The Girl with the Pearl Earring

For the AW 2013-14 collection, Maria and Pier, the creative directors of Valentino, drew their inspiration from Vermeer's painting Girl with the Pearl Earring. I absolutely adored their collection, and I highlighted these (photos from Vogue, of course):

 

I also loved the models' hair and the fact that the only piece of jewelry that could be seen was a kind of pearl necklace. But I would go and combine the clothes with long Amoronia quote necklaces, for sure :)

Overall, an amazing collection!
 

Art Ethics

'You can kill people with sound. And, if you can kill, then maybe there is also the sound which is opposite of killing. And the distance between these two points is very big. And, you are free. You can choose. In art, everything is possible. But everything made is not necessary.' Arvo Pärt

The Harvest Orange Mosaic

1950 mustard velvet party dress, by DOTTO

Hand Dyed Yarn by phydeauxdesigns

Pumpkin soup with pine nuts, by PratoseTravessas

Beeswax candles by freshpastrystand

Nike Victorious

Nike Victorious by amoronia featuring a hard case clutch

The Face That Launched A Thousand Ships

I keep thinking about Helen of Troy today. Perhaps it's because of this old post that I read earlier in the morning. So much has been said and written about her beauty, it's always interesting to see how people have imagined her throughout the ages.

Detail of an Attic red-figure crater, ca. 450–440 BC, found in Gnathia (now Egnazia, Italy). Menelaus intends to strike Helen; struck by her beauty, he drops his swords. A flying Eros and Aphrodite (on the left) watch the scene.

 

The Love of Helen and Paris (detail) is Jacques-Louis David's work from 1788.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti's Helen of Troy is from 1863.

Helen on the Ramparts of Troy, by Gustave Moreau (1826-1898).

This is Helen of Troy by Evelyn de Morgan (1898).

I found this on Etsy, it's an antique 1950 illustration, at FrenchFrouFrou.

And this is called 'The Private Life of Helen of Troy', a giclee canvas print by cheeseboyproducts, a reproduction of a cover of a vintage paperback.

There are so many more depictions of Helen in art. I just put together the ones I liked best. Have a great rest of the weekend!

Hope

Things have definitely been wrong these past few days. The massacre in Norway, I mean. Plus, the death of Amy Winehouse at 27 caused worldwide grief. I couldn't sleep at night this last weekend, so I chose to prepare a blog post with some hope in it.

Hope, A Light In The Darkness, by Tara Winona

Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops... at all. ~Emily Dickinson


And hope needs faith. Because even though you don't know what the future holds, you still hope that everything will be OK. Somehow, it has to, because your mind and your heart cannot accept the evil in the world.

Faith Print, by Allan Chow

But you must have faith to love. Not just any kind of faith. Only love is able to change the world. Cause we've seen enough hatred already. We know what it does. No more!

Hope and Love - Angels, by Flor Larios

I want to finish this post with one of my favorite songs of all time, sung by the young Dionne Bromfield, whose godmother was Amy. To see this girl look lovely and to hear her beautiful voice scares the negative thoughts away. Enjoy!

Interview with Artists I Admire: Magaly Ohika

My latest fascination is with the powerful, positive art of Magaly Ohika, aka itsybitsyspill.

A time of literature and romance

Have you received formal education in Art?

I studied art at the fashion Institute of Technology for 7years in NYC. But I started doodling art when I was 5
years old. My mother knew I was born with the gift because it was all I wanted to do all day every day.

Tea in a colorful bliss print clutch

What are the major influences on your work, and how would you describe your style?

Children, the emotions, human nature and animals are my influences. The style of my work varies really. It depends on the emotions in that given moment. My style is a whimsy reality distortion of imperfections. To me, is beautiful to be able to look at something to appreciate and see beauty in a flaw. I'm inspired by the complexity of human nature. I turn day dreams and nightmares creatively into abstract pieces that are whimsically lucid and at times not so lucid. People are known to be most complicated creatures and their behavior overwhelm and intrigue me. I carefully note each of their imperfections and hidden secrets they unknowingly display in their actions. Children are my best subject. They are like fireflies illuminating love, joy and innocence that some of us have lost or afraid to embrace. I visit the child within that inspires me to create daily.

