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    Impressionism and Summer: Why Light and Leisure Still Inspire Design

    June 5, 2026 - By 

    There is perhaps no artistic movement more intrinsically tied to summer than Impressionism. It is a movement defined not by rigid form or historical grandeur, but by light in motion, fleeting beauty, and the quiet luxury of leisure. In a season where days stretch longer and the sun reshapes every surface it touches, Impressionism feels not just relevant—but essential. For those of us working in art and design, the Impressionists offer more than inspiration; they provide a framework for seeing. A way to interpret space, color, and atmosphere that translates seamlessly from canvas to interior. The Birth of a Summer…

  • #artanddesign - Blog - cultural - Photography

    Fan Ho: Light, Shadow, and the Poetic Streets of 1950s Hong Kong

    October 27, 2025 - By 

    For this week’s blog post, I wanted to write about a photographer who I had never heard of — Fan Ho. Let’s dive right in… It was in the middle of Hong Kong’s post-war boom, amid the noise of trams, crowded markets, and climbing skyscrapers, that this man carried a Rolleiflex camera and transformed chaos into quiet poetry. His black-and-white photographs from the 1950s and 1960s remain some of the most hauntingly beautiful depictions of urban life ever created. With an artist’s eye for geometry and a poet’s sensitivity to human presence, Fan Ho made the ordinary streets of Hong…

  • Blog - cultural - Literature

    Edgar Allan Poe: The Dark Visionary Who Painted with Words

    August 11, 2025 - By 

    Let’s travel into a tiny portion within the world of Gothic literature. When one thinks of Gothic literature, shadowed corridors, and the haunting echo of a beating heart beneath floorboards, one name inevitably rises from the depths—Edgar Allan Poe. Far beyond being simply a writer of the macabre, Poe was an artist of atmosphere. His works are as much about design as they are about narrative, crafting emotional architecture through language, structure, and tone. Poe is an intriguing study in how literary composition mirrors visual composition: balance, contrast, mood, and detail. He is both an intriguing and somber subject for this week’s…

  • cultural

    Gordon Parks: A Lens on Life and Justice

    December 4, 2023 - By 

    Photography has the unique ability to capture the essence of moments, illuminate untold stories, and speak to the human condition. Gordon Parks, a legendary photographer, filmmaker, and writer, was a master at using his lens to reveal the realities of American life and inspire social change. In this blog post, we will explore the life and work of Gordon Parks, a man who left an indelible mark on both the world of photography and the fight for civil rights. Early Life and Challenges Gordon Parks was born on November 30, 1912, in Fort Scott, Kansas, during a time when racial…

  • cultural

    Lewis and Clark at Fort Clatsop: An Intimate Look into Their Winter Residence

    November 13, 2023 - By 

    When it comes to the legendary expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, many key moments and locations come to mind. Among them, the stay at Fort Clatsop stands out as a significant period of reflection, resilience, and preparation for the journey home.  Recreated Fort The Backdrop Having started their expedition in May 1804, Lewis and Clark led the Corps of Discovery across the vast North American continent in search of a water route to the Pacific Ocean. By December of 1805, the expedition reached the Pacific Coast near present-day Astoria, Oregon. With winter setting in, they needed a stable…

  • Blog - cultural

    Sacajawea: The Guiding Spirit of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

    August 28, 2023 - By 

    Sacajawea stands as one of the most iconic and respected figures in American history. This Shoshone woman played a crucial role in the renowned Lewis and Clark Expedition. She was their interpreter and symbol of peace and determination. Early Life: From Kidnapping to Marriage Born around 1788 in Lemhi County, Idaho, Sacajawea was a member of the Lemhi Shoshone tribe. Tragically, when she was about 12 years old, Hidatsa warriors kidnapped her during a raid. She was then taken to a Hidatsa village near present-day Washburn, North Dakota. A few years later, a French-Canadian trapper named Toussaint Charbonneau acquired Sacajawea,…

  • cultural

    Tamastslikt Cultural Institute

    June 12, 2023 - By 

    (Tamastslikt – pronounced Tah-must-slikt means to “interpret” or “turn over” in Walla Walla.) Native American cultures are rich in artistic expression. It is expressed through even the very mundane objects. Art is intrinsically linked to most cultures. History – “We Were” The history of the plateau tribes were basically unchanged for thousands of years until the Europeans came to settle which brought dramatic alterations of life to the tribes. It was an overwhelming force of will.  The institute is a look at the western expansion through the Native American point of view. The tribes included are the Cayuse, Umatilla, and…