April 10, 2006
besame mucho...
I took this photo when Aiko was here. We were headed up to the Cloisters.
It is surprising how terrible she (the singer, I mean) was...how unbelievably wrong her voice was.
But something made her really amazing.
Something just made me watch...her sing Besame Mucho.
Posted by wendy at 07:37 AM | Comments (8)
April 03, 2006
a naked cowboy...
This was my first time ever seeing the Naked Cowboy.
{A quick little research on the web and I found out he has his own website. I don't really know why I am surprised. I have more than one website, so why shouldn't he.}
I had just moved to the city and wham there was a naked guy walking in Times Square. I was shocked. Then he did a little turn and I saw that he had some tighty-whiteys on and I was a bit less shocked. Still pretty surprised. More surprised though by the business people walking by, they didn't even give him a second look. I mean the guy is playing his guitar in underwear for crying out loud.
I have seen Naked Cowboy quite a few times since my first encounter and the shock has worn off. So those businessmen going to lunch must see him everyday, therefore no shock.
Living and working in this big city I have seen countless strange things, people dressed in the most ridiculous outfits. Carrying anything and everything on the subway. It seems so normal now. I guess what is strange is how normal changes.
Posted by wendy at 08:11 AM | Comments (8)
March 20, 2006
subway music...
This man, I don't even remember. Most of the players, I see repeatedly. I have never seen him again and I don't recall how he played or where I captured this image.
I adore his face - the slight smile. But I knew, when I saw the print, that I never saw the exit sign prominently above his head. I love those moments. When you get your film back and are pleasantly surprised by what you see.
(and thanks for all the comments on my latest painting - really need to paint it, but kind of unsure at the same time...thank you for the support)
Posted by wendy at 07:42 AM | Comments (1)
February 24, 2006
...painting for friday #15...
I feel a bit like I have two different painters in me.
One like last weeks painting, and this sort of 'cute' style.
I guess it is the gemini in me.
Any thoughts?
One of my favorite things about the N/R 23rd street stop is a different hat representing a famous and iconic person. I wait by Eleanor Roosevelt’s hat when I am headed home. But I love the moments like the one above...
Posted by wendy at 07:40 AM | Comments (8)
February 17, 2006
...painting for friday #14...
(this was an accidental collaboration with Johanna - she left some partial canvas behind and I painted this lady over it.)
The paintings for friday are back.
I know that you have missed them terribly.
I took some time off for the holidays, not like Lisa who has been amazing at getting her drawing-a-day's done. They are so lovely if you haven't seen them yet. After I took time off, I changed positions at work, got slammed with Fashion Week and tried to sew my little hands out for the Love4Sale event last weekend.
Which couldn't have been a better introduction to fairs. The women that surrounded me where amazing.
Across from me was Jane (one of my trade friends) and Karla of Slope Suds. Delicious products. Really tasty items.
On my right was two wonderful ladies - Alice & Kristin- with jewelry (only Kristin has a website that is up).
On my left was the lovely Kristen Aronsson.
Her shoes.
Amazing.
Plus she had these amazing bags that felt like butter.
And the equally lovely Angie with her simple and bold jewelry, whom I traded with but she doesn't have a website. (hopefully yet)
I was lucky enough to make a couple of trades.
I LOVE trades.
I am able to get things for myself that I would normally never buy.
I would love, but not ever allow myself to buy.
Firstly I got an amazing skirt from Kathy the brains behind the event. Her son picked out one of the inside out penguins and I got this lovely skirt.
People started showing up late in the afternoon and the wonderfuly talented Aurora put me into the black. What a truely amazing and talented countess.
Then as the sale winded down (it never really winded up - threat of a blizzard can do that).
The trades started to fly. And I snapped up two more.
First was with the hilarious Jane of Foxy & Winston. She got one of the sad-eyed little penguins (she named him Percival) and I got some great notecards. Lovely lovely.
Then I traded with Angie a beautiful coral necklace from her new line.
Oh goodness. She doesn't have a website but I think she'll be at Renegade in Brooklyn this year. Angie brought home Gordon & Sid (see the previous post).
I have quite a few left and wondered if people were interested in buying them. I'll put up photos up soon. Send me an email if you'd like to be notified when that happens. wendyATgreengirlartDOTcom.
Have a great weekend.
