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September is going to be an exciting month for art in Atlanta!

Art + Design

Artist Ann Carrington's work is everywhere these days! (If you watch Bravo's "9 By Design", then you know what I mean). This time, her Pearly Queen of Dalston appears in the whimsical London pad of accessories designer Lulu Guinness in Living Etc.




You can imagine the two as artistic soulmates...

A sequined bag by Lulu Guinness at top, A Union Jack Wall Hanging by Ann Carrington below

I hope the collaborations keep on coming! For more photos of Lulu's Notting Hill home, visit Living Etc.

Meeting of the Minds

Tina Barney's brilliant photographs of Tory Burch's Spring 2010 line in Tory Burch's famed New York apartment are almost too perfect. View the shoot here.

In somewhat related news, former Atlanta gallery owner, Fay Gold (where I first saw Tina Barney's work in person) will be curating the upcoming show at The Besharat Gallery with works of the artists she used to represent. The "Onward" show begins March 18th in the Castleberry Hill arts district.

Saarinen & Scott Ingram

I have saved so many images of Eero Saarinen's Pedistal Table, that I had to create a separate file to hold them all. So naturally, I was excited to see that one of my favorite Atlanta artists had included the iconic Tulip as subject in his most recent show.

Scott Ingram's "Saarinen Table/Floor" on paper.



Along with Ingram's "Architectural" series are the Nail Polish Works that have made him an interior designer favorite. Shown above is a piece in a home by Suzanne Kasler & William T. Baker.

Scott Ingram is showing at Solomon Projects through March 13th.

Photo credits: Top, Paul Massey, 2nd from top, Lonny Magazine, 4th from top Solomon Projects, 5th from top, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

Collage Love II

I promised Emily Amy that I would send her a photograph of my latest purchase as soon as it came back from the framers, so here it is.

Collage on paper by Cecil Touchon, framing by the wonderful Framers on Peachtree.

School of Athens

In honor of my Alma Mater's first home game this season, I thought I would post an image of "The Happening" by Lamar Dodd, a painting depicting the frenzy on the field after the Georgia Bulldogs won the National Championship in 1980.

Football tie-in aside, as many locals know, Lamar Dodd (1909-1996) is the namesake of the University of Georgia's School of Art and was a highly influential administrator and respected artist of the mid 20th century. (How cool are his Chuck Taylors?)

St. Mark's Cathedral, 1956

Cityscape, 1952

When he wasn't teaching, Dodd spent much of the 1950's traveling the world and developing his talent for symbolic abstraction and cubism. In 1963, he was hired as one of NASA's official artists. Thankfully, he returned to Georgia to continue to teach and support southern artists. Because of his influence, the Lamar Dodd School of Art is one of the best art schools in the country.

The 1963 painting above entitled "Modern Abstract" appears to be the University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band at halftime, which leads me back to game day.

Good luck today UGA. Go Dawgs!

Collage Love

I could honestly take this whole wall home with me.

A sneak peak of the upcoming Contemporary Collage Show at the Emily Amy Gallery. Opening Friday, September 11th from 7-10.

Moore in America

I know this exhibition of Henry Moore's sculpture has been making its way across the USA, but it is especially beautiful at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. See it now through October 31st.

For more on the Moore installation in Atlanta, be sure to visit exhibition coordinator, Cathleen Cooke's Blog.

Three Mediums

More goat painting sightings--I think I am on to something.
Photographs by Erica George Dines for Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.

Kidding aside, more paintings by "goat lady" Helen Durant have popped up in print--most recently in the the very cool home of son-in-law and fellow Atlanta artist, Andrew T. Crawford and family. (More photos of their home can be seen Here).

You may recognize Crawford as the creative force behind several of Atlanta's sculptural landmarks, such as the Federal Reserve Bank seen here, as well as several of the gates at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

He also creates one-of-a-kind railings, furniture and fixtures. This rocker totally reminds me of something out of the creepy, but brilliantly artful Coraline film.

I don't think it is out on DVD yet, but I highly recommend a viewing for anyone in need of creative inspiration. (The stop-motion animation is simply badass). Just don't watch it at night by yourself.

Atlantan in the Hamptons

This month's edition of Elle Decor was so full of beautiful images that I almost missed this small photograph of a large painting by one of my favorite Atlanta artists, Carolyn Carr. The palette for the East Hampton home was designed with the painting's hues in mind...
The colors remind me of that moment when the surf meets the sand. More images from the portfolio of East Hampton interior designer, Robert Stilin can be seen here.

Portrayal

I am part of the portrait party over on Style Court today. Come visit for the story behind this one.

