Your Custom Text Here
News
“Life is not about maximizing everything, it’s about giving something back - like light, space, form, serenity, joy. You have to give something back”
Glen Murcutt, Australian architect, born 1936
Glenn Murcutt is a man who believes in the pencil, the hand, the paper, the line, the gesture!
Below is a poem written by Mary Oliver, accompanied with a painting from Franz Marc.
Franz Marc was born in Munich in 1880. He was a part of the Blue rider group of painters, to which Wassily Kandinsky also belonged. in 1916, while serving in the army, he was struck in the temple by shrapnel and fatally wounded. He was 36 years old.
I step into the painting of the four blue horses.
I am not even surprised that I can do this.
One of the horses walks toward me.
His blue nose noses me lightly. I put my arm
over his blue man, not holding on, just
commingling.
He allows me my pleasure.
Franz Marc died a young man, shrapnel in his brain.
I would rather die than try to explain to the blue horses
what war is.
They would either faint in horror, or simply
find it impossible to believe. .
I do not know how to thank you, Franz Marc.
Maybe our world will grow kinder eventually.
Maybe the desire to make something beautiful
is the piece of God that is inside each of us.
Now all four horses have come closer,
are bending their faces toward me
as if they have secrets to tell.
I don’t expect them to speak, and they don’t.
if being so beautiful isn’t enough, what
could they possibly say?
This was taken from Mary Oliver’s book
of poems “Blue Horses”
2014 Penguin Books
We are going into another 4 weeks of uncharted territory with COVID-19. There are things we will never forget… and I will bet this design graph and expression is one of them. Why? Because it’s good design.
Dieter Rams on design:
Good design is as little as possible. Less, but better, because It concentrates on essential aspects… Design should not dominate things, should not dominate people. It should help people. That’s its role… memorable and meaningful.
This graph sends a powerful message. Thank you to the “Economist” and their staff for reviving a 2017 CDC graph modified by Drew Harris, Dr. Siouxsie Wiles, and Toby Morris. This information was found in an article by Mark Wilson for Fast Company
Go in good health and with protective measures.
I read an interesting piece where instead of a “New Years Resolution”, you choose a “Word of the Year” which resonates with your motivations for the year. instead of something incredibly specific, you focus on simplicity. Resolutions can feel daunting, or like a failure if you don’t reach a specific weight, eat a certain way or do a certain amount of activities. This concept flips the idea on its head.
So, we are going to be playing a game, and would love for you to join. We’ll be choosing our “word of the year” and would love to hear yours.
How do you choose you word?
Every day is filled with little actions in your life, little choices and moments that make up your path. Your word should help you shape these moments. Say, for example, your word of the year is “love” - how can you interpret that and let it remind you of what is important in life?
These words are more abstract than concrete, and they should revolve around self-reflection and positivity you want in your life. Your word will be with you this year, not pressuring you but reminding you of the important things to focus on in your daily life.
Here are some examples:
Especially right now, we need to focus on the big pictures in our life. We need to focus on things that will motivate us without pressuring us, things that make us happy but not stressed, things that remind us of love, not hate.
I have a word, now what?
Put it on a sticky note on your bathroom. Write it in a journal. Say it out loud every morning. However you want to incorporate it into your life!
Send me a note and tell me your word! I’d love to hear it!
Stay safe, stay sane, stay loving :)
Source: Artwork Archive
During this time of uncertainty, fear, and hectic-ness, I’ve been trying to find the words for what we’ve been experiencing. I’ve turned to others for inspiration and explanation, and I’ve found some things worth sharing.
From Harvard Business Review’s “That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief”
“The loss of normalcy; the fear of economic toll; the loss of connection. This is hitting us and we’re grieving. Collectively. We are not used to this kind of collective grief in the air.”
Acceptance, as you might imagine, is where the power lies. We find control in acceptance. I can wash my hands. I can keep a safe distance. I can learn how to work virtually.
- David Kessler
From Emma Zeck, a poet:
I hope you are all staying safe, staying sane, and going forth with love during this time.
Over the fall, my art was installed in the new Miller Wing at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington, VT. I always love having my art as a part of the healing process (read more about my art in healthcare here), so imagine how exciting it was for me to get this email about my art:
“My boyfriend had surgery on Valentine's Day (successfully). When he got to his room I looked around and saw this piece that looked like a monoprint with a turtle on it. I liked it. Saturday when I was a bit more clear-minded and waiting for his release I took more time to look. Imagine my surprise to see your name in the corner. That meant I enjoyed and liked it even more. Thank you for the beautiful work.”
I’m so happy that my art was a part of the healing process, and brought Heidi some joy, especially on Valentine’s Day!
Thank you for the words, Heidi.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, here are some pictures of Miles, my sweet pup, in a little heart crown I made in honor of this loving day.
Spread the love!
Sometimes the things around us inspire us, and sometimes we influence the world around us. I recently spent some time down in Key West, and I got to do some fishing while I was there. I caught some pretty beautiful fish while I was there, and they looked pretty dang close to some of my pieces…
What do you think? Life influencing the art? Or art influencing my life?
After the crazy winter storm we had in Vermont this weekend, I keep thinking about a recent (ish) sale I made to Topnotch Resort in Stowe, Vermont.
Falling Leaves 12
A recreation of my piece Falling Leaves 12 is in hung all 68 of the guest rooms. This image was selected because of the beautiful juxtaposition of Vermont’s fall foliage and exquisite winter. The town of Stowe also fits this explanation perfectly, with its picturesque fall foliage season, and some of the best wintertime activities in the state. Falling Leaves 12 certainly found a home in Stowe! Spend some time in Stowe, visit Topnotch, and check out my art!
(P.S. The original Falling Leaves 12 is still available)
Over a winter's hot toddy with a friend our conversation veered toward business cards. “Wait a minute… you need to see this…” She handed me a unique square-shaped business card for Birdwalk Press with the impressions of bird tracks in its logo. I loved it! Her son, Ian Johnson and wife Mina, it turns out operate a custom letterpress and design business in Bozeman, Montana. I reached out to Ian right away and the true fun began.
At first, I thought of a letterpress front-side and my art printed on the back. Then I thought “why not use my actual artwork for the cards?” From my stacks of work at different stages, I pulled well over two hundred of my prints for Ian to use. Here are the photos of the process and the end result of our work together. It was great fun to work with Ian and to see how he does his craft. Every business card is a Casey Blanchard original! All photos courtesy of Birdwalk Press Custom Letterpress +Design
The artistic process never ends, even after a sale is made. I love seeing where my art ends up after you buy it!
Kevin, the owner of my favorite local coffee shop, bought Window Serenade 6 a while ago. He loves this piece. It sits right in the middle of his coffee operation. He says to him it means “when one door shuts, another opens”, wise words to live by! We love it when art takes on meaning for folks. And how great is it that I get to see this piece when I go in too!
I highly recommend visiting Village Wine and Coffee in Shelburne for some excellent coffee, and they have a great wine selection as well! In the back, there is also a gallery run by Northern Daughters Gallery. This cafe is an important community hub in Shelburne. It combines all the best things; coffee, art and wine!
