I can’t get enough of cacti and succulents – in real life and in art form. Inspired by the artist’s childhood memories of the backyards in old houses of her hometown in Argentina, Art and People illustrates the most beautiful botanicals by way of gouache, watercolors and acrylic on paper. Just beautiful and the perfect, cheery addition to any wall.
It was the talismans of North Africa and the symbolic colors of Islam that inspired jewelry designer Katherine Mary Pichulik‘s spring collection Baraka, which means “blessing” in Arabic. It’s amazing how humble the designs are in color and construction and yet each piece makes such an exquisite statement.
The first time I fell in love with Otomi fabric was while visiting the folk art markets of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. These vibrantly colored textiles are hand embroidered by the Otomi women, in the Tenango Valley of Hidalgo, Mexico. The motifs, which usually always include flowers and animals, originates from the prehistoric wall paintings from the region and symbolize man living in harmony with nature. As you can tell, each embroidery takes tens of hours, if not a couple of months, to complete – and the end result is stunning. I’m so happy to have discovered Olli, a San Francisco based company who works with a small collective of embroiderers to bring Otomi loungers and cushions stateside. I’m just lusting after one of the those large muli-colored loungers!
Hillary Justin knows a thing or two about vintage denim. Having co-founded the LA based vintage studio Just Say Native, she recently launched her own collection of embroidered vintage denim under the label Bliss and Mischief. Inspired by nature (like the infamous large cactus in her backyard), the sun bled shades of Joshua Tree, and her lovable Uncle Phil, Hilary embroiders authentic vintage Levi’s and military jumpsuits with floral and western motifs using a hand guided machine. Her first collection The Face of The Desert also includes antique Japanese kimonos, soft vintage tees and blankets. We might have to agree with Hillary . . . Bliss And Mischief makes life better.
