All Things Creative

Happy 2012...

2011-12-31T20:02:00.000-08:00

May 2012 be wonderful and filled with

amazing adventure!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Great Artists and Great Art News...

2011-12-16T12:25:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to do a post and share some artists news. Studio K is lucky to have these two artists show their work here at the space. Chanee Vijay from {me}longings was asked to send one of her block print pillows to the Nate Berkus show this week. Her pillow will be featured on an episode to air this January. I will keep you posted on that exciting news next month when we have an exact time. Her pillows are all ecofriendly and printed with beautifully colored nontoxic paints. She has a wide range of pillow covers available in the space now and you can check out her process with this cool stop motion photography video here:{me}longings

Amy Wycoff with Agate and Elm has had a wonderful month of her debuting her new line of hand crafted jewelry. Her pieces are so unique in style and execution you are sure to fall in love with many of her designs. This launch is a new endeavor to her and has already been so well received. To follow her growth and her new works you can check out at her new face book page here: Agate and Elm

Holiday Decor

2011-12-08T14:46:00.001-08:00

Handmade Holiday Opening Reception

2011-12-07T08:53:00.001-08:00

What a great great night! Thanks to everyone

who joined us last Friday night here at Studio K.

Elon Shomaker did a wonderful job once again bringing a great energy with his music. All the art work really came together in the space and made for a great night of good people. great cheer and perfect gift buying. We will be open with our regular hours this month but have added a few additional times to accommodate for everyones schedules. We can also arrange an appointment if needed too. We will be open until 7 this Friday the 9th and next Thursday the 15th. Then next Friday the 16th we will be open until 9 to view the art with some nibbles and cheer. Please spread the word about the wonderful selection of unique gifts at amazing

prices from some truly talented artists.

To see the complete album click here:

Handmade Holiday Reception Photo Album

Handmade Holidays

2011-11-30T06:36:00.001-08:00

The show is installed!!! There is something for everyone. What a great turn out of artist and art. It took awhile to figure out how and where to put it all and make each piece shine. I think we did a good job. The reception is this Friday, December 2nd at 6:00 pm. Elon Shomaker will be back doing his DJ thing. We would love to have you come and help us kick off the holiday season this Friday. We are sure to have a wonderful handmade gift for someone on your list! Remember to support your economy locally and give cheer globally.

Thanksgiving Weekend

2011-11-29T06:36:00.001-08:00

It started with a trip out to the antique barns. They happened to be closed but all was not lost. We saw these old abandoned houses on the way so we stopped to take a peak. They were old juvenile correctional houses from the 20's. The houses were so beautiful in all their decay and probably hold stories we couldn't even imagine. It was a dark beauty juxtaposed with such a great fall day. The guys went in to explore while cutie and I stayed outside on our own adventure. There were old pianos and furniture just left to rot inside. Windows were busted out with lace curtains flowing in the wind. We want to go back out and explore some more.

Our small Thanksgiving Feast was a welcomed treat with all we have going on right now. Don't get me wrong we do love the house filled with people and tons of noise on most Holidays so this was a different experience to actually fit everyone at one table. The highlight of the feast was the cheese stuffed pumpkin. The link to the recipe is here : Cheese stuffed pumpkin recipe. I have dreamed about this since last Thursday! The company was great and the food delicious.

We went uptown to the Thanksgiving Parade. We love the parades Charlotte holds. It is a really fun experience. It was the perfect day and a perfect way to get the festivities started.

We found this years perfect Christmas tree. The smell and lights have set the mood in the house. I can't believe it is almost here.

And the big project I am in the middle of now. The clean slate before we started the new installation. We are getting ready for the big reception this Friday night. I will post the after pictures later tonight. It is the biggest show I have curated with so many different artists and mediums. It truly is a Handmade Holiday! You can do all your shopping in one spot. The reception should be a great time this Friday.

Sushi Workshop and Thanksgiving Printables

2011-11-23T03:51:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful time last Saturday at the space with the Charlotte Eat up Club. They took the intimidation factor out of making Sushi. Thanks to Chris. Everyone made their own rolls and as the night went on the confidence brought some beautifully executed sushi. The concept of the eat up club is so logical it's ingenious. To share a quote from the site: "It's about time Charlotte started a place for good people to share good food! Let the connections, inspirations, friendships and fullness commence!" It was nice to mingle with new faces and enjoy a great meal under the disco ball.

Keihly suggested we have one at the space after a Saturday Yoga class. We were honored to have it there and to now be a part of it. To see the great photos Keihly took of the night click the link here: Sushi Photos. If you are interested in joining just let us know and we will pass along the information.

I printed these pages and cut out each question one year. I placed them on the Thanksgiving table near each plate. They brought out some really interesting conversations. If you want to give it a try this year print them out and see what dialog you can create...

3 Things for the Weekend...

2011-11-18T09:12:00.001-08:00

We were able to go to the opening night of the 2011 Charlotte Auto Show on Wednesday. (Thank You Vinoo & Ally) The new cars were interesting but I have to say my favorite was the pristine antique car section with cars on loan from the local auto club. Everything about those cars is rich in detail and beauty. The aesthetics of them are just so attractive. It is always so mesmerizing to stare at the perfect compliment of function and beauty. I would love to attach one of these hood ornaments on my car now. It is going on throughout the weekend at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Another great time this weekend is the Universoul Circus. I stumbled across it last year while at my favorite thrift store on Freedom Drive. They come once a year and set up in the Old Freedom Mart parking lot. I know people abhor the circus because of the animals. This circus is about 15% animals and the rest pure human athleticism and talent. It is a super fun event filled with an emphasis on community and great spirit. The ring master and his sidekick carry the show. There is NEVER a dull moment. Performers approach you throughout the show. The playlist is so fun everyone under the Big Top can't help but dance in between acts. The tickets are super cheap and you will never question if you received enough entertainment for the price. The message they put out along with the performance is a must see if you have the time!

Of course Last but not least! The closing reception for Jessica Moss will be tonight here at Studio K. If you are around and would like to get a chance to view this wonderful show please come in. We will be open with beverages and a snack while you peruse and talk with the artist from 6:00-9:00 tonight. I really enjoyed working with Jessica and having her pieces fill the space for the past few weeks.

A Night of Murder Mystery and CLUE

2011-11-15T10:38:00.001-08:00

The above is a picture of our first family photo shoot. I will have to do a full post of our shoots over the years sometime soon. The first year we did this we came up with the idea to do the cover of the board game CLUE. Erik Saxon from WSOC TV had done a video shoot of me painting one day at my studio and it lead to him being the perfect candidate to shoot the photos and we could not have been happier. He got into all the themes and really made the day so much fun.

Which leads me to the below pictures...

We have always wanted to do a murder mystery dinner. Probably where we schemed up the idea for the CLUE picture. When we saw the Groupon for one in our area we had to get it. We all relived our CLUE moment and got dressed up for a night on the town. It really was such a fun experience.

2011-11-11T08:59:00.001-08:00

Chanee from {me}longings made this amazing video

from the opening reception last Friday.

You can check out her the full post here: {me}longings

Hey Ladies...

2011-11-10T11:26:00.001-08:00

I thought I would do a feature on the woman's room here at 2024. The structure we were starting with was much like the mens room, falling apart. It was fun to put it back together with our touch. In the mens room we designed the room around the antler chandelier. In the ladies room we wanted to design it around the wallpaper. We found this vintage digitally remastered butterfly print. We placed a portion of it on the main wall and underneath the carrera marble countertop. We accented it by painting the wall a purple color we pulled from the wings which helped it pop off the wall. Another little touch I love was painting the stalls a bright pink that incapsulate you when the door closes. We added in the perfect wired light that is oversized just enough to add another geometric pattern to the space. The large porcelain floor tiles are a faux white suede that give a subtle texture to the light feel of the floor. We also added our little vintage accents that inspire the space. The beautiful velvet portrait painting (yes I said velvet painting and beautiful together) is a perfect overlay on the wallpaper. I love the art deco ash tray that houses the soap and the lipstick caddy that adorns the back of the toilet.

