Art's The Answer!

100,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012-01-22T07:37:00.000-06:00

Who knew when I blogged my first post in April of 2009 that I would still be hanging around in 2012? This is a monumental day for Art's the Answer! I just hit 100,000 pageviews for all time!!! I have followers in France, Italy, United Kingdom, Russia, Poland, India, Canada, Chile, Spain and so many other countries.
I thought I would share what the statistics say are my top ten posts.

Math and art seem to be very popular! Fractals...Math and art in Harmony is my most viewed post with 3,381 hits.

It seems the basic, age old techniques are the most searched. Second on my list is Scagliola with 2,823 hits.

Back to math again with Haeckel coming in third for all time with 1990 hits.

One of my all time favorites...The Beetles are Coming is fourth with 1606 hits.

Fifth was "Going for Baroque"and Hans Silvester (another one of my favorites) came in sixth.

Mood Boards, Headboards,Strapwork (another favorite) are seventh, eighth and ninth and finishing tenth is The Art of Grottesca! How timely ! I will be studying with Carolina again in April through Jeff Huckaby's studio. Here are the details if anyone would like to join me.

Thank you all for following my blog and taking time to leave comments. I have made many friends and this journey has enriched my life more than I ever knew was possible. Now, I am off to research a new post!

Blue and White

2012-01-15T18:16:00.002-06:00

Michael Duté

There is no doubt of my love of chinoiserie, but the blue and white palette seems to make it even better!

The simplicity of colors ....the blue just pops against the creamy white background.

Many elements of chinoiserie motif can be drawn from ceramic designs.

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Michael Duté's chinoiserie murals always delight me!

His work reminds me so much of intricately painted porcelain.

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The work of Irish artist Michael Dillon also features some incredible blue and white chinoiserie.

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Wedgwood, delft, chinoiserie...all blue! Blue is soothing..it reduces stress by lowering blood pressure. I think that is another reason I am so drawn to it!

Driven to Paint....

2012-01-02T21:54:00.000-06:00

Over the Christmas holidays, I had a job to woodgrain two metal doors for a client. The clients are a husband/wife team of doctors and I would be working in the medical complex while they were closed.
I knew I would enjoy this job because the mother of the wife was a very prolific painter and her work is featured throughout the halls and waiting rooms of the complex.

Living in exile in Yugoslavia and being sent to prison did not deter her from painting

Painting from her soul, she used canvas, sometimes in the form of scraps glued together... wood...any flat surface she could find.

You can see the urgency in her brushstrokes, the energy, the drive to paint.

The daughter, (wife) besides being an oncologist; is also an accomplished artist favoring sculpting. These pieces are in the waiting room of the medical complex.

Almost 800 paintings tell the life story of the mother.....the villages they lived in, the dreams for better.

I somehow managed to woodgrain the two doors, often taking inspirational breaks to look at the many paintings lining the hallway walls. I considered it an honor to have even been asked to do the job, knowing the depth of artistic background the couple have.
What drives you to make the world better for 2012? We can all make it better through art!

High-Tech vs. Low -Tech...

2011-12-17T15:46:00.000-06:00

I received an email a few days after Thanksgiving from Sinopia Pigments. This was just after "black Friday" and their opening line was-

"Now that you have taken care of your high-tech cyber Monday gift shopping, its time for your low-tech artists on your lists..."

This really stuck in my head and I thought about it for several days...I had been struggling over the decision to purchase an iPad or similar tech gadget. I really enjoy my MacBook computer and 4s iPhone and thought it would be nice to add an iPad to the family. I thought I could justify the purchase to make choices easier for my clients.

But that Sinopia ad kept playing over and over in my mind...."low-tech artists.."

High -tech gadgets or low-tech tools...which direction is best for me?

BOTH!

First things first, I published a new book of updated work for clients to view. I have found that on initial meetings with prospective clients, they can be overwhelmed with the 9000+ photos on my computer!

They love looking at photos on an electronic screen, but this is like looking at a magazine...there is not always a personal connection.

They want something they can hold and touch. They respond well to a book! This is the first thing I give someone to look at. It has enough photos that they can see my style and then, if needed, the computer can provide other, more specific shots.

So, for now, no iPad in my future. Just a new self published book through Apple and my three year old MacBook to drag around. High- tech or low- tech...I think artists still lean to a simpler, old- tech style.

A Wonderful Collaboration!!

2011-12-11T13:18:00.001-06:00

I have a weakness for hand painted ceramics done in true Italian style....
Gina of Art and Alfalfa is my weekly "fix"for photos of beautiful painted ceramics! She is a gifted artist that lives in the middle of an alfalfa field in Utah.

Gina creates beautiful ceramics and conducts workshops for students wanting to learn the ancient craft. She recently had some of her work displayed at the Springville Museum of Art! I was immediately drawn to the large platter she did. Gina sells her work through etsy and I signed up for a platter to be painted.

A design was chosen for inspiration. Several things were" tweeked", a reference to the Medici family, my family initial and some "artistic interpretation".

My armorial plate was painted, fired and re-fired again with gold and sent to me! What to put on it? What about my marzipan fruit from Bologna, Italy that was brought back so carefully?

Or maybe some salted caramel cookies with sugared fruit jellies? What? Did your eagle eye spot some differences in the two photos? There was a flaw from the firing of the first plate, so, I ended up with TWO! How lucky am I?

How does my new Italian serving set look with them? Pretty fantastic, I think! I picked them up at an estate sale this week!

I just love that each time I received a plate, it came with a lovely letter from Gina on her custom stationary!

These plates are the perfect size for entertaining or displaying on a shelf.

And her colophon on the back makes them very special to me! Thank you so much Gina!

Flea Market Finds.....

2011-12-03T19:36:00.001-06:00

With the holidays upon us, I hit the road today to attend a nearby flea market. This market is quite large and just as diverse with everything from almost edible potpourri......

to Santa Claus!

Lots of architectural salvage to dig through......

and way too many cute doggies to distract me!

One booth had acres of fauxed wooden plaques that they would personalize on the spot with your name or favorite quote.

But what really caught my eye were these french linen night shirts.

Their detailing with all those pleats and hand stitching! I had seen these at the Alameda flea market in San Francisco and regretted not getting one. This time, I would not let one get away!

These linens are also known for their perfectly stitched initials, always in red; located somewhere on the garment. Here is a little history behind the stitches-

The trousseau was often comprised of numerous sheets (twelve was common for a wealthy family), numerous dish towels, hand towels, napkins and tablecloths patiently and meticulously embroidered. To mark these linens with one’s initials was an inherent part of every young girl’s education. And in fact the sampler, or “abcdaire,” was the pride of each little girl who arrived in the adult world. On a swath of cloth, she embroidered in needlepoint the letters of the alphabet as well as the numbers from zero to nine. The initialled letters of the “marquoir,” or the family stamp, were always “blood red,” a symbolic reference of the young girl’s destiny as a woman. Why red? Because red was also a strong and durable dye, resistant to multiple launderings and one that could be easily seen. Before the era of chemistry the colorant widely used was “common madder,” or “rubia tinctorum.” Common madder belongs to the vast plant world family of rubiaceae, quite a remarkable family in that it also includes the plants that produce coffee beans and quinine. A perennial plant, common madder has evergreen leaves, tiny yellow/white flowers and reddish black pea-sized berries. However, it’s in the roots that the pigment is found that is the source of the dye known today as alizarin.

Unlike the refined art of embroidered linens, which was realised in white on white, the stitching of these red letters had a purely utilitarian role and was executed in a simple cross-hatched needlepoint. The letters served to organize sheets that were made in pairs of a top and bottom sheet, and next to these letters, small numbers were often also marked. These numbers were a kind of rank that allowed the sheets to be alternated equally between washings but they also served as a kind of accounting as the family linens had a very great value. And very often a young girl marked her linens with her own initials to distinguish these from those of her mother and grandmother. Sometimes too she inscribed the name of her town or village. (source)

Be sure and hit your local flea markets and gift shows this year and support your local craftspeople! Thanks to Tenny Roche' for her passion with antique textiles and her wonderful booth at Canton Trade Days!

Where is the Door?

2011-11-27T20:40:00.001-06:00

Last year, I had a job on a large estate....at the end of one of the many hallways was this bookcase.

