molly irwin

right now I'm ...

so very filled up with visual inspiration.

Have you seen this beautiful ad for Anna Maria Horner's new line of fabrics in Home Companion?  Maybe it's because I've seen bits and pieces of it, and the red and white dress (modeled on her daughter) on her flickr stream for the last few months, but I have to tell you when I came across the page it just sort of jolted me ... in a very good way.

Where my scrapbook/memory pages are concerned I prefer simple design.  I like them to look like my graphic design projects.  Where textiles and home decorating are concerned, I'm beginning to really like splashes of color and pattern and handmade items, and new + old, and sentimental with lots of references to nature.  I'm longing to make something - big time.

overwhelming [flickr] beauty

All I can say is that I have been wowed yet again by my flickr contacts, and these yellows and bluey-greeny/pool colors are drawing me in lately.  It's wonderful what's shared over there.  It truly is.

photo credits:

1. rest 2. pizza night 3. sharpened 4. paper thin meyer slices 5.  he picks flowers  6. yellow paper quilt collage 7. room with a view  8. spring 9. Dutch color cafe

friday [linky] favorites

[entrance wall at my favorite local starbucks]

While skulking around the internet, I'm always bookmarking items I find and read to my del.icio.us, which you are always welcome to explore in the right 'linkroll' sidebar.  Here are a few selections to share for the weekend:

• if you are a parent, don't miss: Lori's interview @ the Artful Parent
• if you're a memory-keeper/scrapbooker, this is why we do it right here: remembering with Amanda
• for visual inspiration in patterns + color, go to: pattern design slide show at Maine Cottage
• to think on and ponder (what's yours?), watch: six word memoir
• I strive to combine writing + photos so well as Stephanie in: "forever + no time at all", at Blue Yonder
• Witness a stellar example of dedication to daily art: the daily monster by Stephan Bucher
• get your hands busy (kids don't get to have all the fun!) check out: craft projects by Arounna Khounnoraj

That's enough for now.  Because it's the weekend ... so, get outside already!

Cheers!

light + warmth

for mosaic Monday.

Lately -- in part fueled by playing with my new camera and also (I think) with the impact of intermittent weather -- I'm drawn to both light and warmth in photos and imagery.   While some of the mosaic images are staged and others more naturally occurring, they share a certain crisp definition of shadow and negative space that is compelling.  I'm on the hunt for moments like these in my own life; instances of this magical combination of light + texture + subject.  Hunting season open.

Kudos to the photographers.  If you like them too, why not leave a kind word at the following links?

1. 54/365  2. afternoon (de)light  3. oranged spoon  4. yellow is ...  5.  Roma  6.  untitled  7. good morning  8.  pots by greenhouse  9.  the door.

press on

[bit of my inspiration board]

Yesterday: "Please ... we cannot dance in the grocery store. It is not safe for yourself and others."  [besides this music isn't all that great.]  Then again, three minutes later: "Haven't i just asked you to stop dancing around so?"  And finally, getting myself down low and close to the little bug-eyed face, talking ever so slowly; burning a hole with each word:  "I. have. already. talked. to. you. about. this. just two isles over."

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Only two days in to Easter vacation and already I'm hearing myself say things like " ... and I'd like to have just one thought in my head [emphasized with index finder to temple] that is uninterrupted."  When did I become such an ogre?  This is not an attractive side of myself and I need to work on that.  Summer is coming.

More than just the fact that they'll be around all day summer long ... it comes down to something more.  It's not a matter of patience, but of acceptance.  Each of us in our little family is, right now, who we are going to be.  As the mother, it's not my job to try and mold them into being who I think they should become [reminder only to myself, really.]  It is my job to lovingly accept each one of us for who we are, and try to help steer them toward a positive use of those characteristics and qualities.

Here's a recent image of us, confident with just being together, occupying the same space, yet each one clearly experiencing a situation in our own unique way.  My way in this case -- not as mediator, or peace-maker or educator, or comfort source -- but this time through the lens merely as observer.

