He photographed trash ( his photographs of cigarette butts, discarded clothing and found trash had many questioning whether some of his subject matter was truly ‘art’ when it was first shown in the 1970’s), food and at the very end- even his own collection of pottery.  But it is his mesmerizing portraits that he will surely be remembered for the most.

Whether his subject was a famous model, a famous artist, a tribesmen, a biker or a street sweeper- Irving Penn treated them with the same creative eye. ‘He once said that his formula for capturing meaningful portraits was to photograph his subjects relentlessly, often over a period of several hours, until they were forced to let down their guard.’ (source)  His work was among the first to cross the line between commercial and fine art, shaping modern photography as we now know it- he  will be extremely missed!

Irving Penn: Small Trades, a show dedicated to the artist series of worker portraits from the 1960’s is currently on display at The Getty Center of Art in Los Angeles ,CA- running through January 10, 2010.

All images taken from Photography-Now.net, The International Photography Index.

My “I love your dress” comment led me into a fascinating and informative conversation with Elizabeth Roth, the oh-so charming Managing Director of Communications for the Savannah College of Arts and Design ( or better know in the art world as SCAD).

SCAD was ‘in the house’ promoting Working Class Studio, an innovative place that is helping to meld together fine arts and design with the marketplace. ‘ We don’t believe in the starving artist at SCAD’, Elizabeth told me, ‘ our students are not only taught the skills of their medium, but how to be successful in the business of art as well’. (Wow did I ever pick the wrong art school!- I can still hear my counselor snickering after I said I had decided to major in Painting!)

School Mascot perhaps, alongside Square Puffy Frame $52 through shopscad.com

From what I can see Working Class Studio truly is an exciting venture. Featuring the designs of both students and faculty artists/alumni alike, it’s a place where great ideas can be cultivated into functional products for sale.  With an ever changing lineup of stationary and home decor…feeling like a true patron of the arts is only a quick click away.

So many colorful products..so little time. A quick fantasy trip through and my shopping thirst was quenched from fashion and home accessories to art to just about my favorite card ever!  At these prices even a ’starving blog writer’ can indulge- all in the good name of keeping art ( and artists) alive and well!

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NYC’s Spring 2010 Fashion Week kicks off with a shopping spree like no other: Okay, it really is too early to be naming next Spring’s specific color trends ( though Neiman Marcus’s Fashion Director Ken Downing did tell NY Magazine that we can expect to see lots of Blue), there is one definite trend already spotted as being shared by designers and retailers alike- a hope that fans will actually buy the lines.  To jump start the collective spending mojos 700 stores in NYC participated in yesterday evening’s world wide Fashion NIght Out by staying open late, hosting giveaways, rounding up celebrity guest, even pouring free booze…basically a fashionista’s dream come true. The shopping stimulus idea, co hosted by Vogue magazine and the City of New York, came down from the fashion czar herself Anna Wintour ( who even made it onto the scene herself way out in Queens- I suppose her time at the US Open got her accustomed to actually crossing that bridge out of Manhattan).

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A master’s palette restored and identified after a 25 year mystery at The Met: It’s amazing what a little sprucing and cleaning can do to your psyche.  If you’re a curator at a major museum in possession of a painting whose artist is not been clearly defined- a little elbow grease can do absolute wonders!  The NY Times reports that this is exactly the case at The Metropolitan Museum Of Art.  A painting entitled ‘Portrait Of A Man’ that was gifted to the museum in 1949, was said at the time as being a work by the Spanish Artist Velazquez.  Yet years later the painting ( which is thought to be an unfinished study) was downgraded by experts and the museum as actually coming from ‘the school of Velazquez’ not the master himself. Why? The colors were much darker than Velaquez’s typical palette and the brush strokes not so defined.  Yet it seems as if the last owner’s own handy work may have come into play in this colorful mystery…read more here.

Wedding inspirations for the bride with a designer’s eye for color: Everyone’s favorite color matching system Pantone has teamed up with the Dessy group to create an online means to get your pre-nuptial inspirations flowing. Complete with tools to create image boards, match your favorite hue to bridesmaid dress or wedding day accessory, take a gander at the latest color combo trends and even get 14 free swatches of your favorite Pantone colors ( to take along to vendors of course- after all you don’t want your flower arrangements clashing with your attendees’ Mango dresses!)

Southern Accents says goodbye:  After 32 years in publication the magazine devoted to beautiful homes, gracious living and a sense of place says goodbye.  Their ‘Colors You Need To Know Now‘ was always one of my favorite magazine features-from what I remember they were the first ones ever to put the spotlight on a single hue ( with coveted paint suggestions to boot!)  Check out their Picking Color Palettes 101 for some beautiful ideas- Southern Style.

