black and white sight

Here are some images I've been collecting for visual stimulation "tests". Working on some simple black and white patterns as well. Planning to create soft books, mobiles and cubes using the patterns. Apparently it's best to introduce these sorts of images for short periods of time, so as not to "overload" baby's brain.

We'll see!

building the nest for West

Reality is setting in, in a little over two months from now I will be a mother. Technically though, I think motherhood has already begun, in a "nesting" sense. Having a living human creature growing inside of me, and anticipating said creature's existence outside of me is mind-bending, almost like the feeling of looking over a very tall, beautiful cliff with a clear sunset as the backdrop...but multiplied by 1,000. I have trouble finding the exact words to describe what I'm feeling. I've found myself thinking less about being pregnant, and more about nurturing and educating my son. I figure that since pregnancy is a biological experience, nature will pretty much take care of things (as it has so far- of course I'm doing my part- eating well, exercising and staying safe). I'm definitely not one of those women who thinks that pregnancy is "all about them". I see myself as a vessel and protector to precious cargo. In addition to keep a full plate of grant-writing, teaching and editing work; I've been researching child development, "elimination communication", the anti-vaccine movement (which I'm against, and for the most part siding with the position of Paul Offit), and creating "visual stimulus toys". I'm now starting to think more seriously about developing a line of baby-safe toys that promote development and exploration, based on the research done about infant's visual and cognative abilities...West will be something of my test subject for that project....nothing crazy though...more to come on that later.

Just this month I began getting serious about making a list of "baby gear"...a mind-blowing experience in itself....there are so so so many "things" out there. Next week Mom and I are going to look through her cedar (treasure!) chest of baby clothes and blankets. Mom handmade all of my brother and my baby clothes and "accessories" (and most of my sisters) and is excited to pass down her handiwork to the next generation. Walter and I have already received some beautiful handmade gifts for West- an origami-esque animal quilt made by my Grandmother and a wonderful Calder-esque mobile made by James and April. We've purchased a family pass to the zoo (never too soon...right?) and our New Orleans home has a perfect little room with pocket doors adjoining our bedroom for West. My love for refurbishing and collecting vintage furniture over the years has resulted in a pretty unique collection of chests and tables; and I'm excited to have my grandfather "Papa" Adam Dupree's rocking chair to use for the bambino- not to mention that Adam is 1/3 of West Adam's namesake. We've started "baby proofing" the California house, lots of cleaning, bought a "baby cage" play yard and cleared some dresser space. We're planning to make the cross-country drive in the Prius sometime in June/July, then spend the rest of hurricane season working from and living in the cool Sierra air.

more to come...not bad for the first official baby post, right?

wearable art, vintage pieces and drawings

Holiday shopping on Magazine Street? Visit my case-of-wonder at Foundry Square 4310 Magazine Street, New Orleans (next to Nirvana and Top Drawer Antiques)!

Ivoire Spectacle

Last night I had the joy of filming a performance by the group "Ivoire Spectacle" at the Roosevelt Hotel. They performed there as part of an African Studies conference in New Orleans. The juxtaposition of the African drumming, dancing and traditional costumes against the lavish, chandelier-ed, wallpapery, Greco-Roman-statue-ed, frou-frou carpeted backdrop of the Roosevelt was quite odd. I came in with that mindset, and that awareness stayed with me on and off throughout the performance, but the majority of the time I was completely lost in the music and dancing...completely forgot where we were...and magically transported to a place I've never been...the Ivory Coast. This group of talented performers is a true treasure. http://www.ivoirespectacle.com/index.php

*videos to come soon*

September Screenings

बैलेंस

"Congratulations on your successful application to the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation!"

Absolutely made my day...Bluebird Art is movin' on up!

अल्मोस्त फाल!

It's almost my favorite time of the year, Fall! Just thinking about the Fall boosts my energy and spirits. We'll be moving at the end of the month to a sweet little red-doored house uptown...right down the street from the park and the "back" of the zoo (where the giraffes live- from the path, you can see the giraffes wandering about in their yard without having to actually go inside the zoo). Most delightful.