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Posts Tagged ‘design’

still constructing with color

Posted in Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 18, 2019| Leave a Comment »

When I’m not sitting on a bench photographing birds, I’m sometimes at my desk reworking a design. This particular design was inspired by John La Farge’s use of color in the stained glass window, Purity, located at Trinity Church in Boston. The original scarf produced has a green border. A new dear friend applauded my design efforts and then she held the scarf to her skin and said, “Green isn’t my color. What can you do with blue?”

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Green has been replaced by blue and apparently blue does work well for a lot of people. The new blue trimmed scarf will be on the shelves at the shop at Trinity Church later this spring. Hope you have the opportunity to visit and see for yourself.

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https://www.instagram.com/trinitybostonshop/

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a new year … new colors

Posted in Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 7, 2019| 1 Comment »

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I’m not sure I quite get Pantone’s “living coral” as Color of the Year but it did engage my brain … like the visual equivalent of a writing prompt … to seek out where that color might already be around me. I haven’t found it (yet) but I did chance upon a photo of decorative glass composed of other lovely pastel shades. And as I stared at that photo I began to imagine what might happen if I continue this new year with my interpretation and expression of John La Farge’s idea of “construction by color.” As you can see in the following slide show, you never know what might happen when you take colors, turn them on their sides, weave them together, shrink and repeat them … and so on and so forth until glass is translated into fabric.

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The scarf, 36 x 36, will soon be available exclusively at the shop at Trinity Church. You can follow the shop facebook page and instagram account to stay on top of this and other items I’m honored to have appear on the shelves.

 

 

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wrap yourself in color

Posted in Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on December 23, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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A new scarf designed for the shop at Trinity Church in Boston. It is 36 x 36 making it versatile as do the variety of bright, bold colors. It dresses up the simplest outfit. Coming January 2019. Inspired by the stained glass designer John La Farge.

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coming 2019 …

Posted in Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 17, 2018| 2 Comments »

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You’ll find this original design at the Welcome Center gift shop at Trinity Church in the City of Boston. The source of inspiration is the decorative detail found around the window Purity designed by John La Farge. You can learn more about the shop here.

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construction by color … translation to cloth

Posted in Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on December 8, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Before I leaned over the stairwell to photograph the window, I asked the gentleman at the front desk to listen carefully. If he heard a thud, he should come running. Luckily there was no thud and I was able to photograph an interesting decorative detail from the window, Purity, by John La Farge.

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In the early 1900s, during a lecture to young architecture students, John La Farge made the point that “The use of color in architectural decoration is not mere arrangement of pleasing tints. It is a matter of construction by color.” His philosophy is evidenced throughout Trinity Church. The rich colors and bold patterns he produced provide great inspiration for new custom merchandise from the simplicity of a square coaster to so much more including a green bordered 36 x 36 chiffon scarf, canvas pencil pouch and fountain pen. You’ll be able to find these items on the shelves of the shop at Trinity Church starting in January. Below is a slideshow of how a new pattern evolved from its original source. Hope you enjoy!

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at last, there is time

Posted in Inspiration, On the Road, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 18, 2018| 1 Comment »

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The exterior of the National Technical Museum is austere but the interior is magical. The exhibits are well curated to appeal to the child of any age and background. There were at least 11 major exhibits, and my favorites were Astronomy and the Measurement of Time. Prague was home to astronomers Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) and Johannes Kepler (1571-1630). The Astronomy exhibit, and the Measurement of Time, with great reverence and artistry, highlight the Czech contribution in these fields. Easy to visit via public transportation. A lovely kid and adult friendly cafe in the basement.

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http://www.ntm.cz/en

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let the light shine in

Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, Nature Notes, Shops That Inspire, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on September 27, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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I’m having a great time playing with the early autumn light. Use these acrylic blocks as suncatchers or paperweights or both. You can find them in one of my online shops by clicking here.

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I’m hoping to expand the collection throughout the autumn in time for holiday needs but I think they make unique gifts anytime of year.

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In addition to my own images, I see exciting opportunities to work with the digitized images of great works of art that are now available for use in the public domain.  The creative journey continues. 🙂

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https://rdbl.co/2OVy4Mb

 

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wear it well

Posted in Guest Contributor, Inspiration, Shops That Inspire, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 27, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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Photograph by Rodrigo Larios

I’d previously shared in “when you look up” how a photograph of the painted ceilings of Trinity Church had inspired designer Donna McNett to produce a vibrantly hued men’s tie, bow tie and pocket square collection. She did an amazing job working with a single photograph to produce something truly unique that celebrates the beauty orchestrated by painter John La Farge and presents it with a modern twist.

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Photograph by Rodrigo Larios

For 2019 we hope to collaborate once more in the production of a matching shawl and perhaps silk square. Stay tuned for further updates about that! Meanwhile there are still a few ties and pocket squares on the shelves of the shop. Drop by to see for yourself.

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Photograph by Rodrigo Larios

Not in the Boston area? Shipping is available. Send inquiries to artandarchitecture@trinitychurchboston.org

 

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evolution of a scarf

Posted in Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on August 2, 2018| Leave a Comment »

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In a book I found a picture and some text describing the decorative frieze band running along the upper walls of the tower inside Trinity Church. A bold, geometric pattern that struck me as multicultural. Very John La Farge. That was all the inspiration needed to grab my camera and try to find this pattern for myself.

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It is a detail extremely hard to see from the floor without binoculars or a telephoto lens. My point and shoot was good enough. Working with the image was a creative challenge that turned out quite nice, I think. The final design, while first being executed as a scarf (16 x 72), is quite versatile.

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The scarf will soon be available in the shop at Trinity Church. By then I may have come up with a suitable name for the design. 🙂

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when you look up …

Posted in Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on July 11, 2018| 1 Comment »

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… what do you see? Well when you look up inside Trinity Church in the City of Boston, in the nave, you see a beautiful painted ceiling with abstract patterns and artistically rendered script. I shared a fuzzy photograph with Donna McNett of DonaScarves who then worked her magic to design a stunning menswear collection that includes a necktie, bow tie and pocket square. Available exclusively at Trinity Church. Shipping is available. Send inquiries to artandarchitecture@trinitychurchboston.org. Or leave me a note and I’ll pass your message along. 🙂

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