My New Favorite Spot

Ok. So I'm going to Atlanta, GA in 10 days. So I figured I should see what I can find out about the type of design going on there... I remembered that at Christmas, while I was in Western Massachusetts, I stopped into one of my favorite stores, Essentials, and saw some interesting stationary type things by scad (savannah college of art and design.) Wouldn't you know- their online shop is awesome! I really like they way their website is laid out. Above I have pictured a couple melamine plates, a really awesome jewelry designer and just about the cutest kids toys ever. The site is full of awesome art and design!

Is this for real

Miss Joanna Quiggley. Words do not do this girl justice. Anyone who has an entire bake sale of plaster replicas of yummy cupcakes and cakes is ok in my book. When you check her blog make sure you watch the DanceTron INFINITY video. Honestly, do I have the coolest students or what!

Scene & Heard: Artist Candice Smith-Corby

I posted about Candice Smith-Corby when her show was opening at Miller Block Gallery earlier this year. I saw her while I was in Boston and she gave me a cd full of her work. I'm so lucky! I wish I could post them all. I've put up my favorites here! Her work combines painting (both oil & acrylic), drawing and the use of found materials and objects. She lives and works outside of Boston and her son, Jack and I share the same birthday... he just turned 1!

Pillow Fun

I just recieved the gorgous photos of my first series of pillows from my amazing photographer Adam Taylor. They are all one of a kind, hand-screenprinted pillows on either silk, cotton or faux suede. They range in size- either 20" oe 18" square. Both the front and the back are screenprinted differently so you can flip them every once and awhile for a new look! The covers are removable for easy hand-washing and they have down pillow inserts! Do not hesitate to contact me for more info or to purchase!

If only Santa were real

I would ask for this Erich Ginder Antler Coat Rack!

I saw this on my most recent e-mail from Design Public. They always feature great things! I highly recommend signing up for their free e-mail listing.

And I'm Back!

Ok. So I went back home for Thanksgiving. Well, first I jet-setted to Boston to give a couple lectures on my work and put up my installation at the Mazmanian Gallery at Framingham University. Then I went home to mom's house for lots of good food and sleep! (Much deserved I'll admit!) While I was home I helped celebrate my brother's birthday (yikes!) and bumped into a bunch of people from highschool. They were all much better at remembering my name then I was of their's! So... here are some juicy images from things that inspired me or things that I did on my 9 day getaway...
I convinced my friend Leigh, who I stayed with in Boston, to let me "borrow" this great book - Designer's Guide to Japanses Patterns. Here are some of my favorites!



Shots from the installtion I did at the Mazmanian Gallery.

I'm Traveling

Hello All
I'm currently traveling. I've been in Boston since Friday and this evening I will be heading out to small town land (Westhampton, MA) to hang with my family. I have lots and lots to post about when I get back! So, check back after the 26th...
Happy Thanksgiving!

love, me.

Scene & Heard: Artist Kevin Morosini

I've known artist Kevin Morosini since I was in undergrad. Both printmaking majors at the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, Kevin & I bonded over things like nitric acid & gum arabic. Needless to say, our friendship is still going strong. He lives in Providence, RI where he attended RISD for graduate school. (He recieved his MFA in Printmaking in 2004.) Another interesting fact about Kevin- he's a twin.

Soft spoken, heart-felt and beautiful are my top three words for describing Kevin's work. Interestingly, I would use all three to describe him as well. I've always been jealous of Kevin's ability to work on such a large scale, (most of hs drawings are upwards of 7 feet!) and without a separate studio! A true artist, he sacrifices a little bit of living space for a place to keep drawing! I decided to go for a question & answer with Kev via the internet. I wish we still lived in the same town, or that we could hang out more often- but for now- the mighty mighty world wide web keeps our friendship going. (And the occasional cell phone call.) The work I have posted is all new- but you should check out his earlier work on his website.

