Go Shoe Shopping in Your Own Closet...sort of.

one pair not-so-exciting shoes + 2 jars angelus leather paint = new swell-egant shoes! For less than $10!

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A rainbow of choices & a whole new wardrobe of footwear awaits!

Angelus paints $3.10 ea

Also great on leather belts, leather purses, leather journals, leather furniture, leather car upholstery, leather luchador masks, etc. etc.

JOURNALING IN A DISTURBED SOCIETY

The function of the artist in a disturbed society is to give awareness of the universe, to ask the right questions, and to elevate the mind.

Marina Abramovic

I once saw Marina Abramovic at a museum in Amsterdam. She was nude inside of a glass box suspended from the ceiling performing (semi)normal daily functions like putting on and taking off shoes.

I was really there for a Schiele exhibit, but over the years I have thought more about the performance piece. I think the message was: be aware of the small things in life, the daily rituals, and the things that seem commonplace, but could be acknowledged as special if looked at differently. (Or possibly done in the buff.)

And to bring this full circle….could that also be the function of a journal? Or sketchbook? Why not take this opportunity to start one while our society is extra-disturbed and everyone could use a little more clarity.

For exactly $10 including tax you can buy this Shizen journal, two tubes of paint, and a brush. Make it look way cooler, and start a new journey into the depths of your inner psyche. Pages are unlined so good for drawing too. Many colors of paint and journals available for same deal!

FIRST IN A SERIES OF PROJECT IDEAS TO MAKE AT HOME FOR LESS THAN $10

PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAP & COME UP WITH MORE WAYS TO SAY: “STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM ME” (but with more humanity and loving kindness!) BUY 6 FABRIC MARKERS ANY SIZE FOR LESS THAN $10

Or go for subtlety. Nothing says “back off” like Cerberus, the three-headed hound from hell.

REMEMBER- WE ARE OPEN AT THE COVINGTON LOCATION ONLY. CALL FOR INFO OR CURBSIDE!

985-809-6854 Mon- Sat 10-2

TAKE CARE OF YOUR COMMUNITY- ARTS & OTHERWISE

A wise woman I know sent me this thought:

There is no one path forward, except to resolve to care for others & ourselves with a ferocity of intention that will be the hallmark of these times in the history books.

How eloquently put. I would add: Maintain a sense of humor, be willing to evolve, and take advantage of healthy creative outlets for stress relief!

We look forward to a return to a healthier community and ACCESS TO friends, family & OUR BELOVED CUSTOMERS. For now remember- where there’s a will there’s a way. You may not have all the colors you need, but you will learn to mix!

FOR THE LOVE OF FLORA

On a recent trip to Philadelphia with my mother, we were reminded that an artful life is lived not just in the studio, but in the garden, the kitchen, the workplace…you get the picture. And one creative pursuit tends to fuel another. After visiting the Flower Show and Longwood Gardens, any artist would be hard pressed not to delve into a gorgeous landscape or still life painting….Or maybe a dark, angry expressionist rant- if this is all just too much prettiness for you!

Longwood Gardens spectacular interior landscapes!

Words can not describe the conservatories at Longwood Gardens when thousands of additional plants are added to the already mind boggling diversity for their annual Orchid Extravaganza. Plants are coerced to grow from hanging orbs, wrapped around columns and in endless drifts of color on the gnd.

Orchids and blooming succulents with a forsythia hedge in the background!

Philadelphia Flower Show Favorites

The Philadelphia Flower Show highlights the work of floral designers and plant enthusiasts who transform blooms into spectacular compositions of their own. From over-the-top luscious to restrained ikebana, the arrangements and installations were inspired!

A pergola dripping in citrus garland with a raised herb garden below.

Of course it’s always nice to come home to our own abundance of local Louisiana flora…..

Even when faced with the reminder that great achievements often involve a LOT of weeding!

MARDI GRAS 2020 SCHEDULE

MO’S will CLOSE:

3:00 PM ON SAT FEB 22nd for Endymion Parade (New Orleans store ONLY!!)

