An Artful Weekend: Alexandra Valenti

Alexandra Valenti is one of those artists that continues to produce work that emanates her signature wanderlust style while at the same time innovating and creating something fresh and new with each project she takes on. Her bohemian brilliance is completely unique, mixing stunningly raw photography and fashion with watercolor and patterning in a way that makes each image feel like a little portal into a purely artistic world...

 

images via Alexandra Valenti

 

Wanting to spend the weekend soaking up new inspiration, Alexandra Valenti was on one of the first places I turned...Enjoy!

 

INSPIRED BY// Not Your Grandmother's Lace

Happy Monday!!! It was a gorgeous sunny weekend here in Seattle, and as I've been deep into making tapestries for our upcoming Fall display, I've been inspired by cut out lace in the sunlight...



sources found here

That second to last photo is a little snapshot of a killer little display moment at Free People Rock Center. It was so inspiring to me, I've been fusing some of the same materials into my pieces for the Northwest's fall display. We'll be installing in the next couple weeks so I'll be sure to share the outcome soon!

You're Invited: Art + Wine + Free People

I am SO excited to be kicking off our Summer Art Series at downtown Seattle's Free People this Thursday night and I would LOVE to see you there! There will be free wine, TONS of amazing clothing on Sale (AND it will be an additional 25% off!!) and my paintings will up throughout the store for the evening...

 If all goes well we're hoping to make this a monthly event so if you are a local Seattle artist and a fan of Free People, we want to hear from you as we'll be looking for a couple more artists to feature throughout the summer!! Hope to see you soon!!

D.I.Y. Northwest: Just Add Bleach

Lately all I ever want to wear to work in is tattered old t-shirts. They are super comfy, can go with literally anything, and only get better when I spill paint/dye/bleach on them, or snag them on a ladder. So since I end up loving the shirts I've 'ruined' the most, I thought I'd speed up the process a bit with this shirt I just got from Urban Outfitters....

I'm telling you, JUST ADD BLEACH...Enjoy!

An Artful Weekend: Amy Sia

Happy Friday everyone! It has continued to be GREY here in Seattle so I'm still working on bringing as much brightness and color to my world as possible this week. These beautifully dyed silk scarves by artist Amy Sia have every color of the spectrum and yet they still maintain a level of elegance and sophistication that makes them completely wearable without feeling like you're channeling rainbow bright...

Each scarf is so unique, it'd be like wearing a vibrant abstract painting around your neck, and if that doesn't brighten things up, I don't know what does...Enjoy!

Colored Daylight: Summer Brights

Happy Friday everyone! I have to admit, my relationship with Seattle is on the rocks right now. It always is this time of year, when Summer is happening everywhere else in the country and Seattle is pretending like it's January. It's not awesome. So today I'm willing the sun out with these hot weather hues, a bold and bright palette only fit for a warm Summer day...

Yago Hortal / Anthropologie / unknown

now hopefully Seattle will get the memo and follow suit...hope your weekend is bright and full of sunshine, Enjoy!!

Love it / Live it: High [Fashion] Altitude

There is little else that inspires me as much as a snow-capped mountain range, and this Icelandic view taken by an Australian photographer known as 'She Is Frank' is one of the most magnificent I have ever seen. I can't say enough how humbling and calming mountainscapes are to me and with the bright blue sky and nothing else in sight, I can't imagine feeling anything but serenity here...

And because I'm a big believer in dressing to inspire, I love this printed silk top...Enjoy!

Colored Daylight 6.6.12

I love the play on depth and the white washed feeling of this work by artist Christian Hellmich, and this barely there aqua hue really brings the piece to life...

Paired with cognac and raw metallics this Planet Blue cuff is just too good...Enjoy!

Love it / Live it: Ocean Blues

I've been starting to put together plans for my next show [details to come soon] and I got an extra kick of inspiration when I came across this little top that looks like the fabric is made from one of my own paintings! It is my in my favorite palette and having just spent the weekend on the beach in sunny SoCal, I've been again reminded how good the ocean blues can be for the soul so why fight it?

paintings / top

I cannot believe it is May already, can you?? I guess it's true what they say, time really does fly when you're having fun...Enjoy!

Love it / Live it: A Painted Pant

Hello! I apologize for how little I've been posting lately, I've been going nonstop for weeks and just haven't been able to get away to gather and compile inspirations to share. But I've certainly been inspired, creating art full time for my favorite brand, Free People, has been absolutely incredible.  Today I'm actually coming to you from Kansas City and I have to say it is kind of wonderful here. The weather has been gorgeous and sunny and the city itself is quite beautiful with green, blossomed trees sprinkling every street. More on that soon but in the mean time I wanted to share these painterly gems with you...

