Blah,Blah,Blahg

THE BRIGHT SIDE PROJECT::ARTIST 28::LONNY::PATRICK CLINE +MICHELLE ADAMS

{please visit lonny photo here}

Day 28. The last day of The Bright Side Project BUT don't fret, I had an overwhelmingly positive response to what we will now dub Part 1, that we will continue this bad boy until one Miss B. runs out of steam. For a project that was seriously imprormptu (read seat of my pants), it ran fairly smoothly with only a few hiccups here and there.  I feel like I have gotten to know you all better and have met some new lovelies along the way. In my former life as a fashion publicist what I enjoyed most about my position was the discovery of a new talent and the opportunity to try to get them exposure so they could continue doing what they love. There were many things I ended up despising about my job (ego, unappreciation, etc.) I felt that this project allowed me do something I truly missed about my former life without all that other icky stuff thrown in.  It opened my eyes again and I fell in love many times this month with all the talent I got to be associated with. I saved artist 28 Lonny for last because I really felt Lonny is a collaboration of a labour of love, two creatives in alternate disciplines coming together to make life more beautiful.  Both Patrick Cline and Michelle Adams of Lonny are highly successul entrepreneurs on their own, together they are magic.  Since their collaboration has just recently launched I am taking a gamble that I will be the lucky one to introduce you to Lonny, which makes me want to do a happy dance. For the finale I chose this gorgeous offering which included some of my favorite things: photography (specifically in love with the depth of field--the blur for those thinking I am speaking Cantonese), the shoes. I am a shoe fanatic. The color yellow I can't get enough of this happiness-this shouts 'happy, happy joy, joy ' to moi.  Prop styling, in another lifetime this is what I would like to do (at least for a bit) and the endless realm of possibility inherent  in the image. Is the owner of the shoes getting ready for an evening out or a trip abroad? Are the shoes taken off after a long day? Are they sitting in display in a shop window waiting for their rightful owner to come along and bring them home? I love the idea of endless possibility....

In their own words:

Lonny is a comprehensive photography and styling team comprised of photographer Patrick Cline and designer Michelle Adams. The duo met in New York in 2007 at a photo shoot for domino magazine, and have since collaborated on lifestyle and interiors projects.

Patrick’s extensive knowledge and love of photography began in London in 1997 where he assisted some of London’s premiere photographers. He spent nearly a decade honing his skills on projects ranging from fashion editorial and car photography to digital retouching and commercial printing. In 2006 Patrick made the move to New York and founded his company Brand Arts, where he has since worked with clients in the cosmetic, fine arts and design industries.

Michelle trained her eye for styling and design at a young age by combing flea markets and secondhand shops for quirky finds. She later studied interior, fashion and textile design at Michigan State University and spent a summer in London working for legendary textile designer Zandra Rhodes at the Fashion and Textile Museum. In 2006 Michelle moved to New York to work for domino magazine where she assisted the Decoration Editor on sourcing products, organizing photo shoots, and pitching new designers and trends. She has recently founded an organic interiors company called Rubie Green and works and resides in East Harlem.

Speaking of endless possibility, your question to answer to qualify to win this stunning 16" x 20" print is:

What would you try if you weren't afraid of failing?

You have a week to answer this question, we will announce the winner on Monday, 3.09.09. Even though I don't qualify to win Ace & myself have been playing along with you and I will share our answers soon.  I am very excited to try to answer this one...

Thank you so very much Michelle and Patrick!  Also Michelle has a stellar blog called M.A. Belle (get it?) that you should definitely be checking out sooner than later...

I WOULD LIKE ONE THESE PLEASE....

{baby marmoset}

THE BRIGHT SIDE PROJECT:::ARTIST 27::SHARON MONTROSE

{please vist sharon montrose here}

SHARON FLIPPIN' MONTROSE!!!  Yes, I am screaming, yes I am two seconds from passing out from joy, yes I am completely outta my noggin'.  As Ace/Fancy stated, "You got Sharon Montrose to participate?  Liar."  "No really I did, I swear," I said. He looked at me skeptical (we have several of her books in our home and anyone whom has book can't be willing to be on the B.S.P. let alone on my Blahg in his eyes). "Geez, she's like the Annie Leibowitz of animals"  I.KNOW!  If you don't know who she is hot damn welcome to Sharon Montrose world.  I love her in a totally obsessed kinda way. I love how clean the images are, the lighting, how the animals don't even seem real they are so perfect and of course most of all I love her sense of humor.  Anyone this talented with  a bit of wit and whim thrown in I am a goner. Just check out her profile:

I am a commercial photographer and author.
I love photography.
I love animals.
I love french fries.
I love my husband.