BSD: What are you up to these days?
K: I have been trying to work on these drawings mostly, but I just had two new paintings in a benefit auction for AIDS care Ocean State, so I was spending a lot of time working on those.

BSD: Have you been looking at anything in particular that has been influencing your work lately?
K: Well I somewhat try to keep myself sheltered from what is going on in the art world; I don't look at too much stuff. Occasionally something will catch my eye, an artist named Jared Buckhiester who I think is really great, also Gregory Crewdson's and Justine Kurland's photographs are amazing.

BSD: What's the best piece of advice you have for people who have to work full-time to pay the bills & still find time to make artwork?
K: I guess that the best advice I have is especially for younger artists
just out of school, to not stop making work, and always find the time to get things done. Also find a job that you can draw at while your working.

BSD: Where do you make your work? Do you have a studio?
K: I don't currently have a studio; I live in a loft in South Providence
that has 13-foot ceilings, so I work here. Typically my drawings are quite large like 7' x 8' so I only work on one at a time, and also I am pretty neat about it so it doesn’t get in the way.

BSD: What was the last movie you saw? Book you read? Restaurant you went to? Music you bought?
K: The last movie that I saw was "Brick" with the little kid from "Third Rock From the Sun" which was great, best I have seen all year, (watch it, it’s amazing). Last book that I finished was "The Washington Story" by Adam Langer, it's a sequel to his first book "Crossing California". I have also been trying to read "Infinite Jest" by David Foster Wallace for about a year and a half on and off, maybe someday I'll finish it. I tend to gravitate to books and movies that have well developed characters and a strong and involved story being told. And hopefully they will make me feel like I'm 15 again. I just bought the new "Silversun Pickups" record called "carnavas". I also finally picked up Sigur Ros's newish record "Takk..."

BSD: Do you have any up-coming exhibitions?
K: I have a print in a group show of prints made at Kindling Letterpress at Gallery 193c (from Nov. 17 - Dec. 22, 193 Meserade Ave. Greenpoint Brooklyn.) I have also been working on a series of small drawings that I have been framing. Once I amass a enough of them, I am going to hang them in bathrooms of stores and restaurants around town.

BSD: How's the art scene in Providence? Anything cool we should check out?
K: The art scene here is so so, I wish that there was more opportunity here. I hear that the Wunderground show at the RISD museum is good but I have yet to go and see it.

BSD: Do you have any blogs you visit that we should know about? Or, other websites?
K: I just got internet access for the first time in two years, so I am kind of out of the loop.

BSD: What's your most vivid memory?
K: That's a good question I'll have to think about it. I tend to think
that I have a really good memory, or I just pay attention, so there is too many to list.

BSD: What's your medium of choice? Why? Color Palette? Why?
K: The Gloria 1985 series is all cut paper that I have made, with slight amounts of drawing, adhered to a large sheet of Japanese paper. I am really into rich bright colors, and more dreary dark colors, typically used in conjunction with each other. I enjoy the flatness of the paper and the control that i have over it, its like playing with stickers.

Image list:
Gloria 1985 @ Dew Art Gallery, New London CT July 2005

Gloria 1985: part 9
79" x 96" printed cut paper with drawing 2006

Gloria 1985: part 12
60" x 79" printed cut paper with drawing 2005

Smaller Moments @ Mazmanian Gallery, Framingham State College October 2005

Gloria 1985: part 8
79" x 96" printed cut paper with drawing 2006

Gloria 1985: oart 11
79" x 96" printed cut paper with drawing 2005

I'm really into text

So, I realized in the last couple of months, that a once enemy of mine (in the world of art that is) TEXT, is now- like my total best friend. I was once a firm believer that text should stay in the book or in the ad.
I have seen the light- text in art = amazing.

Check out these intelligent & humorous T's that one of my students made. They were hot items so they may be gone now. But, she's onto something here & is currently in the second stages of a similar project. Maybe she'll tell you where you can find her latest work. (These T's were put around the Tyler School of Art campus with the ever-popular "FREE" sign attached. Needless to say, they were snatched up in a hot second.) I, of course, chose the "Critique" Shirt. After all, that is what they pay me for. The "Ruler" T was a close second of mine, always battling out which small line is what!

