jordan's advice

The below advice is from oh happy day, one of my daily reads.  Some of the below I've done or do and some I wish I had done or did.  Either way, it’s never too late to look ahead and manifest positive decisions into our lives.  

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Advice to Myself for a Creative Career

A few weeks ago I responded to an email of a high-schooler asking for advice about choosing a college and a career in a creative field and I thought about myself and the things I wish I had done and also looked back at some of the things I have done right. A few people asked me to share on Twitter so here is a version of that email. I think an appropriate title of this would be "Advice I would give to myself when I was 17."

1. Rule #1 Ask for things. No one is going to hand you the perfect life on a platter. You have to ask for things. The worst they can say is no. From that internship to that class that is already full, make yourself be the exception and ask for things. Once you figure that out life is SO MUCH BETTER.

2. As it turns out MOST creative jobs in this world you do not need a specific degree for. (Obviously Doctors and Lawyers etc this doesn't apply to you.) That said, I believe college is indispensable in learning how to think. Unless you have a specific job in mind-- find a program you are really interested in like: art history, English, political science, American Studies. Something that will give you depth as a person. This will be more beneficial to you creatively than something like a hospitality degree.

3. Do a study abroad.

4. All along the way take side classes that will help you in your career: graphic design, floral design, printmaking, photography, letterpress, calligraphy, etc.

5. Minor (or double major) in something with a marketable skill (like graphic design.) So that when the economy sucks you have something that will pay you well for your time instead of folding sweaters at the Gap for minimum wage.

6. Finally, the most important thing is to do 2-3 internships during the summers (one every summer.) The best ones are usually unpaid, only intern for your dream jobs--choose big cities. That is the key for getting people to like you, see your talent, and getting your foot in the door after you graduate.

 

portugal 2008

bellingham : the city of subdued excitement

These are my people, my friends, my familiar faces.



And seeing many of their faces in this video gives me goose bumps and hot flashes while making me tear up all at the same time.

I lived in Bellingham for many years.  I went to the university, worked at the co-op grocery store, volunteered for Sustainable Connections during its infancy.  The town just has something to it.  It was my home; I still find myself telling people it’s where I’m from although it’s now been many years since I left. 

the darling point apartment : sydney, australia

Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke create amazing spaces focusing on balance in their design and their clients lives.  From the Arent & Pyke webpage, "Highly responsive, their work emulates the inspiration of their clients who are in turn passionate about the way they live.  With intelligence and flair they seek to forge a new vision of luxury: unique, precise, indulgent, optimistic, exquisite."

I love these photos by Anson Smart.

more of the same : but different

Yesterday's post brought a stream of images through my mind and sent me searching through old files of collected pictures.

This shape is full of contradictions: so organic and natural yet so modern and minimal.

Below: Anson Smart

Below: From Better Homes & Garden via Nibs

Below: Unknown

Below: Hang Lamp by Normann Copenhagen

Below: James Merrell

Below: Gaelle Le Boulicaut

Below: from Living Etc via The City Sage

Below: Montauk Surf Lodge

Below: Gervasoni Bell Lamp

dreamy : nest rest

Spotted today over at Black*Eiffel, the rest nest designed Daniel Pouzet and Fred Frety. 

These remind me of John Grade's work, Bloom: The Elephant Bed, which was installed last year at the new Whatcom Museum in Bellingham.  I highly recommend reading the artist's statement here and visiting the artist's web page to see more photos. 

Please excuse the quality of these photos; taken with my cellphone. 1: from upper level. 2 : looking up standing within. 3 : reflection in ink pool.

food : cheese

Food is one of my life passions.  From growing it to eating it and every aspect in between; food makes my world go round.  I post a lot of links on facebook that pertain to food and thought that this maybe a better location to catalog them.  I don't yet know how to make it pretty or fancy, but I'll try.



"While Warning About Fat, U.S. Pushes Cheese Sales"
By MICHAEL MOSS


Published: November 6, 2010 in the New York Times


When sales of Domino’s Pizza were lagging, a government agency stepped in with advice: more cheese. This is the same government that, for health reasons, is advising less cheese.
Reas the whole article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/us/07fat.html

Found this lovely quote on the hearblack blog.  Another blogger with an affection for quotes.  I've been thinking about getting this blog up and running again and think these words may be the nudge that I needed.

SUPAKITCH & KORALIE - VÄRLDSKULTUR MUSEET GÖTEBORG from elr°y on Vimeo.