Art & musings

Philippe Starck's newest punching bag chandelier by Baccarat

2011-12-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

Who wouldn't want this in their living room?!

Incredible story about a camera found at sea

2011-12-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

Google+ reunites DSLR images with owner — after a year in the Pacific ocean

By Dieter Bohn on November 26, 2011 11:19 am42COMMENTS

It's hard not to be a little jaded the Saturday after Thanksgiving, when all that gratitude has been expressed and the deep, deep regret about how much you ate has set in. Fortunately, while your immediate family has once again disappointed you with their politics and green bean casserole, your larger, human family can restore your faith in people's basic goodness with the magic of social networking. Enter Google+ and Markus Thompson, who was scuba diving in Deep Bay (outside of Vancouver) and discovered aCanon EOS 1000D camera. Thompson pulled the SD card to discover not only that he could recover the images, but that they revealed the camera had been sitting in the salty brine for over a year.

Thompson took to Google+, posting the story and a few identifying details he was able to dig up from the photos. Within a day, the hive mind was able to track down and contact the owner, a firefighter in British Columbia. We're not saying you should be thankful for Google+, but the actual people who use it sure seem like good folks.

Image Credit: Markus Thompsonhttp://www.theverge.com/2011/11/26/2587599/canon-eos

Share your photos on Pinterest!!!

2011-11-29T11:14:00.000-08:00

http://pinterest.com

From gildandgrace.blogspot.com

mexico

Pinned via pinmarklet

Bottega Louie - can you say "mouth watering"?

2011-10-09T23:28:00.000-07:00

If you are in downtown L.A., you must make an essential stop at Bottega Louie & indulge yourself with one or 10 of their delectable treats! Enjoy. www.BottegaLouie.com

The Mandala Project

2010-11-08T20:28:00.000-08:00

This sand mandala made by 4 master Tibetan mandala artists.

The 12th day the masters have been working on this sand mandala.

Where the Venerables and the mandala artists sit and chant

Close-up of the layering the sand technique

Angelenos who stood in line outside the Hammer Museum in Westwood this past weekend got a glimpse of the most heartbreakingly beautiful piece of art - a sand mandala. Composed of billions of grains of colored sand implemented by tapping on a metal tube filled with the colored grains. Four orange-robed master Tibetan mandala artists have worked on making this perfect pattern for 12 days straight. This piece was completed yesterday, then at 3pm after a dissolution ceremony where the masters chanted and dismantled the pattern, installing all the sand into a container, all parties drove to Santa Monica beach and witnessed the scattering ceremony. It was one of the most touching moments to witness and be so completely absorbed in the idea of impermanence. Make something so profoundly beautiful and then upon its completion, allow it to be set free.

Do you have any cake stands?

2010-11-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

I entered into a delightful forest of colorful cake stands. Inspiring! Baking a cake tonight!

Which chair for me?

2010-11-04T12:31:00.000-07:00

Most endearing moment of the day! This handsome boy was on a serious mission to select the most suitable vintage chair. What could be cuter?

Tarte tatin me fait sourire!

2010-11-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

Thin as paper, delicious beyond!

Jennifer Steinkamp - Miss Znerold"

2010-09-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

Love her work - fall is upon us and I am thinking about trees lately. Steinkamp's 2005 piece of a tree in motion and its changing colors is a lovely piece to refer to.

Dennis Hopper Double Standard opens at MOCA today!

2010-07-11T23:50:00.000-07:00

A survey show of artist/ actor Dennis Hopper opened today at the Geffen Contemporary in downtown L.A. Artist/ Filmmaker Julian Schnabel curated this impressive exhibition & gave a talk about his selections & Hopper's body of work. I liked the pieces heavily influenced by Marcel Duchamp in his way of appropriating common objects. The piece shown in the last photo is called "Bomb Drop" 1967-68 which was quite a statement as one enters the hall. The self-portrait is beautiful as are the large-scale billboard paintings. This is the first sighting of Jeffrey Deitch (in the yellow suit & his signature round glasses) as MOCA's new director - photo 1 seen here chatting with Julian Schnabel. This show ends Sept. 26th, 2010.

Angela Dufresne at Kinkead Contemporary - till July 24, 2010

2010-06-22T22:16:00.000-07:00

Love Dufresne's recent imaginative and fantastic depictions evoking the 18th Century art critic & philospher, Denis Diderot's illustration from the Encyclopedie (a systematic dictionary of the sciences, arts & crafts). Her colorful works gives us an impression perhaps of a Bierstadt with the depiction of fishermen, mountains & other nature settings. A breath of fresh air to counter the June gloom!

Kinkead Contemporary is at 6029 Washington Blvd, Culver City.

