My Home Office Inspiration

I'm in the market for a new 'home office' for my living room.  The other day my husband informed me that he was really sick of our living room chairs and I that I needed to sell them.  For a man who has no opinions when it comes to... well, anything, this was definitely a shock!  Not that my chairs weren't cute (they were green and white houndstooth with black lacquered frames) he just knew they weren't 'me.'  So I placed them in the classifieds and they went to a cute young couple who just bought their first home.

Now I have a large area in front of a large picture window that is a blank canvas.  I've been toying around with the idea of adding a 'home office' area, as my apartment doesn't have a second bedroom or home office space.  After some tinkering around with some ideas, here is what I came up with so far:

I would swap out my green curtains for a pair of dove grey velvet panels, add a white Parson's desk, and a sleek lucite cantilever chair.  

(Clockwise from left)

1. Pottery Barn's Velvet Drape

2. Custom Abstract Painting from yours truly!!

3. West Elm's Lacquered Trinket Tray

4. Z Gallerie's Lotus Tealight Holder

5. West Elm's Cowhide Rug

6. Ikea's Tobias Rug

7. Bungalow 5's Parsons Console

8. Ikea's White Vases

Did you notice the abstract art?  It was my first attempt at being an artist.  I think it turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself.  It's all because of my adorable muse, Jack.

He was a great help sitting on my lap, sniffing the paint, and getting in the way of my elbow with each stroke.  How could you get mad at a face that sweet though?

So what do you think?  Should I purchase two more chairs that are more 'me' or does a home office in a living room fit the bill?

Pretty Lil' Abstracts

It's official.  I REALLY want to learn how to paint abstracts.  I have always wanted to paint as a 'release' and it seems my uber busy schedule is making that desire stronger (as if I have time to sit down anymore!!).  Who knows, maybe I could create some beauties like these:

Aren't these to-DIE-for?  I have been searching online for classes and even visited my local art supply store to search for instruction, but **sigh...** I live in Utah.  No one here appreciates modern art as they should.  Anyone know where I could turn for some Abstract Art 101??

{All art by Jen Ramos.  Images via Cocoa&Hearts & MadeByGirl}

Design Crush: Ron Marvin

This home made my jaw drop. I am a HUGE contrast nut and I have not seen a designer master the art of contrast quite like Ron Marvin did for this home.  From the layered art and accessories to the mix of traditional and modern pieces, Mr. Marvin's work is perfection.

Do you think this room was inspired by the moody Ralph Lauren bedroom, as seen in this post?

Le Corbusier's Pony Chaise could possibly by the sexiest chair that has ever existed. Grrr....

You too can achieve this chic and masculine look.  Mr. Marvin used more budget-friendly sources like Restoration Hardware and Ralph Lauren Home.  Check out my best picks to get add a little contrast to your home...

(items listed clockwise from top left)

1. Hickory Chair's Hallings Secretary

2. Restoration Hardware's Solid Ribbed Tibetan Rug

3. Ralph Lauren's Limited Edition Photography (Paul Newman, Audrey Hepburn, Louis Armstrong)

4. Arterior's Silver Tray

5. Circa Lighting's Caged Lantern

6. Le Corbusier's Pony Chaise

7. Z Gallerie's Faux Coral

8. Chinchilla Faux Fur Throw

9. Arterior's Ice Bucket

10. Eduardo Garza's Stone and Lucite Box

11. Benjamin Moore Paint Classic Brown #2109-10 and Edgecomb Gray #HC-173

12. Quadrille Fabric's Aga Reverse in Brown on Tint

13. Circa Lighting's Stacked 3 Ball Lamp in Quartz

Check out more of this fabulous home in the premiere issue of TradHome!

Eye Candy

Two gorgeous ways to display art.

{images via Decor Pad & WeHeartIt}

Art Crush: Rodney Smith

I have a serious new crush.  As I was researching black and white photography for my bedroom (as written about in this post), I came across the work of Rodney Smith.  It was love at first sight.  You may recognize images like this:

 
from Barbara Barry's furniture line in design magazines.  Rodney's work is classic with a huge dose of whimsy.  His images simply make me smile.  Take a look at some of my favs:

Doesn't the above remind you of the movie Big Fish?  I can relate, sista.  I can't find a comfortable mattress either...

It's a little silly how happy these make me.  He's kind of like the chic Tim Burton of photography.  I wouldn't mind waking up each morning to one of these, would you?  His website is under construction until Feb. 1st and I haven't been able to find any prints or books on other websites.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a 4x6 print isn't astronomically out of my price range, because I MUST have an original Rodney Smith print.  Must.  

See more of Rodney's work here:

Rodney Smith

{images via rodneysmith.com}

Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers Collaboration - Part 2

image via bloomingdales.com

New Tote-bags anyone???? ;)
So, my brother sent me a link to bloomingdales.com today,
and to my surprise, the first bag from Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers Collaboration 2.0 is out! :)
I'm so excited for you too see all the handbags!
Shoot, i'm so excited to see the new handbags!
Still haven't see them all.
The girl in "Lovers 5" jersey is my personal favorite ;)
I just love how she turned out.
i have that painting sitting in my room.
Well, i will keep you posted on when the rest of the bags are out,
and also what stores they are in.
But this one is up at Bloomingdale's here!
i hope you like it!