The Fashioning Felt exhibit shows both ancient and new techniques for making textiles into art, sculpture, furniture, jewelry, and of course clothing. I have long had a love of this fabric, using it for my line of children’s handbags. It’s tactile sense is both comforting and sensual to me. This exhibit fully explores all felt has offer.

This is artist Janice Arnold’s palace yurt, created as a place for contemplation and celebration. At the end of the exhibit is a remarkable video that shows the artist and her team hand making all the ceiling panels.The panels are made of wool, mohair, silk and line.

I love these modern colorful “spot rugs” by Majken Mann and Nynne Fearch for Mossimo. And these sculptural “stones” by Pernelle Fagerlund are fun “textile furniture” by a very talented lady. Look how fun they look in front of this chair (also made of felt).

This fairytale piece is called “The Slice” uncut roll and slice and looks like a woodland dream, by Lene Frantzen.

One of the largest pieces is the amazing wooly wall called “Inner Moods” by Cloudy  Jongstra. This wool is from the artist’s own flock, an endangered species, and is dyed with healing plants and herbs. This piece is supposed to be a healing , tactile piece of sculpture. It reminds me of a character from “Where the Wild Things Are” and also a den from the 70’s – healing indeed !

I would have shared more pictures but they are not allowed in the gallery. A kind security guard told me this after I had taken these – sorry Cooper Hewitt. Let this be a tease…get to the show. At the end of the exhibit are films about the process and pieces of felt that you can touch . I have to admit to being the most interested in touching the work…I”m like a curious child I guess.

Take a couple of hours to see this beautiful mansion and have a relaxing seat outside in the lovely park setting. There’s also an exhibit that has some amazing designers (Ted Muehling, Isaac Mizrahi, and Kate Spade to name a few) that are using sustainable materials. My favorite is the bamboo “Living Forest”  by artist Ezri Tarazi- truly inspirational.

As a guest of color maven Kim Brown, I was treated to an evening of complimentary wine, a pretty decent DJ, and the best people watching opportunity of the night. And I had an almost private audience with the works in the new Color Chart galleries: I really love these kinds of nights in NYC.

As you enter the space on the 6th floor, a mountain of painted steel beams greets you, adorned in vibrant primary colors. The collection is a belief of the artists involved, that in everyday life – beauty, art, and color are intertwined and accessible. The 1st painting I focused on was Jim Dine’s color blocks. His father and grandfather owned a hard ware store where Jim became interested in color at an early age.

On the opposite wall is Frank Stella’s square canvases painted with shades of Benjamin Moore paints (wisely a sponsor of the exhibit), straight out of the can; these were commissioned by an admirer, Andy Warhol.

On the left wall is Ellsworth Kelly’s ‘Colors For a Large Wall’. Across from the actual piece is the study for the painting. I always find these ultimately more interesting. The studies have a palpable creative energy of an artist trying to accomplish perfection.

Andy Warhol sits vibrantly in the corners with ‘Do It Yourself Flowers’ a grand paint –by- numbers. And then there’s Marilyn …all 6 of her. I think I love Warhol because I don’t really have to think about his hidden meanings – it’s Pop art and as Nina Simone would say I’m “feeling good” when I look at it.

I love the type of Jasper John’s 0-9 lithographs. Edward Ruscha has 6 screen prints with beautiful lettering. Titled ‘News, Mews, Pews, Brews, Stews, & Dues’ one handsome gentlemen pointed out that they rhyme: Quite right sir.

The scale of Gerhard Richter’s 10 Large Color Panels (7 seen in my pictures) is impressive (giant paint chip strips). I really like his ‘256 Colors’ – every corner has a grey circle that is sort of subliminally visible – very cool.

Walking through another room, you are greeted by Dan Flavin’s untitled neon tubes forming a forest –like gathering of bright T’s.

Katharina Fritsch ‘s sculpture like painting ‘8 Paintings 8 Colors’ is an invitation to an Alice in Wonderland world. I fully expected to see a Mad Hatter tea party taking place under these bright paintings. Paintings like hers just make me happy. Her grandfather was a salesman for Faber – Castell art supplies; she might have lived in an Alice world of her own.

Kim and Charlene, my gracious hosts, are seated in front of Sherrie Levine’s painting ‘Salubra’. This painting is inspired by architect Le Corbusier painted wallpapers for the Swiss firm Salubra in 1931. Simply Le Gorgeous.