After a few days of work, I discovered this was not just a bookcase, but an entrance to the wine cellar!

Sometimes, having an obvious door breaks up a composition or detracts from the overall room atmosphere.

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Especially when murals are involved, a door can ruin the flow of the scene.

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Continuing the design over the door allows the space to tell a complete story without any distractions...

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Sometimes, it adds a little drama and mystery when the door is not obvious at first glance.

Keep this in mind when decorating. Sometimes it is better to hide the door within the room's composition. Hidden doors can be very dramatic!

When White is Right...

2011-11-19T21:23:00.001-06:00

One of my best clients decided to update their master bathroom.

They decided to go with a cleaner look and get rid of the original 1920's pink tile. A palette of classic black and white was chosen.

After the crew finished installing the new floor and half tiled walls, I came in and plastered the upper walls with a finish of smooth, clean white plaster .

The galley space now has an open feel, due to the white walls and ceiling. Using plaster instead of paint added richness to her neo- classical elements.

I love the juxtaposition of the smooth polished plaster against salvaged wood. The architectural pediment was made into a window treatment.

Voila! This bathroom still acknowledges the age and style of the home, but now offers better use of space and design.

Sometimes, white is right!

It's all in the fold!

2011-11-12T17:56:00.001-06:00

In the chateau de Versailles, there is the salon of the Grand Couvert, part of the Queen's grand apartment(dining area for Marie Antoinette).

The rooms are very ornate , but those folded napkins are just amazing!

The lotus blossom is so exquisite....representing a time when meals were a ritual with much attention to detail.

No fast food foam cartons here! Just the lovely details of a formal dinner....tines down, of course! I urge you to slow down this week and enjoy a special meal. Buy some flowers, light a candle and fold your linen napkins in a clever shape! Remember, it is the celebration of the small things in daily life that really matter!

Pillars of the Earth...

2011-11-06T15:02:00.000-06:00

To quote Ken Follet, author of Pillars of the Earth-"...when things are simple, fewer mistakes are made. The most expensive part of a building is the mistakes"
The Minoan columns at Knossos were fairly simple in design, they did, however, reject tradition and reversed the equation making them smaller at the bottom and wider at the top to create the illusion of height.

The beautiful marble columns adorning St. Mark's Basilica in Venice were still fairly simple, they brought in variety by using marbles from all over the eastern Mediterranean and added elaborately carved capitols.

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Throw some artisans into the equation and Ornamentation began to enter the scene.
The Duomo di Orvieto is an exuberant example of motif and carved ornamentation including the use of rococo based solomonic columns.

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These carved columns from the Monreale Cathedral in Sicily are reminiscent of the moorish columns at Alhambra.

The next evolution of the column came through the introduction of caryatids. Caryatid is defined as a support taking the place of a column. They began as female figures but later evolved to mythological supports.

"Proportion is the heart of beauty"-another quote from Pillars of the Earth and caryatids provided pleasing proportion to the exteriors of buildings.

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Michael Hansmeyer has done some modern tweeks on the simple column using math to create beauty.

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"Michael Hansmeyer is an architect and programmer who explores the use of algorithms and computation to generate architectural form. He is currently based in the CAAD group at ETH's architecture department in Zurich. He holds a MBA degree from Insead Fontainbleau as well as a Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University. He previously worked with McKinsey & Company, J.P Morgan, and at Herzog & de Meuron architects."(source)

Math and art once again, provide the pleasing proportion that Follet wrote about. Simple or adorned, these pillars of the earth are all works of art!

Macabre Art...Revisited

2011-10-30T16:53:00.001-05:00

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Last year for Halloween, I did a post on ossuary art-macabre at its best! During the plague, there were so many dead, they could not all be buried and the bones became an issue.

Near Prague, the Sedlec ossuary is a macabre display of human bones in decorative use.

Bones from the bubonic plague and later wars now decorate the walls of the ossuary.

...and ceilings

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...and niches of the Sedlec chapel.

I think it was a dignified way to handle the situation. There is beauty and symmetry in the human form and the skeletal system.

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Beauty...and art, can be found in many unexpected places! Happy Halloween!

Orsini's Bosco Sacro....

2011-10-23T08:46:00.002-05:00

Mask of Madness

The Park of the Monsters, or "Parco dei Mostri," in the Garden of Bomarzo was not meant to be pretty. Commissioned in 1552 by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini, it was an expression of grief designed to shock.

The Prince, also known as Vicino, had just been through a brutal war, had his friend killed, been held for ransom for years, and come home only to have his beloved wife die. Racked with grief, the Prince wanted to create a shocking "Villa of Wonders" and hired architect Pirro Ligorio to help him do so. (source)

Mouth of Hell

Salvador Dali visited the park and loved it He was so inspired, he shot a short film there, and the sculptures inspired his 1946 painting The Temptation of Saint Anthony. Jean Cocteau was also a fan of the park. Other artists followed, and a novel, libretto, and opera have all been based on the park.
When you visit the park and enter the "Mouth of Hell", there is a tongue upon which stands a picnic table and seating for a small group! (source)

Orsini was probably influenced by earlier works from temples, such as this one in Vietnam.

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Or this Elephant Cave, a Hindu temple dating back to the 11th c. in Indonesia.

When I visited Carlo Marchiori's "Ca'toga", he has two monster gates that he constructed himself!

Here is a modern monster gate with clown features for a circus.

And when you see some modern interpretation and others think how clever they were, you will know the origins of their ideas!

It's all in the Lighting!

2011-10-17T22:13:00.000-05:00

Lighting....it can make all the difference in our lives.

Shamir Shah NYSD

The objects we choose to display in our homes can be lost in the shadows or brought to the spotlight with the right lighting.

Larry Laslo

Notice how the shade disappears on this floor lamp. It draws the eye downward to the pop of color and the shell console table.

Even the style of lighting you choose can set a mood.

Matthew White NYSD

Uplighting can give a room height and drama.

Boaz Mazor NYSD

And downlighting can give a cozy mood.

Theresa Cheek

If you don't think lighting makes a difference.....

Theresa Cheek

Think again!

The Chinese House....

2011-10-09T14:00:00.001-05:00

The Chinese House is a garden pavilion in Sanssouci Park in Potsdam.

Trying to give culture to Potsdam, Frederick the Great built the pavilion along with other chinoserie and rococo structures in the 18thc as an adornment to his flower gardens.

An exuberant example of chinoiserie, this pavilion was built in the height of the chinoiserie movement and featured an abundance of gilded figures and ornamentation.

This was also the time following the excavation of Pompeii and a love of ornamentation was all the rage.

The interior features all elements chinoiserie-exotic birds, ornamental parasols, palm trees and swags of fabric to tie it all together.

The gilded figures are in various positions drinking tea .

Other figures are musicians flanking the gilded columns that mimic palm trees.
If chinoiserie is a love of yours, this is perhaps the best example in existence!

Here is a video of the exterior-

Alexander Hamilton

2011-10-02T22:15:00.000-05:00

British born decorative artist Alexander Hamilton uses lime paints to create the illusion of Italian frescoes.

Alexander now lives between Florence and Siena with his family and paints and does restoration in private homes in the area.

His work is precise and based in traditional methods.

If you enjoy decorative painting, his website is a treasure!

These painted raw linen panels combine several techniques to achieve an authentic aged design.

(all photos are property of Alexander Hamilton)

Be sure to watch the video of the artist in action on his website!

23.5

2011-09-25T22:32:00.000-05:00

Math and Art? As I have stated before in previous posts, art and math are closely related. Math was often used in Renaissance paintings to achieve balance through the golden rule.

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But, beyond that, the angle of 23.5 degrees can be found over and over in sculpture and painting.

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"Vanitas" paintings , as they are known, were early 17th century still- life paintings containing symbols of death and vanity and made the viewer reflect on mortality and repentance.

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These paintings are rich with 23.5 degree angles....(also known as one of the cosmic angles in Freemasonry)

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The same angle can be found on United States currency and the Great Pyramid of Giza.

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Poussin used it in his self portrait.

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His ring is also a pyramid. The angle from the ring to the diadem to the far left forms a 23.5 degree angle.

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So why did artists, Egyptian architects and the federal reserve all use 23.5 degree angles? .....The earth's tilt of it's axis is also 23.5 degrees.

