HunterGatherer

Here are some fun MTV spots by New York studio HunterGatherer, brainchild of Todd St. John. I love these because they're so random, playful, and roughly executed- it looks like something that might have been made in the wee hours of the morning.

Contest ends today!

So by now you've designated which gifts are fabulous and which go in the 're-gift' pile. If you would like a chance to win the office supply set I put together, you can still put in your two cents for which was the best or worst gift you remember ever recieving! The winner will be announced tommorow. I have to say that the best present I ever got was a beautiful braided gold necklace and bracelet set which I got from my dad when I was sixteen (has anyone seen that bracelet? Please return!) and the WORST yes WORST gift I ever got was a CACTUS for Valentines day from my then boyfriend. What does a cactus say about love? Come on guys! Chocolate and jewelry works every time! Skip the creativity and the practical gifts!

Making Kids Cry

After the reactions from yesterday's I expect some mixed reviews from this entry. But a blog to me is about sharing personal views for public feedback. I really enjoy sharing work that inspires/provokes me in some way.

I learned about this photographer on documentary on the planeride to Singapore. Her name is Jill Greenberg and she makes kids cry. To capture these images she just offers the children a lolly pop, then takes it away- only for long enough to log their reaction. Any of you who have kids know their emotions change on a dime and that this doesn't hurt the little ones but I'm sure from the children's point of view the technique lacks ethics! Just because the adults in the studio know the 'pain' will be all over in a second, does that give them the right to sacrifice their childrens' emotions for a brilliant photo op? No? Well on second thought, how about those parents who make their kids sit on Santa's lap just for a split second when they know their child is terrified of Santa? Or family photo sessions! Those make me cry. Here Greenberg focuses on capturing the split second of grief and prolonging it in a photo rather than capturing that moment of bliss we usually stage in front of the camera. Maybe one of the most interesting things about these pictures is not their appearance but the questions they raise. Critics have called her work 'evil' and said she should be charged with child abuse. Something tells me the children aren't left with deep emotional scars other than perhaps a little distrust of photographers and their candy. What do you think?

Maralyn Minter

I got home from vacation yesterday and was going through all my Christmas cards (thanks everybody!) and found this image among the seasons' greetings. Maybe it's not so Christmassy but I loved it and had to share! It's a photo by art star Marilyn Minter, who used to teach me at SVA. Marilyn is a very loved artist here in NY and from her pictures I'm sure you can see why! For the past several years Marilyn has created photo-realistic paintings using her photos of glittering sweaty close-ups of women dripping with jewels or other finery. These semi-erotic paintings glint and pulse with nocturnal glamour. 'Minter is one of several artists of the 1980's whose work is a link between the often-disparaged Photo Realism of the 1960's and 70's and the style's current re-emergence.'
One of her images was featured to publicize the latest edition of the 'Whitney Biennial'. She has an upcoming show of her photographs at Baldwin Gallery in Aspen from Dec 26-Jan 31. Click here for a photo of the artist.

Merry Christmas!

Here are two Santa Clauses by one of my all time faves- I mean the outsider artist extraordinairre, Howard Finster of course!
Now we're really opening up a can of worms because I could just go on and on about how wonderful he is! At 45 this preacher from Georgia recieved a revealation to stop preaching and instead spread the gospel by creating 5000 sacred works of art. But that didn't stop him from depicting all sorts of other things! He painted everything from coca-cola bottles to R.E.M. album covers to Elvis presley! I first fell in love with his work at an exhibition of 'outsider art' at the Dallas Museum of Art many years ago and was lucky enough to become the temporary custodian of two of his pieces (thanks Angie!!!) that sit on my desk and encourage me to be an individual! One is a cut-out of a bunny rabbit and the other is an angel. One thing that makes his artwork so special is that he loves to write advice, exhortations, and scripture in the borders and backgrounds of the work. Truly a preacher to the end! Howard also loved to decorate fingerprints by giving them little faces. Stories say that it was by staring into the image of a fingerprint that he first recieved the vision to become an artist! Howard also filled in a vast area of swampland near his home and created an environment full of art and sculpture called the 'Paradise Gardens'. Someday I'll make the pilgrimage.

