Jewish Contemporary Museum in San Francisco

The Jewish Contemporary Museum recently unveiled their new home in San Francisco. Originally established in 1984, the museum is well-known for housing engaging exhibits and influential art. The new building (just around the corner from where I work) is beautiful and appropriately connects old and new architectural elements. Architect Daniel Libeskind was chosen in 1998 to design the new space. The design was unveiled in 2005 and the museum became open to the public just a few short weeks ago. Unfortunately, I have yet to see the inside, but the exterior is most impressive. Large in scale and complex in design, the building's forms weave in and out of one another and create a puzzle like connection. Just one more reason to visit San Francisco (*hint hint* fellow Crew bloggers). ••••

Found in San Francisco: Hayes Valley

Many neighborhoods in San Francisco gain their interest and character from their historical relevance, however, Hayes Valley is one area that has only recently gained prominence in the past 15 years. Once a troubled area located next to the Van Ness performing-arts district, Hayes Valley is now home to numerous art galleries, restaurants and trendy boutiques. Each store is rich in character and individuality. Whether or not you can afford the high-end merchandise, entering the interior space of each store or gallery is worth the visit. Each space is more interesting than the next with the use of unusual materials and diversity of colors and textures.

This collection of photos aims to capture the artistic edge to the stores and galleries in Hayes Valley. ••••

Found in San Francisco: Haight-Ashbury

Historically known as the center of the 1960s hippie movement, San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district is still one of the most colorful and diverse areas. Today, the Haight continues to absorb the bohemian culture created over 40 years ago. Walking around the Haight-Ashbury district you will find numerous colorful buildings often covered in artful graffiti and storefronts with unique signage. In the few blocks surrounding the intersection of Haight and Ashbury is an abundance of independent local businesses including restaurants, hooka bars, music and book stores, and clothing boutiques. The collection of photographs I have taken in and around the Haight represent the architecture, art, and lively culture of this purely unique San Francisco district. ••••

Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life

I finally made it over to the Legion of Honor (the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco) to view the Annie Leibovitz exhibit, A Photographer's Life: 1990-2005. I have long been a fan of Annie Leibovitz' photography and the exhibit did an amazing job of representing her work and her life beyond the camera. Over 200 images showcase her award winning photographs of celebrities as well as a surprising collection of personal images from her childhood, and current family life. Her well-known celebrity portraits are strongly lit, staged, and often provocative. However, I was drawn to the photos from her personal life. Showing a vulnerable side, Leibovitz proved that she is human beyond all else. Pictures of her siblings growing up, her dying father, and the birth of her children were honest in their candid, raw appeal. Leibovitz said it best herself when she stated, “I don’t have two lives. This is one life, and the personal pictures and the assignment work are all part of it.”

Of course I recommend everyone make their way over to the exhibit at the Legion of Honor, but I realize geography might interfere for some of you. So check out the next best thing - her recently published book, A Photographer's Life: 1990-2005. ••••

Custom Interior Wall Painting

Who's up for a little shameless self-promotion?! I am. ;)

For the past few years I have been doing free-hand custom interior wall painting for homes all around the Bay Area. I specialize in nurseries and children's rooms, but no space is off limits. I've painted kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and even laundry rooms. This weekend I had my first San Francisco client - little Baby Celine in Potrero Hill! After meeting with the family and seeing the space we discussed our ideas and came up with this graphic tree image. The family had already done a wonderful job decorating her room and the painting just added the perfect finishing touch.
Unfortunately, my website is still a work in progress, but visit www.meghancolvin.com for more information.

Soolip

Today is a sad day. Soolip will be leaving Gump's. Since 2005 Soolip has been sold at Gump's, and has long been one of my favorite departments at our store. Soolip specializes in fine letterpress stationery, invitations, announcements and other amazing paper goods. Of course they can still be found online and in other Soolip locations around the country, however, my easy access (not to mention employee discount) won't be applicable anymore. Darn. That being said, I did get to partake in the 50% off sale and stocked up on lots of amazing paper this morning! Sweet! I'm thinking of getting a wax seal monogram set... which would mean i'd have to stop blogging and start sending out letters the old fashioned way. hmmm... i might reconsider that.

Robert Kuo at Gump's

Gump's is the legendary San Francisco destination for luxury gifts, jewelry and home decor. Basically, it's where happy people shop. And yes, I mean "happy" in the monetary sense. And it also happens to be where I am currently employed as a graphic designer. Beyond all of the over-priced gifts, furniture, china and crystal, Gump's offers a wide assortment of unique pieces from artisans and designers around the world. One of my favorite collections at Gump's is by the artist Robert Kuo. This evening Robert Kuo will be presenting his 2008 collection of decorative objects and furniture (I love when we get to have cocktail parties! Definite perk to working here!). Robert Kuo's pieces blend ancient techniques with a modern sensibility. He uses a wide range of materials such as copper, crystal, colored lacquer, bronze and more. But my favorite pieces are the over-sized lacquer fruits and vegetables (featured above). Unfortunately, photographs don't do his work any justice, but if you happen to be in San Francisco this evening swing by Gump's for a truly magnificent show. And a maybe a glass or two of wine...

Wicked Cool City Screen Prints

Currently obsessed with these screen prints, from OrkPosters.com. I am secretly wishing I had come up with this idea on my own.

The only cities available to purchase are Brooklyn, Boston, Chicago, Manhattan, and San Francisco. They are 18" x 24" and come in different colors depending on the city you choose. Have no fear, you can make requests for your own city on the website. I am putting my request in for an Austin print, but also feeling ambitious on creating my own!

Napcena Handbags

San Francisco fashion designer, Karen Nepacena, designs vibrant and sophisticated handbags suited for every woman, in every age range. Her handbags combine vibrant patterns with durable, rich leather accents. Nepacena's ability to combine unlikely pattern combinations with unique shapes and forms make the Nepacena line truly incomparable. With a growing presence in small boutiques across the country, and a strong online presence, the Nepacena line is set to evolve into the next big thing. Her latest collection includes a weekender tote bag suited for the adventurous woman who likes to travel in style. Equally as chic is the new work tote/baby bag appropriately named after her newest addition and first child, Sebastian. See the entire Nepacena collection by visiting www.nepacena.com.

the back story.

Crew Design is the joint collaboration of four young graphic designers living across the United States. Sarah, Tess, Meghan and Meghan (yes, there are two Meghan's) met in 2002 in the College of Fine Arts, at Boston University. Among the crazy artist types that populated the school these four girls met and soon became friends sharing the common interest of art and design. Years of critiques, interesting professors, travels abroad, and stressful nights ending in x-acto knife injuries bonded these girls for life. In 2006, they graduated and set out to pursue careers in graphic design. Adult life kicked in and soon enough the four girls were living and working all across the United States. Tess and Meghan (B) decided to set down some roots in Boston, Sarah (aka Martin) followed her cowboy down to Austin, Texas, and California native Meghan (aka Colvin) couldn't handle the cold Boston winters and made her way back to San Francisco.

So here were are - the year 2008 - and what better way to stay connected and share our ideas and inspirations than through a Blog. We hope to make this blog as fun, lively, and creative as we are.

Thanks for visiting us....and enjoy our new BLOG!

-The Crew

Found in San Francisco

2.02.09 MB Style



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7.28.08 Indie Mart Street Fair
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6.15.08 Hayes Valley




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5.05.08 Haight-Ashbury




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Found by the Crew

The Crew's "Found In" posts are one of our favorite parts of maintaining the blog. They give us the chance to share with readers our unique takes on the cities we call home, and glimpses into our travels. Click on the links below to virtually travel from Boston to Austin to the Bay (and beyond) with the Crew. ••••