Posted by wendy at 10:35 AM | Comments (9)
February 13, 2006
...a blizzard...
Well I think technically it can't be called a blizzard because the winds weren't quite fast enough.
The snow is deep and white.
For now.
Love 4 Sale was amazing. Sales were slow, but the people were amazing (I will share later). I am still processing the fact that I don't have to sew madly for a while.
Posted by wendy at 01:53 AM | Comments (8)
February 06, 2006
...wonder & pipes...
I guess I am attracted to children listening to the music in the subways.
They have such pure responses to whom is playing.
Wonder and Delight.
Posted by wendy at 01:04 PM | Comments (8)
January 24, 2006
...music underground...
One of the things that I loved when I moved to New York was walking onto the subway platform and hearing music. Always.
Music, as a soundtrack in the background of the speed of nyc.
After a bit of time (when I stopped getting lost all the time) I would bring my camera with me and take some shots. I'll begin to post some of them up here.
I shoot with mostly 3200 speed film. Which means for non-photographers that I don't need a lot of light to get my shot. Then as a prints it gets really grainy and lovely texture.
This flute player played at 1/9 line on the 66th Street stop. (Lincoln center) He was so expressive with his playing, and would stand in this really wide stance.
Really move and sway while playing...
Posted by wendy at 07:19 AM | Comments (8)
January 23, 2006
...inside out penguin...
So I am testing out a new creation for the "Love for Sale" show in February.
Just wanted to get some feedback.
Love it?
Hate it?
Here are all the amazing people participating in the show. It is at The Old Stone House Saturday, February 11th 10-5 (at J. J. Byrne Park, 5th Ave. between 3rd & 4th street in Park Slope)
Smartypants
The Chocolate Room
fofolle
Sylvia Holden
Luka Deisgns
Slope Suds
Kristen Aronsson
Foxy & Winston
Elaine Perlov
There are a couple more vendors, but I don't have websites. The cool thing is that everyone is selling something completely different than anyone else. I feel very honored to be included.
If you know anyone that is going to be in town, it is Saturday February 11th only from 10 to 5 and I'll be there,
super nervous,
so come and say hi.
Posted by wendy at 06:44 AM | Comments (13)
January 12, 2006
...night glass...
I was able to see the holiday windows at Harry Winston (yes that Harry Winston), to see the amazing glasswork by Andy. I shouldn't even say work, because really it is art.
His pieces are so amazing it literally takes my breath away.
You really should stop reading this and go and check out his site!
No Really.
****I am getting spammed to death, so you have to sign up to make a comment, so sorry for the inconvenience*****
Posted by wendy at 05:44 PM | Comments (5)
January 03, 2006
...little things abound...
I am trying to look more at the world around me.
Having my brother come out and visit sort of wakes my everyday eyes up to see the things I just glide over with sleep and routine.
I was totally enamored of this little light man.
What do you think he's thinking?
He looks like he is reaching out, but for what?
Posted by wendy at 09:45 AM | Comments (4)
December 15, 2005
...happy holidays...
I am headed out on a plane today.
To a place where you can't by a 'special' tree on the street.
I love these stands because it smells so much like Christmas every time you walk by.
These trees all ready for a home.
I hope all your holidays are warm and lovely.
...HAPPY HOLIDAYS...
Posted by wendy at 08:08 AM | Comments (10)
November 14, 2005
...wondering in the city...
I totally traipsed around the city on Saturday and finally had my Lisa day. After going in and out of galleries all day I realized that I like my art comfortable and galleries are sort of cold. I feel really intimidated when I am there. Like they know that I couldn't afford anything in the place.
But I loved Jonathan LeVine gallery. One, was a couple with their daughter totally knocked out in her stroller, it sort of made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Two, they had Tim Buskut and you can’t go wrong there, but they also had a husband wife team of Plankton that I totally totally loved. I realized (after doing a little research on them) that I had met them briefly when I went to see Douglas Little’s exhibit at Barney’s. They were performing as Lord Whimsy and wife, so I didn’t get to have a real conversation with them (we did talk about scuba diving which totally makes since they were originally going to be marine biologists), but I am totally impressed by their scope of work. The painted these great sea creatures on wood panels with postcards that were attached. I loved sort of seeing through the paint here and there to see the post cards. The slight texture behind gave a bit of depth to these hyper flat images.
