Apr 03

Sgourakis’ NOOK Chair Catches Dreams

Australian designer Henry Sgourakis has created the NOOK chair and I couldn’t help but recognize the woven elements of our Native American dream-catchers! It is believed that dreams that people have while sleeping, are sent by sacred spirits as special messages. According to their Legend, the hole in the center of the Dream Catcher is the pathway through which good dreams are permitted to reach the sleeper. As for the bad dreams, the web “catches” them and they disappear with the first light of dawn. Some believers try to determine what messages are being passed onto them and what the messages represent. Perhaps unknowingly, Sgourakis dreamed of this message and has captured an ancient web of comfort for the design of his chair – as he says of his design “In a world where technology seems to almost dictate our existence and when our childhood feels like a different lifetime, it is important to me to remember the past and carry those memories into the future, the beauty of this hand-crafted piece does just that.”

Native American dream-catcher

Detail of the NOOK chair

Jan 23

Wall Treatment of Scribbles and Scrawls Speaks Volumes of Almost Accidental Design

By pattisays In art and interior design, context of interior design, design, design trends, DIY design, food and interior design, multi-media design / 1 Comment

Scribbles and prose as graphic backdrop

Habana – Cuba that is…reconstructed elsewhere in the bars of Bogedita del Medio and the resulting fantastic feel that is created by the once unconscious lexis of ultimately decorative elements that are the walls of words and markings. Graffiti you say? Yes, after a manner. It is an atmosphere of festivity – an interior that speaks of layers of revelers enjoying the music and mojitos. Yet it all blends into a graphic design that is exceptionally unique and interesting.

Salsa – dancing and flavors. The complexity that is found in the movements and ingredients -pairing the dance and the food – both are spicy – and the scene is warm and energized. These walls of markings, names and poems, tributes and proclamations are a backdrop of expressions from layers over years.

When else might this work? I’m fascinated by the effectiveness of this design treatment – a celebration of reactions, emotions and personalities all marked for everyone to see. Bold or meek, artful or mere blocks the styles speak with the words.

Perhaps the free-form walls of a child’s playroom – if isolated to these wall and not the whole house…it affords a huge blackboard – chalkless board for freedom of expression. For adults perhaps a party room might invite this kind of signature expression – layers of good times recorded on the walls – texture and design in an all-over pattern of script, lettering, lines and figures.

I like it a lot. I thoroughly enjoyed the scene and wanted to share the possibilities for this unusually free-form treatment in your interior design.

Jan 11

Fragmenting a Well Choreographed Interior Due to a Relocation

By pattisays In art and interior design, context of interior design, design, design trends, furniture finds /

Moving is a chore. The future might be exciting, the move might be upwardly mobile – or not. Disbanding a home is not fun. We have a client who had no sooner settled into a fabulous loft condominium in the hip urban architecture of her new digs when a fantastic job transfer forced a move.

She transferred into this new environment from another climate – another world. This was exciting, new, challenging and riddled with opportunity to go outside the box for the design choices to feather her nest. She enthused about everything that she encountered that was different, well-crafted, unique, artistically functional, colorful, and textural – all things beautifully combined to create an art piece of an interior.

Moving might not always mean what it does in this instance. She already had a primary place of residence filled with family pieces, nostalgic treasures and gatherings of a lifetime, and this new urban scene was a departure from her norm. This had been an opportunity to experiment with contemporary design, bold colors, abstract and expressionistic art and sadly there is no place to incorporate it in the tiny new interior where she has placed herself practically and with a purpose – where she now finds herself – in yet another world.

The new place is straddling the design direction of her primary abode filled with lovely traditional furnishings and will be punctuated with her contemporary artwork and a couple of the special pieces that she had crafted for the loft – but after photographing, recording dimensions, laying out the furniture in the new floor plan, agonizing over limitations and choices, the decisions were made. And after all the thorough deliberation it was apparent that many of the recently custom designed and fabricated elements must go. Fragmenting this well-balanced and choreographed interior has been heartrending.

