The Masters: Remedios Varo Uranga

Dreamy and strange paintings by Remedios Varos Uranga (1908-1963). Fantastical gadgets and surreal chracters are mixed with an undeniable sense of humor.

Paradise of Cats, 1956

Woman leaving the Psychoanalyst, 1960

Creation of the Birds, 1957

Exploration of the Source of the Orinoco River, 1959

1950s portrait of Remedios Varo

Wanderlust: Skadarlija

Skaderlija, the artist's quarter in Belgrade, Serbia

Outdoor room

From Marie Claire Maison

The New Masters: Nina Pohl

Fantastic photographs by Nina Pohl (German, born 1968). Her work is available here.

Today in History: Ham the Chimp

On January 31, 1961, Ham the Chimp became the first humanoid to be blasted into space. He made it back just fine and lived another 17 years as a relative celebrity.

Vintage Photos: Frances Benjamin Johnston

I recently discovered the wonderful works of photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston (1864-1952).

Portrait of Alice Roosevelt, c 1902. (She is holding her little dog Leo in this image. Incidentally, young Alice also had a little Pekingese dog that was given to her by the Chinese Dowager Empress Cixi. This striking young woman, beloved by the American public of the day for her wit and "devil-may-care attitude" would go on to describe herself as a hedonist in later years.)

Seven women working in Roycroft shop, E. Aurora, N.Y. 1900.

Ferry.

A child of the Orient.

Frances Benjamin Johnston, full-length portrait, seated in front of fireplace, facing left, holding cigarette in one hand and a beer stein in the other, in her Washington, D.C. studio.

The Masters: Lisa Larsson

Lisa Larsson (born 1931) is a Swedish designer and ceramicist. Some of her most well-known work is the 1950s sculpture series Lilla Zoo (Little Zoo).

1. Charlotta made by Lisa Larsson Sweden, 2. paddan, 3. Fox from Lilla Zoo, 4. Lisa Larson, 5. R0012053_2.JPG, 6. Tax from Lilla Zoo, 7. Lisa Larson "Pelle with Cat" Pottery, 8. Sitting cat from Lilla Zoo, 9. Lisa Larson "Lotta" Pottery

Wanderlust: Kamchatka

I am drawn to wild, untamed places, such as Kamchatka in Russia's far eastern reaches. Would I love to go? Yep.  Will I ever actually go there? Not likely...

Trekking in Kamchatka

Vachkazhets, Kamchatka

One more Kamchatka landscape

The Masters: Boris Kustodiev

I adore the fearless use of color and realism in Kustodiev's patings. (Russian painter, 1878-1927)

The Merchant's Wife, 1918. Oil on Canvas.

Fair. 1910. Tempera on cardboard.

Tzar Nicholas II. 1915

Self-portrait. 1912. Oil on canvas.

Interiors: Living with books

Living without books is just not an option for me. I love reading and the way they feel and look. My hodge-podge of vintage bookcases holds about 2000 volumes... Here are some interior design inspirations for fellow bibliophiles, via Flickr.

1. Bookcase, 2. Family room bookcase, 3. Blue Bookshelves, 4. Sitting room bookcase, 5. favorite room, 6. a long story, 7. skona hem library, 8. new old bookcase - with books, 9. town hall

The Masters: Judith Leyster

Judith Leyster (1609-1660) was one of very, very few female painters to be active in Holland during the 1600s.

A Game of Tric-Trac. 1630. Oil on board.

Young Flute Player. Oil on board.

Self-portrait. 1630. Oil on board.

Vintage photos: San Francisco

Lovely images from the  S.F. Public Library digital collection. Sometimes the description is more charming than the photo.

Referee Billy Burke proclaims the match between Glen Stentson from the Richmond Boys Club and Bobby Munoz from the San Francisco Boys Club a draw, 1950.

Group of women riding a Powell Street cable car to advertise the

"Fishermen's Fiesta" at Fisherman's Wharf, 1946.

Crab stand at Fisherman's Wharf, 1946.

Lois Thomas viewing downtown San Francisco from

Russian Hill, with Telegraph Hill in background, 1944.

Woman and a child playing with a dog at Ocean Beach, 1943.

Reflection of Moon Bridge in the Japanese Tea Garden, 1964.

Model June Smith demonstrating the practical uses

of motor scooters for American housewives, 1959.

McCoppin School student Jacqueline Darling

posing with her pet cat, "Tige", and dog, "Bing", 1939.