Tag Archives: Artists

Science and Nature

September 17, 2008UncategorizedArtistsMrs. Blandings

Like the idea of a black and white botanical, but thinking you might need a little something fresher? Edgier?

A quick blip in the Kansas City Star on Sunday caught my eye. We are getting ready for the Plaza Art Fair, a Kansas City tradition, and the listing of artists was in this week’s paper. A tiny image of Albert Koetsier’s work appeared in a side bar.

Koetsier is fascinated with the interplay between science and nature. To explore this relationship, he uses x-ray to examine nature. Once he has developed the negatives, he chooses the most pristine then produces prints. Koetsier then paints the images with translucent paints used on antique daguerreotypes and post-cards. The negative is retired once fifty prints have been produced.

A grouping of any of his botanicals would be classic and stunning.

I have had the beach on my mind, well, I nearly always do, and these shells would give a modern edge to your nautical decor.

Not satisfied with the cow-jumped-over-the-moon? How about a snail shell and a lizard skeleton for Jr.’s room?

And these, of course, held a personal appeal for me. Pods.

I asked about peonies and Albert told me they haven’t x-rayed well in the past. (You think I’d be happy with over 2000 x-ray prints, but no, had to throw in the “How about peonies?”) Albert tells me he may try again.

If you are in town look for Albert at the Plaza Art Fair this weekend on Nichols Road between Pennsylvania and Wornall or on-line here.

Stunningly Beautiful

April 17, 2008UncategorizedArtistsMrs. Blandings

This issue of Elle Decor is particularly good. Perhaps save the whole issue good. There has been a lot to take in, but one of my favorite layouts was Hank Azaria’s apartment photographed by William Walden. And one of my favorite things about the apartment was the Walton Ford watercolor over the sofa.

Ford is certainly not my discovery. He is the subject of a PBS special, two books and countless articles. I don’t know how I have been unaware of his work as it is captivating and right up my alley.

To begin, it’s large. You can see that the piece hanging over Azaria’s sofa is quite big. The sofa is 18 feet. I almost always want to size up, keeping with my drama queen nature.

The subject matter is so striking. Ford wanted to recreate the feel of Audubon, but add an element of violence. The pieces are purely beautiful at first glance, but there is something unpleasant in the scene. Ford told PBS that the works, “satirize the history of colonialism and the continuing impact of political oppression on today’s social and environmental landscape.”

When I was young, younger than eight because my parents were still married, I drew a picture of two little girls in lovely dresses. They stood about three feet apart. One was saying, “I hate you.” The other replied, “I hate you, too.” Now, as a parent, I understand the flurry of conversations both with me and whispered about me, but at the time it was puzzling. Nothing had happened, no fight with a friend, it was just, things aren’t always pleasant. Unpleasantness makes people quite uncomfortable.

I wish I could have seen the exhibit of Ford’s work in Brooklyn in 2002. Doubly so because I could have flown to New York, had dinner with my big city friend and stayed at the Gramercy Park for what Taschen’s book would set me back.

But it’s so big. And so pretty. Foldouts, too. I hate you, Taschen.

Friend of a Friend

April 10, 2008UncategorizedArtistsMrs. Blandings

You know how things happen. You notice something, or someone, and all of a sudden it or him or her seems to be everywhere. I saw the opening of Lee Bowers’s show in the paper a couple of weeks ago. “Oh. Wonderful. I wish we could go, except we have to…” and, of course, now, I can’t even remember what kept us from it.

Then, at Suzanne Cooper’s, I noticed a stack of cards with a striking drawing on the front. As much as I enjoy color in rooms, I gravitate to black and white art.

“Suzanne, do you know her?” I inquired. Naturally. All the best people are connected. “She’s a dear friend of Kathy Kelly!” Kathy Kelly is, in my opinion, one of the best designers in the city. She worked with one of my friends and every time I’m over there I just want to stand in the rooms and look. No talking. Just take it in.

So, I emailed Kathy to see if I could get Lee’s contact info, so I could post about her work. (In this case, it’s not just designer-stalking a la Gambrel. I actually know Kathy; she has been wonderfully supportive as I have floundered around in the two worlds of motherhood and design.)

