Emily Amy Gallery Blog

Vote For Us!

2011-09-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

Cecil Touchon, PDP464

We are in the throes of a competition for ad space from Beacham & Company REALTORS! Please get on Facebook, "like" Beacham & Company, REALTORS, and post your vote for Emily Amy Gallery. We are up against some pretty stiff competition, so we need your help!!!

Visit Blayne Beacham's beautiful blog, "This Photographer's Life," to learn more about the competition; we are one of only seven finalists! And if you are not a Facebook user, you can cast a vote by making a comment on Blayne's blog instead. As you will see when you visit the blog, we have used this gorgeous new Cecil Touchon pictured above that we received earlier this week to sway voters our way!

In Celebration of Photography

2011-08-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ryan Hendon, Mid-Century Landscapes, Pictured #2, Vintage Silver Gelatin Print, 8 7/8" x 8 3/4"

September 9th marked the opening of our first-ever photography show which is curated by local photographer Stephanie Dowda. In conjunction with Atlanta Celebrates Photography, Echoes of the Sublime features 10 artists, both local and non-local. Stephanie has selected black and white, color, vintage prints and brand new works to bring us a wonderful introduction into this genre.

The show features works by the following: Allyson Ross of New York, John Paul Floyd of Atlanta, Klea McKenna of San Francisco, Justin Weaver of Atlanta, Jeff Rich of Savannah, Aaron Norberg of Portland, Lauren Hughes of Atlanta, Ryan Hendon of San Francisco, Ashley Kauschinger of Atlanta and Megan Gorham of San Francisco.

Lauren Hughes, Lingered or Luck, Digital Archive Print, framed, 16" x 24"

Not only did Stephanie's curatorial work bring in our largest opening night crowd to date, but she is also receiving rave reviews. Jerry Cullum, writing for ArtsCriticATL.com, says, "...the goal of curator Stephanie Dowda in “Echoes of the Sublime,” at Emily Amy Gallery through October 22, is both ambitious and admirable. Bearing in mind what the sublime has meant in more philosophically secure eras of life and thought, she sets out to find what the sublime means for American photographers in the second decade of the 21st century." Read the review in it's entirety here: http://www.artscriticatl.com/category/art_and_architecture/. Needless to say, if you haven't seen the show, come pay us a visit.

Megan Gorham, Untitled 2008, Archival Pigment Print, framed, 20" x 24"

Be sure to get out and about during the month of October to catch all that the ACP Festival has to offer! Starting with the Auction Gala this evening at King Plow, there are too many events to name. Almost every gallery and public space in the city is participating in some capacity. There is a lecture series, film series, openings and special events. To learn more about all of the programs included, visit www.ACPinfo.org, or swing by and pick up a brochure from us.

J. Paul Getty

2011-08-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

A short drive up the Pacific Coast Highway, nestled in the hills of Malibu, sits the Getty Villa. The brainchild and love of American industrialist and oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, the villa rests on 64 acres and houses thousands of Roman, Etruscan and Greek antiquities collected over his lifetime. Author of How to be Rich and a constant presence on Fortune Magazine's rankings of wealthiest Americans in the mid-1900s, J. Paul Getty amassed a fortune during his lifetime. Fortunately for art lovers everywhere, he had a true passion for the finer things in life. Getty dedicated years of time and loads of funds to what is now the world's wealthiest art trust, which he later bestowed upon Southern California, enabling the existence of The J. Paul Getty Museum, The Getty Foundation, The Getty Research and Conservation Institutes, and the Getty Villa.

(image courtesy of Amerikani blog)

Getty was born in 1892 in Minneapolis, and spent his life working to expand his family's petroleum business. Collecting art and antiquities was a passion and favorite pastime of his, and as a result, the Getty Trust includes over 44,000 pieces. Getty felt very strongly that art, particularly antiquities, should be given a strong and accurate context in which to be viewed. The articles should be seen as the original patrons would have seen them. In the case of his particular collection, context called for the construction of a Roman home.

Based entirely upon a partially excavated, 1st-century Roman villa, Getty provided that context for his namesake's collection in the form of his Malibu villa. The Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, Italy, was buried when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. It provided the partial model for Getty's plans. As most of it remains to be excavated, the architects of Getty's villa pulled in aspects of other typical Roman country houses of the time into their design. Every last detail is true to the time and luxurious lifestyle of 1st-century Romans, down to the coffered ceilings, lighting fixtures, and open-air construction providing nature's own air-conditioning, (and proof that the Romans were brilliant). Every herb in the herb gardens is drawn from what would have been found in the Mediterranean at that time, and the aromas waft throughout the grounds.

(image courtesy of Modern Art Notes blog)

Getty also believed that the public should have access to his collection free of charge, and thus the only thing to keep in mind is the $15 parking fee per car, (free for all evening events), and a simple online reservation made in advance of your visit. Having gone at 11 on a Monday in July, the crowds must have been smaller than at peak times, but were very manageable. Plan to wander for several hours at a minimum, and hope for sunny weather for the best views of the Pacific.

(image courtesy of Digital Apoptosis)

Getty lived the latter half of his life in Britain, and unfortunately, never had the opportunity to make it back across the pond to see his villa come to life.

(image courtesy of Art Net)

Food as Art.

