Jan 28

TAKE NOTICE – Or You Might Just Miss Something Extraordinary!!

By pattisays In artistic expression, artists, beauty behold it, bronze sculpture, context of interior design, creativity, decorative arts, design, design process, Discovering Art, element of surprise in design, FOMO, Food and art, handmade, hiring an interior designer, ICYMI, Impressionist painters, inspiration, interior design, interior design trends, investment pieces, joy, Leon de la Vega, lifestyle, METRO, Mexico, Modern Art, musicians, Nuevo Vallarta, sculpture, site sculpture, Subscribers, travel and design, value of good design, Violins, Washington D.C. /  1

The world is becoming so fast. Decisions are “snap.” Instant  gratification abounds. And as we get caught-up in it all, more and more…there is a pendulum swinging. People are taking notice and longing for a reprieve. There is a clinging to values that if not grasped, might be lost.

Slow Food, farm-to-table proximity, support local, shop small…sound familiar? And does it appeal? Why do you think? As Amazon gobbles-up Whole Foods and everyone finds expeditious shopping satisfaction in cyber-space at the click of a finger – why?

Last night, as the sun set and the lights penetrated the darkness with their warm glow, I found myself strolling around, taking photos and breathing in the moist night air. Seaside, tucked in a quiet corner of a significant marina in Nuevo Vallarta, I recognized the magic. I was experiencing such magic.

It’s actually all around us, but it often takes a change of venue to realize it. In your world there is magic all around, but you have to take notice!

As I strolled, I came upon the painting recently completed by a dear friend. As I learned of the intent and while studying this painting of “The Violinist”, the sensitivity of the artist is revealed. And later confirmed by him.  Her tentative stance and demeanor begs the question he set the stage to ask: “Might this be her debut?”

The Violinist – a detail of the original oil painting by Federico Leon de la Vega

I then spoke to the sister-in-law of the artist, (chef/owner of the acclaimed Estudio-Cafe) and she reminded me about Joshua Bell.  Although I had forgotten his name, his enlightening story was quickly remembered. Have you heard of him? He’s the world-famous violinist who participated in a little experiment prompted by The Washington Post a few years ago. The idea was to have him play a $3 million dollar 1733 Stradivarius violin incognito, in the Washington METRO, to see if anyone noticed. Disguised as a street musician, with a baseball cap, he played for 45 minutes and collected a mere $32.00!! This is a man who, two days before, played to a sellout crowd of pricey ticket-holders in a Boston theater.  A world-class musician, with a priceless instrument, performing classical music of all of mankind and barely anyone notices!

Menu cover of Estudio-Cafe, Nuevo Vallarta

Coincidentally, I came upon another violinist-themed art piece last evening as I meandered through the patio among the quite varied artwork. Here a graceful bronze of a lithe, nude, mermaid projects imaginary sound wafting from her poised violin through the warm evening breeze.  I was enchanted. And my imagination was running wild!

Ready for evening to begin Estudio-Cafe Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

Passersby seemed not to recognize the art beside them. As they walked slowly passing by the patio, unhurried, but caught-up in conversation, hopefully enjoying the incredible setting in which they found themselves. Yet they were oblivious to the outstanding collection of art displayed quietly, unpretentiously on the patio.

One of a captivating series of the mermaids in bronze by Octavio Gonzales

Back to powers of observation and taking time to absorb all the beauty and experiences around you…Joshua Bell admits, in retrospect, that it was terribly noisy and very fast-paced down in the METRO as better than 1,000 people rushed to their appointments. But regardless, it illuminates the concern that if we don’t pause to listen as we pass by the world’s most beautiful music, what other amazing things in this life might we be missing?

My husband continuously observes that I am NOT very observant. I know that this is true and I think it is because he and I observe differently. He takes in a wide swath of his surroundings – all sensory perceptions – 360. While I zero in on things and can be oblivious to something right in front of me, in favor of something nearby that has caught my eye. I would not make a very good Columbo as he  often points out! But I do enjoy the details as I encounter them!

