Cozy is...Sarah Hinckley

Entryway in Christine Gillespie's cozy California cottage

Gillespie's office space

Her prized oyster painting

Sarah Hinckley's painting in Gillespie's lovely breakfast room

This past week, I received the current issue of House Beautiful.  The cover story and theme of the issue is cozy decorating for every style.  The feature takes us on a tour through 4 homes ranging from a Connecticut farmhouse to a California cottage, all designed by four of the nation's best interior designer whose styles vary from clean-lined modern to quirky whimsical. It is a great read and I highly suggest picking up a copy.

Since I am still figuring out what design style to "call my own", I always love flipping through the shelter magazines and finding my favorite homes.  In this issue, that home was the California cottage of interior designer Christine Gillespie (who I couldn't find a website for?).  I love her use of art as a centerpiece for all of her rooms from the entryway to the kitchen.  As if this house couldn't get any better, when I turned the page to see the breakfast room, I noticed a painting by Emily Amy Gallery artist, Sarah Hinckley!  Oh, how I have house envy....anyone else?

Gone skiing

Clayton Santiago, Sentinels II, 40" x 32", Mixed media on panel

Well, after a lot of apprehension, I have decided to take a few days off from the gallery.  I will be out West skiing the Rocky Mountains.  I hope all of you have a great weekend; I know I will!

If you happen to be in NYC...

Entrance to The Armory Show

Ewan Gibbs, New York, 2008. Courtesy of Timothy Taylor Gallery, London (Pier 94).

Larry Rivers, Vocabulary Lesson (Polish), Courtesy of Tibor de Nagy Gallery (Pier 92).

David Park, Two Heads, Courtesy of Hackett-Freedman Gallery (Pier 92).

If you happen to be in New York City this weekend, don't miss The Armory Show, which runs March 5th-8th.  Of the same name as the famous 1913 show that introduced modern art to America under the direction of a young Alfred Stieglitz, The Armory Show of today serves much the same purpose.  First presented in February of 1999, the show is touted as "the world's leading art fair devoted exclusively to contemporary art."  After perusing many of the galleries and artists represented at the 2009 show, I would have to agree that it may very well be.  

This year, The Armory Show-International Fair of New Art is on view at Pier 94 and at Pier 92, they have introduced something new, The Armory Show-Modern.  The Armory Show-Modern is a new section of the show dedicated to international dealers specializing in historically significant modern art.  With its introduction, now attendees will not only have the chance to see new developments in the art world, but also modern masterpieces.  The admission fee is $30 for general admission and $10 for students and the experience is well worth it.  I am regretting not taking a few personal days, myself.  If any of you do attend, please report back.  I am eager to hear what is hot this year!

Time for a cull in the art world?

"Drew Conrad: Cowboys, Lovers, Losers and Nobodies" 

currently on exhibit at Get This! Gallery 

On January 11th of this year, Waldemar Januszczak's article, Time for a cull in the art world: The art world is plunging along with the rest of the economy.  Hooray!, was published in the London Times.  This morning I sat down and drank my coffee opposite my husband and read and then re-read the piece championing the idea of a recession as the only logical way to reign in the "ugly and worthless" state of the arts that has emerged from 20+ years of rising prices and collapsing values.  It was a big pill to swallow for an art gallery owner.

I do agree with Januszczak that the recession could ultimately produce a "leaner and meaner art world" that has to fight harder for the attention of critics and collectors, benefiting basically everyone.  The art becomes better, the artists more passionate about their work, and in turn, the dealers more motivated and enthusiastic about what they are selling.  

There's just one problem. That already exists.

Emerging artists, new youthful galleries that opened to simply create a forum for these artists (like the artist-owned Get This! Gallery), and cities that have not quite yet experienced the influx of a full-blown art explosion (Atlanta for example), are in direct opposition to the "soft, blubbery, arrogant, self-congratulatory and decadent" art world edifice that Januszczak describes.  These artists, galleries and cities are vibrant, accessible, articulate, inviting and utterly humble.  So, my advice is that he visit some of these cities, artists and galleries that already have a perpetual "fire in their belly" and re-think his attack on the art world as a whole.

In his introduction, Januszcak recalls an interview that he had with dramatic German painter, Georg Baselitz, back in the 1980s when the art business was booming and Baselitz was fetching astronomical prices for his paintings at auction.  When Januszczak asked him if he felt any guilt, he simply stated, "What is better than a painting.  Nothing."  And, all I have to say about that is....my sentiments exactly. 

Get This! Gallery just re-opened at 662 11th Street, on Atlanta's Westside.  They are open 11-6 Wednesday through Saturday.  Drew Conrad's exhibit will be on view through February 28th.

Pollock's Birthday

Pollock in his studio

Google logo for Pollock's birthday

Autumn Rhythm (Number 30), Oil on canvas, 1950

Lavender Mist, Oil on canvas, 1950

Full Fathom Five, Oil and found objects on canvas, 1947

As many of you may know (because you too have seen the Google logo), today is Jackson Pollock's birthday.  You can read more about his art and his legacy here.  Since he is one of my all-time favorites, I thought I would share some pieces I think are his most exceptional.  

You can create your own Pollock-inspired piece here.  So fun!

Enjoy and Happy Wednesday!

What would I do?

Jackson Pollock, "Lavender Mist", 1950

Check out my "guest appearance" on Style Court today...happy reading.

A cold, cold day

Andrew Wyeth in Chadds Ford, Pa. 1997

"Christina's World", Egg tempera, 1946

"Trodden Weed", Tempera on panel, 1951

"Winter", Tempera on board, 1946

Literally and metaphorically, it is a cold day in America today.  In Atlanta, for example, it is 0 degrees with the wind chill, and in Chicago it is actually 1 degree, but feels like -13.  Brrrrrrr.

Today is also a cold day in the art world.  Renowned American  artist, Andrew Wyeth, died last night in his sleep at the age of 91.  The cause of death remains unknown (see his obituary in the New York Times here).  Regardless of the often negative criticism he received from numerous art critics, Wyeth remained focused on painting his signature painstaking realism at a time when the Abstract Expressionists were quickly gaining acclaim, in the mid-20th century. Wyeth's portrayals of rural landscapes and sentimental subjects have been and will continue to be revered by a national and international audience.  

I was fortunate enough to tour the exhibit of Andrew Wyeth's retrospective at Atlanta's High Museum of Art in 2006.  The exhibition, Memory and Magic, included approximately 100 tempera paintings, watercolors and drawings, many from the personal collection of Andrew and Betsy Wyeth.  It was truly a treat and provided me with a deeper appreciation for representational art, specifically egg tempera painting.  Wyeth will forever be remembered as one of America's most recognized and beloved artists, whose work is as emotionally compelling as it is beautiful.