Before

After

2011-11-08T09:07:00.000-08:00

We went uptown to my favorite little hot spot "museum alley" last Thursday. We were invited to the Democratic National Convention Open House and Bernardin's Fine Dining Opening Night in the historic Ratcliffe building. Thanks to Rosalie who we met at the Elizabeth Home tour dinner for

inviting us to the Bernardine's opening.

1. Chalk Board paint has taken over parts of the DNCC office.

2. The meeting board in action in the Chief of Staffs office that we installed.

3. Convention Countdown!

4. Such interesting memorabilia all over the office from the staff - A little note from P. Diddy

5. Tickets from Oprah's House and an Air Force One clearance tag.

6. Wonderful galleries have really pulled together some beautiful local artists to display their works all over the halls. It adds such great energy and presence. Charlotte really has some amazing talent.

7. The history behind the Ratcliffe building is super intriguing and the details in the architecture are a treat to see. The new restaurant has added some modern accents with the lighting and art work but the original architectural details still shine. The appetizers we had were good and the menu looks really great. The best spot in the house is a single table upstairs that looks down to the restaurant and out to the beautiful city. I can't wait to go back and enjoy a nice meal & evening.

I love taking a moment at events here in the space to grab a shot from the outside.

This could REVISITED: A Silent Collaboration Opening Reception was a huge success. Jessica Moss created a great show. The turn out and energy of all who came and performed was perfect.

We loved the vibe that Elon the DJ gave to the place that he is coming back for the

Handmade Holiday Reception on December 2nd.

To view all the photos from the night click here:

Opening Reception Photos

Full Circle

2011-11-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

I had my first show in Charlotte in 2005 at the Art House. Jim found me at the Green Market uptown and asked if I would be interested in having my own show. Of course I jumped at the opportunity! I look back at the pictures now of my beginning and am glad for the growth and the chance that I was given.

Jessica Moss came to me telling me that the building operating at that point as the Grin Factory had been seized by the city because of constant flooding and she had no where to have her scheduled show. I of course had to give her the same chance I had been given six years earlier.

Jess received her BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and now is the studio manager at Braitman Studio Art School. Her show, This could be REVISITED: A Silent Collaboration is visually enticing and color pleasing. Her premise for the show was to take the discarded canvases and pieces of art from the studio where she works and "silently" collaborate with the artist who first gave the piece life. She has added her own story on top & along with those discarded works to create her own beautiful show.

The opening reception will be held Friday, November 4th. She has two friends who will be performing during the reception to add even more energy to the space. She will also have her closing reception on Friday, November 18th. We would love to have you join us here at Studio K to see these new works.

IPhone Pictures and Photo Apps

2011-10-28T06:19:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share some of my recent IPhone pictures. Little moments that I have captured of life. art and of course my little muse. It is amazing having the phone and being able to take pictures at any given moment. I have been trying to be better at carrying my Nikon with me but it is just so convenient because the phone always seems to be there. Some apps I love to manipulate my pictures with are Infinicam. Camera Bag. Picfx. 100 Camera. Fotoffiti and Instagram. Another app I have fallen in love with is Photo365 (image above). It is a place to document your life in photographs. Everyday you enter a photo for that day. It is great to look back at blocks of time in photographs. I am not necessarily a writer so this is a great way to journal my days in image form.

L.E.A.F.-Lake Eden Arts Festival

2011-10-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

The Lake Eden Arts Festival has become a tradition for us. It is a multi cultural art. music and outdoor festival held in Black Mountain every Fall and Spring. It has something for everyone and is a true celebration to the arts. It is hard to capture the stunning beauty of the surroundings and the color of all the leaves. That in itself was enough. The music, people and activities were an added bonus. Supporting the arts is a definite must on our list and this festival has such a trickle down effect on the organizations it benefits outside of the actual festival. If you have a chance to check it out you really should. You can camp, rent a cabin or buy day passes to accommodate your desires. It sells out and keeps getting huge recognition so if you are interested

in getting tickets you should do it early!