Among the outstanding functional art pieces that I and my team designed for her – here are a few of the unique items made by local artists and craftsmen that are available for purchase.

Red Lacquer Tonsu Twist 60W x 36H – $3766.50

Triangulated Pedestal Table with Glass Top – $1208.25

Burnished Steel Bench with Cut Plush Striped Base Relief Cushion – 24W x 48L x 23.5H – $887.50

Happy Chest – 21H x 21W x 24D – $1046.25

Dec 04

ART Beneath Your Feet

By pattisays In art and interior design, context of interior design, design, design trends, travel and design /

: Art beneath your feet

It’s an expensive finish material, so we don’t see it a lot, but terrazzo floors are beautiful, wear like iron and fascinate me. Yes, in larger urban centers and often in major airports the artistic treatments that are designed into the matrix of stone chips, and other materials are fantastic. The colors are now endless as the manipulation of the materials and additional materials have expanded the medium. Once rather common and often now considered dated – I take exception – and so do the many who participate in the design, fabrication and installation of these fabulous floors!

Other materials, such as the shell flecks strewn through the dark matrix of stone that is the primary surface of several concourses of the Miami airport, make a contextual statement – here, the context that shells are found scattered on the sandy beaches of sunny Florida. The brass inlay suggests shell skeletons embedded in the black sand – sounds more like the lava beaches of Guadalupe than Florida – but that’s the artistic license of the artist(s). The shine of the brass and the iridescence of the shell chips add bling against the high contrast of the dark background. It also, upon closer inspection, looks like a star constellations amidst the galaxies and myriad particles of twinkling lights in outer space. Maybe they are floating in an abyss in the dark depths of the sea. Especially here with the explosion of the flash reflecting against the hard, smooth glossy surface you can imagine either scenario – that of deep space with a burst of light penetrating the blackness or the ocean depths and a light source attempting to capture the existence of the creatures – a dark glittery scene with weightless, floating images.

Look down next time you are waiting for a Sky Link or rushing to your gate…you might be surprised to see the art beneath your feet.

Nov 14

The Art of Collage as Architectural Motifs

By pattisays In architecture, art and interior design, art as gift ideas, design, design trends /

Pat Forbes builds layered paper collage for her series Architectural Motifs.

Pat Forbes builds tippy towers, cantilevered blocks and layers of geometric shapes to create her series Architectural Motifs.

Geometry layered with cut paper pieces constructing resemblances of architectural forms are the signature theme of a new series of compositions by New Mexico artist Pat Forbes. She comes from other places where tall buildings loomed and urban density was the tapestry of her world. But now, here in the desert, she has abstracted those forms and intensified the colors resulting in hallucinations of those urban scenes to hang on the wall.

Whether on wood or stretched canvas as seen here, Forbes likes squares. She builds tippy towers, cantilevered blocks and layers of geometric shapes to create her series, Architectural Motifs. The contrast between the brilliant colors and fluidity of the open spaces of New Mexico and the rigid over-lapping planes and cubes of color fragmented in the urban architecture join to make her bold statement. See more of her fine work at www.PatriciaForbesArt.com.

Art is about observation and interpretation. Knowing your medium and using it to produce an idea, expression, emotion…the abstraction of an artist’s thoughts and ideas can be most intriguing. Using expressive abstraction in Interior Design brings bold color and conversation to the personality of a space.

Nov 06

Roden’s Pastels – Sparkle and Joy

By pattisays In art and interior design, art as gift ideas, beauty behold it /

Watching Susan work, beginning with her blank paper/boards with their varying colors and fine sanded texture is like watching something being born – a flower unfolding, a sunset growing with fiery intensity, a precious pet or special person coming to life and the luscious pastry creations that have such delicious personality of their own.

Unlike most pastel artists, Susan doesn’t blend her colors. Rather she carefully layers them working the sticks broadly and loosely at first, then gradually details with the sharp broken edges and blunt points until she has refined the piece with her complex combinations of colors.