Just like her work simple to the point and makes you grin. Sharon is allowing you to choose your favorite animal from her collection if you are the winner.  I tried, I couldn't. I love the baby deer, the porcupine, the pig, the otter, the prarie dogs, the mini donk, the cockatoo, the......yes, I love it all, I am a Sharon Montrose freak! I love her blog, in which she shares the awesome chalkboard drawings of her husband and behind the scenes at her studio. Of course I love that she was willing to contribute a piece of her work for this project.

The question? 

French fries: Thick or thin?

Please add your favorite animal photo from her shop with your answer.  Remember if you don't you won't qualify for the drawing, BUT you can always come back and add it later.  You will have until next Friday 03.06.09 to enter.  Tell your friends, tell the world I want all of our artists to become world famous!

Thank you Miss Sharon, I am totally, completely ecstatic that you played along...

THE BRIGHT SIDE PROJECT::ARTIST 26::KATE PHILLIPS::CHARM FOUNDRY

 
{please vist charm foundry here}

Artist 26. Can.You.Believe? We have made it through nearly a WHOLE month of kick a*! artists and their generosity!  We have answered questions that have made one lil' ol' Miss B. laugh out loud (you should see some of artist 24 Amber Alexander's answers...), made me cry, made me think about how very, very lucky I am.  Of course, for fear of sounding like a goody goody, I am going to throw caution to the wind but this really wouldn't be as successful without your reading the Blahg and taking the time to answer.  It would be downright depressing BUT because you have been playing along every day is delightful. Yes, every day. You know if it weren't for you, my sloth like self would not have the motivation to post everyday, nope, not I.  You dear reader have made this a success, your 2 cents, your time and just because you are you is what made this a thrill.  You supported the artists that contributed and made me believe even more strongly that there is good in the world.  I so hope I accomplished what I set out to do and that was to make your days brighter and I am 'bout going to pee my pants with excitment to bring you a part deux to this project, yup, a part TWO, for YOU my dear friend deserve it.

Our 26th artist is Kate Phillips of Charm Foundry (I am in LOVE with the name of her company). I think it's best I let her describe her work:

"I feel a little bewildered in this life most of the time! But when I make encaustic paintings and what I call ‘waxy drawings’ I’m taken back to a place where I am calm, where if I’m lucky I’ll experience that elusive moment where everything seems to slow down and listen and connect. I've been working in encaustic for about 9 years and it's the perfect medium for me, it smells amazing! I get to use a blow torch!! and it enables me to trap old paper, thread and found images together to create odd little worlds and moments.
I find inspiration in old forgotten things, the invisible workings of time and space, my 6 yr old son and the incredible constellation of freckles he is growing across his face. I live in a little cottage with my son in Oakland, CA but am originally from deep in the countryside of SW Scotland. Call me crazy but sometimes I really miss the rain!"

Miss Kate has generously allowed you to choose your favorite print (or postcard set) for your prize.  All you have to do is answer this great question:

What is your perfect day and who would you like to spend it with?

You have until next Friday, 03.06.09 to answer, also you still have tons of time to answer questions for some of our other lovely artists, just click on the artist image on the right hand side bar and it will list the artist, the due date  to answer and a link to the post to view more of their work and get further information on them.  Good luck!

Thank you Miss Kate!

EMAIL-- ISN'T JUST FOR VIAGRA SOLICITATIONS ANYMORE...

I want to thank ALL of you that have been so kind to take the time and email me.  I am floored and flattered (unless of course it's to complain about something I did or didn't do than I apologize in advance...) You see I get an awful lot of email:

That there image above is a screenshot from this morning. Yesterday it was over 1800 and I am darn proud of myself for even making the dent that I have! I just want you to know that I LOVE your emails and if I get more than one on the same subject (and it's not too personal) I will try to answer it on the Blahg because maybe there are more of you that want to ask questions but are too shy, tired, motivated to ask...I got your back...I just wanted you to know if I missed your emails and you were on a tight deadline to have me answer I am so sorry, maybe in the subject line you can put something along the lines of : S.O.S? Although I do know one blahg buddy that did so and it still took me 3 days to get down to her S.O.S. and by the time I did I missed the boat...I would consider alternate email addresses, maybe one for submissions, gotta  know, how-to, what have you.  If your subject line stands out I am easily distracted I may just open yours first, not for any reason but that you caught my slow attention span on park for a sec. I am open to suggestions if you ahve any on how I can get through these faster so no one feels like I am ignoring and now the know what the 'b.' stands for ....

