roughandperfect

change in the air

2011-10-25T06:43:00.001-07:00

time

2011-08-30T07:29:00.001-07:00

The kitchen reno has been massive and kept me from the studio for a good part of the summer ( there was also that beach vacation but a girl had to ha e fun sometimes!)

I spent all day yesterday getting the old appliances ready to sell- dumb I know, but after years of faithful service I felt like they deserved a sparkly send off-

I came into the studio this morning and decided to make 10 things all wrapped and ready for Chicago. I had these loose porcelain antlers lying around- I bound them in pairs and put a hook on the back- now back to scraping paint....

tangents

2011-08-01T17:07:00.001-07:00

I have been working on this project about Captain Cook for what seems like a really long time now- the intention was a sort of graphic novel told through objects. But there have been so many things I needed to learn to do, letterpress printing, screen printing, upholstery-but I love all that, I am sort of a process junkie. Oh and I had to teach myself to draw - at least a bit, I seem to have missed out on that skill, it was probably that same brilliant part of my brain responsible for not learning how to type. At any rate here are some early test cups, Doretha and Joseph Banks and a Kuri, a Hawaiian dog extinct in the 1800's.

the whole deal

2011-07-19T12:23:00.001-07:00

I have to admit I liked getting that hour shaved off unexpectedly- it made the pieces much simpler. I went back and changed the paper circle on # 3 to red and added some red felt discs to # 10. I think #'s 1 & 2

are part of something else but I am going to let #'s 7-10 hang together.

the rules

2011-07-19T10:52:00.001-07:00

Sometimes the rules change part way through the game - my time was suddenly sliced in half- what to do? Call a time out? I decided to see if I work faster...
here it is 10 things, 2 hours

hour #1

2011-07-19T10:24:00.001-07:00

Well here are the next 3

- 4 down, 6 to go

sometimes

2011-07-19T08:55:00.001-07:00

It has been a strange couple of months here - a swimming in the stew. Maybe sometimes it is good not to think too much. In that spirit... a game of sorts

The rules:

I have to make 10 things using odds and ends lying around the studio

I have 3 hours
I have to stop each hour and post my results

Here is thing one- don't ask me what it is - I haven't the slightest idea

GO

flying

2011-06-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

We started working on these kites during the deep sadness of these past few months- they are "Who says... Indoor kites". They are whisper light, incredibly thin, fragile and vulnerable but oh my can they fly.

2011-05-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

layer #3

2011-05-10T07:32:00.001-07:00

Somehow I thought these cards with 6 runs through the press would be just the thing

printed

2011-05-07T09:33:00.001-07:00

backgrounds for the bird clocks printed on glassine- I love that stuff!

Kind of a glorious mess

2011-05-03T07:00:00.001-07:00

Well the ICFF is in less than 2 weeks- we have changed our plan completely about 6 times- so many ideas, so little time....
The studio is in kind of a glorious mess at the moment- I'll post snippets when I can

sneak peek

2011-04-20T07:40:00.001-07:00

Here's a partial glimpse of a piece we are getting ready for a show in the fall- working title "When"

Intermission -

2011-03-12T13:48:00.000-08:00

So we are about 1/2 way with THIS IS A TEST - time for a break ....

Off to Calgary in the morning to do a short one-week residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts. I am bound and determined to knock out the Captain Cook story that I have been working on - trying to work on, thinking about working on. I have my books, my printer/scanner, polymer plates, linoleum blocks , long underwear and some new mittens - I'll keep you posted....

this is a test, cont....

2011-03-12T13:44:00.000-08:00

this is a test, cont....

2011-03-02T08:41:00.000-08:00

this is a test, cont....

2011-02-27T15:24:00.001-08:00

this is a test, cont....

2011-02-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

this is a test, cont....

2011-02-16T06:46:00.001-08:00

this is a test, cont....

2011-02-13T19:38:00.001-08:00

this is a test, cont....

