Late this summer, we visited wonderful Newport, Rhode Island. I woke up early that Sunday and walked the great Cliff Walk. Being surrounded by all of the blue water, sunshine, and history.. was SO good for my soul.
Below are a few photos from that magical morning. ♥
I joined the “Love ALL Project” in early February, when the project began.
The Love ALL Project was founded as a response to a hateful act.
From Love ALL Project founder, Sharon Baanante:
“On February 6, 2017, white supremacist fliers were circulated throughout Norwalk, CT and a few surrounding towns in Connecticut. Covered in plastic sheets and filled with small pebbles to weigh them down, these were left in driveways and mailboxes. The fliers stated ‘We must secure the existence of our race and future for white children. Make America White Again’.”
“Just two days after reading about the hate fliers, I started a community movement in Norwalk called ‘Love ALL Project.’ Love ALL Project is a non-partisan volunteer organization whose mission is to support diversity and unite our community by fostering understanding and relationships between different cultures through inspiring sustainable collaborations.”
“Love ALL Project will provide ways for our community to link arms and work together to better support and understand one another. With the right resources and support, we can spread the love by sharing our community model with other towns and cities.”
I was immediately drawn to this project, and RSVP’d for the first meeting. I had been craving the goodness of something like this. I really didn’t know what I would do, but I was super eager to help. At the first meeting, Sharon outlined the needs and goals for Love ALL Project. One of the immediate needs was… a logo(!). Well, that was something I COULD do! So I jumped right in began my design process.
Regarding the name, I thought the word “Project” was equally as important as “Love ALL”. “Project” means “Progress” — Every small action can make a difference. Through my sketching & incubating, the idea of origami came into play. With just a square piece of paper — anyone, anywhere could make a paper heart to show their support. I envisioned people of all ages, congregating around tables, making hearts in support of the movement.
The logo shape mimicks a completed orgami heart. The squared edges also give it a badge-like appearance. When the heart is used in a repeat pattern — it represents strength in numbers.
The typography is confident and clean, and works with the shape of the heart. The color palette is made up red (awareness) and warm browns/beiges which represent the beautiful skin tones that make up our community. The stripes combined with heart shape provide versatility for many brand applications.
Its been only a couple of months since the project started and the Love ALL Project is growing… Meetings have been held to brainstorm on event topics — Car magnets were produced and distributed. In April, we hosted a booth at the “Growing Unity” event in Pikney Park. Local Mosques and churches are getting involved. Money is being raised to help fund this project. We are getting ready to distribute “business kits” to local Norwalk business to help promote/support this movement. We are going to develop a program for schools. We co-hosted a family event at the Norwalk Public Library on June 20th. Progress is happening.
My best work is done for companies and causes that inspire me. Love ALL Project has inspired me from day one. It’s been fun, enlightening and I’ve made some new friends along the way.
Let love rule!
#LoveALLProject #unitedagainsthate #designforgood
Select photos courtesy of Lauren Henry Photography (Thank you!)
I am feeling inspired on this 2016 Election Day by Hillary Clinton, and the notion of the USA electing its first female President.
To celebrate the spirit of new beginnings, I am kicking off my 100 day project (created by the incredible Elle Luna) today! I will create one collage per day for the next 100 days. This is something I’ve been wanted to do for awhile, and I think today is a most excellent day to begin. Follow along with me on instagram if you’d like! 01/100
“Make Space” has been my mantra this summer: To take breaks. To work more efficiently. To turn down the noise of social media and the interweb. To get out in nature. To go for walks. To stare at the sky, stars, water, trees… To study anything that eminates from this earth. ♥
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see that I LOVE to take photos of my garden. Each year, I am astounded that I can grow food! Especially from those teeny tiny seeds that are sowed in the Spring. Because of lack ofrain in July, this year has not been the best year over all for our veggies,but I am still AMAZED! We’ve grown Snap peas, cucumbers, peppers, summer squash, tomatillos, and tomatoes.
For the past few years I have been art directing and styling the photographs for my client, John & Kira’s. We have a yearly photoshoot with the tremendously talented photographer, John Uher. Below illustrates the evolution of the winter forest photograph used in the J&K holiday catalog.
Top photo: Ingredients gathered, many from Terrain in Westport, CT
Middle photo: On set at the studio of John Uher, photographer
Bottom photo: Final Shot
Tonight as I was thumbing through one of my coveted antique books for typography inspiration, I found the most amazing little treasures within its pages.
Notes of wildflower sightings from the summer of 1902 & 3. AND an actual columbine flower that had been carefully pressed between the pages of its correct spread. This flower was picked, recorded, and placed in this book over 100 years ago. Such a treasure. (Gulp)
Silvie and I had some fun recently making stamp prints of the cross section of a celery stalk. Can you take a guess as to whom made each of the patterns?
(Hint): I should follow my 2 year old daughter’s lead in breaking the grid!
I was so pleased to see how beautifully the celery printed.
I found this cookbook at an antique market in Rhinebeck, New York. The epitome of cheerful and charming, it was illustrated by Vee Guthrie and published by Peter Pauper press in 1951. Each section is preceded with a full page illustration by the artist. The colors, the type, the folky style, such a little treasure!
It has been quite a busy summer for me workwise. In June I was asked to style a photo shoot for John & Kira’s chocolates, who has been a design client of mine for the past few years. I was extremely nervous going into it, but eventually settled in and found the styling part to be quite natural, especially since I knew the client and their products so well. And I really loved the shopping part! Most of the props were purchased at flea markets and consignment shops in New York City.
Here are a few of the more intimate chocolate beauty photographs. The photos were shot by the very talented John Uher at his studio in New York.
