Morgan Library: Lists: To-dos, Illustrated Inventories, Collected Thoughts, and Other Artists' Enumerations from the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art

'Lists' looks like a great exhibit over at the Morgan Library. It's until October 2nd. Has anyone been already?

Boost of Inspiration in My City

Recently, my friend, Naomi and I went to see Robert Frank's The America's exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We also passed through Velázquez Rediscovered during our morning there. We were able to catch Roxy Paine on the Roof: Maelstrom, this summer's sculpture exhibit before it came down as well. (Which was great as Naomi had never been to the roof!). The roof is one of my favorite places to catch central park views. During our visit I mused how I don't visit the MET as often as I'd like. I have such memories there of class trips, researching college papers, inspiring visits, and attending special exhibits that have long passed. During a recent trip I organized a scavenger hunt there with Watson Adventures for my office. That visit opened my eyes to so much of the MET that is undiscovered to me (and maybe to you as well). It's truly an artist's wonderland. Well Naomi went ahead and purchased me a MEMBERSHIP to the MET for my birthday, so 2010 is clearly going to be one where I can visit as often as I like! I'm looking forward to sharing with all of you a monthly post about something 'NEW' that I see there. Stay tuned...

Thanksgiving Day Parade Stamps

I was just online ordering some stamps and I see that Thanksgiving Day parade stamps go on sale tomorrow!

"The U.S. Postal Service® will issue four stamps featuring iconic scenes of a Thanksgiving Day Parade, including a lively marching band, large balloons of favorite animals and popular characters, and crowds of delighted onlookers. Drawing on the long and rich visual history of Thanksgiving Day parades in the U.S., artist Paul Rogers of Pasadena, California, based his design on American advertising and poster art from the mid-20th Century."

Many of you know how much I love watching the Parade and admiring the craftsmanship that goes into each float. See post here.

Summer Creativity

After missing Milton Glaser: To Inform & Delight I am making sure not to miss anymore indie creative films this year!

I will definitley be seeing Art & Copy in August at the IFC.

The September Issue also comes out in August. After interning at Conde Nast for two summers I can't NOT go see this!

On my exhibits to see list are...

Roxy Paine on the Roof: Maelstrom at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (a summer 'must-do' each year!)
April 28, 2009–October 25, 2009

Upcoming--
Georgie O'Keefe at the Whitney.
September 17, 2009-January 17, 2010

Jim Henson's Fantastic World at the James A. Michener Art Museum.
September 12 through November 29, 2009
Read about it here.
(I was in New Hope, PA this weekend and saw it advertised! Looks awesome)

Frank Lloyd Wright at the Guggenheim

Sunday I spent the day at the Guggenheim Museum, soaking in the Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward exhibit (until August 23rd). Fabulous exhibit of many of his unbuilt works, and many that were built of course, including Fallingwater. The drawings, models, and 3-D videos were all on display. I got caught up in his handwriting style. I thought it resembled some fonts that I had seen. I was WRIGHT! Here are some links to some fonts. He also designed lettering and decorative embellishments for his building projects, to accompany his exhibition drawings and models, and for his book The House Beautiful (1896–97). Designerd wrote about some free fonts inspired by Wright as well. I've already spent some time looking up photographs (love Google images!) of the sketches I saw at the exhibit. Note to self: Next time I am in Chicago I have to do the Oak Park house tours.
On my way out via the gift shop this children's book I'd Like the Goo-Gen-Heim caught my attention. It is a wonderful illustrated story that I am glad they reprinted!

FIT Museum Evening

Last night Cait and I went to the FIT Musuem see Isabel Toledo: From the Inside Out and Fashion Politics (which just opened yesterday!). Both were great little exhibits. The Isabel Toledo show exhibits a beautiful retrospective of her work with Reuben's fashion illustrations dancing above you! Michelle Obama's inaugural dress is also there on display, with the fashion illustration that began it all. It's a great visit if you are in the NYC area. Free and easy to visit.

New York City HIGH LINE

Last Friday, I headed to The High Line with some friends on our day off. I loved it. I loved how so much detailing was paid to the structure, views and how it would work within the city. It's still very new so tourists don't know about it yet. You could hear many people 'discussing' their thoughts about the structure as you walked along. Loved how we walked UNDER The Standard Hotel, views of Frank Gehry's IAC, the Chelsea Market windows, a quintessential old NY view, and the lounge chairs with wheels! I can't wait to go back at night for a different experience.

Happy 4th of July, Macy's Fireworks

Macy's fireworks will be on Saturday night! Love the typography on this year's posters and signage via Macy's windows.

The HIGHline is HERE

Hoping to head to the newly opened Highline this weekend amongst some other great exhibits. View the design slideshow and drool along with me. Looking forward to seeing it in person. I'm trying to keep my vacation mentality going and continue to soak up some local visuals. July 12th is the TARGET HIGH LINE STREET FESTIVAL. I can't get over how cute the (above illustration) is. I wonder who drew it.