(And, for those of you who have been paying attention, that is my yet to be painted, exposed brick wall. Still weighing my options on that one...)

In The Mood

Do your weekend design projects (i.e. flipping through design books and hanging pictures) ever look as romantic than they do in the photographs of Joyce Lee?


Images are from Joyce Lee's "Home Reimagined" series, discovered via Red Thread.

Tips from Emily Amy

Opening night at the Emily Amy Gallery

Favorite local gallery owner, Emily Amy (pronounced "ah me") has a new blog with some great tips on collecting contemporary art.  I had to borrow a few to share...

• Emerging artists are not necessarily less talented than established artist, and they usually cost less too!
• Go with your gut when you are choosing art.  Let it elicit an emotional response in you, and when it does, you will know it is right.
• Works on paper are always a great option when a little money needs to go a long way.
• Don't listen to the "rules," if you want to collect several pieces by the same artist, go ahead--it's your collection.
• Start small: if you can't afford large paintings, then buy small ones.  They often have the same effect.
• Buy local - Whether it is a local artist or a local gallery, you will likely feel more of a connection with the piece and you will be supporting your local talent!

More advice and art here.

One of my favorite examples of living with contemporary art: A Damien Hirst hangs above a French sofa in Johnson Hartig's living room. Photographed by Paul Costello for Domino Magazine September 2007.)

By the way, how gorgeous is that lucite table? It is available from The Paris Apartment.

Lean Times

No, I am not talking about the economy. For houses like ours where the art inventory tends to ebb and flow (or maybe it is because we are too lazy to get out the hammer), leaning pieces against the wall makes for a novel and contemporary display.

A Carolyn Carr print stands out in the pack of layered art in designer Keith Arnold's apartment in this month's Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.(Photography by Erica George Dines).

I know these ledges are kind of "Pottery Barn '98" but this gallery hall still works for me (from Elle Decor, May 2008 via The Framing Fashionista).

In addition to the buffet of art, there is a lot I love about this room. Photo by Simon Upton for Domino Magazine, June 2006.

Not only does the lean and layered method allow one to keep more art on display at once, it also appeals to the commitment phobic. (It takes one to know one).

In case you are in the market for a new piece to hang or not hang, I suggest checking out the wonderful contemporary collection at the recently opened Emily Amy Gallery in Atlanta.

Oil on canvas by Sarah Hinkley, available through the Emily Amy Gallery.

Goat Paintings Are the New Deer Antlers

The paintings of Atlanta's own Helen Durant.

Photos from top: Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles by Erica George Dines, House Beautiful, October 2007 via Habitually Chic,Traditional Home, October 2007 via Another Shade of Grey.

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

...because we know it's not blogging. So, here are a couple of things that I have been up to so far this summer:

1) I Netflixed My Kid Could Paint That. At first glance, it's a documentary on four year old painting "prodigy" Marla Olmstead. (Photographed above). What it soon becomes is an unsolved mystery and a fascinating commentary on what defines abstract art, creative genius and adult greed.

2) I visited what is slowly becoming my favorite beach destination within driving distance from Atlanta: Amelia Island, Florida. Please don't tell the usual masses that are out to ruin my peaceful beach vacation with loud country music and drunken Pro-Kadima.

3) I met Top Chef-testant, Richard Blais after having a meal his Atlanta restaurant, Home. His elegant, Blaisian version of "Shrimp and Grits" with slices of citrus, chorizo and she-crab butter was to die for. My mouth still waters. Even if you didn't win, we are still rooting for you Richard!

4) I picked up my newly recovered chairs from the upholsterer. The commitment-phobe in me decided that natural linen was the only fabric I wouldn't regret six months from now. Next plan is to add pillows, perhaps with a cool fabric from Of The Young and the Restless.

5) I helped my grandmother celebrate her 80th birthday. This is her posing on the cover of Davenport Steward's 1950's literary masterpiece, "No Time for Fear". 58 years later and she still looks great (much better than the tattered book jacket remains which I have framed on my wall).

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer as well!

Camelot

In other Show House news...

The 38th Annual Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Associates 2008 Decorators' Show house and Gardens is in full swing. As one of the oldest show houses in the United States, this event is always a respected, Atlanta favorite. I have not yet taken the tour, so I have no idea how many rooms are inspiring and how many are flat-out atrocious, but either way it is always fun to see what the professionals are up to.

If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by this Thursday night for music, drinks and poking around prime Buckhead real estate during the Cocktails at Camelot event. I should also mention that the main purpose of all this martini-swilling frivolity is to support the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Check out the über talented kiddos in concert below.



Hope to see you Thursday night!