Inspiration: Tomi Ungerer - One of the absolute best!

On Sept 6th I saw the documentary Far Out Isn’t Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story

Tomi is one of my all time favourite illustrators (his economical line!! his humour! his fabulous kids books! his incredible political posters! his saucy erotic drawings!) and I can't recommend the doc enuf. Thanks so much to Glenn Sumi for the reco. :-)
Watch the trailer here.

New Sketch: cowboy boot

My garden tea towel is on sale

My garden tea towel is now on sale at the Hudson's Bay. 

They're all sold out at the Queen St. store in Toronto but you can buy them online here: 

A perfect gift for your favourite gardener!

2 good quotes for Perfectionists

I really struggle with Perfectionism so keep these quotes on my fridge at all times.  
Photographer Jodi Pudge instagrammed this shot when she was shooting my house last Tuesday. :-)

Covet Garden in the House!

Today the gals from Covet Garden along with photographer Jodi Pudge + assistant Ian were chez moi to shoot my space for Covet Garden's upcoming book. I was thrilled to have Jodi shoot my space as I've admired her work for years. Below some pics from a very fun day.

 Setting up

 

Editor Jessica Reid + Jodi assess the situation!

Jessica, Jodi + delicious scones from the Drake - which Jodi declared the best in the city!

Its true ... very flakey.

Jodi,  Jessica + Editor Lynda Felton in background posing in a classic "Serious Editor" pose.

Hi-larious.

Here she is doing it again!

Lynda is one of the funniest people I've ever met - she kept me cracking up the entire day.

 

Jodi shooting me while I shoot her.

Yes... very Meta.

With Jodi's shooting and Jessica + Lynda's styling + input the photos turned out absolutely gorgeous! Alas I can't show them to you until December when the book comes out. Can't wait!

ps. Speaking of... Have you ordered your copy yet?

My beloved brother Shawn

Shawn Cavanagh

Sept 28th 1965 - August 26th 2012.

Today is the Anniversary of the loss of my beloved brother Shawn Cavanagh.
This photo - taken at the front of his grade 1 class - conveys the very special + gentle soul he was.
He is dearly missed everyday.
Thanks to everyone who keeps him in their thoughts.
 

What a fun night: Junction Design Crawl

What a fun night!!

There was such a great vibe in the Junction last night with crowds along the sidewalk the entire night.

 

Inside Gerhard.

Above Jim and Valerie from Desire Vintage Posters.

 

 Debra Norton and Lorraine Tuscon.

Centre: Sharlene Rankin of Telephone Booth gallery who had done a great job of arranging the art.

Owner of Gerhard Langton Wilms with Lizz Aston's artwork in background.

 And me - shy and quiet as usual - taken by Valerie.

Such a fun night. Already looking forward to next year!

A few pics from Junction Design Crawl Install

 Artist Lizz Aston and her beautiful work

represented by Telephone Booth Gallery

Me shooting Liz

Gerhard owner Langton Wilms applying the Vinyl

 

See you tonight!

Postcards for Junction Design Crawl

Hot off the press!
ps. That's a glimpse of my new bicycle. :-) French vanilla colour. Ooo ahh.

News! Come see my work this Friday at the Junction Design Crawl

 

This Friday I partnering up with Telephone Booth Gallery to display my work at the new men's clothing store GERHARD at 2949 Dundas Street West.

Come on out to the Crawl! It promises to be a great night full of great design + drink!

Participating stores are below.

For more info: www.junctiondesigncrawl.com

This space is saved...

For all the great photos from Cape Cod that I don't have time to post right now.
Coming soon!
a.

Je suis en Vacance

 I am off to Cape Cod for 10 days. 

This fantastic illustration by Bernardo Carvalho perfectly encompasses how I feel - 

Can't wait to jump in the ocean!

Essentials packed

 

Sketchbook
J Crew Pineapple tank
John Irving A Widow for One Year
Shelia Bridges The Bald Mermaid
Stack of Elle Decor
Cape Cod Here I come!

Sketch: Tolix chair

Below: a sketch from last week. 

 

Here is the chair the sketch was based on.

I love drawing chairs and learning about the history of furniture.

The Tolix chair was created by Xavier Pauchard in 1934.

It was originally meant as an outdoor cafe chair but is now often found inside 

- in a rainbow of colours - in very styley kitchens!

Tolix also makes great industrial looking stools.

the chair is part of collections in the MoMA in New York, the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Vitra design collection in Weil am Rhein in Germany. - See more at: http://themustardceilingblog.com/2012/04/tell-me-tuesday-bam-or-slam-14.html#sthash.mv9dRUq0.dpuf

I have joined Instagram -- Very Reluctantly!

Instagram photo
Friday night 6pm
King Edward Hotel, Toronto
French Martini + my ever present notebook

Ok News flash I have joined Instagram.
I have done so ever so reluctantly as I am already on Pinterest (which I adore for it's organizing + categorizing abilities) + Blogger + Twitter so felt very strongly that I didn't want to spend 1 more second on another social media thingy!! (I believe strongly in living life - not just documenting it!)

However I now realize the big appeal of instagram is the fact that it really is instant - one can shoot post + tweet in about 20 seconds and then quickly get back to living one's life..... so with much reluctance you can now find me here.

Very special night

Last night was a very special night.
My friends Jeff + Tori got married and then proceeded to host the best wedding reception ever.

 

Tori cutting the wedding cake with newly minted husband Jeff behind her.

What a space!! 

(Note blissful wedding couple canoodling in bkgd)

The reception took place in an incredible space  - a former sheet metal shop on Dundas West that's been converted into a fabulous home with stunning art, built ins, lighting and the world's longest kitchen island! I think it's true - you can never have enough counter space. :-)

If you're planning to visit Toronto sometime soon you're in luck... as the home is available to rent through air b+ b!! It can be viewed + booked here. It was also recently featured in Dwell magazine.

 Jeff's fabulous brogues. (He's a styley guy)

Me + Rachel Giese.

Love this pic.

Another view of the space.

Great lighting.

(The upstairs was stunning too!)

  

Who would guess such a special place lies behind this unassuming storefront?!  

Above: Leaving after a very special evening of wonderful conversations, too much champagne, and a

room bursting with love and best wishes for Jeff + Tori. Corny but true!