An American Self-Portrait

I am in total awe of Chris Jordan's photographic series, An American Self-Portrait. Through digital collage, he visually depicts statistics of American consumption.

The descriptions are astounding.

Paper Bags, 2007

Depicts 1.14 million brown paper supermarket bags, the number used in the US every hour.

Light Bulbs, 2008

Depicts 320,000 light bulbs, equal to the number of kilowatt hours of electricity wasted in the United States every minute from inefficient residential electricity usage (inefficient wiring, computers in sleep mode, etc.)

 Barbie Dolls, 2008

Depicts 32,000 Barbies, equal to the number of elective breast augmentation surgeries performed monthly in the US in 2006.

Plastic Bottles, 2007

Depicts two million plastic beverage bottles, the number used in the US every five minutes.

 Paper Cups, 2008

Depicts 410,000 paper cups, equal to the number of disposable hot-beverage paper cups used in the US every fifteen minutes.

On his website you can actually click on the images to zoom in and see just how intricate these artworks are. So amazing. 

For your Saturday

[via SwisMiss]

Have a warm weekend!

Well friends, it's apparently going to snow today in good ole "sunny" California. So I imagine I'll be spending lots of time indoors with tea and art books this weekend. These paintings by Rebecca Rebouche make me hopeful that spring is right around the corner. :)

 

Aren't they lovely? And Anthropologie just featured her work in a special New Orleans exhibit, Beyond the Quarter. Congratulations Rebecca!

Mr. & Mrs.

Meredith from the lovely Honey-Dove, totally wowed me with her amazing DIY Valentines Day project.

This adorable print was her inspiration:

 And this was the final product!

I love that she replaced the fingerprints with their glasses--so sweet and personal. Check out the full tutorial here.

What items would you pick? I'm so stumped as to what I'd choose!

Things we forget.

I love remembering this.

Shop the shop

Get 'em while they're hot! Straight from the press, check out the four new paintings in my online shop, alkeemi.

 

And for $20 a print, we're talking about a great deal. :) So head on over and take a peek! xo.

(visit KimiaKline.com for the originals)

Painted Streets

I did a double take when I saw these photos. How amazing!?

 

In 1972 Franklin's Footpath by Gene Davis was the world's largest painting. Davis created this piece by painting stripes on the street in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He went on to help legitimize the Washington Color School as a regional art movement, and become faculty at the Corcoran School of Art.


I would have loved to have seen this. Wouldn't a painted street feel so magical?


[Via AliLovesCurtis]

David Zimmerman

Happy Friday dear readers!

Here are some wonderful photographs by our fine art Friday artist, David Zimmerman, to start off your weekend.

Don't these pictures remind you of paintings or illustrations? I think it's so fun when images trick you and don't immediately reveal their medium. :)

Inspired by Sunshine

The downpour of hail I walked through on my way home tonight inspired this post.

Sunshine, it's time for you to make your big debut. And I think our East Coast friends might also agree. :)

1. A Sheet and a Treat in Luxembourg Gardens button front dress, Lauren Moffatt 2. The Mason, Perch! Brooklyn 3. A Floral Femme Fatale wallpaper, Sum Design 4. Hanging Test Tube Vases, Pigeon Toe Ceramics 5. Lemonade Pillow, Lauren Moffatt (available by special order) 6. Outdoor Planter, Wallter 


[via Lauren Moffatt]

Things we forget.

I love remembering this.

[via here]

Love to love

Ken and I spent our first Valentines day together as college seniors in St. Louis. We'd been dating for about 3 months and recently had the conversation about previous breakups. Ken mentioned that no girl had ever broken up with him. Rolling my eyes, I of course said that no boy had ever broken up with me either (fibbing).

Deciding he'd go to any lengths to keep his record clean, he declared he was going to break up with me on the most romantic day of the year...Valentines Day. 

My husband has been known to pull a prank or two, so I was pretty sure he wasn't bluffing.

When February 14th rolled around, I was expecting nothing short of a hilarious mock break-up. So you can imagine my surprise when I came home from class to my room overflowing with balloons!

 

 

 

There was a note on top of the balloons that read, "Secret message inside. Pop to find."