And another from last summer (that I just love) that represents the same thing.

[photo: Matt Lasher]

Why is simple acceptance so hard to offer at times? 

Living with a non-stop talker who also is a non-stop mover is tough to take at times.  The urge to make things calm is overwhelming.  So perhaps I shouldn't be so hard on myself, and yet, I know that for my children to feel love they must be themselves without constant nagging to "change."  It is their perspective that matters.

Part of this is that I need to dismiss my expectations of what is "age appropriate."  I need to remember that we have some unique circumstances.  All day during the long, demanding hours away at school there is a need to 'hold it together', even suppress and control certain behaviors.  It's a big load for a little kid to bear.  She is entitled to the outlet; to the freedom.

All of this has me hearing a strong message resounding through my brain: Press on.  What I can do: adjust my demeanor, be conscious to correct myself as I correct them (always with kindness to us both) and just ... press on forward. 

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The mantra; the phrase is a simple truth of life and it keeps popping forward lately in so many ways:

When you feel your output (whether as parent, or artist, or professional) is not good enough; that what you do makes little impact ... when doubt creeps in ...

PRESS ON

When time is limited and you question "When can i fit in time for thought without interruption?"

PRESS ON

If expressive, or visual time seems extravagant and untimely and you make excuses about not finding time? Think there's no time to make anything?  Just do something small.  Pick up a pen. Doodle.  Write a sentence ...

PRESS ON

When you begin to compare your work product with everyone else's ... stop looking around.  Don't do that!  Trust that your gifts are your own, and with repetition, practice, more doing, less over thinking ... tiny steps and enormous strides -- you will become all that is intended.

PRESS ON

"Don't worry about being unique.  Just be good"  - Paul Rand

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After all, when it comes right down to it, I suppose we should all be so carefree as to find happiness dancing among leafy greens, potatoes and onions.  Hello Celtic step class.

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inspiration: {A} what's your message?

March favorites

I haven't done one of these in a while.  Thought since my camera is awaiting some service, I'd share some recent favorites + creative influences from some very talented women on flickr.  Created with mosaic maker. 

Click on links for photo credits and enlargements:

1. daffodils from Pam by Abby 2. new journal format by Geninne 3. psychedelic & rainbow by Akihiro Furuta 4. saco/embalagem by Vera Joao 5. love & twigs by sly fox A 6. playmates by keico 7. pattern town by Swallowfield  8. Breite Italienne by Liquid Paper 9.  mini calendar by Susy Jack.

What I should have said

I might have gushed more. 

Perhaps sited favorite songs and experiences that, in some way have brought me to this deep appreciation for his music.  Let this be a lesson to me, that when I put a post out there into this blog -- whoosh ... there it goes out into the vast plugged-in universe, that anyone, anywhere [even the great Tony Bennett himself] might read what I write and believe that it is what it is -- and that's that.

But yesterday's post was not complete.  What I truly want to say to you, Mr. Bennett is this:  Thank you.  Thank you for your zest for life, your discipline to your art, your 'plowing through it' attitude.  Thank you for sharing your talents, your thought process (particularly the part about hearing and taking advice) and inspiring not merely other performers, creators, educators and audiences, but now readers like myself.

Now that I've had a weekend to really get into it, your book is so wonderful.  Amidst this ordinary life, currently with children in various stages of contagion, here I sit happily breathing in the beauty of your landscapes and sketches.  I'm reminded once again that a galvanized bin is no place for brushes to stay for long.  Daily?  Don't know that I'm up for that schedule just now, but weekly ... I can make that happen.

Oh, and I absolutely adore this performance. 

Thank you for gracing my blog with your lovely comment.

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And yes, dear readers, it's the real thing.

Tony Bennett in the mail

The size and shape of the corrugated package gave it away. Had I accidentally clicked buy it now?  Did Paul see my wishlist?   Unlike other deliveries that have sat around for days, I ripped it open.  The note read:

Molly ... It was great spending some "just sister" time.  I hope this book inspires you.  Love, Sheila

A few tears squeezed out of what I'm sure was an unattractive squishy face.  So thoughtful! 

