erika

The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

In speaking with some friends the other day, I realized that I haven't yet posted about my first trip to The Athenaeum of Philadelphia that I took back in December.  What a treasure, and it is experiences like the one I had that day that makes me realize just how lucky I am to live in a city like Philadelphia.  A special collections library founded in 1814 in its current location since 1845, the library sits facing west on Washington Square & is built in the Italianate Revival style.  I have passed by this building hundreds of times and never in my wildest dreams knew that it was a library open to the public.  It is full of American fine and decorative arts from the time period of 1800-1850.  You can see what you like by first looking online at their holdings, then making an appointment by phone at which point they pull books and put them on the huge library desks with green lamps to read by.  I had to do a lot of research for the last/current project - a wedding invitation set designed to look like a "old Philadelphia document".  It's not only the books, it's the antique furniture, the light fixtures, the bronze and marble sculptures that stand like sentinels around the library, the chess room, the exhibits...

Where do Glacier go to die?

Jokelsurland, a lagoon in Iceland...

image from : wikimedia

photo from :: National Geographic :: James Balog

AH!  I heard the best NPR show on Saturday in a L O N G time.  I've been bummed out about the emphasis on politics and war ALL the time on NPR and have been missing their more affecting programs (for me) like the one I heard on Saturday with James Balog and Terri Gross.  It was awesome.  It made my skin crawl.  It made me turn the radio way up and take notes it was that good...It made me want to make art about it... I love stuff like this... and if you're at all interested in glaciers, the melting of water that has been frozen for a million years and the lagoon in Iceland where they wash up on the shores to melt like brilliant diamonds until the sea carries them away with the tide to become sea water  you should either have a listen to her interview with this wonderfully articulate man here, or watch tomorrow night at 8pm on channel 12 - Nova - Extreme Ice.  The website for the project Extreme Ice Survey is worth a visit too.

Multiple Choice :: an exhibit at Cooper-Hewitt

I would have loved to have gone :: the exhibit looks like a dream...

 
the website is amazing too!  I love the design and font choice:: def. worth a peak. 

Travel on the brain

Subterranean subway in Stockholm Sweden : via Archibase.net

march is a kinda bla-bla month to me.  Day light savings is great in the later hours, but not in the AM when it's dark when you wake up.  Spring is so close, but it's dreary and cold still.  I've been think a lot about moving north to Vermont or just simply taking a trip somewhere...across the pond... to visit a garden, some libraries, do some sight seeing with Sophia and Pavel.  5 seems like a good age to take children to Europe to me.  These subway stops in Sweden are amazing!  I wish Philadelphia would put effort like this into the daily fabric of our lives.  Sweden is a place I would love to visit...

Illustrated Catalogue of Rouges :: French 1886

 

A beautiful catalogue that was printed in 1886 for women's rouges - lipsticks - powders - etc...
found via one of my ultimate favorite blogs to visit on this site.  This is a testament to the quality - care - thoughtfulness that went into making "things" back then.  How could you ever even throw the catalogue away?  Let alone use these rouges up hastily?  Or throw them in a purse?  No, these would sit like treasures on your bureau where you would admire them - and use them sparingly and with great care.  How could they not make you feel beautiful and special?  Good design, packaging and product are all wrapped up together.  I dream of a day where the world can look at a compact of rouge this way again...

Felt & Wire :: Strathmore paper blog

Last week Allison from Mohawk Papers e-mailed me to ask if I would like to be added to their directory of letterpress printers featured on their brand new blog Felt & Wire.  Absolutely!  I'm flattered that they asked - and even more so to see the other amazing letterpress artists I've been featured with.  The site went live this week, and from the first post, I think it's going to be a great place to look for inspiration. 

The first designer they wrote about is Marian Bantjes commissioned in 2008 to re-do their "thistle" logo that is featured on their strathmore paper.  I really enjoyed her site - especially her comments on her own projects and responses to frequently asked questions.  She has a very raw narrative that I admire.  Her description of the completed thistle design:
“essentially not calligraphic. It’s basically geometric. A little bit old, a little bit new. Kinda bitchin’.”

Wall Stories: Children's Wallpaper and Books

Cooper Hewitt Exhibition :: October 3, 2008–April 5, 2009

This looks like a show I would fall in love with.  I've never been to the Cooper Hewitt museum - and have been wanting to go for some time now.  I think I'll try and make it...
Browsing at vintage wallpaper is certainly one of my favorite things to look at on ebay.  I have spent countless hours looking at them - and hope to some day stumble upon a stash at a garage sale or on the side of the road.  Rolls can go for $20 - $50 on ebay, and I haven't been able to bring myself to buy any... 

Penmanship

Seb Lester :: screenprint edition of 100

found via black.white.bliss

I have been thinking a lot about penmanship lately.  The need for having a nice dipping pen - or fountain pen - looking at ebay for vintage ones - searching the web for good pen stores.  There's a whole world of people out there that are REALLY into fine pens.  I think it's really great. 

This screenprint is a lovely mix of modern and traditional.  And I love the adage as well.  A quote from the artist (who also made the "Keep Calm Carry On" screenprint that's all over the web right now)

"I wanted to produce a piece of expressive lettering that illustrated this timeless adage. It's a dramatic composition of complimentary calligraphic styles developed especially for this piece. Influenced by 18th century calligraphy and 20th century sign writing, but with some very modern touches".

Thank you to :: oh so beautiful paper

a big thank you to Nole for her post today featuring my Letterpress Wedding invitations.  She has such a lovely blog - I'm thrilled to be included on there. 

Letterpress Wedding Invitations :: A Venetian Wedding

 

This is a custom Wedding Invitation job that I recently finished for a wonderful young couple getting married in Italy.  The invitation measures 8.25" H x 11"W that folds down the middle.  One side printed in Italian the other in English.  RSVP card and transport card are both 4.25" x 5.5".  Enveloping the entire set is a cream vellum folio printed on the cover reads "Si Sposano" or "The Wedding" in Italian.  Ink colors are Venetian Red and Silver Grey. 

The project was wonderful.  There was a ton of research that I did for it - which I love to do - and great symbolism and history to work off of.  My press was a real work horse for a good couple weeks there, and I am thrilled with the results!  Printing, flipping, scoring, trimming... the life of a letterpress printer.