HEY! WE RENT PARKING SPOTS IN OUR SIDE LOT. ONLY 2 BLOCKS FROM ENDYMION PARADE ROUTE. PUT YOUR CAR OUT OF HARM’S WAY & INTO THE CAPABLE HANDS OF THIS QUALIFIED PARKING ATTENDANT!

Exquisite headpiece worn by parking attendant made with supplies from Mo’s!

MO’S will CLOSE:

ALL LOCATIONS

HALF DAY MON FEB 24th for Lundi Gras

ALL DAY TUES FEB 25th for Mardi Gras

ALL DAY WED FEB 26th for Ash Wednesday (Hangover Abatement & Bead Assessment Day)

Art headpiece made by my brother and modeled by Ella. Prevents being heard and makes drinking extremely difficult, so great if you’re up for a silent, sober Mardi Gras experience! I’m sure he’ll take commissions.

As they say at Mardi Gras time…LAZY LAY BONG BONGS RULE LAY!

ARTY GIFTS, SMARTY PRICES

Simone’s Picks for Holiday Giving

A neighbor when I was growing up (who is now a famous New Orleans color consultant) loves to remind me of a story from my childhood. I had gone holiday shopping with my mother, and he asked me if I had found anything I liked. I told him there was a red coat I loved, but we didn’t buy it. My mother said, “But it’s still fun to look, right?” To which I replied, “But it’s more fun to buy!” In tribute to Louie (and the fact that he continues to back me up) here are a few items which should be fun to buy & won’t break the bank!

Festive felted animals are great alone, but better in a group! Make into garlands, tuck in a wreath, or hang as ornaments. 9.99-11.99

Buddha Boards now come in colors- how fun! A great stocking stuffer for all the doodlers in your life. 14.99

Turn a bottle of something into a good laugh…..before it’s ever opened! Wine tag cards 5.99

(Yes, we just so happened to have two gigantic bottles of rum hanging around the store. We used to have an Icee machine, and….well it’s a long story)

We have HARD TO FIND Copic sets priced competitively with the internet! Limited availability, check store locations

Hanji notebooks made with beautiful mulberry paper and screened with stylish graphics. Brand new from Itoya. 18.00-20.00 (worth every penny for a discriminating treat!)

NOT your average Christmas cards! My fave is the Ebenezer Scrooge quote! All of these happen to be letter pressed. 4.00-6.00

Everyone needs a helping hand at the holidays. If you have been in the stores you will know I find anything shaped like a hand irresistible. Use these for cards, place cards, photos, theater tickets, parking tickets, etc. etc. 7.99-15.99

Organize with style using these mod ceramic pots. (also work well for plants or nuts) 9.99

We have TONS of cute things for kids & tweens. This sampling ranges from 4.00-13.99

P.S. If you loved the awesome backgrounds in our photo shoot, come look at our HUGE array of decorative papers!

Mo, Mo, Mo! Hairy Christmas!

THANKSGIVING BREAK SCHEDULE & SOME FUN HOLIDAY DEFINITIONS

Snood (anatomy)

Anatomical structures on the head and throat of a domestic turkey. 1. Caruncles, 2. Snood, 3. Wattle (Dewlap), 4. Major caruncle, 5. Beard

In anatomical terms, the snood is an erectile, fleshy protuberance on the forehead of turkeys. Most of the time when the turkey is in a relaxed state, the snood is pale and 2-3 cm long. However, when the male begins strutting (the courtship display), the snood engorges with blood, becomes redder and elongates several centimetres, hanging well below the beak (see image).[ Who knew?

Snoods are just one of the caruncles (small, fleshy excrescences) that can be found on turkeys.

snood

/sno͞od/

noun

1. 1.

   an ornamental hairnet or fabric bag worn over the hair at the back of a woman's head. Now also available for men, but to be worn on the front of the head.

We will be closed a half day on Wednesday, November 27th through Friday, November 29th. We will reopen for SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY on November 30th. Wear a snood of your choice and receive a prize! Gobble, gobble.

The World Is Your Studio

A fellow Mo once said: My wish is to stay always like this, living quietly in a corner of nature.