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Here, the "John gesture" -Hermetic motto "As above, So Below" also forms the angle. The hand reaches to the sky as a reference to the heavens. The math was deliberate to give reference to a supreme being.

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Math and art have been used for centuries to relay messages. The next time you are in a museum, consider the angles you see . What once appeared random, you now know has a deeper meaning!

Nope...

2011-09-11T21:24:00.002-05:00

No blog post at this time...technical difficulties...!

Castell Coch

2011-09-03T19:10:00.000-05:00

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Remember Aesop's fables? You might have heard them as a child-the Ant and the Grasshopper, the Fox and the Crow,the Fox and the Grapes, etc. Castell Coch in Wales has a beautiful interpretation of these fables on the castle's drawing room walls. (And you can stil hear the tales read in this room as a yearly tradition)

Castell Coch(English;Red Castle) is a 19th century Gothic Revival castle built on the remains of a genuine 13th-century fortification. It is situated on a steep hillside high above the village of Tongwynlais, to the north of Cardiff in Wales, and is a Grade I listed building as of 28 January 1963.-wikipedia

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In 1871, John Crichton-Stuart,3rd Marquess of Bute, ordered the site to be cleared of vegetation and debris while his architect,William Burges, drew up plans for a full reconstruction. Burges and the Marquess had been working for over three years on the rebuilding of Cardiff Castle; the aim at Castel Coch was to achieve another "dazzling architectual tour de force of the High Victorian era, (a) dream-like castle which combine(d) sumptuous Gothic fantasy with timeless fairy tale.-Wikipedia

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Click on the link above for a 360 panoramic view of the drawing room.

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This is a detail of the singerie ceiling in Lady Bute's bedroom.
The room is "pure Burges: an arcaded circle, punched through by window embrasurs, and topped by a trefoil-sectioned dome." The decorative theme is 'love', symbolised by "monkeys, pomegranates, and nesting birds".-wikipedia

click on the link to view Lady Bute's bedroom in a panoramic view.

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This is a detail of the mantle in Lord Bute's bedroom.

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His Victorian room is heavily influenced with Burge's love of geometric stenciling and gilded ornamentation.

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The fact that Burges was, as described by Simon Jenkins, "an opium-addicted bachelor Gothicist who dressed in medieval costume" may have influenced his building style.(source)

Burges travels to Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany and eventually Turkey led to his lavish wall designs and moorish influences.

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The roof garden offers wonderful tiled murals with a simple animal border underneath.

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Castell Coch was the realization of Burge's High Victorian Dream. Burge was able to combine the influences from his travels and fantasy of Victorian lore to create this wonderful world of ornamentation.

Maestro d'Arte... Carlo Marchiori...

2011-08-27T10:02:00.001-05:00

Color! Venetian born artist Carlo Marchiori sees the world through the language of color and reinterprets it in his eclectic pieces of art.

Located at the northern end of the Napa Valley in Calistoga, California- Carlo has his studio open to the public Thurs-Mon.

Carlo creates in both one and three dimensional mediums-paintings, ceramics, sculptures, furniture and watercolors. Don't worry, if you see something you like, you can order on line

In 1999, I was in the Venice train station and this magazine cover caught my eye...this was my first exposure to Carlo Marchiori.

Opening the pages, I found an incredible article on the artist along with pictures of his home.

Remember, this was 1999, we didn't even have a computer in our home yet...my Italian was not that good and I assumed this was an article on an Italian artist with his villa in Italy.

A few years later (computer installed in home now) I was on line searching some art references. I remembered the magazine and did a search on Carlo's name.

Bingo! There was a book! And he now lives in the U.S.! I called the number listed on the web site and ordered the book. Carlo himself answered the phone when I placed the order.

When my daughter moved to San Francisco, I planned a visit to meet Carlo and take my daughter to see his incredible world.

Carlo has created a world reminiscent of Rome and Venice on his five acres in the Napa valley. The land has olive and eucalyptus trees, natural mineral springs and a climate similar to the Veneto area he grew up in. Marchiori designed his villa and gardens himself and is still adding to the illusion.

The interior walls are painted floor to ceiling in Italianate references.

Bacchus, Pompeii, Trojan horses,grottos, pulcinella-they are all here. When interviewed for California Style magazine, Carlo said- “I return home and enter my own dream world,” he says. “It’s a fantasy, and it’s my reality. I wake up, and I can be in 16th-century Vicenza. My spirit is uplifted. It’s the best way to start the day. It’s like living inside a painting.” •

On the way out of town, we rounded out the trip with a visit to the Del Dotto winery.

Del Dotto is an opulent winery with marble columns, mosaic floors and fantastic murals painted by Carlo!

You can view the winery's opulent tasting room in the video below.

The upper border Carlo painted features wine being aged in amphora clay vessels-Roman style.

The mantle wall is the focal point of the room with its floor to ceiling mural.

This fall, I look forward to the arrival of my 2009 clay vessel Zinfandel fermented as the Romans once practiced!

Also, here is a link to a great blog-Art and Alfalfa-Gina had her home built by the same architects that designed Ca'Toga!

Alameda Flea Market!

2011-08-21T15:54:00.000-05:00

I finally made it to the Alameda Flea Market!! This market is held just outside San Francisco on the first Sunday of each month. I arrived fairly early to a foggy morning at northern California's largest flea market.

The Alameda Point Antiques Faire, as it is formally known, boasts over 800 dealer booths! Gates open at 6:00 am for the serious shoppers.

Influences from Chinatown and the ocean are some of the local items seen at the booths.

Starfish and beautiful corals can be bought. The specimens are large and numerous, not found in my land locked environment!

There are bins of small trinkets, locks, keys, typewriter keys, etc...

...and lace! Filet and crocheted!

....oddity wine bottles......

....and FRENCH LINENS!! This is what I came to see!

European grain sacks...french ticking pillows and hemp sheets! There are several serious vendors with French linens on the grounds.

Lots of iron and garden pieces as well.
I came away with a few trinkets(suitcases filled to the brim already)I found some great paint brushes and small iconography pieces to squeeze into my luggage. If you are into flea markets,put it on your list- this one will not disappoint!

"Combines"...

2011-08-14T11:21:00.000-05:00

Last week, I went to the SFMOMA to view the Gertrude and Leo Stein collection. (no photography allowed-boo!) While there though, I caught some of their permanent collection including the exhibit "Selected Histories"-Key Moments in 20th century art.

Rauschenberg

A "combine" painting is an artwork that incorporates various objects into a painted canvas surface, creating a sort of hybrid between painting and sculpture. Items attached to paintings might include photographic images, clothing, newspaper clippings, ephemera or any other number of three-dimensional objects.-wikipedia

Rauschenberg

Photography was allowed in this exhibit so, I merrily clicked away images of the 20th century artists such as Picasso, Braque, Matisse, Diego Rivera and other contemporaries.

Rauschenberg is best know for his "combines"...

Rauschenberg

Collages held together with dripping paint, string, newspaper clippings and found objects, but Rauschenberg was not the only one using "sculptural" objects on canvas.

In Unsatisfied Desires, Salador Dali uses micro sea shells and sand on cardboard along with a thick layering of oil paint.

Jasper Johns energetically built layers on his canvases as well..

George Braque used coarse sand mixed with oil on Le Gueridon.

When approaching a new project, don't limit yourself to just paint and canvas! Creativity can be found inside the frames on the walls of museums.

Snagging a sale....End of an Era for Bufe and Babin

2011-08-07T15:48:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite design shops, Bufe and Babin is closing after 20 years. This was the best shop in my area for specialty trim and fabric along with wonderful finds they would ship back from Europe each year....

I went in to catch their closing sale and came away with some wonderful pieces. They had many aubusson remnants and one that I had my eye on for months was still there! I grabbed it, a bag of trim remnants and some other small items.

The bag of trim was in the blue family and will go well with the aubusson piece. Going through the trim was a delight..there was enough for a pillow I will make using the aubusson piece plus other projects.

Just look at the intricate trim included in my scrap bag! Every item carried in their shop was thought out and gave a custom look for their clients.

I will miss this shop, as they set the bar for design in my area, but will think of them as I view the treasures I have purchased over the years. Support the small, locally owned shops in your area, these people work hard and have passion for what they do!

