My interests and obsessions are quite varied and I'll only list a few here. If you've read this far, you are either a very curious person or a procrastinator - or both.

#Interiors #Design

For starters I am an artist and design hound, (I used to be a set decorator). I've always been interested in interiors of all kinds. How people's houses look inside, (all kinds of people and all kinds of places), as well as cool architectural exteriors. My favorite interior design magazine is World of Interiors, published out of England and available in the US on newsstand. This sometimes eccentric and always eclectic design publication features interiors and locations ranging from castles to caves, from around the globe. One issue had an entire feature devoted to the various colors of lichen on stone walls in Ireland! (Btw, that was a great article). So I'll be posting some of the interiors I find fascinating as well as some of the furnishings, objects and fabrics I come across, both old and new on my Instagram.

                                                                      &nbs…

                                                                                           Marie Antoinette Flamingo Series

                Study for future Honey Bee decoupage-under-glass plate Collection. Mixed Media using gel transfer technique.

                Study for future Honey Bee decoupage-under-glass plate Collection. Mixed Media using gel transfer technique.

#Art & Artists

I am fascinated with art and artists, both historic and modern. I am always looking at art, in museums and online, in books and in galleries, whenever and wherever I have the chance. I also like to dig deeper and explore the backstory and lifestyle of artists and their art. I tend to get really inspired at museum exhibits and always post pictures of what I'm seeing on my Instagram

Besides looking at art, discovering new art and artists, I am always creating art myself, (collage is my favorite medium), drawing, painting and of course making my decoupage plates. I also collect interesting images and I'll be showing you some of the cool images I find and pointing you to some amazing image-finding sites where I've unearthed vast treasuries of imagery, free for the taking. Some of these sites are already archived on my Pinterest site. 

                   Marie Antoinette Purple Series 

                   Marie Antoinette Purple Series 

#Decoupage

I started making decoupage plates after being inspired by Fornasetti, Josef Frank and John Derian's work - all of whom raised the level of modern decorative arts to new heights. My first design collection is an extensive series inspired by Marie Antoinette. My fascination with the little understood, yet universally recognized icon of sexuality, promiscuity, care-free indulgence and tragic fate, has only increased as I've delved deeper into the history and times of the young Queen who to this day continues to represent so many different things both loved and loathed. 

                                The Royal Vegan Collection

                                The Royal Vegan Collection

#Vegan #Mindfulness

The second Collection I created is The Royal Vegan Collection. Inspired by the plant-based diet so many people have been choosing in recent times and by their love of the planet, animals and plants and all beautiful things that co-exist with us. When I looked around for a Vegan sensibility in the decorative arts I didn't find one and I was inspired to create beautiful, meaningful art objects that celebrate plant life in an elegant and entirely unique way. And so combining unlikely elements such as vintage botanicals, old china patterns and estate jewels, I forged a new elegant visual style reflective of the plant-based-diet sensibility. As for Mindfulness, I try to practice it daily - it really helps when you can step back and view your moods, emotions and thoughts as an observer - from a peaceful centered place. I have a set of Mindfulness plates in development and will keep you posted!

                          My Blue Valentine Paperweight

                          My Blue Valentine Paperweight

#DIY

Finally, I love all things Do-It-Yourself. I have always been fanatically drawn to arts and crafts DIY projects, from making shoebox doll houses and sewing Troll doll clothes as a child, to doing mixed media projects, collage, decoupage and many other forms of art and craft as an adult. My next undertaking will be making handmade rubber stamps, the how-to of which I have already posted on my Pinterest! I am always on the lookout for great DIY ideas and tutorials so please send any great ones in my direction! You can read about my decoupage process here.