Bright Brunch

blue-wallyellow-flowercardiff-mailboxespurple-flowerpalm-trees

A very productive week for me = lots of sunshine + lounging for the next 48 hours. I’m also checking out a few local artists at Warehouse 1425 tonight. Should be a good time ; ) Here’s just a little something to get your weekend started:

01  Real Life | Tanlines
02  I Look to You | Miami Horror
03  Pretender | Miike Snow
04  MoneyGrabber | Fitz and the Tantrums
05  Saturdays | Cut Copy
06  New Beat | Toro Y Moi
07  Cold Dust Girl | Hey Champ
08  It Takes Time to Be a Man | The Rapture
09  I Follow Rivers Remix | Lykke Li
10  Little Kids Remix | Kings of Convenience

Chuck Close

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During my painting class last week, we watched a documentary on portrait artist Chuck Close. His process and works are just so unreal to me! Despite a rare spinal condition which left him paralyzed in 1988, Chuck is able to continue painting using a custom device, strapping the paintbrush to his wrist and forearm.

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His large-scale paintings (yes, paintings!) are done so meticulously that it becomes almost impossible to determine whether or not they’re actual photographs.

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Really taking photorealism to another level… Check out more of Chuck’s work, you won’t believe it!

In the Works

Just a few weeks ago, Mr. Derek Gores (my idol) totally made my day. He contacted me in regards to helping him set up a collage workshop here, in San Diego! His style is like none other and I’d love to see his process LIVE.

Ideally, this would be a 2-4 day workshop + demo hosted in a studio, hotel, someone’s home… (still scouting locations). Costs may vary depending on the space and number of attendees. If this sounds like something you might be interested in and/or have questions, please feel free to shoot me an email at thelacquerie@gmail.com.

It would be like a dream come true – let’s make this happen!

Architectural Salvage

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On my way downtown, I always pass this antique shop at the corner of Kettner and Kalmai in Little Italy. I can usually catch a glimpse through their open garage-style doors, but decided to pop in the other day for a closer look.

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I walked up to find Architectural Salvage is two stories tall and filled to the brim with heirlooms. From embellished fixtures and eclectic decor to claw-foot bathtubs and stained-glass windows, this place has quite the selection. Rare, detailed and perfectly preserved. I had such a hard time deciding which photos to use, so don’t be surprised if I bring up salvaged wood again.

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Sadly, we can’t even paint the walls in our shoebox of an apartment, so you can only imagine how painful it was for me to walk around this smorgasbord of vintage treasures. Hopefully that will change someday and I’ll have the chance to decorate a home (even if it’s somebody else’s). But until then, I know my friend Lindsey and I will be stopping here before we refurbish her antique dresser. I’m thinking maybe glassware or hand-painted handles…

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A super friendly and helpful staff is also available to answer any of your questions. So, if you’re in the San Diego area, swing by 2401 Kettner Blvd. and say hi to Enrique for me!

Mumsy

mothers-day

Your mother is your deepest, closest root and whether you like it or not, she makes up one half of your entire existence. Hope Mother’s Day was a happy one for all those beautiful mamas out there!

The Great Gatsby film was done SO well. Go see it! And Happy 65th Birthday to my Uncle Bill!!!

Every Day

Live

Just a friendly reminder: Life is short, so make every day good to the very last drop.

It’s supposed to get into the 80′s tomorrow… May be my first beach day of the season :) Also just got tickets for Gatsby tonight!

How will you live it up this weekend?

Georgina Vinsun

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Jaw-dropping. Powerful and stunning. I am obsessed with these stormy explosions and the dainty neon details that seem to sprinkle down from the sky.

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Maybe color doesn’t have the same overwhelming effect on you, but Georgina Vinsun’s oils on canvas are serious eye candy for me. She says in an interview, “I aim to evoke thoughts of nature, gardens and skies in those viewing my work, but simultaneously I like for the works to retain an element of ambiguity, of total abstraction, thus leaving them completely open to interpretation.”

I just can’t take my eyes off those punchy pinks and bursting blues, beaming out from their darker depths. They’re shockingly loud, like thunder or fireworks, but somehow still feel powder soft and feathery. I also love how each piece is named after her friends and/or characters from books. Introducing the collection above, from top to bottom is Vicky, Kike, Ada, and Meredith. Which one is your favorite? I don’t think I could ever choose…

Treat yourself to more of Miss Vinsun’s crazy amazing work here.

[via Beautiful Hello]

Daniela

Paloma

Enter Daniela. An international supermodel, widely known for her (not-so-bright) daredevil photo shoots. With zero common sense and a lack of intuition, absolutely nothing will deter this little pistol from getting that perfect shot. Fashion photographers just take a number as her schedule is booked for the next four years. Everybody is dying to work with her, assuming she doesn’t die first… Always chewing gum and laughing at her own jokes, Daniela really isn’t much more than a pretty face.

Almost Candid

Almost-Candid

While shopping for today’s collection, I realized that blue + orange have been a recurring theme for me lately. Not sure what inspired this flavor of the week, but I like the energy – warm, summery, and nautical.

I could literally live in those roomy palazzo pants and sleep next to that Stella McCartney purse. I also picked up on the fact that, Object and Totem have been the jewelry of choice for my last three style posts… Really need to get my paws on one of those little gems asap.

1 necklace  |  2 sweater |  3 tank |  4 purse  |  5 sandals  |  6 pants

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Here’s one of my more experimental paintings from class last week. Absolutely no boundaries, only free association. Very fun, this one ;)

Murray

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Let’s go here today: a quiet space surrounded by lush greenery, where the trees create natural privacy and windows can be left bare. A place where clothing is optional and neighbors do not exist. An inviting open floor plan, versatile + free.

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Because these photos don’t suggest any separating walls, I like to imagine this space as a lofty hideout. The bed may be situated above, near that chill spot with all the cacti and the kitchen might overlook some kind of untouched valley.

If I had access to this ivory-lit sanctuary, I’d probably read all day, drinking a bottomless cup of green tea. Then indulge in that earthy spa-inspired bathtub, followed by a long + luxurious nap. See you…never!

textile 1 | kitchen | chill spot | bookshelf | bath | bedroom | lounge | textile 2