Pinterest...you need to be here!

2011-07-30T09:29:00.001-05:00

Pinterest is the new "buzz word"...! If you are a creative person , you need to know about this! Pinterest is a virtual bulletin board...a place you can gather images by subject or upcoming project, and keep them organized for viewing and inspiration.

Are you saying, "Oh, I don't need another website to keep up with",I can always "google" what I need...

Look at the color combinations on this rainbow fungi...many times nature gives us what we need if we know where to look!

On Pinterest, you get information much quicker and keep up with current trends with the click of a mouse.Did you know you can mimic mercury glass now?

How cool is this? You can make textured rollers with hot glue and pvc pipe! I see lots of possibilities with this one.

How about just needing to see things in a new way? Pinterest is brimming with images of quirky, creative concepts.

Ok, we are back to practical again...need to get twenty years of paint off of some vintage hardware? This link will show you how easy it can be! (when you click on an image on Pinterest, it will give you the source)
Pinterest is a place you can sort out your thoughts , through images(which is the way artists think anyway!) You create subject "boards"- color, mural ideas, trends, etc. I work out my blog ideas here as well as upcoming projects.

Do you need some wall inspirations? There are literally thousands of photos of deterioration, gilding, encaustic painting, food recipes, crafts, castles and trompe!
You can view thousands of photos that other people post...if you like someone's style, you can "follow" them and be inspired by their images!

Pinterest has changed the way I create. I am so serious about it, I will sponsor anyone wishing to join! (It is an invitation only site) Just e-mail me your address and I will send you an invitation. There is no fee or spam related mail to come to you. You do not have to interact with anyone else(although, many artists and friends are already there).....it is making the world smaller and unifying creative people to be better at what they do!

*all images are from my boards on Pinterest

Pargeting

2011-07-24T09:53:00.002-05:00

Ian Warren

The decorative art of pargeting is amazing...combining lime putty, horse or hog hair and sand, pargeters sculpt magic onto the exterior walls of Tudor style buildings.

Pargeting derives from the word 'parget', a Middle English term that is probably derived from the Old French 'pargeter' / 'parjeter', to throw about, or 'porgeter', to roughcast a wall. (Source: Webster.) However, the term is more usually applied only to the decoration in relief of the plastering between the studwork on the outside of half-timber houses, or sometimes covering the whole wall. (wikipedia)

Ian Warren

Pargeting was originally associated with tudor style architecture and was used to adorn the exterior walls.
Contemporary pargeters include Ian Warren, Ed Fordham, Joe Pattison and Bill Sargent.

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I have conversed in the past with Bill Sargent, a master with the art of pargeting. Almost a lost art, Bill trains "lads" in the craft in England.

Bill Sargent is amongst the highest regarded pargetters (also spelled pargeter) in the country. His work can be seen in Suffolk, Essex, Kent and Norfolk and covers most areas of Conservation Plasterwork and pargetting (also spelled pargeting). This includes conservation plastering for listed buildings, Lime washing, Lime plastering (mouldings etc.) Arches, Lime floors and Brick stone and slate work.

Bill Sargent

Bill is a very generous man with his knowledge and loves sharing his passion of pargeting!

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He teaches his passion for the next generation to be able to restore and maintain early pargetting in England and surrounding areas.

source-Ian Warren

For a while, Bill had me convinced I could conquer the world through pargetting! He corresponded with me on technique and tools...

wikipedia

I do use lime plasters and holding a trowel is very familiar to me, but his level of work is meant for the serious student.

Ipswich

So when you see the fanciful decorated houses with ribbons, animals and heraldry, you will know it is pargeting!

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Bill also works with sgraffito...but that is another story!

**I think Regina Garay (Fauxology) and I were separated at birth! We often blog (and pin) the same or similar subjects. Here is her post on pargeting.

July is for Leos!

2011-07-16T19:13:00.002-05:00

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What do I have in common with Napoleon, Coco Chanel, Madonna, Jackie Kennedy and the Queen Mother? We are all Leos and have our birthdays in July or August.

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I am in good company with people who put emphasis on interior design....have you ever seen Napoleon's bedroom at Fontainebleau?

Fontainebleau-Napoleon

Or Coco Chanel's Paris apartment?

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Coco Chanel's apt

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Madonna is not only a trend setter in the entertainment world....

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Madonna's house in London showed classic taste in decorating.

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We all know what Jackie did with the White House!

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Jackie brought in Dorothy Mae "Sister" Parish to give the White House a historic legacy which featured Zuber's Views of North America wallpaper.

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When it comes to decorating, who can top the Queen Mother? I think Leo's love to feather their nest and are maybe a bit flamboyant? LOL! I am in good company and hope to continue to provide smart decorating ideas for all the other Leo's (and Leo's at heart ) out there!

Divvying up wall space..

2011-07-10T18:00:00.000-05:00

Walls...sigh...how to divide the space into a pleasing composition?

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Sometimes, just a painted grid or play on a greek key will do it!

Or maybe a quiet approach, with simple trim ?

If you need to add weight, you can grid the wall with trim!

here

Sometimes you don't have to divide the space, a design can spill over into other sections as in this lovely chinoiserie scene.

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Need some interest on a focal wall? This design not only gets your attention, it adds height to the small room.

Feeling a little "boxed in"? Bring the outdoors to you with some simple graphic designs of foliage! Done in a faux inlaid approach, this room is now rich and spacious.

Is there a small neglected space at the top of the stairs or at the end of the hallway? Dress it up with a little baroque ornament!

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Who said walls have to be rigid? Go all out and create a tufted backdrop for your furniture...whatever you do, let your personality reflect in your walls!

(all photos, unless noted, are from Pinterest)

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Mochaware...

2011-07-01T09:27:00.000-05:00

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Mochaware-Mocha: Cream- or pearlware decorated with vibrant-colored bands into which tree-like (dendritic) or other effects are introduced. Used in taverns and home kitchens. Named after mocha quartz.

I fell in love with mochaware the first time I saw a piece in the 1970's. What's not to love about the bold colors, and serpentine designs and swirls?

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Glazes are allowed to swirl and mingle reminding me of marbled papers.

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Mochaware is most known for it's serpentine, or earthworm designs.

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What makes the designs so three dimensional, is the way the glazes are applied. Two to three colors are poured into a tin with a spout, The colors are separated with metal walls and come out through the spout at the same time to create highlights and shadows of the design.

Dendritic designs are also common, forming tree like or seaweed shapes made when the glaze fans out . "mochaware was never intended as art. First made in England in the late 1700s, it was utilitarian pottery, used in taverns and modest homes. Simply put, it was the cheapest decorated pottery one could find. By the early 19th century, it was imported into America and was later produced here."(source)

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"Most people assume that mochaware is so named for its palette of browns, creams, grays, blacks, and muted tones of blue, green, pumpkin, and yellow. But the name derives from mukha ("mocha") stone, a type of moss agate from the Yemeni city of the same name. The stone features natural striations similar to the wares' seaweed and tree-like decorations... Owing to daily use, few examples of mochaware have survived over the years, making it a rare American collectible."(source)

I am always on the lookout for a piece to rescue at a flea market.,,sigh...no luck yet!

To Market, To Market....2011

2011-06-25T20:59:00.000-05:00

Re-purpose, Re-use and Re-cycle was definitely the green theme of the June 2011 market held at the World Trade Center in Dallas, Texas.

I attended the home and gift show to see the trends influencing the next year.

Natural materials re-cycled and re-used in organic designs were the themes of many showrooms.

Etched mirrors mimicking salvaged materials were strong last year and the techniques are even better this time! Stenciled designs are etched in and antiqued.

Graphics are still strong, antique prints are scanned and used in trays, lampshades and other re-purposed ways.

The designs give the feel of heritage and antiquity.

Salvaged canvas with stenciled graphics is even stronger this year. Seen in pillows, satchels and bedding, this once commercial look is now interpreted for home use.

The influence of a lean economy has taught us all to re-use, re-purpose and re-think our purchasing practices. Finding a new way to use an old item in our environment is now the chic thing to do!

Stuckmarmor...

2011-06-19T20:53:00.002-05:00

Stuckmarmor is the German version of what many know as scagliola. Stuckmarmor is a mixture of plaster, pigment and ingenuity.

