jet stream - out of africa...

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Happy Friday all!  On today's jet stream we are going to talk trend.  This global/ethnic trend has been everywhere for the past three or four years it seems - and its here to stay for a bit.  Ikat is still going strong (yay!), block printing (or the look of it) is really picking up, and "primitive" inspired prints with a futuristic spin (think late great Alexander McQueen spring 2010) are really keeping things moving forward and fresh.  The effects of globalization are spattered all over the runways and home decor.

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My personal thoughts?  This is fantastic!  The plight of the world is making us examine everything about the way we live, consume, and create.  Naturally this is going to manifest in the primary way we all express ourselves - clothing.  It seems right collectively we are all striving for a simpler life and celebrating the things that make us more similar than we are different - and THAT is exciting!

jet stream malvern, pa

We're heading back to eastern Penn., to catch up fantastic artists Stephanie Corfee.  She gives us her take on her town, and how it touches her artwork.  Enjoy!

I have lived in Malvern, Pennsylvania since i graduated college back in 1997. Two of my 4 residences here have been on the main drag, King Street, that takes you through the heart of our quaint borough. My other 2 homes were about 50 paces off that same thoroughfare, right on our town square park, which was another 50 paces from my parish church and school and, well,...it was pretty much within 200 paces of everything; a pub, a bank, some shopping, the train station, and whatever else you could dream up. People in town here don't need to lock their doors and we actually have festivals and fairs on a rotating schedule!

My husband and i bumped into each other in the corner pub here, "The Flying Pig" way back in 2001. We started dating here, shared our first apartment, bought our first home, got engaged, and had our son all in this sweet, Norman Rockwell kinda town. When we bought our first single family home 2 1/2 years ago, we went through the motions of looking far and wide and whaddya know? We still ended up right back where we started. In fact, we're just under a mile away from our previous house. My friends and family joke that we could just walk all the boxes to my newest address each time i've moved. They're right. One move we made was literally into the house next door! But i don't care. i love this place.

And here's the nitty gritty.

The town, itself, is "located in southeast Pennsylvania, approx. 25 miles west of Philadelphia. The Borough is 1.3 square miles and has a population of approximately 3,200. Malvern dates back to the Victorian era and continues to reflect this in the Victorian facades found in the business district, the Victorian street lamps and the brick pavers." Our house on the square was almost 100 years old with slanted floors and deep window sills. The word charming just fits perfectly.

We have an old town clock, an adorable tiny post office which i frequent!, historic buildings renovated into homes and big old estates with hulking trees which tower above giving shade. Even the cemetery in the heart of town is so ancient as to be beautiful with it's obelisks and crumblin headstones white with lime.

Now how does where i live affect my artwork? Well, my artwork is not traditional looking. I'm certainly not getting any direct inspiration from my historic and sugary-sweet surroundings. But i'd have to say that the comfortablility and sense of community and family that is all around me here, gives me a kind of peace that is helpful when creating. i am so relaxed when sitting here in my studio. i love my view across the yard. i feel very planted here. So, while i sure could use a lot more of today's upper 60s temps, this place will forever be home. (Even if i take a certain friend's wise advice, and give sunny Austin, TX a try one of these days!)

jet stream - reading, pa??...

Happy Friday all!

I usually love taking us away to an exotic place that we all dream of visiting.  Today we are going to try something a little different.  I have been living in limbo lately. Seven months to be exact.  Everything is written in pencil not pen, and my roots are still waiting to burst out of the pot and get into the ground.  I know I am being quite cryptic here.  I promise to share things with you as the universe shares them with me.  For now, we wait...

While we wait I thought it would be wonderful to hear about what inspires right in our own backyards.  It is of course wonderful to dream about and explore the world, but is it equally as great to celebrate the beauty that surrounds each of us daily?  I say absolutely and perhaps it is even more important to do so.

To start I wanted to know what inspires the insanely talented group who I like to call the PA connection.  Who knew PA was bursting at the seems with talent, beauty and inspiration?!!

Jan DiCintio of Daisy Jane has been kind enough to show us Reading, PA as she sees it.  Enjoy!

