African Glass Mosaic

I can hardly get over this amazing, bright, glass mosaic of an Ethiopian woman by artist Carol Shelkin. Absolutely stunning!

{Photo: Carol Shelkin}

Art Scene: Jacob Lawrence

African-American painter Jacob Lawrence has been a favorite of mine since I was first captivated by his Migration Series, part of which is right here in D.C. at the Phillips Collection(the other half as at the MOMA). His work provide such an amazing view of African-American history and showcases the major talents that were able to shine through despite layers and layers of injustice.

I was recently at the Phillips Collection again and sat down to explore of book of his work and that is when I discovered that not only had he spent some time in Nigeria, he also had a few paintings and drawings from that period in his life. These images above capture the beauty and chaos of African marketplaces that almost leave me nostalgic. Of his time in Nigeria, Lawrence would say the following:

"I became so excited then by al the new visual forms I found in Nigeria = unusual color combinations, textures, shapes, and the dramatic effect of light - that I felt an overwhelming desire to come back as soon as possible to steep myself in Nigerian culture so that my paintings, if I'm fortunate, might show the influence of the great African artistic tradition."

{Photos: DC Moore Gallery}

Duro in Spring

Can we talk about clothes that I could totally wear? Duro Olowu very disappoints! I especially love the top black skirt with the big pockets. The color combinations are so fun and bold that they may as well have a "no conservatives need try these one" emblazoned on them!

{Photos: Style.com}

Tuesday's Design: Ryad Dyor

How is it possible that I never tire of seeing beautiful Moroccan ryads? Ryad Dyor is clearly no exception. The Missoni looking towels in the bathroom, the splash of purple in the bedroom, the amazing photo above the bed and the amazing light pouring into the last room definitely makes this place one to have on the top of my list for whenever I do make it to Morocco.

{Photos: Ryad Dior}

Put Your Feet Up!

Back in July I was excited about these Anthropologie wax print covered wingbacks. Fast-forward a few months and now look at the ottomans!! I want!

{Photos: Anthropologie}

Design Inspiration - 9.28.10

Umm - high wooden ceilings, simple crisp white linens, open doors bringing in fresh air while looking out to green fields...what is there not to love about this South African room?!?

{Photo: Visi Magazine}

Flickr Finds Africa: Week 09.27.10

I always find vintage pictures from throughout Africa so intriguing, this one especially so. How did the photographer manage to capture such a shot? I can't even begin to imagine what the subjects of the picture must have been thinking at the time!

{Photo: Okinawa Soba, Daniele Romagnol}

Color Comfort

Good morning! I want to start this week with this wonderful burst of color because color is very comforting to me and as I had into a new week, I need I all the comfort I can get!

{Photos: 10b travelling}

Art Scene: Januario Jose

The timing of my discovery of Angolan artist Januario Jose (aka Jano) via my favorite African Digital Art source, is perfect given my new class. You can see more of his art direction, branding and design work through his Coconote Studio or his behance profile.

{Photos: Coconote Studio}

Graphics by Hand?

As you know, have been “enrolled” in “art school” since the spring of last year. It’s more of a pay-as-you-go, take-whatever-art-class at whatever-local-art-studio kind of education that has found me taking ceramics in Capitol Hill, painting in Penns Quarter, silk screening in Alexandria while drawing and taking photography on my own. To add to the mix, I started a graphic design class on Tuesday that might just turn out to the a-ma-zing!

I walked into a plain room with tables and chairs and no windows (I know, just what one needs after a full day in a cubicle) and no computers. Obviously I thought I was in the wrong room because who the heck does graphic design without computers in 2010? Turns out, I will be just that person! The teacher made it clear that I was indeed in the right classroom and as this was the fine art of graphic design, we would be learning all about the medium sans PC or Mac. At first I was really worried but it turns out that as an introduction to graphic design, this is actually a great first step. At the end of the 2.5 hour class, I knew more about typography than I would have ever thought about and I was forced to practice hand-drawn typography. It was so much fun and I can’t wait to tackle my homework before class next week. While we are allowed to use the computer at home, I think I’m going to attempt to resist. I felt so much freer to think creatively with pencil and paper in hand that it has got me really looking forward to seeing what other creative ideas I can come up with over the next two months!

{Photo: Smashing Magazine}

Simply Designed

For me, it's hard to imagine Africa and not get an explosion of colors and textures running through my head. While this is colorful image of the continent is always present in my mind, I love it when an artist can present the continent using very easy and simple designs. The fashion line Edun (think Bono and Wife + minority stake by LVMH) was started with a mission of encouraging trade with Africa and part of their line is made on the continent. They bring just the look of simple, long-lasting, pair-with-awesome-accessories that I have started to heavily favor.

Along the same lines of Edun is the newest collection by Kinder Aggugini* who was also inspired by the continent. Not only am I loving the simplicity of the collection, but the hats by Stephen Jones, which as suppose to look like "an African tribe - well before the Internet age" are amazing!

