Happy hump day folks! 

Almost to the weekend + its that day where I let art inspire my outfit- #OnWednesdaysWeWearArt!  Although I would say art inspires my outfit [just not as intentionally] more than once a week around here. 

Today's inspiration is English artist David Hockney. [Check out my David Hockney Pinterest board, and David Hockney's website for more art + info about him.]  And yes, he is still alive and living today in London. He is one of the BEST artist of our time AND there is a ton of diversity in his work. If you are familiar with him, you may know him for all of his water/pool paintings from his time out in LA. Which- is what I knew him for originally. However, today I am inspired by his landscapes. 

I am currently working on my first landscape in about 6 years, and it was never something I was great at in the first place. Looking at his landscapes have inspired/reminded me not to get stuck in the box of what it is supposed to look like vs using the paint + color to express the way I perceive the world. 

Landscapes are something that Hockney returned to painting later in life, as for the longest time he was all about painting portraits + water/pool scapes. [Which are amazing, and colorful too]. He was known for thinking that 'photography wasn't a medium for real artist'- that is until one day that he realized he could use photography in a way different than most peoples approach, much like his paintings. 

See more of his photography work here [his composite polariods are my favorite.] 

Get this look : [ dress : handmade from my trip to Brazil || shoes : Sweedish Hasbeens : ModCloth || hair clip : vintage French barrette  c/o : Mane Message || necklace : c/o Agapi Accessories 

Psst! : Want more David Hockney, then check out this video here [its only 6 minutes!]

Pssst! : Also, no more link-up. It didn't seem to be working out, but still use the #OnWednesdaysWeWearArt on Instagram so that I can follow along with you if you decide to play dress up with me! 

Hello Friends! 

We made it through another week + that means I have another girl crush FRYday for you! This weeks crush maybe a familiar face to you, if you follow my #OnWednesdaysWeWearArt series- the Unbelievably Human Liv! When I think of Liv, I first think of rainbows, sunshine and happiness. If you know her personally, I'm sure you feel the same way. She has been such a joy to have in my life and once again God Bless this crazy internet for bringing us together! 

Read below to see how our gal Liv likes her fries and be surprised [or not ;p] by who her spirt animal is! Also, make sure you show her your love on Instagram + her blog! 

1. How do you like your [french] fries [flavored &/or sauces &/or where from etc...]?

 I like potatoes in general so I take french fries any way I can get um! Tossed for seasoning, Dipped / soaked in sauce, waffled or Curly, Cajun or sweet potato!  I got dibs!  

2. Remember the little rug rats?…which one was/is your favorite?  

Tommy Pickels! leader/innovator of the pack!

4. If you could have lunch with one famous person- who would it be?

 Michelle O! #FLOTUS

5. If you were a cartoon charter who’d you be? 

little lulu or pipi longstockings (there was a cartoon)! shucks those are so throw back! My mom put me on, because the heroines were always getting into trouble, due to their independent/ mischievous nature! I could totally Identify!

6. What is your spirit animal? 

Love A lot Bear 


7. If you were going to be on a game show- old or new, which would it be? 

Double Dare

Happy Wednesday gals :) 

Not to small talk or anything, but the weather lately- errmuhgosh! Soo wonderful out :) Being from the south- where it will soon be hot and humid, I cherish these sunny [almost hot] spring days- free of humidity [but full of pollen- yuck!]. 

Luckily, Easter Sunday the weather here in Atlanta was perfect! So Chris and I had some time before heading home to see family, to snap some pictures for today's post.  Instead of a brightly colored wall, we went with the Miami-esc apartments just down the road from our loft. They are just oustide of Studio Plex, [if you are in the Atlanta area] with the cutest + yummiest juice and sandwhich place called Lotta Frutta  just on the corner! It is a must for a nice spring + summer day in the city! 

Anywho, the reason I wanted a Miami vibe was because my artist inspiration this week is Alex Katz.  If you aren't familiar with his work, check out his website here, or my Pinterest board for him here. I myself only discovered this artist in the past couple of years, but he is most definitely one of my favorites. Keep reading + check out his work and you will understand why! 