White isn’t white. And if it is to be, she starts with an off-white color only punctuating real white-white at the very end – otherwise she tells us, “it looks dirty.” Her whites are actually comprised of so many diverse colors that it is upon closer inspection that her color genius is revealed. She works with many organized

From a photo, Susan works on a commission for a pet portrait.

drawers filled with hundreds of color sticks.

She further explains that pastels are a pure pigment, just like oil paints – only they have a different binder. They will last for centuries if properly protected. When a surface is completely covered with pastel it is called a painting. With any of the background surface left exposed, the piece is referred to as a sketch.

Visit Susan’s blog at susanroden.blogspot.com to see more of her fine work and enjoy her many projects. She (from her home in San Diego) is in a donut/cupcake “war” with an artist in Rhode Island. Every Monday they present to one another and the world a new painting of a confection. The point is to get feedback as to who’s piece is the best that week! She also has her “Kid’s Corner” where she works with kids from all over – anyone with children or working with children will be fascinated by her program to incorporate a child’s artwork as the background for a cupcake painting – returning the original art to the child and when her pastel sells, she sends a $25.00 stipend to the young artist as a thank-you for participating and as an incentive to pursue their love of art.

I am so honored to have Sue as a friend and participating artist in our gallery. Her paintings bring great delight and art appreciation to all who see her work. Thank you Susan for your sparkle and endless joy .

Oct 28

Feel the Felt, Feel the LOVE and Wonders of Woven Wool.

By pattisays In art and interior design, art as gift ideas, design, design trends, travel and design /

This season we’re all about felt! From jewelry to handbags—and we have had a blast finding the coolest examples out there of this wonderful wearable art medium!

Traditionally, felt has had many practical applications – nomadic people in eastern cultures found this non-woven method of making cloth easy and serviceable. From clothing items to construction material its strength, texture and insulating properties have many uses. The colors are limitless as the wool can be dyed and the brilliant combinations can be dazzling.

We have discovered many wonderful applications for felt-work in home fashion and personal accessorizing! Right here in Albuquerque, fiber artist Louise Lucero stitches artful combinations for home décor. Her pillows and table top dressings are delightful. Her medallions for round tables and runners for squares and rectangles warmly accent the surface whether as everyday pieces or as a special party statement for a festive occasion. She also makes unique bookmarks—great for book club party favors or as gifts for the avid readers in your life. Her larger scale wall pieces and bed quilts make spectacular one-of-a-kind interior design accents. We’re currently talking with her about a new collection of hats and handbags too!

Lucero’s felt pillow on handpainted Peabody chair

Another pair of local talents here in the high desert of New Mexico is making felt hair ornaments. The very creative Ms. Ella and her sister Ms. Sara explain that their floral, felt hair clips are made from recycled plastic bottles—that makes them especially eco-friendly and the two sisters create this whimsical wearable art in a smoke-free, child-friendly home! What a special arrangement—resulting in charming handmade adornments!

Recycled bottles = felt! Artists Ms Ella and Ms Sara

Soft balls of felt beads from Nepal for necklaces and bracelets. The bright multi-colored strands go with many colors—dress up an outfit of jeans and a t-shirt or wear them with strings of sterling beads for a dressier look.

Fabulous felt balls – colorful soft jewelry!

When we were in Turkey last Spring I was enchanted by the fabulous color combinations and designs of these smashing, snuggly wearable Ottoman wool art pieces! Walking through the cool drizzly rain glistening off the beautiful stone streets of Istanbul, the lights started coming on and the vendors and shoppers began gathering to barter. Spicy fragrances, brilliant colors and amazing artwork come to life! Knowing that I would buy at that moment with summer coming and save them until fall, I have been chomping at the bit all this time waiting anxiously to present them to our clients! Get ready to wrap-up in these exquisitely artful scarves.

Ottoman wool scarves from Istanbul!

Pair it up with one of artist Rene Rector’s handwoven chenille and mixed media hats – very creative – wearable art style!