I have been totally drawn to that idea. Painting of found paper and the like. Julie West has some great gecco prints on paper. I loved it in Damon Soule and Trish Grantham. Those images have been swirling around my mind for a while now and I wonder how it will play out.
The image above is a little teaser for my first ever trade. Should be making its way to Canada and Tiffany this week. What do you think of my robot logo?
Posted by wendy at 10:07 AM | Comments (3)
November 05, 2005
...up for grabs...
Every once in awhile we do a painting job for a company that does home furnishings and they clean out shop for each season. That leaves us with bags of pillowcases and other home stuff.
I figured there would be lot of you crafty ladies who could use the stuff I have either as it was made or purely as free fabric. Yes you read it right. This little group is up for grabs. Jus email me what you are interested in and I will mail it off to you. First come first serve. There are about 15 different pieces and I will try and take down the items as they are claimed. Enjoy! The photos are on flickr!
I was wondering around the city today and saw this hotel sign and wondered really who would want to stay there or even better really is that the subliminal way of advertising? (maybe not so subliminal)
Posted by wendy at 05:17 PM | Comments (3)
October 17, 2005
...fancy...
This weekend was very out of the ordinary. This is not a normal event, but we had a fashion show in the studio for wedding fashion week. Which is different than normal fashion week I guess.
The shows (they actually had three) were amazing and beautiful. The clothes glowed. I took tons of photographs and they really don't do justice do the dresses. Plus the photos I love the most are the 'mistakes'. The girls are blurry or blown out. But beautiful in a strange way.
The show was for Italian designers called Domo Adami. I noticed that the designer spoke more English than he let on (because we could speak to one another and I don't know Italian), but it allows him to not have to speak to the clients. Wish I could have that trick! He was amazing though and the dresses were beyond fabulous. I took so many photos in fact that I am going to have to break down and get a flickr account. I have been trying to fight it, but between Lisa and mav it is a loosing battle. I gave it my best effort. Now don't get me wrong, its not as if I don't like flickr, the problem lies with me and my desire NOT to become addicted to all of the amazing photos out there.
On a totally different note I am going to be starting massage school in January (if all goes well with the application process). So Mike I am probably not going to be moving out to LA that quickly, but we are definitely coming out for more visits. We love you guys and the trip is easy with the airport so super close!
How weird must it be for models just to be an extension of the clothes?
Posted by wendy at 05:07 PM | Comments (3)
August 23, 2005
...new york night...
Oh the perfect New York night. The kind you hear about. The friend with an amazing garden, candles, dinner from the grill, lots of wine and laughter. It was amazing.
I think it was just what I needed, to be surrounded by people doing wonderful and amazing things.
I saw some twinkling stars, just a couple but they were beautiful.
Posted by wendy at 01:45 AM | Comments (2)
August 22, 2005
...books & horses...
I love the library. I can have a love affair with books, far beyond what my pocket book will allow.
I don't feel guilty if I don't like the book, I can just stop reading without consequences. I only want to love my books, especially if I own it. The library gives me that chance. The chance to know if the love affair can last, or if it is just some flash in the pan. My happiest moments as a child were going to the library after school or on the weekends. Sitting in the dark quite nook of the young adults section and picking out books to read. It was a haven. The place in the world where no one could get to me, where I could escape.
I love being drawn into the world created by an author. To spend my day sitting in bed caught up in the life of someone else’s words. I love sentences that create an image in my mind.
The Boy is a reader, and actually the first guy that I dated that was really into books (maybe that's why I married him). Before him most of the guys I dated were jocks. I know I am a weird anomaly of jock and art. Although not much athletic happening lately. The last athletic thing I did was learning to ride horses. I know riding horses in the city is pretty out there, but it can happen. (You can even ride horses in Central Park.) Actually I learned at Claremont Riding Academy. I went to a summer riding camp when I was a girl, but when I moved to NYC I was up for trying new things. (I sort of forced myself to do new things) And riding horses was one of them. I even worked at the stables for a while in exchange for lessons. It was a great deal & full of some crazy rich people. Like the little rich girls you see on television that think money can by them anything, they ALL take riding lessons. And they do think that money can buy them anything. (one of the girls would use her riding crop on her instructor and then told her that she was take her to court, because the instructor stopped the lesson) It was wild too see what happened in that stable office. And working behind the desk I had a ringside seat.
