Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse

Sean and I watched this whole moon event last night/early this morning. It was quite beautiful. Sort of reminded me of one of our designs. Not really, but here it is-

Celestial Landscape

John

Today is the 30th anniversary of John's death. Every year I try to make it over to Strawberry Fields, and I hope I can today, too.

BUST Craftacular! It's happening!

Come out on Sunday for a really big day of shopping. Support local and handmade :)

Christmas time is here

I love Charlie Brown. This song is so pretty and melancholy. It makes me depressed and joyful all at the same time.

AND...more new styles

These new beauties and more will be available this Saturday at 3rd Ward's Handmade Holiday Craft Fair in Brooklyn.

Style Sneak Preview

Here are 2 of our latest and greatest:

The Feather Scarf (working name)

And our first dress!

And a close-up!

Ignore the horrible photos, remember, this is just a preview.

The Byrds: It Won't Be Wrong

This is an awesome Byrds' song off their Turn! Turn! Turn! album from 1965. I just got this record and I love it and this is my favorite song and I'm sharing it with you 'cause it's so good. I almost didn't buy it because there was a nice big hole through the sleeve and it was curiously completely wrapped in plastic, like a new record. Despite not being able to inspect the condition the record was in, I'm glad I took a chance because it's perfect! Gotta take risks in this world.

The Unnamed Band: Recording!

We have been working on this band project for some time now. Through the various stages of writing, having a bass player, rehearsing, not having a bass player, looking for another bass player... we have now moved into RECORDING !

We've got at least 5 super duper tracks that we're laying down and they sound seriously good. I can't explain how excited I am to get these out and start playing live! Will keep you posted on any developments :)

we hope the songs will sound like they were recorded here:

but this is a little more like our recording setup:

It'll all work out fine I'm sure.

3rd Ward Handmade Holiday Craft Fair

Oh it's gonna be so sweet. You will come to Brooklyn and you will shop like there's no tomorrow. Yeah!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's every American's favorite holiday - Thanksgiving! Enjoy a great one :)

I love Andy Warhol

I've always admired Andy Warhol, his art is breathtaking to me, and I find him absolutely fascinating. It's funny that I've finally come around to silkscreening in my own work. These are but a smattering of my favorite pieces, including one collaboration with Basquiat.

Mission of Burma!

Mission of Burma is coming to NY in January and I've got my ticket already! Easily one of my very favorite bands, and the band I've seen in concert more than any other, they have influenced me in countless ways. So amazing, and not just a bit frustrating that they aren't better known.

January 29th at The Bell House, Park Slope. GO!

Out in the real world: Jackson Heights Craft Fair

Sean and I will be at the Jackson Heights Craft Fair in beautiful Jackson Heights Queens this Saturday (tomorrow!).

Stop by to see our newest styles including our so-new-that-no-photographs-of-it-exist Feathered scarf and Celestial Landscape v-neck tee. Plus lots of other delightful handmade lovelies.

At St. Mark’s Church
33-50 82nd Street
Jackson Heights, NY 11372

November 20th
11-4

Blur + Blondie

So, has anyone noticed how much Blur and all the 90's Brit-pop bands - save Oasis - totally took Blondie's sound? And if they try to deny that they're fans, I can pull out this picture...






and while I'm at it, this sounds just like "Heart of Glass" too:

Favorite colors

It's such a drab gray day here in NY, a post of some of my favorite colorful things seemed to be in order.

Music: A Tribe Called Quest

Two of my favorite Tribe songs. I just picked up The Anthology on vinyl and it sounds SO good. The beat and rhythm are so powerful, the bass reaches out and slaps you. In the best way. The abstract poetic representin' from Queens!

Watching: Raging Bull

Saw this last night at the Film Forum. I had never seen it and always wanted to, so I was very excited. and a bit anxious. I don't do so well with violence. Some parts were a little tough to watch for sure, but I handled it like a champ :)

I love Martin Scorsese, one of my favorite movies is Age of Innocence (perhaps his least violent film, although that's not the reason why I love it). Besides his being such a masterful filmmaker, what I really enjoy about his movies is how he documents the many different versions of his - and my - favorite city.

Reading: Naked Lunch

I started to read this years ago and couldn't figure it out. It has long been on my list of books to revisit, and now, I am thoroughly enjoying it. Burroughs was such an original thinker, with such an inquisitive mind. No one seems to have real ideas anymore!

It's a fascinating read, let me tell ya. And this cover is quite disturbing.

Artist: Luc Tuymans

I really love these paintings by Luc Tuymans. They are spare and evocative. This is one of the many painters that I struggle to emulate. I can only hope to paint so directly and effectively. He has a new show up now at David Zwirner, which I would very much like to see.

Music: Beck

Can I just tell you how much I love Beck? Lots. Are most people really able to appreciate how wonderful he is? I don't think so. But they should.

New Stuff!

A few of our latest creations:

The Paleolithic Hobby Horse Pullover

The Tassel Necklace

Website

Our website has been given a total overhaul, it looks nice and spiffy now.

You can see it for yourself - statesandkingdoms.com :)

Brooklyn Flea at One Hanson

S+K are going to be in attendance at the indoor Brooklyn Flea Sunday, October 17th. Come by if you are in the area! There will be lots of lovely people selling lovely things. And we've got some new stuff to show you, as well.

p.s. I spent most of the last 2 days updating and spiffing up our website.
Take a look HERE :)

Abstract Expressionist New York

Jackson Pollock. Number 1A, 1948.

Went to see this great show at MoMA last week.
This is, by far, my favorite period in art. I could stare at this Pollock all day.

Franz Kline. Chief, 1910-1962.

I love this one, as well. There is so much going on in what could appear to be a simple work.

New! The Chance Tank

The Chance Tank

In homage to Hans Arp. Our chance design is abstract and random - or is it divinely inspired?

Hans Arp, premier Dadaist, tore up paper, let it fall from his hands to scatter upon a surface, then he glued down the design, considering such chance patterns to be fate's work. "The law of chance, which embraces all other laws and is as unfathomable to us as the depths from which all life arises, can only be comprehended by complete surrender to the Unconscious."

..............................................................

Water-based ink hand printed onto an ultralight, oversized tank by American Apparel. Viscose, a rayon material that has a silky appearance and feel. This tank has a very sexy drape!

Available HERE

New! The Triple Helix Necklaces

These lovelies are now available in our shop :)

Moon Over Miami (1941)

The Op-Art Crop Top