2011-07-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

(image courtesy of hillaryshort.com)

Grilled peach with prosciutto, burrata, arugula and balsamic. Slow roasted leg of lamb with cous cous, red pepper, spiced yogurt and herb salad. Tuscan kale, shaved fennel, radish, lemon, ricotta salata and breadcrumb. But first, Fanny Bay oysters. Just a peek at a recent meal had at the uber-cool Gjelina in Venice Beach. At the corner of Abbott Kinney Boulevard and Milwood Avenue, sits chef Travis Lett's three year old establishment. The atmosphere is kinetic, the interiors "industrial chic," and the food, artful. Lett has created a seasonal menu that is both captivating and aberrant. Off the beaten path. The menu is derived using only ingredients available at the local farmer's market, and the wine list represents the California coast beautifully, without excluding the Italians and French.

Just be sure you do not leave the building without having desert. The affogato with caramel and biscotti to be specific. Affogato being an Italian desert, which, upon being delivered to your table, consists of gelato which is drowned in piping hot espresso on the spot.

(photo courtesy of la.foodblogging.com)

Next up? Tequila and qarne asada tacos. The walls at El Carmen on 3rd are plastered with posters of Mexican wrestlers, the back booths with "adult" comics. Found in a Saveur magazine many years ago, my Anthony Bourdain-emulating father had dogeared the page, certain that someday we would make it there to try the enchiladas verde. With a tequila bar featuring hundreds of derivatives of the traditional margarita, (the Guava with salt was divine), the food far surpassed a typical bar-style Mexican restaurant. And on said bar, sit lucite lamps filled with neon-lit water and...small Mexican wrestlers. Get one of everything on the menu, starting with the guacamole. By the end of the meal, you will want to take home a framed (porcelain?) bust of a crazed Mexican wrestler. And, a guava margarita.

LACMA

2011-07-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

(photo courtesy of Curbed LA)

One of the highlights of last week’s trip to Los Angeles was far and away a visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. LACMA, which sits next door to the La Brea Tar Pits, consists of nine modern buildings, containing among other things, Modern Art, Japanese Art, American Art, special exhibitions and amazing views of the Hollywood Hills.

The "Urban Light" installation in the courtyard is especially cool, featuring 202 restored vintage street lamps from around Southern California that were collected and organized by artist Chris Burden. You can walk among the gorgeous installation, or swing on the lampposts à la Gene Kelly.

(photo courtesy of Denver Westword)

This summer and fall the Tim Burton exhibit is at LACMA, featuring examples of work done throughout his life including paintings, film, and costumes. The infamous scissor hands once worn by Johnny Depp are on view, along with preliminary character sketches for Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice and Batman. The exhibit runs through October, and was a pleasantly interesting surprise.

(photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art)

Along with a very impressive permanent collection of works from the Abstract Expressionists along with Contemporary artists, including a magnificent Richard Serra steel sculpture, the highlight of the afternoon was Christian Marclay's 24-hour film The Clock. Marclay compiled a montage containing 1000's of film clips ranging from early cinema up to new releases. Each clip features a timepiece at an exact moment during a 24 hour time period. Wether it is James Bond glancing at his watch at precisely *4:07, or Katharine Hepburn breezing past a clock that reads 7:45 while setting the dining table for a dinner party, the film captivates your attention as you never know what will pop up next. It is synchronized with real time, so feels a bit spooky. There will be one 24-hour screening of the film on July 28th beginning at 5pm. Go see this film! It also received the Golden Lion Award at this year's Venice Biennale.

*(I stand corrected. A loyal reader pointed out that I was incorrect in saying 7:24 previously, Bond's watch clearly reads 4:07!)

Walk on the Westside

2011-07-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

newly hung Summer Salon at Emily Amy Gallery

Although it is sprinkling outside, it is still a great day to walk around the Westside!!

Please join us from 11-5 today for the Westside Arts District's 3rd Saturday Art Walk. We hope to see you at the gallery!

Tacos Por Favor

2011-07-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

(image, Phranc's Striped Swimsuit, courtesy of bergamotstation.com)

One half of EAG heads to Los Angeles on Wednesday. The planning started months ago, and thanks to our friend Capella Kincheloe of A Curated Lifestyle there are a few exciting things on the itinerary like Tacos Por Favor, and the Summer Dance Series on the Santa Monica Pier that only locals might know to suggest. For more great ideas from Capella, read that post here.

(image courtesy of The Getty)

Also on the agenda of course are many, many galleries and museums. Thanks to some insight received from another recent LA transplant, Bergamot: Station has been added to the list, as it's the hot spot for gallery hopping, and a great way to see a lot in one day. With over 30 galleries and the Santa Monica Museum of Art tucked into one complex, sounds like a great way to take it all in. Then of course LACMA for the modern and contemporary collections, and the Getty.

And thanks to fellow foodie Gwyneth Paltrow, and her blog Goop, the list of restaurants to try is endless.

More details to come next week. Suggestions of things to do, see, eat, drink are encouraged!

(image courtesy of Tory Burch)

(images of Animal courtesy of goop.com)

The Reviews Are In...

2011-07-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

(image, Bailey overlooking his installation, Windward Coast, courtesy of The New York Times)

As you may know, Radcliffe Bailey's show, Radcliffe Bailey: Memory as Medicine, is now open at the High Museum. It runs through September 11, so there is plenty of time left to catch the show, which includes mixed media paintings and installations. Bailey is an Atlanta-based artist, and received his BFA from the Atlanta College of Art. He is represented in Atlanta by Solomon Projects on Monroe Drive.

If you have already made it out to see the show, what did you think?

