PAPAYA! BLOG

Inspiration: Illustrations by Grady McFerrin

Grady McFerrin, and I almost crossed paths during art school. So close! Same school, same art program, same years of study. I would've loved to see his work in person. Luckily I discovered his illustrations a few years ago through Chronicle Books, and have been hooked ever since!

Now he's based in Brooklyn, and besides his amazing work with Chronicle (as seen above) he's also rockin' out some amazing Band Posters, Wine Lables, and other beautiful projects.

In his interview with Communication Arts, he gives us some great quips about his process, inspirations, and how he overcomes blocks.

He also gives some stellar advice from Max Fischer's character in "Rusmore".... “I guess you’ve just gotta find something you love to do and then do it for the rest of your life.”

To see more of Grady's Portfolio visit his site: http://www.gmillustration.com/

Field Trip

Yesterday, a few of us took an afternoon field trip to the Ashland Art Center for a creative field trip to keep our juices flowing.
Getting away from our computers to play with clay was a fun way to reboot our brains and inspire creativity in a fresh way.

We left with dirty hands (and jeans, and shoes) and recharged brain-batteries.
Although none of us had ever played with clay before, we made some beauties! Next time, we're throwing down on the wheel!

Really?

I'm not a sucker for kittens and baby pictures but these made my whole day!  I know a few new little humans about to be born and this incredible Etsy shop is making these little knit head cozies for the newest of the human newbies!  AMAZING pictures and incredible little fuzzies for the wuzzies!  I'll be dork mommy-talking for an hour now and snagging one of these for an upcoming baby shower.  And in other mommy reminders....Don't forget the mums. May 8th!

New Arrivals...And You Could Win Them!

Look what just arrived at PAPAYA! We've just received new Sticky Note Sets, Clipboards, Memo Mouse Pads, and 5 x 7 Greeting Cards! Go and suss them out and then come back and tell me which are your favorites in each category and you could win them!  

I'll pick one winner (at random) on Monday morning at 10:00 am PST. I know it's hard but in order to win you have to pick one new product from each category (Sticky Note Sets, Clipboards, Memo Mouse Pads, and 5 x 7 Greeting Cards). FYI- Our newest 5 x 7  Greeting Cards are on the first four rows (with the exception of Hula Hoop 5 x 7 Card.

UPDATE: Wow! Thanks for all the feedback. So happy to see you are all as excited as we are to share these new beauties. Congratulations to Michelle R., our contest winner. xoxo

P.S. Write Soon

I received notice from Renegade Handmade that they are having a one day letter writing event at their Chicago store hosted by 16 Sparrows. The "who" of who is invited just says: "Anyone who loves typewriters, paper, letters and sweet treats!!!" Ummmm....yes please! I won't be in the area for this event but it sounds wonderful. Check out their blog for details. 

And while you're there....looks like a great place to shop!! 

 

Decorating with PAPAYA! Stretched Canvas Giclees

Here are some great ideas from the PAPAYA! Living store on how to creatively display our stretched canvas giclee wall art. Different shapes of canvas can be hung together and mixed up with vintage prints as seen above. 

Displayed in a grid using small giclees...

As a vertical collection with large giclees.

One large giclee creates impact while embracing simplicity. (As seen in this creative home.)

Chalkboard Love

There is something about decorating with chalkboards that makes me happy. It's a combination of the contrast of black and white, the vintage aesthetic, and the idea that writing on walls is a good thing! I have been thinking of ways to spruce up my art space at home and saw some great inspiration in Rue Magazine under "workspaces". 

Hanging in my kitchen...I've got a theme going on here....

Love this clean and uncluttered way of hanging art, ephemera and notes. 

 Again, looking for ways to de-clutter but still be surrounded by my "stuff", I love these cubes with books arranged by color, wire baskets and, of course, some chalkboard love. Both photos above, found in Rue.
 
 
   

Behind the Scenes of PAPAYA LIVING!

(Above: Construction begins with putting up drywall, handpainting the ceiling with stencils, and refinishing the wood floors)

As you probably know, April 1st marked the grand opening of the fabulous PAPAYA LIVING! in our home base of Ashland, Oregon. Now that every square inch is covered in beautiful goodness, it's hard to believe that only two months ago construction began on this project. 
Although it was a huge undertaking, Anahata's vision and fearless attitude seemed to make everything fall into place.
After a lot of planning, pricing, priming, painting, and primping the store was ready to open its doors to heaps of happy customers.

And finally, meet the staff of PAPAYA LIVING! Left to right: Joanna, Zoe, Anahata, and Allegra.

Creative gardening ideas

I've been getting back to one of my favorite outdoor activities as the weather gets warmer, creative gardening projects. Anything goes. Found objects can become instant planters, old windows transformed into greenhouses, and even upside down wine bottles can be turned into funky edgers or even elegant steppable walkways that glitter under the sun.

I like to trek around local neighborhoods, attend garden tours, and have been taking these photographs over the past few years to capture inspiration, and keep track of my creative garden projects . I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Anthology Magazine

I'm one of the many who still can't believe Domino Magazine went to the great publication heaven in the sky...so I was thrilled to discover a new home decor/lifestyle magazine, Anthology,  that shares that similar fresh aesthetic and designer profiles that we might not otherwise find. It's a quarterly magazine and as much as I do love some of the recently developed on-line decorating mags, it is so refreshing and appreciated that this is in print. There is something about flipping through the pages, pausing, finding that eye candy that makes you smile. Great job! 

I came in late at Issue #2 but there are back issues available on=line. Must hunt down now.