The short film looks at the working lives of four artisans: shoe designer Marloes ten Bhömer, crochetdermist Shauna Richardson, artist, curator and glass designer Matt Durran and flute-maker Stephen Wessel. It was made to accompany the Power of Making exhibition (6 September 2011 - 2 January 2012) at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, which explores the question of what words like "craft" and "skill" mean today. Over 100 objects, ranging
from a life-size crochet bear to a pencils sculpture (which was circulated widely at Pinterest a few months ago) and a fine metal
flute, are
on show. Crafted by both amateurs and leading artists from around the world, the works were selected by the museum to represent a snapshot of making in our time.
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Don't know what to cook tonight? See what ingredients you have in your kitchen and find a recipe at They Draw and Cook. Or, just dip into They Draw and Cook, fresh out of the oven. There're 107 recipes in this book, all wonderfully illustrated by artists from around the world. Need breakfast? How about madeleines? Looking for a more filling meal? Try the black bean chicken soup or chile and lime sea bream. Prefer vegetarian? There's the colcannon - it's fat-free too. All the better to finish it all off with a rich chocolate crepe or (and???) coconut macaroons.
They Draw and Cook is a fun, colorful and creative cook book, the first born of the marvellous blog of the same name which is now home to several thousand recipes contributed by a variety of people. I'm a big fan of TDAC. You can read a meaty post I wrote about the They Draw and Cook blog in April, which includes interviews with several people who have contributed recipes to the blog. Not all contributors are professional artists, some are folks who just love to eat or draw. The best thing about the blog is anyone can submit a recipe, so what are you waiting for?
The recipes featured in the book are not new, but they are still a yummy feast for the eyes. It's just too bad the book is such a lean sampling of the blog's offerings! I don't envy Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell (the brother-and-sister design team who created the blog) the tough job they must have had whittling down the list of recipes to include in the publication. If you're unhappy just skimming the surface, go over to the blog to indulge yourself.
The final selection includes recipes that should please most palates, satisfy sweet cravings, feed regular daily needs as well as cater to special occasions. The book includes everything from dips and snacks to main courses, desserts and cocktails. The foods offered for your viewing and cooking pleasures originate from all over the world, so unless you hate to experiment, They Draw and Cook is a delicious resource for different cuisines. The recipes lean towards the visual - the art is often the dominant element but the recipes are for the most part simple to follow. Another tasty thing about this collection is the range of artistic styles: there's pretty, there's stylish, there's cartoonish and there's cute. Overall, it's stuffed full of gorgeousness.
I first fell in love with illustrated books when I saw Sarah Midda's South of France in the 90s (republished in 2008) before my reading habits gravitated towards hard news and serious non-fiction. I came across They Draw and Cook at a time when I was rediscovering my crafty side and the blog helped reignite my interest in illustrations and art books. I'm so glad I now have a part - albeit small - of the blog in book form. There's nothing like flipping through inspiring and juicily drawn pages to get you salivating and your creative juices flowing.
I've just got my copy of the book and haven't taken any photos yet, will post some of my favorite illustrations when I do.
Meanwhile, take a look at this video for a glimpse of this must-have book. Enjoy.
They Draw & Cook: 107 Recipes Illustrated by Artists from Around the World
Authors: Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell
Publisher: Weldon Owen
ISBN: 978-1616281380
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This is the continuation of a series that explores that moment of uncertainty and magic that happens when you emerge from the depths of the subway system.There is also Sub City: New York, which is just as beautiful.
Paris: Made by Hand by Pia Jane Bijkerk
buy at Amazon | at The Book Depository (free shipping worldwide)
I recognized some of the shops in the book but a lot were new to me. I wish I'd had had it with me last year when I was in Paris!
Pia Jane Bijkerk is a well-known blogger-photographer-stylist. Her work as a stylist put her in good stead to find cool off-the-beaten track shops selling interesting artisan, handmade, vintage and unique ware. A lot of them are pricey but I probably couldn't be able to resist checking them out and rummaging through the treasures inside. On my list would be stationery shop Melodies Graphiques, artificial flower makers Legeron, fabric manufacturers Mahlia Kent.
Paris: Made by Hand is the perfect size to lug around during a trip (a square 6"ish) and it's nicely structured with the shops listed geographically according to Paris districts. Useful information like the shops' addresses and websites are provided but I wish the book included a map with the shops marked - less work for the reader!
A minus was that I found the photography somewhat dark and moody, although very a la mode with the current off-focus /soft focus trend thanks to apps like Hipstamatic (this book is 2 years old though). I didn't think that style worked well with a book like this, where you want to display the products and not just the shops.
Still, the book will travel with me on my next visit to Paris. I've lived in the city and don't normally do the touristy stuff when I visit every couple years, so I'd take the time to hunt down the type of shops featured in the book. I think Paris residents or regular visitors would find the book interesting but I'm not sure how attractive it would be to a first-time tourist with limited time in the city unless you're the sort that's really into chic flea market vintage and artisan goods.
Paris: Made by Hand: 50 Shops Where Decorators and Stylists Source the Chic & Unique
Author: Pia Jane Bijkerk
Publisher: Little Bookroom
ISBN: 978-1892145703
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