Chris Natrop - Myopic Spring Jungle is delightful

2010-05-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

It's simply too beautiful for words - this installation of Chris Natrop's new works at Taylor De Cordoba Gallery in Culver City. One walks into the space in a state of awe with the eyes adjusting to Natrop's hand-cut pieces of paper painted with watercolor hung on filament, along with colorful light tubes on the floor. A reflective mylar mirrored piece installed in the corner wall presents some pretty cool moments too. The viewer is faced with their own reflection in a kind of "Rorschach" pattern that their mind seeks to understand & process. It's like walking through a delightful, magical forest.

Mickalene Thomas at Susanne Vielmetter Gallery - simply glamorous!

2010-05-12T22:18:00.000-07:00

This be-jeweled show titled "Put a little sugar in my bowl" is dazzling to the eye with its boldly patterned fabrics and shimmering rhinestones. These large scale works of beautiful black women in luxurious settings is a feast for the eye by this talented Yale MFA grad. This show ends June 12th. Even this gorgeous little girl in her finery is auditioning for the next series of Mickalene's works!

Audra Weaser paintings & Eben Goff works at Ruth Bachofner Gallery - till May 29th.

2010-05-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Lovely, lyrical reflective water scenes make up this new series of abstract paintings by Audra Weaser, now on view along with Eben Goff's enticing, painted wall objects made of Alder & beautiful Birch wood. Audra's paintings have layers of specially mixed paint that she sands down in the process to give it that rich texture. Meditative & dreamy. Goff, a recent UCLA MFA graduate, makes these lively sculptural pieces that resemble architectural fragments. Go up close to see them & discover the layers of wood in it that demonstrates his love of natural materials.

Art Center College of Design MFA grad show!

2010-05-04T00:10:00.000-07:00

There are some remarkably talented artists at this school. Most of the industrial design and animation works were mindblowingly good. The fine artists filled less walls but showed their immense talents - I particularly loved Kirk Shinmoto, Kaeleen Wescoat-O'Neill & Ping Zhu's works. A vibrant scene that was pure eye candy!

Mark Ryden at Paul Kasmin Gallery in NY.

2010-04-29T23:22:00.000-07:00

The Gay 90s - Old Tyme Art Show is Mark Ryden's latest exhibit with his new works, opening in NY's Paul Kasmin Gallery today - April 29, running through June 5th.

http://www.paulkasmingallery.com/exhibitions/2010-04-29_mark-ryden/#

Yoga on the beach

2010-04-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

The moment I walked onto the sand with my yoga mat, I felt at peace facing the crashing waves and drinking in the fresh ocean air. Bunok offers a wonderful and empowering session. A must try!

http://www.consciouslifechange.com/

Huckleberry is my answer!

2010-04-26T18:07:00.000-07:00

What to do on a hazy, gloomy morning? Head to Huckleberry not only for the scrumptious, irresistible breakfast but the cheerful fresh flowers on each table and the delightful staff. My morning just got brighter!

http://www.huckleberrycafe.com/

Andreas Gursky - a must see show at Gagosian - ends May 1st.

2010-04-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

Starchitect Richard Meier has given Gagosian a spectacular new addition to the main gallery space that currently houses a stunning new series ("Ocean I - V") by Andreas Gursky. It's a breathtaking installation. These are large -scale works - 9 ft by 12 ft high - that needs to be experienced in person. So run, don't walk to 456 N. Camden Drive (Tues - Sat 10 - 5:30p) to give your eyes and soul a treat.

Birthday celebration with the lovelies!

2010-04-08T15:21:00.000-07:00

Poppies in bloom!!!

2010-04-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

The bright orange California poppy fields are strutting its brilliance! A lovely hike around these fields in the Poppy Reserve in Antelope Valley is worth the hour drive up to Lancaster.

UCLA MFA Exhibition #2 - Broad Art Center till April 9th.

2010-04-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

Love this photograph!

This exhibition features works by Katie Aliprando (sculpture), Jane Jin Kaisen (interdisciplinary studio), Job Piston (photography), Chadwick Rantanen (new genres) and Katrina Umber (photography).

Going to the student art shows is like an adrenaline pumping treat - the energy & enthusiasm of artists & their friends, the bravery of these artists in trying new ideas, the sartorial choices (see above photo of guy in hat & white shoes!), never short of enthralling. It's a wondrous event to also discover new talent on the horizon.

Water: Our Thirsty World - Annenberg Space for Photography

2010-04-08T10:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org/exhibitions/overview.asp

A beautifully installed show - a must see!

Mark Grotjahn & J.B. Blunk at Blum & Poe

2010-04-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

The "Seven Faces" show with Mark Grotjahn's large scale paintings left me perplexed. They are strange but I wasn't mesmerized. They all had incredible energy & I appreciate his rigorous layering technique but they didn't grab me. At 8 feet by 6 feet, you can judge for yourself whether you would pay $500,000 for each! At the upstairs gallery however, J.B. Blunk's richly organic works marveled me. I wanted to touch every piece & imagine the process it took for him to mold these gems. This is worth seeing - the show closes May15th, 2010.

