Art + Interiors: Thinking outside the lines...

One of the most inspirational artistic movements for me is Abstract Expressionism. It was a time when for a group of rebellious artists, art became less about recreating what they saw and more about recreating what they felt. It was about expressing themselves through art and producing work that made the viewer have to draw their own conclusions. I love this piece, It looks very much like a De Kooning, though I cannot confirm who the artist is. I love the way the piece plays with the viewer's spatial understanding, there seems to be no up and down, no frame of reference, no beginning and no end. It is just a sea of emotions that though jumbled and erratic, make up a whole that is quite stunning.

Live in it...

sculpture by William Fares. Pillows via CB2. Garden Stools via Target.com. Chair unknown.

Let your home be an expression of yourself as well. Your home should evoke emotion when you step into it. And this may not be able to be accomplished through one style or color. You have complete creative license, enjoy!

Art + Style: Heat wave [Tim Bavington]

As many of you may have heard, Southern California is having a serious heat wave. Yesterday was recorded at 113 degrees in downtown L.A. making it the hottest day in L.A. history. Insane. So needless to say it been hard to avoid be a bit sluggish. Time for a little jolt of energy and I found the perfect work of art to coincide...

Loving these pieces by artist Tim Bavington. It actually feels like the electric blue here is pulsing out of the heated fuchsia. And then the slivers of green peeking through in the most refreshing way give both pieces such energy and movement. Seriously, you have to check this guy out! timbavington.com

Live in it...

I came upon these killer clutches by Madeline Weinrib when pulling together the Jessica Szohr post and I just could not help but feature more of them. They come in tons of brilliant colors that could make any outfit a work of art. http://www.madelineweinrib.com/mw/fashion/index.html Gorgeous!

Art + Interiors: Dream City [Paul Klee]

I know I've posted this work before but I think it is definitely worth posting again. Paul Klee's Dream City offers and almost child-like perspective into a world full on contrast and wonder. Born in Switzerland, Klee's unique style is hard to hone as it combines elements from expressionism, cubism and surrealism to create a language all his own. This is piece is my particular favorite for the range in color tonality throughout. The rare use of watercolor in an otherwise cubistic approach gives the piece an interesting quality. I love the blues and greens blended with a touch of mauve here and there. The whole piece seems to vibrate as well and gives the feel of a wonderfully bustling city...

Live in It...

http://www.westelm.com/

http://www.vibieffe.com/

I love these angled end tables, they'll add energy to any room while merging with absolutely any color palette you desire. The faceted mirrored piece would draw in whatever existing colors the room held and bring in a 4th dimension. I could see these in a modern, sleek home or in a eclectic seating arrangement mixed and mtahced. Follow the links to West Elm and Vibieffe to check them out yourself, enjoy!!!

Effortlessly Cool

I haven't touched much on fashion yet but it is definitely something that inspires me daily. Fashion is an art form, another way to express yourself, another mode of creativity. When I need a pick me up, sometimes all it takes is dressing up a bit. Just adding a pop of color can suffice to brighten my mood. I was particularly taken by last month's Nylon cover shoot. Jessica Szohr not only looks amazing here but she is pulling off a look that is both effortless and unique. I love the unexpected mixing of patterns, the pops of color and the layers upon layers. Clearly you or I couldn't pull off this panties-only look in public, but it CAN be used as inspiration...

Photo via Nylon. Scarf via Old Navy. Clutch via Madeline Weinrib. Lip color via Sheshido. Fabric via Liverty of London

Carry On and Get Excited..

http://www.20x200.com/art/2009/04/get-excited-and-make-things.html

Today has been a trying day as I somehow got two flat tires on my car, then completely busted my left rear view mirror when pulling it out of the carport onto the tow truck..I had to be reminded to just KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON. The original poster that has recently been brought back to life from its original purpose to boost British morale in the second World War, is still as inspiring today for people in all walks of life. It really applies to everything, and it is all we can do. I love this spin on it though because it is one thing to survive but it is quite another to thrive. So I'm taking a cue from Matt Jones print and I'm to create today, but that is what makes me thrive. 

