I say, just add pink!
Mandala Magic in a Cake
All images via Stephen McCarty Instagram and mymodernmet.com
Wow! I just read about these Sukhavati Raw Desserts here and they sure are stunners! I just know they've got to taste divine too. L.A. pastry chef Stephen McCarty makes these stunningly vibrant cakes using vegan and raw ingredients. He uses the intricate design of the Mandala to decorate his delicacies—which could be like the temporary sand mandalas created by Tibetan monks—fleeting beauty, soon to be swept away. I want to meditate on that, and then get rid of it (translation: think about how pretty it is, then get it in ma belly!).
Katja Designs on Guildery.com
Hello Friends! I'm so excited to announce that two of my collections have launched on Guildery.com. The first one, Santorini, has a laid-back, beachy vibe. If you can't afford a ticket to Greece, I say cuddle up on the couch with an array of pillows that emulate the azure waves of the Mediterranean, like these!
The second collection Ballari, takes you to India with dusty tones and a boho, block-printed vibe. Check out some of the coral, turquoise and brown hues I've dreamed up for my home. I'm just imagining the possibilities!
Ballari Collection
Santorini Collection
Justina's Jungalow Prints
She had these printed on Shutterfly. How cool and so fresh!
My homegirl has been on a crazy roll lately. Not only is Justina Blakeney's latest amazing book out, (check out The New Bohemians with photography by Dabito) but she has taught herself how to create patterns. I just love how she makes things happen. I mean, she got it in her head that she wanted to do this and then figured out a way. No formal training—just a vision and some confidence. How admirable is that!
Her patterns are a reflection of her jungalow lifestyle—full of lush greenery, palm fronds and flowers (and a lovely hint of Josef Frank). She not only painted the designs, put them into repeat, but then had them printed by Shutterfly and made into products that she can have around her home. To top that, she then did a collaboration with a local LA designer, Eva Franco to make a line of clothing. Now that's what I call an inspirational mover-and-shaker.
Exclusive Eva Franco dress with Justina's pattern.
Images are via her website and Eva Franco.
June Instagram Fave - ihavethisthingwithfloors
It's no surprise that I adore this feed. If you haven't seen it by now, just take a peek and I'm sure that you will love it too! @ihavethisthingwithfloors is the most mesmerizing array of floors, tiles, carpets and ground surfaces and it's really hard to pull myself away once I start looking. Here are just a few of the 300,000+ followers already in love. Use hashtag #ihavethisthingwithfloors and add to the fun.
@lucylaucht
@sincerelyjules
@ihavethisthingwithfloors
@sincerelyjules
@northern_daisy
@marykalhor
@lilfoxx
@olbapolivac
Sonoma
Had a great time in Sonoma last week housesitting for a friend. I took lots of walks and was surrounded by plenty of inspiration. My favorite part of the trip was being able to sit poolside with my paints and a glass of Rosé. It was very rejuvenating and a hard place to leave!
Something In The Air
It's beginning to feel a lot like Springtime.
My allergies told me so. Achooo!
Print & Pattern Blog Feature
I have a such hard time with self promotion—egad, it really is never easy to toot your own horn. But I have found that it is essential to know how to present and exert yourself in this industry. Self promotion is not a bad thing. It's about getting your name out there, showing what you can do and how you can be of service to others. I have submitted my work to numerous outlets in the hopes of expanding awareness of my brand and voice. It's a lot of work getting people to know who you are and what you can do. I'm making all of this work that I'm completely passionate about and I don't want to hide it away. I want to share it with the world!
It's a wonderful feeling when you get little breakthroughs and today was a great one for me. I was thrilled to find out that I was featured on the Print & Pattern Blog. I appreciate any exposure and am happy to be amongst other creative people who share a common love for prints and patterns. Click image below to see the full article and all designs featured.
Cheers to all you creative folks out there. Keep doing what you do and please make sure to share it with the rest of us!
Feeling Springy Today
A little flora and fauna have sprung onto the page today.
In the Studio Sunday
I've decided to post a design at the end of every week. I create many designs over the course of a week, but this will help me to showcase my work regularly, because I'm pretty bad at that!
