The REV It Up List

Rose La Biche: Apparel with a Twist!

Rose La Biche is the creative outlet of a French designer based in San Francisco. The Rose La Biche label came out of her urge for elegant yet edgy basics with a refreshing alternative personality compared to trendy look-alike mass-produced pieces. We think she has done just that, taking comfy and casual hoodies and tees and turning them into ART. Really cool art!!! The tees and dresses are fantastic and we are head-over-heels in LOVE with  the hoodies. Check our our favorites: Collerette, Plumage, and Sparrow. Prices range from $85-$105. Yes, a bit more than you might normally spend on a hoodie but these don't look like your mama's hoodies, thankfully.
Check out the Rose La Biche etsy shop and blog, too.

Brandi Carlile: A concert to remember

Brandi Carlile is DIVINE. Her music, her vibrant lyrics, and the way in which she connects with her audience, are spectacular!

Linda and I attended Brandi's concert earlier this week and I cannot possibly think of a better time I have had in a long time! I can tell you that nothing can be better than getting the chance to take pictures without anyone telling us not to, and getting the chance to get as close as we wanted to (or needed to in order to get good shots) to the artists! We got to listen to some of our all time favorite songs (most of which Linda and I have heard over and over again only because we both have similar quirky ways in which we over-listen to our favorite tunes) and we even got a sound preview of Brandi's upcoming CD, due to be released in the Fall.  This was truly an amazing concert that I highly recommend to everyone!

If you are already a fan of Brandi's music, you probably already know that her lyrics are fantastic! If you haven't heard her music yet, you need to do that now! Really. Two of my favorite songs are called The Story, from her second CD and Follow, from her first CD. Both songs have lyrics I can deeply connect to. And who doesn't relate to the fact that we all must follow our heart to see where it might take us, or that all the lines across our face tell the story of who we are. I think I better go now, I need to go listen to her CDs one more time!

I'll share a few pictures of the concert here, but you can also visit my flickr page as well as Linda's blog and flickr page for more pictures of this event!

   

   

 

David Ben and the Ring Dragon

David Ben had a dream that woke him up at 2 or 3 in the morning one day in 2001. It was all "like a movie," he explains, it was vividly explicit allowing him to see the story unfolding right before his eyes and he could even "clearly see the final act of the book!" He woke up that day and knew he had to write it all down.

And that, he did. He turned his dream into a beautiful reality: The Ring Dragon.

David tells me that Ring Dragon is unlike any other dragon that exists in the fantasy world out there. "This is a new brand, a new type of dragon." A dragon whose main target audience is fifth graders (or other dreamers, like me, who love fantasy books even at the still young age of 38.) 

David is an elementary school teacher who graduated from UCSC in 1998 with a degree in film and video production. He later obtained his substitute teaching credentials and has been teaching for the past nine years. In addition to his role as a school teacher, and now a book author, he has also created music for a local school play, Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream.  You can hear all the tracks for this musical in this link. The interesting thing about David's musical talent is that he does not play any instruments, he uses a computer software called MIDI Synthesis to create his artful music. He simply has a natural given talent to create music! Specially classical music.

And from reading Ring Dragon, I can also say he has a talent for words! Many of the characters in Ring Dragon were inspired by David's students, and even by himself and his wife at a younger age. And perhaps because of its youthful sources of inspiration, Ring Dragon offers its readers a beautiful story filled with fantasy and excitement as well as a keen sense of humor and frankness. When the characters are faced with life and death situations, they react in the natural way in which normal fifth graders would react. Completely unpretentious with heroes who struggle and make mistakes, but learn from their experiences. Ring Dragon offers a true sense of freshness and fun. 

Like most dreams, the making of them can be a hard task. I asked David if his process of making his dream turn into reality was an easy one. "I had to knock on many doors. I got an agent and sent easily about 100 queries," he explained.

-Can you share a piece of advise to any young writers out there?

"There is no mystery. It's all about hard work. There is no quick way around it. Anyone who wants a successful book can do it if he or she works hard. If there was a secret I would like to find it. For me, it's all been a process of hard work."

David explains that Ring Dragon is intended to be a lengthy series and I am happy about that because I am already anxious to read the next volume! You can pre-order Ring Dragon here. It will be on sale in bookstores by late August. 