Love Kreation Kafe on Montana Avenue

2010-03-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

My current favorite joint for yummy, healthy food (besides Huckleberry, A Votre Sante & M Cafe of course!). The quinoa salad is the best ever! With the wall garden and the twinkling lights in the back patio, this place is heavenly after a blissful, sweaty, strenuous yoga class! Kreation Kafe: 1023 Montana Ave, Santa Monica.

Montage Laguna - the coolest Eagle-owl

2010-03-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

If you haven't driven down to the Montage Laguna beach to see the parade of falcons & the fabulous eagle-owl (see photo) yet, go soon! Mr. Eagle-Owl has the most incredible ears & his gaze will mesmerize you. Take a stroll around the property and find your way down to the stunningly beautiful beaches.

Anna Sew Hoy

2010-03-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

Simply too beautiful to pass up. Love her work!

Malibu sunset - just before we spring forward!

2010-03-18T13:31:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a glorious, heartbreakingly beautiful sunset to cheer me up and make all the day's frustration melt away like the last few seconds of hazy alizarin. Happiness!

The most stylish mini-stylists of all!!!!

2010-03-02T16:26:00.000-08:00

Tavi Gevinson better watch her back! I spotted these 2 tweenies at the galleries on La Cienega Saturday night. Rockin' some shades at night with a colorful purse just sets the tone for all fashionistas!! Too cute.

The Stylist Project - Taylor de Cordoba opening 2.27.10

2010-03-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

The crowds on La Cienega Saturday night were gunning for this stylish & thrilling opening of Kimberly Brooks' latest series of portraits. With a bit of elbowing past a chic and fashion forward sea of Angelenos, I was able to get up close to view these beautiful portraits of Hollywood's A-list stylist in their finest posing for the artist. They spend most of their time making stars look pretty, that night was their time to shine and emanate their own glamorous selves in their deftly chosen ensembles. Great show!! www.TaylorDeCordoba.com

My favorite painting!!!!!

2010-01-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

Absolutely stunningly beautiful.

Party with the boys!!

2010-01-20T17:14:00.000-08:00

There is no better way to celebrate a fun, sparkly occasion than with Chad and his hilarious bunch. There's always great food, better laughs & gorgeous floral arrangements. To many more....

Jeff Koons at Gagosian Gallery

2010-01-20T16:55:00.000-08:00

It's just as well that this show is over. I have so little positive things to say about this exhibit. Jeff Koons should just stick with sculptures. He can do puppies & rabbits quite well. These paintings, though the large scale-ness looked great in the spacious Gagosian joint, were totally forgettable.

Sugar Paper - the sweetest cards in the prettiest store

2009-12-16T06:36:00.000-08:00

The perfect antidote to feeling a little blue is a stop at my favorite paperie at the Brentwood Country Mart. Sugar Paper has the most delectable cards with their signature thick, sumptuous card stock & a boatload of other pretty things. If that doesn't salve the winter woes, I stop at the candy shop for some chocolates, Broken English for an exquisite piece of their jewelry and maybe even a little something from Calypson Home and the lovely shop Turpan. What more can a girl want?

Allsaints Spitalfields - new store on Robertson Blvd.

2009-12-16T06:28:00.000-08:00

Love their storefront design - those vintage sewing machines in the window look magnificent. I particularly like the bleached ram heads installed on the back wall. After you get your photo snapped by the paparazzis across the street at the Ivy, stop in for a peek!

Bouchon has art on the table

2009-12-14T18:58:00.000-08:00

Thomas Keller's Bouchon just opened last month in Beverly Hills. The 2nd story resto is across from the Montage Hotel on Beverly Drive. As I walked up the mahogany stairs to the main room, I felt as though I was channeling Anais Nin in the 30s being led down the beautifully tiled floors, with deep red velvet booths along the wall. Apart from the Assiette de Charcuterie, the Beignets de Brandade de Morue and the Rillettes aux Deux Saumons (all delicious), I was particularly inspired by the bread (above photo) they lay on the crisp white table cloth after you're seated. It's art to be eaten! I so enjoyed splaying the crumbs nonchalantly across the white "canvas". Next time, I must remember to wear my big baubles and fur coat (faux fur of course!) to blend in with the more mature Beverly Hills crowd! Bon Appetit. Felicitations Monsieur Keller!!

Dumplings at Din Tai Fung in Arcadia - so worth the drive!!

2009-12-12T15:52:00.000-08:00

If you haven't tried little steaming hot pork dumplings with fragrant soup infused inside, cooked to perfection, you need to get in your car & head to Arcadia! Din Tai Fung is legendary for their perfectly executed little gems - on weekends only, they offer the mini version, with 20 quarter sized dumplings guaranteed to make you swoon. Get there early (they open at 10am) to avoid the long lines on weekends. Click on their site for details. http://www.dintaifungusa.com/en/en_cuisine01_1.html

Party dresses! Vintage gems at Satine!

