Twenty Nine {29}

 rifle paper co

 Image via buamai

 Image via Pinterest via Tristan Robin

Image via Tokketok

Happy Birthday Darling!

Many  Happy Returns!!

Today begins the last year of your twenties, let's do it big.

I love you, I love you, I love you

xoxo

me.

Mrs. Misiego

Remember this sneak peek?
Well, my long time friend

 Miss became Mrs. and I celebrated the union with a painting.

Here is that story in photos:

 Photo. 

(From the big day)

Stencil.

(This stencil is only similar to the actual stencil. I accidentally deleted the original from my computer and recreated this mock up for the purpose of this post.)

 Splat.

 Fin.

Notes: 

• I really like the way the text works in the end. The happy couple staring into a blank white abyss would have been a poor use of canvas space, in this instance. Darling and I came up with a whole slough of hilarious scenarios to fill the void but in the end I think text was the right choice. Again, with the couple staring out into the wide open future, the piece came terribly close to spilling over into the realm of cheezy, vinyl, wall-decal preciousness. "... Like a Fat Kid Loves Cake" is cheeky and humorous while the real sentiment ("I Love You") is still communicated in its implication. I also think it's appropriate for how silly they are together + coming as a gift from me. 

• If you have never used metallic acrylics you should really pick up a tube. Loads and loads of fun and possibility in that single squeeze bottle.   

 Mrs. Misiego, congratulations girl! I'm so happy you're happy. I hope you enjoy your new life and new painting! I wish the two of you the most beautiful future of hilarity and travel and all that is good in the world!

See some of my previous explorations with stenciling here and tutorial here.

Feel free to email me any questions/requests:

e {dot} sissyjupe {at} gmail {dot} com

Happy Weekend Friends

xoxo

As I Was Saying...

As if to echo my own prior sentiments in an adorable, retro, illustrative form.

Je t'aime.

found on You Are My Fave.

Bookish {- Adjective. 1. given or devoted to reading or study.} 2011

Book 1

The Book of J - Harold Bloom + Translation by David Rosenberg

Book 1 was an interesting choice to start my new year reading with. Although The Book of J was very controversial upon its release (and remains so), I think poses some interesting bits to chew on concerning the holy texts, the first five books of the Bible. An NYTimes reviewer puts it so well, "In "The Book of J" bright ideas gleam, vanish and are replaced by more. It pains a reviewer to be able to discuss so few of them. Believers, fundamentalists, may be shocked, but the effect on others will surely be refreshing, with just a little of the jolt that one sometimes gets from looking at a familiar painting newly cleaned" (citation). To begin, Bloom presents us with an introduction to The Book of J. What is the book of J? In some schools of Biblical scholarship, these first five books are speculated to be a redaction of at least 4 different manuscripts from 4 writers that were later edited together. The "J" writer is one of the oldest and that which refers to God as Yahweh or Jahweh (the others labeled "E" that which refers to God as Elohim; "P" a priestly contributor who wrote Leviticus, "D" who contributed much to Deuteronomy, and "R" the redactor who compiled the works into the form as we know them presently. While some speculate that there were many "J" writers, Bloom poses that "J" was one person and a brilliant, educated, woman of court. He further poses that "J" is "no more a religious writer than Shakespeare" and a brilliant ironist, a sublime poet of equal caliber (and, if you're familiar with Bloom you realize it is the highest praise he can offer). "He believes, correctly, that people rarely talk much sense about texts without thinking of them as having authors; hence this historical construct" (same citation).

Following Bloom's introduction and speculation of "J" is a translation of the work considered to be The Book of J. Rosenberg's translation "offers a rendition of her book intended to stay close to her rugged Hebrew, avoiding the accents of the King James Version (which, superb as it is, tends to make J and E and the rest sound the same) while avoiding also the blandness of the modern versions. This bold and deeply meditated translation attempts to reproduce the puns, off-rhymes and wordplay of the original. In some respects, however, it seems misguided. Dryden said that Spenser, in imitating the ancients, "writ no language," and to write modern English as if it could simulate the terseness and the rhythms of biblical Hebrew is to risk writing no language at all" (same citation). 

I found it interesting to read from an objective, academic standpoint. I want to formally note that this is not an expression or critique on any belief system, whatsoever. The subject matter itself is controversial and I refrain from relaying any personal commentary, only generally overviewing the text as I found it as I continue to catalog my reading.

 

Awareness

"There are years that ask questions and years that answer."

Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God

a perfect metric to measure, make sense of, my personal time line. 