2011-02-12T04:47:00.000-08:00

2011-02-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

this is a test, cont....

2011-02-08T15:22:00.000-08:00

this is a test

2011-02-07T19:18:00.000-08:00

Here you go sports fans - I will post this little story for you, a page a day

flying

2011-01-26T10:22:00.000-08:00

I have been messing around with small scale kites- this chair is 5" tall- I can fly it in my studio- who cares if it is 10 degrees outside....

nothing says fun like....

2011-01-17T14:22:00.000-08:00

Nothing says fun like
LOG LETTERS

Oh George

2011-01-10T11:26:00.001-08:00

Here's a piece we have been working on- you have got to love repurposing your own bits. Sort of like sausage making where they chop the animal up and stuff the mix in it's intestines- except here nobody gets hurt.
We have lovely wooden George from an elaborate July 4 th prank a few years back and porcelain dogs from a Dresden residency held together with a ceramic swag made of chandelier bits- if you look closely you may even find a sausage.

matchbooks part duex

2010-12-01T10:46:00.001-08:00

Printing printing the logs for the inside- hurry!
( I am printing them on wood - ha)

cold in the Plum

2010-11-27T11:20:00.001-08:00

Well it is cold here in Cleveland- seems the super cool building has no heat. We are toughing it out with lots of hot tea, blankets, and lucky for us a heating pad.

it's beginning to look a lot

2010-11-23T09:32:00.001-08:00

Like something or other.... I don't how it is where you live but here there are just not enough hours in the day. Gearing up for some holiday fun - look for us in Cleveland for Bizarre Bazar and in Chicago for Renegade. I am hoping to get these little treasures done ... we'll see

#39

2010-10-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

I got a call out of the blue- it turned into a story, a story that unfolded over 64 plates. The book comes next but it will have to wait until I get back from Hawaii- more on that later...

It's a wrap

2010-10-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

Busy here these last few weeks- am wrapping up (literally) a project. I'll work it backwards here over the next week or so

mini kitchen

2010-10-05T07:08:00.000-07:00

Talk about a bonus! We have a swell mini kitchen in a closet- the fridge is turquoise inside.

the big room

2010-09-30T16:22:00.001-07:00

Here's the "big room"- lots of stuff, almost have the print shop up and running. I got a super heavy sewing machine, I am a sucker for 2 tone green. I have a big quick dinnerware commission - love being able to pay the rent- then screening yardage and reupholstering. The dinnerware is a very simple funny story told across 64 plates...

tool room

2010-09-29T18:53:00.001-07:00

I like this room a lot- pegboards for tools, shelves for pencils, a big long table with my paper cutter and light box. Just the right amount of space for working on drawings or fiddly bits, everything close at hand.

the office

2010-09-28T13:16:00.001-07:00

So here is room #1- the office- Notice the fab vintage office furniture. I have a wheely chair- v important. Still need a rug and a dog bed for under the desk- put it on the list.

As promised

2010-09-27T10:18:00.001-07:00

My doctors assure me that the best way back from a long bout of amnesia is a systematic analysis of my surroundings. In that spirit this begins visual tour of the new studio...

The door- lovely weird metal with a mail slot - the numbers are a bit offensive- I see a new vinyl cut in my future. The green is a bit odd but with the brick it reminds me of an old H.A.Rey book so I am leaving that for now. Tomorrow.... the office room.

sweet return

2010-09-24T11:34:00.001-07:00

Oh my - where have I been? What is happening? I seem to be slowly recovering from a strange bout of amnesia- luckily even in my sleep I managed to work on the new studio - I will do a week of studio shots starting Monday- don't want to wake up too quickly now, do we?

finally!

2010-06-20T07:25:00.000-07:00

Well that took longer than I thought! I have a stack of 50 printed and bound book like things ready to go. Off to the airport for a Sunday drop in the box- got to love living in Columbus!

