It's that time again...highpointMARKET

Stormy Skies

A momentary break in the storm last evening resulted in an interesting sky.

Best Of :: Travel Photos

Just spent some time looking through old travel photos (great reminiscing!) and thought I would share a few favorites from over the last few years. Travel continues to be one of my greatest sources of design inspiration.

 Bridge in Hoi An, Vietnam

 London Bridges, early morning over the Thames

 Young Monk Silhouette, Hue, Vietnam

 Sunset on Halong Bay, Vietnam

Evening in Valparaiso, Chile 

Buddhist Temple, Hue, Vietnam 

 Dusk in Istanbul, Turkey

Sunrise behind the Moai at Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island

Buddhist Temple, Luang Prabang, Laos

London :: one more

Took this early morning photo as the fog was lifting over the River Thames. 

I really like the atmospheric quality and the architecture of multiple bridges, 

including Tower Bridge in the distance.

London :: iPhoneography

Just spent a few days across the pond in London. I lived there 35 years ago attending the University of London and spent some time this trip wandering down memory lane, as well as partaking of some of what is new in London. Unusually good weather accompanied me as I visited museums, did some traditional London-type things like tea at Fortnum and Mason, and ate at some wonderful places like Ottolenghi and Fifteen.


Didn't bring my big camera this trip and relied on my iPhone as my sole camera. Here are some of my snaps...

View of the Eye and the River Thames from the Westminster Bridge.

When I was a student at University College, University of London I did my Art History research in this library at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

This lovely walk through a stand of trees is in front of the Tate Modern.

The iconic red telephone booth! I was delighted to see that they have survived in this day of cell phones (or as the Brits say mobiles).

Another iconic piece of London architecture - Big Ben.

A pedestrian bridge across the Thames from St Paul's Cathedral by Sir Christopher Wren which connects to the Tate Modern and a nice walk to Burough Market.

This is the massive Chihuly installation at the Victoria and Albert. Ironically the day before I saw Dale Chihuly at the David Hockney exhibit at the Royal Academy.

English muffins in England! At the Burough Market.

Tea at Fortnum and Mason.

Step Up

I was asked by a local non-profit to create an adorned shoe that they could use at their upcoming luncheon, themed "Step Up" - as in step up (increase) your annual contribution. I was thrilled to participate! My understanding is that these shoes, created by local artists, will be used as centerpieces and then auctioned off. So, here is my creation. What do you think?

Culturally Inspired Design

Patterns and Paper

If you don't already know, I have launched a new etsy store called Rescued Paper where I sell journals that I hand-cover in old paper - maps, book pages, altered dictionary pages. I am having a great time doing this. I have always loved maps and dictionaries, both of which are increasingly obsolete due to our smart phones, computers and GPS devices. And while GPS can get you where you are going rather efficiently, there is nothing like studying a map, imagining places and seeing the bigger picture. So I am happy to give old maps one more go 'round with these journals.

I am working on another type of Rescued Paper product using the insides of security envelopes. You know them, the envelopes that have patterns printed on the inside so the contents isn't visible through the envelope. So I started saving them, thinking there must be something that I can come up with to recycle these babies. And while I work on that, I became smitten with the patterns. Have you ever really looked at them? It turns out there are so many different patterns. And they are so interesting. I don't know the history of this (but if I find it out I will certainly share) but I can't stop being fascinated with the variety and complexity of these hidden treasures. So I thought I'd share a few with you. And stay tuned to see what I do with them!

New from Judith Altman Designs :: Rescued Paper ::

Click Here!!!

A Study in Texture :: Bark, Moss and Lichen

Today's inspiration was in the back yard. I am just taken with these surface textures and colors on the bark of trees. Nature never disappoints!

From Emily in Ethiopia

As many of you know, my daughter Emily spent some time recently in Ethiopia working for the Center for Creative Leadership. While with CCL she worked on leadership development programs with NGOs and wrote some blog posts. Here are some of her travel photos from Addis Ababa and Lalibella. And yes, I am a proud Mama.

Emily Altman

Street scene

Church carved in stone in Lalibella

View over Lalibella

Emily and friends

Priest showing crosses in Lalibella

Hut

Emily bargaining in the market

Emily and more friends

Gorgeous ceiling

The Colors of Turkey

I continue to be inspired by my recent trip to Turkey.  I already shared pictures of the amazing tiles, but this time I am sharing the colors - it is such a vivid place with many palettes.  While Istanbul is vivid and energizing, I also spent some time in Cappadoccia, in the eastern Anatolian region.  Here the palette is subtle, sandy and accented with blue skies. 
Enjoy the colors of Turkey!

At the Spice Market in Istanbul 

Fresh pomegranite juice on the street in Istanbul 

Vegetable dyed yarns destined to be woven into beautiful Turkish rugs

Old pots in the entry of a modern day pottery in an ancient cave in Cappadoccia  

Ancient caves in Cappadoccia

Cappadoccia, in the Anatolia area in the east of Turkey, has the most unusual landscapes