my love for you is a stampede of horses.

Adele in Vogue.

I stopped reading fashion magazines a few years ago, after I was finally able to leave high end retail. I realized I was still buying them but never really looking through them. I stopped purchasing them due to a combination of things, but I mainly stopped because the magazines ultimately left me feeling less than and overwhelmed with what I didn't look like (or didn't have).

I'm approaching fourty in July and the only advice I can give to younger readers of this blog is to not believe the hype. It is true, that the older you get the more confident you become and the less things really bother you -- at least that has been my experience. Don't believe the hype.

I am forever grateful for the growth that time has given me. However, like most women, I still struggle with not being what the media thinks I should look like. It's hard to not worry about the young women around me. Seeing women like Adele being championed, is exhilarating and affirming. She's talented and so strong. It's fabulous to see her gracing the cover of Vogue and getting all of the attention she deserves.

Every time I see, read or hear an interview with Adele -- I feel so empowered by her. This 'behind the scenes' video of her during the Vogue cover shoot is just another example of that empowering vibe she emanates in every way. I love how earnest and humble she is, yet so very strong and fierce at the same time. 

Adele doesn't disappoint in this video...however I can't say that about the actual cover of Vogue — it's discouraging to see that they airbrushed the bejeezus out of her (just by watching the video you can tell). But baby steps, ladies, baby steps. *sigh*

Be sure to read the accompanying interview too. So good.

Music: Laura Gibson.

I'm not sure if it's been the winter or what (as that's barely an excuse in San Francisco) but I have been in a rut music wise (and watching way too much Law & Order). Although I have had Adele on repeat since Sunday...

I was on Pinterest earlier (always Pinterest!) and Kate Miss pinned a gorgeous image from photographer, Parker Fitzgerald. Oh boy! Such beautiful, moody photographs. He's really got talent. But this post isn't about completely about him, but you should traverse his site and blog, as I did. That's where I found the photos he took of singer/songwriter Laura Gibson. Which led me to her music.

If you enjoy folky, singer songwriter stuff you may like her. I am sure she hear's this often -- but if you like Joanna Newsom and Coco Rosie. Laura is your new girl.

I've been listening all night. Partly because she offers 5 free downloads if you like her page, but also because I bought her new album, La Grande. Oh and now I am listening to her All Songs Considered Tiny Desk concert (which it sounds like this was the very first performance for Tiny Desk, which is fabulous). So yeah, you could say I'm hooked.

All photographs by Parker Fitzgerald.

Valerie Hammond.

I've been home sick all day. One of the best things about my job is that when I can't stop sneezing, I can work from my bed. That never could have been possible working in retail. ;) So to shake myself out of cabin fever I spent the evening looking at new to me blogs and of course Pinterest. Always Pinterest, lately.

I spotted Valerie Hammond on Westervin. Hammond works in a variety of mediums...and works well in all of them, I might add. Not always an easy feat so it's great to see an artist transpire there talent. Such gorgeous pieces! Perfect for my foggy head.

From her artist statement:

Valerie Hammond has always been drawn to places and objects that are full of mystery. The expressive and devotional qualities of church shrines, ex-votos, and Asian art ranging from Tibetan medical drawings to Buddhist sculptures serve as inspiration for the artist. As spiritual objects, they possess the ability to impart on the viewer a sense of enchantment grounded by human connectivity, and this offering of transformation echoes Hammond's desire to record both the tangible and elusive aspects of the human condition in her work.

 

Twitterview: Jenny Hart.

image by Aubrey Edwards for Juxtapoz.

This week, readers and twitterers continue the conversation with artists and creative types in a brand new Twitterview with Jenny Hart.

An avid stitcher and a savvy business woman, Jenny is a fine artist and the proprietor of Sublime Stitching. I've long admired Jenny for her love of embroidery and strong passion for it. I really believe she is one of the movers and shakers to bring 'craft' back to the forefront and make it relevant again today.

I asked you what you wanted to hear from Jenny and you tweeted back some great questions...and Jenny answered graciously. You had great questions and Jenny was super in depth with her answers. Thanks for taking part!

Where you exposed to traditional crafts growing up? -- @momochan1974

Yes and no. I didn't really have any interest in crafting when I was younger because it was super, super uncool in the 80's. It seemed like a throwback to the 70's and was something you did in elementary school as a kid.