2011 : questions. 

Happy Weekend

Pinned on Pinterest

In Memphis,

Today was a snow day for most.

I was not part of that 'most'

Bum day.

Happy Weekend Friends

Sending you my good xiu xiu.

xoxo

Bookish {-Adjective. 3. of or pertaining to books; literary}

Pinned on Pinterest

There is no surer foundation for a beautiful friendship than a mutual taste in literature.
—P.G. Wodehouse

Mrs. Misiego {Sneak Peek}

Project Progress:

While working on a painting last night it dawned on my how hilarious it was that I was so intently cutting out this phrase. I had to share a few photos of the process...

 + a little splat action.

So there you go. I hope to be finished + shipping it off this weekend.

 xoxo

The Chair

You may or may not remember when I was talking about reupholstering this chair.

I ordered the mentioned Shumacher fabric in two pieces, last week I finally received the second piece (the date I ordered and paid for it you ask? October 16... uh huh, omg).

Darling requested for his birthday that we get the chair done/started. The chair is from his childhood home and he loves the idea of giving it a new life and keeping it around + it's a great chair that needs some lovin' on.

Originally, I had fallen in love with the idea of a chevron backing (the Schumacher is definitely a splurge for my budget, it makes sense to work a two-tone number) like LGN did with this piece:

I paired a few fabrics together myself:

I think Navy/Ivory is my favorite here. (All fabrics in this post from here.)

Although I do still really like the chevron, a nice solid could really make the colorful chinoiserie pop:

 I think I'm most drawn to navy or slate. 

This is very similar to my couch, you know, for some context..

The more I have looked into upholstering the chair myself, the more I doubt my ability to execute the project. The tufted back of the chair + the expensive fabric make me doubt that this will be the best place to attempt my first DIY upholstery. That said, if I wanted to paint the wood of my chair beforehand, how would I go about that? (Jess, help!) Do I peel back the existing upholstery and paint the frame before taking it to be upholstered? Is it a non-option really? hrmm. And on that note, I wonder if any Memphians reading this blog post know of any good upholsterer's (word?). I thought maybe to call Toad Hall Antiques and ask them if they recommend anyone...

The topic of "The Difficulty I have With Making Decisions" will have to wait for another day. It would only take my entire life to explain it to you. You don't have to choose for me, I'm just looking for a little advice/second opinions so I don't just feel stranded. Feeling stranded = no progress and I'd like to get it done, I'd like to put to use what I've gotten so far instead of letting it be another project fallen by the wayside.

Thank you, thank you for your input

xoxo

A Personal Note On Modern Dance

To set the precedent, I love dance. I love all kinds of dance, I appreciate all forms of dance. Dancing with a modern company here in Memphis has been wonderful (I'd actually say it's the best thing going for me right now) but I find that sometimes modern dance gets really caught up in being modern dance. A trend in dance I see now (and for the last few years) is dance that lends itself toward gestural movement and pedestrianism. "Don't look so dancey" and "Do it like a normal, non-dancer, person would do it" are phrases I hear all the time. I get it (the pedestrianism). And, I like it but I don't want it all the time. Sometimes I like dancey, I love a good technical piece. Sometimes I like costumes*, the cohesive and unifying visual element to a piece. Plus, you're dancing, so why pretend like you aren't and clothe yourself in fabrics that don't stretch, fit the body, or adhere to movement well? (Damn the shoulder injury that plagues me caused by a non-stretch, fitted blazer used as costume piece). I'm beginning the choreography process. The theme? Dance Inspired by Film. If you have any "nuggets" or ideas hit your brain--send 'em my way! Music, video clips, dance, whatever--I'm in exploring mode. My dear friend sent this clip over and, although I realize I'm talking about modern dance and this is not a modern piece, I think it really makes a case for the power of strong unison in choreography. So many dancers all moving in expert precision, it's pretty amazing. I love the energy, would be so fun to watch-slash-do. And 'hello' girl in the brown vest, yeah you, get it guurrll. Tall guy in the hat, I'm watching you..

(* maybe next time my own rants/analogies/examples will work out in my favor.)

