Spring!

Jack, enjoying the spring sunshine.

An Art-filled Spring: Living with Art

Finch mug, on right, by Rebekah Strickland
Forged copper band by Thomas Clarkson

One of the joys of having art and, let's call them 'interesting objects', is displaying it in such a way that you can enjoy it on a daily basis. So, with that goal in mind, I've been shuffling paintings and art objects around the house and trying out different things.

One of the things I've learned in the process is that while I dislike the idea of a 'tablescape' , the reality is that combining smaller objects in a grouping can be a great way to get a bigger impact.

Finch mug, on right, by Rebekah Strickland

Forged copper band by Thomas Clarkson

Detail, Forged copper band by Thomas Clarkson

Some time last year, Smithy bought this 3D piece (below) at a small art show. The theme of the show was using old vinyl records in new ways; I read this piece as a torso, made from melted records. The piece has kinda grown on me as we've had it, and having a three dimensional piece really enlivens the corner of the room.

I hadn't realized it, but apparently I've also renewed my interest in ceramics lately. One of the great things about my old house is that each of the rooms has an old fireplace with a deep mantel, perfect for displaying things. So, given that, what kitchen doesn't need a primitive ceramic owl and a couple of Southern folk art face jugs here and there?!

Red owl and small face jug by

Grace Nell Hewell, Southern potter

Keeping up the theme of earth tones brightened with red, I added a couple of my own old painting above the secretary - elephants!

And, inspired by the March cover of Elle Decor with a framed piece of fabric used as art, I'm trying to decide how to use this piece of Thomas Paul fabric. I'm toying with the idea of framing pieces of it, and displaying it on either side of this print on the big blank wall above the sofa. I'll just have to decide whether to emphasize the birds or the flowers if I cut it up....

More information about Grace Hewell and the Hewell Pottery in North Georgia HERE.

The history of southern pottery face jugs HERE.
Framed Reindeer print by Scott Dupree.

An Art-filled Spring; or What I Did on My Blogging Vacation

Painting by Scott Dupree

Back from blogging hiatus....
The last several weeks have been busy to say the least. And two of the things that I do when stressed from a hectic life is to escape into art and interesting images, and escape into books (more on that later).

Matador #2, Scott Dupree

So, inspired in part by the ongoing discussions about including art in your everyday life over at Style Court, I've gone to a couple of gallery openings from one end of Atlanta to the other lately. Smithy and I checked out Clayton Santiago's beautiful, moody paintings at the Emily Amy Gallery a couple weeks ago. (Check out Clayton's website HERE.) It's well worth a visit to see his paintings as well as the other works represented at the gallery. And check out the newly emerging Westside Arts District while you're at it.

Flier, Scott Dupree

I also took in the recent opening at the Swan Coach House Gallery: Scratching the Surface: Southern Mark-making in Arts and Crafts. It's an interesting show that incorporates work in several genres: painting, ceramics, metal, and wood. While at the show, I even got carried away enough to purchase two pieces - a pair of ceramic mugs by the talented Rebeka Strickland. Check out the slide show at the link above. (I bought the doe mug!)

Reindeer, Scott Dupree

On the slate for this weekend is a show that I'm really excited about; an art reception for our friend Scott Dupree at the Portal Gallery (also home to the Atlanta Printmakers' Studio), located in the West End. Through Smithy, I've met a lot of talented artists, but Scott's work is consistantly among my favorites. All of these older works shown are acrylic and wax crayon on panel. Rumor, i.e. Smithy, has it that the new show will have a lot of works on paper.

Trojan Horse #2, Scott Dupree

Trojan Horse #3, Scott Dupree

We Want You, Scott Dupree