The street of Industry

2010-06-17T12:42:00.000-07:00

I have had my eye on this space for almost a year- back when rough and perfect was just a glimmer of an idea. I LOVE this street! Most of the buildings and businesses are from the 30's and 40's- there are upholsterers and bakers and printers- heaven. Stay tuned as we fix up our new digs....

We have a key!

2010-06-08T12:25:00.001-07:00

Just signed the lease to our new studio- move in day is the 15th....

printing

2010-06-06T07:39:00.001-07:00

I printed the cover for the catalog yesterday - lovely BK Rives with long edges ripped, double inked black on a Vandercook. I did the "rough and perfect" deboss at home on my little Kelsey- I need to get the text block printed up today, I have some ideas about that....

Back from the Furniture Fair!

2010-05-20T06:40:00.000-07:00

Steven arrived home last night with a station wagon full of goods- time to unpack and get the pieces properly photograhed for the soon to be printed catalog. Thanks to Eric for the fab digs in Chelsea, to Kurt for having a brother with fab digs, to Bob at Logan Elm Press for help with the printing, to the cast of thousands (literally) who helped us cover kids, dogs, jobs, etc. while we were away. And finally thanks to you dear reader, without whom this would all be for naught.

Heaven

2010-05-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

It was super great to meet Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge fame - I am a huge fan - glad to say the feeling is mutual -

look at this!

May 18th, 2010

icff 2010: circles

this week i’m going to be breaking down icff coverage by trends i noticed, whether it was based on shape, texture, or style. today i’m kicking things off with something i found myself noticing after i processed all of my images: circles galore! the past few shows have felt very focused on angular or faceted shapes (they were still there, more on them tomorrow) but i noticed a trend towards round shapes popping up in both wallpaper and furniture. so today i’ll be sharing 20 of my favorite round designs, ranging from turn tables and rugs to lighting and grand paper installations. enjoy! [image above: wooden george washington light by rough and perfect]

complete link here...ICFF 2010

ICFF day # 2

2010-05-16T12:00:00.001-07:00

Talked to tons af great designers and architects- super excited about new things on the horizon. Had a GREAT visit from a fabulous to be named guest- don't want to jinx it...

Opening day ICFF

2010-05-15T07:31:00.001-07:00

Finally all up and ready! Lots of last minute glitches- I lost a major part of our sign ( just the name) on the way in- Thank you Thank you to Jason for retreiving it from the floor and bringing it by. Almost got knocked silly by diesel fumes during set up- Steven's plane delayed- couldn't find the fab apartment where we are staying ( Thanks Kurt & Eric!) . But all is good and fine now- we will keep you posted....

getting ready

2010-05-03T11:13:00.001-07:00

So most of our pieces are super labor intensive. Here we are getting ready to drop some more glass for covers for some of the lights we will debut at the ICFF in about 2 weeks.

getting ready

2010-03-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

been pretty busy here in the top secret lab- I'll post delicious tidbits frequently as we get closer to the ICFF

big fun

2010-02-13T07:41:00.000-08:00

The newest piece of big fun arrived at rough and perfect yesterday. An Excelsior L-N press. I am going to take this lovely girl apart today and get her all cleaned up- big fun

Short List for Design Boom!

2010-01-28T07:05:00.000-08:00

Well.... we may not have won the big prize but we did manage to make the short list on Design Boom's Intelligent Hand competition. Over 3,000 designers from 88 countries entered - we were one of the few US entries to make it to the top 150 - Hooray for R&P - look for George to make his debut at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in NYC in May

http://www.designboom.com/contest/view.php?contest_pk=30&item_pk=36166&p=1

Is this really the end?

2009-12-06T18:56:00.000-08:00

As week twelve marks the end of this harrowing adventure, Mediocrity's fate is anything but certain.

We now join The Professor and Our Hero as they contemplate their next move...

