Second Sunday at Art 634

When Matt's friend Suzanne interviewed me for Events in Jackson (a part of community-sourced news site Jacksonopolis) she found out that I had not visited Art 634. Suzanne is a Jackson native, but she has never been to Art 634's monthly open house, Second Sunday, so we agreed to check it out together.

via Art 634

Jackson is known for manufacturing and the prison, but the town has a unique and growing arts and culture community that deserves attention. Art 634 is located in an industrial warehouse. Suzanne and I met at Art 634's coffee shop, Cuppa. The first thing I noticed is was the paper cranes hanging from the ceiling.

via Cuppa

Cuppa's shop owner, Evan, made my cafe au lait himself. Suzanne and I took our drinks to a couch near the back and listened to Jamie Merritt (of Harmony Garden Music Therapy) play soulful renditions of familiar tunes. Cuppa's walls featured April's artist, Sheri Munce, artwork; I loved the whimsical and feminine paintings.

When we finished our coffees Suzanne and I wandered through the building. We admired the shops and talked to various people about arts and culture in Jackson.

Armory Arts Village, an apartment complex and artist community located next to Art 634 in Jackson's old prison. The artists also participated in Second Sunday, so we peeked in on the artist's studios. We saw a handcrafted train that will be featured St. Joseph Public Art Display from May 17 to September 28.

After Art 634 and Armory Arts, Suzanne took me to the new downtown bead shop, Beads to Live By, and introduced me to shop owner Cassandra. Beads to Live By's has a wonderful bead selection, and I cannot wait to take one of the jewelry classes!

via Beads to Live By

Suzanne is a great tour guide! I am excited for our future Jackson tours.

Canvas

Lego Presevation

In 2009, 26-year-old Berliner Jan Vormann used legos to reconstruct buildings damaged during WWII. The result was colorful and organic artwork which he named "Dispatchwork".

The juxtaposition of brick and plastic is fascinating. More images can be found here.

Corey Marie's Watercolor Techniques

Although I do not consider myself an artist, if I was one I am sure I would choose watercolors. The moment that the paint touches the paper is pure magic. A couple of years ago I bought Water Paper Paint: Exploring Creativity with Watercolor and Mixed Media with plans to learn techniques, but I have not been able to put much time into it.

via

When I visited my friend Corey Marie's website yesterday I found that she recently posted a watercolor tutorial, 12 DIY Watercolor Techniques for art journals. Not only does her tutorial explain how to use common household items to create watercolor effects, it also features unique pictures of the techniques.

image by Corey Marie

Corey Marie and I went high school together. We were both in band (don't forget we were a big deal in our small town), and she produced the first 'zine I encountered. Corey recently moved back to our hometown, Eaton Rapids, where she makes her living as an illustrator. She is pretty rad, and you should take the time to check out the rest of her blog and shop.

Now that I have more time I hope to explore watercolors (and perhaps enroll in a beginner's class at the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History).

Maggie Austin Cakes

Have you seen this Maggie Austin cake? Reminiscent of a Tiffany lamp, the cake is a lovely celebration of Art Nouveau.

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Now, if only I had an upscale event to host!

Cross-Stitch Wall Art

By now you may have read this early 2011 interview of freelance designer and illustrator Eline Pellinkhof. Eline's book, "Eline's Huis", is written in Dutch, but the beautiful photographs tell the story of her creative home.

via Bloesem

I would love paint cross-stitch flowers on the walls of my craft room. The walls are a mid-blue, so I think I would use navy blue, white, bronze and silver. 

Of course I would add stars to the design.

Loop Wrapping Paper

Isn't this wrapping paper from Loop wonderful? The design is perfect for all sorts of occasions--fun to formal.

I love doodles!

Etsy Finds: Trafalgers Square

The playful illustrations of Trafalgars Square encourage imagination in the nursery.

Husband and wife team Adam and Kit work together to create whimsical art featuring animals, children and stars. With collections such as Balloons, Book Love, Royal Menagerie, and Wishing Star, it is difficult to resist the dreaminess.

Catch a Moon Beam

Catch a Falling Star

Catching Stars

Trot the Star Flyer

What a beautiful way to introduce art in a wee child's life! If you type in the coupon code "WHIMSY" you will receive 30% off (through 16 November, 2011).

Etsy Finds: Prince Design UK

Elizabeth Prince of Gone To Pot has a background in fine art and interior design. Her etsy, Prince Design UK, features classically inspired modern ceramics.

Lacy Bird Bowl

Poppy Nesting Bowls

Either of these striking bowls would be statement on a side table. 

Lacy Birds Ornaments

I would love to place these whimsical doves on a Christmas tree with my thrifted star tree topper.

Any of Elizabeth's work would be a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member.

Oren Lavie's Her Morning Elegance Video

The dreaminess of Oren Lavie's video for Her Morning Elegance is appealing; for me, the stop motion depicts how sometimes our dreams reflect daily routines and other times our lives seem like dreams.

Etsy Finds: Moon Light Card

Tonight's Etsy find comes from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Lilah of Life in Lines challenged herself to draw this whimsical ink and pencil drawing in 20 minutes. 

This original drawing of a cat gazing at the sky through tree limbs is glued to card stock. It comes with an envelope; all it needs is a heartfelt message.

Moon light by Lilah