2009-12-12T15:39:00.000-08:00

Women have to make the hardest sartorial choices, especially with the upcoming holiday fetes! Men have no clue! I spotted these stunners at my fave boutique, Satine, next to my fave resto, Little Next Door (On West 3rd street in West Hollywood). Oh my, love the bead work on the blue gown but that luscious magenta is to die for. Help, anyone?!

The Sculpture Garden at the Getty - peace & beauty while waiting for the tram

2009-12-12T15:32:00.000-08:00

I never really spent time walking around the side garden on the lower level of the Getty Center. While I was waiting for the tram, I wandered off to check it out. It is serene and the pieces are so well installed. I particularly love this running figure by British sculptor Elizabeth Frink done in 1978 titled "Running Man". Next time you're waiting for the tram, take a stroll amongst these great works.

Marilyn Minter and Pamela Anderson - Regen Projects

2009-12-04T09:42:00.000-08:00

http://www.regenprojects.com/current/

Ready to be swooned by these large-scale photographs & paintings of celebrated artist Marilyn Minter? It is such a beautifully installed show in Regen Projects's spacious gallery on Santa Monica Blvd. Who knew that Pamela Anderson could be even more gorgeous sans make-up. Make your plans today to catch this show before it closes Dec. 5th., Saturday.

Helen Garber, Aaron Axelrod & Elizabeth McGrath at David Desanctis Gallery

2009-11-19T20:16:00.000-08:00

Photo 1 & 2: Helen Garber's large scale oil paintings - on the far wall is "Wide Open" (216 inches x 84 inches) in oil & latex paint. In photo 3 is Aaron Axelrod's pastel on canvas of a blurred image you would often find on CNN. The one piece that really got my friend Maria giddy is Elizabeth McGrath's Swarovski encrusted deer! We were so drawn to it and wanted so eagerly to see more of her works. An upcoming show of hers at Desanctis Gallery in 2010. Stay tuned!

http://www.desanctisgallery.com/dsg/Exhibitions/Current/Helen-Garber-New-Work/

Bruce Conner in the 70s at Michael Kohn Gallery

2009-11-19T19:38:00.000-08:00

A show of the late artist's works includes beautiful works on paper, photography, lithographs and his conceptual pieces. This show ends December 19th.

http://www.kohngallery.com/conner/Press%20release_Conner%201970s.pdf

Tapestry like paintings at L.A. Contemporary Gallery - till Dec. 19th

2009-11-19T19:21:00.000-08:00

I aspire to be like Ms. Caland when I'm in my 70s. She is the stylish woman in round horn-rimmed glasses in the first photo at the opening reception of her new solo show entitled "Autumn". Her intricately painted works are inspired by her California garden. You cannot possibly appreciate her detailed paintings unless you get up close & let your eye follow the stunning mix of colors and the exuberant patterns reminiscent of Gustav Klimt's work.

http://www.lacontemporary.com/current/current.html

UCLA MFA 2010 show at the Broad Art Center/ UCLA till Nov. 12th

2009-11-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

My favorite piece in this MFA show is the painting in photo #2 by Caitlin Lonegan. The neon sign of "Coexistence" by Wu Ingrid Tsang outshines the other works at the entrance of this exhibit. In photo #3 are Ian Pines' paintings and that round stove/ push cart looking piece is called "Birdoleeder" by David Snyder. A standout installation on the table of 8 glossy paper shopping bags titled "8 proposals" by Job Piston made me walk around it several times. It's a very spirited, youthful, curious show. If you're taking a stroll at the sculpture garden, peek into this wonderful space!

Artist Peter Harper casting bronze masks for his "Faces of Life" project

2009-11-07T23:09:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to be the 174th face to be cast for Peter Harper's "Faces of Life" project. He plans to make 365 bronze masks in the next few months. For me, it was also a chance to confront my lifelong claustrophobia - having my face covered in a layer of release cream, thick & suffocating blue resin then plaster strips on top of all that was a challenge. Thank goodness for Peter's soothing voice & step-by-step explanation of what was happening as I had my face completely covered except for 2 straws in my nostrils. I felt like I was underwater, in a dark abyss with no way out, for a split second, then I resorted to Oujai breath and bringing myself to a savasana state, being totally okay with it. It actually felt soothing, like getting a facial at Ole Henriksen. Peter generously gives his participants the signed resin mask to take home. The plaster mold is then used to cast the bronze mask which will take 6 weeks to fabricate. It's a monumental project and I am so grateful to be part of it & to be asked by the artist "the mask will be around for the next 2000 years, what does that mean to you & what's the significance of it at this juncture in your life?"