Dos hermanitas y la casita

How do you choose the colors for your art?

I choose my colors by the definition of play - Fun and whimsical!

Frida in don't ever forget me

Would you say your art is affordable? Is that important to you?

In the economy that we live today, it is difficult to buy a piece that is $2000 dollars. So yes my work is affordable. Not everyone has that kind of money to spend. I do small piece that people can afford and other large pieces as well. It's just the way it is right now.

Print Come kiss me

Could you tell us a few things about your creative process?

The creative process - When I was a child, I pictured the real world as a circus. It was the only way to cope with the ugly reality I saw around me. Transforming ugliness into beauty. I realized within the ugliness of things lay an underlying charm I accepted because it was real and true. Life as I saw it became my play ground taking bits and pieces of it and turning them into pieces of art. I'm in love with capacity of knowing that I can feel everything even when it isn't pretty. I don't restrict myself creatively. I absorb it, channel what ever might be hidden and throw it up as soon as I'm ready. The idea of perfection in a piece of art does not appeal to me. But, the imperfection that my art conveys does. I like my art the way it comes to me. My paintings convey emotion.

Print - No Jack in the box but love in the box for you

What do you like to do in your free time?

On my free time I love to walk with my dog write, my journal with a glass of red and meditate at the beach.

Print - You have me in poetry

I am sure you will agree that this powerful art work makes everyone long to live in Magaly's world! Let me know what you think in your comments below.

Fashion Art

Vogue Watercolor Fashion Illustration 

  

Shasha in Alexander McQueen

 Red Boots

 Giorgio Armani Watercolor Sketch

Marion in Valentino

Starry Night Dress

Jill Sander Print

Interview with Artists I Admire: Elke Hutchens

I first saw Elke's art about two years ago, and I was really impressed. When I contacted her for this interview, I also discovered she is a lovely person!

Courage to be alone

Have you received formal education in art?

Yes, I was born and raised in Germany, and I gained my formal art education at the Hamburg Institute of Fine Art and Graphic Design. Upon moving to the United States, I continued my art education at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.

Tall nude

What are the major influences on your work and how would you describe your style?

My work is influenced by a blend of the practical and passionate, both European and American. Early on, the classic, historical architecture and sculpture of European cities fascinated me. I’ve now lived in Alaska, Hawaii, Virginia, Colorado, Oregon and California. Each location has left varied, vivid, and lasting impressions of persons, places and things that I permanently express in art form. Intrigued by various cultures and their respective art forms, I may be best known by the faces I create, yet pure abstract forms have become increasingly important to me. My art pieces reflect variety and change, so my style can be called eclectic, very much like my life!

Torso green

What are the things that inspire you? Do you think the place where you live plays a role?

Beauty inspires me. For as long as I can remember, I have recognized lines and forms that are naturally "in harmony" visually. I gravitate towards beauty—a mountain, a beach, a bridge or just a simple pencil line. Whatever catches my eye in the world around me, moves and inspires me. Similar to a musician who has an ear for a pure note, I am naturally drawn to the visually pure that is seen by the eye. I have always tried (and have been mostly successful) to live in peaceful and beautiful places. My home, now, is in a mountain valley in Southern California at 5,000 feet elevation. Every day I am in awe of the beauty, colors and textures that surround me. Pure inspiration!

 Emergence silver metallic

How do you choose the colors for your art?

My color palette started out in a rather classical way: bronze, pewter, gold, silver- stone tones, earth tones. But, as my exploration of abstract and pure art forms has increased, so has my appreciation of color—the more vivid, the better. I have grown to appreciate contrast. The almost shocking presence of a bright, commanding color breathes life into an otherwise monochromatic setting.

Expecting red

What is your medium?

Definitely clay, only clay! I have always loved and even "needed" pliable, workable clay. It responds immediately—creative vision travels from my brain through my hands and translates into emerging art form, seamlessly. Some would call it an intimate connection, the way I gently move and coax it, and the way it ’hears’ and responds to me. Before I know it, the picture in my minds-eye becomes tangible and I am looking at a three-dimensional piece of clay that reflects my vision. The clay must be water based! Oil based clays, to me, are like bubble gum—if you push here it bulges there. Once a piece is designed in clay, the process of refining and embellishing can begin and that is a vast and varied process. For me, art starts with clay, which makes me feel more connected to life on earth just by touching it.

