I love seeing an aesthetic that contradicts American cultural norms. I took these at Japan Town in Cambridge, Ma.

This is a zany piece of ceramic.

This slightly disturbing cat is huge and works as the signage.

Mike Lowery writes me:

“Hey folks,
I just wanted to let you know that I have started an online shop over
at ETSY with some new prints.
They are BUNNIES IN TOKYO! and BUNNIES EATING DIM SUM!
(both are very limited edition!)
Thanks!”
Mike Lowery

I took these photos for you, my loyal readers, for color inspiration, from a recent visit to Quebrada Baking Company in Arlington, MA.

You cannot have too many sprinkles.

It’s funny about Jon. I think he’s been with me for eight years. I’ve loved his work and his warm ways (“I’m ‘Jim’ on the Office” says Jon.) But the funny thing is, as I started to say before I interrupted myself, is that, even though he helped create the look of Starbucks collateral and interior store imagery, he was slow to be received in editorial and in surface design. Clearly, he was ahead of his time. I am happy to say that now he is very busy with wonderful jobs. I’ll post his children’s book work here at some point.

Enjoy his napkin collection and the banners he did for Surtex.

I am very happy when I float around our Nordstrom. The people are happy, the lighting is sparkly, the handbags and shoes are exciting. It is my Disneyland. And I love that they show huge, original art. I’ve taken these for you. These pieces are HUGE.

God, I forget who this artist is. I know one of you, loyal readers, will know who it is.

Sorry for the horrible crop. But look at this rather runny, bleeding inkwork piece gracing the shoes department:

Here’s Lisa DeJohn’s rough for the Land of Nod cover. Giving the art director such a clear, clean rough prevents problems down the road.

Here is the charming finished illustration:

Can you guess what flower these seed pods are from? Peonies. Really. What amazing forms.

Recent illustrations by Jon. These are great spot illos.

Mike emailed us this picture and says “Ladies, I thought you all would like to see this. Sometime last year I got an email that said something along the lines of ‘I like your work. I thought you might like this image.’ ”

I collect Barbara Eigan vases. This one has a really chunky floral motif in bulge-y relief. My garden flowers are mint, peonies and sweet william.