I was first introduced to Alison Shaw’s work when visiting a friend on Martha’s Vineyard in the early ’90s. Since then, Alison’s West Tisbury Lamb has become one of my favorite baby gifts. But it wasn’t until I visited her site recently that I realized the breadth of her work. Ranging from abstract seascapes to striking black & white architectural images to the colbalt blues of her collection from Greece, Alison’s portfolio includes sheer beauty for walls. As a fledgling artist myself, I’m particularly drawn to her images from artists’ studios, proving that a messy space — in and of itself — can be stunning.
Posters, notecards, and books available online. Fine art photography prints available at Alison’s gallery in Oak Bluffs, exhibits listed here, or by calling 508-696-7429.
Images: Alison Shaw
I’ve been in love with built-in bookshelves for as long as I can remember. Maybe it’s that they remind me of my childhood home, or maybe it’s just that I knew from early on, without really knowing, that built-ins can be a beautiful way to maximize a space and make it feel positively custom. Whatever the reason, I have been ripping out pictures of built-ins and fantasizing about them since I started hoarding home design magazines a decade ago.
Last summer I was poking around a bookstore in Vermont and came across Mice, Morals & Monkey Business, an incredible children’s book filled with gorgeous block prints by artist Christopher Wormell. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it – not for our kids’ library, but for my kitchen wall.
The Mudroom 