From an interior design standpoint, I take in entire scenes and their context all the time. I “practice” this – I am practicing interior design. This is not spontaneity, it is the art of the study and evaluation of a scene. The challenging work of problem-solving. Until or unless something catches my eye that interrupts the study in favor of the unexpected!!!!

STOP and smell (or paint) the roses!!!!!

Federico Leon de la Vega with a previous commission of “Yellow Rose of Texas Bouquet” oil on canvas.

Read More
Dec 31

TRENDS DIE – What’s New for 2018?

By pattisays In Abstract Art, apartments, architecture, art and interior design, artistic expression, Benjamin Moore Paint, color and temperature re: interior design, color forecasting, Color schemes, color trends, color wheel, colors, context of interior design, Contrasting colors, contrasts for balance in design, dark colors, design solutions, design tips, design trends, drama of color, element of surprise in design, hiring an interior designer, inspiration, interior design, interior design trends, lifestyle, mobiles, Modern Art, Museums, National Gallery of Art, Pantone, personal expression, practical design, red, Refresh, selecting colors, Sherwin Williams, timeless colors, trends, value of good design, Washington, D.C. /   2 Comments

I was surfing for fodder about the new color trends to kick-off this first mindful missive for the New Year and the color trends were all over the place – no consistency at all. From Ben Moore selecting Caliente AF290,

“Caliente is the signature color of a modern architectural masterpiece; a lush carpet rolled out for a grand arrival; the assured backdrop for a book-lined library; a powerful first impression on a glossy front door. The eye can’t help but follow its bold strokes. Harness the vitality.” 

—Ellen O’Neill, Benjamin Moore & Co.

to Sherwin Williams in a totally opposite direction proclaiming Oceanside SW 6496 their color of the year.

“A collision of rich blue with jewel-toned green, a color that is both accessible and elusive… A complex, deep color that offers a sense of the familiar with a hint of the unknown, Oceanside, bridges together a harmonious balance of blues and greens that can be found in what’s old and new.”

What? Are we straddling now?  Do we have one foot in one color trend while the other stretches across the color wheel and causes us to nearly do the splits trying desperately to hang on?

The walls of my east gallery space were a spicy version of Caliente for nearly 20 years! Bold at the time and unheard-of for  gallery walls – it was not to be changed for nearly 2 decades!!!

Whew – that was a run. I even named the retail space “Caliente.” And the color-band between the crown and picture molding at the back was a version of Oceanside – a lighter value of the blue-green hue.

The Grand Re-Opening July 2016 presented a dramatic transformation to a pale aqua resulting in a diametrically opposed feeling – a cleansing from what was crowded and hot to spare and cool.

But I digress…

Annoyed by the seeming authority, but weak contrasting rationale that I encountered with the wide range of picks and opinions, I left the paint companies and clicked over to the Pantone site. There I encountered their authoritative, ethereal color forecast of the year – Ultra Violet!!!!!

Yikes – they were coming at me from every conceivable direction!!! How on earth is any eager apartment dwelling or home-owning individual supposed to know how to go forward in sprucing up their space without fear?

Then  I came upon a piece by Mehgan Nesmith Ugh, What’s With These Generational Color “Trends”? From observing the broad reaching trend surrounding millennial pink to snippets from other sources,  I scanned the paragraphs amused, but still not satisfied. Until I arrived at paragraph 6 and there it was – the true fact that keeps the world moving forward – for better or worse – TRENDS DIE.

Yes they do and for good reason. I’ve said it before, take care in making costly selections that will stay with you past their prime. Trends are there for a reason. Designers dabble in creativity every day of the year to come up with things to tantalize, inspire, evoke, and entertain – and most importantly, SELL. Some of these trends stick. Then they are no longer trends, they transition and become classics. But to transcend the fleeting status of trend, “it” must have something very solid about its being.

And when it comes to interior design, with all the style trends for furniture, fabrics, architectural elements, finishes and decorative accessories – colors race through history like no other design element has or will. Colors rule and when they are good, they are very very good, but when they are bad, they are horrid!!!!! Thank you Mr. Longfellow!!