Look familiar? This starts just like scagliola, a very hands on procedure mixing in the pigments with the plaster.

Colors are blended and then shaped into loaves or balls and can be mixed to make the imitation of veins in marbles. This photo shows a restoration of a profile at the base of a column. The stuckmarmor is applied to the damaged area, filling in and giving the illusion of marble.

What starts out as this....

Turns into this when different clumps of color are mixed, sliced thin and polished to perfection.

My friend Gina of Art and Alfalfa did a wonderful blog post on stuckmarmor.
She shows the complete process and some wonderfully detailed columns.

Photo from Art and Alfalfa

So, whatever, you call it, Stuckmarmor or scagliola, many cultures have embraced the art of plasterwork and elevated it to the wonderful art form.

Malachite!...I'm green with envy!

2011-06-11T20:23:00.001-05:00

Hermitage St. Petersburg

How much more classic can you get than malachite in decorating?

Tony Duquette Inc., makes this fabulously decadent malachite fabric printed on cotton(and offers other precious mineral interpretations) ....

Tony Duquette collection Malachite chair

... this is also the fabric used for the malachite chair.

Cole-and-Son offers this malachite wallpaper for interiors.

Dawnridge-Duquette photo

Tony Duquette understood the power of malachite in interior settings mixing with other classic elements.

Brimfield/Brimfield

This decorative piece by Brimfield and Brimfield adds just a touch of malachite to give any room richness.

Dawnridge-Duquette photo

The deep green mineral has been mimicked in design for decades. This was photographed at Dawnridge and also features a screen with Duquette fabrics through Jim Thompson. As you can see, it packs a large punch!

The Grand Canal

This photo is from a private residence on the grand canal in Venice...Zuber wallpaper combined with faux malachite pilasters and trim....perfection!

From Soup to Nuts.....

2011-06-04T20:58:00.002-05:00

Scott Marr photo

"Chameleon"
Pyrography, eucalypt bark wash, ochres, liquid chlorophyll, coriopsis flower and plane tree charcoal wash.
23 by 33cm

Scott Marr is a nature based artist that combines pyrography with washes of natural pigments gathered from the Australian bush.

"Scott boils barks, leaves and mosses to leach organic dyes. He crushes native berries to produce an array of watery washes and grinds and boils sap to form thick syrups and diluted tints. In the kitchen he makes beetroot juice and coffee washes for his works on paper. He does it all from soup to nuts...*"

"There is no me" Self Portrait
Pyrography eucalypt bark wash, liquid chlorophyll, eucalypt sap, ochres, charcoal, mineral pigments and coriopsis flower wash.
65 by 101cm

Born in 1976 in St Leonards, Sydney, Australia, Scott Marr uses natural pigments collected from the bush and farmlands including ochres, bark, charcoal, sap, flowers, berries, and the medium of fire to burn drawings (pyrography) onto paper and wood. Based on a love for drawing, Marr’s artwork looks into the world of what he calls “bio metamorphics” symbiosis, energy, or the “alchemy of nature".

Worker Ant Scott Marr Photo

This video shows the fascinating process of his work and the actual size of each piece. Check out his website for further amazing work!

(all photos are property of Scott Marr)

Fornasetti....

2011-05-28T16:07:00.001-05:00

Fornasetti

Piero Fornasetti was a renaissance man of the 20th century. Sculptor, painter, interior decorator and engraver, Fornasetti's signature designs are reminiscent of fine lined engravings using repeatedly the face of opera singer Lina Cavalieri.

Antiquariato photo

Piero's son, Barnaba, now runs the business and keeps the family home in Milan going.

Antiquariato photo

The April issue of Antiquariato magazine featured the interiors of the Milan home of the Fornasetti family.

Antiquariato photo

Fornasetti used his home as a canvas for his creativity. Here, he worked out the designs and style of his decorative items. Geometric lines combined with black and white engraved faces became synonymous with Fornasetti.

Antiquariato photo

The Fornasetti products are still recreated by hand using patterns created by Piero.

Antiquariato photo

He was a master at using found objects combined with a pop of color.

Antiquariato photo

Don't you love the applique look of the chair and desk?

Antiquariato photo

How about the dizzying combination of mosaic floor and patterned walls?

Fornasetti

This is essential Fornasetti. The faux three dimensional rug paired with found objects and a fanciful chest. Do you own any Fornasetti?

Stripes!

2011-05-21T21:33:00.000-05:00

Stripes! Although not new, I seem to see a trend emerging of big, bold stripes in many types of products.

Paul Smith is synonymous with stripes. Getting his inspiration from maps of metro and subway lines, he uses them in his signature pieces. I took this photo while in London visiting one of the Paul Smith Globe shops.

I had to purchase the leather striped sandals while there of course!

Built is another brand that is synonymous with rows of graphic stripes. I own the neoprene lunch bag and a couple of camera cases.

I just got these cute little speakers today. They are made by Eco Nation in a wonderful brown and blue stripe! Even my purse linings are striped! Are you attracted to striped accessories? If so, what products do you use in your daily life?

Collaboration...

2011-05-14T21:13:00.000-05:00

Helen Morris is one of the most creative women I know. She not only runs possibly the largest stencil company in the world, she manages to maintain a blog...and help me with personal advice when I am stuck on an art issue! Recently, Helen helped me with a fashion dilemma I had. I was attending an international art conference and needed something creative to wear. I found a great artist smock in London, but they did not have a way to buy them on line. I contacted Helen to possibly run by and pick it up for me. The store was able to ship to me and Helen did not have to go out of her way. I received the smock and sent pictures to Helen as I started the process of making it a little more custom. Helen thought it was interesting enough to make it a post on her blog-Design Inspiration. I hope you enjoy the story behind my artist smock! Thanks Helen!

Cassapanca

2011-05-09T13:10:00.000-05:00

It's a small world....now that we have the internet! Recently, my friend Regina Garay of Fauxology, posted a link to Buzz Kaplan's word of the day-Cassapanca.

He posted these fabulous examples of a vintage cassapanca, a decorative bench with a back and a storage seat.

Italian in origin, cassapancas were usually large in scale and highly decorative.

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Finding a cassapanca on an auction site is not as easy as it might seem.

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They are a rare find and usually cost several thousand dollars.

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This one is not as elaborate as most, but shows the variety in style.

Italian artist Alison Woolley of Florence Art painted this wonderful example of a cassapanca.

I love this black one! Most seem to be done in earth pigments or lighter in color.

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When you "google" the word cassapanca, many times it wants to substitute "cassablanca"!

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The backs of the cassapancas are made of flat wood to fit against the wall and not take up a lot of floor space. The wood is cut into decorative shapes and given dimension through trompe l'oeil painting.

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As decorative as they are, I could not help posting this bench as well! Do you own a unique bench? I have my eyes out for a vintage Italian cassapanca!

The Power of Paint...

2011-05-01T20:50:00.000-05:00

Paint is a powerful thing! You can do magic or...mishap!

This is what I walked in to when I began this job. Very dark walls, almost black ceiling and dark columns.

With the dark floors, the room absorbed all natural light through the too dark walls and ceiling.

The columns were boxed out and I re-floated the walls and brought in a creamy palette.

The niche needed some interest, so a decorative element was introduced.

The walls were embossed with a damask design mimicking some fabrics in the furniture.

The niche added a pop of color helping to balance the built-in underneath.

It still amazes me what paint can do! The built-in became a custom piece of furniture with the magic of paint!

The new columns were given a soft, antiqued design to compliment the walls.

Now the room tells a story! Light is not an issue and the red pop of color balances the new chairs and rug. Paint can make or break a room....never underestimate the power of paint!!

Egg-citement!

2011-04-23T21:48:00.000-05:00

artist

We have all seen decorated Easter eggs....but have you seen this? It is a mosaic portrait of the Virgin Mary made from 15,000 wooden eggs!

I saw these ostrich eggs in Paris, carved and transformed into sconces!

Traditional Easter eggs have come a long way in the art world. Brian Baity works in glass, wood, gourds and eggshells.

His goose eggs are my favorite!

I have created decorative eggs as well. These are wooden eggs in various sizes that I marbled using old bookbinding paper techniques. I hope you have decorated eggs for Easter and have a happy weekend!

