19th Century Inspiration

Emma and Mr. Knightley note card set

We're reading 19th Century literature in my American Studies course this spring. Currently we're working through, A Hazard of New Fortunes by William Dean Howells.

The book, which takes place in late 19th century New York, tells the story of the dispute between a self-made millionaire and a social revolutionary, with a third man attempting to act as mediator, yet his efforts prove futile.

Penny Farthing Bicycle Chalk Print

The main character of the novel, Basil March, is through whose viewpoint the reader sees most of the story. He resides in Boston with his wife, Isabel, and their two children. They are persuaded by March's idealistic friend Fulkerson to move to New York to start a new magazine, where the writers benefit in a primitive form of profit sharing. After some deliberation, the Marches move to New York and begin a rather extensive search for a perfect apartment.

Era of Elegance - Cameo Hair Clip Set

Work at the new magazine starts, and they decide on a name - Every Other Week. The bankroll of the magazine is coming from a man named Dryfoos, who made his riches from discovering natural gas on his farm, and then from investing money on Wall Street. An illustrator by the name of Angus Beaton, an old friend of Fulkerson's is chosen. Beaton is rivaled by Alma Leighton, also an artist, whom he has feelings for.



Steampunk-Aristocrat-Regency Lace Cravet Set

The story is very conversation-driven, with plenty of description of life in the upper-middle class societies of Chicago and New York City during the 1890's.



Regency Lattice Pillows

Items featured in this post are Etsy finds inspired by what I am studying--click the images for more info.

Flickr Fave: New York City, USA

Taxi light in colors, Times Square @ New York City, USA, originally uploaded by °Doudou°.

My friend, Marty, is headed to The Big Apple tomorrow--here's hoping she has a fantastic trip! No, I've haven't been yet. Yes, it's on my list. People to see, places to go, things to do.

Artist Profile: Blair Lambert aka Bestiary and Bestiary Ink

Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, the personal stuff.
My name is Blair Lambert. I'm originally from rural Pennsylvania but have been bumming around NYC for the past several years. I earned my undergraduate degrees in Museum Education and Fine Art at Penn State. Currently, I'm living in Fort Greene, Brooklyn and I adore it. I'm a graduate student at The Pratt Institute studying Art and Design Education.

Apart from creating, what do you do?

When I'm not sewing, drawing and painting, I'm teaching art to children at a studio right here in Brooklyn.

What first made you want to become an artist?
I don't feel like I had much choice in the matter... I'm not talented in much else. It's a similar to the urge to scratch an itch: I have to use my hands and create.

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I create in bursts. I'll have a few days of massive productivity and then I'll be completely uninspired for a while. My bedroom is my studio. I have my sewing machine, supplies, inventory and work table around my bed, it makes for a great commute to work in the mornings. My handbags are inspired by the fabrics I use. Each is made of a piece of recycled upholstery scrap. I love pairing patterns and colors and it's those combinations that inspire the applique design. My drawings and paintings are all done with Micron pens (which I covet!) and watercolors.

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?
My grandmother had the most amazing collection of sewing supplies and notions, her hording and good taste inspired me most. I love classic children's book illustrators like Arthur Rackham and Beatrix Potter.

Where else can we find your work and connect with you online?
My shops for stationary and fine art are Bestiary Ink and Bestiary for handbags and totes. Any inquires can be sent directly to me via email here.

Images copyright Bestiary Ink and Bestiary, 2009.

And I quote...Miles Davis

"You want to know how I started playing trumpet? My father bought me one, and I studied the trumpet. And everybody I heard that I liked, I picked up things from."

~Miles Davis, circa 1969

Miles Davis was one of the greatest visionaries and most important figures in jazz history. He was born in a well-to-do family in East St. Louis. He became a local phenom and toured locally with Billy Eckstine's band while he was in high school. He moved to New York under the guise of attending the Julliard School of Music. However, his real intentions were to hook up with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. He quickly climbed up the ranks while learning from Bird and Diz and became the trumpet player for Charlie Parker's group for nearly 3 years. His first attempt at leading a group came in 1949 and was the first of many occurrences in which he would take jazz in a new direction...

...more on Miles FOUND HERE.