Read Cathy Fox's review here. The New York Times write up here. And Creative Loafing's preview can be read here.

(above images, Monk and Travel By Night, courtesy of Solomon Projects)

Tragedies in the Art World

2011-07-06T08:21:00.000-07:00

Cy Twombly Dies

Yesterday, July 5, Cy Twombly passed away in Rome, Italy. One of the most influential and successful abstract artists of all time, Twombly was born in Virginia, but lived most of his adult life in Italy. Twombly emerged in the mid 19th century alongside Rauschenberg, Motherwell, and Kline, and from then rose to fame. He was known for his "scribbling," linear, large-scale abstract paintings. Several examples are included below. He has always been a favorite artist of ours, and a constant source of inspiration.

Twombly was only the third contemporary artist given the honor of painting a gallery ceiling in the Louvre, the others being Kiefer and Braque. The painting, which is 3,750 square feet, can be found in the Salle des Bronzes.

(above image, Twombly's "Say Goodbye, Catullus, to the Shores of Asia Minor," courtesy of nytimes.com)

(image courtesy of www.dangolden.com)

As Jerry Saltz so eloquently said in his celebration of Twombly's life, which can be read here, "Twombly’s fusing of thought, mark-making, narrative, history, myth, and formalism made me see that there is no such thing as purely abstract or representational art. He’s the artist who made me see that all art is equally abstract and that something as simple as handwriting and scribbling, unleashed, can be art."

(image courtesy of www.artobserved.com)

Art Heist in San Francisco

(Picasso's Tête de femme, image courtesy of BBC News)

In other art news, yesterday a "well dressed" man walked into a San Francisco art gallery, grabbed a Picasso drawing off the wall, and walked back outside to an awaiting cab. He has not been apprehended. The Weinstein Gallery, which also carries the work of Chagall, Miro, and Dali to name a few high profile artists, fears that the painting will be discarded once the thief realizes it will be tough to resell. The piece, Tête de femme, is a pencil on paper drawing thought to have been created in 1965, and with an estimated worth of $200,000. Sounds a bit like The Thomas Crown Affair?

Barbie, Is That You?

2011-07-01T06:12:00.000-07:00

(images courtesy of www.barbiecollector.com)

The newest additions to the Barbie collection have arrived and thus officially launched the "Barbie Collector Museum Collection." Three masterpieces, one each by Klimt, van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci, have inspired dolls.

The first doll is inspired by Gustav Klimt's 1907 portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, the second, by Leonardo's 16th century masterpiece, Mona Lisa, and the last was inspired by van Gogh's Starry Night.

We recently viewed Klimt's Adele Bloch-Bauer I, in it's permanent residency at the Neue Gallery in New York. The Barbie version does not do her justice, but is funny considering the hairdo and definitely a new take on the piece.

The Barbie version of Mona Lisa is also entertaining, and a stretch for Barbie. She looks a bit uncomfortable, as she is not used to being so heavily clothed. Since Van Gogh's Starry Night does not feature a woman, it is more of a fashion inspiration. So as far as that Barbie goes, I guess a one-shoulder gown with hints of swirls in blues and creams will have to do? Those shoes...

But back to the first of the new Barbie collection, since it features a piece that we have been thinking about lately. The portrait of Mrs. Bloch-Bauer, which was painted in oil, silver and gold on canvas, has a very storied past. During her lifetime, Adele Bloch-Bauer was a prominent citizen. She was a member of the Jewish-Austrian aristocracy until her death in 1925. When the Nazis invaded, her husband was forced to flee Vienna, and the painting was confiscated along with everything else. From that day on, the painting's ownership was hotly contested for years and years, and was finally regained by a descendant of Adele's.

The 2006 film, The Rape of Europa, chronicles the many lives of this breathtakingly beautiful portrait, along with the countless other pieces of fine art that were casualties of the wars in Europe and the Nazi regime. Ronald Lauder purchase the painting five years ago for $135 million, and it has hung in his gallery at 1048 5th Avenue since. At the time, that was the largest sum ever paid for a painting. If you ever have the chance, go to the Neue Gallery to view this piece, along with their other exhibitions, and be sure to have desert downstairs at Cafe Sabarsky! And just think, for only $34.95 each, we can all own a piece of these masterpieces...

(image courtesy of www.artchooser.com)

The American Realist

2011-06-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

(Rocky Pedestal, 1927, via Bowdoin College Museum of Art)

If by chance you have plans to be in Maine this summer, be sure to make a trip to Brunswick to see, Edward Hopper's Maine, at Bowdoin College Museum of Art. In the early to mid 1900s, Hopper spent many summers in Maine, which inspired many of his landscape paintings in years to come. A number of these works have never been on view before now. There will be ninety works, including watercolors, paintings, drawings, and prints on view in the exhibition, which opens July 15.

An American realist painter born in Nyack, New York, Hopper worked mainly in oil and in watercolor, and experienced a very successful career that spanned the first four decades of the 20th century. He sold his first painting at the Armory Show in 1913, at the age of 31! Influential to him were French artists Manet and Degas, among others. His contemporaries included Andrew Wyeth, Norman Rockwell, and Georgia O'Keeffe, and later many Abstract Expressionists would cite Hopper as an influence on their work, including de Kooning and Rothko.