I haven't been riding in awhile. I stopped working at the stables and the lessons where way out of my price range, but there is another stable and I have been meaning to check them out and get back into riding. Riding is one thing that makes me live in the moment. You can't be thinking about anything but what is happening between you and that horse. Wow, I forgot how much I loved it.
Posted by wendy at 07:10 AM | Comments (3)
July 11, 2005
...to do list..
Things I want to do this summer and fall, in no particular order...
Visit Rockefeller’s House
Draw at the Natural History Museum
Visit Salem, Mass
Go to the Bronx Zoo
Update Website
Draw at Central Park Zoo
Japan Society Gallery - Little Boy: The Arts of Japan’s Exploding Subculture (Aiko I should have gone when you were here!)
Make more robot softies
Do more labyrinth paintings
Go to the beach
Check out New York Waterways fall leaves boat tour
Do some screen printing
Go to Sleepy Hollow
Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden (Try and get the SLO crew to take the train out to Astoria)
Decide the future of crabbcards
Print my Holga photos
Go to Lyndhurst Castle
Read Harry Potter & The Half Blood prince without stopping
I am trying to get out more, since I live in the city that never sleeps, but I really want day trips and the like. If you have any ideas send them my way!! Art shows that are happening, fun places to go outside the city, fresh air places, pretty much game for anything. Lay it on me!
Posted by wendy at 07:41 PM | Comments (2)
June 24, 2005
...hot fun in the city...
This weekend is going to be full of fun!! I can't wait. I am going to the Renegade Craft Fair Saturday and buy tons of things. I figure I can start some major gift buying, (so it doesn't all have to be for me, because I pretty much want everything). It is going to be fantastic. I have a list of vendors that I must buy from. Then there are other vendors that didn't have websites or they were closed to get ready for the fair. I think it will be really exciting to meet all of these people who just live out there in the web world.
A couple of weeks ago I went on location at work. We were painting in the Plaza Hotel, which they are closing for renovations and opening in a couple of years to have long term apartments as well as a limited number of hotel rooms. It was really weird in there. Like the Shinning, but people were totally trying to buy a piece of it. Sometimes not even buying just stealing. We were shooting in the presidential suite and someone had kicked down the door to get in and pilfer. Vultures had descended onto the hotel. They were selling everything. Uniforms, towels. I was on the higher floors where they didn't allow the regular folks to go but Christies was there tagging things they were going to auction off later. I brought the Holga and got some really interesting shots. Some of them didn't really turn out because it was super dark. But there was a room of hangers (that shot didn't turn out) - literally a pile of hangers taller than me-, and a room where the bed was totally pulled out from the wall (trying to see if the printers can make that happen). Scary and weird. The view of Central Park was to die for (those pictures turned out). It was storming that afternoon, so hopefully the ones with the heavy clouds will translate in the photograph.
Posted by wendy at 07:25 PM | Comments (4)
June 23, 2005
...the web & stars...
Actually Cafe Habana is on 17 Prince Street. Delicious corn on the cob. I forgot to say that we saw Danny Masterson from That 70's show sporting an awesome beard. (He was getting takeaway too)
While Aiko was here we also shopped. We went to The Market NYC, which is open, Saturday and Sunday on Mulberry Street. She bought this great jacket from Mia Kim. The style is like the renaissance variety, but the neckline is more open and the jacket is short. I love the great bell sleeves.
I love the art of this guy, but his website is lacking. Something about enlarging a sketch from a matchbook is fantastic. It is delicate and sweet and at the same time you are a bit taken a back because the size is off. Something about it works, I only wish the site worked.
The night we went to Gray's Papaya there was a guy across the street with a big telescope. He is out around the city, not peeping into apartments like J thought, but rather looking at stars. Pretty cool since you don't see many stars here in the city. The city at night gets a gray glow. It never gets dark, just murky gray.
Actually kind of a glowy gray. One of the first places I lived when I moved out here was a residence where you just rented a room, so my room was really really small. It had pretty much only room for a twin bed and a tiny desk. In the summer I was dying. I couldn't handle the heat and the stickiness. It was awful. I was hot all the time and at night it didn't cool down and there was nowhere for me to go. So I would take my pillow and blanket with a sheet and walk up to the roof of the building. I was on the top floor, so I would just sneak out at night. I am sure it wasn't allowed, but I figured if I didn't ask I didn't know. So I would sleep under the stars, but never would see them. It was actually really fun, probably a bit dangerous, but exciting nonetheless. Plus I could sleep. I couldn't sleep in my room, because there was one tiny window with no circulation. It was my only choice. By the end of the summer I found an apartment and the first thing I put in was an air conditioner. But those months on the roof were great. Something about hearing really hearing the city go to sleep was peaceful?!
