Mint

We’ve had another big snow down here in the South. It will all be melted soon, but I like to relish it while I can. With hot chocolate and a good book, preferably. Some recipes I’ve got to try:

+ Belgian Hot Chocolate
+ Mexican Hot Chocolate
+ Perfect Hot Chocolate
+ Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
+ Lavender Hot Chocolate (above, photo by Une-Deux Senses)

“Summer Evening” Acrylic on canvas, 53″ x 42″

From Sallie Whistler Marcucci’s artist statement:
I fancy it’s a conversation between me and the canvas: layers over layers. I sit down with an idea but often the painting takes another turn (and that can go on for years…) I know exactly when it’s finished, but I sometimes despair that it ever will be. Maybe it’s perfect—except for one corner. I re-do the corner and then the other three don’t look right. Occasionally things pop out at the very last minute, an alligator or a young girl fishing. Perhaps something that has been abstract for a long while becomes realistic. I hope the labored layers (and bumps) add to the composition, maybe you can still feel them, like ghosts. And the picture changes according to the mood you’re in, so as painter I need you as viewer to complete it. Like an actual landscape when the sun picks out a detail, maybe one day you’ll see a bit you hadn’t realized was there.

I try to achieve a balance between what’s rough and what’s over-refined, often blocking out surfaces that have taken me hours to paint. The details should add richness and texture, not be fussy. The slashes of paint should add movement to the composition. Occasionally something in the painting refuses to sit down, so I add stripes that tend to settle it. If I’m really sick of it, I stencil it out (I make all my own stencils) and turn it into something else.

If you’re in LA, you can see Sallie’s work on display at LA Artcore through the end of January.

New year, new feature! I’ve decided I don’t share nearly enough of what’s going on behind-the-scenes at Hello Tenfold, and so I’d like to start a new feature on Mint to show you my in-progress and finished work. Our new house has some great windows that make it easier for me to snap photos on the fly, so I hope to be able to have this feature on a weekly basis.

First up are some new letterpress invitations I picked up from the printer this morning. It’s just a peek — I’m delivering these to the bride tonight, but will be able to share the full suite soon!

In keeping with one of my New Year’s goals — mo’ plants — I’ve been clipping, potting, and rooting like a madwoman. Here are a few plant-tastic rooms I love.

From top to bottom: Ford Wheeler’s house on The Selby, Jenny Wik’s home on Fine Little Day, Elle Decor, Ingalls Photo on Design Sponge, Lyndsay Fitzhugh on The Selby, Nina Shen on Design Sponge

These business cards were designed by the talented Kendrick Kidd and letterpressed by the talented 42Pressed — and look at the beautiful end result! Love them.

Thanks Jackie!

It’s taking all I have not to order this Head’s of State Great Gatsby poster (spotted on FPO). It would look so nice in my office.

As always, I’m on the lookout for simple, healthy meals that are easy to make, and this Spinach and White Bean Soup from Lemons and Anchovies looks just about perfect. Chances are, you’ve got most of these ingredients in the cabinet already!