I hail from Reading, PA, which about an hour west of Philadelphia. Reading is known for pretzels, the Reading Railroad, and the first outlet shopping in the U.S. It was home to Keith Haring, John Updike, Taylor Swift and the Gosselin family – who lived down the street from me at one time. What I enjoy most about our area is the Smalltown America vibe that is also rich in the arts, shopping and glorious nature. We are a very active family, and it’s so nice to live in a neighborhood where you can walk out the door and go! No driving required. But, if you feel you must, it’s within decent proximity to 3 other major cities!



The tree-lined street where I live – the golden leaves of the Linden trees are a sight to behold in early November.



A neighborhood park with trails & paths leading every which way. We go down to this pond throughout the seasons; in the summer, we walk along the edge looking for toads; in the winter, we come down to ice skate. It’s a man-made pond, and I’ve ridden my bike through it, too! Shhhhh!



Local shopping area with a distinct Main St feel. You can find unique restaurants, boutiques and art galleries along this strip. There’s always something beautiful to inspire me or something yummy to munch on! A friend recently opened her own shoppe here – Hello Bluebird – it’s filled to the brim with handmade goodies of all kinds!



Another park nearby where walking trails follow along old towpaths that are said to be haunted – boo! This distlefink (a good luck bird) is representative of a strong Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in our area – folk art like this is a common sighting. She’s always there to welcome us to the park – such a pretty girl in her bright plumage.

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A glimpse of one of my favorite displays in a nearby antique shop in Adamstown. PA – Antiques Capital USA (gotta dig that designation). I swear I want to eat that color right up!!! There are many, many, many antique shops in Adamstown, and I love walking through these places to see what memories it will stir-up or what inspiration I’ll find in old fabrics, dishware, furniture and jewelry!

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View from a bird sanctuary called Hawk Mountain, where we go to watch migrating raptors. Gazing upon a soaring hawk, eagle or falcon as it makes it way from one nesting ground to the next is breathtaking. It sums up the power and fragility of nature all at once. This refuge is just off the Appalachian Trail – and we hop onto that for hiking and trail runs as often as we can.

What to share a bit of inspiration from your little nook in the world??  I'd love to hear it! Email me here.

my art licensing story + small break...

The wonderful artist and art licensing coach Tara Reed has asked us to share our art licensing story.  Who knew shooting a little video would be so much fun?!  Thanks for the push Tara!  Want to see more stories? They are available on Tara's blog.

Leaving you with my story this week as I head to Austin!  I am ready for a week full of friends, a wedding, and a bit of inspiration shopping too.

jet stream - south africa with jesse breytenbach...

We have a wonderful treat today on the jet stream.  Jesse Breytenbach is a wonderful artist who has been featured here before.  She does a fantastic range of hand screened items that are all available in her etsy shop.  She has been kind enough to whisk us away to the place she calls home - South Africa.

A favourite walk along the river.... it's a short walk, but so pretty.Although this is called the 'Cape Town & District Association for the Hearing Impaired', the sign on the window says it's the 'Deaf Club'. A man standing against the corner asked me whether I was an artist. I mumbled "Sort of" and he wished me a nice day. I do like my neighbourhood!The grain mill is quite near my house; it's the tallest building for miles around. It's in an area that used to be heavily industrial, right next the railway line. Now most of the grain is transported by road, which means that huge trucks thunder past, literally shaking foundations as they go, causing cups and glasses to rattle in my kitchen cupboards. The trucks regularly get stuck in the narrow roads, too, to the amusement of pedestrians, but not drivers, I suppose. To really appreciate it's Art Deco touches, it's best to see it from train going past.And Burger Fair as the sun sets: burgers that taste home-made, eaten from a tray clipped on to the car window. The waitress isn't on rollerskates, but she should be.The Werdmuller Centre is a shopping centre that was built in the 70s by a world-renowned architect. People either love it or loathe it, and there are constant rumours and threats of demolition. It's mostly empty but for a church, a few dingy shops, and the best secondhand bookshop in Cape Town, Cafda. I think it's beautiful!

jet stream - scandinavia + marimekko...

There is a short list of things that make me gasp for air and leave a dull ache in my soul (in the best way).



This list includes:  Paris, olives with cheese and red wine, my hubby's laugh and...marimekko.  Spring 2010 does not disappoint.

jet stream - scandinavia + surface...

