Laurie Spugnardi

Archive for February, 2010

Florida as Muse. A Photo Essay

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

The critters in Florida are downright prehistoric::
flamingo
flamingo_plumage
manatee
gator
Gulf Coast beach day::
pine_island
shells
Florida shines in its quietest places. Splurge on an airboat ride::
cow_heron_lake
lake_sky_reed_lily
moss_sky
reeds_sky
Spanish Moss casts shadows on a fish pool::
fish_spanishmoss
On the way home. DC at sunset. A bird’s eye view::
washington_dc

Tags: everglades, Florida, gators, manattees, photographs
Posted in inspiration, just for fun | No Comments »

Inspiration: Biology and Charley Harper (Mostly Mr. Harper)

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Where does inspiration come from? I think biology is interesting, but I was never able to wrap my brain around all the names of the parts or processes. What really drew me in were the graphics, charts and illustrations. Designers organize information, good designers turn information into art. Kind of like Charley Harper.

The Giant Golden Book of Biology
EXPLODING WITH STICKY NOTES TO MARK A FUTURE INSPIRATION FIX

Golden produced mountains of books for children (remember The Poky Little Puppy?), so they had a pretty good idea of what drew children in. Hint: It wasn’t biology. Golden commissioned talented artists to make great images and then added lots of color.

harper_cells
CELLS AS MODERN ART

harper_hydra
A GRAPHIC VIEW OF THE HYDRA REPRO DANCE

harper_monkeys
TEXTURE AND LINE SWING IN AN INK AND PAPER JUNGLE

harper_oldsea
AN ANCIENT OCEAN OF MYSTERIOUS SHAPES

These are just a few of the reasons why this book inspires me. Another reason: When my son spied it on the scanner, he said “Hey cool. Can I read this?”

The Giant Golden Book of Biology, An Introduction to the Science of Life.
By Gerald Ames and Rose Wyler, illustrated by Charles Harper.
Copyright 1961, Golden Press Inc.

Want to see more Charley Harper art? Click: Prints

Tags: Charles Harper, Charley Harper
Posted in inspiration, just for fun, on design | No Comments »

Hearts, Weddings, Collaborations & ee cummings

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Welcome February. You are such a nice month to get married in…

In a previous post I waxed on about the support of my art posse. Well, one of them is about to get hitched and the rest of us couldn’t be more excited!

We took it as an opportunity to create a collaborative piece to present to the happy couple. The theme: hearts, of course! The format: 6×6″ canvas, each in our own visual voice wishing them the best. Cleverly mounted so they can be shown together or hung as individual pieces.
My heart is located middle, right. I was going for a Victorian valentine kind of feel. I found some lovely Chinese paper and spent the afternoon x-actoing, arranging, mod-podging and uncrossing my eyes. The lettering in the background is from an e.e. cummings love poem.

{imho, e.e. rocks the poem genre with his use, or should I say misuse, of the English language.}

I’m looking forward to more collaborations with these talented artists… and more reasons to celebrate these wonderful women.

Tags: art collaboration, art hearts, e.e. cummings
Posted in Uncategorized, just for fun | No Comments »

Haiti Relief via Konbit Sante (and me and you)

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Haiti is still hurting.

Let’s help. Purchase anything from my etsy shop and I will donate half of the sale price to Konbit Sante|Cap-Haitian Health Partnership. Free shipping too! So far, my etsy shop has raised over $125! Hurry though, my small relief campaign will run through Tuesday, February 2!

sea and sand hand painted ceramic tide clock

blossom hand painted ceramic switch plate

magnolia hand painted ceramic coaster set

Konbit is Haitian Creole for working together. Sante means health. I though it would be great if you and I did a little konbit of our own, hence the sale in my etsy shop. These folks have been working in Haiti for 10 years and have systems in place to get help where it needs to go, fast. Visit their website for news and to find out how your donations are being spent.

There are lots of other things you may find in the shop or may consider as a gift for a upcoming wedding, anniversary or birthday!

And, if you can’t find anything in my store, check out all the other talented and generous creative souls at etsy who are also finding ways to help Haiti.

Thank You! Thank You!

Pass the word. Pass the love. Buy good, do good.

Tags: earthquake relief, etsy, etsy haiti, etsy maine team, haiti, haiti donations, haiti relief
Posted in Uncategorized, goings on in the studio | No Comments »