This isn't my angel but looks a lot like it:

Fred Flare

I should have really posted this a couple of weeks ago, sorry y'all! Here's the best kept secret for your holiday shopping for the terminally young at heart! Fred Flare is one of my favorite places to online window shop! I go there to get inspiration and to drink from the fountain of youth. Check out this amazing website- they sell accessories, clothes, and lifestyle products. You can spot a Fred Flare shopper a mile away by their sense of 'cute!' It's still not too late to do a gift certificate!


Here are some of their products that I especially like for this season.

Cutie Mushroom Scarf


Heatherette Dolls inspired by the fashion design house 'Heatherette'. (The superstar fashion design team 'Heatherette' led by design duo Richie Rich and Traver Rains is every bit as bizarre as these dolls! Their colorful clothing designs 'cultivate the popstar in everyone'.

Amy Sedaris Pop-Tart Sunglasses Pouch made by the now renowned author of 'I Like You' (see previous post)


80's vintage charm necklace- I was just a little tyke in the 80's so when I think of that era I don't think silver lipstick and spikey hair- I think 80's charm necklaces and rainbow bright! Here's that same flavor preserved!

I love you

And I put together a desk set just for you! It contains (clockwise) six elephant paper clips, a set of crayon erasers, a rainbow pen set, a writing journal, 10 rolls of specialty tape, a cow eraser, a dice pencil sharpener, and a lamb greeting card. I can only give it to one lucky person, so here's the catch! All you have to do is share a little something with me! What is the best/worst gift you have ever gotten and why? I will choose my favorite answer and mail the winner this desk set with a little postcard from Singapore. The winner will be posted on the the blog on New Year's day.

Good luck!

Vacation Cancelled

Thanks to Sarah's harsh comment, I realize that a blog is not something you tease someone with then drop out of for long periods of time! I brought my digital camera with me to Singapore so I'll do my best to capture what's happening over here on the FARTHEST point of the globe from New York. On the airplane trip over we discovered by looking at the maps that there is not a single place you could go that takes longer! Just let me get showered and nap from the jetlag folks!

Little break

Hey folks! I'll be back to blog in January!
Happy Holidays!

The Best Birthday Present Ever

Check it out girls! Maybe you've heard about this book "I like you: Hospitality Under the Influence" by Amy Sedaris? It's a HIGHLY INVENTIVE cookbook/guide to crafts and domesticity by the sister of comedy writer David Sedaris that Mary just gifted me for my birthday. The photography is so hilarious, as Amy says inside the front cover, buy it just for the photos alone! I can't wait for the section on putting together a mourning event for deceased pets or the chapter on entertaining the elderly! Also there are tonz of craft projects at the back including how to make a plant hanger with panty hose and a topographical map of Alaska using salt. There's a secret pinup poster of the author smothered in rainbow sprinkles and frosting hidden inside that you can only see when you buy it. It's nice to know a weird person can have so much domestic flair!
Here are some of the cakes Amy suggests making:

Come to the show!

I am sorry to say I will be in Singapore for this but it is a great FREE EVENT at MOMA and they will be showing my animated short 'Runaway Bathtub' along with the work of the legendary Hubley Studios and some other animators. Come on out! Click here to watch a video clip.

Life is worth it because. . .

I've been running around with these cute little pins that I bought at a Mexican farmers' market. One dollar each! Handmade out of sculpey, I think. There was a whole bowl of them, (all unique) which I wanted to buy but didn't only because my mom was with me and she thought they were atrocious! I tried to find out who the artist was but the salesgirl didn't know. My mom told me that no, I should not wear them all at the same time.

Mister tiny pin man, whoever you are, I love you!