Life Outside the Box

Just Because

There are a lot of things going on out there that suggest animals may be more tuned in than many humans...

Return from Private Ecosystem

After several days in Pine Plains I have crash landed back in the city. I'm developing a bad farmer tan, my eyes itch from exhaust or pollen or both and I am wiped out from power gardening. The garden keeps getting larger and will probably be out of control soon. Meanwhile I must find a new studio mate, as Martin is moving into my space, his old space is available - and it is fabulous... Instead of dealing with that issue I keep thinking about the excellent tree frog that was clinging to our glass door the other night, 3 feet away from Mortician and Satan, our resident bats and 5 feet away from the Phoebe's nest. It's a whole wild kingdom right under the eaves. Hummingbirds came by on Saturday after the turkeys and a lovely scarlet tanager shopped the bird feeder in the afternoon. As you can see wildlife has kept me from timely posts here on the Horn. 

Today's Color Palette

Birds of color brought to you by way of Bibliodyssey.

Nolita Paint Fight

I love taking pictures on my daily walk to the studio. Things change everyday.

Still Life on Mulberry Street

Bits and pieces of my walk to the studio.

The Birds

I am busy designing a very handsome chicken coop - in my head. Someday I'd like to raise a few chickens for eggs and entertainment. I love designing housing for animals, I love thinking about what the animals like to do and what they need. Earlier this Spring I designed and built a cat dwelling with a Big Sur 1962 modern/rustic vibe. This summer I plan on making some bird houses and feeders and a birdbath. In the future I'll hatch out a hen house.

Research from the Farm

I am anxiously awaiting my first issue of Acres USA magazine. Our garden has been an inspiration for researching organic farming practices. After spending 4 rainy hours planting tomato plants a dry, toasty laptop is the place to be.

Animal Welfare Institute

The Animal Welfare Institute is a fantastic organization that works globally to protect wild, domestic and agricultural animals. Their newsletter is brilliant and they actually get things accomplished. The current newsletter has an article that surveys the plight of animals in China. As the Olympics approach China's many inhumane practices towards people and animals are being broadcast near and far. This bright light on the dark policies of China may be the one good reason to have the Olympics in such a polluted and politically corrupt nation. 

Today's Color Palette

Meet the Beetles. Nothing like a nice grid of handsome beetles to close out a day of toil in the studio.

Omnivore Recommends...

Michael Pollan's brilliant book, The Omnivore's Dilemma has been keeping me from my blog! That and a trip to my homeland in Michigan to visit the remaining tribe. Amazing book, impressive research and illuminating information - I can't wait to read his next book, In Defense of Food.

Cartooning Around

Secret pleasure: The New Yorker online.

Exactly

Of course it is. Fog from deeplinking.

New York this Morning, Pine Plains Yesterday Afternoon

A Chair for Sunday

My chair fetish continues. This beauty would be a nice addition.

Dress Fragments

Yesterday was Metropolitan Museum of Art Day, at least for me it was. I became enthralled by painted fabrics after I came out of the trance of ancient fabulousness induced by the new Greek & Roman galleries. There were so many amazing things to look at that my eyes started to spiral and I decided that I'd have to return after I calmed down.