Anahata Katkin

Paris...

What the heck right?!  Where have I been?  I always think blogging on the go will be a snap.  But I've lost camera chords, internet connections...the works.  Jenny Sweeney and I are in Paris this week (and last). 

(subway stop) We've had a wild adventure in a city that Jenny says is "Pulp Fiction Fantasy". I left Jenny at the stuffy hotel bar last night and I missed a man getting naked for a fight with the police!  You never know here.  It's so charming and I love the unknown aspect of French personalities!!  I find them rude, charming, authentic and full of self acceptance.  What a trip.  

We've had evenings in catacomb clubs, journaling in the sand forest, shopping in red and blue painted shops, and a wonderful stay at a firends home on the outskirts of Paris.  Her house is the first image above.  A home of three artists on 5 levels and multiple art studios.  The house is a tribute to nearly a century of family artwork, sculpture and study.

We've been high fiving ourselves for managing trains, busses and subways without a lick of French.   We learned that Vodka in France tastes like Molasses and that cheese and bread are the new way of life.  

We are also quickly becoming masters of the SHATH!  The name we've affectionately given to the French, funky shower taken with bathtub spray nozzles.  We haven't scratched the surface of Paris but Paris has definitely left it's mark on us...

Inspired: Heathery, dreamy photography

There's something very personal and touching to me about those places where nature and man overlap. Particularily those places that belong to the wild but have traces of history tucked away like treasure. Bridges over streams, shacks reclaimed by the woods, broken china on the beach,...moss between the brick.  Man's fingerprint comingling with living things is magic in itself. A sweet reminder that we have sprung up from the same cracks in nature.   I find these captivating, hazey, flower-child-meets dreamtime -photographs to convey this feeling perfectly. (and reminds me a lot of Sabrina's True Living Project Series) I'm loving this moody style and I am eager to experiment with paintings that have a similar vibe.  It also inspires me to go shell hunting, flower picking, maybe make some mobile's.  I've been dying to do that with driftwood this summer.  Must make that happen!  How about you? Did you get a chance to collect and create somplace magic this summer?

Clockwise: woodland bungalow via wideopenspaces. Ball Jar flowers via Ritzy Bee. Gorgeous Pink fireweed by Marie Ek. Pucker face by Elif Sanem Karakoc. Girl in flowers from Empty Spaces. Flower's n fence here.  Sunny field from Rose Coloured Rain.

New: PaPaYa! Blog

Here in the PaPaYa! studio's we've been getting our online world up-to-speed.  Collectively we have decided to launch a PaPaYa! blog as a meeting ground of the ideas, concepts, inspirations and culture behind our company.  It will be perhaps more design driven than here on my personal blog.  But I think you will find a broader view of many of the ways creativity trickles into various aspects of our lives.   Seemlessly...endlessly.  With five contributors it will be a busy place.  We are just rolling out our first week over there.  Have a look around and stay tuned for more from the PaPaYa! studio's.  

Imaginary Friends: Via The Satorialist

In preparation for my upcoming adventure, I pulled out some never before (gutsy enough) worn makeup and one-off hair accessories from my baskets.  (you know the one's you never use)  I am planning a one-friend fashion show this evening to determine just how one might actually pack the right outfits to be in NY, Belize and Paris in one suitcase.  Wish me luck people!

I have been thoroughly delighted today while cruising The Sartorialist Blog.  I have found a heap of style inspiration and an equal serving of cross culture style snickering. (Lordie- I am NOT prepared for men in suits...(wait for it)...wearing SHORTS! puny, fitted, man shorts!  Maybe I've been in Belize too long where butt-out-boxers is perfectly normal)  I also found a cluster of wonderful photographs on the same blog and sorted in a folder I've lovingly called Imaginary Friends.  Don't they look fantastic!  ("Jumping guy" is my favorite.  We're totally buddies in my imaginary folder.  Lets pretend I gave him those glasses. em K?) These are the personalities I'll be eye balling down in Paris restaurants.  And these pics have inspired me to actually wear the Gwen Stefani red lipstick I love but never manage to wear.  Can you see some stripey, red lipped illustrated ladies emerging here?  I can. For more from the infamous and delightful Sartorialist click here. 

Art Crush: Grady McFerrin

My first exposure to Grady McFerrin was an incredible poster I spotted a couple years back on Kathleen's Flickr page.  "Art can change your life," it read.  But along with the words was clearly masterful fonts and printing that made me absolutely weak in the knees.  Tonight I went dashing into McFerrin's website for a fresh tour through his print making wonderland.    What a treat!!  The vivid, but washed over colors and gritty line details absolutely fascinate me.  Luckily you can find McFerrin's designs in luxurious paper centric offerings from none other than Chronicle Books(Grady's section).  

If you have hung in there with me for a while you know I'm not so good with secrets.   I've been sharing the anticipated launch of Sabrina Ward Harrison's new PAPAYA! goodies with you for a while but with no place to get your hands on them.  (Bad blogger!! Bad.)  But how could I hide something like this. As promised I wanted to let you know you can now have a look-see at our kick-off offerings.  ( The Sabrina Luxe Tote Bags are still out of reach for a few more weeks)  

But things like the Post Card Tin, the Card Collections, Art Prints, Giclee's and Sketchbooks are here!!!  The Sabrina Sketchbooks are some of my favorite.  They are reversible (You get to choose your cover) and have super thick pages ready to soak up anything you want to throw at them. 

Kathleen's Pink office @ PAPAYA!

Since PAPAYA! relocated (more pics here) we found many of us went for varying degrees and shades of pink.  (Of all colors!)  Quite accidently three of us became a unified pink front.  But our talented Design Director, Kathleen takes the Gold!  Or in her case the pink award.  Her office is beautiful in person but these photo's make it look truly magical.  They make me want to run next door and set up next to her! (and steal my custom pink chairs back in the night-wuah hahah!)  These brilliant photo's are a repost from her Liquid Sky Arts Blog, where she shares better than I can about the unfolding in there.  Hats off Kathleen!  It's stunning...

Modern Indika

I have a thing for Indian everything.  But especially block printed hand made papers.  Indika Imports are offering these grogeous blank books. They are really light weight, but nice quality paper.  So I'm stuffing mine into my airplane bag and I intend to fill them up with Paris reciepts and nervous notes when I'm alone at cafe's.  I don't like the idea of separating them though.  Aren't they a cute couple?  Indika currently doesn't have them on their website but they have tons of colors.  I also used another of their journals a while back in a project I did...

Just a bit of collage (part of it came from this card) and fabric paint turned this cover into something else entirely.  Indika currently doesn't have these bad boys on their website but they have tons of vibrant colors.  Call them at 360-421-3342 if you're after them.  

Renegade Craft Fair

The Renegade Craft Fair just passed through the West Coast in all it's grass roots glory!  I am so bumbed that I missed this years lineup of events and artists.  I am so impressed (& inspired) with RCF's efforts and the massive response to their movement.  I found these photo's tonight thanks to a peek into the events through their flickr pool.  I would have loved to meet some of my favorite Etsy artists and fellow bloggers.  What a fantastic and undiluted way to experience these designers up close and bring home the real deal!  If you can get to the next fair Sept 12- 13th in Chicago.  

Sabrina Retreat In Mexico!

 Dia de los Muertos!  MEXICO!  Sabrina Ward Harrison!  A treat for sure...Let me know if you're going.