…and her unforgettable work that changed the face of fashion.

I have this poster prominently placed in my office to remind me to:

This one makes me laugh, but might inadvertently stress me out:

Maybe I should get this one:

….it’s a much more productive affirmation, after all.

…we are experiencing some technical difficulties.

Hopefully all should be looking good soon!

John Rawlings for Vogue - March 15, 1943

I have recently fallen in love with the work of David Weidman and have decided I would like to live in his world.  Weidman’s world is chock full of color, animals hang with people and every scene contains at least a bit of whimsy and cheekiness.  His world also completely transports me to lazy Saturday mornings as a kid, indulging in a cartoon marathon along with my breakfast.

You may not have heard of David Weidman, but if you were conscious any time after 1960, you’re certainly familiar with his work.  Weidman began as an animator, painting backgrounds for Hannah-Barbara cartoons in LA in the 1950′s, setting the look and style of cartoons of that era.  Eventually he went to work for himself, dabbling in media as varied as printmaking, ceramics, font design, painting and cartooning, and eventually opened a gallery and framing store in Los Angeles.  His wife Dorothy got him to begin silk-screening after they first glimpsed a new tract-home community in Long Beach and realized how many walls would need pictures.  An artist AND an entrepreneur!

Photo of David Weidman by Ryan Murphy SwindleMagazine.com.

You can read more about him, and find a bit of an interview here, and see more of his work on his website.  For now, I will indulge you in some of his visual spectacle:

Don’t forget to order his book:  ”The Whimsical Works of David Weidman, and Also Some Serious Ones”.  Click the link to order a signed copy directly from the man himself:

Per Amazon’s review:

“Perusing The Whimsical Work of David Weidman and Also Some Serious Ones (Gingko Press, $34.95), a new book that collects the artist s output, might bring back memories of childhood Saturdays spent in front of the TV with a bowl of cereal. In the 1950s and early 60s, Mr. Weidman worked for animation studios like Hanna-Barbera. Later, he opened a gallery in West Hollywood, Calif., where he sold graphic silk-screen prints in saturated colors that found favor with interior decorators and commercial clients.  ’Some of my prints were instigated by having a feeling about a particular subject’, said Mr. Weidman, who often depicted animals or other aspects of the natural world.  ’At other times, I would finish a print, grab a subject matter and go. I had to make a living.’ The artist, 87 and retired, now sells his vintage serigraphs online, most for $45 to $275 ( Dummy Cat, is $220). –Steven Kurutz, The New York Times

My new office credo:

Before summer is over, I figured I should finally post these beautiful images from the Spring 2010 issue of German magazine “Tush”, shot by Signe Vilstrup.  I always thought it would be amazing fun to do a shoot amongst the sculptures at the Louvre or somewhere like that, but I think my version would be decidedly more upbeat.  :-)  This one is ever so slightly creepy.  Beautiful, but creepy.

Click the above images to see more from the spread, and for credits as listed at the magazine’s website.

Every time I see these they crack me up.  I’ll be in Barnes & Noble laughing to myself like a crazy person:

“How do I look?”

“Owww!”

“I pity the fool.”

Revolucion!

“Live long and prosper”

“Shaaaaaron!”

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If you often find yourself in a down mood at work/school, I recommend buying one or some of these.  They make me chuckle every time.

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Which one is your favorite?

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From Refinery29.com:

Alternatively, you could get a 60″ strand from Amanda Pearl for $398.  What a steal!

(click below images to get a set of your own)

Ivory Venus Pearls

Everyone is already talking about fall–boots and sweaters and trousers, oh my!  The magazines are stocked with it and already telling me what to do when the mercury falls below 60 degrees.

I am still happily planted in summer, however.

Strapless Givenchy Swimsuit, Vogue, July 1953 by John Rawlings

Not to mention the fact that it’s still 90 degrees out…

My beach pillow: Saja

I will remain here for at least another month, thankyouverymuch.

And you?