenge. Keep an eye on my website to find out about any forthcoming shows and events.

Website – http://billyalmond.tumblr.com

Twitter – @billyalmondart

Artist At A Young Age – Barbara Kelley of ‘Edges Of Art’

‘Barbara Kelley grew up in Charleston, West Virginia and has been creating art ever since her mother gave her a pencil and ream of manila paper to keep her quiet. After completing a baccalaureate degree in architecture at the Miami University in Ohio, she transitioned into the fine arts, beginning in oil painting and then spilling over into watercolors. Photography has become one of Barbara’s mediums for expression. With the unlimited potential of computer generated visual art in our digital world, she has fallen in love with altered photography.’ (source: EdgesOfArt.net)

1)  When did you first know you wanted to be artist and what are your inspirations?
Barbara Kelley: I was quite young when my mother bought me “reams” of paper to draw on and I have never stopped.

2)  If the sky’s the limit, what type of watercolor would you create?
Barbara Kelley: Faces, lots of faces, as big as possible.

3) You have the artist’s block today, what do you do to get unstuck?
BK: Just paint and paint and paint and it is amazing what shows up sometimes.

4)  What LIVE celebrity would you like to send your creation for FREE and why?
BK: Johnny Depp, his face can take on so many different facets.

5) What obstacles did you face when starting up your business? Any new challenges when creating your art/product lines?

BK: Getting the word out about my abilities. I don’t focus on one thing
well. And , of course, the pricing end of business. I have a tendency to
go low.

6) If you want to branch out your business, which stores / venue would you like to carry your products?

BK: I would like to get into mail-order catalogs with caricatures and
pencil sketches and perhaps have watercolor prints available.

7) What would you do differently for your products to stand up your competitions?

BK: Nothing I do is very conventional, which is a blessing and a curse. My watercolor is not soft and flowing, They are more..in your face.

(8) What advise would you give to the newbies (fellow artists who want to turn their artwork to business)?

BK: Follow your heart not the dollar, but stick with it.

9) What’s in your tool box?

BK: Anything that might push or pull the paint, including toothbrushes, credit cards and best of all fingers.

11) What else would you like the readers know about your work and future business plans?

BK: I own a relatively new shop and am busy trying get it going. It has
forced me to get into LinkedIn and Facebook while trying to work on my website (edgesofart.net).

Pet Portrait Artist and beyond – Monica Hickey

1) When did you first know you wanted to be a Pet Artist, and what are your inspirations?

Monica Hickey: I started out painting pets as favor for my mother who wanted to give her close friends a portrait of their “baby”. It was such fun to capture the personality and essence of the pet and I had a great time painting, very cathartic. All artwork is approximately 9” x 12”.

2) If the sky’s the limit, what piece of pet artwork would you create now?

Monica Hickey: I would love to paint a huge collage of all sorts of images (pets, people, places, things) and use materials that I don’t usually implement i.e. wood, oils, fabrics and found objects.

3)  Name a place/ a thing/ a person usually inspires your work?

MH: My family. I know it sounds trite but it’s true. My children love to see what I create and the look on their faces makes me proud.

4) What LIVE celebrity would you like to send a piece of your artwork for FREE?

MH: I choose any actor/actress who can’t stand the Kardashians–but seriously any actor who acts for the love of the craft not the desire for fame and money. Ian McKellen and Laura Linney are two of my favorites.

5) If you have your way, what famous and successful Pet Artist/ or other type of portrait artist would you like to be?

MH: I would love to be an artist in the genre of Frida Kahlo. Her artwork (mostly self-portraits) is so passionate and personal. It is bright and colorful yet dark and sordid at the same time. She shows all the good and bad feelings we experience, her paintings are so very human. I would love to be able to open up and capture life the way that she was able to do.

6)  You get stuck creating art today, what do you do to get unstuck?

MH: To get unstuck I always remove myself from the project to regain perspective and to come up with new inspiration so I… play with my children (ages 8 and 9), go for a walk/run with my dog Riley (Australian Shepherd) or talk on the phone to my sister.

7)  Which music CD are you listening now?

MH: Currently- Mumford and Sons, soft but catchy. However, I like a very eclectic range of music. Echo and the Bunnymen is my favorite band of all time but Depeche Mode and NIN are also some bands I like.

8)  Which piece of artwork at your online / off-line store is your most favorite and why?

MH: The portrait of my own dog Riley. He is almost 12 years old and is the most wonderful dog I have ever known. He is so full of enthusiasm and the portrait captures the love always there in his eyes.

9)  What advise would you give to other Pet Artist newbies who wants to setup a new business store (online & off-line) during this difficult economic climate?

MH: Everything worth having is always hard, but all the more worth the effort… do what you enjoy and then you will have no regrets. Just put yourself out there.

10) What is in your tool box?

MH: I paint at my kitchen counter (right in the hub of all activity) and I store my supplies in an antique armoire.