2011-10-20T05:32:00.000-07:00

Jeremy Russell's abstracts fill the space this month with beautiful layers and intensity. I have been waiting for the perfect moment to wrap art around the walls and when he brought these pieces in I knew we had found that moment. He lives in Asheville now and is planning on opening studio and gallery space in the River District there. His pieces are perfectly priced and of super quality.

Laura Vasseur brought in these stunning pieces that have a unique transported feel. Laura is a graphic designer who has found her niche in between commissions with oil painting and creating a beautiful haze for the viewer to get lost in.

Cutie's new art work on display. She now makes specific pieces and collections for her space which is just too much!

The space is really open this month. It is a nice change from having it filled to the brim before. On the docket for November is a show by Jessica Moss, This Could be REVISITED. The opening reception will be on Friday, November 4th. Marian Mereba- singer, songwriter and Elon Shomaker-Solid Gold DJ will be performing at the opening reception. I will post more on the upcoming show next week.

Handmade Holidays begins November 22nd. You can support your local artists and buy beautiful gifts at great prices. Spread cheer globally, support your economy locally.

Democratic National Convention Office

2011-10-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

We are finally posting some images from the wonderful project we did in August at the Democratic National Convention "Headquarters" It was exciting to come up with the concepts and work with all the people involved with the convention. We were grateful for such a amazing opportunity.

Halloween Decor

2011-10-11T18:49:00.000-07:00

Disco Party at Studio K

2011-10-09T16:30:00.000-07:00

Our good friend who also professionally resides in 2024 had her birthday bash in the space this weekend. We turned Studio K into Studio 71 including a red velvet rope and a VIP champagne room. It was a blast and it was great to take the disco ball back to its roots.

Click here to see the entire Disco Party photo album

The Old School show came down this week and I installed new works in the space. Jeremy Russell a Charlotte native who now lives in Asheville and Laura Vasseur another local artist have some great pieces in the space this month. I will post pictures this week of the new installation and a closer look into their works.

Elizabeth Home Tour Dinner

2011-10-02T18:35:00.000-07:00

We were grateful to have the Elizabeth Home Tour Dinner in our space on Saturday. 2024 was filled with participants from the home tour. It was our first seated dinner in the studio and it could not have been better. The people, food and ambiance created such an amazing night. Thanks for letting us be apart of it and your great neighborhood.

2011-09-25T16:09:00.000-07:00

Kids Community Art Project
Beautiful gift from the great artist Johnie Mae Murray
New Painting from Festival in the Park artist, Jeremy Russell
I sold IV. and it couldn't be a better match.
Loved the overcast weekend
A successful event on Friday at the gallery for Elyse Dashew

2011-09-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

The Old School Show comes down on October 2nd. It was really fun curating and seeing all the unique perspectives of the theme come together. I am going to miss having the walls filled with all the different artist but we do have new and exciting things for the Holidays. If you are interested in submitting works for the holiday season at Studio K please contact us we are still looking for 6x6 works and gift items.

A couple more opportunities to see the show:

We will be open late tomorrow with food and drinks to view the art and meet Elyse Dashew, School Board Candidate.

We will have a kids art station set up too!

Next weekend is the Elizabeth Home Tour. We will be open and set up for those of you who want to drop in while you are touring the beautiful homes and gardens. We will have some drinks and food for you to refuel.

Natural Light

2011-09-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

BRINGS OUT THE MAGIC...

Fisher and Paykel Showroom Kitchen Lunch

2011-09-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

Our Showroom kitchen still needs a couple finishing details but we put it to great use on Friday. I have really only had a chance to use the 12 minute "emergency" clean on the drawer pull dishwasher so far. David the Fisher and Paykel representative (our personal Santa) cooked the most delicious lunch while teaching us all the amazing things our kitchen appliances can do yesterday. We had a preliminary meeting earlier in the week to pick out recipes from their website (link below). We had a mix of vegetarians and meat eaters so we picked an assortment of recipes, none of which disappointed.

On the menu: Cheese Rolls. Prime Roast. Asparagus. Roasted Potatoes. Goat Cheese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with a Balsamic Reduction. Stuffed Raviolis and Marinara.