I often start on motifs and then set them aside to create a pattern later on. It's a trial and error thing until I hit on a layout that makes me feel content. I don't think I'm ever completely satisfied because the possibilities for a design are just endless. I design in a very loose style, so I tend to go back again and again and tweak colors or positioning until I force myself to stop. Does this happen to you too? Below is a design that I went round and round on but feel somewhat satisfied with now. What do you think?
To see a glimpse of the painting of the motif, see post from Sept 3rd. I started with a watercolor design and scanned it so I could manipulate it in Photoshop. I did a lot of playing with color shifts and layout—but we'll get to those details another time. :)
Feeling Blue? Well You Should Be!
But please don't shed any tears. These graphic blue and white numbers are meant to bring a smile to your face.
Clockwise from upper left: Sass and Bide, Kenzo, Lela Rose, Daniela Gregis, Mina Perhonen, Ungaro
Sun Spots
This post is inspired by Mara Hoffman's gorgeous new 2015 collection. The sun peeks out throughout her line, in bright rainbow colors. These other colorful spots couldn't help but come to mind. My eyes are so dazzled by all these bright rings of color I need to put my shades on!
Mara Hoffman 2015 collection
Clockwise from top left: Kenneth Noland 1962, Vernor Panton rug, 1962 flower postcard, Sonia Delaunay, Maya Hayuk, Mandy Barker, Floris M. Neususs, Mara Hoffman 2015
And while we're basking in the glow of the 2015 runways, here are a few more sunshiny rays as depicted by HollyFulton, DSquared2 and Trina Turk.
Katja Art Prints for Sale
People have often asked where they can buy my art. Well I'm happy to say that I have opened a Society 6 store online with a selection of my designs as art prints. I do hope you will stop on over and take a look. Check out my Artwork tab on this site for more info, or just head straight to the shop by clicking here. It's time to bring some color into your home!
Colorful Concepting and Live Music to Boot!
It's been rather foggy this week and I always seem to gravitate to brights the grayer the sky is. I've been using one of my favorite mediums, Dr. PH Martin radiant concentrated water colors. They are so vibrant and saturated and thoroughly satisfying.
I included a short video of a bit of my work in progress. The music you hear (way off in the background) is actually my upstairs neighbor. She happens to be an accomplished jazz singer and her piano is directly above my studio. I got to enjoy some fabulous vocal rehearsals the other day which were the perfect accompaniment to my dabbling.
Flicks & Flecks and Dots & Daubs
I find these variations on the standard polkadot very appealing—who doesn't love a dot? Especially when they are made of paint flecks and daubs in happy colors.
Clockwise from top left: Suz Sanchez, William Edmonds, Brook Moyse, Ashley G, Natala Stuetz Ma and Grandy, Ayelet Iontef, Ashley G, Ann Wahlstrom, Satsuki Shibuya
80s Inspired
Time for another trend I've been seeing popping up on Pinterest. There are lots of bright colors, fragmented bold shapes and squiggles. Very reminiscent of the 80s I grew up in. A few represented here are from the 80s and some are new. Can you tell which is which?
From Top Left: Sunny Todd, Frank Stella, George Sowden, YokoHonda, Swatch, Grassland & Geometric
Sky Study
December has been downright balmy (as far as winters go) here in SF and we've had the most incredible sunsets every night. I kept meaning to post one, but have now accumulated so many pretty snaps, I decided to combine a few ultra vibrant ones for your viewing pleasure.
Sunsets taken from my window. No photoshop used here.
Going, going…Nah, there are plenty left!
Now here's an awesome gift idea...a snazzy iPhone or Kindle case with one of my designs on it! It's a great time to place an order in time for the holidays. Use GIFT30 at checkout to receive 30% off this week only. Click here.
Kekacase by Katja. Design: Argentina.
Seeing Triple
I love this trend I'm seeing on Pinterest these days. Kaleidoscopic images!
Photography clockwise from upper left: Pierre Debusschere, Markus Prtizi, Wayne Maser, Sanaa H
Ships and Shapes
When I'm out and about on my walks, my eye generally catches the natural, organic beauty of the Bay. Today however, as I was watching the America's Cup boats racing around the Marina, I began to notice the more geometric, nautical shapes and colors around me.