Attack of the Crazy Models

Hey Friends, how is the weekend going for you?
Anything exciting?
My weekend has been super laided back and chill (which is the way i like it!)
Watched one of my favorite movies, Hook!
It's been so long! i love that movie! "Rufio Rufio Ruuuufiiiiiioooo!"

The drawing today is Number 172 out Volume 2 of my Character Sketchbook.
If you are new to the site and don't know what the Character Sketchbook is, Click Here to read up on it...
it's one of my all time favorite projects.
And if you do know about it...
I have a question for you.
How many of you would be interested in getting the Character Sketchbook if i find a publisher?
I thought it would be cool project to publish because i think it shows anyone can learn how to draw,
it just takes hard work and practice. ;)

Oh, on another note, i had a really funny dream last night involving a supermodel and an adventure on a resort island! haah i might have to post it ;) haha

Well, i hope you like the drawing. It's kinda fun/crazy ;)

Miss Tavi on Pop

Hello, my Friends,
How are you doing?
You having a good weekend?
Mine has been great! i love the weekends, they are so wonderful!
I'm really excited about this week.
My really good friend Mr. Ryan Baxley & I are going to meet up later this week,
and start planning out The Fawn Album.
The Fawn is a collaboration music Group Ryan & I started like 4 years ago.
As time went by, i think i have like 200 song starts on my computer,
so we decided to finally finish an album.
So i'm pretty excited.

The drawing today is of Miss Tavi on the cover of Pop Magazine!
How awesome is it that she was on the cover!
But since I love drawing covers, I thought this was a perfect cover to draw.
i hope you like it :)
Also, check out Tavi's Blog Here
... Now, i think I'm going to challenge my brother to a round of Mario Cart!

Self Portrait 2.0

Hello my friends,
How are you doing?
Well, i'm currently working on an interview (which i will fill you in on soon :)
but for it, i repolished and reworked up my former Self Portrait.
You remember this one?
It's the one i made a speed up video about a year ago.
If you want to see the video Click Here.
But yea, i ended up painting more on it and completely reworking it.
i hope you like it. :)

Style Bytes Where Ever She is

Well hello friends! Wow! Thank you so much for all the lovely comments on the last post!
i'm so glad you like it. :)
It's really fun to get to share my daily drawings with you all. :)
With that said, i have a blog to present to you.
It's called Style Bytes.
Though i don't know whatever happened to her,
considering she hasn't posted in a year.
Not sure if she just stopped or what not...
Hope she comes back....

Well, the picture i drew had a great use of red
so when i drew it, i wanted to play with the red "pop" points.
I hope you like it! :)

P.s. Agathe if you some how end up reading this. please email me,
so i can give you the high res version of your portrait. :)

The Two Lovers

Well, i just finished this painting so i thought i would post it tonight.
So yea! Two posts for ya today.
Today, my friend Stacy was helping me search the internet to find some new models for drawing. haa
It was a lot of fun with a lot of new discoveries,
but as we were searching, i stumbled on to this picture.
I don't know what it is from or who it's of, but i loved it.
I knew i needed to draw it.
I mean, it was a must.
I don't know, it just had something that i knew/ wanted to capture.
i really hope you like it.
Just finished it and it's instantly one of my favorites now. :)

A Splash of Color

Happy Sunday!
So, spent all of yesterday moving my friends Ryan & Alice Baxley in their first house since they have been married.
It was a long day, but it was a pleasure to do it.
But needless to say, my body is sore head to toe.

Just did this drawing today.
Turned out kinda crazy.
The picture was crazy & colorful, so i thought it would be a perfect picture to experiment.
The drawing is pencil, color pencil, ink, acrylic and pen.
i hope you like it and hope your having a wonderful day!
:)

Christian Lacroix Couture Inspired

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and Goodnight.
Well, today is my last day home.
Flying out to Texas bright and early tomorrow morning,
so I'm trying to tie up some loose ends today.

This painting i did over the last 2 days.
It's inspired by Christian Lacroix's Spring 2009 Couture Collection.
I took the design of the finale dress and made some slight changes.
I think Christian Lacroix is incredible;
so colorful and fun.
I really hope you like the painting!
Have a great day, friends! :)

Also, I posted some pictures of me wearing the Girls In Glasses T-Shirt
from Borders & Frontiers. I hope you like them.

Garance Doré

Happy Tuesday!
Wow, today was fun!
i went down to Laguna Beach to the galleries with my mom and had some sushi,
and then definitely got to see Dr. Seuss stuff in one of the galleries!
It was so stinking incredible!

Well, the blogger portrait today is of one of my all time favorite street style blogs.
Her photography and illustration is lovely;
it's such a timeless site.
I'm sure you all know who she is...
Her name is Garance Doré.
Please check her site out; you won't be disappointed!
How are you all doing?
Hope you like the drawing!
d

Click Here too See the Full Blogger Portrait Series