Inspired - Mario Testino

I love photography! In fact it's on my bucket list to someday take a class and learn more about this art form. I'm very much looking forward to the Mario Testino exhibit at the MFA in Boston this Fall. He's such a creative and influential force. (read more below) It opens on 10.21. I always feel a bit anxious this time of year. The past two Fall seasons have been ones of drastic change and heartbreak for me. I'm focusing on the positive and hoping this Fall will be quite the opposite and turn out amazing. I'm moving from my home, so on that front a big change is in store. This exhibit will definitely be a positive to look forward to. In fact I think I may use some of his work as a starting point and design concept for my new place. (which I need to find, something else causing me a bit of trepidation)

And to all of you who got your kiddies off to school for their first day today, hope it went well!!!

I'm looking forward and remembering: "let your faith be bigger then your fear" and everything will turn out okay!! even better then okay!

I would love to have one of his fashion photographs in my home!

All images from Mario Testino's website.

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Sponsor Welcome - The Pink Pagoda

I'm excited to share the gorgeous giclee prints from The Pink Pagoda shop. Who couldn't use a little colorful Chinoiserie in their lives? The Pink Pagoda has an adorable and affordable selection of asian inspired prints, which include depictions of chinese chippendale furniture, ming jars and more! Happy Shopping.

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Sponsor Welcome: Siiso Visual Art

I'm excited to share the dynamic, colorful, textural paintings by artist Yang yang Pan from the site Siiso Visual Art.

I've actually featured her work on my blog in the past and own one of her wonderful prints. Here's some information on her inspiration! I think these colorful pieces speak for themselves!

"Painting for me is a process of discovery. My works inspired by plants, textures and the natural world combines exuberant color. I work mostly with a palette knife giving much texture to the finished product. I created mixed-media abstract paintings in which I explore my interest in the wonder and the curiosity I feel about the world I live in. My fascination with old crumbling buildings and walls also inspires much of my work. "

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Inexpensively done!

I adore one of a kind pieces of art, the only issue for me is the budget. Would I love to scoop up every piece of art at my favorite gallery? You bet, but that's not an option right now. {I'm saving for my bungalow by the sea, remember?}. It will be an amazing feeling when I can buy an original but for now I get creative.

Here are some of my favorite ways to inexpensively incorporate art into your home.

1. Image one: Purchase from a budding artist

The adorable dog photo is my newest piece. The students at Endicott College recently had an art show. I fell in love with that dog and I knew my son would too.  I bought this photo from an art student, students are always up for selling their pieces.

The top image was purchased from a street artist in Saint Tropez. I always try to purchase at least one original piece when I travel. Besides taking photos it's the perfect way to preserve the memory of your trip.

2. Image two: #3 - Paint your own work of art.

This was originally a four that I had painted back in September. One of the first things I did after my break-up in October was to change it to a three! I actually like the three better. I will keep this forever as reminder of my crazy and unexpected journey in 2010. Seven months is a relatively short period of time, but I'm a different person today then I was last Fall!

3. Image three: Frame children's artwork - It's loose and free, I love it.

 A snap shot of my art wall. This wall is a mix of pieces, it includes two paintings by my three year old son!

4. Image four: Frame a piece of block printed wrapping paper or any other found graphic you love.

I've always loved the organic quality of Faux Bois. I purchased this paper with the intention of wrapping a gift, but I decided to frame it instead. p.s. Ikea sells a number of inexpensive frames, that

is what I've used in this photo.

5.  Image five: Shop on Etsy for art. It is an amazing online resource.

I blogged about this print a couple of months ago. It's from Siiso via Etsy. She will also make custom prints on canvas. 

Images: 2,3,4 -by Bellini Photography

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Pop Art - Natasha Law

I would love to use one of Natasha Law's {Jude's sister} highly glossy, oversized, pop art paintings in a project. It would have to be for the right client, most likely someone who isn't afraid to take a risk and that can appreciate Law's revealing, graphic approach.  I would love to see one of these at the end of a well lit hallway leading to a bed room! The photo image is of Interior Designer - Sara Gilbane, sitting in front of her Natasha Law painting. Here's some more information on Natasha's style and approach. 
Natasha's work is also available in the U.S. through Voltze Clark. I believe that's where Sara buys her pieces.

"Executed with industrial material, the paintings require a complex, time-consuming process. Law usually starts with  modeling sessions where she photographs and draws her sitters. She then projects the resulting line drawings onto  metal sheets, decides how to crop the image as well as its colour scheme. The last and possibly most difficult part of  the process starts when she applies the colours on the aluminium panel. Multiple layers are necessary to produce her  immediately recognisable vibrant colours, and each layer requires long hours of drying. Law’s choice of material, as well  her subject, evokes the aesthetic of Pop Art, her bold block colours reminiscent of Tom Wesselmann’s seminal nudes.  The saturated colours lend a near-abstract quality to the works, turning these figurative works into complex composition  of coloured shapes. In style, Law’s are elegantly minimal; in content they remain emotionally charged. " Natasha Law was born in 1970 and lives in London.

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color me pretty

I spent forty five minutes on Saturday choosing frames for an array of photos and artwork for a client! I love planning my client's designs down to the last detail! Mixing mat colors is a fun way to enliven an art wall. It works well with vintage and children's art because the end result is light-hearted!!

Another option is to keep the mat color consistent but mix the frame choices and colors!

1. Andy and Kate Spade, via Effortless Style blog, Martha Stewart, House Beautiful

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Flea Market Finds

This sunday we took my husband's parents, who were in town from Toronto, to Pasadena. They had never visited this adorable little town complete with its beautiful tree-lined streets, gorgeous old houses, and fun FLEA MARKETS!

Unfortunately, they aren't in town next weekend for the huge Rose Bowl Flea Market, so we tried out the Pasadena City College Flea Market. Although it was smaller and lacked the charm of being held around the famous Rose Bowl, this flea market was still lots of fun and had great treasures to be found!

Us ladies were in our element...

There was so much stuff to look at! I have been into stone lamps lately and the one on the right was beautiful, but too big for my place. Oh, and I had just got a new alabaster lamp two days before (hehe)...

{Cute eggplant painting}

{Vintage faux bamboo dining chairs}

{Amazing strands of beads...so many ideas for these!}

The only thing I bought (scratch that, I also bought vintage alphabets blocks to spell R-A-E-L) were two Dorothy Thorpe glass and silver trays. I wasn't familiar with Dorothy Thorpe but these pieces caught my eye with their textured glass bottoms and sparkly silver and gold patterns. The vendor explained who they were designed by, and I realized they had more of a history than I had originally thought. 

Dorothy Thorpe was a Los Angeles- based glassware designer in the 30s. She is well-known for painting silver on glassware - trays, bowls, glasses, etc. I really liked that these pieces had an LA design history and snapped up the large oval platter, and one of the square trays (not visible in this picture). I'm kicking myself for not buying the small bowl too! After some googling and browsing on eBay I discovered that my pieces were part of the Atomic Silver Explosion collection. I love that I learned so much from this flea market stroll!

{Dorothy Thorpe glassware, all silver except the far right which is gold}

I was worried about how these would blend in my living room and dining room, but they mix surprisingly well - once I decide where these are going I'll take a picture to share. And what a fun way to take some LA design history with me when I eventually move back to Canada!

What's your favorite flea market find?

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