Gambusia Affinis

Jennifer Nocon's "Gambusia Affinis" (2009)

While attending the Downtown Art & Wine Tour I came across the Bloom Projects at the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Foundation (653 Paseo Nuevo) where Los Angeles based artist Jennifer Nocon's commissioned installation, "Gambusia Affinis" is housed.

Nocon is known for creating sculptural environments using hand-dyed wool felt inspired by naturally occurring patterns.

The wool felt sculptures form a repetitive and retro-esque pattern that have a visual language all their own.

Retrospective: Areno Collection

Joseph Areno's "East Beach Volleyball - Santa Barbara"

The historic University Club of Santa Barbara (1332 Santa Barbara St) will open its door to the public to present the Areno Collection at a special event on Thursday evening June 4th.

On view will be the Club's existing Areno collection along with over 50 never-before-displayed oils, sketches and watercolors. Sip, savor and delight in the regal setting. Contact: Chrissy Deferville, 805-966-0853 ext 13 / Chrissy@uclubsb.org

Retrospective: Brett Weston's Out of the Shadow

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (1130 State St.) is presenting the largest retrospective of influential American photographer Brett Weston's work in over 30 years.

Running May 2-August 16, The Brett Weston: Out of the Shadow exhibition will display more than 130 of Weston's photographs that range from early vintage prints made in California & Mexico in the 1920s and 19030s, East Coast images from the 1940 to Hawaiian images made shortly before his death in 1993.

Brett Weston’s “Cactus, Santa Barbara” (1931)

Brett Weston’s “Garrapata Beach, California” (1954)

Ink, Post & Paperwink

This Santa Barbaran is officially obsessed with a new blog I discovered today, via Sunset magazine, called Ink & Post.

Ink & Post is the creative outlet and personal aesthetic of local Santa Barbara blogger Katie Chambers.

Ink & Post covers: design, ephemera, fashion, home, interiors, music, paper, photography, print, Santa Barbara, shops, travel and type.

By the way if you're asking yourself like I did, 'What is ephemera?'

This should help...

From Wikipedia: Ephemera is transitory written and printed matter not intended to be retained or preserved. The word derives from the Greek, meaning things lasting no more than a day. Some collectible ephemera are advertising trade cards, airsickness bags, bookmarks, catalogues, greeting cards, letters, pamphlets, postcards, posters, prospectuses, stock certificates, tickets and zines.

Ironically Ms. Chambers' and Retro Republik share a favorite ephemera...STAMPS!

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To keep this ink and post theme going thought I'd indulge in a throwback to a bygone era and share my recent Design*Sponge find, Paperwink.

Paperwink's award-winning stationer duo Darcey + Tara have wowed us with their retro inspired custom wooden address stamps.

Had a hard time deciding between Airmail, Telegram and Vintage Typewriter:

In the end the bright and simple Vintage Typewriter won me over:

Click here to check out Paperwink's full section of rubber stamps, note cards, labels and calling cards.

Retro Republik Finds: Santa Barbara

You know you're a retro nut when you spend your Sunday afternoon poking around town on a quest for the perfect retro floor lamp.

My first stop was our local swanky emporium, Retroville.

Retroville (512 State St.) appears to have more vintage housewares (Crosley, Bauer pottery, Moda Home linens) than the Mad Men set!

Retroville also carries women's, men's and children's clothing, shoes and accessories - both vintage and new...and vintage appliances too!

Retroville even has a cool & cleaver video to woo you into the store:

The Road to Santa Barbara

All this shopping has been famished and thinking what's for dinner.

On Craigslist: Santa Barbara I tracked this retro appetizers cookbook for only $10 bucks.

Appetizers is part of the Retro Recipes series that recreate the delicious diner offerings and sophisticated cocktails of the 1950's for a modern audience. Every recipe is illustrated with period advertisements and packed with ideas and variations on classic foods.

Appetizers include such classics as shrimp cocktail and iceberg lettuce salad with Thousand Island dressing.

Next stop, the local Goodwill store. I found this green bean for only $19.99.

Cleaned up the lamp & added a Black Martha Steward lamp shade with metallic lining from Kmart $15.99.

Tossed it all together and voila: