I’ve got a very important date to see Alice this afternoon and I can’t wait!  I anticipate magic.

images via Design*Sponge  

I’ve equally enjoyed looking through Nancy’s blog and all of her photographs.  Her images of pregnancy, family, and lovers are so intimate and sincere.  I was also excited to see her images of the band “Warpaint.” 

images via Nancy Neil for Anthem Magazine.

I’ve begun a minor obsession with their music.  Its so very wonderful, I just can’t get enough of it. Take a listen here.  Looks like they’re going to be down in Austin for SXSW!

It wasn’t just the overall atmosphere of the space, but it was even in the small details….like having chocolate covered almonds delivered in little gold bird nests with the check. 

And the food…yes, awesome!  Goat cheese tater tots, enough said.  Do yourself a favor and go enjoy a night at Tillman’s.  I will definitely be back.

The rocking chair was my grandmothers (my mom had it refinished) and the quilt is from mom.  She bought it in Eureka Springs, AR soon after I found out I was pregnant.  The lime green is a toy box I repainted, but left some of the original wood exposed and the letter “e” from the name Alexander that was formerly printed across the front.  The blocks were a gift from R.  I love them!  She bought them through Tiny Giraffe on etsy.  We’ve also received so many wonderful books from friends and family!  So we created a little reading corner with ohdeedoh inspired front facing wall ledges.  I’ve started to hang some art above his crib, from my Zooburbia series. 

I’m really ready to rush and get all the little pieces put together.  Besides the due date fast approaching I’m afraid I won’t even be able to climb the step ladder for much longer!  So if you’re looking for me on the weekends, you’ll find me busily working on “Project Nursery.”  Hopefully before too long I can show some full pics of the finished room!

My friend and artist Veronica DeAnda Tosten passed last Wednesday, Feb 3rd.  I received a call telling me that she had gone some time early in the morning.  On that day in the same morning I was aware that Jen was beginning the labor process to give birth to her little girl.  I met both Jen and Veronica in graduate school in 2001.  They were a year ahead of me and we were all working towards our MFA’s in painting.  Their studios were 2 doors down from each other.  All of the grad students became a close group of artists.  I haven’t quite put my thoughts together and made sense of it all.  But I feel that there is something beautiful and amazing or just profound that on the same day one friend passes, another brings new life into the world.  So much joy and so much mourning on a Wednesday.  Veronica will be deeply missed. 

Please take some time to read the words of Jim Burton, another artist and friend from the grad program and 500X Gallery.  He said it all so very well, here.

A memorial for Veronica will be at 500X Gallery this Saturday, February 13, from 2-5 p.m. A slide show celebrating Veronica’s life and art will be playing during the memorial. A eulogy written by Veronica will be read at the midpoint of the memorial. Veronica’s husband, Erik, would like donations be made to EASL in lieu of flowers.

All my love goes to Erik and the DeAnda and Tosten families.  A facebook page in Memorial for Veronica has been started where you can see photos of Veronica and her artwork.

Welcome to the world!  I am so excited that you’re here.  You are just beautiful as I knew you’d be.  Your Mama worked hard to bring you here, and your Daddy had tears in his eyes as he spoke of your birth.  You are loved beyond measure.  I can’t wait to see your personality and your talents come out.  We’ll sit down and draw a picture together one day.  Your mom and I have had many conversations over the last several years dreaming about what it might be like to be mothers and artists.  And now you’re here…the best work of all, the fulfillment of wonder.

Many congratulations and celebration goes to Jen, Stephen, and their families, for the birth of Dylan Mackenzie!  Yeah!!!

The theatre towers as a rectangular cube and you can see the elevators operating from the outside.  The ramp entering the theatre reminded me of a mini version of walking into the Tate Modern.  And the beautiful interior concrete reminded me of the The Modern in Ft. Worth.  And I know its silly, but I loved the bathrooms….lime green gloss hallways that were painted floor, walls, and ceiling, led into a clean sterile white tiled bathroom…loved it.  Even the theatre chairs are lime green.  The whole space is just impressive, you have to experience it.

Treat yourself a night to with the Dallas Theatre Center at the Wyly….just another reason to love Dallas.

I also just started reading the Dwell Studio Blog.  I highly recommend it!  Check it out and have a great weekend.

images via the Studio Blog.  I love their “How You Dwell” category, featuring Dwell products in people’s home spaces.