Wanderlust: Himeji Castle

Growing up in Europe, I visited a lot of castles. I love them. But there is something almost otherworldly about Japanese castles.

Himeji

Himeji Castle Garden

Gray skies over Himeji

The Masters: Fiep Westendorp

I recently found a little melamine bowl that opened my eyes to the world of Fiep Westendorp (1916-2004). Besides having a most excellent first name, she was a talented and beloved Dutch illustrator.

 via weewonderfuls

  

via dosomethingpretty

  

via Dutch Jewish Historical Museum

  

via fiskerstudio

Fiep Westendorp, via duvekot

The Fiep Westendorp webshop still has amazingly cute items for sale.

Today in History: The White Rose

Exactly 67 years ago today, three German university students were sentenced to death and immediately executed for their opposition to the Nazi Regime. Hans and Sophie Scholl as well as Christoph Probst had been caught distributing leaflets written by members of the resistance group The White Rose, which they had founded.

Hans Scholl's last words before being guillotined were: "Es lebe die Freiheit!" (Long live freedom!)

You will not be forgotten.

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.