IT MUST HAVE BEEN NICE TO BE CLAUDE. BUT SINCE MOST OF US DON’T LIVE LEISURELY lives AMONGST OUR GARDENS AND LILY PONDS, IT’S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO FIND SOME TIME TO COMMUNE WITH NATURE. THINK OF YOUR ART SUPPLIES AS THE CONDUIT TO a FULLER APPRECIATION OF ALL THE BEAUTY AROUND YOU (THAT’S NOT ON YOUR SCREEN)!

You should spend 20 minutes a day out in nature, unless you’re too busy. In that case, you should spend an hour.

Gaga painting some abstracted landscapes inspired by our front garden.

SINCE THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR IN LOUISIANA THAT WE START THINKING ABOUT GOING OUTSIDE AGAIN, HERE ARE A COUPLE OF OPTIONS TO HELP YOU HAVE A DELIGHTFUL EN PLEIN AIR EXPERIENCE…..

THIS FANCIER SET-UP INCLUDES THE NEW SIENNA POCHADE BOX (which we have heavily discounted, and will be featuring at demo day!), A COLLAPSIBLE LEATHER STOOL, SOME GIANT DAVINCI COSMOTOP BRUSHES, AN ARCHES WATERCOLOR BLOCK, SOME DANIEL SMITH COLORS, A COUPLE OF BLACKWING PENCILS, AND A NIFTY RED BAMBOO BRUSH ROLL-UP. FOR THOSE WHO CAN SWING IT, THIS IS A GREAT SET-UP!

THIS SUPER PORTABLE MINI STUDIO WILL ALLOW YOU TO IMPULSIVELY STOP AT ANY AVAILABLE TREE STUMP OR BENCH AND START PAINTING. THIS SET-UP INCLUDES A SENNELIER TRAVEL WATERCOLOR SET, HANDBOOK WATERCOLOR JOURNAL, 10 WELL ENAMELED METAL PALETTE, PLASTIC WATER DROPPER, RAPHAEL SYNTHETIC TRAVEL SIZE BRUSHES, AND A HANDLE-LESS MUG WITH IMPRESSIONS OF MODERN ARTISTS WHO HAVE COME BEFORE YOU. FITS SNUGLY IN A SMALL BAG AND AWAY YOU GO.

AIMING FOR 100% IN LOUISIANA

I applied to participate in a round table discussion about community develpment and the arts sponsored by Americans for the Arts. I did not get a spot, but when I got my rejection email it had this awesome message at the bottom. So time NOT wasted! Here’s hoping that 72% is growing with your help and mine!

A Brief Reflection on the Whitney Biennial & All the Artists who DON'T get in...

“Without monsters and gods, art cannot enact a drama.” Mark Rothko

I love to see an all contemporary show and the crazy diversity of artistic expression as people endlessly, tirelessly respond to the world we’re living in through their work. It’s always a mixed bag for me- some pieces so exciting and others pretty blah. But that’s the subjective world of art we choose to hang around in, right? I’ve read a few reviews, and I am not alone in thinking that this piece by Janiva Ellis was one of the most striking and thought provoking in the show. It is addressing a current hot-button topic, but processed and spit back out through the extraordinary lens of this artist’s brain. I’m not going to comment on the politics or who the “monster” facilitating this drama might be- ahem…

Janiva Ellis, Uh oh, Look Who Got Wet, 2019

Strolling through this highly curated exhibit, I’m always struck thinking about all the amazing artists whose work doesn’t make it into the museum. This piece reminded me of two other visionaries in our midst who are deserving of a place amongst the most interesting contemporary artists I know- Alex Mollere and Jim Graham. Mark Rothko also said “The dark is always on the top.” Without the sinister edge, none of these beautiful paintings would be as intriguing, and maybe nor would the world we live in. See what you think…..(and by all means Google these guys.) Maybe one day you will see them hanging at the Whitney, and you can say you saw them first on this blog!

Alex Mollere, Fight!, 2016

Jim Graham, Untitled, 2015

BACK TO SCHOOL SALE FALL 2019!

Even if you are not a student, now is the time to take advantage of great discounts for Back to School.

