Monday, April 30, 2012

Monday Match: Into the Deep Edition

{Every week I post an image of an interior that reminds me of a work of art either in its palette, composition or mood. I hope that you enjoy!}
Ito Jakuchu, Lotus Pond and Fish
*I am so upset that I did not get a chance to see Jakuchu's silk paintings at the National Gallery of Art last week! Did you? A friend tells me that they have changed the way that she makes art! 
The interior above reminds me of this painting in its composition and color. Each has an empty space at its center for things to float through (dust sparkles/fish) that imparts a kind of peaceful dynamism, don't you think?

Friday, April 27, 2012

Maybe Some Navel Gazing Is Necessary

Chances are that you or someone you know owns a Thomas Kinkade since according to critic Jerry Saltz, his reproductions hang in one out of every twenty American homes. If so, then you know that he recently passed away, and you have probably read articles like this one on the merits of his legacy.
Kinkade with one of his paintings
The fire behind this article reminds me of the criticism that the last Norman Rockwell exhibit at the Museum of American Art received, and in fact Saltz draws a comparison between the two in his article. People were up in arms about the legitimacy of the illustrator being celebrated as an artist. Saltz states that "the reason the art world doesn't respond to Kinkade is because none — not one — of his ideas about subject-matter, surface, color, composition, touch, scale, form, or skill is remotely original." Similarly, critics decried Rockwell's work as trite, sentimentalised, expected.
Norman Rockwell illustration
The difference between Kinkade and Rockwell though lies in their personal recognitions and definitions of their own practice. While Kinkade churned out sticky-sweet images of bliss and called it art, Rockwell strained a human experience down to its emotive core and called it illustration. Navel gazing gets a bad rap it the art world, but when it helps an artist distinguish craft from the muse it's more than permissible: it's necessary.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012


Four years ago today my daughter, Georgia, was born. Considering the fact that I just got around to painting her portrait, you can image that I haven't exactly been keeping a detailed baby book of her life. If I were better at record keeping though, I would want to make something like this! Happy Birthday, Peach!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Monday Match

{Every week I post an image of an interior that reminds me of a work of art either in its palette, composition or mood. I hope that you enjoy!}
Bath featured in House Beautiful
Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida, Desnudo de mujer

Friday, April 20, 2012

Happy Weekend!

 
Last night my husband and I were talking about our trip to New Orleans a few years ago where we had almond croissants and espresso  every morning for breakfast. In the morning I woke up to this. I'd say the weekend is off to a good start! 

PS--If you have read Jackie Battenfield's book The Artist’s Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love and live in the DC area, you should come check out her show Field Notes at Addison/Ripley Fine Art in Georgetown tomorrow night. I admire her business savvy and am really looking forward to seeing her work!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

From the Studio

I've been working out of the same lovely studio space for the last nine years. Recently life came full circle when the owner of the building (and Circle Yoga) commissioned me to paint its portrait! I adore the smart, warm women who work here, and it was a real treat to have a chance to reflect on the studio, my home away from home.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Happy Birthday!

My best friend from forever turns a year older today! Happy Birthday, Mary!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Favorite Stories From Easter Break

I officially took a spring vacation to enjoy time with my family, but here are a few of my favorite stories from around the web last week:

What do you do when you need something to pass the time?
This woman is hilarious!
Isn't it amazing when life mirrors art?
The earth from space looking bizarrely like a Van Gogh painting
Did you see this story about nine-year-old Cain's cardboard arcade?
I bet this was the best day of his life! Sometimes humanity gets it right.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Monday Match: Evening Stroll Edition

{Every week I post an image of an interior that reminds me of a work of art either in its palette, composition or mood. I hope that you enjoy!}
interior designed for Minakanki Walls 
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, View of Basel and the Rhine
*I hope that you had a beautiful Easter, Friends! Last night was so lovely and cool. We ate dinner outside under our globe lights, but it would have been a perfect evening for a walk along the waterfront!

Friday, April 6, 2012

Good Friday

When I opened my curtains this morning, this is what I saw. Seemed appropriate on a day that is really all about love. Happy Easter weekend, Friends! 
(I am taking next week off blogging to spend time with my family and friends. See you Monday, April 16.)

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

You Are What You Wear

Or at least that is what a new study out of Northwestern University seems to suggest. I recently came across some notes that I had taken during a Business of Art seminar at which the keynote speaker (a highly successful artist) stressed something similar. Namely, artists should dress like the professionals that they are. He argued that dressing like the six-figure earner that he was sent a message to both himself and his clients that he refused to play into the starving artist myth.  
image via everyguyed
  I think the issue for artists is a bit more nuanced. On the one hand, I definitely notice a difference in the way I act depending how I'm dressed for certain occasions. (Think killer new workout clothes vs. shabby sweats at the gym, or smart corporate attire vs. faded yoga pants to fight a traffic ticket.) On the other hand, being a successful artist is only half the polished business model that sells the work. The other half is the creative chaos necessary for making the actual art work. 
So I've compromised. I wear my paint-splattered jeans when I'm creating, and more professional gear when I'm signing contracts or attending gallery openings. It felt a little arbitrary at first, but now it's automatic. 
I'm interested: Do you wear certain clothes for particular tasks? Think it's all rubbish? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Forget the Mega Millions...

Imagine if you found a Picasso original in a thrift store!
I have a feeling that my junk shop addiction is about to deepen dramatically.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Congratulations to our dear friends, Ashley Hubbard and Robert Ludlow on their continuing success! Team Fleurir (and the installation that I made for their shop --eek!) was on Fox 5's morning show today giving tips on sprucing up your Easter treats. 
Seriously Friends, if you have not been to their Georgetown shop yet, you need to go. Now. I'm so excited to tuck their handmade chocolate bunnies into my children's baskets on Sunday morning!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Monday Match: Planting Edition

{Every week I post an image of an interior that reminds me of a work of art either in its composition, palette or mood. I hope that you enjoy!}
Bedroom featured in (of course) Domino Magazine
Grant Wood, Young Corn
*Grant Wood was on my mind as I spent the weekend with dirt under my fingernails, helping my boys transfer their sprouting seedlings into our new vegetable garden. His painting above reminds me of this bedroom because of its kicked-up pastoral palette, bulbous, clumped volumes (furniture/trees, hills) and dramatically foreshortened planes that lead the eye back while compressing great distances.

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