I finally saw Gertie's directorial debut, Whip It. The movie is predictable, but makes up for it's lack of originality with loads of charm, ass kicking roller derby chicks, an all-girl food fight, and a great soundtrack. I particularly loved this dreamy song by Swedish troubadour Jens Lekman that played during Ellen Page's "losing her virginity in the pool" scene. The humorous/romantic lyrics are sexually ambiguous, involve avocado, blood, and a trip to the E.R. I hear a good dollop of Morrissey, a hearty scoop of Jonathan Richman, a few tablespoons of Billy Bragg, and a soupçon of Damien Dempsey in Mr. Lekmans winsome warbling. He recorded this song in 2007 and doesn't seem to have done anything since then, so Jens, get cracking.

Download "Arms Around Me" or check out Jens' "Presents" page for a slew of other free mp3's.

New hand-poured, 32 oz. clean scented soy candles will be making their debut at the opening of the Rural Modernist holiday pop-up store event later this month. Each one is decoupaged by moi with assorted ephemera that I've been collecting for a zillion years to make each one truly one-of-a-kind and way cooler than some vanilla scented monstrosity from Yankee Candle at the mall. Each one comes with a Rural Modernist matchbox, too.

I also have a selection of votives that have random words, science, and math graphics on them. These are from a series of little flash cards from the 40's I found in a barn sale in Woodstock. Just sorting through the hundreds of cards makes me feel smarter. Each of these are packaged individually and are ideal for stocking stuffing.

NOTE: Since there's no actual foot traffic in Stone Ridge and the studio has exploded with saw dust, Frisket Film, masking tape, and spray paint fumes, I've decided to forego opening on weekends and will re-open later this month as a holiday pop-up store. There will be a proper launch party for the studio and the debut of the new paintings, candles, soaps, ceramics, boxed Handsome Devil Press holiday cards just in time for your seasonal shopping needs. 

Join our page on Facebarf and follow us on Twatter so you don't miss out!

Rural Modernist Studio

3780 Main Street (rear cottage)

Stone Ridge, NY 12484

I started doing these paintings a few months ago and something was missing: COLOR. That's no longer a problem since I received my shipment of professional graffiti artist quality spray paints from 33third.com in L.A. I've been having a blast making these new paintings and I think they compliment the organic shapes of my ceramics nicely. The title of the collection wasn't planned, but as I started doing more of them a theme developed. As I cut out each shape, a little voice in my head kept saying "wishbones and kidneys, wishbones and kidneys..." I'm sure it was the spray paint fumes. 

Peeling off the masking tape to reveal the color underneath is my favorite part. 

I love the combination of orange, chocolate, and cyan.

I might keep this one for myself.

NOTE: Since there's no actual foot traffic in Stone Ridge and the studio has exploded with saw dust, Frisket Film, masking tape, and spray paint fumes, I've decided to forego opening on weekends and will re-open later this month as a holiday pop-up store. There will be a proper launch party for the studio and the debut of the new paintings, and you can do some holiday gift shopping while you're at it. We will have boxed Handsome Devil Press holiday cards, new scented candles, handmade soaps, outsider art, and more. 

Join our page on Facebarf and follow us on Twatter so you don't miss out!

Rural Modernist Studio

3780 Main Street (rear cottage)

Stone Ridge, NY 12484