Things to do to inspire you this holiday season! It’s not just about shoes….well maybe!

While everyone is out having holiday drinks after work, shopping in advance for holiday gifts, attending work parties and potlucks, or taking extended vacations, whether it be shoe designers or apparel designers, we are slammed with work. During the holidays, we are rushing to get sketches, trend boards, trade show revisions or tech packs submitted before the new year.

I decided this year, I will do my best to participate in these holiday activities. I am going to re-charge my battery by attending events that will nourish my creativity and inspire me the next day to work, and possibly get some holiday shopping done!  Here are some events going on the next few weeks that I hope get my creativity energies going, and maybe you will to. If not these events but others!

Famous still life Spanish painter, Luis Melendez, beautiful paintings from the 1700’s, is at LACMA and will be there until January 3, 2010. The colors, textures, and style is fantastic! Some color palette inspiration possibly??

The MOCA is celebrating it’s First Thirty Years and is exhibiting over 100 works of art dating back from 1940 until now. This exhibit will go until May 3, 2010. Oh yes, and you can’t resist going into the MOCA store to do some holiday shopping!

Painting by Matthias Weischer

Giant Robot is hosting an event called the Post it Show. This show will feature 2000 works, (does it mean 2000 Post Its?) at GR2 this Saturday, December 5^th, from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

I love seeing what other designers are doing, new ideas, new product launches, and supporting new designers. This weekend Unique L.A. is hosting an event in downtown, where independent designers are able to display and sell their work. It’s a way to get inspired, find new ideas, and also do a little Christmas shopping! Unique L.A. is this weekend, December 5^th and 6^th.

Flea marketing is one of my hobbies. One of my favorites is the Rose Bowl which is the second Sunday of the month. Next one is December 13^th.

Art, Giving, and Holiday cheer. This is the best combination. The Pop Gallery in  Culver City is having a Holiday Charity Exhibition on December 11^th -January 30th. The exhibit is called, Shameless, Nameless, & Recycled. A hundred international artists, designers, and craftsmen/women, donated their work and one hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to the charities. You can check out their website at www.thepopstudio.com for more details!

Royal/T  Café is also having a colorful exhibition called In Bed Together. It’s curated by Jane Glassman featuring 50 works by 50 different artisits.  This will run thru January.  They also have a fabulous store and café!

Last but not least is the Naples Christimas Boat Parade in Long Beach sounds like it will keep me in the holiday spirit.  I definitely want to check this out. A boat ride, hot chocolate,  christmas carols, and nice architecture with lights…what more can I ask for!

Although I may not be able to attend all of these events but I know for sure I will be inspired somehow this holiday season. I won’t just be thinking about shoes! Well, maybe just a little