Shock waves subside

As the island begins to sink

I think we got him

this time

Oh you know that

he'll be back

Either Him

His Damn Chicken

Tick...Tick...Tick...Tick...Tick...Tick...Tick...Tick...Tick...

2009-11-29T18:54:00.000-08:00

With only one week to go, the tension is high and the Professor and Our Hero have set into motion what we hope is the final chain reaction that will put Mediocrity in its place.

Let us check in and see where things stand

FIRST HIT THE BUTTON

THEN

FLIP THE SWITCH

THAT WILL

START THE CASCADE

IF WE ARE LUCKY

THE BOAT

WILL STILL BE THERE

MEDIOCRITY

SHRIEKS WITH RAGE

2009-11-22T20:09:00.000-08:00

The Professor and Our Hero find themselves once more up onto the breach as they race to end their conflict with mediocrity.

How will this all come together this week?

Let us tune in and see.

Racing up the steep path

Mediocrity fast on their heels

We need to buy some time

Where's the Dynamite?

Bam

Landslide

The Chamber Looms Ahead

How will this all end with only two more weeks to go?

Be Sure to Stay Tuned!

Scene 9: The Continuing Saga

2009-11-15T19:06:00.000-08:00

Watch Out!

Mediocrity's Chicken Strikes

And

Misses

We Need

To Get To

The Detonation Chamber

First

Where is It?

She Points

To the Smoking Volcano

What plans do the Professor and Our Hero have in Mind for Mediocrity?

Be sure to stay tuned only 3 more weeks remain.

2009-11-08T19:18:00.000-08:00

You can run but you cannot hide from the evils of Mediocrity-

Let us join The Professor and Our Hero on their latest adventure

Stunned by the blast

Evil Drops to its knees

The sheer Weight of Mediocrity

Threatens to collapse the tunnel

Up ahead is the Beach

But Wait

Mediocrity is Paralyzing

2009-11-01T17:52:00.000-08:00

How will the Professor and Our Hero cope this week?

Let us tune in and see:

We need to get out of here

The lingering smell of

Mediocrity is Paralyzing

Quick-

Down here-

Into the Secret Tunnel

Light the fuse NOW

And the saga continues with scene 6

2009-10-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

The Professor and Our Hero are once again confronted with their arch nemesis Mediocrity.

let us sit in:

Hurry!

We are getting closer

Mediocrity will be here any moment

My old Nemesis

Didn't he die

in the

Paris Experiment?

A Stench

fills the air

scene 5

2009-10-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

You're late

our hero has no idea who this fetching woman is

but before he has a chance

KABOOM!

a series of explosions rocks the lab

desire projected

2009-10-16T16:08:00.001-07:00

Just to show you that those story cups are not all that we are working on-
This porcelain service platter is hand printed with patterns derived from wallpapers and textiles from the 17 and 1800's. We love these for their oh so casual glimpse of the other-

Scene #4

2009-10-11T18:06:00.000-07:00

Oh what will happen to our hero this week? -

Let's review:

scene 1- a cloudless sky, an open ocean. A lone bird cuts across left, its harsh cry startling our hero. A loud thud, a deep splash and then

Scene 2 - Nothing. Senses heightened by weeks of this strange existence our hero turns. Far in the distance a shape appears on the horizon. Could it be

Scene 3 - Strange sounds filter across the water. Landfall at last. The disturbance seems to be coming from deep within a cleft in a rock. No time for

Scene #4

A faint light,

Our hero plunged into darkness.

the infernal noise stutters, stops

Creeping forwards

our hero is blinded.

Wonderland

at last

2009-10-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

2009-10-04T19:57:00.000-07:00

2009-10-04T19:54:00.000-07:00

2009-09-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

To Recap

Scene 1

A cloudless sky

An open ocean

A lone bird cuts across left

Its harsh cry startling out hero

A loud thud

A deep splash

and then...

Scene 2

Nothing...

Senses heightened by weeks

2009-09-27T16:07:00.001-07:00

of this strange existence
our hero turns
far off in the distance

a shape

appears on the horizon

could it be...

