Category Archives: Art

Ten Beautiful Children’s Story Books…

25 Wednesday May 2011

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© Joan Currie

To read more
get better in math
make more friends
 more good manners
clean up my room more
get better at sports…
This printed list of resolutions fell out of my daughter’s ballet book (#5 below).

There was a teary moment when I discovered this grade one list today, however, my daughter did accomplish all the items on it – including becoming an architect, bibliophile (especially of Jane Austen books), cross-country runner, and having many, many wonderful friends.

Here are ten of our well-loved, beautiful children’s books:

1.  The Balloon Tree by Phoebe Gilman
2.  Corgiville Fair by Tasha Tudor
3.  Amy’s Goose by Efner Tudor Holmes, illustrated by Tasha Tudor
4.  Masquerade by Kit Williams
5.  Of Swans, Sugarplums, and Satin Slippers by Violette Verday, illustrated by Marcia Brown
6.  Little Grey Rabbit’s Storybook by Alison Uttley, illustrated by Margaret Tempest
7.  Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall, illustrated by Barbara Cooney
8.  Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales by Beatrix Potter
9.  The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base
10. Who Goes To The Park by Warabé Aska

Needlepoint Books…

22 Sunday May 2011

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© Joan Currie

Fassett has successfully challenged the idea that knitting and needlepointing are dull, restrained, and limited to certain subjects or patterns. – Catherine Reurs

I have a penchant for Elizabeth Bradley’s exquisite needlepoint designs and two of her books top my list of favorite pattern books:

1.  Needlework Antique Flowers by Elizabeth Bradley
2.  Decorative Victorian Needlework by Elizabeth Bradley
3.  Kaffe Fassett’s Glorious Needlepoint
4.  Flowers, Birds, and Unicorns: Medieval Needlepoint by Candace Bahouth
5.  In Splendid Detail – Needlepoint Art by Catherine Reurs
6.  Donna Kooler’s Glorious Needlepoint
7.  Glorafilia The Ultimate Needlepoint Collection by Carole Lazarus and Jennifer Berman
8.  Erica Wilson’s Needlepoint (The Metropolitan Museum of Art adaptations)
9.  Jill Gordon’s Needlepoint – Glorious Tapestry Designs
10. American Country Needlepoint by Jim Williams
11. Designer Needlepoint edited by Hugh Ehrman
12. Floral Needlepoint by Melinda Coss
13. Nantucket Inspirations by Claire Murray
14. Victorian Needlepoint by Beth Russell

Ten Beautiful Children’s Picture Books…

15 Sunday May 2011

Posted by in America's Next Top Model, Art, Photography, Reflections, Writing

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© Khrystyana Kazakova

Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.  – Emile Buchwald

I love the illustrations in children’s books. Tasha Tudor fans may be interested to know that the Medici Society in London published some of the most beautiful paperback picture books that I have ever seen. They may still be found in used books stores, particularly in Britain and Canada. Many of the authors’ work is still for sale in the form of posters, postcards, and prints.

Here are the books my children liked the best from the series:

1.  An ABC For You And Me by Margaret Tempest.
2.  An Alphabet by Molly Brett
3.  Katy Laura and The Dream Boat by Elizabeth Foster
4.  Poems illustrated by Sandy Nightingale
5.  The Margaret Tempest Picture Book
6.  Tom and the Enchanted Flute by Jean Gilder
7.  The Adventures of Plush and Tatty by Molly Brett
8.  Let’s Meet Some Baby Birds by Ella Bruce
9.  The Racey Helps Picture Book with verses by Celia Barlow
10. Freddy the Teddy by Audrey Tarrant

Model – Khrystyana Kazakova

Pulgas Water Temple…

13 Friday May 2011

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© Joan Currie = Woodside, California at the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct's terminus.

I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people . – Temple inscription from Isaiah 43:20

Architect William Merchant designed this Beaux Arts temple in the 1930s with a classical circle of corinthian columns and an ornate masonry ring. It is located in Woodside, California at the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct’s terminus. A reflecting pool lies beyond the temple.

The setting is reminiscent of those depicted in high romance novels  – the  hero and heroine’s secret meeting place.

Ten Beautiful Things My Mother Taught Me…

08 Sunday May 2011

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statuepamse

I never look back – life is too short. – My Mother

1.  The basic ballroom dance steps at a very young age so that I would always feel at home on the dance floor.
2.  Lyrics to practically every big band and show tune.
3.  How to throw a large party and be a great hostess.
4.  A glass half-full attitude that included not dwelling on the past and appreciating the here and now.
5.  How to sketch, draw, and compose photographs.
6.  The correct way to apply lipstick, eyeliner, and false eyelashes.
7.  How to bake, especially pies, bundt cakes, and butter tarts.
8.  A love of the written word – how to type, write copy, read a literary novel, and recite poetry.
9.  How to finesse a trick in bridge and win at gin rummy.
10. How to pack for a trip, including – take your own brand of teabags wherever you go to ensure that you will always have a good cup of tea.

Thanks, Mom! Happy Mother’s Day!

Veneration…

23 Saturday Apr 2011

Posted by in Art, Design, Photography, Reflections

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© Joan Currie

Veneration of the Cross is a ceremony, usually on Good Friday, where congregants pay respect to the cross on which Christ was crucified.

The red of the tulips and berries in this floral arrangement was the same color as the fabric draped on the cross at the Veneration ceremony today.

Act of Creation…

30 Wednesday Mar 2011

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© Joan Currie

Creation is about pleasure – even though there is lots of darkness. You need to go inside yourself to bring out what is new for your soul and for your emotion.
Humberto Campana

Unleash your creative powers – you may be surprised at the talent that lies within you!

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Denim…

21 Monday Mar 2011

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Clothes are about much more than just cloth. It’s giving the wearer something more than a garment. It’s transferring emotion. – Jessica Ogden

In the spirit of green crafting, I have taken to transforming my daughters’ old jeans into cushions, seat covers, handbags, change purses, and bowls (below).

© Joan Currie

Model – Lauren DiMarco

Scarves…

18 Friday Mar 2011

Posted by in Art, Design, Fashion, Photography, Reflections

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© Miri Ekshtein – detail

Scarf – an article of dress of a light and decorative character.

I have a penchant for beautiful scarves! My favorite silk patterned ones were purchased at flea markets in Lisbon, Santa Fe, and San Francisco. I drape them around my shoulders mostly but have never had the panache to wear them in the dramatic way shown above.

I did, however, buy a crimson suede-fringed scarf on vacation in Morocco that seemed very chic, but once I got home it looked more like Davy Crockett meets Little Red Riding Hood and I never wore it.

© Miri Ekshtein

Models – Lauren DiMarco and Khrystyana Kazakova

Faded Rose…

14 Monday Mar 2011

Posted by in Art, Photography, Reflections, Relationships

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© Joan Currie – Faded Rose

Comme à cette fleur, la vieillesse
Fera ternir votre beauté.

For length of days will tarnish it
Like roses that were loveliest.

Pierre de Ronsard – Mignonne, allons voir

This rose marks the end of a relationship  –  one that began in the blush of young love.

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