But, I loved to make things and work with my hands. I focused more on making art, drawing, photography etc. I didn’t do any sort of needlework growing up (but I did learn to knit when I was 10). Then, my interests seriously shifted, and so did the interests of my generation, and the DIY movement started happening. I became fascinated with embroidery, but had never done it and didn’t know how.

How did you first get interested in embroidery? -- @TheTypology

I became interested in embroidery by the mid-90's (I was in college), probably from going to flea markets and antique malls all the time and being given my grandmother’s linens. But I didn't take my first stitch until the summer of 2000.

Whenever I came across hand-embroidery I thought it looked so beautiful and wanted to see it used with non-traditional imagery or large, elaborate portraits. My father was very sick for many years, and it was during some difficult times that I first gave it a try. I became instantly addicted and obsessed with it because it alleviated the stress of what I was going through at the time.

I wanted to teach everyone how to embroider, and I wanted to embroider all the time.

I'd love to hear about how you switched from a 9-5 life to making art a full-time career. --  @butterflyinrvrs

That’s hard to answer briefly. I wrote a series of columns for Venus called “Crafting a Business” about my experiences becoming self-employed but they’re no longer online (I’m going to compile and re-release them). I also couldn’t say “making art” is my full time job. I spend less than 10% of my time “making art”. I manage my own  business every day (bills, taxes, inventory, etc) and the creative part is still a very small aspect of it. My own goal is to become a full-time working artist, so in a sense, I’m still making that switch!

What is the best way to learn beginner embroidery? -- @DesertNanaRetro

The best way is to have someone show you in person. If that's not possible, I try to make my kits and instructions the next best thing. 

When I wanted to learn embroidery, I had no idea how to do it, had no experience sewing, and books on embroidery were very intimidating, confusing and out-of-date. So, I try to write and put together everything in the way that makes sense to me. I created Sublime Stitching to be the company I wished existed when I was trying to learn embroidery and wanted updated resources and design.

What is the best transfer tools? Pens or pencils and favorite brands? -- @MaLora_Ann

I think Sulky's transfer pens are the best! This is also good stuff to have on hand: Heavy Duty Tracing Paper.

Which do you find more frustrating, Knot tying or Needle Threading? -- @luckyjjackson

Knot tying.

Do any type of projects intimidate you and how do you tackle them? -- @TMunderground

Manufacturing projects are the most intimidating projects for me. It is extremely, extremely tough to make a product you envision as an independent designer. From the design, to the materials, to the finished product – a million things can go wrong with manufacturing. You can make bad decisions, your manufacturer (which might take you years to find) can screw something up, the end product might not be as successful as you hoped… I’m not a factory, I don’t have a print shop, I don’t have a team of sewers or illustrators on staff (I have two employees right now one full-time, one part-time). I have to pull those resources together on my own. And, because I can’t afford the best illustrators or designers – I do most of that work myself.

At the same time, it’s one of my favorite things to do. I tackle it by constant research, trial and error and maintaining strong relationships with those who work out for what I’d wanted to create. Even though it’s hard, frustrating work, I think it’s fun and satisfying when it works out.

Thanks so much Jenny! If you'd like to see more from Jenny this is what she has coming up over the next few months:

Drawing Now (contemporary drawing salon) Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France. March 29 - April 1, 2012

Needlework Revolution (workshop) Fowler Museum* at UCLA, Los Angeles, California. March 31, 2012 2-4pm

*She'll also be doing a collaborative art project in conjunction with the Alighiero Boetti show at the Fowler 

40 under 40: Craft Futures (group show) at Smithsonian American Art Museum Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC. Opens: July 20, 2012 - February 3, 2013 (will tour nationally)

Richard Mosse Infrared Photography.

Using film that was once used as military surveillance to identify areas of camoflauge in war torn areas, photographer RIchard Mosse captures parts of the Republic of Congo with kodak aerochrome infrared color film. Mosse employs it in a way that brings exagerated beauty to an area that's struggled with horrendeous massacres and systematic violence — giving the viewer a look through dis-jointed rose colored glasses. Gorgoues and disturbing.

found via Girl, Obsessed.