forestière: art

the order of things: lepidoptera

18 May 2012

1. Pink and Mocha Moths by Amber Alexander
2. Wings, original watercolour painting by Michelle of United Thread

As much as I might be embarrassed to admit this, I have been dealing with a clothes moth infestation all week. Not my proudest moment, to be sure, but one that has not only made me realize that this can easily happen to anyone, especially purveyors of vintage and second-hand wares (which I think was the source of my particular infestation), but has also made me reflect on these delicate little winged creatures and those with whom they share a family. I really am the perfect victim. I own A LOT of wool, much of which is fine merino wool and seemingly these little pests' preferred choice for spinning their silk cocoons and sustaining their livelihood. Almost as a way of consoling my grief (I have shed more than a few tears and have had a couple of breakdown moments over losing some of my most cherished woolen possessions, while stubbornly trying to save others), easing my stress, and reminding myself that there is beauty to all forms of life, I have hunted and gathered some moth- and butterfly-inspired favourites. It is amazing how various species of the same order can be so radically different, at once visually captivating and magical but also deeply devastating. Coincidentally, almost every time I step out onto the balcony to shake out a moth-infected clothing article, I am visited by a friendly monarch butterfly, as if to apologize for the harm done to me by the clothes moths and to remind md that they are not all of the same kind. It is actually comforting in an odd but light-hearted way. So here is to you, Lepidoptera.

3. A kind of hush, photograph by Irene Suchoki of Montreal-based Eye Poetry
4. Papillon by Elle Moss
5. Untitled photograph by Craig Schlewitz
6. Never too late print by Montreal's Eva Juliet

7. Moths letterpress print by Aardvark
8. Butterfly Collector, original pencil and watercolour drawing by Julianna Swaney
9. Moths, original gocoo print by Anna Ruby King

10. Moth origami lampshade in pink and white from Studio Snowpuppe
11. moths paper and wax strong mobile by Amy Ruppel
12. Matthew Williamson's DNA Butterfly printed silk-chiffon scarf

a home is made of love

16 March 2012

It's Friday and my first week back in the city, away from my family, is coming to an end. I miss them all so much. When I saw this lovely new print by Rebekka Seale the other day, I thought that it perfectly captured the way I have been feeling since Andrew and Glasgow left after bringing me "home" to Montreal last weekend. Except that Montreal isn't my home anymore, even though most of my belongings are here, and my daily life will be here for the next couple of months. If "a home is made of love alone," then my home is with my lovely little family in Laurentian Valley, where all three of them are patiently (or perhaps not-so patiently) waiting for me to come home. It is strange living in two places and leading what feels at times like a double life, but it is also deeply comforting and warming knowing that I have a real home somewhere, even if it isn't here. Where do you feel most at home? Is home a place or more of a feeling?

On a happier note, the weather forecasted for this weekend is full of sunshine and warm temperatures, so I think I am finally going to break out of the house and explore the city, and maybe even participate in some St. Patrick's Day festivities.

I wish you a wonderful, love-filled weekend, whether you are at home or away....

xo,

sara

a few good things no. 4

17 February 2012

i am writing to end this long week with a few good things.
i need this slight repose, as i will be working all through the weekend.
andrew is going ice-fishing with the boys tomorrow,
so after a lazy morning filled with good coffee
and our regular Saturday morning waffles
drenched in real local butter & pure Canadian maple syrup,
i will cozy in for what i hope will be a mellow
but productive afternoon of writing.
of course, i still need to get through today's long day of writing,
but there are some lovely things
and a nice big gin & tonic (or several!) waiting at the end
to get me through it.

1. i am loving these pants from the Canadian-line Thieves. they are even on sale in my size! i feel like i could live in them, though i suspect they might be too short on my long legs.

2. hand-crafted camano coffee mill from Old Faithful.

3. i have been wanting to check out this Louise Bourgeois exhibition at the National Gallery in Ottawa, but it is almost coming to an end. it's been on for almost a year (!), but every time we pass through the city it is so rushed. this tiny little installation view from the Personages series and Forêt (Night Garden) is not at all satisfying me! must try to go.

4. also must have this wood table and brush set from Toronto-based Mjolk. i will be buying one very soon!

5. i have long loved ceramic artist Vanessa Villarreal's work and i was so happy to see her as Etsy's featured seller this week. these black spruce porcelain tumblers have always been my favourite. there is something so romantic and dreamy (but also at times sad and haunting) about spruce trees, and of course, i love anything porcelain.

6. Cold Spring Apothecary has been on my list of things to try for awhile now. i love their philosophy and branding, and their products sound perfectly divine: like this juniper wood soap. actually, i need new shampoo, so it might just be the perfect time to try something from their hair care collection.

7. how lovely are these compostable bowls from Cachette? they're made in Japan from recycled sugar cane and reeds fibre. yup, lovely.

