Forward thinking...

Yes, I know I'm getting ahead of myself but, for me, 2009 was a year of absolute change---in work, in location, in worldview.  Much of that was gratifying and enlivening, other realities were unsettling at best.  And so, I'm eager to press onward to 2010.  In which I've decided to embrace authenticity, transparency, and the full-throttle search for my own creatively engaged tribe.  And, while "chelliswilson." is already operating on the concept of celebrating honorable provenance and the beautifully crafted object,  I'm more committed than ever to use this venue to explore these ideas more fully through art and events.  I thrive on ideas and exchanging ideas with other like-minded souls.  On the surface of things, I suppose I would be categorized as the "shopkeeper".   But as so many brilliantly creative endeavors have proven (Portland's own "Rogues Gallery" being a stellar example), a truly great brand is, at its core, an extension of the worldview of its creators.  Besides, the title "cultural explorer" is much more fun....

What's been inspiring me...

I have a concept for a video piece about the "chelliswilson." that would feature a local fairytale beauty with an edge named K. (if you're reading this, you know who you are...)   What kicked these thoughts into gear was this.  A campaign that's truly moving. (Walt Whitman!)  So fresh and strong.  I'd love to hear from interested filmmakers...

These performances, coming in January to Whitney Art Works here in Portland.  This is the sort of thing I absolutely love...

"What Matters Now", "the work of more than 60 people with big ideas and something to say".

The reminder that compassion is more important than anything else.

The creative process of two of my heroines.

The fully realized example of Rogues alumni, Jay Carroll, that with enough imagination, chutzpah, intelligence, and hard work, life on one's own terms is truly possible.  In the "board" section of his blog, I found the following, my credo for the year to come:

New inspiration board...

Apple trees, gold leaf, roses, and antique chandelier crystals...

I had a vision of holiday magic free of cliche...festive but peaceful....and this is the result.  The apple trees and roses are a bit of ancient symbology (and a nod to my mother's Anglican traditions), the gold and the crystal...purely for sparkle.  Add to that the cocktail of scents---roses, a Diptyque Feu de Bois candle burning, gingerbread cookies---and I'd have to say we're in a holiday mood. 

A little video on Tuesday...

1) Now this my kind of DIY....

2) Inspired project, lovely people, and another gratuitous opportunity for parental preening (Miss Margaret is here, too...)



Having a quiet day putting up a new inspiration board with a bit of a holiday theme (photos later).  Maria's coming by later to take down "Come Darkness"...I'll miss it so much!

Ideas....new & revisited

On this post-Thanksgiving weekend,  I've been thinking (amidst the "Black Friday" hype and the consumer spending predictions) about the fact that I'm one of "them".  Retailers, that is.  A group portrayed as woeful and desperate one day, and as marketing fiends trying to abscond with your wallet the next.  And, while I like to think of "chelliswilson." as a place to exchange ideas, find like-minded people, and to surprise and delight with my "finds",  I'm still in business, not only survive, but to profit.  To this end, I feel especially grateful to all the people in the "inspired. in the shop." column to the right. Their work is not only beautiful, but honorable.  No shilling required. Phew.

Maira Kalman & SANS redux:  After finally seeing "Food, Inc." (twice) last week, I've been full of thoughts about what's necessary to reverse the damage done to our planet, our culture, our families, our souls by the consumerized and industrialized culture that's numbed and trivialized us for far too long.  In her Thanksgiving blog post for the New York Times, Maira Kalman (I posted about her previously here) expressed perfectly everything I'd been feeling in a hopeful and charming way.  I originally posted about the visionary work of Lika Volkova in August. When I saw the SANS Spring 2010 collection, I was just blown away by its originality and beauty.

 Stunning.

In other news...

This weekend's lovely blog find: Paper Castle Press.

And I'm in love with this marvel of incredible retail perfection.  In my opinion, this is the standard by which the rest of us should be judged.  OK, then, back to work....

But first, I want to go play here.

Last of all,  a little early holiday gift: enter the code "pogo20" in the online shop, and receive 20% off through Friday, December 4th!

Pogo and Dad...

This is the seminal holiday text of my childhood.  Between this, and the other rousing family favorite, "Good King Sauerkraut looked out, On his feets un-e-ven...", it's incredible that I'm able to correctly spout the words of any Christmas carol.  My father was a classics scholar and, therefore, singing the Anglicized "O Come All Ye Faithful" was strictly verboten. It was "Adeste Fideles" or nothing.  So, here's to Richard B. who, if he were still here among the living, would be ninety-eight next Thursday.  I raise my glass (preferably with a Gibson in it) to dear old Dad, with his bespoke suit, his old school tie, and his fedora.  A "Mad Men" original. They just don't make 'em like that any more.

Oh, yes, and while you're at it, put this on the stereo, too.

Merry Christmas....1963.

Come and see me!

Here it is...our new offering....an online shop for chelliswilson.!  We've started out with a small grouping of garments exclusive to the shop, but I'll be adding more offerings soon.  Hope you see something that pleases!