Halloween was a blast - all about costumes, candies & cakes!!

2009-11-07T22:47:00.001-08:00

Marilyn Minter art talk at the Hammer Museum

2009-11-07T22:42:00.000-08:00

Marilyn Minter currently has a show at Regen Projects that is not to be missed. Go see it, you will thank me! http://www.regenprojects.com/current/ I went to hear her speak recently and was even more enamored by her after the talk. The slideshow she presented showed her scope & development beginning with her early photographs of her mother, of food porn images, of dot screen images (silkscreen on mylar), hardcore porn etc. Check out the series she did with Pamela Anderson - http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-10-22/marilyn-minters-dirty-world/?cid=tag:all1#gallery=881;page=1 - it is sensational. Lastly, click on the following to see her video of "green pink caviar"http://greenpinkcaviar.com/ & feel the lusciousness of her work!!

Ruth Asawa's wire sculptures at De Young Museum in S.F.

2009-11-07T22:04:00.000-08:00

Next time you're in San Francisco, stop by the deYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park. Not only is Herzog and de Meuron's architecture a stunning example of their aesthetic sensibility, standing on the observation deck overlooking the breathtaking view on the 7th floor makes the heart soar. I particularly took to the ethereal wire sculptures by Ruth Asawa. They have such a quiet yet powerful presence. The space in which they are installed is a perfect, zen-like room for these structures.

Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla

2009-10-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.mcasd.org/exhibitions/exhibition.php?EID=196

This show is called "Automatic cities: The Architectural Imaginary of Contemporary Art" that runs through January 31, 2010. It's a fabulous group show with 13 artists from around the world including Julie Mehretu, Rachel Whiteread & Matthew Ritchie. Artists' works explore the different influences of architecture on contemporary art production.
If you want to see a handful of Julie Mehretu's stunning, large-scale paintings, take a drive down to gorgeous La Jolla. I've been obsessed with her work lately so it was a spine-tingling moment to view her works at this show. Also, there's a amber colored resin house by Whiteread that is very beautiful & stately. One of the rooms has the most breathtaking, panoramic view of the La Jolla coastline.
Take a drive down for a treat!

Sunset yoga in Malibu - can we say bliss?

2009-10-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

a group of 6 yoga enthusiasts gathered at a friend's ranch in Malibu for some yoga poolside at sunset. Amongst the verdant surroundings, inhaling the intoxicating whiffs of Sycamore trees and being graced with a kiss during down-dog by the handsome German Shepherd, made the already blissful yoga setting even more sensational. Namaste!

Dudamel mania at the LA Philharmonic!

2009-10-12T21:00:00.001-07:00

Last week was Gustavo Dudamel's first week as L.A. Phil's new music director and I was lucky enough to get a seat in the Orchestra View section. It is the perfect place to be, behind the orchestra because I got to face Dudamel & watch his soul-stirring, fist-pumping, baton-slicing, heart-pumping performance. He exudes pure joy and utter enthusiasm with every note. He conducted Mahler's Symphony No. 1 which can be so tender & lyrical in one movement, then intense & wildly explosive the next. If you haven't gotten tickets for this season's concert at the Disney Hall, you're missing out!! After you go to one of his concerts, your aesthetic ranger will be vaster & you will understand why I am in awe of him and have joined the Dudamel mania. Click on the website to purchase tickets, now! - http://www.laphil.com/

Wayne Thiebaud at the Pasadena Museum of California Art

2009-10-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

http://www.pmcaonline.org/

I purposely did not include images of his well-known cake paintings because you have seen those. His Northern California landscapes & S.F. cityscapes are stunning. This show is on until Jan, 2010.

Kelly Barrie studio visit with LAXART in downtown L.A.

2009-10-12T20:45:00.000-07:00

In a spacious loft with exposed brick walls above a wholesale toy store near the garment district, a group of us art junkies got to see & learn about artist Kelly Barrie's latest works. He dips his feet in glow powder, dances on photo seamless paper to create images of trees, then photographs them and re-composes the images which you see in these photos. They are monumental & supremely naturalistic. Incredibly beautiful!

SFMOMA - Richard Avedon exhibit, 50 yrs of his work - ends Nov. 29th

2009-10-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

What a treat to be in SF last week. The weather was glorious & besides having a spectacular dinner at Firefly resto in the Castro district, I got to lose myself amongst Avedon photos! Love his street scenes the most, second are the Paris fashion pics, and of course the iconic celebrity portraits. http://www.sfmoma.org

Rusty Wells' yoga class at Yoga Tree was sensational

2009-10-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

I took a Bhakti flow class at Yoga Tree in San Francisco's Castro district with Rusty Wells. He is an incredible instructor & he plays soothing yet powerful tunes. He even sang a Manish Vyas lullaby in Sanskrit, "Tumi Bhaja Re Mana" during Svasana that made me cry. It was SO beautiful. Check out their site below. http://www.rustywells.com/
http://www.yogatreesf.com/studiocastro.htm

Emma Ferreira photographs at Frank Pictures Gallery till Oct. 24th

2009-10-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

Ferreira's self-portrait photographs creates a sense of mysticism in her fluid & dreamy images full of movement. I particularly like the blue series titled "Watching over You".

