Writer's Block + Linoleum Blocks

I recently took a linocutting class at the Brooklyn Brainery and am now obsessed. This means that along with night classes my schedule has pretty much been: stay up till 2 a.m. writing poetry and linocutting, sleep till noon, write more, print more. This also means I've been posting new stuff to the Etsy shop! Expect a whole slew of cards and notebooks and whatever else I find around that I can print on. I'm thinking my next experiment will be leggings...

Shit, Shit, Shit, And More Shit

I first found out about David Shrigley when a friend gave me his book Err for my 22nd birthday. I am a sucker for anything wreaking sass, so it was love at first sight.

From Err

David Shrigley is easy. His messages are entertaining and accessible and cool-looking. He's raw and honest. A+.

Untitled, 1998, at the Tate

"How Are You Feeling?", 2012, on the High Line billboard. Via.

Aspen Ski Passes

His exhibition Signs epitomizes his work in the best way possible: with a nod to Saussure's study of semiotics and the most fundamental way in which language functions (that we so often forget). What I mean is, a giant gong that says "gong" on it. Taken to the next level, a taxidermied dog holding a sign that says "I'm Dead." Sign, signifer, signified.

"Gong," 2012, at Anton Kern Gallery

"I'm Dead," 2011, at Anton Kern Gallery

"Backwards Burgers", 2013, at Anton Kern Gallery

"Words (2)", 2012, at Anton Kern Gallery

"Cat (It's OK, It's Not OK)", 2012, at Anton Kern Gallery

"Shit Shit Shit and More Shit", 2012, at Anton Kern Gallery

Mixed Media

Mimi Jung is the creative force behind Brook&Lyn, which I've talked about before here. She's been weaving these insanely gorgeous wall hangings. Absolute inspiration, especially these ones that include pieces of palm tree bark. Follow her  Instagram to see more of her projects.

Olek at the Renwick Gallery

I've seen Olek's yarn-bombed bicycles around NYC before, but I never realized she's an artist working in the city until I saw her installation at the Renwick Gallery's 40 Under 40 exhibition. I'm so glad to have seen her work, because she seems like one fabulous babe. Definitely going to start keeping tabs on her.

Modern American Poets at the National Portrait Gallery

Frank O’Hara 1926–1966

Don Bachardy (born 1934)
Graphite and ink wash on paper, 1965

Adrienne Rich 1929–2012

Joan E. Biren (born 1944)
Digital inkjet print, 1981

Sylvia Plath 1932–1963

Rollie McKenna (1918–2003)
Gelatin silver print, 1959 (printed later)

My favorite part of the National Portrait Gallery was the Poetic Likeness: Modern American Poets exhibition (duh). I love the illustration of Frank O'Hara. There was also a great painting of him, but I only got one picture before I got yelled at (one of the many times I got yelled at).

Washington D.C.

After Thanksgiving, I went on a mini-vacation to Washington D.C. It was great to get out of the city for a bit. D.C. is a freakishly clean city--we only saw like one pigeon and one piece of trash on the street. Aside from admiring its pristine-ness, we made a sad attempt at fulfilling our patriotic duty by seeing all the monuments, but we only made it as far as the White House. We could see the Washington Monument in the distance more than once, though.

We did visit the National Portrait Gallery and the 40 Under 40 exhibition at the Renwick Gallery, both of which were AMAZING. I have never more thoroughly enjoyed a museum than these two. The other highlight of the trip was dancing to live jazz at the Eighteenth Street Lounge. Definitely the best night I've had in a long time.

Even the bus ride was a blast.

One of many statues in parks.

Still in the dancing mood after meeting a new friend with a lovely apartment.

Walt Whitman in the Modern Poets exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

The State Department Building or something like that.

Jeffrey Clancy, Tea for One, 2002

Our Ladies of South 4th Street

I finally went to another Our Ladies of South 4th Street show (after like a year). Two brilliant girls, Rachel and Sophia, started Our Ladies last summer to show free awesome art out of their South Williamsburg home. You can find out more about them here.

I was especially blown away by Olivia Oppedisano, who sang original songs (as well as Lady Gaga) and was magical, and Janet Glazier, who wrote a hilarious and moving play (the first act of which was read by Josh Brechner, Carolyn Cox, Joelle Golda, and Drigan Lee).

Definitely planning on going to every show from now on! Added bonus of this month's show: all proceeds from drink sales went to Sandy relief! Further proof of Our Ladies' awesomeness.

Brian Stremick

 

 

 

Beautiful paintings by one of my best friends and current roommate Brian Stremick. I think I'm going to hang the above painting in my bedroom. Brian's a painting major at Pratt and about to graduate. He also does amazing line drawings, some of which are currently for sale at Canvas, so check them out if you're in NYC.

To purchase a painting contact Brian at bstremick@gmail.com.

Want: Nikki Couppee

I discovered Nikki Couppee on Pinterest, and as much as I'm into the concept of jewelry as art, I would not be opposed to the mass production of these pieces, because I would buy all of them.

Hey Bear Face

Just a preview of my etsy treasury in honor of all my bears.