Frida Kahlo: A Diary of Inspiration and Art

Written by Maria Hammon

 

I have always felt that Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter 1919-1954) was one of the pioneer women of art journaling. If you ever get a chance to read it, her diary is a piece every artist should experience at least once. Even if you do not speak Spanish, you can SEE so much through her journal pages. Words, art and emotion are mixed in a beautiful array of colors and vivid imaginary. To me, her diary is breathtaking. It invites me in as an observant of her trials and tribulations during the last decade of her life. It shares her love letters, her political ideas, her visions, her art, her passions, her dreams, her fears and also her nightmares.

The diary of Frida Kahlo: An Intimate Self Portrait  includes an introduction by authors Carlos Fuentes and Sarah Lowe. One of the quotes by Fuentes that I loved explains, "...a streetcar crashed into the fragile bus she was riding, broke her spinal column, her collarbone, her ribs, her pelvis.... The impact of the crash left Frida naked and bloodied, but covered with gold dust."

And gold dust is indeed what seems to be the enchanting, riveting effect left by Frida’s art legacy.

Since we are talking Friday Kahlo, I should also say that if you haven’t yet seen the movie Frida, with one of Salma Hayek’s best performances of her life paired with Julie Taymor’s brilliant direction, this is a memorable artful film not to be missed.

Gifts For Anyone From Everyone!

Written by Maria Hammon

Have you ever faced the predicament involved in having to figure out a gift to give to a teacher, or a coach, when you have several people involved in the giving? 

Oh, just thinking of what to get, how to get the funds together, and coordinate everyone.  It all seems to cause a little extra stress for me.  Specially at the end of each school year when we all seem to be running around like chickens without a head.  At least that's how I feel each year in the month of May for some reason. Well, this year I found a marvelous new alternative!  There is a new website run by two local moms here in the Bay Area. It's called From Everyone.  Their mission: "to make group gift giving simple, thoughtful and convenient for all." What a great idea!  I hope it can help you as much as it is helping me this year!

 

A Spring Vocal Concert on the Westside

Written by Suzi Finer

I consider myself a lover (and avid listener) of good music. My personal taste runs the gamut from today's top 40 to the Standards and Baroque (I just can't take that rap crap...no offense.) If you happen to be on the Westside on Wednesday, June 4th, at 7pm, you can experience a taste of the good stuff for a pittance of a price. A mere five dollars will get you a prime seat at the Beverly Hills High School Spring Vocal Concert. There is even free parking in the spacious lot! Featured performances will be presented by the schools award-winning Madrigal group, as well as the Minnesingers and Concert Choir (of which my son Ben is a part,) all directed by the master of music, Maestro Joel Pressman. Interested? Shoot me an email (suzifiner@gmail.com) or you can call the school directly at (310) 229-3685.

Artist: Kimberly Reed

Artist Kimberly Reed has taken the plunge! With the nudging of friends and fans, she's finally opened her etsy shop! Her bold and colorful florals will brighten any spot in a dull room. Prices range from $30-$40.

Creating and Celebrating with IAMADIVA.COM

Mother's Day is coming up and moms just love gifts created by hand. But, if you're anything like us, you just really have no time to stop what you are doing and make one more thing this week. Click on over to IAMADIVA.COM and order some fanfreakingtastic art and crafty supplies and have them shipped to your mom! Let her create something for YOU! She'd love to!  There are wonderful rubber stamps to choose from (many under $10. If you have two moms, check out the West Hollywood-Friendly section ). I love the unique selection of stamps at IAMADIVA.COM! If  Mom is into the scrapbooking and altered art craze, check out all the fun embellishments and cool finds.

Queen Diva Suzi Finer has a great idea for making your favorite chocolate bars look as delicious as they taste. Turn them into art, too! Her fancy chocolate bars can be adapted to any occasion. Simply coordinate the papers to go with whatever event you are celebrating. Don't forget to make one for yourself, too!

Connecting with Arboretum

Reviewed by Maria Hammon

 

Today I found a new book I fell in love with. It is always a thrill to me when I find a book that makes me feel connected. Not to the concepts and ideas in it, although that is always a plus, too; but to the fact that no matter who we are, we all are small puzzle pieces of the same big picture. That with a pencil in our hands, we can all, in our own individual way, explore ourselves and recognize the parts of us that were meant to fit in this world, and the parts that are unique to each of us. In Arboretum, David Byrne explores himself and finds connections “where none were thought to exist.” His faux science, his personal drawings, and diagrams are incredibly fun to discover.

