Thursday, November 29, 2012

100 Best Things in Time Out Chicago







I shot these two images as part of Time Out Chicago's "Artist Renditions" of the 100 best things we ate and drank in 2012 issue. The dishes I shot was a noodle dish from Lao Hunan, and crispy tripe tacos from La Chaparrita -- two restaurants that were already at the top of my Chicago dining list. SCORE

Many thanks to Sarah Newby for being down with me messing up her hand and to 9_9Hoolia Valadez for letting me soil her dining table!

The 100 best things issue is out today so grab a copy if you can !

Monday, November 26, 2012

Why do you feel



Many many thanks for your nice words, tweets, retweets, facebook likes and links about and to the profile video! I'm touched. You guys are the best.

Last Friday, DH and I made an impromptu trip to Detroit. We drove through, walked around downtown, we ate coneys and chili cheese fries, we took some pictures. We really like The D and I'm glad we live so much closer to it now for more trips there.

In honor of our little roadtrip, I am posting this sweet, chill tune by Detroit House/Techno DJ Moodymann for your MoodyMonday morning.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Shop Small!





Just a friendly nudge to encourage you to shop small this holiday season!



Here are some other places you can find my work that is not at my online store:


Internet

Little Paper Planes has several 16x20" color Human Nature prints as well as some black and white posters in stock. They also have some of my jewelry!


Oregon

Sword + Fern, Portland - Posters
Commercial Astoria, Astoria - Jewelry


California

Canvas Shop, Seal Beach - Jewelry


Illinois

Honey Cafe, Glen Ellyn - Posters
Artcetera Gallery, College of Lake County, Grayslake - Framed Prints & Jewelry


Canada

• Paboom Pop Up Shop, Vancouver, BC - Posters
Art & Antler, Old Hazelton, BC - Posters & Prints


New Zealand

Douglas & Bec, Auckland - Posters & Prints


+ + + I know I've been neglecting my jewelry shop for a few months now due to the move but there were a number of things renewed this morning so go take a peek!



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

New Profile Video !




Today, I am so excited to show you a new profile video, produced by Studio In the Sun (the same guys responsible for the Roses video). I couldn't be more happy with how this came out. It so perfectly encapsulates my hopes, dreams, and motivations in this less-than-2 minute film.  I also loved seeing our old place in Chicago again too.

I can't express my gratitude for Sarah, Ryan and John's generosity and hard work on these two projects.  It was such a pleasure working with them and getting to know them (which may have been the best prize).

And many thanks to Lullatone for being nice and letting us use their beautiful music.

I hope you love this video as much as I do.


• • •


Oh wait, I'm not done yet! In honor of the release of the video/the holidays/black friday/cyber monday/and everything ever, I'm taking 25% off all orders (min. $40 purchase) from now until Dec 1st 12 am. Use code JOLLYDAYS during checkout or just click here.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

My Posters

Even though response to my posters have been positive overall, I do stumble upon comments and discussions where people have expressed some negative/cynical opinions as some netizens are wont to do.  I feel like I have to/want to talk about some of the criticisms that have been made about the posters since I've started doing them and I think these are also applicable to what my friends and colleagues do as well. Some of the complaints I come across have to do with the kind of paper the posters are printed on, the printing quality, and the price of the posters.

The posters are supposed to be casual, every day pieces of art for your home. Though the ideas, concepts and imagery might come from a fine art place, I don't consider the posters themselves to be objects you have to handle with white gloves. I never intended them to be framed and  never thought that anyone would when I first made them, though I think its awesome that people have and feel honored that they do. I actually think they look the best when hung up with clips, multi-colored tacks or even some neon masking tape. This is one reason why I differentiate between the name 'poster' and 'print'. I can definitely make you a fine art print --  an archival image on heavyweight photographic paper. There is a whole section in my shop dedicated to them and the price reflects the cost of making them as does the price of the posters reflect the cost of printing them. The posters aren't supposed to be throw-away pieces but I know tastes change and if after a few years of having the poster, you don't like it anymore, that is fine!

What I love so much about the poster is that it is a really egalitarian way of bringing art to your space. $50 is not pocket change but its definitely not the price of a some other works at this size and the price is accessible to many. I know its no secret by now how to go about making your own DIY plotter print at your local office copy center but you can also take your own picture of a mountain and go to a photo shop and have a print made. Anyone can make almost anything themselves these days and thats awesome. I am all for that and I feel like thats what is fueling the handmade movement. But to see someone write off my or anyone else's work simply because they could make it themselves (believe me, a lot of this goes on especially at the craft fairs I work), is a dumb, invalid and boring argument. Because they didn't have the idea to do it, and didn't follow through and make it. If seeing an object gives you inspiration to make your own, thats great. But I hate that people take the opportunity to put down something someone worked hard on.

