5 Cool Art Studios That Inspire Me

Hi there! It's meeee! I'm here to talk about cool art studios that inspire me, since that's where my mind is lately.

I'm in this weird place with blogging right now, where I don't exactly know what to do with Along Abbey Road. My heart and soul is being poured into The Butter Half, and I've considered taking this blog private. With the boys getting older, I want to remove their public internet presence as much as I can. And since this is primarily a family and mommy blog, that sucks the fun right out! ;)

I guess I am in the decision process of taking a shift in my focus here?

I've asked myself approximately 257 times what that means, exactly. Too many hours and tears have been sacrificed to completely pull the plug, and right now my gut tells me to make this blog my inspiration station. Art has always played a central role in my life, so I suppose it's time for it to take the spotlight. Inspiration is knocking at the door in my skull, asking politely if it can enter my brain and come play. So I guess I am letting it in and we are having a colorful, splattered, creative play date! (This probably has something to do with the fact that we are reading Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert on my Periscope book club. You should totally join!)

The term #goals comes to mind when I see anything Bobbie Burgers creates. She is my art idol. Plus her last name is freaking Burgers! A staple food group in our house.

This photo of a young Chuck Close in his creative zone gives me chills. His work blows my mind every single time I look at it.

Just when you think Jemima Kirke couldn't be any cooler, you discover she is an insanely talented artist with a gorgeous Brooklyn art studio to boot!

I recently discovered ceramic artist Eve Simmons. Everything about her is lovely. And my creative ADHD now thinks I need to try my hand at pottery.

This studio belongs to Kiki Slaughter and it's every artist's dream. Nothing sets my soul free like dripping paint and open, natural light-filled space.

In close, I just want to express my gratitude and appreciation for all of you who have loyally read my blog over these last five years. Thanks for sticking around and taking part in my life's journey, wherever it has been and wherever it may lead. xo -Abbey

What I'm Reading

The "notes" section in my iPhone holds an impossibly long list of book titles I want to read. Will I ever get around to ALL of them? Probably not. Unless my mom visits me on my 30th birthday and tells me the women in our family have the ability to time travel. In that case I could read every book in the world à la Bill Nighy—twice!

Since I don't have access to wormholes or a magical world at the back of an abandoned closet in an empty room in the attic, I suppose I will have to limit my book reading to five per month. (And even then I will be lucky if I complete two, because I am working on sleeping at least eight hours per night this year.)

So, here is my list for January!

(Also, I am going to start compiling monthly lists of what I'm reading, wearing, listening to—both podcasts and music—and what I am watching, which is already a regular installment because NETFLIX IS LIFE. I feel like I have interests scattered in too many open tabs in my brain, so perhaps compartmentalizing them in a public list will be helpful? I'm a big believer in compartmentalization. It is what gives me sanity. Somewhat.)

WHAT I'M READING | JANUARY

1. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. I feel like a pretentious jerk coming in here and listing that one right off the bat. BUT! Here is my reasoning: we went to the play A Christmas Carol over the holiday break, and the small bio in the program about Charles Dickens sucked me in. (Forget "Who is John Galt?" Who is Charles Dickens?! Also, Ayn Rand to come in February. Maybe.) One week later I found myself deep in two biographies about him and a nonfiction book about life in Dickens' Victorian London. Whoa. Naturally, I had to read at least one of his books now that I know all of the intricate details of his life. And why not the one with autobiographical elements? Wish me luck. It's over 700 pages. This might be one I read simultaneously with the others... for the next six months. Ha! (Raise your hand if you read, like, three books at a time. I can't focus on just one. It's a weird habit I should probably break.)

2. Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. I must start this book immediately because I never say yes. I am the queen of N-O. It's a horrible truth to admit, but it's accurate. I am deeply afraid of large social functions, and a lot of things in general that would absolutely benefit my life. I have a feeling this is a real-life, doable version of Jim Carrey's Yes Man, so I am all about it. Plus, my word this year is self-love, and that includes believing in myself and not self-criticizing every move I make, which is where social anxiety stems from. YES, YES, YES!

3. First Bite: How We Learn to Eat by Bee Wilson. This book researches and shares how our eating habits are learned and formed, which is impacted by many psychological and physiological factors: memory, family, culture, gender, hunger and love. I love this junk. This will no doubt take me less than 72 hours to read. And hopefully, it will help me gain awareness of how I eat and how to change my habits for the better.

4. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. I added this novel to my list because of this review my friend Megan posted on her Instagram: "I laughed out loud, I cried, I laughed some more, then cried some more. Ove is my favorite person." AND she gave it a sparkling emoji five star rating. If that isn't the most convincing book review on this luscious green earth, I don't know what is.

5. The Bassoon King by Rainn Wilson. Memoirs are like intellectual Girl Scout Thin Mints; I devour them in one sitting as soon I get my eager hands on them. Last year I read Yes, Please by Amy Poehler, Bossypants by Tina Fey, Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham (also known as the reading trifecta for basic bitches), and Wild by Cheryl Strayed. Clearly, I prefer books heavy on the humor, so this one will be like a buffet of Tagalongs, Samoas, and Thin Mints.

Image credit: Kyle Glenn

Just Kids Book Review And Discussion

Reading Just Kids opened a window into my soul I didn't realize was there. Or rather, I realized it was there, I simply just forgot about it. This memoir by Patti Smith is haunting, poetic and captivating. She truly has a gift for the written word.

It starts with painting the scene of her childhood and moves along to how she met Robert Mapplethorpe, her undeniable soul mate. They truly were just kids who found one another in the harsh world and reality that is New York City. Together they starved, scrimped and nursed one another back to health—physically, intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally.

I guess what I love about this book so much is that she doesn't sugarcoat the horrifically low points (such as trench mouth and being homeless), but somehow they flow out of her with the softness of whipped cream. Her heart and soul are in the ink and words on each and every page.

Below I have gathered some discussion and review questions from around the web, and I am taking the liberty of answering them myself this time around. Just promise me you will read this book if memoirs and the 60s are your cup of tea, alright? And mark your calendars for the release of her second memoir, M Train. I cannot wait.

1. Were you somewhat familiar with Patti and Robert before reading this book? Have you heard her songs/seen his artwork/photography? If so, how did this book change your idea of them?

I was briefly familiar with Patti's music, but I had no idea who Robert was before reading this book. Finding new artists always excites me, especially from this era, and it truly was a treat to research the pieces and put a face with a name. Somehow it brought the story of their love and relationship to life on a more realistic level.

2. This is a love story, but Robert is bisexual. How is this a traditional relationship? How is it a very unusual one? Did Patti sacrifice her happiness for Robert?

Bottom line, they loved each other for who they were. This wasn't about sexual orientation and stupid labels. Their love was about two souls finding one another and connecting in a way that only true love can. Sure, it was unusual and unhealthy at times when they weren't openly communicating their honest feelings. However, every relationship has those pitfalls. And no, I don't think Patti sacrificed her happiness for Robert. She lived her life and found her passions together and apart from Robert.

3. Both Patti and Robert became extremely successful in their lives. What drove them to their success? Was luck involved? Is it unusual for people so young to be so driven and confident?

Honestly, I think a lot of it was opportunity. They happened to be in the right place at the right time, and they knew the right people. Perhaps you could call that luck, but I think it is more fate than anything. We are all dealt a certain hand of cards in this life and you need to know how to play them. Patti and Robert knew what they had and went all in. Of course it wouldn't have happened without the hard work and confidence, but they had it all going for them.

What I noticed was that Robert was the one with the confidence. He wasn't afraid of networking and tirelessly self-promoting, which is essential to success. Patti was the more quiet reserved type, but she was smart and had a good work ethic. They were a great team in that regard, and I think the innocence and naivety of their youth worked in their favor. I wonder what their success would be like now if they were living in this day of social media. It's always interesting to me to read the stories of how young people achieve success.

4. How did a lack of money and resources play into their lives? Would having money at a young age (perhaps getting it from their parents, etc.) have ultimately robbed them of the experiences that shaped who they became? Does being handed things dissuade creativity and drive? What does this say about today’s youth?

Their poverty was an essential marker on their path to fame. If they had money they would have never landed at the Chelsea Hotel, which in my opinion was when they hit the jackpot. They struck gold living there. This is the time when Robert had trench mouth from being so malnourished and having a lack of proper hygiene, along with other diseases. The Chelsea was their one and only option really. If they had the money to bankroll their carefree youth, this story would have played out more like an Edie Sedgwick situation—too much partying without any real responsibilities to hold them accountable, leading to exacerbated mental illness and ultimately suicide or an overdose. Okay, maybe that's a bit of a melodramatic generalization, but you get the point.