Flamingo gold

Would you say your art is affordable? Is that important to you?

Affordability is very important to me! Art, and sculpture particularly, has to be seen, it has to be touched. It is extremely rewarding to know it is being experienced and appreciated by people from all walks of life. Currently, most of my art work is not one-of-a-kind. The pieces are cast from molds so we can produce multiples that are typically available in limited editions of 75. This approach assures my work is
affordable to most everyone.

Votive candle holder green

What do you like to do in your free time?

Free time? I seem to have less and less of that. I enjoy being with my husband, my children and grandchildren. It’s such fun to teach the little ones about art. I appreciate my friendships, good memories and laughter. I enjoy being part of nature, hiking, and taking the time to discover the obscure—the tangible, small pieces that are a part of the big puzzle that make up the beauty and harmony of our planet.

Thank you very much Elke for this interview! I enjoyed it greatly and I am sure the readers of my blog will, too.

You can find a great collection of Elke's art in her Etsy shop.

Interview with Artists I Admire: Kathy Jeffords of thedreamygiraffe

I was first drawn to Kathy's art a while back, and I'm so happy now is the time I actually get to interview her! Her art makes you realize what true artists should be trying to do, no matter if they are writers, musicians or painters. True artists are those who see the good things in life and manage to instill hope in the always troubled human soul.

Girl Flying A Kite

Tell us a few things about yourself.

My name is Kathy Jeffords and you can either call me Kathy or KJ...I'll answer to either. I'm 34 years old and until I was about 27, I was convinced I was going to be a writer for a living when I grew up. Until that point, I never imagined any other career for myself. These days, I'm still telling stories...but mostly with paint. Sometimes life takes us places we didn't intend to go...but they are definitely places we were meant to go.

Starlight

What are the colors you prefer to work with?

BRIGHT COLORS! I am often in awe when I see gorgeous art done with a limited color palette or in muted, subdued tones...but that's just not something I can do. My art is naturally bright and colorful and I've learned not to fight it. 

How Sweet It Is

What are the major influences on your work?

I'd say that, as odd as it sounds, the bad stuff, the sad stuff, the harsh realities of the world really influences my work. We get enough reasons to be depressed on the evening news...I want to put good stuff out there. When I first started out all of my girls had "slightly sad" eyes because I was in a slightly sad place. But I realized: Just because I was going through a sad time, didn't mean I had to stay there in my art. My art could be ANYTHING. All we can each do is our own part -- and I want my contributions to be positive, happy...maybe even silly, but if I can put one smile on one face with something I created...that's so fabulous and humbling. I think deep inside of me, there's a little girl that, despite how tough life can be, still believes in fairy tales. I'm just doing what I can to help others believe, too.

Dry Your Tears

 

Favorite themes and things that inspire you.

Fairy tales and fairies, superheroes and mermaids, ballerinas and pirates, little girls with big dreams.

The Misfit Mermaid 

Any plans for the future?

I keep saying that this year, 2011, is a Year of Transformations for me and my business, so, yes, I have LOTS of plans. This is actually the first year I've had a plan written out, and so far, so good. I plan to not only have new work more frequently but to also expand into having my art available in different formats other than just prints and originals, slowly rolling out new things month by month. So far I've added three different packs of postcards, framed prints, and larger prints. I also have a locket collaboration with fellow Etsy seller Polarity. I'm documenting the ups and downs and my progress at my new blog, Five or Six Kathys, at www.kathyjeffords.com 

Postcard Set

I hope you enjoyed this lovely mini interview. You can see much more art in Kathy's Etsy shop, thedreamygiraffe.

Interview with Artists I Admire: Maria Pace-Wynters

I can tell true art by its ability to make me feel closer to the essence of things, to make me appreciate beauty in its most innocent form. Maria Pace-Wynters is one of very few artists I have encountered whose work manages to captivate me and make me long to 'live' in their paintings.

Sisters

Tell us a few things about yourself.

I live in Alberta, Canada but was born and grew up on the West Coast. I went to Victoria College of Art,  Camosun College and The University of Victoria in the early 90's. I am married  to the very talented singer/songwriter, Chris Wynters and have two girls (Imogen, 7 and Scarlett, 4).  I started painting daily when I turned 40 ( three years ago). I guess you could say, the light bulb went on and I realized, it was now or never. I'd always wanted to be an artist but now was the time to actually become one.