Upon their deaths, Hopper and his wife Josephine, bequeathed their collection to the Whitney Museum. The upcoming exhibit in Maine is in conjunction with an exhibit that recently closed at the Whitney, Modern Life: Edward Hopper and His Time, which focused on Hopper's use of modern life as subject matter in his paintings of the human experience. Many of the works in the Bowdoin exhibition are on loan from the Met, the Whitney, and private collections. A favorite author/actor/comedian of ours, Steve Martin, is a contributing essay writer for the catalogue that is being produced for the exhibition. Sounds like a must-see!

(New York Interior, 1921, www.whitney.org)

(Soir Bleu, 1941, via www.whitney.org)

Mélange

2011-06-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

(image courtesy of Hampton Hostess Blog)

One of our favorite ways to see art hung is in the salon-style. It's inspirational, dynamic, and always unique. Not to mention, a fantastic way to mix all styles of art, photography and imagery. Notice in so many of these images, traditional still life paintings hang right next to graphic black and white photographs. Or, as seen in the third image, you can accomplish a very interesting wall with only traditional elements, like equestrian imagery, botanicals and maps.

Just don't get caught up worrying about symmetry or perfection. And, don't be afraid to throw in other pieces alongside art, like a mirror; or hang your art around existing sconces. This is also a great way to showcase those small, often more affordable, pieces of art that you have collected over the years, that might not be able to hang alone on a wall.

A fun example can be found in one of our favorite movies, The Royal Tenenbaums. Etheline Tenenbaum hangs her son Richie's art along the walls of their quirky home, which was actually all done by director Wes Anderson's brother, Eric...see below.

(image courtesy of Jonathan Adler)

(image courtesy of Verdigris Vie blog)

(image courtesy of Two Coats of Paint)

(image courtesy of Apartment Therapy)

(above two images courtesy of IGN Movies)

(image courtesy of The House of Wood blog, via Domino)

"The Last Thing You Hung"

2011-06-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

We loved getting Grant Gibson's blog post this morning thanking House Beautiful for including him in their June 2011 issue. The feature is called "Send Us a Picture: The Last Thing You Hung." The headline says, "Designers know that one of the quickest changes of all is to hammer a nail into a wall and hang a painting, a photo, a gleaming mirror." Grant then highlights a piece of wall decor by a San Franciso artisan that has the power to change a room entirely.

(image courtesy of Grant K. Gibson, "the blog")

At the risk of overstating the obvious, we feel exactly the same way! While it can be intimidating to hang a statement piece of artwork on a wall, creating a focal point for the room, that piece of art has the power to set the overall tone. Don't be afraid to start with a painting that moves you, and let it be the inspiration for the space it hangs in. Alternatively, it can be a very exciting thing to hang a piece of art in an effort to restore life to a room. Allow art to be a conversation starter, and let your personality show through your selections. We are often asked the best way to go about making a purchase of fine art, and we always say, go with your gut. After all, you are the one who will be living with it.

Another example of this we spotted recently was in the latest issue of Lonny. The images of Todd Romano's new LA store, along with his own home, show how his personality, and his fearlessness when it comes to letting art do the talking in a room. Don't let convention stop you from placing a contemporary, abstract piece in a formal dining room. Look how fun that piece is that Grant hung to the right of the "branchlers," on what appears to be grasscloth walls...Not only is that a room we would love to spend time in, but we also want to meet the inhabitants!

(above two images courtesy of Lonny Magazine)

Cecil Touchon in Elle Decor

2011-05-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

(image courtesy of Elle Decor)

We are excited to say that gallery artist Cecil Touchon is featured in June's Elle Decor in a project by Manhattan-based designer Alexa Hampton. As part of the feature 'Elle Decor's 2011 A-List,' Alexa is highlighted as a top designer. Cecil's collage is framed above a console in a client's Manhattan home. The daughter of famed designer Mark Hampton, Alexa is someone who's work we have always enjoyed, and we are proud to see Cecil's piece being placed in one of her projects. You can see the feature here.

FS 2205CT06

Cecil is based out of Fort Worth, Texas and has been painting for over 30 years. We also recently mentioned his feature in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles! Which you can see again here. Cecil has been showing with EAG since 2008. Further examples of his work available at the gallery follow.

FS 2924

PDP 417

FS 2730

FS 2896

The Steins Return Home

2011-05-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

(images courtesy of SFMOMA.org)

This Saturday, May 21, The Stein's Collect opens at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Gertrude, Leo, Michael, and Michael's wife Sarah, were pioneers of modern art. After moving to Paris in the first decade of the 20th century, the Steins began to amass a collection that is hard to rival today. Originally from the Bay area, they became expats and dove head first into the bohemian society in the city, counting Picasso and Matisse as close friends. The Left-Bank apartment which Gertrude shared with her brother Leo became the exhibition space for modern art, before it was "modern art," and at a time when it was not being showcased widely in museums. Gertrude and Picasso developed a long-lasting friendship, and one of the pieces in the collection on view is a portrait of her. The Steins were not afraid to house controversial material, and held salons on Saturday evenings at their homes for friends and neighbors to come view their art and have heated discussions.

As patrons of relatively unknown artists at the time, the Steins spent their modest means on art, and only art. Which explains why the collection going on view tomorrow contains roughly 200 pieces. They were responsible for bringing Matisse's work to the U.S., which simultaneously shocked viewers, and yet became hugely influential on many young artists. As the SFMOMA's website explains, "the exhibition...is not a Picasso or Matisse retrospective...but tells the story of the Steins and their lives as highly unusual but frequently brilliant collectors and patrons." A story rife with drama, which sounds best fit for a novel. (Can anyone recommend one on the subject??) A rivalry developed surrounding Picasso and Matisse, along with a dispute between Gertrude and Leo that would ultimately lead to their estrangement. At the time of the Stein's rise to the top of the Parisian avant-garde, art was moving in a new direction, and as collectors, the Steins made bold moves. But fortunately for us as viewers a century later, they made all the right moves.

