We love AHOY!

I met my friend and artist Jai Vasicek one night out while dancing. We were dancing on the coffee table and he says I bumped him off.  I don't know if that is true but the beginning of a very fun and supportive friendship.  Jai is the mastermind behind the boutique AHOY (named for his life growing up on a boat) and has been named one of the top artists in Australia to watch.  Pieces (especially the crosses below) fly out of his shop like crazy and he stays up late at night in his studio whipping up beautiful assemblages of art, using imagery, resin and neon paints.  His instagram posts make me smile and his use of color brightens a bleak day. He does so much more, I couldn't even begin to list what goes on in this mad scientist mind of his. 

In an interview here he says “The word ‘Ahoy’ is a greeting and also a goodbye, a welcoming to a place or a port,” explains Jai. “I envisioned a shop that is always changing and visiting different ports around the world.”

Clearly a man after any bohemian heart.

We've done a couple of collaborations in limited editions of 100 each. These are called portholes that he sells in boutiques across Australia from Fenton and Fenton in Melbourne to Alterior Motif in Noosa. Much more fun to come in the near future!

Taking my breath away...Theo Altenberg

My creative partner and good friend Jen over at the The Distribution Channel is so informative...she knows what I like and sends over blogs for me to check out weekly. I stumbled upon my new favorite artist which brought me pure joy. Thanks Briz for sharing your online discoveries and sending new inspiration along.

Theo Altenberg's vibrant oil paintings...gasp!

Paper Cuts

How amazing are these torn paper creations by artist Anna Wili Highfield. I hope they inspire you to spend some time this weekend being creative!

Guest Stylist - Jennifer Heenan

Today's guest embodies the laid back, uber-cool, vibe of LA. A long time resident of Venice Beach, Jenn is a devoted mother of two adorables, a busy career woman, an avid traveler and foodie. Her style is effortless and we're so happy she's sharing her thoughts with us today. Thanks Jenn!

Jennifer Heenan and Laura Weber

Who is your style icon?
I love Kate Bosworth. Her effortless style is always chic and feminine.






What's playing on your iPod?
U2 - City of Blinding Lights




What is the one item in your closet you cannot live without?
Elizabeth and James shirred sleeve blazer




Where is your favorite place in the world?
The architecturally beautiful and cosmopolitan city of Barcelona, Spain where I met my husband, Marc.





What are you obsessing about owning right now?
Another piece of art by the talented Julia Schwadron





What is the most used item in your makeup bag?
Chanel Particuliere Nail Lacquer





What is your favorite neighborhood restaurant?
Gjelina in Venice Beach is delicious. The added bonuses - great people watching AND I can ride my bike to get there!




What is your necessary extravagance?
Monthly facials and eyebrow arches by Mihaeal Corcoz at Belladonna Face and Body Clinic.



How do you define perfect happiness?
Being a mother to Alex and Malia.

Meet Artist Meg Walling

Hi World - It's time for you to meet my favorite emerging artist, Meg Walling. Passionate, innovative, and yes related (she happens to be my mom), her artistic process is an inspiration to me and I've been looking forward to sharing her amazing talent with all of you.

Influenced by her desert environment, Walling's abstracts are rich with light, intensity, and contrast of color. A working artist for the only two years, Walling's collection has already received critical acclaim and her pieces have been featured at museums and galleries across the Coachella Valley.


Here are a few of my favorites from her newest series, Contrasts and Colors:

Desert Night Fall

Elements

Lucie's Muse

Cracks of Life


The artist, Meg Walling

For more of Meg's work check out www.megwalling.com.

Guest Stylist - Devon Wilson

Devon Wilson is an aspiring interior designer based in San Diego. She is the go to style consultant for everything-interiors, fashion, cuisine and anything creative. The list goes on and on. Her attitude towards living life indicates the importance of simplicity. To study her apartment is like reading the latest issue of Elle Decor and the girl looks fabulous in Isabel Marant. She has a grace about her that makes it all look so effortless and we suppose it is for her! In this sense, she is a true artist and not to mention, one of American's sweetest.

Devon will be filling us in on one of her favorite artists: Patrick Chapman.

Devon Wilson

Pat Chapman is a long time friend and fiancé of my best friend, and he is also one of my favorite contemporary artists on the scene today. I loved visiting Pat’s tiny art studio in Los Angeles. It’s completely overwhelming and, as I would imagine many art studios to be, a mess. I had to resist my obsessive compulsive urges to immediately start organizing and tidying up. I think Pat picked up on my shock and offered me a beer. Every surface is covered with empty paint cans, spray paint bottles, magazines, paint pens, brushes, and books. He has paintings covering the walls and most surfaces as well as sketches and smaller pieces strewn about the floor. I stepped on one of these smaller ones accidentally and felt terrible about it until Pat said not to worry, “I’m not keeping that one.” It looked great to me and it looks even better now framed in my living room! That has to be some sort of a faux pas in the art world, but I’m not sure. The majority of his pieces are larger than life canvases dripping with bright colors and bold shapes. Pat can have ten paintings going at one time, breaking from one to work on another, adding to the overall chaos and energy of his studio and in his art. It was really interesting to see the progression that his work goes through to get from blank canvas to finished piece. Many of Pat’s paintings are strange and eerie abstractions of people and faces. His twin brother and older brother are recurring elements in a lot of his work as is his fiancé. Pat has several cityscapes that are amazing as well. I have included pictures of some of my favorites but visit his website to see more past and future projects and to get information on upcoming events. www.patchapmanart.com

In addition to his painting, Patrick recently worked with Phillipe Stark to create chalkboards that adorn the restaurant of the new SLS hotel, which we highlighted back in a September post