i art u!

MICHELLE FORSYTH

June 17, 1958 (for my grandfather) (#1 from Ostinatos), 2007.
Paper, watercolor, casein, gouache, felt, beads and pins, 48 x 60 inches.
Installed at Deluge Contemporary Art, Victoria, BC.

"On June 17, 1958, construction on the Second Narrows Bridge came to a halt when a large portion of its span collapsed into the inlet. Strapped to the bridge with harnesses, eighteen workers lost their lives. My grandfather was crab fishing in the inlet at the time and helped save some of the men that fell into the water. In the 1990's, the bridge was re-named the Ironworker’s Memorial Second Narrows Crossing as a tribute to the workers who lost their lives during its collapse. On both ends of the bridge are plaques commemorating the workers who died in the event. My piece depicts some small flowers located near the north end of the bridge."

(via the jealous curator)

living wall by french botanist PATRICK BLANC

designed for the taipei concert hall

read about blanc and see more of his itense (!) work here

installation at the venice biennale 2007 (52nd international art exhibition)

(via babykailan)

alcohol map of the world for children by MASHA KAPSARGINA. 

(via odnoshivkin)

 JAMIE VASTA

(via my love for you...)

temporary sand drawing by JIM DENEVAN-founder of outstanding in the field!

(spotted on le grand cru blog)

magical morning light

just wanted to say what's up on this beautiful morning!
how's the day looking for you?
j.

giveaway winner!

congrats to

samy! you've won an olive juice photography print of your choice!

and 

sarah! you've won a framed pipe and pepper print of your choice!

(you will receive an email shortly!)

thanks all for entering and don't forget to check out and support their work!

and thank you leila and alex for being so amazing!

EAT :: shakshuka

if you haven't heard of shakshuka, you're in for a real treat!

my first encounter with this "seemingly indulgent soul food" was in new york at hummus place 

(you MUST eat there if you visit-so delicious and incredibly affordable :).

shakshuka is a north african dish consisting of poached or friend eggs 

cooked in a sauce of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices.

karen from sunday suppers couldn't have put it better when she wrote "it is so simple and wholesome, but feels like a comfort food indulgence--a great midwinter breakfast, lunch or dinner. "

(i used the sunday suppers recipe but smitten kitchen recently posted on this dish too!)

(image via smitten kitchen)
INREDIENTS:
4 cloves garlic
1 onion
2 tbsp olive oil + more for drizzling
1 cup crushed tomatoes
2 fresh tomatoes chopped
1 tsp harissa
8 eggs
coarse salt + pepper
+ a nice warm bread (i used trader joe's naan!)
DIRECTIONS:
sauté the garlic and onion in your olive oil until the onions are fragrant and translucent. add crushed tomatoes, fresh tomatoes and harissa, and cook the sauce down on a medium heat for about fifteen minutes. add 8 eggs cracked directly into the pan. drizzle olive oil lightly over them and add coarse salt and pepper to taste. cover and cook 5-7 minutes

i couldn't find harissa so i made my own using this recipe.

have you used a chef 'n garlic zoom before (thanks sharon!)!? it is the best thing that has happened in the kitchen since sliced bread! i love it.






making shakshuka was a beautiful process! i didn't end up shooting the final product because there was too much going on in the kitchen! we completed our meal with greek salad and homemade hummus (recipes via here and here)! this may just be my favorite meal...!

tuesday feature :: bird in a bunny suit

i'm liking the idea of a tuesday feature! 

every tuesday i will be highlighting an 

artist, crafter, maker, musician, film, small business, company etc. 

that i connect with and am inspired by! 

first up: bird in a bunny suit (via frankie)

auckland based artist and designer bayley collins creates pieces that center around small collages and drawings inspired by a collection of found images. all of her pieces are one of a kind!

woodland creatures playing dress-up? genius. 

bird in a bunny suit

site I blog I buy

hello, weekend!

the weekend began with plants. lots and lots of plants. it's the best way to start the weekend!
...followed by a stop at enjoy cupcakes before hitting the road to the los prietos campground near santa barbara!
it was a glorious weekend outdoors celebrating the birthday of a dear loved one.
the weekend also ended with plants (pics to come!)

how was your weekend?
j.