Take the massively graceful modern art piece suspended from the ceiling of the East Wing of the National Art Gallery in Washington, D.C. – classic – both in form and color. Red and black. Strong and simple. Bold and brilliant. Imagine if it were this year’s Pantone pick Ultra Violet  Aghhhh!!!!!!!

Actually, methinks I protest too much. The shade of purple picked, by Pantone, is heavy on the blue rather than the red.  The blue cast gives it a calm. Not whacky like Barney screaming purple – but, rather a royal shade.  Nonetheless, it is better served as an accent – don’t buy  wallpaper in it. Go ahead and paint the walls and have your fun – but know that you can change it without peeling off hundreds, if not thousands of dollars of wall-covering or re-upholstering your sofa like Meghan was tempted to do!!

It’s a color that stands alone – plays better by itself than with friends – like the child’s report card where the box that says “plays well with others” is not checked.  In my estimation, it will read well with clean, crisp white.  However, like Ms. Nesmith aptly says in her piece “if you are  still curious about that Gen Z yellow, buy a vase!”

That’s how we play with  colors and create a bit  of collision, unexpected off-key harmony, intrigue and suspense. But it is not for the faint of heart and the chance of tiring of it is paramount. Trends die and colors are tricky.

So Happy New Year and Happy New Colors in your world to refresh and renew!! Thank you Meghan, for your lively contribution to today’s story.

 

 

Read More
Dec 24

COMFORT & JOY with ART

By pattisays In Abstract Art, architecture, art and interior design, artistic expression, artists, beauty behold it, Christmas, Contemporary Art, context of interior design, design, design process, design solutions, Discovering Art, fanciful design, hiring an interior designer, interior design, interior design trends, joy, lifestyle, Mind Your Handwriting by Leon de la Vega, Modern Art, personal expression, recycle design, value of art /  

A few years ago I gave a talk. The title was  something like “I Need a Piece of Art to Go with My Red Sofa.”  It was a defensive argument giving liberty to those who sought artwork for decorative purposes rather than an esoteric rationale. As an interior designer surrounded by artistic influences and drawn to the limitless styles, pieces, concepts and movements of the art world, I see and appreciate both sides of this controversial coin.

Federico Leon de la Vega’s Pomogranates

In my opinion art should bring joy. And that is not to discount art as a social commentary, honest statement of artistic philosophy, opinion, or personal expression. As an interior designer, my simple philosophy is that joy is a goal of interior habitats – function and joy simultaneously. For me, there is a synonym for beauty in there. Oh – and how apropos – it’s Christmas time and the carol God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen specifically identifies bringing “tidings of comfort and joy.”

In this  month’s December 2017 issue of AD “Architectural Digest” Living with Art, architect Luis Laplace offers that he doesn’t really know about beauty in art. He sounds modest and self-effacing.  “I say I don’t know beauty. When I see that something works, then I see beauty.”  I say that is saying a lot about context. But inasmuch as I can see context being so perfect to showcase a piece that it validates it somehow, it seems lacking in the department of honest personal appreciation or criticism. Surely he must find beauty in art before it is placed.

I can see admitting that something having potential is a valid “wait and see” position to take when allowing a piece to be placed to its best advantage, prior to judging it too harshly – but that seems reserved for pieces about which one is trying to give them the benefit of the doubt! It sounds a bit like tap-dancing…making excuses. Excuses for not having an initial opinion or spontaneous reaction – much less appreciation – much less, joy.

Festive boat bringing JOY at the San Diego harbor parade last week.

Another comment that Laplace makes in this article “High Art” is that “We never use art as a decoration,” he declares. “We design for installation and rotation.” And I am sure in his world, that is exactly what he does. But let’s get down to earth and acknowledge that it’s a chicken and egg thing – the luxury to design expressly for the presentation of magnificent rotating works of art versus finding joy in a piece to decorate your world – with or without rotation. He makes decoration sound like a bad word. And perhaps he thinks it is – but why? Adornment, decoration, enhancement, emphasis – all superlatives, in my estimation.