The Cheese Rolls we modified from the menu into Cheese Toasts but they are a must! You need to make these they have a little kick to them. The recipe is located in the vegetarian section of the site. I do not eat meat but I was seriously thinking about it. There is a probe that you stick into the oven then into the core of the meat. It perfectly cooks and monitors the roasting process so it is fault proof every time. It was a delicious lunch. We are excited to show off our beautiful new kitchen and to create such awesome dishes to enjoy in our beautiful space. Thank You David and Fisher and Paykel.

Click to access Link:

Before and After

2011-09-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

Some new wood collages in the works...

I was eyeing this piece for awhile in a local thrift store. It finally occured that I could transform it into my desk at the studio. I sanded and painted the piece high gloss white. I then ordered an additional piece of glass to span off the one side. We had found these hand forged shelf brackets on super clearance at Anthropologie earlier knowing we would someday be able to put them to use. It is the perfect space to spread things out and work from. The front cabinets open up to storage and shelving. The piece was hand constructed. I would love to know its original story but I am glad it is part of ours now.

Still Waiting

2011-09-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

A perfect weekend of Photographs, Projects, Quiet Time, Home, Good Food, Art and Fun...

The Creative Director is still looking over our ditty for approval. As soon as she gives us the OK I will be able to post the before and after pictures. Sorry it has taken longer than we anticipated. In lieu of the real photographs I did include the renditions we submitted when designing the floor space. We were able to work in many different areas of function which gave us lots of pieces to add into the layout. We changed a few things as the project evolved but we stuck to our initial plan in regards to the configuration.

The bold colors really made this project fun.

We hope to get the post of the whole design up soon!

Democratic National Convention Kick off and a Birthday

2011-09-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

The Democratic National Convention Kick off was yesterday uptown. It was a very engaging event and really a true kick off to all the great things it is going to bring to the city. We had the honor of designing the Chief of Staffs office in uptown Charlotte. I will post the before and after pictures of the space tomorrow. It is a was a challenge to transform the vacant sterile room. Though once we got started we transformed it into a modern office space

with various meeting and work areas with a great

graphic punch. (on a very limited budget too)

Where did five years go? We had a great day celebrating. Every stage has been an adventure that has only made our life more exciting. Thank You!

Home Tour Featured at {me}longings

2011-09-04T19:53:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Chanee Vijay

Our good friend Chanee Vijay, the talent behind {me}longings has featured our home on this weeks Friday Friendly Home Tour. She took some great photographs. It was nice to see her perspective on our design and the way she was able to capture the things we live with everyday. We enjoyed having her in our home this week and reminding us that home really is

where the heart is.

Thank You Chanee.

You can see the tour here:

{me}longings blog

Flickr:

more shots to view

Tableware and Accessories

2011-08-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

We were asked to catalog some of our vintage treasures. There is an exhibit that is being curated on tableware and accessories that a few of our pieces might help in the execution of the exhibit. It was nice to pull out the wares and snap the photos. The pieces are used when we entertain or rotate the ever changing displays in our home. They were purchased because they hold some sort of nostalgic memory and mostly because the quality and beauty these products hold are just something that is rare to find today in the world of the mass produced. It is nice to be surrounded by their unique form, functionality and beauty.

We also completed our first week of kindergarten and got back somewhat to a routine.

Uptown Amphitheater NC Music Factory

2011-08-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

I have been to the Fillmore but we have never been to a show outside at the uptown amphitheater. We were lucky to see two great shows there this weekend with Guster and My Morning Jacket. Plus the amazing opening acts Jack's Mannequin and Neko Case. It is a wonderful venue. I don't know why it took us this long to check it out but if you live in Charlotte you should put it on your list of things to experience.

Holidays at the Studio

2011-08-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a place to showcase your handmade items for the holidays please submit your works to us here at Studio K. We are now accepting submissions for the upcoming season. We are looking for some great original pieces so people can give the gift of handmade. These pieces will start filling the studio in November. This will be in conjunction with the 6x6 group exhibit with a holiday reception on Friday, December 2nd.

E-mail your submission to studiokate@me.com

If you are looking for a place to have a party this season. We can help you host an event here at 2024. Contact us for a meeting to walk through the space and discuss your upcoming needs.

