Love this Look

I am very much into casual, unstructured and neutral colored clothing. This outfit defines it for me although I couldn't wear this successfully myself...

Subtle shades of whites and grays are quite beautiful. As I get older I don't like feeling overpowered by too much detail & color. This seems to be my aesthetic in home decor as well... interesting how they go hand in hand...

Clothing by Morrison.

New Purchase/Textile Graphic

On the weekend I was on a walk and happened to pass by a favorite vintage decor shop, eclectisaurus, on Gerrard St. in Toronto. They were closed but as I peered in the window I spotted this textile on the wall.

That was it. I knew pretty well, as long as it was in my price range, I would purchase it. I knew exactly where it would hang. At approximately 4 ft. x 2.5 ft. it was the perfect scale to hang over the bed. In our newly painted and re-configured bedroom.

About one month ago I let go of my procrastination and picked a Farrow & Ball white and got painting over some hideous minty green that I had on the walls for far too long. With 2 children in the house a serene bedroom was never a priority. Life was too hectic and messes were too constant to even think about the aesthetic side of things.

Kids are launched. I am seeing rooms again as blank slates, ready to reflect my current take on style.

Bedroom walls... now a linen shade of white. Bedroom floor... dark wood. Bedding... white. Walls... bare except for this one glorious piece hanging over the bed. I love it.

Susan Fothergill/Artist Profile

...each piece of art, a fragment of a never ending poem,
an heirloom of love.
-susan fothergill

This is the work of Canadian artist, Susan Fothergill.

From the first time I saw one of her silkscreens, several years ago, I knew this was someone whose language I understood. I sensed a tension between joy and sorrow, love held and love lost... ideas and imagery that can be felt on a level that needs no words.

The image above is a triptych called 'Dreamers'; life size self portraits of the artist dreaming awake and dreaming asleep. I find this an incredibly compelling series. The symbolism is powerful; the flaming lotus flower, roots, serpent and crown all in reference to an unending source of creative energy and imagination...

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The first boot print is called, "Baby's Boot II". The following two are from the "Baby's Boot I" series. These are hand colored silkscreen prints. On a purely visual level, I adore the joyful exuberance of these images. The colors pop on the pure white ground and the graphic crispness of the designs are very appealing to me. (In fact I purchased one of these a few years ago and I just love it).

Susan uses the boot silhouette as an icon; a form onto which femininity's power & softness can be voiced. There is an undeniable energy that radiates from these pieces...



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These last works are a small sampling of her work that uses dresses as imagery. In her different streams she uses both children's and women's garments as subjects. Susan has a love of textiles with a history; lace, veiling, stockings... diaphanous materials that suggest fragments, memories...

This ghostly quality allows for the subtle layering that Susan's work embodies. Old snippets of ribbon & other adornments add a three dimensional element to much of her work. Text is also included on fragments of paper as thoughts are expressed...

There is a haunting aspect to her work but never in a disturbing way. Tragedy, romance, ritual & exploration, strength & vulnerability... all are expressed so beautifully and poetically through Susan's art.




If you are interested in seeing more of or purchasing Susan's work you can email her at:
susanfothergill@sympatico.ca

The Berlin Wall/20 Years Already?

I thought I would share with you today a piece of photographic art that is compelling visually and emotionally...

I was given this 'rare' work to present and sell in my Etsy shop, foundvintagestyle. It is the work of a photographer by the name of Elizabeth Frey. She was born in Germany and trained as a photographer in Berlin. She re-located to Canada in the '50's and had a career in photo-journalism.

Coming up on November 9th./2009 will be the 20th. anniversary of the demolition of the Berlin Wall. It was erected in 1961 in an effort to stop people from leaving East Germany for West Germany.

Elizabeth was there in 1989 for this historic event which held particular meaning for her. Being a photographer she naturally documented what she saw. This photograph of graffiti on the wall is full of the energy and emotion of the time. Additionally she carried back with her this chunk of the wall; about a 3" x 4" piece.

This duo makes a dynamic textural and visual work of art in the truest sense. It provokes thought and, to me, a sense of appreciation for what we at times take for granted...

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!