Fractals..Math and Art in Harmony

2011-04-17T09:24:00.001-05:00

Alfred Liang

You can thank Benoit Mandelbrot for introducing us in 1975 to fractals.

A fractal is a geometric shape that has self similarity-when fragmented, smaller sections mimic the whole.

The closer you zoom in on a Mandelbrot set, the more intricate it becomes.

Do you think 60's artist, Peter Max saw what was coming in the future?

The merging of math and art is not a new concept.

Lenora Clark

"What distinguishes fractal geometry within mathematics is an exceptional and uncanny characteristic. Its first steps are not tedious, hard and unrewarding, but playful and extraordinarily easy, and provide rich reward in terms of stunning graphics. To the mathematician , they bring a bounty of very difficult conjectures that no one can solve. To the artist, they provide backbones around which imagination can play at will. To everyone, a few steps in about any direction bring extraordinary pleasure. Nothing is more serious than play. Let's all play."
-Benoit Mandelbrot

Fine artists have used math for centuries to develop pleasing compositions...beauty....to the eye. This symmetry is based on the Fibonacci numbers.

The golden ratio is seen over and over in nature. Fractals occur in nature as well...a basic shape occurring over and over in a plant making a pleasing pattern.

Symmetry through math in nature produces beauty to the human eye.

The fibonacci series can be used to produce arcs and curves perfectly proportioned.

Art and math.....working together to create the intangible quality of beauty.

Thank you Jans Berghuis for making me think!

Salon...Atlanta, Ga 2011

2011-04-10T10:47:00.002-05:00

Anita Medina panel

No, this is not a photo of the Assyrian lions in the Louvre...this is a decorative painting done by artist Anita Medina.
A large group of international decorative painters just gathered in Atlanta, Ga for the 2011 Salon.

Salon exhibits the most prestigious level of art by decorative artists.

Pierre Finkelstein

Examples of marbles and wood graining by the best of the best are on exhibit. Each year, there is a theme to the gathering...this year it was "Secrets".

Jan Berghuis

Lectures were also offered by the artists for the "insiders"that attended .

This piece by Jans Berghuis, is based on the golden rule and was elaborated on in his lecture on the secrets of the universe.

Each piece exhibited had incredible detail and only got better the closer you viewed them.

Julien Gautier

Layers of shading and highlights are painted to produce intricate folds in fabric and carved marbles.

This is a detail of Julien Gautier's work showing how precise his lines are between shadow and light.

Natali Hallburg worked on a fantastic portrait of a child. The expression on her face was perfect!

Mats Carlson

It is all about the illusion of depth, shadow and light and the play of three dimensional with the flat canvas. Mats Carlson did a great example of what a decorative artist does best....fool the eye!

Salon...

2011-04-03T10:21:00.001-05:00

This is a short post as I am trying to finish a job for a client and pack for Atlanta. Salon is hosting it's 2011 conference in the U.S. this year. (Last year it was held at Versailles)

Decorative artists from all over the world will gather to display their work and share techniques.

The conference is April 6-10th and will be based at Atlantic Station. Artists that are submitting work, will display their panels executed based on the theme of the year. This year's theme is "Secrets".

Many styles and media will be on exhibit. Applicants enter work in trompe l"oeil, fresco, wood graining and marbling, anamorphic and other categories.

The conference will be open to the public on the 9th and the 10th. If you are anywhere near, this is a once in a lifetime conference to attend and see some of the best art from around the world. I will post a follow up on the conference when I return. To learn more about Salon, click here.

All photos are property of Salon website.

Chateau de Blois...

2011-03-25T22:11:00.000-05:00

There are two magazines I cannot do without...World of Interiors and Antiquariato.

Antiquariato is an Italian publication I discovered over a decade ago. The February issue has a wonderful article on "Il Castello di Blois" or, the Chateau de Blois .

Andrea Lapi photo

Home to several kings, the chateau is a series of buildings constructed from the 13th to the 17th c.

It has 100 bedrooms ( this one being the King's with Henry IV's "H" in the floor tiles)

V come Viaggiare photo

Wikipedia states it" has 564 rooms and 75 staircases although only 23 were used frequently".

7 kings and 10 queens resided in the chateau.

Joan of Arc came here to have her banner blessed.

The salamander, a symbol of Francois l, is predominant in the chateau.

Wikipedia

The chateau was reduced to being barracks during the French Revolution but in 1840 it was classified a national historical monument and is now a museum. If you want to see more detailed photos of the grounds and interiors of the chateau, click here and here.

Bling...Ponte Vecchio style

2011-03-19T07:40:00.002-05:00

Micro mosaic jewelry is a weakness of mine...when in Florence last week, I found some lovely examples on the Ponte Vecchio.

The shop of Bernardo Antichita stands out as one of the best sources for estate and antique jewelry on the bridge.

Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of fabulous jewelry in other areas as well!

But, the Ponte Vecchio offers door to door rare pieces just tempting you through those glass walls...

Price points are usually well out of my range, but one can usually find a unique piece to call your own.

Bernardo Antichita captures my heart completely with his window displays.

Those lovely green moire displays offsetting some of the best antique jewelry I have ever seen.

I love the sprinkling of coral counterbalancing that incredible cuff.

...a carved coconut flask., some early roman glass....all perfect additions to a curiosity cabinet!

He does have a wonderful website where all of these items may be purchased...just browsing on line is a treat in itself! ...he accepts paypal..!!!

Rubelli

2011-03-14T07:46:00.000-05:00

Carnavale... confetti.....costumes....vintage textiles....it must be Venice!

I was fortunate enough to be there last week on the last day of Carnavale. I rode the vaporetto to S. Angelo to visit the showrooms of Rubelli.

Rubelli is located in the 15thc Palazzo Corner Spinelli and houses some of the most historically important textiles from the 15thc forward.

Over 100 years old, Rubelli draws its inspiration from things around them...lace from Burano, frescoed walls and ornamental ceilings.

Tea Time

Rubelli works with silks, cottons, linens and wools to produce fresh interpretations of old themes along with faithful reproductions of jacquards and damasks associated with Venice.

Casablanca

Handed down for five generations, ancient techniques are still used to produce the detailed designs that continue to be referenced by other major textile companies.

Mitridate

Striving for authentic textiles , in 2004 Rubelli reassembled hand looms from the 18th and 19th centuries to produce sopraizzi,-the labor intensive hand made velvet. In 1928, they provided the sporaizzi woven with pure gold for the carriages of the royal train.

Mitridate

In 2003, Rubelli was instrumental in the restoration of La Fenice after the 1996 fire. Their fabrics have also been used in La Scala in Milan and the Doges Palace in Venice.

Their historic archives house over 6000 textile records. Select pieces are rotated for viewing by their clients.

The archives are housed in a lavish 15th c room facing the grand canal where the gilded doors and ceiling catch the reflections of the water in the canal.

Isabella Campagnol , curator of the museum, was gracious enough to show me many pieces of the collection including some of the liturgical work. The museum is an unmatched source for reconstruction of ancient textiles worldwide.

Rubelli is synonymous with the beauty of Venice. They have remained dedicated to continuing a tradition that can only be described as a pure art form. I will never forget my visit and the hospitality of the staff.

Special thanks to Albarosa Simonetti who first introduced me to Rubelli . link here.

Look Up...

2011-03-07T01:34:00.000-06:00

I am in Italy this week so posting my blog a little late......

There is so much to see at ground level.....

and so much more if you look up!

There is beauty in the smallest details.....

I promise to post more photos from "looking up" when I return!

Ciao!

Roughing It.....

2011-02-27T22:07:00.000-06:00

Don't you just love tents?

Stockholm

Not Boy Scout versions .....

Really decorative ones with wooden tassels and painted ornamentation.

I would love to have a tent like this as well!

Melanie Royals made this incredible stenciled tent!

Sir Richard Burton is buried in a tent in the United Kingdom....

Even the guard shack at Versailles is a tent!

My friend Helen Morris beat me to the punch and made this fabulous tent for herself. I really want to make one...this is my kind of "roughing it"!

Tea Time

2011-02-19T20:34:00.001-06:00

There was a time when tea was elevated to an art form....not sold in nondescript boxes in grocery stores.

