Modern Nostalgia....

I was searching for some modern prints that were fresh and modern but conveyed a certain nostalgia...that's what really compels me about design...the odd combinations of periods, themes and styles. I recently did a house where I needed to combine, Colorado rugged ranch with Victorian and Mediterranean. AHHHHH I thought. What do these have in common? How will it not look pieced together? Then I thought about the common thread in all theses styles...iron work, scroll work, florals and little critters -like tiny iorn squirrel resting on a painted scrolled shelf, aged pots, rich brown, yellow and creme...once I established this basis, the rest just flowed.

These 10-8 polaroids are fantastic. They remind me of botanicals from the early part of the century, marbles from the 30's and 1960's batik and yet they are fresh and modern...mmmm
pinholesand poloroids from the UK! On ETSY, baby!



We went to Brenckenridge recently on our 2nd annual family trip. I spotted these flowers in an old mining ore box....new hybrid? Love the combo! Love the colors!
On a hike recenly I came across this old latrine...it cracks me up.
I took this photo from my bathroom window...my grassland has been transformed. The field looks like a computer card from the late 70's!

Pickup artist: Barbara bowles

More of my Santa Fe adoration. I can't remember the last time a photographer twirled my tutu this much! Her website shows a large range of her close-up, abstract photography of old trucks. I have a soft place in my heart for this type of decay...the nostalgia, the waste, the beautiful juxtaposition of junk rusting in a natural setting. It creates such wild and unatural colors and texture. I picked out a few of her cards because, 1. I was in a hurry and had to have something. 2. It would have taken me forever to choose one of her super large format prints 3. The 5 cards I chose are going to make a very nice little grouping.

The colors are outstanding and incredibly vibrant in person. she did a great one of an ornamental cabbage with the same patina of an old copper sculpture. The patina matched the color of an old hubcab...I picked up both!

Artist statement, readable if you click on photo or go straight to her site.

She has a great little gallery not too far from the square and was very friendly and lovely. Love stumbling on places like that!
If you are as fscinated by decay as I am...Carolinaeclectic ( see side blogroll)posted about the slideshow the New York Times is doing on the Grey Gardens Mansion...if you have never seen the 1975 film, treat yourself. Also HBO is releasing a reimagined Grey Gardens that I am simply chomping at the bit to see. I'll be speaking with Little Edie's accent for days...I apologize to friends and family in advance.

Pioneering and the Photo Story (PG-13)

I was browsing the myriad subject list in the Pioneer Woman blog recently. Her January 2oth entry on photo storytelling was really interesting: When you take pics of things you really need to think about Beginning, middle, and the end if you want a captivating photo not just a pretty postcard. I love those simple little tips!
I'm a little obsessed with her website. When I see the depth and breadth of her glorious blog ..the weak part of my psyche asks, "Why do I even bother?'" The audacious and hopeful part of my psyche says "hush little blogger, stick with what you know...P.W. is sent on a mission of bigger, grander cyber inspiration...if you want to be better, then do better." Man, my psyche is a hard ass. OOOOOH that's the first time I've cursed online...feels deliciously addictive. Nah, I'll keep it clean and sunny- it counterbalances my real life personality nicely.