Alex Katz is an American born, jewish artist out of Brooklyn, New York. He is best known as a figurative painter and YES, he is still alive + well- at 87 years old. Katz loved using bright, bold, flat colors and painting from real life. Other than the way that he used color, there are two things that I really love about him/his work. 

I love that his wife, Ada Katz was the subject of over 250 of his paintings. Maybe its because I am an artist, in a long term relationship with another artist- BUT I just love hearing stories about artists in love, who were each otheres life long muses! Its romantic and inspiring! [I know, I'm such a cheese ball!] 

I also read [and love] that Katz admitted to destroying atleast a thousand of his paintings during his first ten years as an artist. He did this in a effort to find his own style. This is something that I respect and can relate with. And it is such a werid [hypocritical] spot for me to be in- being an art teacher. After graduating from college, I painted over all of my work [white, blank canvas] to start fresh. I felt like soo much of what I did/'accomplished' was too influenced by my formal training. It didn't look like 'me'. I still feel like I am trying to establish my style as a painter, and as valuable as my art schooling was- alot of times I think it really clouded my vision as an artist. College just left me feeling very lost as an artist. The more I have read, and study about artists on my own accord- the more I am realizing that a lot of artist with formal training face this same issue. I honestly think it is an issue we all face, not just artists. To not loose ourselves to whatever institution we belong to. The struggle to always hold on to our voice, in a culture that wants us all to be standard and standardized. But that may be for another post...

Back then, pop art wasn't a thing yet. Alex Katz was a precursor to this movement. He dared to be bold,  destroying old work he knew wasn't true to himself. He bravely created big, bright, bold, canvases filled with flat colored images inspired by every day life. And that is exactly what he became known for, and is still known for  today. He was a pioneer. He didn't meet the standard, he set the standard!  I have shared some of my favorite paintings of his in this post, and also on my Pinterest board. 

Also, please note that I am wearing a vintage swim suit as a top! I LOVE it soo much! I mean whatever works right!? 

Get this look : [ stripped button up : Old Navy || swimsuit : vintage || belt : Target || bell bottoms : True Religion || shoes : American Apparel || Bag c/o : Sun Jellies || necklace c/o : Sun Jellies  ] 
Photography by : Chris Burden 

Hi Friends, 

Today I am sharing with you a super simple way to make your old pair of overalls a little bit more fancy! Hehe, I know- what could you possibly need 'fancy' overalls for?! But you know we like to keep things a bit silly around here, so I mean why not?! I thought it'd be cute, so I gave it a try and I love them! I also got soo many compliments on them when I wore them out. :) 

This D.I.Y. is pretty self explanatory. I could have sewn the pearls on [which I did not!] or I could have used fabric glue and applied them that way. I think we know which route I took! hehe Keep reading to see what I did + what supplies I used! 

But hey guess what?! I am getting the chance to sit in on a sewing class here in Atlanta at Fabricate Studios. So for the next month or so, every Sunday I will be taking a sewing class and learning something new! I have had a sewing machine for years, and I have done some small, self taught projects but nothing too fancy. I've always wanted to take a class, so I am so thankful for this opprotunity to learn how to sew properly + I will be sharing the experience with you gals here, so stay tuned for that! [ I will be getting some of my paintings turned into fabric too! ekkk! :) ] 

Shop the supplies : [ hot glue gun : here || hot glue gun sticks for fabric : here || faux pearls : here || overalls : Target ] 

I used the fabric hot glue to apply the beads. I have the white glue stick ones, but honestly wish I purchased it in clear instead. You might be able to  use regular hot glue just as well too, I'm not sure. Let me know if you try it! I haven't washed these yet, but I will be doing do inside-out on delicate [just incase]. 

Shop this look : [ Black + White Stripe top : H&M \ similar || overalls : Target + D.I.Y. || Shoes : Gap \ similar || purse : D.I.Y.  || necklace c\o : Sun Jellies ]  picture by : Chris Burden  and here