Jason Jagel at FIFTY24SF Gallery

Image from FIFTY24SF
A Massachusetts native, this extremely talented, unique, and contemporary artist has been shown around the world in cities including New York, Barcelona, Tokyo, Seattle, Los Angeles, and more. Certainly not his first show, Jason Jägel opens yet another solo exhibition at FIFTY24SF in collaboration with Upper Playground. I'll Fly (Into Your Heart) opened April 1st and runs through May 26, 2010 in the gritty heart of San Fran. His work is heavily influenced by the music of today and the past decade, referencing not only the movement of today's underground music scene but his childhood loves of records and comic books.

His bold, vibrant colors and slashing edges juxtapose across his canvases in a flurry of controlled desperation and haunting facial expression. His multi-layered universe speaks volumes about the trials of today and nostalgia for years past. Don't underestimate the street artist of today; what strength they have in numbers doesn't directly correspond with the level of merit seen, but Jägel rises above his counterparts to truly shine an exquisite light on what artists are capable of today.

I'm partial to his paintings and drawings, but don't miss his album artwork as well. You're sure to recognize big names there, and perhaps even find some gems in your own collection. His installation work reminds me of the Mexican artist installations from the designers in the Azteca Series with a splash of watercolor palette sensibility, but that's just me!

Artificial Ink

We've all been there- drawing little flowers on your ankle, pretending to have hand tattoos with puppet faces, summertime application of the Looney Tunes stick ons, and maybe even in a moment of drunken weakness succumbed to the beach hippies giving henna. However, once you get past the age of 12 it's mildly unacceptable to continue on the trend of fake body modification. Tattoo culture is an extremely bizarre and cultish lifestyle with many subgroups who all equally snub the others. For those not quite ready to take the 18-and-over plunge into permanent body modification, piercing is a good way to get your feet wet. It's rebellion that can be hidden at opportune times, such as Christmas at Aunt Mildred's or your first day of work as an elementary school teacher.

Fake tattoos seem to be gaining in popularity, and not just with the under 16 crowd. There have even been been talks of developing tattoo ink that will last for anywhere from a month to a year, or erasable with 1 laser treatment rather than several. I personally find this to be a complete sham. If you're going to do it, do it. Don't pop a Valium, grit your teeth, take the pain, and basically man up. If you want to be in the club, earn it with the commitment and the dedication to do it the RIGHT way.

To those of you who find this mindset snobby or elitist, my guess is that you don't have a tattoo, and you might be interested in these artificial ink stick ons specially designed, it seems, with hipster photo shoots in mind. I suppose these fill a completely separate niche than actual tattoos, but it's such a fine line these days as tattoo culture becomes more mainstream with every passing day. While there are some definite benefits to this culture trend, it does tend to dim the romantic side of body art. Despite my initial hesitation to embrace mainstream (as mainstream as Etsy can get!) tattoo-inspired art, it IS damn cute. Check out some more ink-inspired work on Etsy here.

Adorable necklaces

After getting chewed out by multiple sources, I have finally willed myself to sit down and knock out a long-overdue blog! Things that have happened in the last few weeks that have distracted me and taken up a whirlwind of my time: 2 different sets of visitors from Virginia, a boyfriend birthday, and an engagement! That's right, Ashton popped the question and of course I said Si si si! It's been a few weeks to wrap my head around this development, but most of my time is now taken up by browsing All Things Wedding via the Internet and magazines. Who knew this was such a big deal?!?!? I'm sure many of my future posts will be dedicated to cute little invitations or centerpieces, but as I'm only beginning my long research journey I haven't quite narrowed things down.

No more excuses. My friend Mandie brought these adorable necklaces by Spinthethread to my attention and I just love them. Color and geometry are two big loves of mine, and as I rapidly approach my quarter-century, I'm trying to make an effort to care more about fashion. I still haven't gotten over my jeans and t shirt phase (much to the chagrin of Momma D), but I'm trying to be more open-minded about perhaps wearing a sundress, or actually looking at accessories! Here's a few of my favorites:






I don't know how to pick a favorite! I love all of them!!!