Butterflies

What are the major influences on your work?

I took a lot of art history in University and I think that I kind of sifted all the art I studied for fifteen years.  All the stuff that was left was the stuff that influenced my paintings. I have always loved certain artists' work but over the last couple of years I have fallen in love all over again with Degas' colour palette, toulouse lautrec's
black line and Mary Cassat's block prints. I love the Japanese influence on the impressionist work. The palette of the Fauvist. I love paintings with patterns, fabric and texture. I love figurative painting. I love de Kooning's chaotic brush strokes and Picasso 's angular figures during his blue and rose period. Matisse's 'Green Line' painting. Emily Carr's Totem pole" paintings. Guagan's "The Yellow Christ" painting. Egon Scheile's draftsmanship. Klimt's sense of design. Just writing this list takes my breath away. I am so in awe of the beauty that these artists have created. Writers that have inspired me: Julia Cameron, for inspiring me to come to the page even when I didn't want to and reminding me to always remember to fill the well.
Elizabeth Gilbert, for inspiring me to start really living my life by sharing her adventure and making me laugh along the way. Eckhart Tolle, for helping me quiet the 'thoughts' and for keeping me in the moment.

 

The Accomplishment

Is there a relationship between innocence and inspiration?

When I look at my children create art I am inspired by their confidence in their mark making and  how they are not concerned about the final results. When they are done, they move on to the next piece. They don't dwell on who is going to like their creation or if it will sell, these things are not important to them. They create art because it is fun, they enjoy the process.  If you approach art in this way, it is hard to ever not be inspired. 'Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working' is my favorite quote from Picasso. I really live by these words.  If we come to art from a playful, curious place we can leave the ego at the door and just create art that is honest and true to who we really are because we are in love with the process as much as the outcome.

Wallpaper Jungle

What are your favorite themes?

I love to paint the figure, in particular female, and above all, the face and eyes.  I have always love fairy tales, Hans Christian Anderson is my favorite. I love magic and mystery and often try to incorporate these things into my art.  I love the spectacle of the the lives of 'the performer' whether that be circus performers, harlequins or ballerinas.  I often paint them when they are NOT performing as I find this side of them, the private side, much more interesting.  Lately, I have been doing painting about dreams. I consider myself the protector of my children's dreams and aspirations. They can be so easily dismissed by people that they come across and I think it is important that they know that they can be what ever they dream or aspire to be. Dreams are so delicate, like the flowers and butterflies in my paintings. In some ways, I think that I am protecting my own dreams as well. My paintings are often about my children, being a mother and also remembering being a young girl myself. Your children can do that for you, remind you of your own childhood.  It so special to be able to watch your children grow and, in a way, relive that part of your life.

Marvel, Dream

Are there any colors you prefer to work with?
 
I love colour in general. The brighter the better. A few years back, before I had my children, my palette was very dark but since I have had my girls my palette is bright and colourful. They truly put colour into my life. Right now I am really into red and turquoise.

The Bride

How would you describe the process of creation?

I try to come from a completely honest place when I create art.  I often start by having a photo shoot with my girls. This is a lot of fun and it is great because even though I often have a general idea of what I want, there are always little surprises that happen. When I start painting I always remind myself that what I ultimately want out of my painting is to simply create something aesthetically pleasing and interesting to look at. The next thing that I remind myself is to not be to precious with my art. When I paint something, I continually destroy it and then pull it back. I find that this creates depth. If I am worried about wrecking a painting it will become contrived and tight. This is my way to keep myself loose. I love the act of marking making and I love having something very loose and gestural juxtaposed with something more structured or realistically rendered.  I love the push and pull that this creates in my art.

Take It On

Do you have any free time? How do you spend it?

To be honest, free time is completely foreign to me. Between being a stay at home mum and a full time artist, there is little time left. I am usually scrambling around trying to figure out how I can fit it all in. I do love to cook, although, lately, having to think of dinner every night is the bane of my existence!

Wow... Thank you Maria, for finding time to do this interview with me. Your art is so real, and I wish you the very best!