back to the future

(photo of the old Wagner's Drive In circa 1995)

Wagner's Drive In, a neighborhood icon since 1951, will re-open soon as Galaxy Drive In.

I'm so excited to go there when it opens! My niece will be working there as a "car-hop" just as I did when I was 16!

I have been talking about it a lot lately and unexpectedly was able to work with the Designer and play a small part in it!

After my nephew's birthday dinner this evening, I drove by and snapped these two photos of the new signage:

serendipitous

Last week I was working with clients to select the paint colors for the exterior of their home. When I got to their house I said, "I've been here before, I did the faux finish in the lower level!"

The textured painting that I did for the previous owners (more than 10 yrs. ago) was still in their home and they told me I could come back and take pictures. What are the chances of that?!

They were excited to update the look of their home, including the door which is now fireweed red:

I'm working with another couple to transform the exterior of their home with color, new stone, and some minor architectural upgrades. She asked if I would continue to work with her on the interior design. The exterior will be complete in a couple weeks.

one tree

"Language... has created the word 'loneliness' to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word 'solitude' to express the glory of being alone."

-Paul Johannes Tillich, The Eternal Now

the coolest invitation ever!

I received this invite in the mail:

My brother has out-done himself -- his daughter's birthday invitation really is the coolest ever! A "Live Turning Five" Rockstar theme, complete with a CD to reveal the location & map of the party and a song included!

(If you ever want a creative invitation or logo etc, here's his email: kpaulson713@gmail.com)

Isn't it cool?

looking up

"I think the world really boils down to two types of people - those who see shapes in cloud formations, and those who just see clouds."

-Danzae Pace

Here's a related entry from one of my favorite blogs. Liv has an amazing ability to capture and express what many of us are too busy to notice each day:

http://oneyearofbeauty.blogspot.com/2009/05/may-22-2009_22.html

little boy modern

Here's a peek at one of the rooms that I am working on:

Before: After:

main wall color: latte sw6108

accent wall color: yam sw6643

custom window valence: dwell studio fabric

custom painting (in the works!): sienna lynn studio

toilet under water

Under the sea toddler bathroom...

and another child's bathroom mural by Sienna Lynn Studio artist:

sculpture fun

I finally found a spot for my favorite metal sculpture! The metal toothbrush that I made in college sits prominately on a shelf in my 1/2 bath. The obscure assignment was to create an object from an unexpected material. I put my wood-working and art metal skills to the test by making a toothbrush mold out of wood, setting nails in the bottom for bristles, pouring metal into it, and filing it down. A little odd maybe.

Even more interesting was the assignment to show a found object in an unusual texture. My green astro-turf sink was a great compliment to a classmate's fur toilet. Unfortunately I didn't capture a photo of this! As soon as the presentations were over I pitched it in the dumpster. I did manage to keep a few of my sculptures around. Instead of "form follows function," I turned my forms into functional items!

This linear, non-figurative form is now a coat rack:

and the organic+geometric combo piece is now a book end!

kickball

Kickball! The popular sport from our youth has made a comeback in a big way. Park & Rec departments have organized adult kickball teams in most cities.

I mentioned a recent kickball game on my facebook page and got tons of comments from friends who are playing as well.

The coed teams are made up of Accountants, Attorneys, Designers, Pilots, and Parents...yet we're all still 5th graders at heart. Enjoying the nostelgia of some friendly competition on a gorgeous evening!