Siobhan can be found at siobhan7@temple.edu. She's smart, and funny. I'd get to know her, if I were you.

Scene & Heard: From the Print Fair

Yes- I saw some prints yesterday that blew my mind. They were all from print houses- of course. Master Printers at your fingertips....
As you can see, color was what I was into this trip. Big, bold, beautiful color. I was also really drawn to technique. Those Ezawa prints- yea, those are AQUATINT ETCHINGS! Same goes for the Greenfiled-Sanders prints. Wow- I have a new found love for etching. The Steiger prints are Linocut with Photo Relief, the Milhazes' are Screenprint & Relief and the Opie's are screenprints as well. The winner of the "quiet" guy award is Shawn O'Dell. Leave it to my friend Leigh to come across his work- tucked away in the corner of the Paulson Booth.

Go Printmaking Go.

I'm Fortunate (this time)

Scene & Heard: Art

ifpda printfair
E/AB editions and artist books

What: Two great places to check out works on paper, prints, and artists books in NYC0
Where: The Armory & The Tunnel
When: This weekend (November 4 & 5, 2006)
Why: because it's worth it.

Favor: Communication

I have a favor to ask. The next time you find yourself in conversation with someone- and it is not going smoothly, would you mind writing it down and sending it to me? I am compiling a bunch of scenarios where people feel that they are being mis-understood. I am interested in how words mean one thing in one tone of voice and a whole other thing in another tone. I am also interested in the use of e-mail and text messaging as a form of communication that involves no actual contact via voice or body between two (or more) people. If you feel as though you have one of those "communication" situations; pass it my way. Feel free to change names to keep the innocent protected! This will be on-going for awhile- so if nothing interesting happens for a few weeks- I can wait! Ideally you would e-mail me (jessicarit@gmail.com) these situations... other arrangements can also be made! Thanks so much! And, spread the word- your friends communication issues are also welcome!

image from Woody Allen's Manhattan

Special

To all of you who braved the crappy weather & the l-o-n-g drive out to Glassboro, NJ-
Thank You. Your presence meant more than I can express in words.

Scene & Heard: Art

I was walking around my old hood the other day & decided to cut down 4th street (Fabric Row) and just see what was going on in the windows of the various stores. I came across the Falling Cow Gallery whose window I had peered through a few months back as Candy Depew was installing her work. I never actually made it inside the gallery for that particular show- and then, due to an over-whelming amount of work I took on the past few months I am finally just now getting my butt over there. Which is fine with me because I caught a glimpse of a really great show. You'll have to be quick though- it's over tomorrow! Imagined Heritage features the work of Alana Bograd, Caroline Falby and Fay Ku. The surface quality, attention to detail and intimacy of all three artist's work is beyond satisfying. I suggest you add this place to your list of "places to see good art" here in Philly. Their next show looks equally as promising! I'll keep you posted.

image shown: Torch Girls drawing by Fay Ku

Two Times a Week- I wish....

Dirty minds; I'm referring to blogging. The past month has been a series of late nites at the studio finishing all the things I want to finish for my show. Though I'm exhausted, the last month has got my creative brain going in over-drive. Always one to take on too many projects at once- I had to sit down with myself last night and say- self, not every last idea needs to manifest itself for this show. Take it easy- do what you wanted to do & save the new ideas for things to come. It's hard- as an artist we constantly want to out-so ourselves before we have even finished the thing worth out-doing. It's important to spend time with your work & let it fester for awhile inside your head before you decide it's time to re-invent your idea again, even better. I somehow feel that it's this time- the 2000's, that make us jump from one thing to the next- always searching for something better, and never quite satisfied with what we have in front of us. It always has to be bigger, flashier, hipper than the next guys. The creative days are few and the competitive days are many. Internet searching of what is going on NOW, has replaced leisurely reading of historical events in the past. What are we all rushing for. Life is beautiful, but only if you take time to notice it- and take a moment to share it with someone. With that, I urge you all to go outside- it's freakin' beautiful today and then go rent Manhattan by Woody Allen. I watched it in the wee hours of this morning and it refreshed my attitude towards life. That man is nuts, and I love it!