Tea was pressed into intricate molds, dried and sold in brick form.

Designs varied, but they were all ornate... and they smelled wonderful!

Some pressed teas were a little more creative and took on other shapes.

This one is in the shape of a coin and could be hung as a decorative object.

China did not monopolize the market...this is Russian tea.

You can still buy these today, just usually not in your supermarket. I have had this brick of tea for over ten years and decided to treat it as sculptural art and not becoming wet tea leaves in the bottom of a cup. Let me know if you have seen other designs of tea bricks. I am fascinated with their beauty!

Decorative Wallpaper...

2011-02-13T09:24:00.001-06:00

Joseph Dufour from the Musee de Papier et Peint

Well, it just doesn't get any better than this! Just look at those colors. The Hermes orange and cool turquoise pop against the muddied background. This is definitely work by Joseph Dufour.

Sauvages de la Mer Pacifique

Joseph and Pierre Dufour began their company in 1797. Sucess was not immediate and they liquidated soon after. Pierre left the business and when Joseph collaborated with Jean-Gabriel Charvet to create this twenty panel mural based on Captain Cook's voyages to the South Seas, Americans eagerly purchased it!

Joseph Ramee'

Joseph Ramee' was the French architect and interior designer that created this fabulous neoclassical motif. I love the stylized tonal design against the small red lined background.

The French seemed to master the hand blocked decorative papers in the 1880's. Using hand carved wood blocks and gouache paints, intricate designs using ribbons, urns and allegorical figures became popular.

Christopher Norman saw the importance of this era and produced a modern line of papers based on the historic New England collection of 18th and 19th c wallpapers.

Adelphi has reintroduced panels based on Evariste Fragonard (son of Honore') These panels are widely known through their original production in the early 1900's.

Gracie is synonymous with asian influenced decorative papers. Their choice of colors and intricate designs make Gracie paper distinguishable from other copies.

Dufour

Dufour also created stunning borders focusing on folds of fabric and floral motifs. He was fascinated with mimicking the sheen of silk and weaving floral trim against the soft fabric.

D. Giannelli was produced in France in the mid 1800's. This sample is from the Musee de Papier et Peints. The museum archives the most ornate papers from the 18th and 19th centuries.
These papers are only a small sampling of the true art that was produced in the 18th and 19th centuries. I hope these images inspired you to look at your walls in a new way!

French Influences...

2011-02-04T08:41:00.001-06:00

I just finished a project for a client that wanted a timeless patina with french influences for a bedroom in her home. With touches of gilding, painted canvas and washes of color, the illusion began....

First, I painted panels for the head and footboard on canvas.

Then, the distressing began...washes of color and sanding aged the design giving the illusion of a rescued antique!

The canvas was beaten, crumpled, even abraded with a rasp to get the effect of wear over time.

Soft garlands and ribbon with a touch of lattice gave it a European feel.

Coronas and mirrors were also aged to add to the story.

A palette of french blue, cream and soft pinks with touches of gilding gave the soft look needed.

Small berries and olive leaves were used on the mirrors.....

With the flick of a brush and attention to detail, any era can be created in a home. There are many qualified artists just waiting to complete your dreams! The only thing limiting you is your imagination!

Stylish Blogger Award

2011-01-29T17:50:00.000-06:00

I have made such wonderful friends though blogging! Mark of All Things Ruffnerian and Gina of Art and Alfalfa BOTH awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award! They both have blogs that are on my must read list weekly.

According to the rules, I must list seven things about me.....hmmmmm....

I am a morning person.

I love cats!

I see the color before I see the object.

I hold a paintbrush seven days a week.

I am a loyal MacBook user.

Salted caramel gelato is my weakness!

I want to hold a book, not a "Nook'.

Thanks to both of you for thinking my blog is stylish!!

Floorcloths

2011-01-28T06:58:00.000-06:00

Gunderwood Studios photo

This is no aubusson rug....it is pure faux! Gunderwood studios are that good. This elaborate handpainted rug is the most incredible example of a floorcloth I have ever seen!

Gunderwood Studios

This is more of their work....amazing stuff! I love the faux fringe on the edges.

Sally Carmichael Designs

Painted floorcloths have been around for centuries and still can add so much to an entry of a home.

Sophie Sarin also makes me smile with her mosaic floorcloth. How cool is it using the mosaic concept on a floorcloth? Sarin's work was recently featured by Daily Basics.

This gives you the scale of the whole design. Those red walls just make it pop!

Lucretia Moroni photo Fatto-a-Mano

Lucretia Moroni was one of the first artist to combine the look of hand woven oriental rugs into floorcloth designs. She combines silk screening with stenciling and hand painting on linen to create these incredible illusions.

Susie Morgan Wilburn took it one step further and painted a "floorcloth" for her table! Floorcloths can add such a punch to a home for a small amount of money....get painting and let me know what you create!

What Fairytales are Made Of.....

2011-01-22T19:58:00.001-06:00

King Ludvig's Bavarian sleigh

There was a time when travel for royalty was in elaborately carved coaches and sleighs.

Kerry Larson photo

Art and history are intertwined in these royal carriages.

The finest craftsmen were employed to carve, gild and paint these works of art.

The famous Lord Mayor's coach has painted panels reportedly done by Cipriani.

This coach, built for the Queen's 80th birthday, contains almost 4000 years of history!

[And] the Queen classifies the coaches as works of art." But for Mr Frecklington the coach is a historical monument. "This is a time capsule that goes back almost 4000 years."

The passenger doors are inlaid with wood from Henry VIII's flagship, the Mary Rose, the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral. Even Admiral Nelson's golden crown, rescued from the battle of Trafalgar, rides atop the roof, although here there is a hint of the modern world.

Jim Carlson photo

This is the Golden State Carriage from the Royal Mews in London used for the Queen's coronation. History....art.....what fairytales are made of!

Ghost Nest....

2011-01-17T08:52:00.000-06:00

A few months ago, I entered a contest that Teri Long had on her very creative blog- La Dolfina. The prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners were custom drawer knobs from Ghost Nest.

The contestant was to describe how they would use these fabulous knobs in an organizational way. I won 2nd place!

These knobs are from Ghost Nest. They offer round and square shapes and you provide the image (or chose from their files)you want embedded in the clear knob. Reid Evans is the San Francisco based artist behind the concept of Ghost Nest.

I promised to use my custom knobs on a file cabinet to organize each drawer, but decided the old file boxes would be a more clever idea!

I chose photos from my travels and home to visually organize my life. I can simply glance at the pictures and know which one is a file for home, clients, bills, current projects, etc. Thank you Teri for creating this give-away and be sure to visit Reid's site and organize your life in 2011.

Bread....yes, Bread!

2011-01-10T08:47:00.003-06:00

Bread is a simple pleasure that most cultures enjoy.

Not only is it functional, but can be beautiful as well!

The Boudin bakery in San Francisco has been baking creative sourdough shapes for years from their original 1849 starter.

You can watch the process from outside of their location near the wharf.

Wicker baskets are dusted with flour and filled with dough to let rise.

Free form shapes of teddy bears, lobsters, alligators and such come down the line for customers to purchase.

These loaves of sourdough stacked together remind me of grains of wheat.

This is the traditional shape with razor cuts that is identified with sourdough.

You can actually eat your "bowl" in this meal!

Even though bread is a basic staple, it can be elevated to an art form.

The fundamental shape has become a fanciful one!

This is the only alligator I would consider eating!

In Venice, bread can take on the shapes of happy faces for people to purchase.

Even their sign is made of bread!

But, the best bread of all is that from a friend....made with their hands and given in love!

Paolo Olbi

2011-01-02T13:04:00.000-06:00

I will never forget the first time I saw the shop windows of Paolo Olbi.

I was walking from La Fenice in Venice to the Museo Fortuny.

Christine Rochet Photo

There is much eye candy in Venice, but his shop caught my eye.

I took photos of all the wonderful hand printed stationery....that was all I could do, because they were closed! (Little did I know there was another location near the Rialto bridge)

That is the luck of shopping in Venice. Many of the most wonderful things are made in small shops that are only open a few days a week.

I have since been able to amass a fairly large collection of Olbi products.

They do not deal with on-line selling. They prefer to meet their customers and deal with them directly.

