I love collage, and I love books and maps...The incredible work of Matthew Cusick combines all of these in such an amazing way! From a distance, you cannot see the detail and amazing artistry that goes into each piece, but up close, you see how he has combined maps, book pages, and acrylic on wood panels to seamlessly make these beauties. You can visit his website here to see more, and if you are near Dallas you can see his exhibition "Defacements: A Collection of Altered Book Images" at The Free Museum of Dallas.
More inspiration for me...Just what I need, more projects to add to my pile...but I think I might be better purchasing his art, I am not sure if I would have enough vision and/or patience!
What do you think of his work?
1957 Lincoln Premiere
Can you imagine (or maybe remember) the days when the streets were vibrant with colour and design? I would love to see a picture of the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles during peak commute time in these days! Add a few modern touches like good AC ( a necessity in the desert), and I would take one of these beauties in a heartbeat...
Happy Birthday Eleanor! It is my Grandmother's Birthday today! I am so lucky and blessed to have been blessed with her love that has never faltered for one moment. And I send her all of my love today!
"L'Ange au sourire," Cathedrale de Reims
I am crazy about angels, and also churches. Out of the many churches I have been blessed to visit in Europe, this one is one of my favourites. Today is a special day in many ways, and I send both of these angels in my life on a special quest, to give light to someone that I love on his travels. A bit fragmented I know, but I believe in the power of putting good thoughts out in the Universe, and that is what I am doing today...
September 27 is a lucky day!
Auguri...
Happy Anniversary Tiffany and Jerome!
Nine years ago today, despite all odds after 9/11, my sister was married in Rome.
In a few days, it will be my 11 years for me...and on the 27th, my wonderful Grandmother turns 39...again! A whole lotta love going on in my family ~
My oldest, Marcello, was only 6 months old! He is such a big boy now, I'm off to his first football game later today. We found an amazing gazebo in the Borghese gardens for them to be married in. It was a bit challenging directing the Minister to the correct gazebo in the heart of the gardens (they are large), and then for us to get a car as close as we could... No wonder those European women all have such amazing legs, with all of the walking!
The ring pillow that I made for them ~ "I Do Take You To Be My Beloved"
Sempre Amore, Roma, 22.9.2001
There were passers-by calling out, "Auguri, auguri!"
Italians love romance...
A very happy day indeed!
Italian wedding photographers take their jobs very seriously...
We had to stop at The Spanish Steps before going to the Hotel Eden...It was as if they were celebrities, they were swarmed with well-wishers! It was so very touching, an experience to never forget. I also made the dupioni shawl that she is wearing, embroidered with gold fleur de lis and pearl drops. It's one of my favourite things that I've ever made. In particular because of the extra love that went into it ~
The marriage of Japanese artist Takashi Murakami and Marie Antoinette...
What do you think she would say, about these wonderfully whimsical pieces that are shown throughout the Chateau Versailles? I rather think that she would love them! Full of pomp, circumstance, and colour...how I wish this lovely exhibit had been there when I visited Versailles on a stormy and blustery day. I think it would wake you up from the overwhelm of riches, and bring a smile to the face. Please don't get me wrong, I adore Versailles. But room after room is so incredible, I think it would lighten it up with an air of gaiety.
Takashi Murakami's exhibit can be seen at The Chateau Versailles from September 14 to December 12, 2010.
For more information and to watch a fantastic short video on the installation of the pieces, visit their link here. It is in french, but the video is at the very bottom...
Sculpture Flower Matango ~ Hall of Mirrors
Kaikai
Oval Buddha Silver ~ Hercules Salon
Jellyfish Eyes
Flowers
Oval Buddha ~ Palace Gardens
Takashi Murakami
Have a great week, and don't take things too seriously!
Nathalie
all photos via google
Friday, September 17, 2010
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who
keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your
mind young." Henry Ford
I was so moved watching this video of a friend of mine who is really doing something incredible. He left the luxuries of Los Angeles to go to the Wat Don orphanage in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and help these children. I am so amazed and impressed with what he is doing, I want to share...and also share how grateful I am for the life that my children have, that many of our children on this continent have.
Hats off to Stuart, for giving so much...these children will never forget him! And neither will the monks...I guess he made them hamburgers and onion rings the other day for a birthday, and it was the first time for all of them.
My first Polyvore! What fun...a whole new world out there. Now I just need to figure out how to remove the "underlayer"!
Well, I really got into the spots today after opening up my Elle Decor to this page...I tried to find some of these killer pieces online, such as the Bottega Veneta console that I would die to have ~ or how about those glass mosaic tiles in leopard print by Bisazza ~ or that divine Dolce e Gabbana dress...
But I couldn't find them! So I am sharing the page with you. I've loved leopard from the days that you had to scour the Salvation Army (no "Vintage" shops then!), or the Goodwill for it. And I have some amazing vintage pieces. I would love a Diana Vreeland office carpeted in the stuff. I just can't get enough! I also did a great treasury on Etsy of some fabulous vintage pieces that I found there... You can see it here.
I ran into these images from the Breast Cancer Foundation of Singapore on The Cool Hunter and was quite taken with them. What a brilliant way to get women thinking about being more aware. The print ads were done with Kryolan body paint by illustrator Andy Yang Soo, and photographed by Allan Ng.
The message...for women to focus more on health instead of obsessing over pimples, bad hair, and weight. A very good message indeed! And I myself find myself guilty...
Time to shape up and do those monthly exams :)
I want to thank all of you dear blogging friends out there for your comments, in particular I was very touched yesterday by the great response and support over my little achievements. I don't know any of you, and yet I do. I enjoy very much the camraderie that goes on over cyberspace...pen pals of sorts....
merci, grazie, thank you all who stop by to visit
AND...
If you've got 'em, don't forget to check your boobs!
I was thrilled to wake up to one of my Dolce Dreams pieces on Etsy's front Page today...and, out of the 34 treasuries I am currently in, (not to brag!) this is one of my favourites. It's been a long haul, but days like this make it all worthwhile :). It is nice doing what you love, don't you agree?
"Dean and DeLuca on Steroids", "The Italy of Vespas and Stilettos" are a few descriptions being given to "Eataly," the 50,000 square foot high end Italian food market from Torino that opened it's doors last week in NYC. Although I ate far too much over the holiday weekend, I am hungry all over looking at these pictures, and wishing it were closer! It has been all over the news, but I could not resist the temptation to share again...
Isn't the vegetable butcher part great?
I hope you had an indulgent weekend, and are ready for a fantastic week ahead...
buon appetito!
Nathalie
I am constantly trying to merge the current "ME" with the past "ME." Current me is: Mother of two sons that bring me joy,loving wife,five star chef for finicky males,butler,chauffer, housecleaner,accountant,
karate mom,football mom,creator and sole employee of Dolce Dreams. Past me is alabaster sculptor, make-up artist for the fashion mags and film,travels in Europe,maitre'd to the stars for Chef Wolfgang Puck in LA,yogi,intellectual,artist. Trying to find a happy medium is a constant challenge!
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