New Bottle Cap Bracelets!

Here is a peek at some of the beads we just finished, so now they just need to be strung and sewn. Hopefully they will be done soon. While in Ohio, I was able to find a few new soda caps we didn't have. If anyone has any funky caps they'd like to donate, please let us know. We'd love to have them. We're always looking for interesting designs. Pink and purple seem to be the most difficult colors to find. We also take custom orders for bracelets if anyone is interested. The finished product should look something like this:
Have a great week everyone :)

In One Ear and Out the Other: A Crayon Blot

Here is another crayon blot we saved from our scribbling at Macaroni Grill. We highly recommend these exercises. Since you're just working on what is considered to be "throw away" paper, there is a lot less pressure to be perfect. We just have fun and draw whatever. Of course we don't actually throw them away. To the fascination of the other restaurant guests, we simply tear out our art from the paper table cloth and take it home. A good way to get started is the ask your server for a topic. That gets them involved and makes them less likely to spill tea on your drawing :)

You Belong Among the Wildflowers

Illustration Friday: "Enough". When I've finally had "enough", this is where I want to end up.

You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
Sail away, kill off the hours
You belong somewhere you feel free

When I was 11, my mom decided we were going to Ohio to visit my Aunt and Uncle. You can imagine the amount of enthusiasm I met the journey with at that age, knowing that we'd be spending our vacation in the country with mostly cows for company. What I didn't know at the time was that I'd fall in love with sights, the smells (not the cow smell of course), and the overall feeling of peace there. It's just different. The mountains and the fields are just bigger, greener, and more wonderful. You can feel something in the wind there that speaks to your soul. We went back every year until I went off to college. My fondest memory was sneaking out of the house with my mom and riding around the countryside getting lost and exploring little towns. Among the dime stores, junk shops, yard sales, and everything in between, I think we felt a freedom we didn't feel back home. We didn't have anywhere to be, or anyone to answer to. We just laughed and enjoyed each other's company.

These days, my mom and I don't get to spend much time together. But a few weeks ago, I got to go back to Ohio for the first time in about eight years. She had already driven up from Georgia prior to my arrival and met me at the airport. The trip to my Aunt's house was about three hours long, and I wasn't terribly surprised when she made a "wrong" turn. There's no telling if she did it on purpose or not, but regardless, we had a lot of fun getting lost again. With Tom Petty blasting from the CD player and the dust kicking up behind the car, I think we both got a long overdue adventure. Here's to you mom. I hope to do it again soon :)

You belong among the wildflowers
You belong somewhere close to me
Far away from your trouble and worries
You belong somewhere you feel free

(Illustration Detail- Wildflowers -pencil, digital color by Lani Mathis- Wildflower lyrics by Tom Petty)

Doodling at Macaroni Grill

This post is for Racheal, who recently asked us why we stick to black and white in our ink blots. The truth is we don't. We typically prefer black and white, but give us a set of crayons, and we'll gladly occupy ourselves for hours. (I guess that makes these Crayon Blots…) The only reason we go to Macaroni Grill is because they cover the table with paper and let us color. And to be perfectly honest, waiters and waitresses that don't set drinks or plates on our drawings get bigger tips :D Oh sure, we've freaked out a few people. We've gotten some strange and dirty looks. But you know what? It takes all kinds to make up this great world, and we're proud to be wacky.

Ink Blot Illustration: Tails

Tails came to visit us while we were sitting at Starbucks the other night. She prefers spending her days adrift in the ocean flexing her spirals to propel herself. I think she's rather lonely. Cupid's arrow has found her many times, and yet her shyness holds her at bay. Perhaps we can coax her out of her shell. Feel free to leave her some advise :)

WallE Review!

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If you haven't gone to see WallE yet, get moving!! I have to admit that I wasn't very excited after seeing the previews for this film. (I guess I'm not typically into space/robot movies) But as soon as the lights dimmed and WallE appeared, I was completely captivated for each and every moment. This is probably Pixar's best film to date, taking a lot of risky chances with the film's plot and characters. I also can't help but be thrilled with any animated film that encourages our children to be good to the earth and think about the generations that will follow them. We live in a very here and now society that focuses on buying today, throwing out tomorrow. That is exactly the kind of attitude this movie discourages, and yet it does so in a very lighthearted way. The main themes center around taking responsibility and doing what's right despite what may stand in your way. We've already seen the film twice and it's well worth going again. :)

Ink Blot Illustration: Slink

Meet Slink, yet another addition to our Ink Blot family. I think Slink is on the hunt for something. He seems incredibly focused on finding it, but I wouldn't want one of those bony fingers tapping on my shoulder. What do you think he's looking for?

Ink Blot Illustration: Wicked Wasabi

We just finished a few more Ink Blot Illustrations that we'll be putting on the blog this week. To start it off is Wasabi. He is definitely one of the trippiest pieces we've done. He reminds me of some sort of 70's Chinese dragon groove train. And due to the look on his fabulous face, he's our submission to Illustration Friday for "Sour".

In other news, I just got back from a little trip to Marietta, Ohio. I haven't been for many years and it was past time to visit family. It's amazing how much you don't realize you miss a place until you're there again. Now all I can think about is going back. All of that green and all of those rolling hills help me to remember what is really important- what is worth saving and cherishing. I haven't felt that at peace in a long time. I hope everyone else is well and having a fine summer. :)

Sculpture In Motion

We went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens last Sunday. This summer they are hosting an exhibit featuring an array of fabulous kinetic sculptures nestled amongst the foliage. Michael and I were particularly excited about this visit. We love kinetic and especially interactive art, so this was right up our alley. While it was very cool and certain pieces were truly breathtaking (see the videos above and below), I felt about 50/50 in the exhibit overall. One of the pieces we had seen online that we were super jazzed about wasn't actually running (the only one that required power), and several of the sculptures that were used indoors weren't very effective since they needed wind to make them move. I don't mean to sound harsh, and I will reiterate that the pieces that were great- were really, really great. It also would have helped if we had gone on a more windy day. That kind of plays an important role in this whole thing, ya know? Check out some more pictures of the exhibit on the Atlanta Botanical web site.
If you haven't been to the gardens and you happen to be in the Atlanta area, we highly recommend a visit no matter what exhibit is currently running. The children's garden is delightful for both the young and the old with drum like boxes to play with and a real honey bee colony to watch. The Tropical Rotunda inside the conservatory is like entering a jungle with roots dangling from the canopy and fronds gently leaning over the pathways. Go on a cool day if possible, but definitely go. It is one of our favorite spots in the city and a really inexpensive way to soak up some inspiring art and natural beauty.


(they begin moving when you make noise, such as clapping)

I'm Just a Pile of Bits and Pieces

I've collected myself along the way. A scrap of this. A corner of that. I'm all odds and ends. My spirit has been built from a thousand souls that cling to specks of glitter and dust. My heart is made from rubber bands and cracked marbles. So that's where they all went… My head is all stacks of gears and cogs. I exhale tears that splash on the paper and swirl the ink like ballet dancers twirling, twirling. My nose twitches up and down like a mouse when I speak, and my words pitter-patter through the air. I wish that I could play piano. If I could, I'd entertain all of the ghosts and shadows, but especially the spider at the foot of the stairs. I like her, which is unfortunate.

I have a cold today, hence the melodrama…oops, I mean poetry.