Federico Leon de la Vega’s Script on Blue

In a completely opposite place on the planet both figuratively and physically, Robert Downey Jr, in this same issue of AD, expresses an explanation for their selections and design direction. “We didn’t set out to do something conspicuously whacky.” He obviously gets great joy and a kick in the pants out of his approach which he cements, with the following comment: “We just enjoy a bit of whimsy and fun.”  And then a negative nod to separate him from the more cerebral art enthusiasts – “We definitely don’t like boring.”

But that is a direct comment on the joy thing and one of my oft borrowed quotes “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Here, a tangible example that I created for my grandson, Liam a few years ago. Debris he and I collected while on a walk one day, I assembled into a collage and had it framed for him with the plaque to remind him to look at things and regard things from all angles.

From what one person derives joy, another might find boring and uninteresting. And that oddly seems to return to the Luis Laplace comment about not seeing beauty until it is placed and then can be recognized. Hmmmm…Yet, I am saying that it might be of value to study things and  think about things differently than face value at a quick glance…spontaneity is valid and so is “love at first sight,” but often things are missed because their context s not serving them well. That space above your red sofa might be just the context and proper setting to showcase the “whatever it is” piece which might be far less interesting otherwise.

Which is why, in this time of international commerce delivering things from all over the planet with an almost instant gratification speed, we still have difficulty making decisions about what to chose to have in our world. Which fabric, which furniture, which art…the choices are at our fingertips and delivered to our doorsteps without leaving our living rooms, but fear of costly mistakes, second guessing trends and how to make good investments still remain the dilemma shared by most. Fear of trusting your own joy. Or, better yet, discovering and defining your personal joy.

Which brings me to the last quote I extracted from the December  2017 issue of AD by an artist, Brian Donnelly, speaking about his own residence and art collection, and that is  “I don’t buy art to put in specific places. I just collect what I love and hope to find a place for it.” Sounds like spontaneous joy to me!!

Closing with best wishes for a Merry Christmas and “tidings of comfort and joy.”

 

 

Read More
Nov 19

Custom Designed Art for Branding in Commercial Interiors

By pattisays In Abstract Art, Albuquerque, New Mexico, aluminum, art and interior design, artistic expression, artists, bars and restaurants, branding in interior design, breweries, commercial interior design, conference rooms, Contemporary Art, context of interior design, contrasts for balance in design, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, decorative arts, design, design process, Design Team, design trends, Gas Company of New Mexico, graphic arts, handcraft, handmade, hiring an interior designer, inspiration, interior design, interior design trends, Modern Art, Nexus Brewery, organization, patterns, photography, wall sculpture, workplace design /  

Designing artwork for commercial interiors offers an opportunity to connect to the brand. It means that we take into consideration the artwork as relates to the business and its identity. You might remember a blog from last year about the can wall. It was designed for a taproom. The theme was beer. The name was “Silver” and we considered that a natural off-shoot of that was the silver color of aluminum beer cans – as a wall treatment!

Designing with Balance and the Creation of the Can Wall!

For that same project (in two locations) we further emphasized the brand with photos we took of their own products transferred to and stretched on canvas stretchers to be the “art” on the surrounding walls.

 

Fast forward to a conference room for an energy company home-based in Albuquerque – the iconic Sandia mountain being the earth’s monument – the familiar, perfect image to represent the company and the connection to the earth and its resources. For this  project, we were asked to build 27′ of custom , cabinetry and dress the wall above it.

The tall ceilings required a vertical element, but the length of the wall also begged for horizontal space-filling. As a cost-effective solution to such a large space, we decided to take a photo of the majestic mountain, separate it into 5 sections and have it enlarged and transferred onto aluminum panels for light weight and rigidity. The reviews were sensational as everyone loves and relates to the familiar scene – seen in such a colorfully explosive and expansive installation.

In response to the success of that solution, the client asked for a complimentary treatment for the opposing wall. Again, the wall was 27′ long and had the same ceiling height so we used multiple fragments in 3 groupings to center across the entire expanse. “Elemental Fragments” was born of the concept to have just that – fragments of elements in an orderly fashion – uniform yet random, to contrast against its formal geometry in response to the amorphous photographic landscape. Colors were derived from the blue, green and yellow in the scenic panorama interspersed in a field of silver.

