monsbrick

Almost December

My stepfather is recovering ok. After spending a few days in and out of the hospital he seems to be better now thankfully. He is cooperating with the intervention his three children (my step-siblings) have launched to manage his life. I’m still worried about him but I’m still staying out of it while sending them thoughts and prayers but not financially getting enmeshed. Phew!

For fun and relaxation I’ve been binging lately on music by Hania Rani. Most people probably wouldn’t like her stuff. She’s a mix of classical piano and jazz and improvisation and house music. I am in love with her music.

It reminds me in some ways of my friend Zoe Keating who was in Rasputina. Zoe does more looping though and Hania does loop and synthesize and use loopers and repeaters but she also just plays.

I’m watching YouTube videos by her and I am slain by the epic landscapes. The first video I watched was an outdoor performance in Paris with a full band. And now this is like a barren landscape like Iceland or some Nordic backdrop with modern dancers. That was F Major.

Reading new books this month: Malcom Gladwell’s Revenge of the Tipping Point

Canoes by Maylis de Kerangal

The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez

Listened to the new Neal Stephenson audiobook Polostan. And a James Patterson short Audi called 7 Hours to Die. Next up is the new Malcolm Gladwell I am addicted to his sort of statistics and analysis I’m not even sure what it’s called but I love it.

As for physical hand held books I’m carrying around both Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy and Michiko Aoyama’s book: What you are looking for is in the library.

♻️

Paper: I love paper!! Any kind of paper, stationery, loose pieces of paper, letter sets, postcards, notecards, ephemera.

Arts & crafts I’m into are journals, book pages like old books including illustrated flowers and plants, washi tape, wrapping paper, home made paper, yarn, tissue, packaging, found objects, and more.

Thank you for all the extras and gifts from you all!!!

Anything paper related, stationery, die cuts,

Eclectic

Vintage or new but in a vintage style

Junk journals and fodder for them

Art all kinds and every style of art and crafts

Doodles

ephemera, any

Lace

Ribbons

Rice paper

Sari ribbon

Stamped images

Stickers

Washi tape

Found objects

Dyed by ink or store bought or hand dyed fabric or yarn

Recipes

Junk journals and scrapbooks

I like all colors.

I don’t have any dislikes. Well I avoid the occult. I dabbled in it and I do it recommend messing around with it or my experience was frightening to me. Of course, results may differ for each person but magic, the occult, tarot and all of that stuff in staying away from now.

That said I do accept my own shadow and dark sides.

TV: on Apple TV I’m watching Pachinko and I am addicted.

Also Silo- I’ve gushed about Hugh Howey who wrote the books and is one of the executive producers of the show. He’s my jam.

Lioness by Taylor Sheridan who created Yellowstone another genius who writes and produces.

We’ve also been geeking out over the Martin Scorsese’s documentaries on Saints and filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.

Here are a few of the artists and makers I watch at YouTube:

Jack Ravi who makes junk journals I’m in love with his style

And Wendy Robinson who goes by the username The Unexpected Gypsy

“Pen pal with me”style videos though they can be a bit in the young side and I’m nearly 60years old…mainly my fav is Hedda aka mochibujo

Caroline on the Hillside

Ana Bondu she works in French mostly and her specialty is Gelli prints

Barbara at 49dragonflies

Claire at art_journal love

Cathy’s Garden

Denise Love aka @2lilowlsstudio and she makes intuitive abstract art very colorful

Dyan Reaveley

Tim Holtz

Dina Wakely

Maremi Small Art

Amity Bloom

Gayle Agostinelli

Helen Colebrook

Jackie Bernardi

Jane Davenport

Louise Heinzl

Mystele

Niamh Baly

Nicole Relax.Cut.Glue

Nik the Booksmith

Pink Odd Bird

Roxy Creations

Shabbydabbydoodah

ShanoukiArt

Shawn Petite

Susanne Rose Art

Teal and Tattered Journal

The Paper Outpost

TiffanySmplySharpe

Willowing

These are my favorites!!!