From a trip to the puget sound, just newly developed. I'd give anything now for an expanse of water - space to breath. Listen to this and have a restful weekend.

pics by yours truly: full set here

"There are, it seems, two muses: the Muse of Inspiration, who gives us inarticulate visions and desires, and the Muse of Realization, who returns again and again to say "It is yet more difficult than you thought." This is the muse of form. It may be then that form serves us best when it works as an obstruction, to baffle us and deflect our intended course. It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work and when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings." - Wendell Berry

Art Hisory, rain, new jeans and oh so tired! Above is Jeremiah in the Romanesque fashion, so whimsically sweet next to his lions.

MAST BROTHERS

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Find the shortest, simplest way between earth, hands and the mouth.
- Lanza del Vasto

In a 100-year-old factory in Williamsburg, NY, Rick and Michael Mast handcraft each chocolate batch from scratch, from grinding their own cocoa beans to wrapping each bar in their signature packaging. " The Mast Brothers Chocolate Factory is New York City's only bean to bar chocolate factory. There is a dedication to purity and an intensity of flavor in their chocolate which is very unusual." - The Selby

I feel that it must be greatly fulfilling to have one place, one pursuit, both simple; and to dedicate everything to them, thereby giving each action dignity. The most infinite artistry can be found the most simple. Leonardo da Vinci said something along that line, I believe. But it puts me in mind of Wendell Berry: “I am not bound for any public place, but for ground of my own where I have planted vines and orchard trees, and in the heat of the day climbed up into the healing shadow of the woods.”
Pictures from The Selby

"The writer should never be afraid of staring.
There is nothing that does not require his attention"
- Flannery O'Connor

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
- Leonardo da Vinci

Sounds of today: here
At my fingertips: typewriters (my new love), ink, letterpress, and too much art history.
Projects: this just finished. and designs inspired by this to be dreamed up soon.
For fun: valentine's day is in two weeks: send love on the net with these.
above: Mastroianni, Pollock, Dylan and Steinbeck. My four muses this week. (from the impossible cool)

Merry Christmas

images via Toast

And the shortest day came, and the year died.
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow white world
Came people singing, dancing, to drive the dark away.

I caught these photos while driving home from the North. These are the days of mystery! Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice, when the darkness looms and the day is its shortest. It is time to carry that light inside, and prepare for the coming of our King.

Above, your dose of cuteness for the week! This time of year is usually my favorite. But it seems somehow way too hectic this year. Time for the tao of tea, quiet, and misty cold mornings. If you're looking for a good book, try The Road. Although it is difficult and painful, I believe it is worth the strain. Cormac M. speaks the language of beauty.

Then suddenly you're left all alone
with your body that can't love you
and your will that can't save you.

But now, like a whispering in dark streets,
rumors of God run through your dark blood.
- Rilke

As for things to make you shine - catch La Danse before it is gone from Cinema 21. Its haunting and provocative and incredibly beautiful.

photography by Saul Leiter (1950s)