I sat in the middle of my room popping hundreds of balloons until I discovered the hidden note. "We are over!" I immediately burst out laughing and called him to ask how he'd ever managed to blow up so many balloons!

That night Ken cooked me a candlelight dinner and took me to the Broadway musical, Avenue Q. Needless to say, our faux-breakup didn't last long. :)

 

 

Ken you're my love, and I'm so lucky to have you. Since you're kind of far away this Valentines Day, I thought I'd make you a ridiculous movie celebrating my undying adoration for you. It was made in the spirit of the Grammys, and Katy Perry (she's so pretty).

I love you! xoxoxoxo!

*Note: This is going to be the cheesiest thing you see all day. Or maybe ever.


Ken Boom from Kimia Ferdowsi Kline on Vimeo.

Have a beautiful weekend.

What are your weekend plans dear readers? Any valentines day dates? I can't wait to share with you the story of our first Valentines Day on Monday. :)

Until then, here are two paintings by one of my favorite artists, Damian Loeb. Fine art Fridays are now in effect. :) xo!

Vegan Challenge Update

The results are in!

Eating vegan was much easier than I expected. After a week, I feel much lighter in general and actually lost 3 lbs (wasn't even trying?). Also, I'm not craving sugar, which is bizarre considering my very very sweet tooth.

My favorite part about this experience was exploring all the veggie options out there. I've found so many vegan alternatives that I actually prefer to their meaty counterparts.

So I think from now on, I'm going to be veganish. There are certain foods I'm not ready to give up, but I'm excited about all the new delicious foods I've found.

Have any of you tried vegan diets? I'm so curious to hear your experiences! xo.

[image via What Katie Ate]

Flora Grubb for Valentines

Flora Grubb has done it again. Check out these beautiful love day gift ideas, brand new in their shop.

*A pair of hand-carved love birds:

This pair of birds carry a hand-stamped love note and a living air plant. Your honey is sure to get the message. :)

*Heart Woodcarvings:

These lovely works of wood art are the creation of San Francisco arborist Dave Marcoullier. Hand routed in solid walnut, every piece has its own unique wood grain and coloration. Give a true map of your heart this Valentine’s Day. :)

Visit Flora Grubb's webshop here to check out the rest of her wonderful gift ideas. Or join me this weekend for a shopping day (there's news of a sale). xo!

Love Eye Chart

Kenny's dad is an optometrist, so this love eye chart definitely resonated with me when I saw it!

Check out the rest of Tile Pendant Jewelry's adorable love charts on Etsy.

(via Sivan :)

Heart Cake

How cute would this cake be for a Valentines Day party?

Visit this blog for a full DIY tutorial. And get ready for a week of V-day inspired goodies. :)

From the studio

A new painting for your Saturday.

24"x32", oil on panel, and available for sale. Let a girl know if you're interested. :) xo.

Have a stunning weekend.

What are you weekend plans dear readers? Mine include lots of fun lunches with friends and some studio time in between. Here's to catching up on some well-needed sleep and staying warm wherever you are! 


ps. (the vegan challenge is going great so far :)

[photo via Lauren Ward]

Dear Creatures Spring '11

Have any of you pretty ladies or lovely lads seen Dear Creature's sneak peak photos on Facebook? They are pure magic.

I am 100% ready for spring, and I imagine all you East Coasters are as well. For once San Fran weather doesn't look so bad compared to Chicago's 22 inches of snow. :)

Anyone else out there with spring fever?

My 1 week Vegan Challenge!

After hearing about Oprah's 1 week vegan challenge today, I thought I'd jump on board to and give it a go! (Kyla, I hope you're smiling :)

 
I'm allergic to dairy as is, so I'm used to not eating cheese, milk, etc. And I've always had a really hard time with the way meat is farmed in our country, so I figure a 1 week vegan diet is doable.

Oprah's episode today focused on the importance of raising our consciousness as a society regarding the food we eat and where it comes from. And I know I could certainly use an increase in my foodie awareness. So here goes. 

What are you thoughts on veganism or the food industry?

[Images via What Katie Ate]