Kisses,

Miss B.

P.S. I put this in the blog like a rock star series because it's probably a real smart move to answer your blog emails and if you can't let it be known that you really, really want to but you need to wash your hair or some other great excuse. 

P.P.S. I really, really, really am going to try to answer them all....

THE BRIGHT SIDE PROJECT::ARTIST 25::LINDSEY HAIGH::ACCESSORI

{please visit accessori here}

I love Lindsey Haigh's work, it''s very fashion-y to me and I miss being immersed in the fashion world (sometimes).  I am a huge typography fan and I just think these simple images are perfect when you want to give a space an 'I don't take myself too seriously, and yes I own 100 pairs of shoes and have given up food to afford them vibe.'  Call me crazy but that's my take. 

Lindsay Haigh was trained in fashion design but always had a love for graphics, typography and colour. She started to design prints when her sister moved into her new flat and needed some artwork to put on her white walls. "I think colourful artwork is a really good way to accesorise a plain living space,", says Haigh. 

I am a sucker for the Queens English, I just love the absence of 'z' and the addition of 'u' to some words.  Luckily, today I don't have to show off how affected I am and artist 25 hails from the U.K. so for once I can allow this obsession to be public. So thank you Miss Lindsey on two counts, the lovely artwork and the ability to show my true colours...

Lindsey will allow the winner of her question to choose their print of choice.  Please let me know which one you want on your walls in the comments (it makes it easy for lil 'ol me when I find out you are the winner!) The question is:

What was your favourite purchase of all time and why?

For me right now it would be a toss up between my Mac and my camera (Canon Rebel) because they both offer me such creative freedom and I am offcially in love with them both...

PLEASE HELP!!!!

I have mentioned this prior and I am mentioning this again because it is said the fires will be continuing into April! This is the latest from the Telegraph:

The ferocious fires of Feb 7 killed at least 210 people, destroyed 2,00 homes and left 7,000 people displaced. They began on Melbourne’s hottest day on record, fanned by 50mph winds and fuelled by tinder-dry leaf litter.

PLEASE If you can donate ANY money to the efforts, please do, it all adds up...Thank you!

THE BRIGHT SIDE PROJECT::ARTIST 24::AMBER ALEXANDER

{please visit amber alexander here}

I wanted to have the finale of the bright side project part I be filled with my favorite things-animals, photography, typography and fashion.  So forgive me for taking such liberties with my peccadillo's but I am hoping beyond hope that you too enjoy my picks for the last week.  I have mentioned artist 24, Amber Alexander in a previous post and am so happy that this time 'round I can possibly allow you to take one of her prints home with you.

"I love animals. I try my best to present them in such a way that humans understand them better, are more curious, or at least have empathy and understanding for them. I completely believe they have feelings and of course, are very beautiful, each in their unique way", states Alexander.

Amber will be giving away your choice of a print (8x 10" on 8 1/2 x 11" paper size) of any of the images in her shop. You must first come up with the winning answer to this delightful and very Alice and Wonderland-esque question:

What is your most interesting or vivid memory or fantasy involving a squirrel?

Please be sure to add your favorite choice in your answers, so we know what to get to you the winner.  Yes, your answer will be disqualified if you don't BUT of course on the bright side you can always come back and add it later if you forgot, were too excited or couldn't be bothered previously.  I do think these would look great in a grouping but I feel that way about most of the artists work...So start collecting!  We will announce the winner next Wednesday, 03.04.09

I have been LOVING your advice answers for artist 23 Alicia Bock and speaking of....thank you Miss Alicia for the mention of the project (btw her blog is GORGEOUS). We love when people spread the word on the bright side.  I want TONS of exposure for our contributors and more exposure of course means I can bring you MORE surprises!  If you have written a post about the project please let me know and I will be sure to add your thank you and a link... I need your help, please give me advice here....

THE BRIGHT SIDE PROJECT PART DEUX?

The Bright Side Project...continued?

Could it be?  Yes, it just might be...Maybe, perhaps, I dunno, we'll have to see...It seems that a month wasn't long enough to impose permanent change, although I tried to fit all the good vibes, positive feelings and bliss I possibly could into one month, yes granted it was a short month, but I tried...And well it's been so exciting for me.  You see, I am the one in need of 'the bright side' as much as you are.  My days are stuck in a job that I really enjoy but with a boss that allegedly does not appreciate me as much as I would like, in fact I would go so far as say that he can be downright not nice and that wears on my psyche and then I feel guilty to complain because I know there's a lot of people without a job right now so I should just shut my thinking trap and just make the most of it for right now, but it is hard.... This project is my diversion, my happy time and trust me I feel like I am receiving as much as I am giving because I have read so many great and inspiring things this past month and met so many kind and creative individuals.  I feel very lucky and I want to share that with you.  Yes you.  I just have a few questions as I embark on my next foray into part 2, maybe possibly part 3 & 4...I need some advice from you, since this project is about you and not me, I need your two cents, so here I go feel free to answer here in the comments or send me a private email.  I really do want to hear from all of you and see what I can do to make your lives even brighter....