Last week, on the day of the installation, colorful creative chaos – resulting from unwrapping the individually hand-crafted compositions and scattering them across the conference table – was part of the fun, of the scene.

The tedious work of aligning all just right, with perfect spacing and level mounting, added to the anticipation of realizing the finished product.

The luminous glass against the rich, stained wood punctuated with the  brushed stainless fasteners made a striking assembly.

Modern engineering and production, worldwide energy collaborations and shared technology coming together in a grounded environment of people and their place on the planet. A daunting system of assembling fragments of many elements that make things work to bring gas to the end users. The artwork makes the concept look easy. The result of the many facets, of the actual work and the artwork representing it, is not only effective, it is triumphal.

It’s creative fun to custom design pieces to relate to the brand, the business and the culture of a project. Bringing joy, pride and a sense of confidence in the focus of the work, to the employees and guests, is a successful finale.

Bring us your design challenge and we will design a solution specifically and especially for YOU!!!

 

Read More
Jan 17

Would A Love Letter Be The Same Without Handwriting?

By pattisays In art and interior design, artistic expression, artists, calligraphy, Contemporary Art, cursive, Discovering Art, education, expressionism, Gershwin, graphic arts, handwriting, hearts and design, inspiration, Leon de la Vega, love, Mexico, Mind Your Handwriting by Leon de la Vega, Modern Art, music scores, neurology, painters, personal expression, signature, teaching, Valentine's, writing /  1 2 Comments

After having seen Federico Leon de la Vega’s presentation at TEDX Talks in September and after having seen some of the work in progress over the past couple of years, it was a treat last week to be in his studio to see the collection exhibited up close and in person!

Presented on fabulously enormous canvases and a few smaller studies, these bold graphic statements compile a contemporary collection that is quite astounding. The premise is quite provocative.

The idea that handwriting is a basic human means of communication having evolved into the very personal flowing script of cursive that each individual can call their own – in their own style – it’s almost as personal as a fingerprint. It is an extraordinary human function that should be protected, revered and certainly not lost to the fast-paced technology of the digital age!

Making one’s mark on a surface…a piece of paper…to convey a thought, idea, instruction, story, a doodle on a paper towel – a love letter.

20170117_120810

With Valentine’s Day approaching, it brings to mind the idea of love letters. We read them throughout literature and listen to them in songs. We hear of them being saved over time by recipients in treasured boxes tied with ribbon to be read over and over or merely saved for others to find long after…

These magnificent oil paintings convey the art of handwriting. They celebrate the simplest marks of hand to canvas with brush and paint looping in circles and jutting in spikes – the primary strokes of handwriting. These primary strokes are the foundation of mastering the control needed to make the continuous flow of letters that become each person’s personal interpretation of the alphabet in cursive style and an exclusive means of communication.

Style – handwriting conveys personal style. Look at yours. Is it always the same or do you mix it up? Do you stay consistent or do you express different styles of your own handwriting for different purposes?  Look at your friend’s handwriting – would you recognize it anywhere?

federico-signature

It is thrilling to walk among these great canvases with their color and  bold strokes. It is arresting to realize that they are so simple yet so complex in what they are saying. We must recognize the value of handwriting. We must not let it be dropped from our schools’ curriculum. We must continue to see the importance of the pure, mind to hand, raw emotion.

Powerful spikes require starting and stopping – control.

Loose loops also require control to maintain uniformity.

20170113_194255

After control is learned, expression can take over resulting in that personal style that becomes each individual’s identifying handwriting.

20170113_194522

Federico reminds us in his talk, about how we might have attempted to write a love letter for the first time and how many times it was crumpled because it wasn’t quite right. The failed attempts of recording our feelings as we strive to say the right thing, to express our deepest emotions. Yet once accomplished, those words hand-written mean so much more than the same words conveyed by type or digital communications.

“From my heart to my mind, from my mind to my hand, from my hand to the paper I place in your hand,  so you may fold it and keep it near to your heart. No delete!”

The digital world is all around us. We cannot escape it, nor should we. However, the human evolution and the brain’s development that mastered the art of handwriting is a place that could be diminished and lost if we do not continue the art and practice of personal expression through this extraordinary medium.