I love the unusual palette of artist Allan P. Friedlander's textured painting. The pink and green create a surprisingly fresh vibe and these pants are unbelievable. They're the perfect mix of savvy business chic and freestyle artist all in one comfy little pant. Anyone know where to find them? I may have to just whip up a pair myself...Enjoy!!



Love it / Live it: To Climb a Mountain

As I've mentioned, I've been completely enthralled with the mountains this year. I love their enormity, the strong juxtaposition they provide to the tree lined horizon, and the life metaphors they represent. There is so much growth, shedding of the old and gaining of the new and lovingly labored accomplishment in climbing a mountain, whatever that mountain may be in your life, that having them in view is awe inspiring to me. With that said, I love this serene sunlit view of Mt. Rainier painted by William Wendt...

William Wendt / skirt via Nasty Gal

and naturally I'm in love with this mini, a mountain view in my favorite palette? Yes, please! Hope you're having a wonderful week so far...Enjoy!

Colored Daylight: Teal + Light

It is becoming increasingly evident that I have a bit of an addiction to the color teal, without even realizing it, it has become one of the most dominant colors in my home and wardrobe. And I'm especially loving it paired with bright moments of efforvescent light...

from top: Catherine Jeltes / via FASHIONISENDLESS / Dale Frank / Bailman 2012

The color is stunning in sheer silk or textured velour, catching the light beautifully. Happy Monday everyone, what color is your life lately? Enjoy!

Block it Out

Yet another simple palette I'm mad for, and artsist Frederick Hammersley has color blocked it perfectly, giving minimalism and symmetry a chic, retro feel..

Art by Frederick Hammersley / Style by Atlantic-Pacific

Ok, Spring, can you just get here already so I can wear a floor length maxi dress like this without it getting soaking wet, pretty please?? In the mean time I'm remaining optimistic that March will bring us plenty of sunshine and dry, clear days...Happy Wednesday!

Colored Daylight // Gold + Grey + White

You all know how much I love color, but lately some of my favorite personal paintings have been the ones where I use almost no color at all. The metallic gold finish on a crisp white background with just a hint of tonal light throughout feels bright, cool and modern and seems to fit easily into any space at all...

painting by me / glitter guide / oraclefox / vivre

I also believe this to be the perfect wardrobe choice for getting that sexy glow, even in the dead of winter. Or maybe I'm just trying to find a way to make the Seattle grey just a little warmer. Whatever it is, I can't get enough of this simple palette right now in my closet, on my walls and in my home...Enjoy!

Neon Daylight

Happy Monday y'all! I thought I'd throw that in since I finally just shook the y'all I caught after being in Alabama and now I'm heading to Austin, Texas for a few days so I figure I might as well just embrace it! I'm having a serious neon yellow moment and I just can't seem to get enough of it so I thought I'd share some of my favorites ways I'm seeing it skillfully employed right now...

images via oraclefox, generation press, pinterest

I adore every element of that outfit and if my house wasn't painted yellow I'd be making my door look like this right now. Hope you all y'all have a wonderful Monday...Enjoy!

Art + Style: Oracle Fox for Billabong

Though in completely different mediums and from opposite sides of the world, artist Victoria Haven's geometric works and Oracle Fox's new line for  Billabong seem to have come from the same brilliant brain child. Bold basic tones on washed-out backgrounds, creating a lovely juxtaposition between soft and hard, vintage and modern...

Mandy of Oracle Fox is such a talent, I eagerly click over daily to see what inspired outfitting or artistic styling she's conjured up and this collaboration with the iconic surf brand is one of may favorites...Enjoy!

Style + Living: Blushing Kilim

Lately I can't get enough of vintage Kilim motifs, and surprisingly for me, I'm loving them in warm, bright, and even blushing hues. The Persian patterns add the perfect amount of rhythm and texture with a worldly feel. And I'm so inspired by the unique ways the motif is popping up in art, fashion and interiors...

sources from top: Rejoice the Hands / Penabranca / Design Sponge / aplaceidliketocallhome / Sabo Skirt / All Saints

 James Rowland Shop / YASTK / Loom Rugs / Urban Outfitters / Down Home Honey / YASTK

Here are some of my current favorites from around the web. I'm seriosuly considering infusing these warms hues into my life a bit more, they might be just the fix for the Winter chills...Enjoy!