So yes, you can make your own poster but I actually work with a local printing company, a small business that has excellent quality control, and has their printers serviced regularly. In the end, I do pay more to produce a poster than I would at an office copy center but I know the prints that come out will look exactly the way I want them to look. If they don't, I  can work together with my printer to get them to where they need to be.

Another criticism people make about the posters as with many other handmade items is the cost of my posters versus other posters. The thing I think a few people don't understand, and I find that these people are the most cynical of critics, is that when you buy something from a maker or a designer is that you are not simply buying the materials that went into making it. You are paying for the time and labor that goes into making it and sending it to you. You buy handmade because its a special item, to support the artist, so they can sustain a business and be able to afford shelter, bills, and food. Maybe you can get a cheaper 24x36" poster out there but it won't be any of my images. I can't afford to hire a factory to produce a million copies of Antlers, even though it would be cheaper per unit. I just don't have the capital or the space. But after much trial and error, I've found a good system so we can keep our operation small and the pieces affordable.

It is my whole hearted belief that moving towards a more handmade economy will make everyone richer. You pay more, but you buy less overall. You will take care of what you buy, your life will be more beautiful, and meaningful.

Sorry to go off on such a long rant. Its something I feel like I wanted to get off my chest. There will be something really special I will post tomorrow that says the exact same thing but in a much shorter, more concise and less complain-y way than what I've typed above.

Thanks for reading, being my friend, and for your support.

XO • DHC

Friday, November 16, 2012

SONNI + MMP + LIGHTTOWN



Its Friday and I'm finally emerging from influenza hell so things are looking up. 

Also, tonights Silver Bells in the City is going to be 'off da hook'.

Lets start the weekend early with Middle Mind Project's newest artist profile of Argentinean born, NY-based artist Sonni and his fun/cute/child-magic art. Whats also so great about this little video (in addition Sonni's eye candy and Gus's super skilled film-making) is that two of DH's songs, Sekai Teki and Catterhorn, was used in the soundtrack! 

See more of DH's work & music on his website: http://sassfactory.info

Bon Weekend!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Jenni & Stewart

Last month, I had the honor of photographing my cousin's wedding. I've brought my camera to weddings before but I had never been the official wedding photographer. I was so excited but also felt a  lot of pressure to deliver. I did feel a lot better after a hangout sesh and pep talk from Emily Johnston Anderson (which also included Rineke Dijkstra at the Guggenheim, wine, tapas, doughnuts and champagne -- YES!).

The day itself was amazing, and fun and felt that kind of exhausted where you actually feel like you pushed yourself, did something outside of your comfort zone and came out with something pretty good.  It was really special to be able to experience this big day from beginning to end with your cousin and her, now, new husband.

Also, their cat CRUNCHY got a lot of lens time. Predictable!

Here are a few of my favorite shots:












































Congratulations Jenni & Stewart !








Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Ghost Ballet



 Going through the images and videos I have on my phone, I found a video I shot of a ballet performance. I thought it was cool how the dancers appear like bright, glowing apparitions on my relatively shoddy camera phone. Fun and goofy.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Small is Ordinary Shop



On a recent trip back to Chicago, I got to visit the Small is Ordinary Shop at the Cultural Center. What a beautiful collection of accessories, furniture, art and home goods by local makers and designers.  I was delighted at how well my posters fit into their space.

If you find yourself in downtown Chicago, you have to go! And if you're nowhere near downtown, the trek will be worth it.

More info can be found here

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Studio Tour: Laura Lombardi





The thing about Laura Lombardi's jewelry is that each piece seems to be full of history. Its true that she uses vintage and dead stock pieces to create her jewelry which has something to do with it but I think she composes in such a way that  it implies that each bracelet, necklace, pendant was found in some ruin, having been worn by an oracle, priestess, prophetess, seer. Although her jewelry gives the feeling of antiquity and ceremony, they are also thoroughly modern, edgy and feminine.

A couple of months ago, Laura agreed to let me stop by her studio in Chicago with my camera. A gracious hostess, she chatted with me about her work, background, inspiration, gave me a little sneak peek at her spring line and, of course, let me snoop around. She even made me a necklace while I was there which makes it even more special. To see someone as nice as she, enjoying such great success at a young age is really inspiring. I hope you find these pictures equally as interesting and inspiring.




Also view images on my site or on Flickr

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Return It


I saw this video for Kim Ann Foxman's new song last night. 
My first thought was, "What?"
And then my second thought was, "Hella nice."

Enjoy.


+ + Now go vote, Americans!

Friday, November 2, 2012

Clouds

Some dramatic clouds on our flight from Detroit to NY last month.