The official color of 2012 has been announced by Pantone… and the winner is Tangerine Tango {let’s just call it orange-ish to keep it simple}.  I love orange-ish.  It goes with black or brown, it makes a big statement in a room as a paint color, and it looks better than you would think on a red-head-like-me.  But this little ROUND UP isn’t about orange-ish. 

It’s about YELLOW.  Another color that is often associated with a food category when described as ‘mustard yellow’.  I started my search for the Yellow Boots when I stumbled on No. 4 {ABOVE} from Need Supply Co.  My mind began to race through every outfit in my closet and HOW good these little yellow booo-ties would go just perfectly all winter long.  Then I thought yellow could go a long way in any style, so here you go, a YELLOW BOOT ROUND UP.  enjoy.  {and yes, I know that yellow is soooo last year, but i still like it so there.}

 SOURCES: 1. Little Wings Designs 2. Southwest Vintage  3. Sundance Catalog  4. Need Supply Co.  5. Piperlime  6. ModCloth  7. Rocketbuster Boots  8. Your Uggs Outlet  9. Chooka Rain Boots 10. Paola

p.s. what would be your favorite color BOOTS??

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Rustic * Western * Vintage FASHION

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A couple of weeks ago I posted some photos of the Cactus Creek Store after we re-freshed for fall.  In one of the photos we were showing off new art that we are carrying from Artist James Ayers.  He is incredibly talented and we are lucky enough to have a little interview with him here on CCD.com today…

CACTUS: Have you always been an artist?

JAMES: My art career started around Christmas when I was in the third grade. My class was instructed to draw pictures of Santa Claus and when the teacher held up my work for the class to see, dozens of kids insisted that I draw Santa for them, too.

By my junior year of high school, I was convinced that art was my calling. I made the assumption that I had to have a “safe” job, so after high school, I attended the Rhode Island School of Design and majored in commercial illustration.

My professional illustration career was short-lived. After illustrating a cookbook and a restaurant menu mat, I knew the nine-to-five commercial world was not for me. I taught school for a year and then threw myself into fine art full-time. I’ve not looked back since.

CACTUS: How do you describe your art?

JAMES: Respectful.  Because I portray historic Native American cultures, it is essential to me that the peoples I paint are accurate and authentic.

CACTUS: In what ways has your art evolved the most over the years?

JAMES: My biggest evolution was about 10 years ago, when I really began to master the use of color. I had always had a good sense of composition and the use of darks and lights, but once I learned how to achieve more with the color I use, it made my works stronger.

CACTUS: What inspires you?

JAMES: Everything! But mainly the smell of oil paints, a blank canvas, and the beauty of people and nature.

MORE AFTER THE BREAK >>>>>>>>>

CACTUS: How and when did you become interested in the Native American culture?

JAMES: When I first became a fine artist, I had the dream of portraying indigenous cultures from all over the world. I quickly that there was NO way I could ever hope to do that in my lifetime.

After spending two years living on reservations and learning about the indigenous cultures of North America, I discovered my calling. Over the years, I have tended to specialize further into the Great Plains and Southwest.

CACTUS: What is your creative process for creating a new piece?

JAMES: The inception of a piece is that spark of seeing something that catches my eye—it can be something small like the way light bounces off an object or some aspect of everyday activities. Sometimes, it is meeting someone that ignites an idea. 

For example, to prepare for my 2011 museum show on Navajo weaving traditions at the historic Toadlena Trading Post, I took several trips to meet the weavers, see hogans and ancient Navajo ruins, and trek through the reservation. I had so many ideas, I couldn’t wait to get them in my sketchbook.

After roughing out a sketch, then I go to my canvas and begin to paint. I work out the composition beforehand, and then develop the details right on the canvas.

CACTUS: Do you do commission work?

JAMES: Yes, on two levels.  The easiest way is when people let me know what subject matter interests them, when I paint something with that subject, I’ll offer fans “first crack” at buying the piece. There is no obligation; if they like it they can buy it, if not, they can pass.

The more technical way is a full commission where the client specifies exactly what they want the painting to portray and we undergo a contract to have me develop the work. This is a more labor-intensive process, so I charge more for these type of arrangements. I only accept one or two a year—right now I’m scheduling for 2013.

CACTUS: What are you planning for future projects?

JAMES: Right now, I’m focusing my time on portraiture. There are so many facets of historic Native American people that I still need to portray, so that will be the bulk of my upcoming work. I also plan on one or two large-scale scenes with multiple figures through the end of 2013.

CACTUS: Where can people purchase your art?

JAMES: My giclees are available at Cactus Creek! Also, you can see my originals on my website www.jamesayers.com, at one of my shows, or at Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale & Jackson Hole or Hayden Hays Gallery in Colorado Springs.

CACTUS: What has been your greatest achievement as an artist?JAMES: Two things… One, hearing from Native Americans how much they like my portrayals of their ancestral cultures. Every time I hear this kind of feedback, I feel like my path has been re-affirmed. 

Two, having one of my paintings added to the permanent collection of the famed Booth Museum of Western Art in Cartersville, Georgia. The painting, Prayers of the Shaman, was a very personal piece about healing and transition that I painted while my mother was battling cancer. So to have this piece in such a wonderful institution has been satisfying beyond measure.

CACTUS: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?

JAMES: Archeologist or carpenter (or both!)

CACTUS: What is the perfect setting for your best creativity {time of day, weather outside, music in the air}?

JAMES: Mid- to late-afternoon with Native American music (flute, pow-wow, etc.) and minimal distractions. A sunny day also helps. 