"It is no exaggeration that the Steins did more to support avant-garde painting than any other collectors or institutions anywhere in the first decade of the 20th century."

—Emily Braun, art historian

(Source: http://www.sfmoma.org/pages/exhibitions/details/stein_meet#ixzz1Mv6sD6ck

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art)

Today Is...

2011-05-17T14:15:00.000-07:00

(image courtesy of ICOM)

International Museum Day! And in honor of that, you can visit museums in and around Atlanta for free. So if you have the time, head out to the Emory Michael C. Carlos, the High, or MODA to name a few options. Since 1977, the International Council of Museums, or ICOM, has been recognizing this day in order to raise awareness of the importance of museums to the development of society. More than 30 years after its inception, there are now almost 30,000 museums participating in over 100 countries.

(image courtesy of ICOM)

The theme this year is "Museums and Memory," which celebrates museums for preserving our memories of the past, and for maintaining the objects which express our cultural heritage. Help show your support for your local museums by visiting today for free!

Welcome to Atlanta

2011-04-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

(image courtesy of The High Museum of Art Atlanta)

Just a quick note on this gray Friday afternoon about the recent acquisition of two dynamic new curators by The High Museum. As the Atlantan said this month in an article by Candice Dyer entitled It Takes Two, "the pair of ace curators...are preparing to shake up one of Atlanta's premier institutions." The two aces being Michael Rooks and Bret Abbott, the new curators of modern and contemporary art, and photography respectively. These two hard working men have entered the Atlanta art scene, Rooks last year, and Abbott this month, and haven't quit moving and making things happen since.

As a part of the arts community we can say we are very proud that they have decided to call Atlanta home, and are excited about what's in store for the High Museum, especially as they prepare to partner with MoMa for the next few years which will bring us Picasso to Warhol: Twelve Modern Masters. Thank you to The Atlantan for bringing attention to these wonderful champions of the arts who are now also Atlantans.

Bold, Bright & Beautiful

2011-04-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

As any fashion magazine will tell you, one of the top trends of Spring is bright colors. Bright colors are always en vogue around here, and just in time for spring we have received two new shipments of some very "trendy" pieces. See some examples below...

In this short video from the premiere issue of TRADhome, designers Charlotte Moss and Jonathan Adler point out that two of the best ways to update classical interiors are to use bold colors...and modern art! Click here to watch the video. We were so excited to hear them point out that not only is modern art appropriate in a classical room setting, but it also enhances the appeal and is a wonderful way to update traditional design.

From the Estate of Carl Plansky

Flowers VII, Flowers V, Landscape I

And from Dorothy Goode...

Paintings I Wrote On #2, #5, #8

Charlotte Moss

(image via CharlotteMoss.com)

Private Residence, by Jonathan Adler

(image via JonathanAdler.com)

Jennifer, Patti, and Peggy

2011-04-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

The Power of Now, Julie Blackmon

Oh, Happy Day, Maggie Taylor

Elvis from Arrangement in Green and Black, Aline Smithson

Pipelines 3, Michael Marshall

Introducing: Jennifer Schwartz Gallery

Jennifer Schwartz opened her gallery two years ago to serve Atlanta's growing contemporary photography community and market. A Southerner at heart, Jennifer hails from Richmond and has her BA from Colgate, and her MA from Georgia State. Prior to opening her photography gallery in 2009, Jennifer owned a successful commercial photography business for a decade.

Just last month, she relocated to 1000 Marietta Street, and happens to be directly across the parking lot from us, over on the Westside. Previously located in TULA Art Center on Bennet Street, the gallery is now a part of the Westside Arts District. Open Tuesday - Saturday, 11 - 5, Jennifer Schwartz gallery seeks to promote both emerging contemporary photographers, as well as more established artists.

Please join JSG this Friday night from 7 - 10 p.m. for the opening of Still.Life., featuring Julie Blackmon, Michael Marshall, Maggie Taylor and Aline Smithson.

(image courtesy of google.com)

Meet: Patti Smith

Author of Just Kids

If you haven't read it yet, go buy it now. A poetic memoir regaling the roller coaster ride that was life at the Chelsea Hotel in the late 60's, and early 70's, Just Kids is beautifully written. Rife with high-highs and low-lows, the rise to fame and success for Patti Smith and her love Robert Mapplethorpe, was not an easy one. At times depressing, and often enlightening, Smith takes you down the rabbit hole into another world altogether. By the end, you might feel you could call Janis Joplin or Jimi Hendrix a friend, not to mention Patti herself.

Although not a brand new release, Jeremy Irons brought this book to our attention back in March, when we were seated next to him at lunch in New York City, following a trip to the Park Avenue Armory Show. Over 'Cajun poulet' and cappuccino, he feverishly read Just Kids after finishing the crossword in the Times. As it so happened, during that trip we were in the process of reading the last few pages of our then current read, Peggy Guggenheim: Confessions of an Art Addict, and in dire need of a new book. If you are looking for a fantastic memoir about life as a relentless champion of the arts in the early 20th century, this is a MUST READ! Responsible in large part for launching Jackson Pollack's career, Peggy's life journey is fascinating, and you will not put it down.