I wouldn't necessarily say being handed everything can dissuade creativity or drive either, though. A lot of youth who have money are the ones who are "creatives" and "artists" living in ridiculously priced lofts in Brooklyn and San Francisco. And many of them become successful in their trade because of their talent in addition to the money and connections. But, I think a lot has to do with the parents and how much of an example or expectation they give to their kids about developing a good work ethic. Today's youth I would say are generally spoiled and we live in an era of immediate gratification. But, there are still innovators and thinkers, and they are the ones who will build the future, not the lazy, entitled bums.

5. Some readers might feel Mapplethorpe ‘took’ too much from Smith emotionally—that he leaned on her, perhaps even ‘used’ her at times—and that the relationship was unequal. Smith doesn’t seem to feel that way herself in this memoir. Why do you think she doesn’t?

As I mentioned above, I think she was completely aware of the situation and liked being needed. But she wasn't stupid and realized when it was time to move on. And she had plenty of moments where she leaned on him for emotional support. Robert was simply the moody artist. It has been shown in studies that "creative" types have a harder time closing off the flood-gates of stimuli coming into the brain and experience more mood and mental disorders. So, of course there is going to be a lot of stress and undulating emotions. Not to mention being hangry all the time. Hanger is real, people. Sheds some new light on the term "starving artist" doesn't it? Maybe all they need is a sandwich.

6. When do you think Robert became aware of his sexuality?   

I think he always knew about his sexuality. Robert was raised in a very strict Catholic household, which frowns upon homosexuality, so I think he tried to push it away as much as possible until he finally felt free to be himself. Fleeing to New York was the independence he needed to truly find his identity (or try a few on for size until he felt comfortable in who he was).

7. Is New York responsible for their success in a way? Imagine if they had met and lived in St. Louis, for example?

This book would not exist if they had never landed in New York. As mentioned above, they fell into the right circle of artists and piggy-backed on the Warhol movement. The Chelsea Hotel was their goldmine and allowed them to become a part of that fold. We are talking Andy Warhol, Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Loulou de la Falaise, etc. Any influential artist of the 60s and 70s you can think of they most likely knew, and ran in the same crowd.

8. Amongst readers and reviewers there seems to be a difference of opinion regarding Smith’s name-dropping. Some find her mentions of famous artists of the day pointless. Some admire that she kept the name-dropping to a minimum given the social scene she was a part of. Did you recognize most of the artists she mentions? Would you have liked Smith to delve into more detail about those scene-makers?

I keep a small moleskin notebook to jot down names of people, works of literature and passages that stick out to me in the books I read. I literally filled over three pages just from all of the references Patti Smith made to poets, writers, musicians and artists. Sure, I guess she name dropped a little, but that was her life and her experience. I think it's wonderful she shared it. It illustrates the scene for us in an understandable way.

9. How did knowing that Robert dies of AIDS at an early age shape your reading experience? Was there a tragic vein that ran throug the story knowing that he would die young?

Tragedy makes for great storytelling. And Patti is indeed a gifted storyteller, so I think it was an essential part of her memoir. Their love had a classical element to it, in that it was heart-wrenching, beautiful, and profoundly humanizing.

P.S. This month's book selection is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I've already finished it and it is a life changer, as in you must read it.

Discussion questions from here and here. Photos via here and here.

The Bookseller Review And Discussion

We've been stuck inside for three days now with some gnarly colds and stomach bugs, so reading is one of my two ways to escape my cabin fever. (Netflix is the other one.)

Last month's reading selection was The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson, and it is high time I get to sharing my review and the discussion! Did you read it? Are you planning to? Here are my overall thoughts...

It was a pretty good book. On a five star scale, I would give it a three and a half. It was a fairly quick read, contained plot twists, a little bit of romance, and covered some serious themes. Kitty, the main character, is a single woman who owns a book shop and finds herself living in a very realistic world within her dreams, where she goes by Katharyn and is a wife and mother to three children. It gets to the point where she isn't sure which one is real anymore.

I liked the idea of this plot. Like I said when I announced this book, it kind of has an Inception vibe to it, but in the world of motherhood. It kept me wondering and guessing until the very end which realm was in fact reality. I also love to talk about dreams and their meanings and all of that mumbo jumbo.

The themes in this books are ripe for long and philosophical discussion, the kind that keep you on the phone for hours or chatting until the the sun comes up. Here are a few of my favorite:

1. Of what significance is it that the novel is set in the 1960s? That Kitty lives in the city, and Katharyn in a suburban neighborhood?

2. Examine what the society of the time expects from, allows, or forbids women. In what ways do various characters push against such definition? What empowers them to do so?

3. At one point in Katharyn’s struggle to understand her predicament she says her mind is playing tricks on her, is “using [her] body as a clever prop.” How do the mind and body work with or against each other in times of distress?

