you are a novel, in a sea of magazines.

i've talked about these sweet friends of mine before. however, just this week they just released this beautiful video. let me know if you don't have a smile on after watching it. because if you aren't smiling... something's up.

also, has everyone and their mom bought "barton hollow" yet? so inspired. buy it. or you're missing out.

that is all for today.

where there is love, there is art. 

how privileged we are to be a part.

it was love at first sight. no, really, it was. i loved this girl as soon as i met her. what's not to love? she's one of the most thoughtful and loving people i know. she has lived a lot of life in her {almost} twenty-one years, and continually makes decision that make me grow in respect for her. she loves without boundaries, and will love in spite of. i think this love is what makes her an incredible artist and creative mind. now introducing... kelsey boone:

q: how did you become an artist?

a: when i was in first grade I brought home a crayon picture of a goldfish. my parents claim that they knew that i had a knack. i also vividly remember getting the Highlights magazine in my childhood years, and always flipping straight to the page with all the art submissions. i wanted to see what other kids imagined. i still adore the art of a good children's book. creativity really took root beginning in high school, though. i was in the traditional program, so we all had majors. naturally- i declared art. not only did i take it all four years, but i had the privilege of taking two seminars at SCAD {savannah college of art and design} in the summer prior to my senior year. i studied poster and fashion design while at SCAD. i knew then that art was more than a hobby. i don't even think passion does it justice. it's a mindset that encompasses nearly every decision i make. i'm sure i sound a little extreme, but perhaps you understand. it's not like i can flip the switch- the light is always on.  in college i study english, rather than visual art. i get to read and write about language, about stories, about ideas everyday. i do love being an english major. BUT the dream lives on. i will study visual art again... one day. so i don't think it's fair to say that i've "become" an artist, but rather i am constantly becoming an artist. that is the beauty of creating. the mind of a creative soul never ceases in generating, recycling, and developing ideas. 

q: what inspires you most?

a: above all, the consistency of christ, and the love that he has enabled his creation to participate in. people's stories. cultures. all things old. my parents instilled in me a deep appreciation for the "worn-in"- postcards, dishes, hats, furniture, costume jewelry... everything. antiques have such beautifully rich and intricate history that is incomparable to anything new. e.e. cummings poetry. virginia wolf philosophy. the bluegrass state {home sweet, kentucky}. autumn in all it's glory. the sophisticated rawness of c.s. lewis. greeting cards. and this quote, "i have always been delighted in the prospect of a new day... with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning." -joseph priestly

q: i like to create ________.

a: mixed media pieces. favorite subject to date is hands. posters. idea books. t-shirt designs. handmade cards {especially doing this with my mom}. now i want to learn to letterpress... 

q: i love ___________.

a: so much. louisville. my incredible family. community. brainstorming. breakfast. orange juice {with pulp}. complimentary colors. literature. originality. dusk. journaling. snail mail. thrift stores. wit. my mimi's cooking. accessorizing. soup. concerts. anthologies. yard sales. sunflowers. almonds. clever titles. tea. old luggage. texture. eateries of all sorts. parks. preschoolers. every kind of cheese. UK basketball. film. soul music. the tiniest of details.

"i love knowing that humanity is an expression of divine creativity. how privileged we are to be a part." -kelsey boone

where there is {so much} love, there is art.

FEBRUARY giveaway.

welcome to february, everyone!

i have a special treat for you... 

thanks to my lovely friend, morgan, at korora designs

this month's giveaway is a free Intro to Sewing class. 

korora is a professional styling boutique that offers a variety of services, as well as products. 

their website is easy to navigate through so please give it a look! 

so how do you apply for the giveaway?

simply "follow" where there is love, there is art by clicking on the button on right-hand side. 

then, comment below telling us what you would love to sew if you knew how!

but hurry... the giveaway starts today and closes on sunday (the 6th). 

i think february is going to be lucky for you! can you feel it?

the item made in the intro to sewing class. how cute is this? 

where there is love, there is art. 

oh, you make me smile.

shelby {patton} etress is truly one of the sweetest souls there is. i just look at the girl and feel happier. we seemingly have taken very similar paths in life, specifically when it comes to education. she and i attended the same college for undergrad, and then i followed her to graduate school. while i have been studying words and books, she has been studying color and texture. so i asked shelby a few questions showcasing that which she knows best, and  

q: how did you become an artist? what's that story?
a: i don't think i can pinpoint when i became an artist. i started drawing at a very early age, but it wasn't until college that i started taking art more seriously. in my mind, i think i'm still aspiring to be one.

q: what inspires you most?
a: hmmm... i am definitely inspired most by the Lord. even though my artwork isn't necessarily religious, i know He can be glorified through the process. 

