Women Are Heroes: Modern Art at its Best

I recently bought this beautiful book documenting a project by one of my favorite contemporary artists, JR. This book is A-MAZING. It features the photos and stories of hundreds of everyday women living in areas of human conflict. JR took photos of the women and blew them up into large-scale format which he then posted across buildings, trains and buses in cities around the world.

To me, this kind of project sets the standard for modern art. JR's work brings a call to social justice into the public realm in a way that is compelling and unexpected. He infuses the city streets with the presence of women who are marginalized and often unheard, and he does it in a way that is subtle, artful and profound.

"What JR's work shows is in fact people telling a story, their story.  They are anonymous people in whom the media takes only a fleeting interest-when their village is on fire or their children are fighting a war.  JR allows us to share their pain and their joy, their hopes and their regrets."  --from the introduction

Here are some photos I took from the pages of the book, aren't they gorgeous?!

My Art on West Elm Blog

I was thrilled to find out that West Elm featured one of my pieces on their blog recently!  You can see it here.

Interview for Tribeza Blog

Misha Blaise Design featured on TRIBEZA art and culture blog!

CLICK HERE to see full interview!

*NEW*

Garden in Delnice

Delnice is a small town in western Croatia where my father's side of the family is from.  The birds in this piece and also the very geometrical pattern below the birds are from old Croatian embroidery patterns.  These patterns are usually executed with red, black and white thread.  They take on a dramatically different feel when made digital using bright neon colors!

My Spring Picks!

Ok so it's almost June, but summer doesn't officially start until June 20th so I can still slide this little collection under the title "Spring Picks!"  Here are a few sundry items I've had my eyes on the past few months as I've made my rounds through Etsy, Pinterest, and actual, real stores (what are non on-line stores called?  Brick and mortar?).  I hope you enjoy these finds, and you can see more at my boards on Pinterest!

Art:
I bought this print for my son's bedroom.  The artist is Souther Salazar and his work is whimsical and bright, just the thing to put a smile on your face!

I also just discovered this artist, Miranda Skoczek, who paints lots of nature inspired pieces with geometric patterns weaving in and out. I think she and I have a similar aesthetic and I really love the way she makes simple shapes and patterns look beautiful and interesting.

Jewelry:
I'm crazy for the work by Diane Petkoff a local Austin jewelry artist who makes super modern and elegant designs under the name Tasty Jewelry.  I bought this pair of earrings for myself:

I have also bought a few pairs of earrings by LISH and simply put--you just can't go wrong with her work! These are the latest pair I have been peeping....simple and delicate:

 Housewares:
"Holla!" wall decal by Oh Dier!
 

I'm always in the mood for a good pattern.  Little Attic Shop makes this pillow using Hmong tribal cotton fabric, which is one of a kind fabric that can be found in Southeast Asia:

Kids:

I love this adorable Victorian swimmer guy by Punky Shop:

 

Sweet baby and kids clothes with attitude by Baby Bolt:

**NEW!**

Tea in Amman

I had these deer on my mind ever since I saw them painted on various folk-styled dishware in Jordan.  I went there a few years ago with a close friend and we spent 5 days driving around the country, visiting her family and checking out some tourist sites.  It was a trip I won't forget and I'm glad I finally found a place for these guys in my art!  The flowers in the center are modeled after Polish Wycinanki paper art.  The rest of the patterns in this piece combine some Croatian embroidery, a West Elm inspired pattern, and some simple shapes I put together myself!

Misha Blaise in the Home

My art hanging in the home of a new collector!  I love the way these prints look against the wood panels; it gives them kind of a rustic look: