Gilot.

Francois Gilot is definitely on my dream list of people I want to hang out with.

via Vogue

“You always survive if you think you should,” she says. “I didn't ask permission to be who I am.”

exerpt from this great read in Vogue. She is a genuine and independent spirit, the real deal folks!

via des femmes

via dear golden

There is a show at Gagosian Gallery in NYC starting this Wednesday, May 2nd on Picasso & Gilot. Can't wait to check it.

Design Combines.

I've always had this tendency to create groupings of similar or sometimes (seemingly) disparate objects into little vignettes. Maybe it stems from my Catholic upbringing or perhaps from my childhood joy of playing with toys. Either way it's fun! I build these little alters everywhere - in my garden, around my desk at work, with food, at the beach, anywhere! It's kinda funny because I've never been any good at creating mood boards, but in a way I guess this is similar. It seems to be part of my creative process and provides an endless source of joy & pleasure.

My niece also has a similar love for combining. She took all these greats shots, and even got into styling stuff when she was at my place last, check it:

All photos in this post by © D. Fernandes

Life is Beautiful.

Pablo Picasso "The Acrobat" via Musée National Picasso Paris

This weekend I enjoyed Picasso, Dim Sum & great company.

Paris VS New York

via Paris versus New York

I love the minimalist work of artist Vahram Muratyan. I've been following his work for some time now and it's so great to see his Paris versus New York project develop further. Two awesome cities, one awesome illustrator!
So tempted to pick up the book and/or a print....

via Paris versus New York

Dunny LOVE.

via Elle magazine

I'm jealous! Sam Ronson has a LOTTA Dunnies!!! I also love that she keeps a bunch of blank DIY Munnys on hand for her friends (Nicole Richie, Zooey Deschanel and so on....) to draw on. Check out the write-up in Elle mag on Samatha's Venice Beach home.

Here are some of my Dunny's:

photos by ©J. Dias

Oh and a few DIY's drawn by artists' Junko Mizuno, Kozyndan & the awesome Friends With You!

photo by ©J. Dias

Canadian Modern.

via Modern Craze blog

via Modern Craze blog

via Canadian Design Resource

via Canadian Design Resource

via Flickr here

Ever since I saw these kooky eyed ceramic creatures I've kinda fell for Strawberry Hill pottery. This pottery was produced near Strawberry Creek in Thunder Bay, Ontario. They created a line based around the native wildlife indigenous to the area. These little guys might not be everyone's cuppa tea but I find them pretty darn cool!

An American Girl in Italy.

© 1952, 1980 Ruth Orkin via here

Several years ago, while on a typical Saturday art crawl with my friend Larry, we came across a great exhibition of work by photographer Ruth Orkin at Stephen Bulger Gallery. Although it's a pretty iconic image I'd never seen it till then, so it was great to have the opportunity to experience not only this image but others in the series as well.

While we were chatting a couple of sophisticated elderly woman came into the gallery. Turns out one of them was the woman in the "American Girl in Italy" photo!

It was kinda surreal to engage with an image of a woman from a different time and place and then also experience the same woman in the flesh as she exists today, here in my city. It was one of those serendipitous moments I will forever cherish!

You can read about her story here, and about photographer Ruth Orkin here.

On a side note I'm pretty sure the photo above was taken outside Gilli cafe in Florence. If your in Florence, check out the window display, then go inside for a expresso at the bar. Trust me, it's sooooo worth it!

 photo by ©J. Dias

Colour Block your Outdoor Life.

Really feelin' all the colour I've been seeing in outdoor patio and garden collections this summer. I won't be able to splurge on outdoor furniture this year so planters and bright annuals will be this boy's choice. Mixing neutrals with colour blocking that's the way to go.

via Crate&Barrel

via West Elm

The gem/facet trend is still pretty popular, I'd be up for this look fo sho.

by Nick Fraser via MAIYA

Smokin' hot MOD.

Picked up this wicked Mid-Century Italian bowl this weekend. The colours remind me very much of West German Lava pottery but it's still distinctly Italian somehow. Love the fire and teal combo!

Photo by ©J. Dias

Also love my large bright yellow ashtray which measures around 8.5" x 8.5" across and 2" deep. Even though I've got a warm instagram filter applied to the pic the yellow glaze is actually even brighter.

Photo by ©J. Dias

Oh and the best part...  I'm pretty sure it's Bitossi! Although it's not marked I found these two similar references online which are both listed as Bitossi for Raymor. The marking on underside of the solid red one is identical to mine:

via mid2mod blog here

via moderncraze here

And last but not least... for your viewing pleasure I give you this elegant smoky green ashtray. It's marked "Danmark" which means it was commercially produced for the domestic market.

Photo by ©J. Dias

My ashtray collection is slowing building, perhaps I should take up smoking, NOT!!! I mean I LOVE Mad Men but not quite willing to go there. 

Reliquaries of desire.

I'm a fan of Amanda Nedham and her drawings. Her current show "Half of Less Than Ten" at LE gallery in Toronto is on till April 29th. If you live in the city or are planning to visit Toronto you SHOULD definitely check it out. Good drawings are not easy to come by and Amanda is definitely one to watch. These drawings need to be seen in person to appreciate their sheer awesomeness!

Here's a little snippet about the work (via the gallery site here)

"Inspired by Napoleon’s love letters to his wife Josephine, this show imagines monuments which explore the impassioned and often dubious ambition driving the conquest of the body"

images via LE gallery site here

The remains of the day.

I decided to start my weekend early by taking the day off work. My only plan was to get a descent cuppa coffee, find a cosy spot to chill and finish reading my book. By midday I found myself doing just that at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Two of my favourite things at the AGO is the winding wood staircase and the baked goods in the cafe. Oh yeah and the art ain't so bad either ;) Happy weekend folks!

All photos by ©J. Dias

Everyone's a CURATOR

I love rummaging through old books. Whether it's the art, font, colour(s), title, story, the notes and marks left behind by previous owners, it's aged worn quality, or some combination thereof, vintage books are very appealing. I took these picks at my local thrift store tonight, I could spend hours in the book section alone. I also love that these books are still sitting on the shelf waiting for some lucky soul to discover their mystery, not knowing that I've already immortalized their beauty in this post.

all photos by ©J. Dias

Cathrineholm LOVE.

Beware if you thinking of getting into mid century enamelware, it's addictive! Iconic Norwegian designer Grete Prytz Kittelsen created most of the classic Cathrineholm enamelware pieces. My fav is the iconic lotus motif which was actually designed by Arne Clausen.

via the awesome Ampersand Vintage modern blog

via the awesome Ampersand Vintage modern blog

I had an opportunity a while back to buy a set of three lotus pattern bowls (various sizes) in the olive colour but passed, sigh... Lucky for me it's not too difficult to come by. It's so difficult to choose from all the great colours and patterns,  just look at em'!!!

via here

via Heart of Light blog

via here