Rene Rector’s handwoven hats!

WOOL – WONDERFUL WOOL and FELT—FABULOUS FELT!

Sep 29

Screaming With Quiet Talent, Susan Geissler Makes Her Mark

By pattisays In art and interior design, art as gift ideas, environmental, environmental design, exterior - outdoor design /

Geissler’s studio is front row seat on Main Street for Fireman’s Field Day parade Youngstown, NY

Freedom Crossing, Lewiston, New York

Susan Geissler with miniatures in her studio Youngstown, NY

To come upon a screamingly talented yet humble artist in a quiet storefront studio on Main Street in the sleepy western frontier village of Youngstown, New York is a contextual experience that dazzles the senses. The town has one flashing stop light. The emerald green Niagara river flows parallel to the Main Street and spills powerfully, yet quietly into the blue expanse of the great Lake Ontario . Surrounding farms offer fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the season while fishermen venture forth and sailors race across the waters between Canada and the United States sharing this joy of the fresh water sports. Steeped in history, this area marks significant battles between British, French and American troops trading occupancy over the land for ages.
Susan Geissler is a local artist and her outstanding larger than life sculptures have entertained, provoked and educated her public all across America far from this quiet rural pocket of western New York. Proud, loud can can dancers that have been commissioned to travel aboard cruise ships to teachers reading patiently to students atop colorful alphabet blocks, Geissler captivates her audience.
She’s funny and self-effacing – brilliantly talented and sensitive. She sees amazingly intimate detail in anything that she selects to depict. Water turtles balancing on logs, carp swimming with nymphs, cheetahs lanky and elegant bodies stalking, butlers at your service, sunbathers reclining in camaraderie, her subjects are as real and varied as her imagination and real life can provide.
We strolled along the waterfront park in Lewiston just up the road to the very compelling Freedom Crossing Monument Installation. The intention was to “honor and pay tribute to the enslaved, who against all odds, sought a new life of freedom, and to the local volunteers who protected and helped them on their journey.” A bit larger than life, this action scene filled with desperate emotion captures the plight of escaping slaves on their way to freedom via the underground.
In addition to honor and pay tribute, this important sculpture is intended to “highlight and celebrate the historical importance of the Niagara River as a gateway to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Once fugitive slaves crossed the river, they were free forever.” This multi figure passionate study of a scene depicting “ the moment in time when fugitive slaves saw Canada for the first time after traveling hundreds of treacherous miles, avoiding slave catchers who were paid to capture and return them to the South.”
The Historical Society of Lewiston, New York continues to describe “handing the baby to the fugitive mother is Josiah Tryon (1798-1886), Lewiston’s volunteer “station master” for the Underground Railroad. A man of simple means, Tryon was quiet, humble and religious. By secretly escorting the slaves to freedom in his rowboat under the cover of darkness, he gave them hope and became a champion of justice and equality. He truly had a rainbow heart, embracing people of all colors and creeds.”
“With her outstretched arm pointing to Canada, Laura Eastman is the iconic heroine in the historical fiction book, “Freedom Crossing”. Laura has become the symbol of the triumph of the human spirit over oppression.”
From that historic and incredibly important portrayal of a time in history to the sculpture of long-haired, muscular Friesian (also Frisian) horses quietly grazing in a pasture just minutes from her studio, Geissler loves her subjects. She knows her subjects and she feels what they might be feeling to the best of her ability to do so.
Never been to Niagara Falls? Take a trip and make your way another 25 minutes along the river to Youngstown and the Old Fort Niagara. On your way, stop along the short stretch of Main Street and have a latte, maybe a grilled cheese sandwich, a beer and an ice cream cone on the corner and see the art in the window at Susan Geissler’s magical studio and if you’re fortunate and she’s there – you’ll meet an extraordinary individual who will welcome you with modest enthusiasm and quietly express her limitless talents and present fascinatingly animated subjects to dazzle your senses!

