mrr design

Inspiration comes from unexpected places - take this coffee cup for example.

It was painted by a Jeanne van Etten. 

I first saw Jeanne's work in Boston at a shop called La Ruche, 

owned by Apple Bartlett, daughter of Sister Parish.

My sister Betsy sold her work in this shop too.

I love to drink my tea and coffee from this cup.

The waves of color, dots and stripes inspired me. 

Soon it became a good luck mug - couldn't create without a cup of tea from this cup.

I remember vividly - a two room studio on Charles Street, five floors up, in a pre-civil war building, yes that's right, and a walk-up too, but it had five windows and two fireplaces, the rent was $325 in 1990, can you believe it.  We tried to keep it when we moved to Connecticut by subletting it - but we were found out ... so a memory... I still have a few pictures somewhere... I painted boxes and flower pots at that time - (I had a real job too and still do) - you should have seen the place when I was in full production-line mode.  I couldn't paint without a mug of tea in this fun Jeanne van Etten cup.

Later I bought more cups.  We use them every day. 

Cups that lost their handles become receptacles for pencils, pens, scissors etc.

I would see Jeanne at shows around Connecticut and would always buy more coffee cups and other stuff - look at this fun knife holder

My daughter and I loved our annual pilgrimage to Jeanne's studio in 

New Preston, Connecticut - we would buy a special cup for Isabel's teacher 

and something else for our house. 

Jeanne lives in Nantucket now - you can see her work on

Nantucket Mermaid 

Thanks for all the inspiration Jeanne 

I need more coffee cups!