Schiller's Liquor Bar Design Notes

I recently went to brunch with friends at Schiller's and was loving all the graphics, the menu and the interior design. Every detail was thought about - from the wine bottle to the tile floors! Ellen reminded me Mucca Design is behind the great look. For more images and design take a look at Schiller's Liquor Bar website.{Images from Mucca Design}

NYC Illustration Events

Two fabulous illustration events going on next Tuesday March 3rd. One being the amazing panel at FIT. I went last year and was inspired by the diverse array of illustrators. Their personalities, styles, and personal stories were all masterpieces in itself. Looking forward to this year's event. A bit bummed that the Waltz with Bashir event is the same night. After seeing the film I am still baffled and curious how the illustrative style was done. It took four years!

SPD Talks and Lectures
DWI: Do It With Illustration
Under the Influence with Today's Most Arresting Illustrators

Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre, F.I.T.
27th Street & Seventh Avenue, NYC
7:00 - 8:30 PM, doors open at 6:30

"Come and meet six of the brightest illustrators working today. Hear how they create the images that inform, seduce and enlighten us on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. From cover portraits of President Obama to adjusting to life in the suburbs to packaging for sexual lubricant creams (!) to the pitfalls of job-hunting--get an inside view on how these artists tackle a broad range of topics and their perspectives (illustratively speaking), on politics, work, life and love."
Society of Illustrators
David Polonsky discusses Waltz with Bashir.

Tuesday, March 3rd at 6:30 at The Society of Illustrators (128 East 63rd) meet David Polonsky, the illustrator and art director of Ari Forman’s Waltz with Bashir. Polonsky will discuss the techniques that were used to make this unique animated documentary. The talk will be accompanied by clips from the film. A Q and A session will follow and a book signing for the release of a graphic novel based upon the film.

Current Fashion Exhibits in NYC

Some fashion-y exhibits I must attend in the spring:

The International Center for Photography is having Edward Steichen:
In High Fashion, The Condé Nast Years, 1923–1937. (January 16–May 3, 2009) Not going to be in NYC?---Watch this curated interactive piece from the NYTimes, here.

The Museum of the City of New York celebrates a timeless designer in "Valentina: American Couture and the Cult of Celebrity" (Feb 14-May 17){image courtesy of MCNY}

Color Wheels of New York City via TimeOut

Time Out NY has great New York City knowledge in this weeks edition. I was enjoying the color wheels of New York City, as I flipped through it on the subway.

RECENT MET MUSEUM ADMISSION BADGES
SUBWAY STATION PAINT PALETTE
UNIQLO SWEATER WALL

Cooper Hewitt Free Sundays in January

How did I miss this? The Cooper Hewitt is free on Sundays until Jan 25th. Only two Sundays left, Jan 18th and Jan 25th. I can't wait to take myself over there and see Wall Stories: Children's Wallpaper and Books that closes on April 5, 2009. There is also a book I didn't buy in the gift shop (last time) about the process of editorial illustration AND I can't stop thinking about it. Let's hope it's still there and more about my purchase next week!

Sample Sale: Textile & Designers Galore

Not only is Hable Construction having a sample sale but this event has so many amazing designers selling their wares. Thought I'd share the arrival in my inbox with all of you.{click on image to enlarge & read}

Bliss Holiday Packaging

While browsing Sephora I spotted these wonderful Bliss holiday packages. The taglines are witty and sooooo New York. The Big Orange reminds me of Syracuse, NY and would be a perfect gift for a college student or recent Syracuse grad! "i glove" new york and "scent"-tral park are just as creative.

Joan Miró and Van Gogh at the MOMA

Sunday, Cait & I headed to the MOMA to see some of the new exhibits.{Starry Night Over the Rhone}
I was more impressed with Joan Miró: Painting and Anti-Painting 1927–1937. It is showing until January 12, 2009. I have been to both the Miró Museum in Barcelona and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, and it was refreshing to admire both of these collections and say hello to some paintings I haven't seen in awhile.

Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night will be up through January 5, 2009. I loved seeing Starry Night over the Rhone. The colors were fabulous just as the title of the exhibit notes! It was hard for him to see his canvas in the dark (you'd never know). My favorite part was seeing his handwritten letters and (sketches within the letters) to his siblings about the works that were in progress.

Lubin House: Michelangelo Original Drawings

Everytime I see a Syracuse Advertisement in New York City I have to smile. I love the advertising campaign of my alma mater atop cabs and in subway stops.

Syracuse University has a brownstone called Lubin House in New York City that has events and exhibits. Right now Michelangelo: The Man and the Myth: Original drawings by Michelangelo will be on display in the Louise and Bernard Palitz Gallery from November 4 through January 4. The exhibition will include 14 original drawings and writings by the Renaissance master. Timed tickets are on sale through TicketWeb.

Babar the Elephant in New York City

I just learned about the new exhibit at the Morgan Library and Museum, NYC. Drawing Babar: Early Drafts and Watercolors (September 19-January 4). Looking forward to seeing that. Admission is free on Fridays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Great short film from CBS News about the history of Babar the Elephant.


NYTimes Babar Images from Exhibit

USA Today article: Babar the Elephant Gets NYC Museum Show.

Children's Art Show at the Society

It's that time of year again...The Original Art show at the Society of Illustrators begins October 16th thru November 26.

This exhibition “celebrates the fine art of children’s book illustration.” Over 150 original works selected from the books themselves will be on display. This is the only retrospective of the original art for this field.

I love flipping through each book and viewing this year's best illustrations. I usually walk out of there with a wish list for Barnes & Noble.