11) What else would you like the readers know about your work?

MH: My website is monicahickeyartdesign.com. I use favorite photos to create the portraits (all the more personal since chosen by the buyer) and each piece is original, not to be resold.

Essentialist-Artist: Edsel Labillois

If you get a chance to attend one of Edsel Labillois’ exhibitions, you would have agreed that he is indeed an Essentialist. With over twenty years of painting, the artist will tell you that his artwork is ‘a reduction of unecessary elements and stripping the composition down to only what needed to be present to the viewers.’

As one of Edsel Labillois’ collectors, I most enjoy his use of colors! Often times, the simplified shapes and lines are accompanied with unexpected texture on his canvas. Recently, I have a chance to do a Q&A with the artist.

1) Pink Leaf Designs: If the sky’s the limit, what piece of artwork would you create now?

Edsel Labillois: Big trees made of fiberglass like the ones in my paintings. I’d create a massive installation in a warehouse and then have the trees spread outside as if being set free. I would leave them in school yards and public spaces across the country in the middle of the night. I’d hire a team of builders to keep making them and placing them farther and farther from home and photographing them as they were placed. They would then begin to show up in the middle of nowhere (otherwise known as North Dakota).

2) Pink Leaf Designs: Name a place/ a thing/ a person usually inspires your work?

Edsel Labillois: As far as places go, any where trees are. Whether out running, hiking, traveling, or riding my motorcycle I’m always looking for that tree, or trees, with a certain quirkiness to them. Something that stands out like an interesting trunk or root or twisted branch. I usually don’t draw from life, but then reformulate the visual image into my work. I make trees how I think they should look by refining what I see. I like museums now and then, but I don’t live near any stellar ones. Plus, I find looking at too much art messes me up and sends me off track.

3) Pink Leaf Designs: What LIVE celebrity would you like to send a piece of your work for FREE?

Edsel Labillois: It used to be Gwyneth Paltrow but now she’s too well known for her style and it would be gratuitous. I think I should have sent her something back in her ‘head in a box’ days when the movie Seven came out. Now maybe I’d send something to Thom Yorke, but I think the last Radiohead album was weak. So maybe I’d send something over to Kanye West or the guys from T.V. on the Radio.

4) Pink Leaf Designs: What do you do to get inspired?

Edsel Labillois: Get a show set up. Having that looming deadline inspires me to make as much art as my sleepless body can take. Once my eye starts twitching during the daylight hours I know I’ve had success.

5) Pink Leaf Designs: You get stuck creating art, what do you do to get unstuck?

Edsel Labillois: Doodle. Revisit my sketchbooks and erase and rework existing drawings. I can tell when I don’t have it some days, so I just pack it in and go read something or watch T.V. or play on my iPhone. Then I’ll try again later and then I can feel the flow and begin creating stuff I like.

6) Pink Leaf Designs: Which music CD are you listening now?

Edsel Labillois: Kasabian (first album), T.V. on the Radio, The Black Angels, Queens of the Stone Age, MGMT (I love the lyrics to ‘Time to Pretend’ it’s such a sweet sounding song with a very dark theme. Kasabian kicks butt. I just saw T.V. on the Radio in Milwaukee and that was a great show.

7) Pink Leaf Designs: Which piece of artwork is your most favorite and why?

Edsel Labillois: I picked ‘Rhythm 1’ because it’s the basis of what I want my art to be. Interestingly it has not been sold. I think I may have to take it off the market.

8) Pink Leaf Designs: When did you first know you wanted to be an artist?

Edsel Labillois: What I can remember is working on the leaves of a tree in kindergarten during recess. The teacher was trying to get me to finish up and go outside with everyone else, but I didn’t want to. She was annoyed as was I. Leaves are people too. I also remember turning every class I had into art class because I would just doodle, sketch, erase, sketch more and pretend to listen. In high school I only took one art class as I didn’t like the teacher. I knew once I got to college I would study to be an artist and I did.

9) Pink Leaf Designs: What is in your tool box?

Edsel Labillois: My toolbox came from my late father. We were digging around in a garage where he kept some of his things and I asked if I could have it. He said sure. He left a few of his tools in there that were used for making holes for doorknobs and other woodworking items. I still keep them in there along with everything I’ll need to set up a show.

10) Pink Leaf Designs: What else would you like the readers know about your work?

Edsel Labillois: I love painting. Especially oil on canvas. Oils work best for me as the mixed colors will stay wet overnight so I don’t have to remix them. I try to get a painting done in one sitting, but sometimes it takes two, so it’s nice for that. I’d like to branch out into sculpture soon. I need to study up on some techniques, so I was thinking about dropping into the sculpture classes at UW Oshkosh sometime soon. I worked in bronze casting and steel assembly back in the day but I didn’t do enough in fiberglass to be proficient.

Check out Edsel’s next exhibit, or contact him for purchasing his artwork at www.edselart.com.