image: sneak peak of decor(ate)
for more sneak peaks of my show check out my girl joy

Come One (Come All) and Bring Your Friends

It's that time.
My very own solo show at Rowan University. Please try to make it to my opening on Friday October 27th from 8-10pm. Rowan is in Jersey so click for directions. I'll have lots of new works on paper and really fun stuff for your home. (Think pillows & curtains!) I'll have food and of course drink! Please let me know if you need some more info! Look forward to seeing you all!

Yum, Yum, Yum

Vintage was great! For wine I enjoyed a great Louis Latour Chardonnay that was on special, and also, from their list, a glass of Houghton Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 from NWestern Australia. This is their description- and I loved it!

Very intense and lifted nose. Powerful gooseberry and fresh grassy aromas. fresh, citrusy, and tangy, but with an elegant depth and length of flavor.

While the wine was great, the atmosphere, the food & the exceptional service were really the big surprises of the night. While their regular menu wasn't all that exciting- duck salad, cheese plate, burger, steak, calamari etc... their specials were right on. I ended up going with Grilled Waloo! I had never heard of it either- but it is a really light, flakey white fish with a buttery undertone. It was served with garlicky greens & jasmine rice- only $17! The other thing that caught my eye was the Petite Filet & mashed for $19! My partner in crime had a Pan Seared Tuna dish over a great seaweed salad. The atmosphere was lively, with very interesting music selections in the background- re-mixes of hip-hop done slightly swanky! They are head to toe decked out with wine decor including an insanely large chandelier made of wine bottles & a dividing wall made from wine corks. The bath rooms were quite refined in their decor with a man's shaving mirror affixed to the side of the mirror over the sink. (Yes, co-ed bathrooms, I did not take a wrong turn.) All in all- excellent. And request Heather- she was great!

Instead of "You Are What You Eat" How about "You Are How You Decorate"

I'm exploring the ideas behind how the decor in your home correlates to your personality/personal life. And I was just wondering- do we, as artists/designers, make things that we, personally like? I know I do. I consciously choose to surround myself with images that I enjoy, that I would want in my home- and they are almost always so perfectly beautiful in form & color; acting as a cover-up for the yucky, messy, reality I sometimes find myself in. Comment away- and of course, send me images of your work that may relate to this subject.

For some inspiration- and a much needed break from my computer.... I hit Urban Outfitters only to stumble upon their extra 50% off sale. I picked up the below plates- 4 for $15. (and a pair of jeans...) Now- you can't tell me that the home decor world is not full of art and vice versa.

It's 7:19am and I'm already thinking about dinner

This evening I am checking out Vintage. So, I will let you know what I think later this week. But, I've been meaning to say something about food & drink- since it's my most favorite thing to spend my money on! Last week I went to BYBLOS (www.byblosphilly.com). It was my second time there- and I have to say that the food is really quite good- and if you stick to the left side of the menu (also known as tapas) and go with someone that will share with you... then you're also in for a treat on a budget! There tapas are about $5 -$7 bucks and the fattush salad is $5 and it's amazing! Now- you have to be into things like hommus, babba, feta & olives. Oh- and amazingly large and really yummy martinis. (Though our waitress mentioned that the bartender was new- as our drinks took a little while to appear. Maybe she hadn't been trained on portions yet!) The downsides- because there always are is that this place gets CROWDED and they start the DJ thing about 10pm- which in my opinion is still dinner time! So, it can get a little loud- you might not want to go there on a first date- unless you call it a night by 9:30pm. They also offers hookah and late night food until 2am on Fri & Sat. There site will tell you everything. Enjoy.