If Walls Could Talk. Timothy Goodman's Mural for the Ace Hotel, New York.

San Francisco multidisciplinary designer Timothy Goodman was among a small group of artists asked to contribute to the mural project for the Ace Hotels.

The uber trendy hotel chain (whose rooms, I personally feel, look like college dorms) has locations in New York, Seattle, Portland and Palm Springs. Known for their appeal to the young and hip, the chain of hotels incorporates plenty of art, design, music and culture in their utilitarian-esque rooms and lobbies. They also have an association with the popular and fun Rudy Barbershops. 
 
Timothy joined the ranks of other artists when he covered the walls of one smallish room in the latest Ace Hotel NYC location with 99 hand-drawn picture frames. Created with black paint markers and paint, he then filled them with images of facts, love, tidbits, items of interest and shout-outs to other folks to represent, in his own words, "the spontaneity and grit of the city."












above photographs by Mark Dye.

Below are examples of various wall murals by other artists in the Ace Hotel, New York:






Timothy Goodman:


Timothy's website
Timothy's blog

Jewelry That Grows On You. The Incredible Landscape Jewelry of Sarah Hood.

Artist and silversmith Sarah Hood combines miniature scale railroad materials like plastic trees, grasses, bushes and pebbles with sterling silver to culminate is one of a kind pieces that are nothing short of wearable art.



Her expert metal work and unique whimsical style is why several of the pieces from her Landscape Series reside in the Tacoma Art Museum's permanent collection.

Below are examples of one-of-a-kind sterling silver rings, necklaces and bracelets made with miniature plastic trees - some spray painted black-, tiny phony bushes, greenery and in some cases, gemstones. Beautiful detailing in the cast silver twigs and touches like bird toggles accentuate the craftsmanship in these unique pieces.

Many of the following fabulous pieces are available for purchase.





detail of above bracelet:



detail of above necklace:



detail of above necklace:




detail of above necklace:





Her 2001 Living Rings actually used live plants and succulents in tiny terracotta pots upon silver ring shanks:


She also crafts beautiful cherry wood bases to display her rings:



Silversmith and artist Sarah Hood at work:

Sarah's studio and furry friend:

all images ©Sarah Hood Jewelry

In the artist's own words:

"For years I’ve been working within the intersection of archetypal form and the natural world, creating one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces from organic materials. In Landscape, I’ve taken a break from the real natural materials--leaves, pods, seeds--which have compelled my work for many years to create miniature, artificial worlds within the context of jewelry. Working with model railroad landscape materials lets me create tiny snapshots of the natural world, scenes that can trick the eyes into believing they are seeing something much larger. In several pieces, this deceit is challenged by the combination of these small constructed natural forms with full scale, cast sterling branches, buds and leaves which, in material, are equally unreal and illusionary." -- Sarah Hood, Jewelry Artist

In addition to her inventive landscape jewelry/art, she creates what one might consider 'more wearable' pieces in gold, silver and enamel. Earrings, bracelets and necklaces are available in her etsy store.