Art + Interiors: Ethereal Feel [Stina Persson]

http://www.galleryhanahou.com/exhibitions/current-show/

As I begrudgingly woke up with a fever today...I sought to brighten my outlook by catching up on some of my favorite blogs. I found the inspiration I needed over at AphroChic where the lovely and talented artist Stina Persson was featured. If you go to her website you'll see a variety of boldly feminine illustrations but what drew me the most were her most recent untouched watercolors in her show "Perfectly Flawed". The raw, fluid images of women with flowing hair and batting lashes references 60's flower children with a distinctly urban vibe. The glowing unexpected color pairing along with drips of color trickling down to the paper's edge make each piece filled with emotion.Both high and low in my reaction the best way to describe how these works make me feel is completely alive.

Live in it...

Obviously the best way to experience this art everyday is to purchase a piece yourself. http://www.galleryhanahou.com/shop/pfcatalog/ But pulling some of the vital elements of the pieces can create a similar ambiance as well. I love these Niche Modern glass pendants for both their fluid, feminine shapes as well as their bold diffused colors. Choose a color for each mood or pull a few together for a textural glow.

Falling forward

I love the feeling of fall. As the last days of summer begin to get a little shorter and a lot cooler, it always feels like a time of change, of new beginnings, of crisp fresh air, leaves in shades of bright orange and yellow...I tend to feel the pages of my story turning around fall as a new chapter begins. This one feels quite significant as I begin my last quarter of school ever, I can feel my career finally beginning and I feel blessed to have found something I am so passionate about. Hope all your days are full of brightly colored falling leaves and feelings of renewal!

A painting of my own inspired by the beauty of Fall. 

Art + Interiors: Emerald and Sapphire Decadence

"I feel there is something unexplored about woman that only a woman can explore"-O'Keeffe

I have said it before and I will say it again, I love strong-willed women and Georgia O'keeffe fits the bill. She pushed the envelope with her bold abstractions and was no stranger to criticism by any means. But her paintings were extensions of herself, she painted to express rather than to impress. Though she became well known for her large close-ups of flowers, I tend personally to be more drawn to her abstract works, especially these in beautiful Sapphire blues and emerald greens.

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I could not say any other way-things I had no words for." -Georgia O'Keeffe

"I had to create an equivalent for what I felt about what I was looking at, not copy it"-Georgia O'Keeffe

Live in it...

I am absolutely lusting over these rich, decadent pieces by Marjorie Skouras. They have the same bold, saturated feel of the O'Keeffe pieces and yet they are so innately feminine. Add this gold and malachite end table to a seating area for and extra pop of glamour or amp up an old dresser by replacing it's knobs with these in jewel colored stones, instant decadence!

Art + Interiors: Into the blue...

There is something about the color blue that is incredibly reflective. Being the color of the sea and the sky it can remind me of the clearest day or deepest pain. It definitely has a calming effect and in a world full of chaos and constant motion it can be a relief for the eyes and the soul.

edtajchman.wordpress.com 

This piece, Blue #2 by artist Ed Tajchman invokes all of that and more. The watercolor creates endless depth in all the varying hues of blue and while there is a lot of motion the soft edges and lighter blues seem to smooth everything over into a quiet rhythm.

Live in it...

Living Etc. Magazine

This dramatic room done by designer Paola Navone uses every blue in the spectrum and more. While it is a lot of one color, the varying shades and textures balance each other out in a beautiful way. Haven't we all dreamed of having one room to retire to where we can be alone with our thoughts? Whether it be for meditation, reading, napping or reflecting, this room would be the perfect getaway. And if there is one color that speaks to you, why not treat yourself and envelope yourself in it?

flickr image by zocalo2010

One Man's Trash...

Alex Uribe...

Uribe is one of many artists today taking what we throw away and making it into art. I love the re-working of an ordinary or mundane object or material into something beautiful. Here he makes undulating, feminine curves out of corrugated cardboard.

I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright. ~Henry David Thoreau

The men of www.graypants.com/ are taking it to another level and making fully functional works of art of both cardboard and scraps of plywood. I serendipitously met these guys in Seattle and was utterly inspired. Their architectural backgrounds give them a unique grasp on structure and space and paired with their never-ending creativity the possibilities here are endless.

I was most impressed when they showed me their prototype for the Slice Chair below. The innovation here is incredible and the chair itself is an ingenious sculpture.

Live in it...

 

I cannot wait to have a client project where I can use these pieces. The scrap lights are great for such a variety of spaces, I know it won't be long. They add a stripped, industrial feel to a space while also bringing in warmth and texture, two components that rarely seem to go hand in hand.