4. Why do we dream? What might be the value of dreaming while asleep? What do powerful dreams have in common with reality?

5. What complexities are introduced with Michael, Katharyn and Lars’s third child? What effects do the 1960s medical theories about the nature and causes of autism have on Katharyn?

6. In a time of great frustration Kitty concedes that, “there is no such thing as a perfect life.” Why is this? How close can we get? What’s most important in our attempt?

7. Kitty’s initial interaction with Lars suggests that very different lives might result for a person simply because of timing, even a matter of seconds. To what extent and in what ways has timing played a role in your life?

8. Of what value is the imagination, that “remarkably clever and hardworking creature”? In what ways might an active imagination become problematic or even unhealthy?

So many great questions to ponder!

As for April's book club selection, it is Just Kids by Patti Smith. I announced it on Instagram a few weeks ago, and I will be sharing my review and discussion on it in May. FYI, I have already finished it and do have to say that it is one of my favorite books I have ever read. Truly. I mean it in every sense of the word. Patti Smith is a genius with words, a true poet, and she lived in a world which I find incredibly fascinating, frightening and inspiring. For me it is a book I will be returning to time and time again, wearing in the pages and marking up the margins. Do me a favor and read it. But, don't read it if 60s culture isn't your thing. Or do because maybe there is something in there from which you will benefit or be enlightened. Either way, I love it, I love it, I love it and recommend it! Be prepared for a to read my novella of thoughts on it! ;)

9 Of The Most Beautiful Illustrated Children's Books Every Kid Should Have

Books are a big deal to us. There is nothing quite like cozying up with a kid in your lap and going on adventures in stories. I obviously love color and art and paint, so I am always looking for beautiful illustrated children's book that take my breath away and have me eating up all the details and colors. This list could go on for quite a long while, but I decided for now to narrow it down to these nine amazing illustrated books every kid should have.

1. Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers. I like how messy and whimsical his drawings and illustrations are, and it is a spin on learning the alphabet in an engaging, new way with each letter going on their own adventure.

2. Alexander Girard Colors. The legendary designer made this book for kid's to learn colors in 1972, and it obviously possesses that flawless design which he was so famous for. This one is eye candy for kids and the design obsessed parent!

3. What Do People Do All Day? by Richard Scarry. If I had a dollar for every time Luke asks me about what EVERY SINGLE PERSON is doing, I would be a millionaire. Obviously, this book is the answer to all of the questions AND you it should be an absolute staple in your kid's library. His characters and illustrations are some of my most favorites with all of their details and bright colors.

4. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. I was watching East of Eden a few days ago, and went on a mad history search of James Dean's short but passionate life. One of the many facts I learned was that this book was his favorite as a child. Anyway, it is a classic every little boy should have in his possession and this pop up version makes it even more special.

5. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelans. This is one of the great classics we have all read and most likely own, so naturally it needed to be included in this roundup.

6. The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant by Jean de Brunhoff. The story of how Babar came to life is equally as fascinating to me as the actual story itself. You should read about it sometime. Also, elephants are one of my favorite animals and there are so many lessons to be gleaned from this story!

7. Henri's Walk to Paris by Leonore Klein and illustrated by Saul Bass. If you like vibrant colors and funky prints, this book is for you and your little one! This book is one visual explosion after another.

8. A Coloring Book: Drawings by Andy Warhol. So, I am not how certain this illustrated book is for children more than it is for parents, and I am not sure it is a must have, but either way it is cool and I couldn't help but include it. Your kids (or you) can bring ole' Andy's drawings to life with their own colors and imaginations. Also, this thing is teeny tiny which I think is adorable because mini things are just that way.

9. The Bear's Song by Benjamin Chaud. I clearly have a thing for the French in regard to their illustrated children's books. Dare I say they just have a certain je nais se quoi? ;) They really do it so well, though (along with every other aspect of life). Anyway, this book had me smiling and pouring over the pictures the first time I read it to Luke and Wes. He also recently came out with another book called The Bear's Sea Escape that is equally as wonderful.

I would like to leave an honorable mention about Vivaldi by Helge Torvund and illustrated by Mari Kanstad Johnsen. My mouth dropped open as I scrolled through all of the illustrations. It is only available for purchase in Norway from my quick search, but I really wish I could buy it. (Or that it will someday be translated into English and sold in the US.) If any of you live in Norway, feel free to send a copy my way! ;)

Hope you enjoy these beautifully illustrated children's books. And please share with me your favorites so we don't miss out on any good ones!