Janet Hill

Portrait- The English Major

The thing about janethillstudio on Etsy is that I love the titles of her work as much as the paintings themselves. Beautiful and clever, her work tells stories and every piece leaves you wondering about what happened before or what is going to transpire next. 

I imagine if you have one of her prints hanging in your house, it could reveal something new every day.

Snow White's Vanity

This Is The Place She Had Been Heading All Her Life

Her Best Pink Suit

 

At Long Last Max Returns To The Manor In A Yellow Taxi After Studying Abroad

The Lady Never Liked Having Her Portrait Painted

Hipster Crafter

A Mystery Lady

All images courtesy of janethillstudio

Eyvind Earle

"Barns in Snow"

Recently, while on a search for an alphabet poster that is not too busy or too precious or one that does not mask, blend, or hide the actual letters (I seem to be asking for too much with this criteria) - I came across the work of Eyvind Earle.

An American artist, Earle is most famously known for his work as the background illustrator of Disney classics like "Peter Pan," "Lady and the Tramp" and "Sleeping Beauty." In terms of background and setting, I've always thought these were the most beautiful Disney films and so it is wonderful to now know that what I actually love about those films is Earle's gorgeous use of color and space. And, as you can see below, it turns out that his own artwork is equally as captivating (I love his barns). There really is something about the way he was able to create such haunting and atmospheric landscapes through the use of such rich and deep jewel-like colors and open space.

"Autumn Sunset"

"Cattle Country"

"Fields and Distance Hills"

"Gray Coastline"

"Late September"

"Winter Barnyard"

all artwork via eyvindearle.com

mr printables

The site Mr Printables is filled with paper fun- free printables for kids of all ages. I am including some of my favorites- bird finger  puppets, a peg people world, polaroid style flash cards and simple notecards. The site is filled with instructions and suggestions- but it most importantly a gateway to imaginative play!

All images: mrprintables

Anna Atkins and sun prints

via love & reason

As we stay inside because of another heavy, humid, and unbearably hot day - the only things I am drawn to are a dark and cooling blue. I'm not just talking about swimming in blue icees or taking cold baths, but I am also presently addicted to the brisk landscape and cinematography of "Wallander." Set in Sweden, the British series is based on a series of Swedish novels by Henning Mankell and stars Kenneth Branagh. It is also really good.

I am also fully obsessed with sun prints and the work of Anna Atkins. Possibly the first woman to take a photograph, Atkins was a British botanist who published multiple books on algae and ferns that included gorgeous photographs created through the cyanotype (or "blueprinting") process. I cannot get enough of these and am thisclose to trying myself.

 

 

 

  

images via nypl

party straws

Paper party straws are everywhere. I can see why- they are eco-friendly and lend themselves to hundreds of different types of themed events. Whether it be for an extra pop of color or pattern, or as a decorative centerpiece, party straws are the way to go....

 

Images: kidsarefrompluto, etsy, etsy, studiodiy, aardvarkstraws, etsy, etsy, craftbits

Did you catch this?

The piece "Every Teenager Should Have a Summer of ’65"  by Joyce Wadler in the New York Times made me smile today. I loved the above illustration by Rebecca Mock that accompanied it as well.

watermelon, arugula and feta salad

A light and delicious salad for this hot summer weekend- courtesy of skinnytaste.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups seedless watermelon, cubed and chilled
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• 7 oz arugula
• 1/4 small red onion, sliced very thin
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• kosher salt and fresh pepper

Directions:

Wash arugula and dry well. In a large bowl whisk vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss with the remaining ingredients and serve.

Image:jillslist