I've got super exciting news... no, I have not figured out how to make a fat-free batch of Del Taco french fries... mmm, french fries... er, um, no, that's not it...
As the world's highest ranked online mobile gallery, I'm in fabulous company with the brilliant likes of Matthew Richards of Ekko Mobiles and Portland's own glass mobilist extraordinaire and Etsy juggernaut Leah Pellegrini.
It's been a blast working with the fabulous team at Hanging Mobile Gallery, and I feel terrifically honored to be among such talented artists on such fantastic site.
Check back soon to see a couple exclusive and highly affordable designs that will spin only in the Hanging Mobile Gallery.
Mobile lovers come in all shapes, sizes and ages, but call this lil' guy "baby" and you might be in for trouble... toddler trouble with a capital ummm, er, well, give him a break... he doesn't know his letters yet... but I know for a fact it's a capital T!
I mean, really, check out those tough-guy camo pants and that "take no prisoners" look on his face! See how that cracker trembles in his fearsome grip! Take a look at how he's already thrown his so-called "baby monitor" to the ground and stomped it under his menacingly striped feet. And, of course, he's already broken out of his white-walled prison... leaving his furry yellow friends behind bars without a second thought.
And, if that's not enough, I encourage you to look over his shoulder to see who's in his toddler gang... when was the last time you saw an orange monkey wearing a wrestling onsie? Plus, does that monkey have a 5 o'clock shadow?!
It's always fun to see my mobiles - don't call it a baby mobile - hanging in the real world. Thanks to a dear client for sending this fun photo of my "am i blue" mobile (sporting a splash of panache with a red dot) swirling in their son's admittedly very hip room. Heck, *I* don't even have a bedskirt, but he has one AND it even matches his curtains, too!
Don't worry, lil' man, I won't call it a baby mobile... as long as you promise not to eat it!
when you commission a mobile between now and february 28th, I will donate 10% of your purchase to help support the heroic efforts of the red cross, here in the states & internationally.
of course, you can donate without buying a mobile by visiting: www.redcross.org/
haiti is just one place where the international red cross, including the american red cross, do amazing work.
at home and abroad, we need to keep organizations like the red cross fully funded, so that they - their staffs and volunteers - can continue to serve our people in real need everywhere... everyone from our neighbors suffering here due to such things as these tough economic times to people thrust into chaos as a result of such things as natural disasters and political upheaval.
whether it's the red cross or any of the many great organizations that do truly human-itarian work to make every part of our world a better place (orgs committed to such missions that help with education, health, social equality, human rights, the environment, poverty, hunger, and so many more "issues" that affect you and me every single day in our own cities), make today the day you participate and rally for real change in your own backyard or the world.
Working with a client in the Midwest on designing a mobile right now...
Searching for that One that expresses her unique aesthetic - reaching past the everyday and pulling out the heart of matter... or just something that spins and is red, red, red.
When discussing influences and inspirations to shape the design, she shared the following BRILLIANT explosion of picture words and insight that literally left me smacked me speechless, and mused me something mighty:
"Further leaves and kineticism: literally The Most Gorgeous Thing I Have Ever Seen On Film is the scene in the red portion of Hero (which I'd actually call a *directorial* Crowning Moment of Awesome) when Flying Snow and Moon are fighting in the grove of trees, with the luminous yellow leaves, and just when I thought it couldn't, it couldn't possibly, not in this so-often drab and hackneyed world of ours, get any more exquisite. Because seriously, who could possibly read my mind like that and tap into my inner gorgeous compass so successfully when *I* didn't even know I was waiting, just waiting for it to get more beautiful? Well, apparently Yimou Zhang does that for all of us, because suddenly, as I was already weeping at how beautiful it was...all the leaves turned RED. Holy shit! And yes, if you read this as: 'has a weakness for kung fu movies combined with gorgeousness,' you are correct.
I once sat down on a bench in front of a giant Rothko at SFMoMA. And fell into it. When I emerged from the thinking-oxbow about holy-shit-it-looks-like-color-breathing, it was about half an hour later. I also kind of venerate Klee for his wonderful sense of whimsy and play. His work makes me giggle with real-live, actual delight. Both of these artists only the work in person. I thought Rothko was a gigantic wanker when I studied him from reproductions in art history.
Oh, how the mighty do fall. As you might surmise, I like the way Rothko treats color, and the way Klee treats media."
Holy Jawdropper! Do I really need to say ANYTHING? If that word candy isn't inspiration for a paradigm-busting mobile design, I don't know what is.
what happens when you take a perfectly good mobile - a great big one, in fact - and crunk it all up?
what's the result when you take gracefully arcing arms and bend, twist, tweak and generally dis-grace them into a disheveled, yet intentional mess of tangle and tease?
bigger blu is what you get.
yep, i took a HUGE over six foot mobile and squenched it down, bent it up, and crimpled its crumple to totally transform this once serene mobile in blues and blueish greens into an electrified spin of wave and current. ahhh yeahhhh!
don't get me wrong - he's still a REALLY big boy at approx. 42" long by 28 wide.
would you be so kind to give him a home? inside or out, he's ready to take flight... and - with a little loving - i'm sure he'll play nicely with all the neighborhood kids, maybe even Spot.
In my opinion, blog phenom Kitsune Noir (aka Bobby Solomon) creates one of the coolest blogs in the world (http://kitsunenoir.com/). He blasts off an amazing daily snapshot of what's what in the world of art - tidbits, teases and tantalizations from every corner in every medium... the millions of others who read his Kitsune Noir blog must agree, too.
Recently, Kitsune Noir was the Guest Curator on Etsy. And, get this... one of my mobiles (which was inspired by the insanely talented mobilist Rick Bissell who was in turn inspired by Alexander Calder) made it into his top picks. You can read his entire feature here: Etsy: The Storque: Guest Curator: Kitsune Noir
Here's a snippet for you: Not too long ago, handmade items weren't considered a luxury, they were the only option. Okay, maybe that was before most of us can even remember, but it seems like handmade is definitely having a revival. After the plastic craze of the 60's and 70's, people are over mass-production and want something unique and well-crafted. Not that mass-production is going anywhere soon, but it's certainly nice to have some alternatives.
My list of Etsy picks, as well as my personal style, is a mixture of vintage and contemporary things. I definitely have a love for both the new and the classic, so finding items that mesh well together is the challenge. The list also journeys not only into items for the home but personal accessories as well. I hope you enjoy my choices, I had a lot of fun putting them all together. Check out his entire feature here:Etsy: The Storque: Guest Curator: Kitsune Noir
I'm honored to be showing my mobiles at the Red Brick Gallery in Ventura, California.
If you're in the area, please stop in to see my newest mobiles and the gallery's latest exhibition, Shades of Day, running from January 11th through February 22nd.
Jen Livia, the founder and owner of Red Brick, is AMAZING! She is an incredible artist, a super savvy and plugged-in businesswoman, creative as the day is long and redefines what "giving back" really means. What an inspiration!
Just check out a snippet from a recent article and you'll quickly see what a dynamo Jen is:
"This 28-year-old artist, founder of the Red Brick Gallery and winner of a 2008 Mayor’s Arts Award, has done more than her fair share to build the relationship between art and the community. She works closely with the Downtown Ventura Organization, promoting local events, and somehow finds time to teach art classes for children."
by the way, all my mobiles are hand cut, shaped, sanded, primed, painted, and assembled especially for you - no templates, no mass production, & no team of elves. it's just me and buddy the cat in the shop enjoying good tunes & paint fumes creating fun art for you.
if you have any ?s or want to purchase a mobile, visit a gallery, www.mobilosity.etsy.com, or contact me at mark@marklearydesigns.com
I've got super exciting news... no, I have not figured out how to make a fat-free batch of Del Taco french fries... mmm, french fries... er, um, no, that's not it...
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