The Magpie was very honored to meet artist Nikki McClure at the recent BAM Ignite event at the Bellevue Arts Museum. She has a stunning exhibit, Nikki McClure: Cutting Her Own Path, on display until February 3 of next year at The Bellevue Arts Musuem, which I highly recommend going to see, if you live in the area. Chances are you've probably seen her incredible cut paper illustration on book and album covers, and my personal favorite, on children's books, which I think showcases her work marvelously. The dramatic contrast of the cut black paper against white or colored backgrounds lend themselves perfectly for children's books, and her work has such a narrative storytelling aspect. 

If you see Nikki McClure's exhibit, you get a chance to see original work and by getting up close, you can see every slice that renders a single piece of paper into a delicate lattice portrait. Admiring that level of handcraft and skill makes me think of jade or bone sculptures, where intricate carvings are made from a single piece of material. And she has a display of her sketchbooks and watercolors, along with a box of used Xacto blades to get a sense of her process and what it takes to inspire and create such beautiful pieces. Also -- put it on your calendar, she's doing a reading at Bellevue Arts Museum on December 8th, from 1-1:30pm! Visit the museum's event page for more details.

If you don't live in the area, fear not! Her books are my Fancy recommendation for the holidays. For the art collector and appreciator, {4} Collect Raindrops is a collection of McClure's work. There are fun books like {3} Things to Make and Do, to inspire the artist in everyone with simple projects. For the family she has several children's books like {2} Mama, Is It Summer Yet, {1} All In a Day, or for the mom to-be, {5} The First 1000 Days. I love giving her books to friends with children because there is always an emphasis on being close with nature and the whole food movement. It introduces simple, healthy habits to children like the benefits of gardening, going to a farmers market and just being hands-on with what goes on their plate. She's also done the cover art for grown-up books like Manifestos on the Future of Food and Seed, a collection of essays about the sustainable food movement. 

Art that speaks to body and soul, this is something this Bird can flap her wings about. Nikki McClure's books can be found in bookstores and online, and a quick way to get them is at BuyOlympia.com -- that's where I did a bunch of shopping myself!    

Jaunty Fine Print: Books available in stores, or for purchase on Nikki McClure's website

Winter's official first day was December 21st, but after the holidays, when the Christmas trees start disappearing and the holiday lights start coming down (unless you're one of those who leave 'em up till March -- you know who you are!), the gloomy days of Winter seem more apparent. Over the holidays, the Birdy had this talk with friends, right on Christmas Day, funny enough, and we all agreed that even the most dreary of days don't seem as bad when you're surrounded by the glow of holiday lights and sparkle all around. But once it's all put away, it's hard to keep a cheery spirit, especially when the sun disappears by five and it's dark as pitch out there. At least, that's how it is up here in the Pacific Northwest.

So I turn to the holiday gifts from friends and family to add some brightness to the gloomy days -- there were some particularly sparkly items that pair so nicely with an icy chill. While they can't warm my feet like a pair of wooly socks, they do warm my spirit and soul, when the days are short and the nights are long. You need a little sparkle to shine through the dreary days, no?

To pair with some winter sparkle, here's an exerpt from a poem by Thomas Campion, reminding us of the cozy comforts of winter, which is something not to be forgotten:

Now winter nights enlarge
This number of their hours;
And clouds their storms discharge
Upon the airy towers.
Let now the chimneys blaze
And cups o'erflow with wine,
Let well-tuned words amaze
With harmony divine.
Now yellow waxen lights
Shall wait on honey love
While youthful revels, masques, and courtly sights
Sleep's leaden spells remove.

Jaunty Fine Print: photos by Denise Sakaki, gifts by wonderful sweet friends and family - thank you! xoxo