Suggestions for our next book??

Proud to be Yesterday's Local Mug

2011-03-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Scout mob for featuring Emily as their "Local Mug" yesterday! Spotlighting the gallery, and Emily's love for all things arts related, Scout mob asks insightful questions as always.

If you haven't seen the article yet, or are not a Scout Mob-er, here it is: Meet Emily Amy, Gallery Owner and Art Visionary. As Scout mob hasn't quite reached the whole country yet, if you are not in an area that is covered by the online discount pros, you can also use it to discover new areas and businesses in cities like Atlanta, Chicago and Seattle. We like to read the Local Mugs every Thursday to learn about other local business owners and goings-on around town.

Some of our favorite past mugs include, "The Gift Card Giver," Jeff Shinabarger, and Alex West, co-founder of the local non-profit arts center, WonderRoot.

Thanks again Scout mob!

Mention one of Emily's favorite places to catch a live show, and receive a discount on your next purchase!

Spring Has Sprung

2011-03-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

We have the doors propped open, and a wonderful breeze is coming into the gallery today. It's 72 and the sun is out, making us feel like we live in Southern California. And with Spring comes spring cleaning, and what better way to brighten up a living space just in time for sunny weather than a piece of art?

An excerpt from an article we came across recently on ArtBusiness.com, from Alan Bamberger:

"Art improves quality of life. All you have to do is think about the difference between a room with bare walls and one with walls full of art...Art stimulates the expression and interchange of thoughts, feelings, and ideas among total strangers who might never otherwise say a single word to each other."

We couldn't agree more.

Just a few pieces that conjure up thoughts of Spring...

Cara Enteles, Pollination Series #12

oil on aluminum

Dorothy Goode, Homage 72

egg tempera on panel

Margie Stewart, Inlet, Summer

oil on linen

Carl Plansky, Wild Flowers

oil on linen

Kristina Bailey, Hot House Flowers

mixed media on panel

Life on the Westside

2011-03-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

Today a special post about all of the things going on this weekend on the Westside...

First, starting this Saturday just across the street from us (!), you can find the new location of Jennifer Schwartz Gallery, which features photography. (Fingers crossed as they are rapidly completing the build-out as we speak!) And this Saturday, from 11 - 5, they will be holding Life Support Japan, a silent auction to benefit relief efforts in Japan. Images will be sold in a special edition of 10 for $50 each. Bids can be placed at the gallery or online.

Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Schwartz Gallery to the Westside as the newest member of the Westside Arts District!

Secondly, we are having an opening on Friday night. It will be Meta Gary's first solo show at the gallery, and the body of work is spectacular. One of the standout pieces is included above, Taking Back the Days. Join us on Friday night from 7 - 10 for cocktails and to meet Meta, a local and native Atlantan!

(Jill Storthz)

Just up the street at Get This! Gallery, Jill Storthz is having an opening as well, also 7 - 10. The third solo show for San Francisco based Storthz, it will feature

her unique and eye-catching woodblock prints. Get This! is also part of our local arts/gallery district, WAD.

And speaking of,

(our gallery district off Howell Mill between 14th and 8th and Marietta Street between Howell Mill and Means)

There is a third-Saturday WAD walk this weekend from 11 - 5. Featured galleries include:

1) Jennifer Schwartz Gallery

2) Sandler Hudson Gallery

3) Kiang Gallery

4) Twin Kittens

5) Astolfi Art

6) Get This! Gallery

7) Saltworks

8) Tanner Hill Gallery

9) Octane Coffee

10) Atlanta Contemporary Art Center

11) EAG

OH, and it's supposed to be a sunny 80 degrees on Friday! Moral of the story, come check us out this weekend, and if you are a regular, stop in and say hi!

(Jennifer Cawley, Paths Cross)

The Post

2011-03-11T09:07:00.000-08:00

(photo courtesy of dreamstime.com)

Alas, we are back from New York after a whirlwind of art fairs, gallery visits and Italian food. Now that we have caught our breath and are back to work, we are energized by the exciting art market there. More to come later about all we did on our visit to the big city, as well as the new book we have started, (after Peggy Guggenheim's memoirs), thanks to Jeremy Irons...

(photo courtesy of Google.com)

When we arrived at our hotel in SoHo, there were postcards on our beds. They had brilliant little quotes on the front in bold black letters on a white background. It got us thinking about writing letters, which is something we are very fond of doing. Nothing puts a smile on our faces faster than a handwritten note from someone that was unexpected or for no reason at all. Invitations are great, birthday cards even better, but a postcard or letter means someone took the time to sit down and hand write a few thoughtful sentences to say hello. When they could have just texted.

(photo courtesy of Etsy.com)

And of course, the best postcards are little pieces of art! Fun to tack up around the office... and a cheap collectible to pick up on travels.

How sad however, that handwritten letters are a romantic thing of the past. Something your grandfather did in order to court your grandmother as teens. Yes, thank you notes are still around, especially if you live in the South, as we are proud to say. But penmanship, true cursive of the kindergarten type, is almost mythical. Nowadays its all about

Copperplate Gothic and Times New Roman. We so rarely take the time to step away from the desktop, pick up a pen, and say hello. But more than that, will the next generation write anything down at all? Will they know how to write longhand? Or will they just hit send and hope for a reply?

(photo courtesy of the Australian Post)

So here's to snail mail, we are off to write postcards!