This large 48" x 48" image suspended in glass is $12,500, the other ones are between $8-20,000.

http://frankpicturesgallery.com/home.html

Alida Cervantes & Alex Weinstein paintings

2009-10-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

A lovely portrait by Alida Cervantes called "teresita Astacio", oil on canvas 2008 (50 1/4" x 60") for $5000.

I also spotted this small Alex Weinstein "ocean diptyche" (oil on paper, 20" 12" for $2650) at Bobbie Greenfield

Andy Warhol - Portraits from the 80s at Bobbie Greenfield Gallery till Oct. 24th

2009-10-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

"Jane Fonda" 1982, "Joseph Beuys" 1980 & "Jean-Paul Barbier" 1980 - all screenprints & are $60,000, $61,000 & $25,750 respectively.
Below, in red, "Billy Squier" 1982 for $45,000.

Kori Newkirk studio visit

2009-10-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

With a group of art enthusiasts, I visited the artist Kori Newkirk's spacious studio in downtown L.A. last week. You might've seen or read about his works of beaded curtains, hair extensions & glitter. He has called his work "ghetto-fabulous conceptualism" but I think it's just over-the-top FABULOUS! Kori was so generous in sharing his process & his new series of work, such as his self-portraits done with bleach on blue paper (see photo 2). He's also working on a mixed media "shopping cart" installation with stained glass & a disco ball within. He describes his trajectory this way... "I became a painter who doesn't paint".

Answering an SOS from Sting | Team Earth

2009-10-02T18:56:00.001-07:00

Click on this:
Answering an SOS from Sting | Team Earth
Join Sting & The Prince's Rainforests Project in this effort to help Team Earth save our rainforests !!!!
Shared via AddThis

Dinner al fresco chez Chad - the loveliest setting

2009-09-27T22:43:00.000-07:00

A perfect fall evening of celebrations; birthdays, friendship, birth announcement & the end of mercury retrograde

A walk to Meditation Mount in Ojai

2009-09-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

A view from the Meditation Mount. Quite the perfect spot for some inner reflection & a spectacular panoramic view of Ojai Valley.

Alexander Wang backstage fall/winter 2009 video

2009-09-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

Elika's music makes me swoon. The dreamy, fluid photography (directed by YoungTeam) of this video is mesmerizing. The Alexander Wang clothes & the perfectly coiffed models are icing on an alluring cake. C'est soignee et raffine. Je l'adore!

Click below to have a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNo4Nplfn1Y

"Without" - a themed biennial with works by California MFA students - ends Oct.8th

2009-09-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

Last night was the opening of this remarkable show at UCLA's New Wight Gallery. I was greeted by a stack of wrapped presents laid out on the floor at the entrance. "Gift of distance" by Alexis Disselkoen (UC Irvine)- each wrapped gift contains a fragment of a map. Weaving through the show was precisely like opening presents, one surprise after another! First was a series of Giclee prints called "Myth of the Monolith or People you may think I know" by Crystal AM Nelson (SF Art Institute). See below right. Each portrait repeats the same generic background with sitters staring directly into the camera lens. Next were Rema Ghuloum's (CA College of the Arts) paintings with her bold strokes & luscious colors, as well as Connie DK Lane's (Cal State Long Beach) monumental & haunting installation of life-size Mao suits. One has to walk around the suits to realize it's impact. They are stunning. Inspired by Bauhaus architecture, Daniela Campins' (UC Santa Barbara) large scale paintings caught my eye (see last photo). I love how she densely layers different graphic elements to explore the sense of space.

http://www.art.ucla.edu/gallery/2009-10/Theme09Without.html

Francesca Gabbiani at Patrick Painter - see this show before Oct. 24th

2009-09-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

I will not look at construction paper the same way again! Gabbiani's intricately meticulous hand-cut pieces of colored paper creates a world of wonderment & awe!! Look at the piece with the 2 owls called "Dream Warfare" 2009 that's 76" x 76" ($27,500), see the frog & the hand on the guitar - it is so heartbreakingly beautiful. You need to go see this in person to appreciate her technique through the use of layered construction paper. She creates a disturbing scene at first glance, with snails, moths, mushrooms in a mystical world, then when u take it all in and realize the elements, it takes your breath away.

Ooh La L.A music festival this week! On y va?!

