casapinka

Nina in Vorn

So much busyness around Casapinka! Birthdays and lots of hot weather. Flash floods and potato printing. Note: Tough little ninja's don't want sheets with little printed houses on them. "Couldn't you put guns or knives or at least some blood, mommy?"

Today, I bring you a long time favorite artist of mine, Nina van de Goor. I just adore this platter and plate set and I'd hang it on my kitchen wall immediately if it fell into my lap. The colors and whimsical graphics make me feel so optimistic! Today is yoga and swimming at the Y followed by some more printing with the kids and cupcakes for the birthday. Somehow the kid in question managed to stretch her birthday celebration to three days! We found the most wonderful chocolate cupckake and frosting recipe using alkalinized dutch cocoa or some such thing and the entire family is crying out for them. Then, finishing touches on the 18 foot curtain I made to divide their room. I went for broke bolting in large cables to the studs (who's a stud?) and 6 simple panel curtains later, it is a very impressive split into two equally sized rooms. It's as if the wildebeest and lion have been mercifully separated although they still share legos on a regular basis.

 

 

The Suffragette with the Uneven Bosoms

Visitng a friend in NYC a couple of months ago, we came across this store in Billyburg that didn't appear to have a name. It was wall to wall estate sale, basically. Dusty "junk" and treasure as far as the eye could see. Upstairs, dusty paintings and frames that I was literally tripping over from front to back of the store. I went through every one of them and didn't feel anything calling to me until the - believe it or not - very last one. Then, there she was.

Husband calls her The Suffragette and claims she wouldn't look at the artist because her breasts were uneven! According to him, she thinks she's "all that" and doesn't have to look at the artist.  I think he has the wrong era but I appreciate the storyline and his imagination. I also think that  he unerestimates what savvy women have been doing for billenia (gawd, I love having a blog where I can make up obnoxious words) to even out uneven bosoms. At any rate, she's here to stay at Casapinka, in all her picketing, marching, heteromastic fabulosity and so am I, wearing my rose colored neologistic glasses, of course. I hope you like her because you'll be seeing plenty more of her as Casapinka continues to slowly evolve.

Sevenstar's Charming Prints

I really love the artist Elisandra from  Sevenstar out of Berlin. That's Berlin, Germany, not Berlin,  Texas y'all. 

Sometimes I stare at her prints and try to plan what I'd put on my blank kitchen walls opposite the pink doors. Those walls have taken a backseat to the foyer of late. I like to jump around!

You see, one side of the kitchen is quite cheerful while the other is quite bare. I like to move slowly, though, so it's ok. 

 

 

I could possibly get away with this Namaste print in Junior's room since when he's shocked or surprised,  instead of yelling "My Penis Stars!" at the top of his lungs as he used to (like, a month ago)  he's taken to crossing his legs and putting his fingers in circles and pretending to meditate. I prefer it to the former although it's origin perplexes me. He's a funny kid.

How does one choose?!

 

Mixed media collage

A little cheerfulness for your Wednesday. Collage by Danny Phillips.

White Dress Painting and Tea

 For some time now, I've loved the idea of painting dresses. I cut pretty dresses out of every magazine I can get my grimy hands on, just so I can look at them,  but painting them is no easy feat.  Here is this week's painting from my class. Today there is no school and I have two sweet little kiddos at home who really want to snuggle into me and jump on my head at the same time. I'm still trying to figure out what a tired, limping mommy and two rambunctious children can do on a cloudy day - Benadryl anyone? There are a lot of requests for Ikea, as they both love Smaland and the food there, so we may drive the forty-five minutes to Swedish nirvana.

 My plans for this weekend include trying to find some more energy, and taking it as easy as I can. You may laugh but meditation is part of it - why is it I think  I can pluck energy and vigor out of my inner psyche? I'm also part of this online course so I have homework for the first time in years! I'll share some of it with you as the course progresses. Finally, I need to go tea shopping as our stashes are very low. We're big tea drinkers at Casapinka. Husband drinks Irish tea and keeps it in this silver container that I picked up at a flea market.  I like to drink around, if you know what I mean, and always have a few boxes of herbal and black teas going. Any suggestions for favorite teas are appreciated!

 Thanks for visiting Casapinka and I wish you a fulfilling weekend, wherever you are and whatever you are doing. 

Vintage fashion illustrations

A friend asked my advice on some of these vintage fashion illustrations that she found on Ebay. I think they are a steal (many are $40) and are all original paint or pen and ink. Go have a browse and see if you find a little treasure for yourself or someone special. Find more here.

My friend bought this one for her little girl's room. I think it is very sweet and will be a very special present for her.

Jane Foster

I discovered Jane Foster in my Etsy travels yesterday and am in love with her work. I left a completely dorky comment on her blog: "You should be making fabric." and (duh) I looked through her website more and found that she is. The colors and clear Scandinavian influences are pure inspiration to me. She mostly does screen prints but have a look at her home design and the vintage fabrics that she collects! I know you'll enjoy her work as much as I do and I feel sure we'll be seeing a lot more of her. Find her on Etsy here.

Bold florals

Livingetc. has declared this the season of the "Bold Florals."  I think my whole life would be a bold floral (if certain influences, namely one to whom I'm married) would allow it.  Now honey, this would look FAB in our bedroom and YOU KNOW IT.

Original painting for from Karen Field's Etsy Store.

Hadley Hutton spring sale

Hadley Hutton's Spring sale is up. I discovered Hadley a couple of years ago and enjoy the piece I bought from her so much. I promise you will, too!

Peter Hunt Silkscreens

Last year at a garage sale I saw these, loved them and bought two of the four available.  Not only do they look so, so sweet in the kiddos' room, it seems they weren't such a bad investment, after all.  And when asked why I'm spending $40 (we're garage sale cheapskates) on two dumb posters,  this makes me want to say, REMEMBER BLYTHE, suckah.