PS,

A very cute blog we found along the way.

New York, New York

2011-02-25T13:41:00.001-08:00

(image courtesy of Balthazar Restaurant)

(image courtesy of the Armory Show)

Tomorrow before the sun rises, we head off to the Big Apple for the Armory Show. This first week of March is the time for art lovers/dealers/gallerists and aficionados to converge on the city and attend contemporary and modern fairs, openings, and city-wide events. Assuming we can keep up with what we have laid out, here is a peek at our schedule. Might need a vacation after the week that we have planned!

Fortunately for us, several of our artists will be in town, and ready to show us around the fairs. A special thanks to everyone who has sent along suggestions and tips for surviving the fairs. And as we have been spoiled by the weather in Atlanta of late, we will be quickly reminded when we land that yes, it is still winter in parts of the country...might be checking luggage after all.

Opening for Fahamu Pecou, brunch at Balthazar, dinner at Del Posto, cocktails at Weather Up! and many, many more adventures. Hope to see some of you up there, and will report back after the trip! Hope to finish Peggy Guggenheim's memoirs on the plane as we are flying through it; any suggestions for our next read??

Pandas and a Bar of Soap - Where to Hang that New Piece of Art

2011-02-23T08:59:00.000-08:00

When it comes to collecting and placing art, one question we get on occasion is about hanging. Not simply how to hang a piece but where to hang art, or how to go about collect it to fill a home. Besides the obvious locations, above a sofa or bed, in an entryway, between windows...etc., etc., is it possible to think outside the box when placing art around the home? Of course more often than not, someone comes to us with a very specific space to fill, and we approach their selection from that angle. But if you simply want to start a collection from scratch, or have built a room or home and are placing art last, there are many unused spaces that typically are ignored. OR, if you have the wonderful problem of too much art and not enough wall space, many of these suggestions would apply to you as well.

So here are some examples of interesting and unexpected places throughout the home to hang/place/prop art. Two of the designers who always surprise us with great ideas of under-appreciated spaces to fill are Miles Redd and Kelly Wearstler, so we took a cue from them on this.

After all, it is so much fun to turn a corner and see a canvas leaning behind wine glasses above a refrigerator! Read on to see some refreshing ideas put into action.

Stay tuned...on Friday we will post our plans for next week's trip to the Big Apple for the Armory Arts Week!

(photo courtesy of Miles Redd)

Leaning and layering pieces on and in front of a bookcase. An absolute favorite of ours.

(photo courtesy of Miles Redd)

Hanging a piece in front of a mirrored wall.

(photo courtesy of Kelly Wearstler)

A group hang above a long sofa, the interesting aspect here being how many pieces Ms. Wearstler squeezed in around the largest piece in the center. And, while there are many elements at play, the symmetrical way that the frames are hung pulls it all together. Anyone want to donate those yellow chairs to the gallery?

(photo courtesy of Elle Decor)

Art in a traditional workspace, very inspiring. I can imagine writing a letter at that desk and getting lost as my eyes wander around the space.

(photo courtesy of Elle Decor)

While having art in a bathroom can be tricky, (careful with the steam from the shower!), these sketches propped on either side of a mirror of the same shape add depth to the room.

(photo courtesy of Elle Decor)

Another piece of art in a bathroom, but again, a surprise! Leaning against a glass shower wall...no, INSIDE the shower, the bright pink pandas rest alongside towels and a bar of soap.

(photo courtesy of Elle Decor)

While not an unusual place to hang a photograph, the off-center way in which this pieces is hung brings a quirky touch to this sitting area. In fact, it makes you notice the piece first, and wonder the story behind it.

(photo courtesy of Architectural Digest)

And lastly, the photograph that inspired this post, from last month's Architectural Digest. In the kitchen of artist Martha Sturdy's British Columbia home, sits a piece of art, very, very high above the countertops. Amid the stainless steel appliances, broad window, and modern stools, the pop of color and texture completes the room.

Andy, Frank, and Jean Michel

2011-02-19T11:41:00.000-08:00

What's more fun that a peek behind closed doors into a fabulous art collection? Not much.

Much of the time it feels as though art is an afterthought in a home, fluff used to fill wall space. Of course, art is not everyone's first priority. But it sure is fun to visit someone's home who feels art is the only priority. While the images we culled together are glimpses at some very recognizable works and collections, art brings a certain element to a home no matter the fame, price or provenance of the pieces.

So, here's to wishing we could all kick back in an armchair under our very own Diebenkorn!

San Francisco apartment designed by Douglas Durkin featuring a Richard Diebenkorn in the master bedroom.

Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest.

Living room in a Maui home featuring a Frank Stella diptych.

Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest.

Diane von Furstenberg reclines in front of her Warhol.

Photo courtesy of google.com.

The Hillfigers pose playfully in front of their Basquiat.

Photo courtesy of Harper's Bazaar.

Paloma Picasso's childhood portrait done by her mother, Francoise Gilot.

Photo courtesy of Harper's Bazaar.

Lauren Santo Domingo relaxing in front of her Warhol Mao.

Photo courtesy of Vogue.com.

Elton John's neon Tracy Emin installation.

Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest.

Again, Lauren Santo Domingo's apartment, with a jam-packed corner "gallery" space featuring Salvador Dali, Hans Bellmer, Aaron Young, and Max Ernst.

Photo courtesy of Vogue.com.

Elton John and his partner David Furnish pose in front of a Damien Hirst in their LA home.

Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest.

