Artist Thomas Hill

New Focus

Hi kstyle readers,

I have to decided to simplify my blog and make it imaged based. I will post a series of
photos during each post that will exemplify the essence of an artist or in some cases
the essence of a personal experience or even just the essence of a quip! My goal is to
do this more often and in conjunction with my other plaforms including Pinterest and Facebook.
I look forward to a new journey, k

Humback whales are migrating to cool waters of Alaska and Bering Sea after giving birth in warm waters off Mexico. My husband took this photo while fishing just off the beach. enjoy, k

Made it to Manzanillo

Mexico Bound!

 

Hi all,

 

Heading to Manzanillo Mexico on Thursday. Definitiely time to soak up

some rays and hang out with my son and senorita number one Paty (driving the

wave runner). Second senorita Sally in back on her way home from

Mexico where she has spent the last month showing of our new grandson

to her family in Chapala and Guadalajara.

Will be doing some blogging from Mexico although not

always easy to get good internet connection so will be spotty. Take care and

hasta la vista, k

Bespoke

I recently expanded my design vocabulary with the English word "bespoke". I've heard it before when finding myself on design sites in the UK but only recently got a real understanding of the meaning behind this unusual word while reading my latest design book, "A Living Space" by British designer "Kit Kemp". It basically means custom made in the world of design or as I heard recently, "you'll have to wait".  The pillows or cushions as they are called in the UK above are a good example of bespoke design as are all of the products at Vanderhurd . Hand made details such as the embroidery in the designs above are also inherent to the "bespoke" process.

I highly recommend Kit Kemp's fabulous book for anyone interested n the "bespoke" concept in design. Brilliantly photographed and sourced throughout this highly personal and creative book. enjoy, k

Loving

I love original ways to display flowers. Designer Cecil Daldier in Paris. wow, gorgeous, k

K Loves Textiles

I'm not sure how I arrived at the breathtaking art of Takashi Iwasaki but I'm so glad I did. I've been a fan of embroidery for years but it's rare to this medium in such a modern, contemporary style. I love the use of color and form in Iwasaki's work. There are so many more pieces to see on his website hope you'll take a short click over and get a real taste of this artist's amazing work. enjoy, k

K Likes the Work of Dale Weiler

Well obviously I absolutely adore this artist but the reason I am blogging about him again is to explore some of the ways I can share the work of these talented people across the various platforms that I use. I LOVE my latest platform Pinterest and I hope to experiment with some ways that work well with this very creative and image based site. Please check out Dale Weiler's amazing gallery on his website.. There is much to see. Enjoy, k

The Wow Factor, Dale Weiler

Well this is some of the most beautiful sculptural work I have ever seen. The first sculpture called "The Gatekeeper" literally takes my breath away. Dale Weiler is in a class of his own. Plan on spending some time on his gallery/website. On the website you will also find a very interesting pictorial on the process of and evolution of a sculpted piece as they evolve from a square block of stone to the beautifully articulated pieces you see above. Enjoy, k

There's a story here!  The name of the company that sells this breathtaking chart is called Windsor Nature Discovery. That you can still buy this chart today speaks volumes to me. You see the Windsor part of the name comes from my past. My first husband and I started this company, formerly called Windsor Publications from our garage. Said garage was located on "Windsor" Circle in Eugene, Oregon. The hummingbird chart followed the publication of fish charts (which you can still find at Windsor Nature Discovery) and it was a roaring success. It graced the cover of "The Nature Company" catalogue and well it took off. Hope you enjoy seeing as much as I do. k

Spring is Just Around the Corner

Every year I try to zero in on one arty thing I really want. Something I know I will love and use forever. It's not easy to make "the cut" into my home. I am a pretty brutal editor. But one of these vases by fabulous ceramicist Deborah Dell will surely be mine by the end of this year. I love their sculptural references, intricate detailing and original concept for artfull displaying  of the flowers. I can picture all sorts of ways to use. Absolutely gorgeous. enjoy,k

Passionate About Lampwark, Jennifer Geldard

I absolutely Love the exquisite work of lampwork artist Jennifer Geldard. It's as bold and beautiful as the photographs in this post. Plan on spending a bit of time on Jennifer's inspiring gallery/website. It's full of gorgeous eye candy. enjoy, k

The Photojournalist, Best of 2012

Hi all,

Sorry for brief posting but have been trying to spend some time getting set up on Pintinterest which I really am finding a fascinating platform. For those of you who follow my son The Photojournalist here are his shots for The Mail Tribune which made the best of 2012 list. What's your favorite?? Mine is the tunnel shot because I know from Jamie how dicey it was to get that shot! Enjoy, k

Go Ducks!

Love this lamp from portaromana. Definitely hits my whimsy/oregon duck button.
Have a great day, k

The Photojournalist

Happy Holidays, k

Choices

Hi all,

Somehow it just doesn't feel right blogging about stuff right now at least not for me. As I have sped around the blogosphere these last few days I have read many thoughtful and insightful posts commenting on the
horrific shooting in Newton, Connecticut a town I had never heard of a few days ago. But I do live in Oregon and have shopped many times at the Clackamas mall in Portland which also sadly hit the news just a few days prior to Newton. One of the joys of blogging is an opportunity to express our views in a forum that includes people from all over the world as well as to our friends and family who live close by. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on this recent tragedy and what it means to me personally as well as to our nation as a whole. So much has already been said and said well. What if anything can I add to the conversation?? Well there are a few things that come to mind.

I have had the opportunity to live in other countries, both Mexico and Australia. I learned a lot from those experiences. In Mexico I learned how strong and pervasive the bonds of family could be. It was breathtaking and permeated the culture in ways I had never experienced. A mother or father of a child with Autism or Asperger's syndrome would not be alone in dealing with this challenge. A shy, introverted child would be shielded from excruciating isolation and loneliness , surrounded by family and extended family after extended family. Despite the drug violence which demands another conversation I cannot imagine a young man in Mexico walking into an elementary school and killing the children. I do not believe this would happen in this
culture.

In Australia we learned different things. A more egalitarian country there was very little discrepancy between the rich and the poor. We lived in Queensland where the relationship to the outdoors was strong. Every Sunday the kids went to the beach to participate in a program called "Nippers" to teach kids how to be safe and how to play in the ocean. There is a fierce relationship with the ocean that surrounds this country. The kids learned young to respect and relish it. I noticed how often they were outside.

So yes it goes without saying that we need to get common sense gun laws in this country. Absolutely. But we have to go deeper. We have to work on our family bonds, our sense of community. We also have to get kids out of their bedrooms, off their computers and gaming machines and back outside where wonderful healthy activities need to be front and center.

We need to take a collective deep breath and then get to work.
k

Loving

Love this botanical calendar by artist Karen Black. Each month is a separate calendar which you can hang and then frame. Fantastic concept and well the artwork is spectacular in my opinion. And BTW I found this calendar on exceptional blog From the House of Edward.. Enjoy, k

The Photojournalist

                                                                                                                                     

Hey all,

Apologies for meager posting lately but so many things going on in my world right now. Enjoy these photos of my family taken at the beautiful northern coast in Oregon. We are so enjoying the holidays with the newest member of our family. Such joy! Take care and talk soon
k