{Photos: Style.com}

Tuesday's Design: Shine Shine

I love this combination of the Scandinavian aesthetic with the African-inspired and produced goods of Shine Shine.

{Photos: Shine Shine}

Modern Glass of Water

I prefer to see the world through the lens of tons of color and texture, but every now and then I need a cup of modern design water to cleanse my palette. This SA home is that glass-so-full of design water me me.

{Photos: Visi}

Flickr Finds Africa: Week 09.20.10

During my weekend in NYC, I found myself surprising loving all the modern architecture. Generally, I prefer more historic buildings and hate the juxtaposition of modern mixed with traditional, but this time my eyes began to see things very differently and started to see how the various types of architectural styles all wrapped into one city is precisely one of the factors that make New York City such an amazing place.

With this newfound appreciation for the modern side of architecture, I sought out for some spaces that stood out for me from throughout the continent and here are a few snippets of some images that really grabbed my attention...

{Photos: arturii, EaglElla, + Lauren Baukume}

NYC in Review

Ahh....even though a new week has begun but it's safe to say that part of me is still in New York City where I recently finished a long weekend (I took Friday off to squeeze in more time in the city). I went up for a friend's bridal shower and had so much fun that I have to yet again fight off the "why don't I live in NYC" blues again. One experience that stood out (in case the food, hanging out with friends, finding the most comfortable black flats, and amazing weather weren't enough) was my first visit to High Line Park. Have you been? It's a wonderful space that once was train tracks that brought foods and other goods into the city and now has a new role as an amazing above ground park. There are lounge chairs, vendors selling ice cream and coffee, beautiful flora, and amazing views of the city. This definitely became an instant favorite part of the city and one that I can't wait to explore a bit more during my next visit.

{Photo: High Line}

Art Scene: Jamal Sahri

This past Sunday, I walked into U-Topia, a bar/resto on 14th Street here in D.C. that has been around forever. It had been years since I last ate there and I was blown away as soon as I stepped in. The art of the walls were all A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I found myself constantly having to re-focus my attention to my conversation instead of glazing at the walls. As if that alone wasn't a fun experience, the food was so delicious. I know you are all thinking 'umm, what does this have to do with the motherland' and I'll tell you: the restaurant is own by Jamal Sahri, the art is done by Jamal Sahri and where oh where is Mr. Sahri from??? Of course, Morocco!!!

{Photos: U-Topia}

The Cover

'They' say one shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but I have to say this cover is pretty darn awesome!!!

{Photo: Torcular}

Oh Napptural!

Somewhere along the way, I've decided to grow my hair out. It's been at least seven or eight years since I last had my natural hair grow out and back then, I was doing a whole lot of fussing with it - attempts at keeping it 'tame.' This time around, I'm thinking of just letting it do it's own thing and I'm very curious as to what it will look like.

{Photos: Curly Nikki, Thirsty Roots, Mane and Chic, Juco Photos, + Sutherland Models}

Room for Suno

I'll be very honest and tell you that my brain just cannot wrap around the thought of Spring 2011. I've been working really hard on this whole 'living in the moment' business and well Spring 2011 has absolutely nothing to do with this moment of my life and I'm trying not to let it rain on my 'so excited that fall is here' parade! That said....I did allow a sliver of my brain to get very excited about this Suno Spring 2011 skirt (as well as a few other pieces of theirs) just because I love how they have used the words usually writing on the kanga fabric and made it into a belt. The skirt is super flirty and coupled with a Swanepoel hat and the L. Randall shoes and the whole look is very fun.

{Photo: Style.com}

Tuesday's Design: Swanepoel's Apt.

I always love the chance to take a sneak peak into my favorite designers world, and this time around, its the home of South African milliner Albertus Swanepoel. I've blogged about him here and here and there is rarely a season where his beautiful creations aren't adorning the head of some model strutting down the runway.

{Photo: Daily Candy}

Design Inspiration - 9.14.10

There is a whole lot in this room that isn't my style, but these wax printed chairs are amazing!

{Photo: New York Times}

Flickr Finds Africa: Week 09.13.10

I'm absolutely loving these shots taken in Kenya by Japanese photographer Yuta Yamamoto. I love the grainy, vintage-y feel that the Ricoh GR21 camera provides these images!

{Photos: Yuta Yamamoto}

Through the Lens: Fabio Caramaschi

Let's see...Fabio Caramaschi has captured Mali in black and while in a way that's stunningly beautiful? Needless to say his work deserves a clear shout out today!

{Photo via Bambini nel deserto}

Weekend in Review

Good Monday Morning! Was your weekend full of interesting + fun activities? From Friday Night Out in Georgetown, to Saturday's Arts on Foot Festival and Sunday's Adam's Morgan Day (where this photo was shot), this weekend was another fun exploration of this wonderful that I also call home!

Any highlights from your weekend??

{Photo: Brandie}

Sounds of Africa: Didier Awadi

I love discovering music that I haven't heard before and recently Senegalese rapper Didier Awadi has been on the top of that list. With amazing beats like Sunugaal, The Roots, and Dans Mon Rêve.

{Photo: Marianne2)