q: fill in the blank. i like to create ___________.
a: does the blank need to be filled? i honestly just like to create! however, if i had to pinpoint something, i like to create things for an apartment/house. those DIY blogs were made for me.

shelby with her true love her husband, josh.

q: fill in the blank, please, once more. i love ___________.
a: ringback tones. what a wonderful idea!

q: what excite you most about being an art teacher? 
a: the students. it's so cool and wonderful to see them create so many things. AND, kids are the future, so it's cool to be able to have a little influence on that.

q: why do you think art education is important?
a: art education is important because it's the one classroom where students can express themselves and not be judged for it.


shelby is available for commission work. she is most easily contacted at etress.shelby@gmail.com

where there is love, there is art.

time so slow, so fast.

dear january,

you were absolutely fantastic. 

a breathe of fresh air. 

it's a little strange even because you were so grey in color.

let's do that again, but maybe with a bit more sun?

always,

h.

dear last week of january/first week of february,

please go by quickly. 

i have a lot to look forward to 

next weekend. 

always,

h.

she makes it seem so simple.

i've mentioned before that {the} anne lamott is my favorite {non-fiction} writer. if i were to have a life coach, or really even understand what a life coach does, she would be it. she is my mind friend, but we've never met. does this sound crazy? well, maybe you can relate and maybe you can't. regardless, just a couple of days ago i finished another of her books, plan b: further thoughts on faith. there are several quotes that i'd love to pull, and share with you. however, i am going to encourage you to go out and pick up a lamott book for yourself. in the mean time, here is a little nugget of love for you:

"Hope is not about proving anything. It's about choosing to believe this one thing, that love is bigger than any grim, bleak shit anyone can throw at us."
— Anne Lamott (Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith)

where there is love, there is art.

the love of the stoners.

you will not find a more beautiful couple.

cathey and alex stoner.

i met alex and cathey in college, and was immediately captivated by the beauty of their love story. now i will share it with you... in their own words:

q: how did you guys meet?
a: we first met in sixth grade, when we started middle school… {yea, i know}. we met when kids are the most awkward, braces and all. alex was my best friend in middle school. ae talked about our middle school dramas together, even our “crushes.” i think the moment i realized i liked alex was on our eighth grade school trip to washington d.c. we were such great friends, i even think we said, “i love you” before we started dating. but i did, i loved him so much already. we talked about going to the prom together someday, and made our dream list of places to go once we could drive. seems like a lifetime ago now. we officially stated dating the day before valentines day our freshman year of high school. from that point on we never looked back. yes, it was a LONG road- middle school changes, high school emotions, different colleges, and big life decisions. but we experienced all of these events together which has made it a wonderful journey. 


q: cathey, what do you find most attractive about alex? alex, what do you find most attractive about cathey?
a: cathey- what i find most attractive about alex is that he is actually a true gentleman… a gentle man. he has a quiet, but strong spirit. i am way more high strung than he is, and he settles me down and knows how to the right way. he can’t lie, not that he is bad at it, but his conscious won't let him. i admire his honesty. i love that he is creative, free spirited, but dependable (the best kind of artist). the fact the he is handsome is a perk!

alex- what i find most attractive about cathey is that she is always pushing me to be better. i love that on paper we are exact opposites, and yet we totally click. she is just a sweet heart. she has the ability to light up any room she walks into, and loves others so well. she helps me care about things that matter and let go of things that don’t. she’s the best.


q: is there a work of art {painting, literature, song, etc.} that best represents your love for one another?
a: song- Ben Harper’s "Forever"- our first dance song

book/art- The Griffin and Sabine Trilogy. the beautiful and unconventional love story with artwork on every page.


q: what do you guys think is the key to loving?
a: yes, the cliché things are actually very important. honesty, having fun together, and keeping God in the center of your relationship! but what is also very important is communicating about every single thing. picking your battles is important, but communication is key. knowing your partners love language is essential! my love language is physical touch and acts of service. so i feel most loved when i get unasked for hugs and kisses, or when he does the dishes. that is important for him to know. alex’s love language is words of affirmation. i have to remind myself to encourage and lift him up in his work, his gifts, and his achievements because he feels most loved when i support him. also, this was forced onto us since we were married while in college- teamwork is the ONLY thing that works. we both have so much going on that i am not the only one who can “cook, clean, and make house,” and he isn’t the only one to “take out the trash, pay the bills, and be the bread winner.” we both do it all, pick up slack for the other, and it takes so much pressure off both of us. this was hard for us to get the hang of at first. and last but not least: forgiveness and respect.

where there is love, there is art.