New CA-Modern Has Arrived - Page 2

Taking us down memory lane, Carol introduces is to the real-life Oscar Mayer and a lineage of 'Little Oscar' munchkins, and reminisces about the famous "I'd love to be an Oscar Mayer Wiener..." theme song, adding: "There wasn't a kid on our block that didn't know the tune by heart."

In 'Styled with a Smile,' Dave Weinstein presents Lisa Congdon, an emotional and positive artist "who spreads joy in the Alexander Girard tradition."

Congdon, who grew up in Los Gatos, had no formal training, and "became obsessed with mid-century architecture and design" while she was teaching second grade in San Francisco, Weinstein points out.

Yet today, "scarcely 20 years later," Dave describes Congdon, who currently lives in Portland, as a "a nationally known illustrator, a commercial and fine artist with a playful style aimed to inspire and bring a smile to viewers."

Congdon's work, he says, is comprised of "simple forms, bright colors, simplified imagery, and lively type in a way that recalls her mid-century influences but is all her own."

Congdon's latest chapter is to challenge herself, as she points out, "to grow as an artist" by taking on new projects—"work that is uncomfortable because you're not even sure you can do it."

'Great Divides, a home improvement story by yours truly, offers both classic and contemporary fencing designs that we hope will get your creative juices flowing.

Loaded with photos to spark the imagination, selections range from fencing constructed from Eichler Siding and a 100-percent-viewable, all-glass fence to the 'Eclipse,' a steel garden trellis designed with a retro Googie vibe by artist Philip Dunphy. Click here for a PDF of the full article.

Lastly, the Summer issue also presents 'Rise of the Mini-Split,' a vital home improvement story we first introduced in this space last week. Make sure to check it out.

CA-Modern's Summer '22 issue is sure to be a keeper, hopefully filled with enough lifestyle inspiration and fun reads to help make your summer a pleasurable one. Enjoy!

For a flip-book version of the entire Summer '22 issue, click here.