Bookish {-Adjective. 3. of or pertaining to books; literary}

Robert talked a good deal about himself. He was very young, and did not know any better.
Mrs. Pontellier talked a little about herself for the same reason. (46)

- Kate Chopin, The Awakening

Written in the Stars

I was just pushed from a solid Pisces to the cusp of Aquarius and Pisces. Poof. Like that. I was already having an identity crisis... There was the intense full moon eclipse on Winter Solstice followed by Mercury in retrograde, getting my ish all backwards until the New Year. Okay, I'll be straight. I wouldn't feel so unnerved by the change if it didnt' seem as though the seams, the very fibers of the fabric of this world as we understand it weren't being ripped open to the Bibliclly epic weirdness that keeps occurring. 5,000 birds fall dead from the sky and 100,000 fish belly up from the river just next door in Arkansas, the North East United States is hit with the 4th largest blizzard it has seen since weather recording began, 2010 scored the number one spot as the warmest year on record, torrential flooding hits Queensland Australia! And these are just a few of the big stories... Crazy things are happening. And now the universe is going to tell me that I'm no longer a Pisces nor an Aquarius, that I sit on the cusp? So. Apparently I've been on this cusp my whole life it just took a scientific mistake and some changes in the earth's tilt as it reacts to the moon's gravitational pull to bring it to my attention. Ah, but ignorance is bliss. And I believe that self deception is a critical human emotion developed for survival. In my personal life I feel like 2011 has brought nothing but mild chaos and lengthy internal monologues about my need to figure a few things out, to live, and to experience. Oi. CK, your the savvy one--what's up?? Help a girl understand

And also, this might make you reconsider your desk job: The Hazards of the Couch

Bookish {-Adjective. 3. of or pertaining to books; literary}

     The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation.

     The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace. (57) Kate Chopin, The Awakening

On Winter Citrus

Image pinned on Pinterest

After devouring delicious tangerines until my lips burned and stung (my tongue sore) last night, I wanted to share with you this excerpt from MFK Fisher's "Serve it Forth" I came across on Brian Ferry's blog. To me, nothing is better about winter than the part where citrus is in season. Grapefruits, tangerines, clementines, limes--by the boxful. Served as a snack, dessert, or added to everything we're making. Few things have a place in my heart quite like a good citrus or good writing...

“…It was then that I discovered little dried sections of tangerine. My pleasure in them is subtle and voluptuous and quite inexplicable. I can only write how they are prepared.
In the morning, in the soft sultry chamber, sit in the window peeling tangerines, three or four. Peel them gently; do not bruise them, as you watch soldiers pour past and past the corner and over the canal towards the watched Rhine. Separate each plump little pregnant crescent. If you find the Kiss, the secret section, save it for Al.
Listen to the chambermaid thumping up the pillows, and murmur encouragement to her thick Alsatian tales of l’intérieure. That is Paris, the interior, Paris or anywhere west of Strasbourg or maybe the Vosges. While she mutters of seduction and French bicyclists who ride more than wheels, tear delicately from the soft pile of sections each velvet string. You know those white pulpy strings that hold tangerines into their skins? Tear them off. Be careful.
Take yesterday’s paper (when we were in Strasbourg L’Ami du Peuple was best, because when it got hot the ink stayed on it) and spread it on top of the radiator. The maid has gone, of course – it might be hard to ignore her belligerent Alsatian glare of astonishment.
After you have put the pieces of tangerine on the paper on the hot radiator, it is best to forget about them. Al comes home, you go to a long noon dinner in the brown dining-room, afterwards maybe you have a little nip of quetsch from the bottle on the armoire. Finally he goes. You are sorry, but -
On the radiator the sections of tangerines have grown even plumper, hot and full. You carry them to the window, pull it open, and leave them for a few minutes on the packed snow of the sill. They are ready.
All afternoon you can sit, then, looking down on the corner. Afternoon papers are delivered to the kiosk. Children come home from school just as three lovely whores mince smartly into the pension’s chic tearoom. A basketful of Dutch tulips stations itself by the tram-stop, ready to tempt tired clerks at six o’clock. Finally the soldiers stump back from the Rhine. It is dark.
The sections of the tangerine are gone, and I cannot tell you why they are so magical. Perhaps it is that little shell, thin as one layer of enamel on a Chinese bowl, that crackles so tinily, so ultimately under your teeth. Or the rush of cold pulp just after it. Or the perfume. I cannot tell.
There must be someone, though, who understands what I mean. Probably everyone does, because of his own secret eatings.”

Shadow Puppets

I can't help but stare at these fantastic shadow puppets.

The shadow play is whimsical, a fun adaptation of familiar folk lore and children's stories.

The exquisite detail and quality of work lends them a sophistication and prettiness. 

whimsy + pretty = win

I want to give one to everyone I know. 

Visit Isabellas Art Etsy Shop

Just Hum a Merry Tune

Image via Randy P Martin

This morning a little song came to me. 