2009-09-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

How can you resist the urge to hear Cocoon & Nouvelle Vague at the Music Box this week!? What are you waiting for? Where else would you find a fine group of musicians from the French Auvergne mountains and from Reims? Get your tickets today - festival ends this Friday.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-guidefeature17-2009sep17,0,7816227.story http://www.oohlalafestival.com/

Le film "Coco avant Chanel" avec Audrey Tautou sort Vendredi

2009-09-22T23:14:00.000-07:00

Is it Friday yet? I've been waiting to see this film & simply cannot stand the anticipation any longer!! Chanel was such an original. She built her own destiny. How inspiring is that trajectory? Plus, I adore Tautou! Those eyes!!

2 good friends at the marina - going way over the speed limit

2009-09-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

On a glorious afternoon, two friends cruise the marina. Those 2 seals lounging & sunning reflect their sentiment (photo 2). Is there a better way to enjoy the California sun & sea?!

fun & food around L.A.

2009-09-19T23:53:00.000-07:00

A few of my favorite spots to take my out of town friends - the beach for a bike ride, Beverly Hills for a La Scala chop salad & then for dinner, a delicious Korean bbq meal at Chosan Galbee resto. To top off the day with a fun-filled, self-service dessert at Yogurtland!!!!

Alex Katz - "Upside Down Ada" 1965 oil on canvas

2009-09-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

Such a state of abandon in the look of her face. It's ambiguous, passive, awkward even. I love the colors & the composition of this 1965 piece. His work seems 2 dimensional in its display of a shallow space on the canvas but don't let this reductive quality fool you, his paintings of faces always elicit a resonance of psychological innuendo. Alex Katz is my favorite portraitist.

Titus Kaphar at Roberts & Tilton Gallery - Saturday Sept. 12th

2009-09-16T22:29:00.000-07:00

"Reconstruction" is the title of this exciting new show that runs until October 10th. It's Titus Kaphar's (Yale MFA 06') first solo exhibition in Los Angeles. Upon entering the spacious gallery, one spots 19th century portraitures that are semi-disintegrated. Is it drapery on one canvas? Is the piece of work melted down or destroyed somehow? They are painting/ sculptures! Kaphar painstakingly creates these paintings then deconstructs them as if to re-present history & create a contemporary dialogue. He crumples, rips, sews, collages, cuts. I had to look at them multiple times to appreciates his process. They are artifacts, hidden truths, found objects, concealed secrets.... I'm still thinking about them.

This last photo of a crate-enclosed portrait stands 6 feet tall. The installation of this is brilliant. You think it's a wooden screen until you walk all the way around it to discover this crate with a painting inside, only the portrait is comprised of 3 canvases stacked on top of one another. One can't help but want to find out what else is to be revealed - family secrets?

Art openings last Saturday - Doug Aitken at Regen Projects, Andrew Bush at M + B gallery

2009-09-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

Doug Aitken's "free" lightbox art at Regen

"Migration" video projection on the facade of Regen Projects

Animals show up in hotel rooms in "Migration"

Andrew Bush photographs at M + B gallery

Can you say "yum"?

2009-09-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

At the La Cienega gallery row Saturday night, Walter Maciel Gallery had the ingenious plan to have the truck there for the thousands of art junkies out for the myriad of openings. Ok, I know I'm a little behind on the whole kogi bbq craze, so I figured the expectation will undoubtedly exceed the actual tacos. They were killer! The spicy pork & short ribs tacos were out of this universe! One caveat though - they are mini ones so don't make the mistake I made - after standing in line for 1/2 hour, I order 2 & they turned out to be bite-size! Wah!! If you haven't had one yet, you're missing out on some seriously delicious culinary bliss!

FIAC - le Grand Palais et Le Louvre Oct.22 - 25, 2009

2009-09-15T04:36:00.001-07:00

FIAC TV

Paris in October.

Love this artist - Laurent Grasso at his studio in Paris' 14th arrondisement. His process is intriguing. Watch the video to catch a glimpse of his genius. I especially am drawn to his pink electromagnetic cube installation. Enjoy!

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Brentwood Art Center student exhibit open house

2009-09-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Impressive displays by the young painters
Beautiful works by students of BAC!

Oil painting demonstration by instructor
A beautifully rendered still life (took only 1/2 hr.)

This show ends Sept. 18th and is worth a visit. They did such an incredible job installing all the works in various rooms & configurations. It is truly inspiring. While you're there, sign up for classes! There is no better art school than Brentwood Art - the director, David Limrite and the instructors' talent & kindness are unparalleled. You will not find that anywhere else.

