The Bowl Maker

It is arts and craft show season which means we will be on the lookout for new people and exciting design. We stopped by the 19th annual Philadelphia Invitational Furniture show at the 23rd St Armory on Saturday. This show features master artisans from around the country. The event catered mostly to furniture so we were pleasantly surprised to meet “The Bowlmaker” Nathan Favors and his son Tracy who works alongside his dad.  Nathan, a native Philadelphian who lives in Chalfont PA was a machinist for 36 years.  After leaving that industry, he took his hobby of woodworking to another level. You  can’t tell by looking at his objects that he had no formal training; they are exquisite works  of art. Although he is known for making bowls, he also makes furniture, vases, plates and  other wood sculptures. You can see Nathan’s work at  www.bowlmakeronline.com or at  one of the many craft shows in the area.

Barbara Bullock: Chasing After Spirits

We attended a reception for our friend Barbara Bullock at the Seraphin Gallery in Philadelphia. Barbara is a renowned visual artist who creates mixed media collages on watercolor paper. She has entitled this series as “Chasing after Spirits.” Her work is a mélange of layered color and texture that she describes as narratives of ancestral histories, “research identity and the gathering of elements of African American retentions, evoking residues of dreams and intuitive memories.” These powerful works will be on view (and for sale) from now until May 5, 2013.  Contact Seraphin Gallery at www.seraphingallery.com

Barbara (center) with her and longtime friends Artists Diane Pieri and Martha Jackson Jarvis

From the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, Design Team Sandra & Wence Martinez

Sandra and Wence Martinez

We LOVE going to interior design shows, so going to the Architectural Design Home Show in NYC, was a no brainer.  Although we can’t attend all of the events thought-out the country, this one is on our mandatory to do list every year.  We always enjoy talking to vendors about their new products and the creative process. This year we not only came  home with brochures and catalogs; we came back with new friends… Sandra and Wence Martinez.

We were drawn to their booth because of their striking rugs. Once inside we met Sandra who gave us the story behind  the rugs, from concept to completion. When we decide to take a break and get a bite to eat, we ran into Sandra again  and she joined us for lunch. It was a pleasure talking with her about life, family and the creative spirit.

Wence who was born in Oaxaca, Mexico is a master weaver and uses traditional methods passed down from generation  to generation to create beautiful flat weave works of art made from natural materials. Sandra who designs the rugs was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is an artist of many mediums. ” Both Wence and Sandra say their greatest pleasure  comes from working and creating, side by side, in their beloved Wisconsin studio and gallery.”

We hope to keep in touch with Wence and Sandra via Social Media and see them at the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington D.C April 24-28, 2013. Who knows maybe one day we will go to their studio in Wisconsin … and have lunch?

For more information on the life and work of Wence and Sandra Martinez visit their website:
http://martinezstudio.com

Reloj Gris

Hawks Veil

Workshop on Creating a Sanctuary in Your Home

Examples of items for your home sanctuary

We facilitated a workshop at a local women’s empowerment conference in Philadelphia. We talked about “How to Create a Sanctuary in Your Home.” We also talked about how to build an Altar, not a shrine, there’s a big difference. We like many of the philosophies of bringing harmony into a space. We briefly touched on the principles of Feng Shui, Geomacy and The African Medicine Wheel to help inspire the audience. We believe that home should be a joyous place of renewal, relaxation, creativity and love. Want to learn more about how you can make your home into a retreat by using only your five senses? Come out to one of our up and coming workshops. Or contact us at Indagahome@gmail.com
Since this was such a well received workshop we will post more on this topic.

Busy Weekend For IndagaHOME

Monna and Denys had a full weekend of events. Workshop on creating a home sanctuary, and the Architectural Digest Home Design Show! Can't wait to blog about what we did and what we saw, and new and old friends.  Stay posted!

Africa In Vogue

Monna & Denys Seen In the Philadelphia Tribune

Monna & Denys at our friend Ife's Exhibit