Get out of town: Savannah, GA

Since I may be driving some paintings to a client in Savannah this weekend, I thought, "what better city to feature?" There isn't much that is better than a city by the water, and one with Southern charm to boot! I have visited Savannah several times in the past, but this time, I will be making a special stop at the new SCAD Museum of Art, which looks absolutely fabulous. Check out this sneak peek from Luxe Crush here. It is only a 3.5 hour drive from Atlanta and certainly feels like a departure from the hustle and bustle of our big city. I can't wait for a little meal at Paula Deen's The Lady and Sons. Ok, I can't lie, I am really going for the food:)

Painting of the week: Amy Pleasant "Untitled, Reclining Figures I"

Untitled, Reclining Figures I, 24" x 22" Ink on paper

Well it has been a very busy week so far at Emily Amy Gallery, as we have welcomed a new artist that we have been recruiting for some time, Birmingham-based Amy Pleasant. Amy Pleasant has joined our stable with 11 new works on paper. Amy's works chronicle mundane events that occur throughout the day all around globe. These summations of our human actions and interactions often morph into "roadmaps" of the human condition. As a keen observer, Pleasant places just as much value on the small moments (taking out the garbage) as the larger ones (a fight with a loved one). Utilizing painting, drawing and wall drawing to tell her stories, Pleasant paints a picture of life. Here is a little more about Amy:

Amy Pleasant received a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA from The Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA.

She has held solo exhibitions at Jeff Bailey Gallery, NY, The Birmingham Museum of Art, The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Rhodes College, Tandem Gallery, The Ruby Green Center for Contemporary Art, and The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her work has been included in group exhibitions in venues such as The Hunter Museum of American Art, The Weatherspoon Museum of Art, The Columbus Museum of Art, The Wiregrass Museum of Art, The National Museum for Women in the Arts, The Mobile Museum of Art, The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, The Huntsville Museum of Art, Clifford Chance, and The U.S. Embassy, Prague, Czech Republic.

Pleasant’s work has been reviewed in publications such as Art in America, The Brooklyn Rail, Art Papers, The Commercial Appeal and artforum.com.

You can view more images of Amy Pleasan't work here. Please stop by the gallery soon to take a sneak peek at our new inventory!

Designers We Love: Betsy Brown

Betsy Brown designed bedroom featuring artwork by Amy Pleasant.

All images courtesy of Betsy Brown Inc.

I recently came across Birmingham-based designer, Betsy Brown, through a new gallery artist and friend, Amy Pleasant. Her designs are the perfect mix of modern and traditional in an always elegant fashion. She regularly mixes fabulous abstract art into her interiors, which is an added bonus in my opinion! All of the images speak for themselves; there were so many that I loved it was hard to just choose a few.

If you are interested in learning more about Betsy Brown Inc. or speaking with her about design services, please click here.

Tasty Tuesdays: Banana Crunch Muffins

My banana crunch muffins for Easter Brunch

Sorry I was out of pocket last week...things got a little too busy at the gallery for blogging, but I'm back!

We were invited to a beautiful Easter Brunch this past Sunday and I helped out by bringing a few items, one of which was a huge hit: Banana Crunch Muffins. You can't really go wrong with a foundation of a great banana bread recipe that has additions of fresh coconut, walnuts and granola. They were absolutely fabulous. See for yourself when you try this easy yet tasty treat courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa, my favorite!

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 pound unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 extra-large eggs

3/4 cup whole milk

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 bananas)

1 cup medium-diced ripe bananas (1 banana)

1 cup small-diced walnuts

1 cup granola

1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Dried banana chips, granola, or shredded coconut, optional

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Line 18 large muffin cups with paper liners. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the melted butter and blend. Combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, and mashed bananas, and add them to the flour-and-butter mixture. Scrape the bowl and blend well. Don't overmix.

Fold the diced bananas, walnuts, granola, and coconut into the batter. Spoon the batter into the paper liners, filling each 1 to the top. Top each muffin with dried banana chips, granola, or coconut, if desired. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool slightly, remove from the pan, and serve.

Get out of town: Washington, DC

This afternoon Alex and I are headed out of town ourselves...to DC to visit some of our dearest friends. So, I thought it only appropriate to feature our capital city in today's post. We arrive this evening just in time for dinner in the city, tomorrow we'll be visiting the monuments, and on Sunday and Monday, lots and lots of museums! Happy weekend to all of you; I know ours will be!

Painting of the week: Margie Stewart's 'Daffodils'

Margie Stewart, 'Daffodils', 30" x 40", Oil on canvas, $4500.

What feels more like spring has sprung than when the daffodils begin to bloom? This piece of Margie Stewart's is one of the newest paintings in our inventory at the gallery and we couldn't be happier to have it hanging on the wall. If you are in the neighborhood, come by to get a sneak peek at all of Margie Stewart's new paintings; they will have you longing for summer!

Designers we love: Robert Brown Interior Design

All images courtesy of Robert Brown Interior Design.

One of our all-time favorite local designers is Bob Brown. He and his team design some of the most gorgeous homes in Atlanta for some of Atlanta's most particular clients. Above I have included a few of my favorite images from throughout his career. Here is a little more history on Bob and his firm:

Brown is the owner and principle of Robert Brown Interior Design. After nearly two decades in the fashion industry, where he was vice-president of design and marketing for Hartwell Industries, Brown launched his career in interior design. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia.

Brown has completed projects in California, Florida, North Carolina, Colorado, Washington, as well as in his native Georgia. His projects include private residences, show houses, historic homes, and multi-family dwellings. He has also designed country clubs and commercial interiors. Additionally, he has completed a large motor yacht and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Buckhead-Atlanta. Brown has recently announced the launch of a furniture collection for Holland and Company/ MacRae.

A recipient of over 20 American Society of Interior Design (ASID) “Design in Excellence" awards, he has served as a board member of the Georgia chapter and been awarded the President's award. Brown serves as a board member of Atlanta's DIFFA chapter and has chaired the Dining by Design gala with Margaret Russell of ELLE DECOR. He is also the recipient of the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center's”2006 Southeastern Residential Designer of the Year”. He advises a national fabric firm on trends and forecasting.

Brown's work has appeared in many interior design magazines including SOUTHERN ACCENTS, TRADITIONAL HOME, VERANDA, BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, ATLANTA, ATLANTA HOMES AND LIFESTYLES, TO THE TRADE, RANCH AND COAST, and soon will be seen in FLORIDA DESIGN. Several of his designs are included in the new book, Beautiful Interiors.

If you would like to learn more about Robert Brown Interior Design or contact them to inquire about their design services, please click here.