simplepretty

philo apple farm, june 2010

California artist Rae Dunn is perhaps best known for her lovely ceramic range (an elegant minimalist’s delight) and her artful living style, as featured in the latest around Fog Linen. I’ve been following her for years now, finding myself drawn to her approach to simple living and her impeccable eye. My favorite thing about Rae, though, has to be her blog, for it’s there that she shares “Fridays from the Sketchbook”, a weekly drawing from her sketchbook(s). (I had an “aha” moment in October when I learned that she was responsible for the line drawings for some of my favorite pieces at Small Square Design.) I eagerly await each Friday’s entry, curious to see what she’ll be chronicling: a travel memory, a favorite possession, or some quotidian delight. Some of my favorites are shown here (I’ve added the month they were featured in case you want to go back + do “research”):

chair, october 2009

le labo rose 31, november 2010*

sardines, july 2009

wardrobe, september 2009

I thought it might be nice to learn a little more about Rae, and she’s graciously agreed to be the first to answer my “Getting to Know ___” questions. So without further ado,

Getting to Know: Rae Dunn

I start my day …. i start my day with a VERY large cup of tea (that magically appears on my bedside table every morning . . . thanks to husband) and then either a yoga class or a run. i like to ease into the day slowly with a clear head. my idea of hell is having to wake up to an alarm clock (i don’t even own one) and rushing to work.

Inspired by …. i am inspired by simplicity, unexpected beauty (as in a pile of garbage, rusty bottle caps and washers on the street, found items, . . . ), nature, dreams, old weathered things, linen, wire, life, . . .

Favorite place …. my favorite place is any flea market in the south of france (or any flea market, really) and my home office, which is filled with my favorite objects, books, art supplies, music, and a huge desk.

Never without …. i am never without a sketchbook, a black uni-ball micro pen (the ONLY pen i will write with) and wilma.

In 2011, I hope to …. in 2011 i hope to WORK LESS + LIVE MORE. my goals are to live with more intention, to feed my creative soul, to try new things, to slow down.

Thanks, Rae! I’d like to add that you have excellent taste in pens, and a quick hello to sweet Wilma, too :)

all images courtesy of rae dunn *including one of the best scent EVER