New Artist Series from Book City Jackets

My friend Nishat that I’ve posted about before, is featured in Book City Jackets’ new Artists Edition No. 2 along with Cheeming Boey and Michael Hsiung. BCJ’s mission is to make every book beautiful by creating unique book covers printed on recycled kraft paper. Pretty nifty, right? It reminds me of when I used to do that in middle school…except mine was covered in horrible doodling rather than beautiful art. They’re available at Book City Jackets [dot] com.

365 Messages of Love

It’s wonderful being surrounded by creativity each day.   And I can truly say that one of my favorite creative / talented individuals is my friend Nishat Akhtar.  In the process of trying to work on my own wedding invitations, I love stopping by to see what Nishat is up to…and this little something just made me smile so much that I felt compelled to share it with the rest of you.

She created this daily love note box for her newlywed friends.  It was inspired by old slide & specimen containers.  The box contains 365 tiny envelopes, each containing a note about love, excitement, or adventure, one for every day for their first year of marriage!  How amazing is that?!  I absolutely love it.  How much would you love to have one of these for yourself?

See more about Nishat and her talent here.

Patrick Dougherty’s newest sculpture at the Morris Arboretum

Last week while doing some work at the Morris Arboretum in Chestnut Hill, Philadephia I got to see Patrick Dougherty at work setting up his new installation.  It’s basically a cocoon-like abstract sculpture made of twigs and sapling branches.   It makes me think of hobbits & gnomes!!  Anyways…check out his work at stickwork.net.  I would love to see more of his work in person because they look absolutely fabulous…and of course, this one is jaw-dropping in person.  If you get a chance, you should definitely stop by the arboretum and check it out!!

Meanwhile, it kind of reminds me of the treehouses that the Junior Society is currently featuring on their site.  Head over there and check those out too!!   Here’s a taste of their stuff.  They have FOUR different features so…do your due dilligence!

photo via Junior Society

Who says places like Brooklyn get to have all the fun?

Philadelphia’s art scene is always buzzing with something new, and on May 16th the NKCDC will be hosting it’s 3rd Annual Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby.   Go to their website to enter, see previous derbies or become a derby sponsor.   If you don’t live in Philadelphia, it makes you want to move here, doesn’t it?  (I knew it would.)

Change the Thought

I just discovered Change The Thought’s shop via Apartment Therapy, and I really love this poster!  Not only is it very graphic, and therefore feels like artwork that you could look at (and live with!), but I love the sentiment.  The idea of thinking of the world and the people around me is something I like/need to remind myself of.  I also potentially have the perfect spot for it in my living room.

According to their shop their “prints come in rigid, super sturdy .125 thick reinforced tubes to prevent any damage during transit. Prints are crafted with the utmost attention to detail and each comes signed and numbered by the artist. Second edition prints will be marked as such. Color reproduction is true and bright always.”

This beauty is only $18.  Pretty amazing price considering how much visual space it’s going to take up on my wall!  Here’s a link to their shop to see all their posters.

Marc Tetro Animal Prints

While in Maine several weeks ago, I discovered a great little store with prints by Marc Tetro. As it turns out, I’m a sucker for all things dog-related. (Well, okay, not ALL things.  I am actually quite choosy when it comes to “doggie decorations.” For example, it boggles my mind how this item could be SOLD OUT at Wisteria. There are THAT many people that want it?)

Anyways, it was with great excitement that I discovered Marc’s prints because they’re fun, graphic, and affordably priced. The Boston terrier chasing the vacuum is the one I purchased as my memento from Maine…but there are a ton of other great ones at his online store.  He also does self-framed canvas giclee prints, but personally I think the ones done on cardstock to be framed are a little nicer…