Through his tree-shaped drawings, Arboretum discusses many subjects. It is often philosophical and artistic. And perhaps even poetic. It is like a little bit of freedom and fresh air.

David Byrne is perhaps one of the most talented artists of our era. From his music with Talking Heads; his thought provoking books Your Action World, The new Sins and Arboretum, to most recently, his outspoken online journal, Mr. Byrne continues to show a true creative spirit in his work. And that, is certainly something to admire and applaud.

 

Blog Stalking: Artist Dina Wakley

Interview by Maria Hammon

I cannot tell you how truly inspiring the art of Dina Wakley is to me, specially considering that I have diligently been stalking her blog for at least two years!  This is one of the reasons I find this interview so exciting! 

Dina, just how and when did you get started in the world of art journaling?

I've always been art-minded and I subscribed to Somerset Studio from the day it was first published. I devoured every issue, but was too chicken to try art myself. I started stamping and my skill level grew. Finally, I bought a blank book and started creating a visual journal. I've kept a regular journal since I was 9 years old, so I'm familiar with the process of putting yourself down onto paper. But with the visual journal I was combining words and paint. My very first art journal was about how I was too insecure to call myself an "artist." The great thing about art journaling is that it's a way to experiment and express yourself and it doesn't have to be "good"...it just has to be honest.

That is one of the many things I love about what you do, it is SO real. Raw. I love it!  What is your favorite art medium?                                     

I love collage and mixed media--acrylic paint and odds and ends and bits of whatever is laying around.

I love it when you say you "slapped a quick page together" and I see this masterpiece (from your current post.) Exactly how do you manage to create your art?  What is your process; does the theme come first?  Or is it the kind of colors?  The concept?  How do you typically start and finish a project?

This is a hard question...I rarely ever have an end product in mind when I start a page. I just start putting down paint and layers and see where it takes me. Often I'm driven by my emotions, or by something that is bothering me. I'll work on a page in my art journal, and as I have extra paint I'll wipe it on pages further back in the journal...I figure one day I'll get to those pages and there will be a little paint or something there to jump start me. I tend to work quickly, too...I don't agonize over the perfect thing to put on the page. I use what is within reach. I guess the process is kind of organic and intuitive. I love to layer...paints, inks, collage elements, etc. I think the layers create visual interest and combined together have meaning. I also love to use letters in my work. I was an English major in college and the written word has always moved me.

How do you manage life, family (with boys!) and the never ending daily chores and still find the time you need to create the beautiful works of art you create?  Come on, share the secrets!

Well, there's no secret. I'm always behind on housework. I figure the dishes can wait.

I love that!  Thank you.  I really needed to hear that today. Specially since my dishes haven't been done yet...this interview is much more important!  If you could pick any place in the world to live, where would it be and why? 

How about Del Mar in a house on the beach...or Lake Tahoe (North shore, Nevada side)...or Tuscany...or in a fun flat in London....oh wait, you said one place, right?

It is quite all right...we can always have more than one favorite place.  There are no rules when dreaming, right?  Now on a sweeter note, what is your favorite candy bar?

Milky Way Midnight...yum...and anything by Cadbury. When we lived in England we got hooked on British chocolate. I still crave Curly Wurlys and Star Bars and Double Deckers!

Where do you create?  Do you have a dedicated space at home? 

I do have a room...it's not really a studio, and it's not decorated nicely. But it's functional and it's mine. Someday I want built-in shelving, a sealed concrete floor, and a utility sink.

Funny you mention a utility sink...that's one of my dreams, too!  Specially because I always find myself splattered in paint!  What do you find most inspiring to you and why?

I find so many things in life inspiring...poetry, art, people who triumph over adversity, hummingbirds outside my window...I think I get inspiration from everything.

Here is one of my favorite pieces created by you last year, have you ever considered selling your art in Etsy or other similar places? 

No...I'm not trying to be self-defeating, but I really don't consider myself at the caliber I would need to be to sell anything. I feel like an infant when it comes to art...I have so much to learn. I look at how far I've come since I first started art journaling, and I'm amazed at the growth.

Where do you see yourself in the future?  Any goals or plans you'd like to share with us?

I just want to keep creating! :)