Charlotte's Locks

2011-02-16T11:49:00.000-08:00

(image courtesy of Farrow & Ball)

As we have mentioned time and time again, we are not shy when it comes to bold hues. If you have ever been to the gallery, you can attest to this fact. Much to our excitement, Farrow & Ball recently rolled out several new colors for 2011, one of them being a very saturated and brilliant orange, Charlotte's Locks No. 268. As a showcase of great ways to use variations of this color, here are a few pieces that have just a splash! Orange can be intimidating as a wall color, but these various artists have added just the right amount to make a room pop. And just for fun we threw in an orange sofa from our local design friends at Verde Home.

While the walls here remain white, as to best showcase the artwork, maybe someday you will see a splash of Charlotte's Locks on an accent wall...

What We're Reading Right Now (and can't put down...) & What's On Tap

2011-02-08T10:18:00.000-08:00

(images courtesy of bing.com)

If you think Steve Martin is hilarious, which we unabashedly do, prepare to see a side of him you might not recognize but will be a welcome surprise. Turns out, our favorite "jerk" is also versed in the mysterious and strange ways of the art world. If you haven't heard of it, or seen it on bookshelves everywhere, Martin's An Object of Beauty, is a must read for any art lover, and/or anyone who has spent time in New York City. Chronicling the life and loves of a young woman named Lacey Yeager who is destined for great things, it is a story of the art world in the late 90's and early 2000's. Infused with humor, emotion and an educational aspect, you will not want it to end.

But, when you do finally leave Miss Yeager behind, as we soon will be forced to do, a suggestion: Confessions of an Art Addict by Peggy Guggenheim, with a forward by Gore Vidal. As an art "addict," collector, and very colorful personality, Peggy tells of her life in the center of the bohemian art world in the 20th century. Not to mention she was (briefly) married to the artist Max Ernst, and was the niece of Solomon Guggenheim. We haven't turned a page yet, but Confessions is sure to be another very exciting ride through modern art.

Pigskins and Paintings

2011-02-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

(images #1 and #2 courtesy of artinfo.com)

(image courtesy of NFL.com)

Packers vs. Steelers. Renoir vs. Caillebotte.

Tomorrow night in Dallas, as Super Bowl XLV kicks off, the Super Bowl ring wont be the only thing on the line. For the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Milwaukee Art Museum, temporary ownership of two Impressionist paintings by famed artists will be up for grabs. One a Renoir, and one a Caillebotte. Should the Packers emerge with a W, the Milwaukee Art Museum will receive Renoir's "Bathers With Crab," (image #1 above), on loan. However, should the outcome be the reverse, Caillebotte's "Boating on the Yerres" will be loaned to the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh. Per CNN, the art director at the Milwaukee Museum is from Green Bay, so... "this is personal." A year ago, Tyler Green of the blog Modern Art Notes, dared museums from the participating cities to do the same thing. The New Orleans Museum of Art ended up with a Turner on loan. A thus, a new tradition was born.

We think this is a great way for art lovers and museum staffers to get involved and show their team spirit on the big day. And, as Lynn Zelevansky, director of the Carnegie Museum put it, "We let the excellence of our football team, and our collection, speak for itself." Clearly, the stakes are high, and pride is on the line.

May the best team win!

Google: Fine Art

2011-02-02T09:17:00.001-08:00

(image of the Tate Britain courtesy of Bing.com)

(Botticellis, iBirth of Venus, image courtesy of Bing.com)

Last week Google launched it's latest foray into global culture, Google Art Project. Much like Google Earth, Art Project will allow you, albeit virtually, to travel across the world to institutions such as the Tate London or Florence's Uffizi Gallery and walk amongst masterpieces while sitting on your couch. Upon entering the site, visitors can navigate among a list of museums, saving favorite pieces into a personal collection, and hop easily around from museum to museum, no ticket lines or crowds in sight.

Powered by YouTube, the tutorial videos are pretty impressive. One you have selected the museum you would like to explore, you are offered a floor plan, and zoom capability. Upon "approaching" a work of art, you are able to focus in on that piece a read viewing notes, i.e. have a very brief art history lesson that goes a little further than date, title and medium. As you spend time at a specific museum, there is a drop-down menu with shortcuts to other highlights of their permanent collection.

While visually stunning, and easy to navigate, Google Art Project leaves something to be desired. So much is lost on a flat computer screen. Yes, those of us who took art history learned in part by memorizing "flat" transparencies, but the hefty text books that supplemented those images enabled you to grasp them on a different level. The pixels on a screen diminish paint application that one would see up close, or at least have read about in great detail on a page, with a piece like Botticelli's Birth of Venus. That being said, this free webpage does make world class art accessible on some level, and it is fun for a few minutes to be transported across the Pond to London and "walk" through the Tate. We are always excited about encouraging art eduction, we just hope that in this digital age we live in, this doesn't take away from brick and mortar museums in the coming years.

Over the Rainbow

2011-01-28T11:02:00.000-08:00

As this bright and warm(er) day has us dreaming of Spring, here are a few pairings of art alongside the projected trends in fashion and beauty for the sunnier season ahead. As seen in this month's Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, this Spring we can look forward to COLOR! We are big fans of color in art, and do not tend to shy away from it. In fact, one of the best features of contemporary and modern art is often abstract splashes of color. As can be seen below, our gallery artists are not afraid of bold hues either! For fashion-meets-interiors infused with color, visit Heather Clawson over at Habitually Chic!