figs

What Goes On 8/21/15

Admiring

Are you on Pinterest? I have an Art board that I love adding my favorite works to. The art above is by Clare Rojas (you can read an article about her below). She now works in a more abstract style which you can read about here.

 

Eating

Figs! I have been experimenting more this year with our fig tree. I made jam last week and plan on a new batch this week. I also made a fig salad with prosciutto, arugula, egg and olives and a fig banana shake. Both were so good! Figs taste like juicy candy, are rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamins A, E and K. I can't wait for persimmon season...

 

Listening

I just listened to the Mystery Show podcast for the first time yesterday and really liked it! Plus, what a great logo, huh? Starlee Kine solves mysteries in this original and fun podcast. I listened to two so far and it reminded me of how much I liked reading mysteries as a kid. Starlee meanders through each episode with a sort of wide-eyed wonder about the cases she needs to solve, while also being creative and not just searching for the answer on the internet. 

 

Reading

I am now halfway through Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. It was so great to go camping this weekend and read a few pages at the site, but how I really made so much progress was by reading in the car out loud to Bryan. It's about his hike on the Appalachian Trail. He's super funny and he puts you right there with him. 

I found an article on the Mission School artists Claire Rojas, Barry McGee and Margaret Killgalen in the New Yorker. It's an interesting read since I have admired these artists for many years, but didn't know the full story. I highly suggest you read this 'ghostly' love story. 

 

Tidying

I mentioned ages ago that I have been using the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up to declutter my life. At first, I had a lot of momentum with going through all of my belongings. Then I took a break then I half returned to it and then abandoned it. I went crazy cleaning and tidying on Tuesday. I threw out, recycled and donated a bunch of stuff. Things are feeling so much better. I know I will have a few more days of this before the summer is over, but it will make the rest of the year so much better! Also, maybe I won't need to do any spring cleaning next year??

 

Watching

I watched the documentary Supermensch this week and I thought it was really fascinating. Shep Gordon has lead a life extraordinaire. He has managed many famous acts including Alice Cooper and Debbie Harry. I love that he just decided to become a manager. The decisiveness and self assuredness is pretty inspiring. The movie also covers his interest in cooking and Buddhism. 

 

What Goes On 7/24/15

Admiring

Jeremiah Harada's art show at Chromatic Coffee blew my mind. I have known Jeremiah for some years now and this was my favorite show of his yet. His colors, line and humor are so relatable. Kicking myself for not getting to the opening since the show is 99% sold out. Good job Jeremiah!

 

Camping

I camped in the Armstrong Redwoods with my friend Kelli. So needed and more on this later.

 

Eating

I returned to Yeganeh Bakery and Cafe on Sunday after trying it last Monday. Again, it did not disappoint. I painted our meal of a spinach/ feta/ sausage omelette, eggplant and the Persian plate of cream, honey and jam, all eaten with the sangak bread. We also had the lavender lattes. I really love this place!

 

Following

An image from the Daily Overview

An image from the Daily Overview

On Instagram, I love following Daily Overview. The abstracted images capture the manmade structures and topography of our world. There's something about an overhead perspective that well, changes your perspective.

 

Growing 

First fig!

First fig!

Our first fig is ripe! We split it right after I took this picture. We are good about eating a lot of them and giving some out to friends, but this year we are going to be really diligent about making jam and drying the ones we can't quite eat. If you look away for a couple days, they end up on the ground for the ants (or squirrels or rats or raccoons) so I am determined to get every last one!

 

Listening

Vincent Seritella

Vincent Seritella

Art For Your Ears is one of my favorite podcasts. Danielle Krysa's (The Jealous Curator) interview with Vincent Serritella really resonated with me since the artist is doing a 365 project and giving all the art away. While I think that is awesome, I am not giving away my 100 Day Project, but offering them in batches of 20 for $20 each. This fun price point feels so freeing! It let's go of any ego around pricing, allows people to be a part of this special project and for them to purchase art for a low price. While I don't necessarily condone art always being this cheap, it has been super fun! His work reminds me a little of James Rosenquist, an artist I was influenced by in art school when I painted large oils. Vincent's interview proves time and again, that you can teach yourself just about anything and be whatever you want if you are determined. Good stuff.

 

Watching

I just watched another episode of Chef's Table. This one looked at Ben Shewry, a New Zealand chef with a restaurant called Attica in Australia. I can't tell you much every artist working in every media should watch this. I think it's somewhere around halfway or 3/4 of the way through he talks about being true to yourself and how hard it is for those you love around you. Also, his near death experience made such a beautiful impact on his life. 

Until next week...