New Blog Address

Hi all - I've moved my blog to a new address: http://kristinwalldesigns.wordpress.com

Miami Beach...rain and all

I finally made it out the beach today. Between the intense sun and sweltering humidity, I opted to wait until early evening to take advantage of the white sand beach & 70 degree water (ahhh- super salty sea water!)About a half hour before I went outside, I could see dark, luminous clouds approaching, with thunder following. No rain - yet. So I decided to brave it & made my spot on the sand and jumped in the water. HEAVEN. Made me think about my surfing days back in Santa Cruz (much colder water). I would've stayed out there for hours. When you float on your back & submerge your ears, all you can hear is the sound of the ocean. Everything is blocked out. What a feeling. Life is good.










View of our hotel (Lowes) from the beach

Art Deco Galore

I was the ultimate tourist today. Camera in hand, I toured the Art Deco district of Miami Beach Florida. A lot of the smaller hotels looked to be in their original state. Not bad, considering some of them date back to the 1920's. Each building had a unique style, showcasing the Art Deco architecture with long, thin forms and geometric shapes & patterns. I loved that the old buildings were either a stark white or a crazy intense color that screamed "look at me!"

Fish House


Front Door of Fish House


Grand Towers


Marlin Hotel


Park Central Hotel


The biggest allure for me was the typography - very stylized, but clean at the same time.

World Erotic Art Museum

A few years ago I visited the erotic museum in Spain and was totally blown away. While vacationing in Miami Beach Florida, I came across the World Erotic Art Museum www.weam.com. I didn't think this one could top it. Boy, was I wrong!
They had over 12,000 sq ft of art, ranging from paintings in different mediums, to sculptures to wine bottle openers that had naked men carved into the handle. It's a toss-up between my personal fav's...the old school "pleasure chaise lounge" made specifically for women. It dated back to the early 1900's. And the hand carved "pleasure instruments" (aka beautifully carved dildos) from Japan that dated back to the late 1800's. I know people have been enjoying these naughty pleasures for years, but didn't realize so many cultures expressed their sexuality in these art forms. Dildos dating back to the late 1800's...who knew?

An original interpretation of Leda and the Swan painted on a store mannequin. Karen Rosenberg. American, c. 2000



A male satyr head with horns and beard, with thirteen women's torsos comprising the facial features. American, c. 2000

Pepe' My Love

After a rough start, Pepe' & Frisco became the best of friends


My little Pepe'...He was my soul kitty.

This past weekend Pepe', who was an indoor kitty, managed to slip outside for an adventure. He made his way down the end of our street and found himself in an unleashed dog park. Witnesses said he had an encounter with a dog and unfortunately, lost the fight.

He was here such a short time, but had a tremendous impact. He was such a love, so devoted, such a creature of habit. He brought such love and joy into my life and I'm grateful for that. I will miss him dearly...

Dumpster Diving

We did it again...

Kathleen, my ever-faithful friend who will do just about anything for the sake of art (well, almost anything...) agreed to go dumpster diving so I could capture the essence of how cigarette cravings make a person crazy.

To prepare for the concept, I did a bit of research on dumpster diving. I was amazed to learn how many websites are dedicated to the "art" of dumpster diving. More than that, I was shocked to learn just how much food and other essential items are tossed away. Palettes and crates of perfectly good food thrown out every day. Meanwhile, the local soup kitchen has a line out the door and kids are going to school without breakfast.

Why is this? Are we too lazy to take our extras to those in need? Is it too much of an inconvenience to take a few moments out of our day to help someone other than ourselves?

I don't want to rant and rave too much on this soap box. Just some thoughts out loud...

Come on, Make me Laugh

I'm constantly on the search for ads that make me laugh out loud. We're bombarded with such mediocre advertising that it's refreshing to come across something that makes you stop and think - and most important - LAUGH.
Of course, a little bit (or a lot) of naughty humor goes a long way in my opinion...

Love this TV spot...

Truth in Advertising
"

Guerilla advertising

Wash Your Hands

Axe Shower Gel

(both of these ads can been found at www.ihaveanidea.org)