Savings on Gamblin Oil Paints, Golden Acrylics, Rives BFK paper, and so much more……

Select sizes of canvas 75% off while they last at Covington & New Orleans stores only

LSU pre-assembled kits at deep discounts for foundation level courses: drawing, 2D design, and printmaking AT BATON ROUGE STORE ONLY

HIGH TECH MOMENTS

TURNS OUT MY 10 YR OLD CAN USE HER I-PAD TO FIND COOL IMAGES TO DRAW, AND USE HER SISTER’S I-PAD TO RECORD HERSELF IN TIME-LAPSE DOING THE DRAWING! I HAVE JUST HIRED HER AS OUR NEW WEB MASTER.

re: the low tech component, these watercolor pans are at all locations of Mo’s for under 10 bucks!

LOW TECH MOMENTS

EVERY SUMMER WE SPEND 10 DAYS IN THE BACK WOODS OF MISSISSIPPI WITH NO TV, NO INTERNET, AND VERY BAD CELL SERVICE. IT’S AMAZING WHAT GETS ACCOMPLISHED! USING ONLY CHEAP ACRYLICS AND OLD PAINTBRUSHES MY TWO KIDS AND I PAINTED THIS 10 FT LONG X 8 FT TALL ABSTRACT MURAL IN 1.5 HOURS.

Our mostly beige plywood cabin is now uber colorful!

WARNING: DO NOT TRY TO PLAN. THE BEAUTY OF THIS TYPE OF MURAL IS THAT IT EVOLVES ORGANICALLY WITH EVERYONE JUST WORKING OFF OF EACH OTHER, MAKING IT GREAT TO DO WITH KIDS!

(I did the flowers for my aunt and uncle’s 50th wedding anniversary. Congrats Margaret & Fred!!!!)

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Simone's Picks July 2019

“The signs of excessive indulgence in this destructive pastime are easily detectable. They are these: A disposition to eat, to drink, to smoke, to meet together convivially, to laugh, to joke, and tell indelicate stories— and mainly, a yearning to paint pictures.”

Mark Twain

(WARNING: Don’t Google this quote. It’s quite lewd if you know the context. We will pretend he’s talking about shopping for art supplies)

INDULGENCE

Isacryl brushes- The best acrylic painting brushes you will ever own.

$10ish-$75ish with discount

CHEAP THRILL

Niji watercolor metallic pans- We push these on professional artists as much as kids because they perform SO well and are SO cheap.

$5ish set of 16, $8 set of 21

REASONABLE AND COMPLETELY STYLISH

Kaweco pens- My favorite is the “Sport” in British racing green.

$27ish

(I also like green ink, but it is considered by some to be the medium of the lunatic fringe???)

Blackwing pencils- Be instantly more hip when you are seen writing with one of these.

$1.75ish

NON-ART SUPPLY GREAT DESIGN

Giraffe paper towel holder- Who would not want this in their studio, or kitchen, or bathroom? Or use it without the paper towels as a whimsical sculpture anywhere you want!

$30ish

FOR KIDS

Eeboo quirky embroidered backpack (for carrying art supplies of course)- There is so much detail on these awesome backpacks and lunch totes. Skip the Disney merch and go for one of these instead!

$40ish

VINTAGE FIND (Get it now because this will never happen again)

Collection of Italian hand-marbleized end papers- I have a secret source who squirrels away things that no one else knows what to do with and presents them to me like a genie in a bottle. I’ll never tell!

These exquisite papers are available to you for $10 a sheet or we can negotiate for the whole kit and caboodle.

 Stay tuned for new picks each month…..

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ORGANIZATIONS WE SUPPORT

DID YOU KNOW………

The money you spend at Mo’s goes back into your arts community through donations we make to organizations including:

NOCCA

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art

KID SmART

New Orleans Academy of Fine Art

The Art Garage

Longue Vue Gardens

Arts Council of Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge Gallery

Baton Rouge Botanical Gardens

Knock Knock Children’s Museum

St. Tammany Art Association

Boys and Girls Club

St. Tammany Parish Hospital Arts in Medicine

St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs

...and many, many schools and other worthy causes needing auction items!

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