Drunk At My Own Party

I've known Tim Skirven just shy of a decade, and I'm consistently amazed at his creativity and dedication to art and design. As a young twentysomething residing in various parts of Virginia, he's a photographer, printmaker, designer, webber, blogger, painter, jack-of-all-trades who is an inspiration and challenge to us all. I like to think of myself as an artist, but with a full-time job and a list of excuses a mile long to not sit down and get to work, it's people like Tim that remind me there's a LOT of time that needs to get put in to be a real artist.

Check out his site Drunk At My Own Party and p33p the video below. True to form, he took the time to do a walk through of his latest show so us minions who couldn't make it could still appreciate the work.

What's The Word, Thunderbird? from Tim Skirven on Vimeo.

Mati Rose McDonough

One of our newest artists at work is Mati Rose McDonough (not Matt-ey like a adorable nickname for Matthew, Mate-y like ahoy) and I'm absolutely in love with her work. I moved my desk to a nook by the door and ordered 2 of her pieces to put on my new walls. She has an adorable portfolio and has recently joined the Lilla Rogers stable of artists. We only have a smattering of her work available through Oopsy daisy, but I'm crazy about her necklaces, especially the January Sprout Studio necklace seen below:

She's also a fellow blogger, and has a crisp site that I could definitely take a lesson from. Check it for cool updates, kitschy links, fun videos, and brainstorming sessions that are definitely better than anything I would even dream of creating.

Cordial Lee

Having a sassy apron always seemed like an oxymoron to me. Why would you buy an adorable accessory that you obviously WON'T want to dirty up to wear while protecting yourself from doing just that? However, I feel like this is one of those mysteries that perhaps men will never understand, and women will continue to participate in without fulling knowing why until the end of time. Or spacesuits. Either way.

Until we either come to our senses and start buying ugly aprons, Cordial Lee has a great selection that I am absolutely in love with. Aprons are only a small part of the collection, but I'm already in love with this gem, the Bib Audrey Woven Houndstooth Adult Apron:

Adult apron sounds a little naughty, but we can overlook that. For $31.50, you can even get matching oven mitts! Bring on the food. I'm going to whip up a souffle and look damn good while doing it.

April 30, 1985

Only 4 short months until the celebrations begin harking my quarter-century upon this earth. If anyone wants to get a head start on just the right thing for me, perhaps this will help out!

Midnight Magi by Gary Baseman via Kidrobot Black

Oki-Ni 8" dunny (probably only on Ebay!)

Snorkin' Labbit 10" Silver Edition (or bronze if need be!)

Vasily the Grumpiest Walrus Plush 16" by Frank Kozik

Miao And Mousubi 7-Inch Buff Monster SDCC Edition by Amanda Visell

Miao and Mousubi Set 7-Inch Fat Cat Edition by Amanda Visell

Wee Sticker Incognito by Shawnimals

Raffy MUNNY by Kidrobot

Totem Doppleganger 3 pack by Anton Ginzburg (also available in pink and white!)

And of course this Detolf shelf in white from Ikea to display it all in!

give her your heart and hers is sure to melt.

Valentine's Day is coming up, so men, don't be slacking on getting a token of your love for that special lady in your life! Etsy is obviously a great place to turn for something cute, whimsical, one of a kind, and sure to melt your ladies' heart. Speaking of heart, why not get her her very own soft and cuddly heart to remind her of you?

Check out Shannon Gerard's shop for more!

New Kidrobot jamz

Kidrobot has a ton of fresh new swag and goodies for sale: check out their NEW Section, and buy me everything there! January 28th marks the launch of the latest Dunny line, FATALE. To say I'm stoked is an understatement.

"Artists in this innovative series include Alex Anderson, Catalina Estrada, Klor, CW, Aiko, Kathie Olivas, Wendi Koontz, Koralie, The Baroness, Anna Chambers, Amanda Visell, Amy Ruppel, Julie West, Toofly, Junko Mizuno, Aya Kakeda, Tara McPherson, and Sara Varon."
CHECK IT!

Fashion for the little and large alike

V Magazine recently did a spread about fashion and body comparison. Honestly, this is one of those times where I don't really have anything to add- their article says it all and I feel like the reader has to make their own insights for themselves. Enjoy.