The first 'bright side project' featured artists.  I have planned for part 2 something I think will knock your socks off BUT I want to hear from you. What would you like me to feature in the upcoming projects? Books? Beauty? Sweets?  My goal if you must know is to get you a vacation.  Yes a vacation, but I am going to need to work up to that one and I will need ALL of your help by helping spread the word on your blogs, tweets, facebook, etc. the project and it's contributors (no the vacation one is mot part deux, sorry, baby steps here...) What are some of things that I could feature that would make you scramble on over here and tell your friends?

Do you just want me to just give away items or do you want tips or advice on how other people are making lemonade out of lemons?  An example is the Fancy and I have put a moratorium on take-out during the week and have started cooking like wild banshee's, would you like us to share what we have done?  Do you want to hear other stories from people around the globe on how they are getting through this tough, stressful time and coming out smelling like roses?

That's all for now, I am so looking forward to hearing from you all.   ANY advice on how to improve upon these projects would make me giddy...BTW for those of you who miss pics of my Fancy and cutie pie pie pups and talk about nothing, I plan to give the bright side project it's own blog and url, so you can have your cake and eat it too!

THE BRIGHT SIDE PROJECT:: ARTIST 23::ALICIA BOCK

{please visit alicia bock here}

Good Monday my Pretties!  Have you fallen off your seats yet?  Over the weekend we added some great contributors, Nicole Balch of Pink Loves Brown and Wendy Owens, Orange Willow.  Both are allowing you to choose your favorite from their offerings which is too much really, just try to decide, it's near impossible for me choosing which images from these artists I will be posting each day let alone to choose which pieces to take home--may the force be with you. Artist  23, Alicia Bock is contributing one set of her mini prints (there's FOUR 4.25" x 4.25" prints in a set), it's going to drive you mad in the best way possible because each of Alicia's images are more lovely than the next.  I am a HUGE fan yes, HUGE.  I am such a fan that I even saved a spot in the project for her BEFORE she committed because I just knew she had to be part of this.  For those that are not familiar with Alicia's work I am so pleased I can be the one to introduce you to it  and for those of you that are familiar you are probably drooling 'bout now, no?

"My photography is the search of light and shadows, pretty things in pink, the feeling of the ocean, and a blue moon. I strive to create photographs that evoke memories of our favorite days. I am a completely self-taught photographer. I love experimenting at my own pace, and being inspired by my children, as well as my own childhood memories of my grandparents gardens, and boxes of old Polaroids. I grew up in Michigan and Florida, surrounded by water and color, and am still greatly influenced by those two environments", says Bock.

If you have been playing along, you know we usually have an artist pose a question here, truth-be-told, I was so damn excited by the prospect of having Alicia on board for this project that I forgot to ask her and so now I am left with the task at hand to come up with one on the spot, hmm?  The question to win the mini set of prints from Alicia is:

What's the best advice you ever received? Something that made you change your life.  It can be something simple.  An example is my bestie Candace was very nonchalant about me becoming a designer, something along the lines of, 'It's easy, you just have to play around with it I'll show you, just practice, anyone can do anything if they practice'.  It's not traditional advice but it changed my life.  I wouldn't have The Bella Bella co, or the Blahg (Candace was the genius who asked me to create monkeys swinging from a chandelier, why not?) without this single bit of advice.  I now apply it to almost everything.  If I want to draw better I sit and practice (Candace is convinced anyone can draw, I am convinced that she knows what she's talking about), if I want to take better photo's I practice. It seems so obvious but I just figured all these things were out of my realm until I tried.

We will choose the winner next Tuesday 03.03.09.  An extra special thank you to Nicole at Pink Loves Brown for the mention on her awesome blog!  Nicole is amazing in all she does and creates and is a really unique and generous soul. I am so glad I did some 'reno' with the Blahg before she did the mention because those monkeys sure look sa-weet on her blog...Please visit her often, you won't be disappointed...

P.P.S. Please check out the post below this one (I know, two posts in a day?!) I need your help pretty please with sugar on top...