CACTUS: What is the most important thing you are looking to convey when you create a new piece?

 JAMES: Without a doubt, emotion and spirit.  Every person depicted in my works is doing something: watching, hunting, healing, relaxing, etc. and I want people to instantly recognize the action and relate to it, too. Though we live 250 years later than the people I paint, our daily lives still have the same activities. Though we may “hunt” for information on the Internet instead of hunt for food, the human condition is the same. 

In terms of spirit, there is an underlying soul and motivation in everything we do. I try to capture this for each of my subjects.

What an amazing talent, I am so proud to have become acquainted with James and look forward to what comes next… BIG thanks!!!  fancy

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1. Vintage Industrial Metal Lunchbox, $23 
2. Cowboy Lunchbox {comes with chocolates!!}, $40 
3. Eco Friendly Linen Lunch Bag, $11.99
4. Stainless Steel Food Carrier, $24.95
5. Ride ‘em Lunch Bag, $14.95

6. Tree Reusable Snack Bag, $7.50
7. Vintage Lunch Box & Thermos, $20
8. Cowboy Personal Lunch Box, $45
9. Vintage Plaid Lunch Box, $44.50

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Visually they look great as a collection or alone, the more graphic and colorful the better. For a baby or a bride, or the dude who has it all…
Vintage * Rustic ABC’s.

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{via Country Living}

They are very easy to take care of ~ Cactus Creek has been selling Cowhides for over 11 years and I’ve had everything you can imagine happen to them ~ dog’s piddle, kitty’s hair ball, kid’s milk and mama’s red wine. Take a damp rag & wipe up any little thing… good as new!! Otherwise just vaccuum them like you would any other rug, or take them out every now and then for a good shake. No, they won’t shed. Well they may over the course of twenty or thirty years… but they are a natural material so a little organic behavior can be expected.

{via Animal Prints Essentials}

This LOOKS like a zebra rug but it’s actually a cowhide died to look like zebra. 
{NOTE: we can order these for you through Cactus Creek.  They actually come in other, vibrant colors, or my favorite… shades of CHOCOLATE BROWN}

{via House to Home}

{via B House}

Cowhide as a wall covering… now I like this, you may think it’s questionable.  I’m just not sure HOW to do it, what kind of adhesive to use, how to make sure it doesn’t bubble up, it is a natural material so there could be lots of waste trying to get it just right…

{via houzz}

If you find a piece with a great frame and horrid fabric {grandpa’s old chair, a flea market find, or even dumpster diving}, consider covering it with cowhide.  If your local upholsterer can’t do the job contact someone who does upholstery for cars as they have industrial~strength sewing machines.

{via Decor Pad}

Click BELOW for COWHIDES NOW IN STOCK AT CACTUS CREEK:
{more coming soon ~ always $235 online!!}
special orders available, just email fancytsmith@gmail.com}

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{via Sara Zook Designs}

The fireplace is really the hub of the home ~ the core place for everyone to gather on a cold winter night.  While those cold winter nights seem far away right now, you may be trying to figure out a way to re-decorate the fireplace to make it fit in a little bit better when not in use… or maybe you’re planning to build a new home or do some re-modeling.  ideas, ideas, ideas… enjoy!!

 
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I love how the suitcases & art make this fireplace another nook to decorate ~ great idea for getting throught the summer months ~ add some bright flowers for an extra dose of color. 

{via Veranda, October 2009}

The Round Fireplace.  Love this…

{via Country Living May 2009}

What a great idea!! Oyster shells on the fireplace ~ how great would it be to do this with shells collected on a honeymoon or seashore vacation…

{source unknown}

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MORE after the BREAK >>>>>>>>>>>

{via Veranda Winter 1996}

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More specifically, the subject for today is BATHTUBS.  Someone sent me a note if I had any ideas.  Nope, I have no ideas ~ but then I started poking around and came up with some beauties that made me want to do a big bath-tub-redo as soon as the opportunity presents itself…

{image via Aparment Therapy ~ a whole bunch of ideas here!!}

{image viaRough Luxe ~ a hotel in London that describes itself as ‘half luxe, half rough’. I think it’s sounds completely perfect…}

{image via Salvage Source}

{image via Design Sponge ~ 20+ clawfoot tubs that make you swoon}

{image via Country Living}

{Image via Apartment Therapy}

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Here are a few ways to do it with a
Rustic * Western * Vintage twist…

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1. Cowhide Frame from West Elm
2. Cowhide Bible Cover from The Black Yak
3. Cowhide Wallpaper via Trove Interiors
4. Cowhide Pillow from Smith & Western
5. Cowhide Ottoman from Rocky Mountain Cabin Decor
 

6. Cowhide Checkerboard Set
7. Cowhide Magazine/Towel Basket
8. Cowhide Wine Bag from The Marin Store
9. Cowhide Coasters from Frontier Outfitters
10. Cowhide Toilet Seat from Rods

11. Cowhide Valance from H-M Valley Ranch Store
12. Cowhide Mirror from RW Ranch Furniture
13. Modern Cowhide Rug from Exotic Leathers on ETSY
14. Hair on Hide Lucchese Boots

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Merchandise GUIDES

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Wooden Perpetual Calendar from gSelect

Folk Calendar from Spread the Love on ETSY

 
The Wild Unknown 2011 Calendar from shopbird

Calendar Wall Sticker from ferm Living

Eco-Friendly Wooden Desk Calendar from Kate’sPaperie

Vintage Perpetual Calendar from 26 Olive Street on ETSY

Recycled Paper Kraft Calendar from MUJI

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