Last , but certainly not least, is Damien Hirst’s ‘John John’ painting. This piece reminds me of my favorite candy as a child; those yummy sweet dots you have to lick off strips of paper. I’m certainly not trying to simplify darling Damien’s work…I’m no art critic or historian. But I believe that every piece of art is open to individual interpretation, based on our own unique memories and experiences.

This exhibit was a pure trip of fantasy and joy for me. The Color Chart exhibit runs until May 12th and I highly suggest a visit. Gazing at these colorful, brilliant works of art will certainly add to your memories and become a cherished experience.

The Museum of Modern Art is 7 blocks from my apartment but I hadn’t been there since their grand re-opening 2 yrs. ago (except for an exciting catering job I did for the premier of the NY Film Festival opening film “The Interpreter”).

The center of the enormous space is flooded with natural light – it actually seemed sunnier inside than outside.

We decided to see the Georges Seurat drawings first , as the exhibit was closing soon. Most of the pieces were done with black ink but WOW were the shadows and figures he created, very powerful. We both agreed that our favorites were the circus and cafe series. There were some seascape oil paintings that were lovely blues and greens – very cheery.

Then , we headed to our faves- the paintings and drawings. The first painting I see is “The Ohio Gang” by R.B. Kitaj. He gained fame in London then came back to live in NY. The yellow and orange stripes of color almost take your eyes off the bare breasted woman above a baby stroller. Something almost sinister about this painting…can’t put my finger on it.

My eyes follow the frames until I get to Picasso’s ” Les Moiselles d’Avignon.” Naked women again, but this is a celebration of life. I want to be one of those women standing before Pablo- even if it’s the wolf faced lady. His other 2 paintings “Woman Dressing Herself” and “Girl Before A Mirror” are intimate but more lively. He has taken a solitary experience of a woman’s day and glorified it with his exuberant palettes. I believe it takes a Spanish gentleman to appreciate the true beauty of all women. (Or at least a Spanish cubist living in France).

Claes Oldenburg’s “Giant Soft Fan” bring us to our Swedish sensibilities. Who else could create a giant blow up plastic fan- the fog is finally lifting.

I don’t care how many times I see Van Gogh’s Starry Night – it thrills me. The lovely swirly clouds and stars seem to be dancing in the indigo sky. It’s shocking to me that he was in an asylum , in Saint Remy France, as he painted this – I hope he got as much pleasure from it as I do.

Through another gallery and I’m back in Paris. By way of Russia , Kandinsky enters my view. He’s my dad’s favorite artist- probably because his paintings look good in every room (every color in one painting). I know that Kandinsky has very heavy themes (The Apocalypse and political unrest) but his forms are pure and easy joy.

The gleam of Constantin Brancusi’s” Mademoiselle Pognania” proves that “All that glitters is gold” or bronze. I love the shininess of this beauty. She has a cute hairdo and looks both shy and coquettish at the same time. His travels from Romania to Paris seem to have been worth it.

Salvador Dali was in Paris when he painted the 11 layered glass piece “Petit Theatre”. My eyes are fixated on the red shoe. To me , Dali is simply another sort of being. I can”t understand how he does what he does with paint – all I know is that he is proof of the Divine to me. I’d love to talk about Dali all day long….but there’s more to see. We are done with paintings.

After a brief stop for refreshments- we decide to head to the Design Area. Patrick Nortguet designed “Rainbow Chair” – very cool and rainbowy. I want to put this chair next to a bright window and stare at the colored stripes . I feel like if the designer Paul Smith made furniture , it would look like this. Tailored , colorful, and engaging.

The only thing cooler than the chair is the Capsule Lights – they look like oversized pills- very “Valley of the Dolls”.

The perfect ending to my MOMA experience is to see a shiny Airstream trailer. As a very vintage girl….I have had many dreams of driving Route 66 in one of these very American vehicles. I agree that this should be in a museum – it’s very simplicity and functionality represent the America I love ; offering a promise of possibilities. On the road of life – take time to smell the roses and take in some art. I leave MOMA oblivious to the clouds

I’m looking forward to some shows coming to the museum. Color Chart: Reinventing Color , 1950 to Today will be exhibited March 2nd – May 12th. And my favorite, Salvador Dali, will have his paintings and films available June 29th – September 15th.