8. if i hadn't already bought one almost exactly like this from Scout & Catalogue (handmade in all cream wool), i would have pounced on this gorgeous vintage wool cape from Dear Golden as soon as i saw it. oh, and it's on sale along with all other coats in the shop too! i am so SO tempted but i am trying very responsibly to listen to my voice of reason.

9. oh-so pretty and elegant ivory lace-trimmed silk-chiffon slip from Rosamosario. this is one timeless beauty....
10. i'm pretty sure these are the perfect nude leather ballet flats. a "wise" investment? good thing a girl can dream!
11. i find myself returning over and over again to this simple but richly layered work by artist Matthew Jensen. it is available as a set of four prints from Little Paper Planes. i share in and have a deep appreciation for his humble, "unassuming methods..." and attention to detail., and love the stories these prints have to tell. i would be more than happy to add them to my collection.

happy weekend; hope it's a good one!

xo, sara

56 - still hard at work

26 September 2011

i have decided to extend my work(ing) getaway in the old stone house to focus on studying for my comps, which means that i am also extending the sale in the shop until the weekend. simply enter the coupon code FREEFALLSHIP during checkout to receive free shipping (domestic & international) on your order.

this Polaroid-inspired illustration by artist Amy Blackwell perfectly captures my surroundings as i am "hard at work," accompanied by either a cup of coffee or warm cup of tea and various other delicacies. i try to stay inspired by the little things to counter what often seems like the heaviness of my work, and Amy's work always inspires in a light-hearted way. i especially love her charming animal portraits, which are available along with the "Polaroid - Hard at Work" print in her lovely shop.

46 - wishing you well // friday favourites

19 August 2011

i love this imaginative wishing well made with bricks, acrylic paint, and dura-lar and installed directly onto a gallery floor by artist Michelle Blade. it even includes coins contributed by viewers, presumably tossed in as they each cast their own "wish." in the spirit of wishing wells, real or imaginative, i wish you a warm and wonderful weekend.... i am leaving tomorrow morning for a two-week visit (less a vacation or getaway than a much-needed reunion) with andrew, who completed his year-long, condensed forestry technician program today, received his Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) silver ring, and is now officially a forester! i am so proud of him and i can't wait to celebrate with snuggles as we continue to build our lives together.

i leave you with some favourites, new and old and mostly forestry-inspired:

this song. it melts my heart and reminds me of my love with andrew.
this forester-architect's tree house, built soild using whole trees.
this dreamy woodland cottage. yes, please.
all this green.
this reclaimed wood table, made from an old hatch.
this worker-styled shirt. rugged, down-to-earth & pretty all-in-one.
and these canadian poplar trousers. named after the tree?

xo

44 - keyword: breathe

18 August 2011

sometimes we need to remember to just breathe.

left to right:

lungs illustration by darren booth // kara akciger print by amylin loglisci

lungs intaglio print by meg clarke // breathe (artist's hair on cotton) by liyen chong

just breathe sterling silver lungs necklace by markhed designs // porcelain scultpure by kate macdowell

lungs from lisa solomon's body doily series // untitled (heart lungs) by helen pynor (knitted human hair) //

embroidered botanical study: lung by sarah maloney

38 - watercolour-esque

08 August 2011

i have been wanting a watercolour-esque printed dress or skirt for awhile now. with only a vague idea of what i wanted in my head, i happily stumbled upon one in a local Montreal thrift store this weekend! not only are the muted green & dusty rose, thick cotton, and pleats gorgeous, but it's a perfect fit.

here's a collection of watercoloury goodness inspired by my new find:

beachcombing and seaweed botanical watercolour prints by studio tuesday

watercolour petals dinnerware by artist Shelley Hesse for Anthropologie

watercolour save the date collaboration between love jenna and swiss cottage designs

Anthropologie Artist's Rendering Dress

watercolour note cards by rifle paper co.

hand painted silk inkblot coral tee by rachel rose

Louche Mollie watercolour dress from Joy

watercolour wedding invitations from the movements collection by artist Kristy Rice of Momental Designs

Rose lady fine art print of an original watercolour & gouach collage by Luci Everett (available in her print shop: paper soup).

33 - featured artist: kate macdowell

03 August 2011

American artist Kate MacDowell combines human, animal, and plant forms with art historical and mythological references to explore our increasingly fraught relationship with the natural world. at once strangely beautiful and deeply disturbing, her meticulously hand-sculpted works in porcelain evoke the uneasy tension between our romantic ideal of being united with nature, and the impossibility of ever fully doing so, in part because of our devastating impact on the environment. decaying animal carcasses reveal inner structures comprised of anthropomorphic anatomical forms; an outstretched arm reminiscent of Michelangelo's iconic image of the hand of God giving live to Adam seemingly longs for a union with nature; luminous human organs radiate with an uncanny juxtaposition of human and plant or animal life; animals equipped with safety gear attempt to protect themselves from man-made environmental threats, while for others it is already too late.

intricately preserved in porcelain, these part human/part natural specimens attest to our intimately bound relationships with one another. at the same time, the inherent fragility of the porcelain gestures to the impermanence and vulnerability not only of endangered animals and ecosystems, but also of our own existence. with an acute sensitivity and awareness, the artist brings this disquieting relationship to life.

i love everything about Kate's work: her vision, craftsmanship, aesthetic, thoughtfulness, astuteness, and of course, her choice and use of material. i couldn't think of a better artist to start off a new featured artist series.

all images copyright Kate MacDowell.

