Over the weekend, my husband and I went to Cleveland.  While he was at a conference for work, I got to shop and browse the Cleveland Museum of Art.  Yes, I definitely had the better weekend.

At the museum, I was thrilled to see a piece hanging in the photography room by one of my good friend’s sister-in-law, Julie Blackmon. After browsing through all the famous works of art, it was pretty fun to see one by someone I’ve met.

Now, I’m totally coveting this gorgeous book of hers: Julie Blackmon: Domestic Vacations.  Click over to her website, and you’ll see why.  Blackmon creates these amazing images of day-to-day life, always with a little jarring detail.  In one of my favorite images, a woman rests in bed, reading Eat, Pray, Love.  In the room, there’s a little bit of clutter and a small girl holding a boar’s head.  The surreal twist is what captures that desire to escape so uniquely.  She’s been influenced by the 17th century Dutch artist Jan Steen, an artist who captured all the complexity and energy of family life.  Blackmon does just the same.

If you’re looking for a clever, charming coffe table book for a gift or for your own living room, I’d highly recommend this one.  I plan to order a copy ASAP!