Ray Kappe Living Home pre-fab house in Santa Monica

2009-09-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

Every Friday at 1pm, this Ray Kappe prefab home by Living Homes (www.livinghomes.net) is open to the public for a tour. It is the home of Steve Glenn, CEO of Living Homes. The sense of light & space was the most appealing quality of the structure, not to mention the myriad of important sustainable reasons why this kind of homebuilding will likely be the way we construct green homes in the 21st century. I'm a surfaces & materials snob so I didn't expect to appreciate all the ecologically sound materials they had to use to achieve their platinum LEED standard. The PaperStone (recycled paper bound by resin) counters, the cedar wood floors & walls, cork flooring, exposed steel beams, the Poly-gal (double pane plastic) window panes were all beautiful and inviting & rich. Of course it combined all the green elements we love, from LEED platinum standards, passive heating & cooling & solar power, & reusable building materials. The entire process of design schematics, developing, permit & construction takes about a year. Oh, did I mention it takes only 8 hours to install the home?!! Cool right? For approx. $300/ sq. ft., one can have all these benefits & a sensitively designed home by the renown architect Ray Kappe (yes, you get to sit down with him in the initial design phase!). What are you waiting for? Check out their website!

Dejeuner avec mes amis a Gjelina!

2009-09-14T08:05:00.000-07:00

Nothing more delectable than avocado/beets, escarole/ sunchoke dishes at Gjelina in Venice! Sitting in a sun-drenched spot at their brick-walled back patio with girlfriends is BLISS!

UCLA "Related Works" exhibit at the Broad Art Center

2009-09-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

UCLA's New Wight Gallery at the Eli & Edythe Broad Art Center is currently showing an exhibit of "Related Works" by Chris Bassett, Ed Beller, Ben Evans, Matt Lipps, Jared Pankin, Julie Orser & Steven Simon. This show ends September 17th.

the best kind of love!!!

2009-08-28T15:14:00.000-07:00

If you're a little blue, just think of Zulu & this little tot. My friend's dog Zulu is just the biggest, sweetest, most intense lover bug. This photo melts my heart!!!

"Julie & Julia" & a great summer dish!

2009-08-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

I'm full of enthusiasm for good food after seeing "Julie & Julia"! Since I'm a bit of a novice in the kitchen, I thought I'd make something simple yet irresistibly tasty - the perfect summer symphony of tomatoes, basil & Walla Walla onions!! Top those fresh ingredients off with some crumbled blue cheese, olive oil & two squeezes of lemon, and let it marvel your taste buds!

After you make this delightful dish, grab your loved one & go see the film. The movie had 3 of my favorite elements: food, France & blogging. How can one resist the allure of Paris in the 50s - c'est magnifique! J'adore les costumes, les decors, le Cordon Bleu! It's a thrill to see Julie Powell, a New York blogger find herself through food and connecting with people via cyberspace, all the while realizing what's good and whole about her marriage. There's so many layers to this film but it really is about marriage. The relationship between Paul & Julia Child is special & life-affirming. It's really about men who appreciate their women's growth. With his love & support, she was able to find her true passion in life. He says to her "You are the butter to my bread & the breath to my life. I love you darling girl."

Kathryn Lynch - "Hudson River"

2009-08-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

Kathryn Lynch - This moody skyline is so beautifully rendered in impressionistic brushstrokes. This New York-based artist paints images of shoreline buildings on the Hudson River that seems more abstract than realistic. This painting is called "Hudson River" 2009.

A glimpse from inside "Your Bright Future"

2009-07-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

"Home within Home" by Do Ho Suh, b. 1962

Korean artists show their talents at LACMA: "Your Bright Future"

2009-07-20T21:16:00.000-07:00

Colored fabrics crisscrossing on a LACMA building by contemporary artist Choi Jeong-Hwa, titled "Welcome". It brings such liveliness to the BCAM entrance & beautifully compliments the Chris Burden light-post installation.

Whoever thought plastic containers could be this exuberant & fun to run through? Children came in and out of the "forest" with squeals of laughter & amazement.

The show continues on the second floor of BCAM. Don't miss the opportunity to view the works of 12 exciting contemporary artists. Ends Sept. 20, 2009.

www.lacma.org

Bill Lagattuta painting

2009-07-19T22:39:00.000-07:00

A beautifully rendered, dreamlike depiction. It's bordering on abstract even when the mind might see a human-scape. I'm hoping to see more of his developing works.

More images from the Barkley Hendricks show

2009-07-19T22:30:00.000-07:00

SMMOA - Barkley L. Hendricks - ends Aug.22, 2009

2009-07-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

Stunning life-size portraits of everyday urban folks from 1964 -2007. They all possess the cool mien of Hendricks' view of his world. "Birth of the Cool" - this show is so beautifully installed in Santa Monica Museum of Art's generous space. Well worth an afternoon stroll at the Bergamot station this weekend! Be sure to let your sartorial expression flow freely.

Gagosian - Yayoi Kusama exhibit

2009-07-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this image of Yayoi Kusama's sculptural pieces make you swoon? The title of the show alone is edifying - "Flowers that bloom at midnight". Some of the jazzy fiberglass works are up to 16 feet tall. Walk through them and let your magical thinking transport you! Don't miss this at Gagosian this week - ends July 17th.