Oh Marfa, Sweet Marfa

Oh Marfa.  You sweet thing, you.  Stark.  Remote.  Welcoming.  Beautiful.  It makes so much sense to me now why genius artist and sculptor Donald Judd came here in 1971, as an escape from the the busy streets of Manhattan.  I'm from West Texas (though not nearly as far west as Marfa) and I long for wide open spaces.  It makes me feel clearer.  Like I'm thinking better, like I'm more myself.  Ben too.  He's from western OK, and was raised seeing long, warm, breathtaking sunsets.  So big skies, vast landscapes, and sunsets bring us back to ourselves.  That was just the prescription we needed as we arrived in Marfa for Thanksgiving 2010.  After a string of unexpected events including blizzards, extra time, invitations, and inspiration.


Go.  Go to Marfa.  It's a long way away - which to me, is a good thing.  It's keeping it real.  It's keeping it as it should be.  Away.  Warm (figuratively, as those desert winds are seriously cold!).  Welcoming and open. Undisturbed.  But lovingly sophisticated.   See more photos below and even more (Prada Marfa & Food Shark - a must see) after the break.  Go Marfa.

Downtown Marfa.  I need to live here.

I love the desert plantings.  Grasses and cactus.  As it should be.

The light in Marfa is spectacular.  Here are Ben and Doss wandering on a concrete resting area.  Beautiful and modern of course!!

Look at that sign.  The Thunderbird is a super groovy drive-in hotel restored to perfection.

The Chinati Foundation and The Judd Foundation are dedicated to preserving the works of Donald Judd  and displaying his contemporaries as well as supporting large scale artists.

Thanksgiving on the Road

Happy [non-traditional] Thanksgiving!  Been a bit out of pocket this week - went through Oklahoma to see Ben's family and are unexpectedly in Marfa, TX now for Thanksgiving.  We've spent alot of our time on the road this holiday week. . . it's tiring but free and fun too.  Doss and Guthrie (the pooch) are road warriors.  Not one meltdown! As you can imagine I'll have lots of fun updates and recaps. . . and wish us luck - this is the first time we have just taken off, away from our families (such a random string of events!), for a holiday. . . its got us little homesick, but we are excited to be in this groovy town, out here on the edge of nothing. . . vast.  beautiful.  strange.  All things that lead to good memories. . .and inspiration.  Much to be thankful for.  Best to you and yours.

"Is This Some Kind of a Joke..."

"...Will someone wake me up soon?  And tell me this was just a game we played called life"  Genius lyrics from one of my favorite songs - Game Called Life by Leftover Cuties - and the theme to a genius TV show, "The Big C".  Adore the stylized video - think its 30s/40s Speakeasy vibe is fabulous.  What's not to love about the smooth, crooning voice of Shirli McAllen through a big silver mic.  And her ruffles and red lips and pearls?  Hello!  Love the guys in the suspenders and pageboys, too.  And, well, in my ongoing quest for expression, balance, understanding, achievement, and inspiration, its yet another artwork that speaks to me.  Hope it does the same for you.

Smmidge Style - Furniture to Fashion

 

These Crate&Barrel ads are genius.  The Sartorialist meets Apartment Therapy.  Two of my favorite cyber obsessions.  So it got me thinking. . . here is a rug I really want from C&B - do I have something that will translate this furnishing (it's a rug - maybe not technically furniture, but it furnishes a room, right?  very important to comfortable room.  I know b/c my living room is lacking one currently.  I digress.) into fashion?

I wasn't sure. . . but here is my go at it. Minus the pop of color I needed (perhaps a scarf would have worked in a salmon, orange or turq) here is what I came up with:

 

My fave, army green pants from Anthro; a polka dot shirt from H&M, a groovy brown sweater from Anthro; and my chunky Steve Madden boots (a gift from Matt & Megan!) circa 2006 - LOVE them (both). 

It ain't a Crate&Barrel ad, Lord knows.  But hey, this week is all about unexpected inspiration and that works!  Oh - and check out the super groovy Rebecca from Girls Gone Child for some amazing-fun looks that inspire. Happy Friday.

The Ideas in my Stuff

I'm so excited to be working towards our next showing at The Dallas Flea in December.  I've been working on some of the new Momofandango goods for the show and for next spring.  I spend TONS of time mining for ideas and inspiration on the web, in magzines, tv, movies, books, well, lots of places.  I think because I've always needed (and wanted!) to make the most of everything I have, it has made me more resourceful in using my own belongings - taking what I have and trying to make it new or conjuring an idea from looking around my house, in my closet, in old books I already own.  Typically I'm inspired by colors and shapes.  Not necessarily to be translated literally, but things that may take on a new form.  Do you do that?  I don't always read the exact words or care about the intent when searching for ideas, I see the shapes and colors and either it appeals to me or its just nothing.  Anyway. . .

Here is the latest idea board guiding me through several projects at the moment (think nursery design, blankets, baby and toddler garments, pillows, pins and headbands - oh my!).  Most of the inspiration is literally my own stuff (don't you just love [or hate] that word?) I have around my house - things I see everyday, but now in a new way.

• a purse my Mom gave to me 10 years ago - its so chic! LOVE the velvet and fringe.
• Doss's current obsession - matchbox cars (and cars in general)
• my latest load of vintage fabrics
• Dwell Magazine - of course!
• Felt.  I swear.  Love this stuff.  and I am experimenting with making my own - more on that soon.
• and the music corner in our house that includes that most amazing vintage Dylan poster, Ben's guitar, and my flute (guitar and flute - don't think they go?  well, have we got news for you!  jam sessions at our house are crrrrazy.)

Can't wait to share the new stuff (there it is again! My grandmother is rolling over in her grave), and in the meantime remember there can be new ideas and inspiration in so many everyday things if you just take a second look.  Do what you do.