2009-09-20T18:26:00.000-07:00

Here it is - the long awaited tale - so without further adieu....

Cont....

2009-09-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

wait there's more

2009-09-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY

2009-09-18T09:49:00.001-07:00

Here's the rules of engagement as we know them so far
1 a story, a tale of adventure fabulous and spinechilling
2 Our story unfolds here over the next 12 weeks
3 Each installment is limited to 144 characters and spaces
4 The story sans visuals is twitted (tweeted?) every Monday at 9 am
5 The preplanning of either images or story is not allowed ( not that we would do that anyway but isn't it nice to have procrastination and last minute a driving principle?)
6 There is definetly a hero

In the cups

2009-09-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

So here is what is going on in the secret lab this week-a bit of a "novel" idea for the those literal minds. This tale of adventure and daring will unfold over the next 12 weeks- on tumblers - look for the first installment on Sunday....

lucky

2009-09-09T05:55:00.001-07:00

wrapping up some cups, drinking some nice hot hot coffee- it is a beautiful morning and I am feeling....

working on it

2009-09-01T16:16:00.000-07:00

The only thing better than George Washington is .... negative George Washington -

prototype pictured here - note the lovely cloth cord - clicks on from the top like an upside down medicine cabinet - we are going to tweak the image just a bit, other than that the only thing we are going to change is the wood - of course it has to be cherry...

eggy

2009-08-27T14:06:00.001-07:00

I must have grabbed the wrong bottle because what I thought would be black came out an inky smoochy blue. It makes the yellow eggy and floaty like custard. After my initial surprise I think I like it....

2009-08-21T08:06:00.001-07:00

and another

back from a short break

2009-08-21T08:03:00.001-07:00

Had a lovely time up north- time to get back to work. We had a donation of some lovely molds, clever we were gone when it came time to move them all. Here's a few I cruelly skimmed off the pile and started messing with-

something about birds

2009-08-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

There is something about birds - these come from a bit of wallpaper pattern - french 1750 - there is just one bird, sitting down low, looking up. I like them massed together and intense, a bit glaze drippy.

this looks closer to the original pattern - birds and fruit, but I can't help pulling the bits apart and rearranging them.

My new favorite bird - I am not sure if he is a crow or a raven ( well, he started out as a raven, but in my mind he sometimes changes to a crow to suit a literary or cultural reference).

"Crows love shiny" quote the raven....

Drink & Learn

2009-08-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

I've always loved these Golden Science books - there is something about a labeled diagram....particularly if it is of something split in half.

Maybe it is the implication of symmetry or knowledge revealed - maybe I am just a sucker for a good flat graphic - at any rate looking to at these Golden books gave me an idea for some cups - Look for them to show up in the next couple of weeks -

Drink & Learn

Slipcast porcelain/full color decals/overglaze enamels

luscious and instructional

2009-08-05T07:21:00.000-07:00

There is something about a nice stack of restaurant china waiting to play. These come from a variety of different sources - one of the best is the Seconds factory down in Logan. I like the long drive down through the hills, sorting through the bins,the lazy way home. I like the idea of the misfits, the discarded, getting a chance to play a better role than originally cast. The dishes in a strange way become a sort of liminal space for the images to interact. Middle girl and I were talking yesterday about the differences and overlaps between objects and words, discussing whether a word can really exist in a physical form, for is it not just a puff of air, a scrap of paper, a bit of light?

secret lab

2009-08-02T07:09:00.001-07:00

Deep underground in an undisclosed location is our secret lab - I was only allowed to post this one quick shot for fear of discovery.

we are here

2009-07-31T15:27:00.000-07:00

So here we are - welcome to rough and perfect. We'll be adding lots of new stuff to the web site in the next several weeks as we get up and running. The weather is fine here in Columbus - I'm off to shoot some pics of the secret laboratory - stay tuned -