It was very strange. I just started singing it, looping it over and over.

I don't know what you

-'d like to get into

but if you come with me

we can start over

hmm mm mm bah bmmm

dummm da dum da-dum

daaa dum da-da dum dum

dum daa daa da daa.

It's a happy little tune. I've been singing it all morning, just looping it over and over.

Growing Up

Via Unicornology

Becasue it's a Dance Day

xoxo

Dance Love

It is always dance that haunts me.

Amazing that youtube can be so moving.

Thanks Kare for sending this one my way.

xoxo

Notes on Style {a chat}

Photo via  The Glamourai

Sister: You have commitment issues
Me:  I have problems. They're not major but do I think they minorly affect the quality of my life
Sister:  Right, you can cope with it but it does impact your functioning


{in speaking of general habits and online shopping}

Story Telling

transient. beautiful. malleable.

Happy Weekend Friends

xoxo

Take That

Illustrations via joris goulenok

Moving Right Along

Image via yay! everyday

This is what 2011 feels like... Driving through a wicked snow storm only to discover you're having car trouble. Ultimately, you resign to the fact that the car must be left behind and it's up to you to use your own damn legs to freeze your ass off and stomp your way  to your destination. Nothing seriously life threatening happens but what a pain! No one likes feeling pissed off. I would surely commiserate with you if you came to me with your story, surely I would! It is possible that the end of December and the few days we've experienced of January are a sign that 2011 is a year for resilience but I tend to have a harder time with glass-half-full mentality. Really, I feel as though 2011 burst through the door, gave me middle finger and a slew of profanities, threw his wet coat on my floor and stepped all over my couch with his muddy boots. Later on he eats up everything in the fridge and gets too drunk at dinner, making everyone uncomfortable.  Take that Sissy Jupe. Although nothing truly serious or life threatening has happened, 2011 has been tough to start.

I'm not feeling inspired by the proverbial squeeky clean slate at the beginning of this year, just waiting for me to fill it with all sorts of adventures. I'm not feeling refreshed or rejuvenated. I'm especially having a hard time with resolutions and progressive introspection into my life. Introspection I have, but I've misplaced the goddamn matches. How am I supposed to find intuition, illumination into what I'd like to do with my life, set goals and feel the spark when I can't find a lighter anywhere. It's feeling dark, and the days have been shitty. 

What could I mean? We'll just take a segment from yesterday, as an example (it seems pretty universal that yesterday was shitty). I drove home on my lunch break to let my dog out. I was pulled over for having expired tabs. Granted, I fully admit that it was my irresponsibility that got me into the situation--I know this--and I started to pay for it when I was given a "fix it ticket" and a court date to prove myself responsible enough to get things taken care of before February 16. This is a crappy situation, no doubt, but certainly not a day ruiner. No, things really started turning murky when 40 minutes later, we're talking less than an hour folks, I was pulled over again for expired tabs. I told the officer that I had just been pulled over and that I was on my way to take care of it. The officer was so kind as to inform me that any officer that pulled me over had the right to cite me for the violation regardless of how many times I had been pulled over in the past hour and regardless of whether or not I was on the way to take care of it. He too slapped me with a citation and another court date--for the day following the first court date (+ double court fees) . I understand that it's his right, but seriously? (!!) And that just seems to be my luck. And it's these moments that keep happening and eventually pile up, determining entire days that keep happening one after the other to make up the craziest first week to kick off a new year.

I'll get there with you, the goal setting, and the inspiration, and the get-to-getting and all that hullabaloo but we had some delays before we could take off. Anyone have some jumper cables?

Tattoo Love

 

 

 

*if you know the source for this image please let me know and I will make the correction*

Dance Love

Photos from the ReNEWal show.

Here are a few of my favorites:

For more info about Project:Motion check out www.projectmotiondance.org

one one one one

Photo via bonjour

Happy 2011!!

Darling and I suffered massive flight delays (3 days!) returning home from our holiday travels and kept festivities small this year. Our New Year celebration would have remained a night at home if I hadn't been hired last minute to work as a live model for a high rollers "Casino Royal" party in a Mississippi casino. A dance friend from Project:Motion passed my info along to the party planner and before I new it I was a bond-girl statue "vogue-ing" alongside the pistol ice sculpture and shrimp cocktail. It was hilarious and fun and great money for 3 hours of work. If photographs surface I'll be sure to let you know.

We've got lots of food and love and puppies and reflection and scheming happening at our house

I can't wait so share 2011 with yall.