All we need is love – sent via a personalized handwritten letter from the heart. Here’s to a Happy Valentine’s Day !!!

Read More
Oct 22

Surprise Seasonal Discoveries in the National Gallery of ART

By pattisays In Abstract Art, architecture, artistic expression, artists, Contemporary Art, decorative arts, Discovering Art, expressionism, Franz Kline, graphic arts, history, I.M. Pei, James Dean's Pete the Cat, Matisse, Modern Art, Museums, National Gallery of Art, retro, sculpture, stone, urban art, Washington, D.C., William Kentridge /  1 1 Comment

So, in direct contrast to discovering art in unexpected places such as a simple series of brush strokes painted on a course concrete curb, (last week’s pattisays blog) this week, as fall leaves fill the air and pumpkins pop up on every surface, my observations are about discovering art occur in an actual art gallery, specifically the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.. Imagine that! The city has been abuzz for months in anticipation of the recent unveiling of the updated East Building.

It was in 1978, the year I left my home town of Washington that I.M. Pei’s exciting new modern edifice was presented to an anxious art-loving public. So very different from the West Building and all others in the historic vicinity, some people were astonished but most were thrilled. This sleek angular sculpture of a building was a statement in and around which to display the growing modern and contemporary collection. An art-piece of its own accord. Yes, the building was at once regarded as its own work of art.  We eagerly raced to touch the famous wedge of geometry that came to such an acute angle that it begged to be touched.

i-m-pei-east-building

Nearly 40 years later that same fine edge is silently showing its age missing little chunks of compound and lovingly discolored with all the hands from around the world that have touched and smiled at the towering stone form in contrast to the rotund, ornamented and domed Capital in the background. Both majestically iconic, but stylistically so very different.

20161020_145510_002-copy

20161020_145320

But wait – this elegant aging beauty has had a three year rejuvenation treatment! New stairways and elevators connect galleries making the flow of exhibits more enjoyable. The tunnel connecting East to West sparkles with light and all the subtle changes result in a seamless passage through and enhanced experience for visitors.

The glassy, crisp, stark, expansive lobby where the enormous Calder mobile is suspended defying its enormity and weight as it gracefully, almost motionlessly, moves silently with the subtle, indiscernible stirring of air is the fulcrum of the building. Exhibit halls tucked away but newly connected are exciting to frequent visitors who know the building so well.

20161020_120055

I naturally had to have a little fun and in keeping with the season made a couple of entertaining discoveries. Here Four Square and oil on Canvas by Franz Kline in 1956 is noted by The Art Story/Modern Art Insight “a fine example of  his gestural approach to painting. The viewer is led to ponder the canvas, seeing as either a close-up of a linguistic symbol, or perhaps, a set of open windows.”

20161020_141429

Really? Linguistic symbol or a set of windows? Well, maybe it’s the season…but I instantly saw a cat – a crazy black cat, an abstraction of James Dean’s “Pete” perhaps, which made me want a mask and to be that crazy cat and prance about for Halloween!

20161020_141522_001

In another piece, Portage, by William Kentridge of South Africa born in my birth year of 1955, a folded accordion-like book with torn  black figures of paper affixed to encyclopedia pages resulted in my seeing another black cat! I do think it was of human figures bearing weight, carrying, moving through various poses. Call me Halloweeny – but this one was decidedly a black cat. Don’t YOU think?

20161020_143546

It was fabulous, exciting, fun and emotional to see the colorful Matisse cut-outs once again in such close proximity with Matisse’s placement marks and rough cut pieces – crude yet refined – rough yet lovely. Seeing these incredible compositions up close again is breath-taking.

Oh, and might this be another seasonal mask?

20161020_143742

From awestruck to silly…to a quiet reverence at coming to the black and white photo of this enormous piece in Hotel Regina in Nice in 1953!!  Seeing it in the setting of its day and captured in a photo all those many years ago was one of many moments of reverence.

20161020_143238

Once again, pay attention to the little things, be surprised, let yourself be amused and enjoy discovering art wherever you might find it – unexpected and very much expected places!

 

Read More