In Issue No. 11, chef, writer, and activist Bryant Terry was among the contributors to the “Screen Play” column, sharing one of his favorite food-related flicks. One of Bryant’s missions has been to redefine soul food. Modern comfort foods associated with the soul food—like fried chicken, and biscuits and gravy—aren’t on anyone’s health food lists. But Bryant points out that the traditional daily diets of African-Americans of past generations were full of healthy foods like leafy greens and legumes. In his cookbook Vegan Soul Kitchen, Bryant’s delicious recipes focus on this side of southern cooking. And with a nod to jazz jam sessions, Bryant’s latest cookbook, The Inspired Vegan, is focused on his favorite preparation and cooking techniques, as well as basic recipes with room to improvise and make them your own.
I often find myself searching for inspiration for a particularly delicious meal when I have vegan or vegetarian friends coming to dinner. Next time I’m planning a meal to share, I’m sure I’ll be looking to Bryant’s delicious recipes!
{Images from Bryant Terry}
Waaay back in Issue No. 5/Fall 2011, in our “Conversation” feature, we visited with Keith Johnson—an art and antiques buyer for Anthropologie. When we asked him for his motto, he told us: “You only regret the things you leave behind. So many people tell me stories of things they wish they had bought.” My story of regret dates back a number of years and involves a painting by San Francisco artist Jen Garrido. I came across it at the SFMOMA Artists Gallery; I believe it was during one of their big warehouse sales. After much deliberation, I decided not to buy it—and I still regret that decision.
Since then, in addition to her fine art, Jen has started a line called Jenny Pennywood. It includes custom work (such as patterns devised for special events), as well as a products with motifs of her own design. The latter are a great, affordable way to own one of Jen’s creations. And these will tide me over until I’m able to acquire one of her original art pieces!
Zippered pouches available in the Jenny Pennywood shop
Jenny Pennywood pillows available at The Curiosity Shoppe
Years ago, an artist friend introduced me to a small screenprinting device called Gocco. I liken it to the Easy Bake Oven of printing because it relies on flash bulbs to operate. In 2008, Gocco’s manufacturer, Riso, closed its doors. Thus, my foray into printing pretty much ended, too.
Which is why I was both thrilled and envious when I met Kate Roebuck—who works for Hable Construction and also runs her own fantastic site, Bowerbird (she and her sister-in-law make and sell limited-edition art and accessories). Kate’s Oxford, Mississippi, home was featured in Issue No. 8/Summer 2012 of Anthology. And while I love her decor—everything seems to have some personal significance to Kate and her husband—it’s the outdoor space and how she uses it that I can’t get over.
“My neighbors think I’m cuckoo because I am almost always doing a project of some sort outside,” she told us. Screenprinting is just one of those projects. And, when photographer Thayer Allyson Gowdy shot her house earlier this year for our print pages, she was also able to capture Kate at work. I hope you enjoy this peek at her process as much as I did. (Now I’m inspired to hunt down some Gocco supplies on eBay!)
by meg on October 8, 2012
Did you see Erica Tanov’s home and studio in Issue No. 8 (“Lived-Grandeur,” page 22)?
When I stepped into it a few months ago, I was immediately filled with envy; the same kind of envy that overcomes me when I see a woman with that didn’t-try-at-all hairdo. (You know what I’m talking about.)
Truly, Erica’s home is every bit as gorgeous, ethereal, and effortless as it looks in the article. In the words of Rod Hipskind, the prop stylist for the story, “There’s so much soul in this home. It’s a home that styles itself.” (But not to be a man out of job, he did add some of his own touches to the place during the shoot!)
Kelly Ishikawa, the photographer, and I were overwhelmed by how much detail there was in just Erica’s sitting room alone. We joked that we could have spent a full day simply shooting in that small space. So even though we dedicated 12 pages to Erica’s home and studio in Issue No. 8, here’s what we weren’t able to share with you in the magazine’s print pages.
{Photographs by Kelly Ishikawa}
by meg on September 28, 2012
A home often has many layers, but it would be a tall order to explore every layer and detail when we feature a home in the magazine. It’s just not possible. Luckily, the blog gives us the space to share some of those fun bits and pieces that didn’t quite make it into the print article. And sometimes the side story can be just as gratifying as the main feature, as was the case with Meiko Arquillo’s home in Los Angeles.
When we shot Meiko’s home a few months ago for Issue 8 (“Pure & Simple,” page 34) I enjoyed its clean, minimal style with moments of whimsy (case in point, the giant cat painting in her bedroom on page 39). I remember thinking her home was both mature and youthful at the same time—and it worked seamlessly. I also noticed a ubiquitous pattern throughout it: gingham.
So while photographers Julia Galdo and Cody Cloud were busy capturing the images that would eventually make it into the pages of Anthology, I decided to do my own side shoot with my iPhone. My mission: to document all the gingham-emblazoned items in Meiko’s collection that I could find.
And of course, I couldn’t help but capture other cute things, including Meiko and her daughter Maia.
{Images by Meg Mateo Ilasco}