Related links:

• MOMA: Visit the museum online
• Color Chart: Reinventing Color , 1950 to Today will be exhibited March 2nd – May 12th
• Multiple Choice: From Sample to Product on Color Pro Blog
• Vintage style: 1960’s telephone colors on Color Pro Blog
  
• Salvador Dal will have his paintings and films on display June 29th – September 15th

Before computers, ipods, and 400 channels on television, seeing who could blow the biggest bubble provided entertainment while hanging outside with the neighborhood gang. Do kids still compete to see who can inflate the largest pink bubble gum bubble?

Even if they don’t, I think “Double Bubble” is a wonderful name for an art exhibit that explores the color pink and its embodiment of the lighthearted side of summer. Don’t you agree?

Corey Drieth
Untitled #3, 2006
Gouache on poplar
9 x 9 inch

If you are in the New York City area any time soon, make sure not to miss this eye-catching exhibition by one of the finest fashion photographers France has ever produced.

Over the past three decades, Bettina has achieved critical acclaim for her exquisite images representing the ultimate in femininity.

“Liquid Gold” celebrates the allure of a woman and is an embodiment of the French Chic: glamor, sophistication, fragility, seduction, adventure, provocation, sublime imperfections, roots, and truth.

That is what Liquid Gold calls to mind…that is what Bettina Rheims is capturing.

The exhibition comprises huge, original pictures printed on shining aluminum sheets: one still life (the first she ever did) and ten surprising portraits of the model Margarita Svegzdaite.

The “highflyer” model, especially chosen for her captivating, mysterious sense of elegance and anti-conformism, is famous for having been the muse of Helmut Newton, John Galliano, and Vivienne Westwood.

Chablis, the famous French white wine – whose color is often referred to as “Liquid Gold” – is the official sponsor of this international tour and a dedicated internet site www.chablis-the-french-chic.com provides “behind the scenes” work of Bettina and her team, giving a unique insight into her work.

Her eleven stunning large scale portraits, specially commissioned for this project, will be displayed in three of New York’s most “chic” venues:

Opens tomorrow at Bloomingdale’s

See the exhibit at Bloomingdale’s Flagship Store, 59th Street & Lexington Avenue from June the 18th to July the 2nd 2007

Bloomingdale’s has long been a supporter of the arts and the collaboration with Bettina Rheims and Chablis seems a perfect fit because Bloomingdale’s shares many of the parameters that are important to Bettina’s work: femininity, fashion, glamor, top of the range, sophistication, seduction, adventure, roots, and truth.

The Gold of the pictures, enlightened by the glittering aluminum panels, fits to the latest “metallic tendencies” in Fashion.

On display during July at The New York Palace
Hotel

On view at The New York Palace Hotel, 455 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022 during July 2007

“Home” of the most glamorous stars, The New York Palace is an obvious venue to host the exhibition of internationally renowned Bettina Rheims.

Opens September 18th at Métrazur Restaurant

Enjoy the exhibit at Métrazur Restaurant in Grand Central Terminal Main

Grand Central has transformed itself into a venue for ongoing public events, and more particularly the host of exhibitions. Metro North and Charlie Palmer’s Métrazur welcome the “Liquid Gold” exhibition in this spectacular space, which will highlight the magnificence of these large scales portraits.

Download the PDF files:

Liquid Gold Announcement Shown Above

Liquid Gold Preview of the Photographs

What comes to mind when you think of the color blue? Some might think of their favorite blue jeans, the latest in Bluetooth technology, or the popular children’s program Blue’s Clues. Others may recall a treasured blue and white soup tureen passed down through generations, an unforgettable blue summer sky, or Ol’ Blue Eyes and a Sinatra tune.

The newest exhibition at the Concord Museum looks at objects from the Museum’s collection through a blue lens, bringing together the fabrics, papers, and paints used in seascapes and landscapes, geometric and floral bandboxes, charming coverlets, blue and white ceramics, a Union officer’s great coat, a 1960s Emilio Pucci patterned silk dress, and much more.

The Boston Globe had a nice piece on the exhibit Filling in shades of meaning: Museum explores the color blue.

If you’re going to be in the Boston area, the show runs through April 29, 2007 and you can find out more about A Splash of Blue at the Concord Museum.

The exhibition includes 21 colored replicas of well-known Greek and Roman sculptures that are decorated with what is believed to be the original color.

These sculptures summarize the findings of long-term analysis and research at the Munich Glyptothek’s ateliers – as well as show a different kind of aesthetic.

New research methods were developed in order to trace color remnants on ancient sculptures. This was followed by careful analysis, in order to reproduce the initial colors with as much accuracy as possible.

When all this was achieved, color was added to replicas of well-known Greek and Roman sculptures.

Knowing that these sculptures were once colored is one thing, but actually accepting anything other than the classical white versions is another.