20 - let it rain...

18 May 2011

it's been raining in Montréal, and most parts of eastern Canada, for days. and it's forecasted to continue raining through the weekend (although with sunny breaks). while my body aches for the sun, the rain is calming, replenishing, and surprisingly inspiring.... after finishing my day's work, i spent part of the afternoon making jewellery, drinking tea, and listening to a wonderful folk/bluegrass playlist -- and, of course, the gentle, rhythmic sound of the rain drumming on my skylight windows.

so today, i celebrate the rain.

(rainfall image credit belongs to Malika Pannek of klunkerfunkeln, taken in Montréal in fall, 2010)

Rainfall, hand-stitched print of original illustration by Leah Duncan.

April Showers by Amy Blackwell (available to purchase in her Etsy shop).

Rainy Day in a Nearby Forest by Anna Emilia
(print of original painting available to purchase here).

rain clouds by Golly Bard (visit her gorgeous Etsy shop).

feather earrings inspired by the popular rhyme, "March winds and April shower bring forth May flowers," from the wonderful Montréal designer, Noémiah. images produced in collaboration with illustrator Paule T.B.

It’s Raining

It’s raining women’s voices as if they had died even in memory
And it’s raining you as well marvellous encounters of my life O little
drops
Those rearing clouds begin to neigh a whole universe of auricular cities
Listen if it rains while regret and disdain weep to an ancient music
Listen to the bonds fall off which hold you above and below

poem by Guillaume Apollinaire, figured to create the sensation of rain falling, or running downward across a surface.

for an animated, digital version, click here.

13 - artful inspiration: drawing nature

25 April 2011

from left to right:

1. Swift Fox print from Julianna Swaney of Oh My Cavalier

2. Nature Boy giclee print by Lizzy Stewart

3. Lichened Forest original watercolour painting from Golly Bard

4. head and hands illustration by Katie Scott

11 - time wasting experiment

17 April 2011

as i prepare to re-launch the arterie [blog] after nearly a year hiatus, i am left thinking not just about the passage of time, but about how we both spend and waste time. granted, since i last posted i completed, defended, and submitted a master's thesis on representations of the cancerous body in medical discourse and contemporary art; packed up my apartment in two weeks and drove across the country in a bush-ready 1995 Jeep YJ pulling a U-Haul trailer with my partner and our cat -- an extended adventure during which we broke down in the Canadian prairies three times; arrived in Montreal in an empty apartment the day before i started my PhD with none of my belongings while also having to part from my boyfriend and best friend, who was starting a forestry program in our home province of Ontario, for a year of long-distance after five years of living together and intimately sharing each other's daily lives; and successfully completed a year of graduate coursework in art history in addition to serving as co-president of my department's Graduate Student Association (GSA) as well as a member of our conference committee (The Indiscernible), and preparing submissions to conferences and journals. in the midst of all this craziness, i have somehow found time to pursue my love and the art of making things by hand with the goal of launching my Etsy shop(s) in May 2011. and yet, despite all of these achievements (i am still apprehensive to call them that), i still feel like i have wasted time. like i could have done more, been more productive and focussed and less distracted. or, in perhaps doing too much, i could have taken better care of myself or achieved that truly unattainable thing: balance.

and so this brings me to the real topic of this post: Alyson Provax's brilliant time wasting experiment, an ongoing project in which the artist documents the exact time wasted on various activities and non-activities in a series of letterpress prints. driven by a "compulsion to always be doing things and producing objects," -- one that i full heartedly share -- she also conceives of the prints as permission slips allowing us to thoughtfully spend periods of time in wasteful ways. in other words, it is ok to spend time thinking about nothing or working through overwhelming and even embarrassing emotions. sometimes we need to be able to do "nothing" and not feel bad or guilty about it. there is, after all, unparalleled magic in daydreaming and imagining. it's how ideas take root.

visit Alyson's Etsy shop for your own time wasting permission slip, or read more about her project and what the artist has to say here and here.

all images copyright Alyson Provax.

09 - a story of two bears

29 April 2010

Andrew Holder, Two Bears

six colour screen print

edition of 20

gorgeous screen print by Andrew Holder. there is something so romantic and sweetly simple about this work. i love its intimate texture and mirrored composition of the bears. the meeting of two creatures from different sides of the world at the same stream... visual storytelling at its best. i am also, of course, a bear in love.
xo, sarabear.

(via where the lovely things are)