Jun 19

Enter a Dream by Design

By pattisays In art and interior design /

Design A Dream

“When I go into the glass houses and I see the strange plants of exotic lands, it seems to me that I enter into a dream,” said Henri Julien Félix Rousseau the (May 21, 1844 – September 2, 1910) the self-taught artist of jungle paintings who never saw a jungle.
Imagination once was more of an art. Today little is left to the imagination as the multi-media of all subjects is transported on demand and images can be gathered, reviewed, and distilled on a moment’s notice. The ease of accessing information is instantaneous.
To dream about things far away and to create environments that suggest those faraway places is still an art – like theatrical set designs or venues for evoking moods in the hospitality industry. It’s just that back in Rousseau’s day, the information gathered for such inspiration was not instantaneous and had to be gathered over time and from many sources, verbal descriptions, sketches, and perhaps early photographs.
The botanical gardens described in his quote were magical places where exotic things had been carefully brought from afar to thrive and blossom in artificial environments for the pleasures of the rich and fortunate few who had access.
By incredible contrast, today we buy palm trees, and other tropical plants at Home Depot and many other less exotic places. We can bring the jungle growth into our homes and offices for a sense of escape, verdant luxury, and merely what we now consider to be common decorative accessories.
Give a gift of a bromeliad – a remarkable plant that Rousseau would no doubt have cherished to have live in his studio. To design an interior or paint a painting that transports the participant into a lush tropical setting is to create a dream. So, what’s my point? I just had this stream of thoughts rush through my mind as I visited the MOMA and these magnificent paintings a few weeks ago. We take so much for granted and have so much information at our fingertips. The size, detail, exotic scenes and striking if not bizarre subjects of these magnificent paintings take the viewers into the dream and transport them into a magical world where large beasts are not threats and all seems to be one of trust and peace.
If you live in the tropics – about where do you dream?

May 28

The Stream of Life’s Connectivity…Skinny Girl Meets Octavio’s Whales

By pattisays In art and interior design, design, design trends /

In the woods of Missouri – not the backwoods as they say – but a verdant jungle of deciduous over-growth concealing luxury homes in the quiet gated lake community of Innsbruck near Wright City – I find myself in a whirlwind of peculiar influences, associations, elements and discoveries. For example, I’m sitting here taking my first sip of a “Skinny Girl” margarita after having just read about the Bethenny blast on the scene in Forbes, June 6, 2011 edition while flying here yesterday. My sister-in-law said that she had two bottles of this mix, my other sister-in-law piped up and said “Oh yeah, she just sold her concoction for millions.” I said “I just read about her on the plane…why didn’t I do that – I could have done that – I drink – I make margaritas from scratch – I watch carbs…” I would have, should have, could have – but, sadly didn’t do it! Another FABULOUS missed opportunity!!! And so we drank.
Then that same first sister-in-law said “Oh, here it is – remember this?” (No, I had not seen it during our previous visit). She grabbed this small bronze figure off of her end table where we were gathered in the glassy treetop room – and there before me was one of Octavio Gonzales’ graceful hump-backed whale sculptures!! What a contrast in settings to discover this wonderful miniature done by an artist, whose work we had admired for years and now enjoy the pleasure of knowing, who did the magnificent, enormous art piece at the entry of the marina in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico of a mother humpback and her offspring, here in the deep mid-western woodland. Whoa – where are we? Watch for one or more pieces of Octavio’s work in exhibit in Albuquerque this summer!
So as the day waned and the overcast ceiling grayed to a dim backlit through the trees, we migrated to the Cedar Lake Winery for an evening of fabulous music by a local duo, Kaylor and Tomasino, whose harmony was in perfect sync, guitar strumming robust, punctuated by banjo, harmonica and flute for a lively collection of popular renditions including Del Amitri’s “Roll to Me” and “Matchbox 20’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s” crowd pleasing a range of ages from the college kids collected along the bar to the middle-aged mom’s clapping and dancing in their seats…the wine flowed freely and we closed the place with a satisfying buzz.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend wherever you are gathering with friends and family…