Continuing on our journey, Scandinavian Surface is an amazing group suppling wallpaper, wall hangings, bags, and home accessories in a fantastic range of prints.

jet stream - scandinavia + inreda blog

Just found this great blog Inreda for all things Swedish in art and design and much more!

jet stream - back to paris...

Ok so look.  If you don't already know that I have an absolute and total obsession with Paris and France as a whole, then you probably don't know that the sky is blue.  I am well aware that yes, it has definitely crossed over into stalker status - but I'm okay with it and I hope you are too!  ;-)  So I am a girl who knows what she wants, that's a good thing, yes?!





I was really starting to give it a rest until Nichole over at little brown pen started posting pics from her trip.  They are literally making my soul ache!  So I thought we would revisit a bit.  Besides, who can really get enough of Paris!

jet stream - back to budapest...

Happy Friday everyone!  Today's jet stream takes us back to Budapest.  I love heading straight to the local markets (Grand Market Hall - Nagyvasarcsarnok) straight away to get a true sense of what the people are about.  In Budapest, it is all about the peppers and the paprika!  I am drawing inspiration from these peppers today as I continue to plan to really fire up 2010. I hope they speak to you as well.

jet stream - austin, tx...

Welcome to Austin!  As the locals would say!  Today's jet stream takes up to the capital of Texas.  Yes you will find great bbq, tex-mex, and maybe a cowboy or two, but you will also find a great arts community, serene places to work, and a range of live music to reward the end of a hard days work.  I am really interested lately in the concept of doing a work/artist retreat.  A few days to get away to a beautiful easy paced town to really dig in and get inspired.  Austin is a fantastic place to do this and the balmy winter temperatures make it a great winter escape!  Get ready to unplug and do some sketching by the lake!
One of the most amazing places to work - Mozart's Coffee shop.


This is an interesting emerging project encouraging the reuse and repurpose of materials when creating new art.

There are a range of fantastic boutiques to shop to keep the creative juices flowing.  By George is one of the most popular, and the south congress shopping district is not to be missed too.

jet stream - hiatus...

Jet stream is on a mini hiatus and will return with new adventures and inspiration next week. In the interim, I invite you to travel to the place within...

image is copyright khristian a. howell and cannot be used or reproduced without permission from the artist.

jet stream - ode to japan by rachel asimakopoulos...

Japan and Me: A Love Story

Descending into the land of geisha, sushi, and harajuku girls, I am once again astonished by the homogenous nature of the Japanese culture. It has been 8 years since I lived in Japan - eight long years.

The lights of Shibuya called to the shopper in me like a beacon, a star in the night, leading the way home. Home here comes in the form of the shopping districts of Tokyo. If this were my home, my closet would be filled with flannel shirts and puffy jackets. Every where you turned, buffalo plaid, window-pane plaid, madras plaid - plaid, plaid, plaid!!! It was a plaid plaid world in Japan. And puffy jackets weren't taking a back seat either. It was like walking into the world's largest outdoor retailer on the planet. As if all the Japanese stores took their inspiration from the likes of LL Bean, Eddie Bauer, Land's End, and REI.

However, despite the over-stuffed store racks and repetitive window displays, there were few people actually sporting these looks. Instead, the apparent consumer choice came in a lace package. The vintage victorian influences were commonplace attire throughout the streets, especially for the female crowd. Subdued colors, in earthy cosmetic tones, grounded the liberty inspired floral patterns. Lace, gathers, and puffed sleeves helped emphasize the feminine nature of this trend.

Tying these 2 strong trends together were the ever popular Cowboy Boots. In every shape, size, color, and pattern - from animal printed to hot pink slouched, these boots were pounding the pavement every where I looked.

It took 8 long years for me to get back to Japan. Now here are 8 reasons why I will once again return some day:

#8 Sweet Bean Paste
#7 5 Tiered Pagodas
#6 Butt Biting Deer (If you feed them, they will come)
#5 Sumo Wrestlers and their rice throwing ways
#4 Warm Sake Under the Cherry Blossom trees
#3 The soft glow of lanterns at night
#2 Disco themed private Karaoke rooms
and the #1 reason...Easily Identifiable Fashion Trends!!!

Until 2017 - Sayonara!
Rachel

courtesy Parapluies et Soleil contributor Rachel Asimakopoulos.

Rachel is a senior designer for REI in Seattle. She has lived in Japan and traveled extensively throughout both Asia and Europe.