(you can view previous events at the photos on our Face Book link)

Summer 2011

2011-08-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

Where did the summer go... Looking back through the pictures we didn't have many lazy days of summer. We did have lots of adventures, laughter and experience so we can say it was lived to the fullest. I will miss my business partner when she returns to school but I am excited to get back to a routine and hopefully improve my art productivity and marketing of Studio K. So much to do and more importantly so much to enjoy!

Commission Piece

2011-08-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for the long time support I have had from these wonderful clients. For her birthday this year she has asked for a painting of mine to adorn the above beautiful wall. Her idea is of a marsh scene from the low country. The ceilings are super high and will hold a large scale piece. I am thinking we are going to do a perfect 7 foot square. For my birthday weekend I was surprised with a trip to Hilton Head. I was able to take some of the concept pictures below to get my brushes going. I will post some progress pictures as they evolve. I am really excited about this project.

Studio Updates...

2011-08-11T06:02:00.000-07:00

We are excited to have Duy Huynh's cards in the studio now. Sandy and Duy have their amazing gallery, Lark and Key, in Southend.

It was up to the minute last Friday night but we did it. It was a great team effort to get the kitchen to this point so thank you. David, the Fisher Paykel representative who supplied us with the amazing appliances for this showroom kitchen was happy with the results so far. We still need to install the hood, backsplash, bar table slab and some art. It is so nice to have the kitchen in the space and will hopefully bring positive results to all

who worked on creating it. I will post more pictures and information when it is at a 100%.

The Old School show was a great success. The turn out was incredible and the people just as great. Deborah Triplett took some amazing photos at the reception which are on Studio K's Face Book page. Chanee Vijay from {me}longings did an amazing post on her blog from the show. Thank you to all who came and for your support for Studio K and all the artist participating. The show will be up until October 1st if you have not see it yet!

Cutie at work

2011-08-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

Here is her office /fort at the studio. It is under the stairs and where I often long to take a nap. She would prefer opening and closing the register and sitting on top of my desk though.

Helping me touch up the paint...

When at the local thrift store getting some props for the Old School show Cutie asked me if she could get some chapter books. When we arrived home she placed them on the counter for a wipe down...

What work day would be complete without some face painting & dress up...

Even Brother Bear got some paint...

Evolving

2011-07-31T20:14:00.000-07:00

I had to post some pictures of my first studio space in Charlotte at Green Rice Gallery. They closed their doors this Saturday & are moving to a virtual online gallery. I remember us designing and building my new corner in the gallery & all the promise the new space held. It was a wonderful beginning. It is where I started to pursue my art as a full time career. The memories and lessons I learned at Green Rice are priceless.

The showroom kitchen took a big turn this weekend. After a few paint sample tries we found a color scheme that worked. We are still trying to figure out the lighting fixture to install so for now we are just using work lights. The kitchen should be 95% before our opening reception on Friday believe it or not.

The Old School show was installed today. I went into the gallery to have some quiet moments to organize the layout and purpose of the space. Mister spent the day with cutie so I could stay focused. It really helped to have that time to make sure the details and extras will play off and enhance the overall theme of the show. Especially since camp ended Friday and she will be my business partner for the next few weeks. There is still a lot to finalize. The show has been set and has a really good feel though. I am excited for the opening this Friday.

Photography Project

2011-07-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

Awhile back I was asked to donate some time and take some photographs at the great organization Care Ring. They help people who fall through the cracks of the traditional health care system. It was such a moving and enlightening experience. I went with nurses into homes for first time low-income mothers and photographed in the clinic a few days. I then held a show with all the photographs in my old space to feature the wonderful people and the wonderful cause. Their new website features the photos I took. If you are ever looking for a local cause to help your community this would definitely be one to support.

To see the photos and learn more about Care Ring click here.

2011-07-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for the Old School group show has me reminiscing about the 80's engagement party we had awhile back.

Setting the ambiance was fun to create with reinvented

thrift store pieces and finding my inner doodle again.