At work we were talking about the new Guy Van Sant movie Last Day about Kurt Cobain. I found this amazing French website with great flash. The image moves around with you mouse. It is weirdly beautiful.
Everything from the Tirade post looks fantastic! I bought a book from this guy. My In-laws are going to be excited. I want this one too! And this one.
Posted by wendy at 08:11 AM | Comments (1)
May 29, 2005
...into the city I go...
One would think that having the Boy gone for a week, I would do things. All the little projects in my head. Hanging paintings on the walls, working on my robot softies, really anything besides sitting on the couch all week watching season finales. I mean normally I watch TV all the time, but I do stuff. I work on projects. I sketch, fiddle, anything from just sitting there. But the first thing I do when he is gone? Sit on the couch and eat horrible things like tater tots for dinner. Just tater tots (I did have some barbeque sauce) but mostly just the TV watching.
As soon as the Boy is home I am ready to do stuff. I am almost done with another little soft robot. And hopefully I will get my Month of Softies project done! I even went into the city today and got the work digital camera, but forgot to bring the cord to plug it in, so no pictures for you!
I am really excited because I got my Holga camera the other day and I went to B&H photo and got a bunch of film. I was most glad to be out of B&H. You would think that living in NYC I could handle lots of people. Not so much. I do a weird freeze and tense thing. I feel like I am walking through honey. I feel sticky and slow. A couple of times the Boy and I have been in or around Times Square and he has to guide me out of the crowds. I happened when I was with the Boy and my Dad we came out of a movie theatre on 42nd Street and the Boy looked back and saw my deer in headlights look and hooked arms with me and out of the crowds we went. I always feel really silly after, but it happens. So after I got out of the extremely crowed B&H I walked down the quite 9th Avenue instead of trying to wade back into the 34th street madness.
It was amazing. I never really walk over there and I saw some beautiful things.
An Indian man taking photographs of beautiful young Indian woman with a pale yellow sari and a very pregnant belly.
I turned down 28th Street and I saw the most amazing view of the Empire State Building above all these trees on a curvy street.
Back to my sewing...
Posted by wendy at 02:50 PM | Comments (2)
May 08, 2005
...little treasures...
The Boy and I went to Barney’s yesterday. Now we are not really Barney’s kind of people, but I got a call from Janice telling me that some of Andrew's pieces were going to be sold there. Andrew is the most amazing glass blower. I have seen him work and it is like magic. He blows glass with grace and ease.
We were way under dressed, and then we met the most amazing people. Douglas Little and his business partner Moira. Douglas was dressed with a boler hat tilted to the side, looking very dashing with his early 19th century attire. He totally fit in his apothecary space. Douglas and Moira told us a couple of great stories about the sale of Andrew’s pieces. Early, day before while they were unwrapping in their display area, and a man walked by and bought one of his pieces while it was still half in the box. The most interesting purchase was later that afternoon when there was a bidding war!! I am so excited for Andrew. He is such a great guy. Mello and amazing. Totally down to earth and crazy talented. His family is unbelievable, as is his girlfriend. He always surrounds himself with good people and I am glad to see Douglas and Moira in his corner.
Douglas Little is amazing! He has created this spectacular world. Like an old apothecary shop where you can walk in and see the most amazing objects. Were you find things you never knew you needed. The DL & Company space at Barneys was a complete contrast to the surrounding clean and modern lines. The space was lush and dark. Douglas started his company making fragrances and they are amazing. I am totally jealous and inspired. Inspired visually and to continue with the fragrances that I started.
I think I am going to do some literary inspired paintings. Well not so much literary but the dark fairy tales of the Grimm brothers. I was in Books of Wonder and I got the Blue Fairy book by Andrew Lang. I remembered them from my childhood and I love those stories. They are rich with imagery. Similar to the imagery that Douglas Little created. His world is inspiring and beautiful. My world is slipping together again.
Posted by wendy at 09:43 AM | Comments (2)