I own a note pad, journal, bookmarks and many note cards. The origins of the designs go back to the beginnings of Venice itself.

Moorish and Byzantine ornament are captured with sienna and ochre inks.

I now own everything in the photos posted and I will go back to add to my collection in the spring!

Decorative Indulgences

2010-12-26T07:01:00.048-06:00

Dalvabrothers photo

Decorative artists take ordinary objects and elevate them into works of beauty. This baroque footstool is a fabulous example of what ornate decoration can produce.

As cultures evolved, the desire to decorate their daily lives also evolved. The elite and courts commissioned artists to transform their worlds with ornate interpretations of common objects.

Dalvabrothers photo

Decorative footstools amaze me. This is a rare set of four stools, the first photo is a detail shot of one of them. They are Italian circa 1700 and have their original crimson velvet with silver applique' on them. They may be purchased here.

Not as comfortable, but just as beautiful is this stone carved stool.

Simpler in design, this neoclassical footstool has lion heads at each corner.

objectsplus photo

This neoclassical tabouret( a stool without a back or arms) is partial gilt italian 18th c. I love the shade of blue against the gilt flowers. You may purchase it here

Tara Bradford photo

Blogger Tara Bradford featured this stool in her blog.

Italian artist Pelagio Pelagi worked for noblemen and kings creating mostly paintings but also worked with sculpture and decorative furniture. Look at those fabulous cabriole legs and winged angels! I am now on the look out for a fabulous tabouret!

Haeckel

2010-12-18T10:58:00.001-06:00

Ernst Haeckel was a turn of the century German biologist that changed the world with his scientific illustrations. Trained in many scientific fields, he not only named multitudes of species, he illustrated them as well. Wikipedia describes him as" an eminent German biologist, naturalist, philosopher, physician, professor and artist who discovered, described and named thousands of new species". Kunstformen der Natur, "Artforms of Nature" is the book of his intricate illustrations.

Haeckel's illustrations of invertebrates influence the design world even today.

This is a classic Finish 1960's Eero Aarnio mushroom lounge chair.

Even basic shapes are mimicked in design.

These military insignia are a perfect example of the influence of nature.

Haeckel's work, as a design element, is still fresh...

These drawings provide endless kaleidoscopic combinations of design.

It is easy to see how rosettes and baroque scrollwork are based in the nature that Ernst Haeckel illustrated for us.

Haeckel's illustrations can be found in his original book form or through reprinted copies.

CASAMIDY....!

2010-12-10T07:47:00.000-06:00

From the very first image I stumbled upon, I was hooked on Casamidy! I have followed Casamidy's work for almost two years now.

The images of their products combined with aged, deteriorating backgrounds was a look that definitely caught my eye!

Casamidy is the brainchild of Jorge Almada and Anne-Marie Midy.

Formed in 1998, Casamidy employs artisans specializing in areas such as metalsmith, leatherwork, and carpentry.

The work is designed solely by Anne-Marie and Jorge.

Don't get me wrong, their work is beyond fantastic....but don't ignore those backdrops!

Award winning photographer Ricardo Labougle is responsible for those amazing shots!

Casamidy's furniture is timeless in these settings.

They have a line of metal "twig" pieces that are very smart!

I am not the only one watching these collaborators. Their work has been published in World of Interiors, Elle Decor, Traditional Home and many other leading decorative magazines.

Labougle chose elaborately designed backgrounds to compliment the simple, solid lines of Casamidy furniture and accessories.

Mexico was one of the main sources for these incredible interiors.

all images from Casamidy

Casamidy also has a facebook page....I hope you look further into their sites and fall in love with them as I have!

Ornamental Engravings...

2010-12-03T10:20:00.002-06:00

The end of the 16thc and beginning of the 17thc was the height of ornamental engravings.

Carlo Antonini

Classical urns and vases were illustrated through floral designs.

During this time, engravings became fanciful images, incorporating decorative ornament into the classical shape of the urn or vase.

Piranesi

In 1740, Giovanni Battista Piranesi was learning engraving and etching in Rome, residing in the Palazzo Venezia. His background in architecture led him to create a more classical approach.

Piranesi studied in Rome under Giuseppe Vasi.

Giovanni Giardini was skilled as a draughtsman, silversmith and gem carver. These skills show in his precise engravings of urns in the mid 1600's.

world-market-portraits.blogspot.com photo

Acanthus leaves, egg and dart borders and the illusion of gold were common themes in these ornamental urns.

Piranesi

Piranesi's Venetian influence

Henri-Simon Thomassin

Mythology was still a strong subject matter as well....

Henri-Simon Thomassin

as well as swags , ribbons and musical instruments.

Henri-Simon Thomassin

The hand coloring of these engravings were art in themselves!

source

Sam Garriott Antonacci offers a miniature book on detailed drawings of classic urns. This is hand made with his illustrations.

Fellow blogger Penney Wiseman offers some nice watercolors in her etsy store...

Urns are timeless and are still being interpreted today. You can own this print from etsy if you don't want to go formal. Just be sure to include decorative ornament in your home!

For the Love of Wood...

2010-11-26T18:54:00.000-06:00

I love carved wood....intricate artisan pieces that tell a story...no resin reproductions please!

Asian, English, it doesn't matter....I love the intricacy of the shadow and dimension.

Nothing compares to the time worn patina on carved wood...

Artist Patrick Gracewood understands the nature of wood, how to use it's graining and shape to it's best advantage.

Root carvings have their own uniqueness...they must evolve from the shape of the roots.

sculpture.net

The design must flow in harmony with the shape of the gnarled roots.

Hiromitsu-japan.com

Accepting the roots and using them as part of the design.

Okokchina.com

A good artist will see the finished design in the shape of the roots before it is begun.

Okokchina.com

They will work with the roots, creating a harmonious sculpture

arts.cultural-china.com

Using the growth of the roots to tell a new story....

asian-culture-shop.com

Exposing the beauty that was inside all the time!

Special Delivery!

2010-11-19T08:31:00.000-06:00

I love the mailman this week! He brought me three very unique books I had ordered....

The first surprise was from Lala Ema and her blog- My Castle in Spain. Lala is designing some wonderful paper items and has an etsy store to purchase from. My journal came and it is even better than the photos depicted!

Lala wrapped my journal as a gift and the detail did not go unnoticed. Note the fabulous tassels on the spine of the journal.

The front design is from a postage stamp surrounded with punch work and four small beads.

The best surprise was finding the marbled paper inside!

My next postal delivery was the newly published Faux Forum Artbook 2010. This book is a collaboration of artwork by members of the Faux Forum.

I submitted a decorative ornament design in grisaille. It was nice to finally hold the book in my hands and see the other work submitted!

If that wasn't enough, a third package arrived yesterday! The new book on Madeleine Castaing!! This is the most comprehensive book to date on Castaing's style and life.

There are over 250 illustrations and appendix to her favorite fabric and carpet designs.

Hopefully, books are a part of your life....real books that you can hold and smell the paper. Call me a purist, but a virtual book is just not the same! Be sure to include a good book in your holiday shopping!

Grottesca in San Antonio...

2010-11-12T22:26:00.000-06:00

Grottesca was the buzz word in San Antonio this past week with the arrival of Carolina D'Ayala Valva of Artelier studio of Rome.

Leslie and Nicola Vigini opened their studio for an intensive four day class with Carolina on the art of egg tempera grottesca. Leslie and Nicola operate an extremely creative studio in San Antonio and catered completely to the needs of each student.

Carolina designed a panel for the class including basic grottesca ornamentation. Once the design was transferred to canvas, the key color was applied in layered washes.

Classes went from 9:00 am till sometimes 7:00pm...the Viginis provided lunch daily and snacks for the marathon hours.

Even Nicola participated in painting the panel.

Tempera grassa or "fat" tempera (oil tempera) was the medium used for this class. The beauty of egg tempera is the building of layers of color to create depth and shading.

Grottesca is known for it's attention to detail...in fantasy borders and intricate foliage. The tempera has a matte , organic feel which cannot be duplicated through other mediums.

This is my finished panel...I would not trade anything for the knowledge learned this week on this Renaissance process. Thanks to Carolina for her dedication and patience with her students and special thanks to the Viginis for supporting the art of decoration!