The invitation:

I found these denim molded pants at the thrift store and

knew they could be transformed into the table center piece.

We took neon paper to make t-shirts and everyone wrote a funny story they had about the couples to hang out their

"dirty laundry" on the line.

Back from our trip to some new & exciting things...

2011-07-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

A new batch of watercolor cards are now finished and being packaged.

The beautiful new cabinets by Built Wright Woodworks are installed. The new Fisher & Paykel kitchen appliances come this week. We are so excited to have this showroom kitchen installed in our building & the great things that are to come from it! I will keep posting pictures as things progress.

And of course the second group show, Old School, is right around the corner. The artists have been bringing in their art work. I am so excited to see the show hung in the space. There is a ton of work to be done before the opening on August 5th, but it is going to look great!

Happy Weekend!

2011-07-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

2011-07-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

We were looking for a creative way to label the restrooms downstairs. When looking online you will find some very humorous references. We chose to go a more artistic route. The ladies room piece was purchased from Untamed Menagerie on Etsy. The silver stag was found at Urban Outfitters.

Printable Note Cards

2011-07-19T08:06:00.000-07:00

I just finished a batch of new watercolor images to make some new stationary to sell in the studio. I thought I would share one of the new images in a set of note cards for you to print.

Wall Collage with a Twist

2011-07-18T08:49:00.000-07:00

I love collaging various paintings new & old on a focal wall in a room. I buy the Frack Mirror from Ikea for $4.99 as a creative way to house a smaller piece. It adds a little twist to the wall & gives a 3d element to create a visual break in the wall of paintings.

2024 Men's Room Before & After

2011-07-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

The bathrooms were falling apart when we moved into

the building. We had a vision for the men's room but we could not use our whole budget on the white antler chandelier that

we "needed" to complete the space. So... we ordered a

custom cast made antler chandelier for a ton less & then spray painted it in a high heat white gloss paint.

Other finishes to note: the floors are plank wood tiles, we painted the walls and ceilings all black, we left the exposed brick wall on the back (a nice surprise during demo), we left the urinal (of course), added a suspended reclaimed door as a divider, we found the awesome sink at a ferguson clearance warehouse (missing the wall brackets so we built our own), built a wood plank back splash so to speak and painted it a high gloss white, and added some little thrift store accessory touches to make it whole.

Love

2011-07-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

Pallet Craze

2011-07-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

The use of pallets in various applications has really caught on the past couple of years. Here are two of our uses at 2024. One is of Cutie's gallery space to display her most current works. The other is the back massive stairwell wall we had to fill. We took an oversized pallet and used the variated greens from the front entrance and painted the front pieces and added the old metal letters on top.

Thrifting

2011-07-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

Some recent vintage finds.

Stationary

2011-07-11T06:56:00.000-07:00

When at a friends house this weekend I saw one of our New Year's cards posted in their kitchen. I was reminded how much I loved our cards this year. how I need to get back on track with my resolutions & how much I love Paper Culture. Don't get me wrong I love making my own stationary but it's nice to have it made for you sometimes too. If you are looking for some beautiful choices Paper Culture is great. They have unique designs and great company ethics. With every order they plant a tree in your honor & they use 130lb paper which is made from 100% post consumer recycled materials.

DIY Installation

2011-07-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

I love finding vintage tchotchke's on my thrifting adventures. I like to give them new life by assembling them into sculptures. I had collected quite a few that needed a new home. When we moved into the new space I had a massive stairwell to fill with something interesting. I took an old mantel taken out of a house and filled it with the mismatched collection. I spray painted them all the same color white and arranged them across the mantel in an interesting way. This concept can be done on a smaller scale in between books on a shelf. I think it would be great to add one in color to the sea of white. The possibilities are endless. These trinkets are inexpensive and easy to come by.

Old School

2011-07-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

The Studio

2011-07-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

Exploring the world with creative eyes and appreciation. Curating life's surroundings and the daily finds from operating a working studio and gallery in Charlotte. NC. The picture above is the wonderful space I get to run. My "open" sign was a great find on ETSY by TomToupin. He recreated the K in my logo. I love flipping it on everyday when I arrive to work.