Found Art

This old sample card of buttons is a great example, in my opinion, of 'found art'. I was browsing the Sunday Antique Market last week and saw it cast away in an old box of odds & ends. It obviously was tossed there as something of no consequence... an incomplete (at that) card of buttons... and what use could they provide being only one of each?

Well, I saw this item quite differently. The colors, the rhythm created by the positioning of the buttons, the typography and numbering elements all looked like a work of art to me. I loved the three dimensional aspect of it and saw the potential in the subtle shadows that would appear once this was hung on the wall...

I happily made my purchase as the seller shrugged at my interest. I love this piece but I also love presenting it in my shop.

This is what makes selling vintage fun.

Tim Irving, Photographer/ Artist Profile

Tim Irving is a British commercial photographer, specializing in interior and travel photography. He currently resides in Spain.

These photographs are a result of his growing interest in fine art photography. They have such a painterly quality to them that I love. His technique involves using film in a collection of vintage and homemade cameras & lenses. Being an avid traveler, many of his photographs document his experiences traveling around the world since the 1970's.

The above photograph is called 'The Flamenco Dress in Bedroom'. The way it seems to be suspended in mid air is magical. The light falling on the fabric and ruffles animates it so beautifully. One of my favorites, definitely!

The top photograph is called 'Ballroom 1977'. It was captured in the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool, England. It is a fine art Polaroid Photo. The effect is certainly dreamlike, more a memory than a literal document of a moment in time.

The last is 'The Button Tin'. This still life was photographed through an old camera's viewing screen. I find old buttons and tins with old buttons incredibly evocative. Tim has such a sensitivity to noticing these details in everyday life.

Tim's work has been featured in many publications including Time Magazine. He has also been part of several exhibitions in Great Britain. His work is currently available to purchase through his Etsy shop where he offers free shipping to anywhere in the world! He also has a beautiful blog called Stylemed. I recommend having a look at all his other gorgeous images...
Etsy Shop + Blog.

Gorgeous Cushions

I have cushion envy. Big time. These are my friend's Clare's cushions. I helped her re-vamp this little sofa about a year ago. It came from her Mom's estate all the way from Great Britain after she passed away. It held great sentimental value for Clare. This sofa was also built like a tank; in a good way! The fabric, however was a dull, tan color that had long since seen better days.

I had an upholstery expert I know from the film biz re-do the piece in this great brushed steely blue velvet. As per Clare's wishes it was all filled with down feathers. In her memory when she sat on this couch you sank into it, were enveloped by it and this aspect had to remain through the cosmetic makeover...

Back to the cushions... Clare knows a good thing. I had lusted after these whenever I browsed through Constantine, an exquisite home decor shop on Yonge St. in Toronto. Every item in this shop is hand picked with an eye for the best. The best does not come cheap let's say.

One day I went to visit Clare and I was stunned to see 5 of these silk velvet works of art cushions in her living room. She had been working out at a gym across the street and spied them in the window. The rest is history...

The colors of this collection are out of this world. I doubt my picture does them much justice here but you can get an idea. Luminous and sensual these down filled squares of delight are a feast for the eyes and skin. They shimmer as the light through the front window filters into the room.

They do her Mom's sofa proud.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Spring in My Neighbourhood

As I was walking in my lovely neighbourhood today, on my way to pick up strawberries at the supermarket, I stopped to take a couple of pictures. I live in a lovely Victorian enclave in the city of Toronto, called Cabbagetown. People are very house proud around here and that includes their gardens.

May is a glorious month with spring flowers in abundance, crisp air; not yet the oppressive heat of summer... I love this short season; it seems everyone appreciates the fine weather after months of cold winter!

Well, I am off to turn those strawberries into a fruit salad... I hope everyone has a beautiful week. Enjoy the flowers!