Alone at Last, all works charcoal on marble dusted paper.

Lee Bowers is a native Kansan who now splits her time between here and Santa Fe. She has had a successful career in designing and directing animated graphics and special effects for film and television, both in Kansas City and in L.A. Which would be a funny combination. If you don’t believe me, ask Megan.

Loose Pines.

She is now committing herself full time to her painting and drawing. Inspired by the Flint Hills, Loose Park, Northern New Mexico and the Cotswold District in England, I think her works are both elegant and strong, graphic and natural.

Blue Swallow Skyview.

Her show, Loose and Over the Pond runs through May 19th at the Greenlease Gallery.

And Kathy’s full name, by the way, is Kathleen. Just to tie it up with a bow.

Reborn

March 12, 2008UncategorizedArtistsMrs. Blandings

My youngest, who is five, got in the car on Monday (I was still woozy and mildly feverish) and said, “I have a presentation tomorrow about Native Americans. I know everything about cactuses.” Which he proceeded to tell me. Even in my altered state, I was impressed.

So, this morning, still at about only 60%, I got up, showered, dressed and went to see my darling share his knowledge of cactus to all the mommies and daddies of Pre-K.

When it was his turn he managed a few facts in a sure, but quiet voice. The forever-cheerful Pre-K teacher (God love these women) prompted further. What else, dear, do you have to share about cactus? He paused and replied, loud and clear, “I have no clue.” He would have been a hit even without his Native American finery.

If you ever have the opportunity to attend this kind of thing, go. There is something so endearing about a small person so full of knowledge and confidence, something that often does not translate well into adulthood, that makes your whole soul burst open with hope. I was now about 70%, but needing coffee.

A few errands, then lunch with friends. I was still a bit mystified that I was not feeling well as I had been on antibiotics for three days. An hour-and-a-half, a yummy lunch, a lot of laughs and a parking ticket later, I’d say I was about 85%. Some healthy days are not that good; I needed to stop whining.

Next, sweet Rosie to the vet for her steroid shot, then back to Stuff to check out “some really great drawings” by Lori Buntin that Sloane had called me about. Oh, my. These are wonderful. Good art and good chairs.

100% good.

Little Man Complex

January 21, 2008UncategorizedArtists, DesignersMrs. Blandings

Sometimes in life, and in design, you have to take on the big questions. And sometimes, you just need to ask yourself, “Who is that man break dancing in the middle of my table?”

Van Day Truex, The Man Who Defined Twentieth-Century Taste and Style, Adam Lewis, 2001.

These aren’t men, of course, they are boys. And they aren’t dancing, they’re diving. And it’s not my table, though I would gladly claim everything on it except that blush wine. This is the table of Van Day Truex and some of the classic items he created for Tiffany. Drabware plates, bamboo silver, Liverpool jug, dolphin candlesticks, All Purpose wine glasses. The striking Franzini “Diving Boys” sculptures were his own.

House and Garden, March, 1992.
My guess would be that these are the same sculptures here in Albert Hadley’s apartment. They are not mentioned or credited in the article, but Hadley talks a great deal about enjoying “objects with associations.”

Hadley was a student of Truex’s and they were friends from the time Hadley enrolled in Parson’s until Truex’s death.

House and Garden, December, 1991.

Here Hadley and Gary Hagar, of Parish-Hadley, use very similar sculptures in the living room of Louise and Henry Grunwald. While these figures are striking, they are definitely accents in the room. Objets. You know, stuff.

Hadley was frustrated with clients who “have no possessions and bring nothing along, you feel that there has been no life before.”

C.Z. Guest’s library, House and Garden, October, 1988.

It takes a while to accumulate the kind of things that give a room dimension and it’s easy to spend your energy on the paint and the rug and the curtains and the sofa.

This image and the one below, Mariette Himes Gomez, Houses: Inside and Out.
Just make sure at the end of the day when you are easing back into your favorite chair, that the glass that you set down on the table, or the thing that you nudge aside as you put your feet up on the table, make sure that it is something that is yours.

That there is a story behind it, even if the story is, “I saw it and I had to have it.”

Not so much, “I got it on sale at Target.”