You can purchase this and many other fun prints at my new society6 shop – click here »

Sleep. Oh how I love to sleep. A morning when I can feel free to sleep in, is a good morning indeed. Falling asleep and staying asleep have always been a challenge for me. As a kid I used to keep my parents up all night, begging for one more book to be read or story to be told. Now I simply turn to facebook or my other favorite, episodes of the Daily Show. What did people do before the internet?

Francisco Goya depicted reason in a deep slumber in the etching, “The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters“. On first glance, I can relate. Switch those monsters and animals for giant spiders and you would have an etching of one of my sleepless nights. Goya, however, had a much more meaningful purpose for this etching.

Goya was a Spanish artist who primarily painted Rococo portraits. This etching was created later in his career and belonged to a collection of etchings called “Los Caprichos“. All the etchings followed a similar theme. Goya hoped to reawaken reason.

In High School art class our first project was to create a folder that would hold all our original masterpieces for the year. Our teacher asked us all to paint or draw a replica of a work by a famous artist who inspired us. I remember being so amazed by another student’s folder. The surface was beautiful and it made me want to learn more about her painting.

It’s funny how this was over ten years ago now, but I every time I see this painting it reminds me of that art class, and much like many facets of life—it looks different to me now.

Gustav Klimt, The Kiss 1907-8. Oil on canvas

Gustav Klimt was a pioneer within the Art Nouveau (Sezessionstil) movement in Austria. Within the organic lines and decorative elements you find a couple embraced in a kiss. On first glance you might not notice the tension caused by the woman’s awkward position. Upon further investigation you’ll notice how very close the couple is to the edge of the precipice. The figures themselves are barely visible under the decorative, Art Nouveau elements. You can just barely make out where one starts and the other ends.

It’s as though they have lost themselves in a dangerous kiss.

Business has really picked up at Letto Design & Nicolet Laursen Art, so it was time to move into my very own office!

Join me for a glass of wine and a nibble of cheese at my new office in the Union Block (Just steps away from the Rose Room and right above Old Chicago). We will be meeting at my office between 5pm-5:30pm. You will get a full tour of all 322 sq ft and there will be a live DJ thanks to Dedicated Servers.

Letto Design Grand Opening
Thursday, Nov. 3rd 5-8pm
720 W Idaho #39 Boise, ID

RSVP on Facebook

See ya there!
-nico

One month long at Thomas Hammer Coffee house in downtown Boise. Come take a moment, buy a cookie and drink some chai… but please don’t feed the monkeys!

For more info, click here »

Every time I get near the girls I start turning yellow. Sometimes, I hate being an octopus. Sure, when you’re just a larvae, the color changing skin cells are a blast… but once you start dating it becomes just one more obstacle to overcome. I better get out of here before they notice.

12″x23″ pastel on paper.

I’ve been adding new postcards daily. These cards are also available at Indie Made.

So I’m sitting here trying to tell myself to wait before I post this. You know, wait till I’m actually done with the piece….

I just can’t help but assume that you are just excited about the artistic process as I am. With that said, I’m not going to wait. Here it is! I will post a final…. when it’s final. Enjoy!

For those of you who have been following me, you’re probably familiar with my recent trip to Costa Rica. You have probably heard my stories, seen my photos, and may have even contributed to my trip in some way. Chances are, you haven’t heard everything and that’s why you’re here. This is the post. The post to end all posts regarding my volunteer trip to Costa Rica. Sit back, buckle up, and hold on… the roads get a little bumpy at times. Here we go!
Continue reading Volunteer Abroad Trip to Costa Rica (a recap)

Thanks to everyone who made it out to Art in the Bar II at the Knitting Factory. If you missed it, have no fear! You can view a full gallery of images compliments of Alex Couey at the Idaho Statesman. Click here to see the gallery »