The Beauty of the Brush Stroke: Franz Kline + James Nares + Kelly Wearstler

The brush stroke is generally used as a tool, one of many components that makes up a composition. But many artists have embraced the brush stroke itself as a work of art. One of the pioneers of this way of thinking was abstract expressionist, Franz Kline, who's black and white compositions use bold and brash brush strokes to express structure and space...

Today, contemporary artist James Nares is exploring the spontaneous elements of single strokes of paint, positioning himself and his over sized paint brush above the canvas horizontally, letting gravity and force dictate much of the outcome...

I can't help but love the organic tonal variations and the way the paint seems to dance across the canvas in each piece. And I especially adore the element of spontaneity in his work. There is something so incredibly intriguing when an artist releases some of that control and embraces the results. I find this approach to be incredibly freeing and some of my favorite paintings have been the most unplanned and uninhibited, like this gold piece that now hangs in our bedroom...(please excuse the horrible photography)

Interior designer-gone-fashion designer (and my personal hero) Kelly Wearstler uses this look brilliantly in her new collection. And her chiffon and silk fabrics flow just as beautifully as paint on a canvas, making the entire look feel effortlessly chic. I have fallen head over heals for the turquoise mini of course...

via Kelly Wearstler

And I am always looking for ways to incorporate this look into my home. I love the relaxed urban feel it brings to a space. Like Franz Kline and James Nares' paintings, each piece has a unique story that is made by the viewer rather than the creator, allowing guests and homeowners alike an unassuming sense of comfort when entering the room.

lamp via Beeline Home, plates via Elephant Ceramics, Pillow via Belrossa Home, Rug via Fort Street Studio, Glassware via Habitat, plates via Elephant Ceramics

In fact, looking around right now I see a few glaringly blank palettes in my own home that could use this treatment. Afterall, Miss Wearstler treated a whole wall this way so why not? I strongly urge all of you to try it too, it can be incredibly freeing and you never know what kind of beauty that may come from it...Enjoy!!

via Kelly Wearstler

Love it / Live [in] it: Pink Love [Allison Yip + Kelly Weartsler]

Here I go posting pink again, it must really be growing on me. Of course anything that Kelly Wearstler does is absolutely brilliant. And I always love an unexpected use of color like artist Allison Yip's crashing waves in shades of fuchsia...

art by Alison Yip via Monte Clark Gallery, Image via Kelly Wearstler

I'm busy catching up on tons of work today having spent the entire day yesterday on a photo shoot with a very talented photographer Natassia Robinson, sneak peaks to come very soon! Hope you're all having a wonderful week...Enjoy!

Colored Daylight 5.13.11

As some of you may have noticed, blogger was completely down for about 24 hours and in the mean time deleted some posts, errr! Anyway I just wanted to re-post this in case any of you missed it, a little color therapy for your weekend.

In soothing blue-greens, two of my biggest inspirations: Andy Warhol who's work always helps to lighten things up a bit and keeps me from taken life too seriously, and Kelly Wearstler, a true artist and designer, (one of her stunning mood trays) Wearstler is a constant inspiration to me, always creating her own furniture and designing fabrics she continues to produce work that is uniquely her in a big way...

Lastly a shot of my jewelry in the same gorgeous palette. I always see an outfit as a blank canvas and a chance to be creative and one of my favorite ways to brighten up on an otherwise grey day is to pile on the brights...Enjoy!



Art + Interiors: Berry Punch [Richard Mayhew]

Today I am loving the vibrant expressionist landscapes of African-American artist Richard Mayhew. After seeing this piece, 'Rhapsody' in person at the De Young Museum in San Fransisco I knew I had to have more. The vivid colors pack quite a bit of punch and are not easy to miss. The heavy application of color upon color, the vast range of values and the complimentary palettes (orange and blue, red and purple) make these paintings emotionally charged and incredibly substantial. I love the way the trees silhouetted against their rich skies seem to vibrate with life. They emit the feeling of nature's energy and its connection to us all.

"I paint the essence of nature, always seeking the unique spiritual mood of the landscape" -Richard Mayhew

live in it...

 

Chair via Jonathan Adler , Lamp via abc home , End table via Neiman Marcus, Table via West Elm, Pillow and Rug via Madeline Weinrib



 I loved pulling from the highly saturated jewel tones in Mayhew's work to bring that same drama to a space. Not only would you never feel cold in this palette but the berry pinks are flattering to any complexion. And how much would you love to curl up in that bright orange tufted chair for a catch-up session with one of your closest friends? Enjoy! 

And a couple designers who know how to amp up the palette the right way are none other than the one and only Kelly Wearstler... 

And Marjorie Skouras...



Art + Interiors: An oldie but a goodie [Van Gogh + Kelly Wearstler]

It is hard to deny the influence that Van Gogh has had on the art world. He was not afraid of color, he was not afraid to paint what he saw rather than what he knew to be accurate, and most importantly for artists for years and years to come, he developed a style that was all his own.

I love the energy in his work. The fiercely bright colors in constant motion create an atmosphere that is both vibrant and alive.

Live in it...

There is one Interior Designer that for me possesses many of the same qualities as Van Gogh's work, the one and only, Kelly Wearstler. Much like Van Gogh, she has boldly developed a style that is all her own. She has paved the way for designers to use vivid colors, play with scale and contrast, and let their personality be expressed through a space. She also happens to decorate with as many shades of turquoise as Van Gogh painted with...

photos via http://www.kwid.com/

Greens, blues and yellows tend to be the palette of colors I live in so I would post up in these spaces any day. Though I've never been lucky enough to be in one, Wearstler's spaces seem to just envelope you in a work of art, and for me, that is what its all about. Enjoy!