Expressionist Influence

Recently on a jaunt to Sea Island, Georgia, I met with Alice Parker of Parker Art Gallery to review some amazing works of art by a talented artist who studied under the wonderful Elaine De Kooning, wife of Willem de Kooning at the University of Georgia.

Portrait of John F. Kennedy by Elaine de Kooning

Jim Touchton who grew up in South Georgia studied at the University of Georgia in the late 1970's under Mrs. De Kooning.  He then moved to New York City with her help, and began his career.  

                       

Many of my clients would like to find a painting from an artist that holds value at a reasonable price.  Alice mentioned that several of her clients find it nice to purchase a piece in which they can follow the artist and watch how he "evolves" over the years.  Jim's work is relevant to this in how he has become so much more abstract over the years compared to his initial paintings he completed 8-10 years ago.  He spends much of his time between East Hampton and South Georgia where he is represented and enjoys painting.  A few of Touchton's works below available at the Parker Art Gallery.

From Landing Lane, Jim Touchton (unavailable)

Poolside, East Hampton

Ocean Pond

Spring

Morning Lake (unavailable)

Currently at the Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest de Kooning exhibits on display until January 9, 2012.   Take a close look at his art and see all of the physical mechanics put into each painting as he started to paint, scraped some paint off, drew some drawings, added some material, and then painted again.  The amount of energy put forth in every piece is thrilling and leaves you begging for more!

Drawings of Woman in Six Stages

                                                               Woman, I  (1950-1952)

Pink Landscape, c.1942

Valentine, 1947

Wah Kee Spare Ribs, 1970 (published 1971) lithograph

                                                              Pirate (Untitled II), 1981

Rider (Untitled VII), 1985

One of the last few works of art created by de Kooning before his Alzheimers took over.

  

Photos of de Koonings Studio/Home in East Hampton shot by Architectural Digest before he passed away.

"I get freer...I have this sort of feeling that I am all there now. It's not even thinking in terms of one's limitations, because they come naturally. I think whatever you have you can do wonders with it, if you accept it." —Willem de Kooning, "What Abstract Art Means to Me" (1951)

Pan Am

The new TV Series, Pan Am, aired this past Sunday night full of drama and glamour.  The stewardesses (not flight attendants) were dressed to perfection and weighed on the scales periodically by their head stewardess.  The pilots are all handsome gentlemen more concerned with finding a girlfriend than landing the plane.  It is extremely hard to believe that air travel was ever as gracious or customer friendly and fun.  Pan Am was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United Stated from 1927 until its financial collapse in 1991.

Cast of the new TV Series, Pan Am

Kelli Garner, Christina Ricci, Karine Vanasse, and Margot Robbie

Flying Pan Am in the 1950's

The Beatles arriving at New York's JFK Airport via Pan Am's Clipper Defiance on Feb.2, 1964 changed music in Ameria forever.

 The Pan Am (now Met Life) building is an important and very prominent building in New York City that stands over Grand Central Terminal.

The relaxed atmosphere on Pan Am in the early 1950's.

A Pan Am 1st Flight certificate.

Grey Friday

On this oh so dark and rainy Friday, I am posting news on our newly designed office space...in progress.  One of the most neutral colors this season is Platinum Grey.  So, I painted the walls with Benjamin Moore paint colors China White and used Platinum Grey for the millwork and doors. 

   

 Platinum Gray                               China White

Grey is neutral color that works really well with a punch of one other bold color...whether it be a pair of lamps with orange shades or a yellow throw over a sofa in the room.  It makes a great backdrop for an ever-evolving space. 

Christian Siriano's new Spring 2012 collection is great inspiration.

Celerie Kemble's grey upholstered walls.

An inspiring grey and white blouse.

Amanda Nisbet's new fabric collection.

Contrast in the grey and white bookshelves.

A warm, silvery gray color can bring a beautiful, clear and centering feng shui energy into your living room, main entry or home office.  We look forward to sharing the completed project with you soon!

 

Make Mine Blue with Stripes

Today’s guest post is from Susi, a writer for Arcadian Lighting. Founded in 2002, Arcadian Lighting originally started selling decorative home lighting fixtures and lamps online with its first website and has become one of the top Internet retailers for home lighting products. Visit their website and cool blog for more information. Enjoy.

Blue and white is a classic color combination in both fashion and design. Combine blue and white with stripes and you have a clean, crisp pattern that is timeless and endless with possibilities. Even tonal blue and blue stripes have a classic feel to them. So when looking for a classic pattern, say make mine blue with stripes!

Victoria Hagan via

Classic navy blue is the perfect counterpoint to crisp white. Mix the two together in stripes and you have a fresh, nautical rug in this waterside home.

Sunday in Bed via

Pale blue and white stripes is still a graphic look, but the softer color makes it less bold. Love the blue and white striped wall in this cottage living room.

Sherill Canet via

Blue on blue stripes in a royal blue create a dynamic background for this contemporary art filled space. The intensity of the blue is similar to the blue favored by the artist Yves Klein. Can't stop looking at that amazing choice of light fixtures for this space, a stunning white floor lamp.

DecorPad via

Horizontal blue stripes are an interesting twist on the typical striped wall. Blue stripes are perfect for a boy's bedroom, especially one with bolder color furnishings.

Pinterest via

Blue and white striped fabric becomes whimsical canopies in this fresh take on a children's room. The stripes on the ceiling height canopies draw the eye up.

Laura Casey Interiors via

Graduated blue stripes on linen pillows are great accents in this white coastal living room. The blue stripes on the area rug form a loose plaid with cream stripes on a gray background.

House Beautiful via

Tealy blue stripes on a ceiling draw the eye to the interesting architectural angles of the room. Wide stripes have a bigger impact than a narrower stripe.

Sherrill Canet via

Navy walls with a double pinstripe have a tailored, almost menswear feeling to them. Paired with white cabinets and light counters, they lend a sophisticated edge to this cottage style kitchen. The pitcher lamp and gingham pendant light are beautifully unexpected in a kitchen.

Discover more inspiration at Arcadian Lighting and brighten your blue striped interiors with their brilliant lighting fixture products today!

Fashion Week September 2011

The runways are built and the lights are turned up for one of the busiest weeks of the year in New York City! 

Today, I am headed to the runway show of Yigal Azrouel New York.  He mentions in an article in WWD that his inspiration for this collection started with this old Helmut Newton photograph pictured below.

Enjoy a look at Azrouel's Pre-Spring 2012 designs. 

A view of Azrouel's Manhattan flagship boutique in the Meatpacking District.

Azrouel's latest model muse, Zuzanna Bijoch.