Before last weeks visit from my sister, I can't remember the last time that we have had that ... "just sister" time.  Holiday get togethers are raucous events, with attention going to whatever kids are running through the room, and singular time is not a priority.  So when Sheila came into town for business, we were both happy to go eat, and share stories, and aspirations -- just we two.  We headed to Barnes & Noble afterwords for a little exploring and some gifts for her girls (my nieces).

That's when I discovered this book.

I knew Tony Bennett was an artist, I just hadn't seen his paintings before.  What I found is that his artwork is like a visual representation of what his voice does to a song.   The time spent flipping through in the bookstore convinced me that I wanted to own it, I just didn't feel like buying anything for myself at the time. 

So ... what a joy to receive.  Completely unexpected.

Scanning is all I've done so far, but it's a visual delight.

   

"I'm on a journey.  It's a search for truth and beauty that I'm trying to share ... I'm on a journey to try and communicate how beautiful life is." -- Tony Bennett

The man is a class act.  The book is an inspirational gem.  Oh, and it comes with a CD in the back - nice to listen as you read.

Tony Bennett :: In the Studio.

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Also, I haven't forgotten the topic of participating in Challenges to be addressed. Very soon.

short stories / daily documenting

[above] Laura Zeck, short stories

The artist has created a library of images from which you can choose to create your own visual short story to hang on the wall.  A lovely and fun idea - a great valentine idea.

Right now, I am really inspired by the mosaic. Watching the story of my morning come together as a collection is having quite the impact on the way I view that part of my day.  I can literally see a representation of my life at this point in time.  Individually the photos are simplistic, but collectively they reveal the reality of my everyday life ... the story.  (An aside: I'm considering creating some kind of art piece from the set called "the table" as our kitchen table is emerging as a big focus on many of our morning activities.)

Here (below) is an amazing, original and beautiful approach to daily documenting; one of my recent favorites from flickr, by Beelama.  I absolutely love this.  She's done/is doing a series of these illustrative calendars. 

You can view them here.

Today begins the 40-day period before Easter, referred to as the season of Lent, which means a time of preparation.  Last year I created a daily art journal as a lenten observance; some excerpts are here.  This isn't high art, just something quick to document my reflections each day.  This year, I like this calendar format to illustrate daily ... not the activities of my day, but to create an overall thought or impression.

We'll see how this comes together.  I'll share it in March.

on photography

[Taylor's Island, MD, July 2007, Nikon N65]

I am not a photographer ... just someone with an interest in making better pictures and who uses a camera to sharpen a focus on my surroundings.  It's a source of play.  A fun challenge, a learning device, a way for me to seek out beauty that I may otherwise miss.  Things look differently when cropped within the confines of a frame.  What we choose to fill our frames with reveals something of ourselves.  It's becoming a part of everyday for me.

Today, I want to share two discoveries that both have me seeing the beautiful art of photography with fresh eyes:

Shutter Sisters:

This collaborative photo blog celebrates the work of both professional and amateur female photographers.  There are challenges, opportunities to participate, ideas for looking at things differently, and inspiration galore.  I'll be using their prompts as a jumping off point, no doubt.  In fact, I can't help myself as I go about my business today, I keep thinking about the first superhero challenge, presented by Andrea Scher.

Mom's World: 

This remarkable flickr photo-set showcases the work of a dedicated female amateur photographer in the late 1940s and early 50s.  The combination of photos and her narrative creates a rich story.  As I click from image to image, reading the detailed accounts of people and places, I'm nagged by the questions: How do I want my photos and words to be received?  And, am I sharing my stories well enough?  I'm also struck by her thoughtful self portraits, that despite a great deal of effort involved, she had the for-thought to put herself into her own work.  With the ease of digital, we don't really have any excuses today.

It's a good day for a photo.