Beautiful Monaco...

ARTIST: Cathy Daley

This ballerina fell into a dumpster and she still wants to dance.  Except now she's missing half her body.  But she keeps going and going and going.  Lucky for her she is not alone.

Cathy Daley has concocted a whole series of tutus and outfits to accompany these figures as she explores what it means to be seen as a woman: the hysterics, the glamour, the beauty, the hectic lifestyle and ultimately the futility of fashion and how it feels to be both celebrated and ignored by those around us.

You'll immediately recognize yourself in these pastel figure drawings because there's something comical about their efforts to be graceful that everyone can relate to.  As women we play dress-up whether its on a daily basis or on certain occasions and it is something we have been taught to embrace; the beauty of the female form, and the first thing people notice.  Everything else becomes secondary, that's why there are missing elements here; our bodies are not ours alone, they're shaped by those who watch us.  Similarly, as seen in the works of Cindy Sherman we often participate in this exploitation and trivialize ourselves in the process.  Perhaps that is why these figures are always disappearing in one way or another or have in fact already disappeared. There's also a spirit of anonymity here that intimates that what is absent is ours to choose.  And maybe it is sometimes chosen for us. 

I decided to take some liberties with these works, prompted by their lack of titles, and gave them a short narrative by adding my own captions.  I hope Ms. Daley doesn't mind.


Girls just want to have fun:

I'll wear what I want to because I'm a Polka-dot-door:

You can be elegant too:

Can you see me now?

I think I ate too much cotton candy:

I can't take it anymore:

I heart fashion:

Elizabeth it's Oprah, how are you doing dear?

Quick hide me:

How did this happen?

They warned me about being too skinny:

Why don't you try this on for size?

How can I ever own up to all of this?

Wait, I'm just going to pretend I'm a cloud:

New Paintings by Elliotte Puckette

It looks like the Paul Kasmin Gallery has released new works by Elliotte Puckette a day early on their website.  I have been waiting to see these for a while so I had to include them here. 

I love the new grainy background she's using.  When you zoom in the detailing looks amazing.  I have always wondered how long it actually takes her to complete one of these.    

I can't get enough of the pink ones.  I think this is easily my favourite.  Her paintings always turn out so elegant and crisp. 

I still like this older piece though in her last collection. I was hoping to see more in this style.

But it looks like it's all about texture in this exhibition.  Not that there's anything wrong with that of course.  When you're Elliotte Puckette you can make everything look good.

I want this house...

It is just one gem I found dotted along the roads of Costa Rica's countryside when I came here for a wedding two years ago.  

It's tiny and shaped like a square box but there's something mysterious and almost seductive about it in the way the white drapes hide its interior.  I also like the cacti growing in front and the happy-go-lucky chicken roaming around.

And when you consider that most locals live in houses like this one below it puts many things into perspective:

You start to wonder how much space you really need in order to be happy.

Anyway, if you're lucky enough to visit Costa Rica you'll find it to be one of most beautiful places on earth.  If you haven't been I highly recommend it.

Here are two locals I met as I wandered away from my resort.  They were so friendly and completely adorable.  I wonder if those chickens know what's waiting for them.

I don't know about you but I'm dreaming of a warm vacation.

ARTIST: Richard Giglio

What I love about seeing and reading about people's interiors is that they're usually accompanied by beautiful works of art.  As such, scouring through Elle Decor, Canadian House & Home, House & Gardens and my favourite Australian Vogue Living, as well as many others, is not surprisingly a regular past time in my life and one of the reasons this post came into existence. The first time I discovered the wonderful paintings of Richard Giglio was in a New York Times article that featured the home of Carmine and Lydia Caponigro.  It was a gargantuan piece of canvas painted white and featured the poem of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971.  The words are rendered in Giglio's handwriting.  And I just loved it. 
 

I looked at it and shook my head wondering why I had never heard of nor seen this artist's work before.  I was annoyed because had I seen it while I was still in highschool I think I would have made a different career choice.  I didn't know art could be created this way.  When I was growing up I was told that "traditional" art was the only legitimate one and that whatever ideas I had about making notes and scribbles on paintings, or creating collages or doodling away and creating mixed media works was just not something you did.

Eventually, I saw the paintings of Cy Twombly and Elliotte Puckette, as well as other artists, and I finally saw the light.  Now that all of these images and information are accessible online we take it for granted, but before, unless you had a subscription to Elle Decor or a teacher who was familiar with contemporary art these artists existed exclusively for those specifically involved in the art world.  Now, everyone can see it. 

After I discovered the above-mentioned piece I went about searching diligently to find out more information about Richard Giglio and soon found out that there's nothing outside of his own website.  I suspect that that is perfectly intentional and Giglio I'm sure wants to keep his artwork carefully contained.  But I couldn't help myself and so with the help of Snagit (an essential software tool that allows you to capture basically anything on the web even flash websites) I picked out a few of my favourites.

I love the colours in this one and the way Giglio strikes a balances between the painted words and scribbled lines.  I can't make out the text and I'm not certain whether this piece also contains snippets of Neruda's poems, or whether they are just random words, perhaps in Spanish.  But on his website, Giglio mentions Billie Holiday, Matisse and Maria Callas as clear influences that inspired his work. 

Next is a piece wholly composed with letters and numbers that reminds me of a 12 times-table. The use of red makes me think of one of those sudoku puzzles being solved but clearly that is not the intention here.  Nevertheless, the painting is rather playful in that it invites guesswork and symbolic investigation.  The red and black use of colour is particularly appealing as it carefully explores the juxtaposition of a graphical and mathematical layout.

Number three is a similarly rendered work that ostensibly features a clearly obfuscated set of figures, shapes and forms.  I enjoyed searching for any possible and coherent sense of meaning in this visual study but I couldn't come up with anything; well, except that I like it.  Anyway, there is also an element of Asian lettering and arrangement here that makes these little squares of black figures so enjoyable to "read".

The next piece uses letters and scribbled lines that seem suspended in mid-air.  I love the pattern and use of colour here.  I could spend hours looking at it.

This one appears to be another work containing Neruda's poems.  The use of the cross is intriguing and I wish I could understand the words that are written inside it.  The almost neon use of green on the blue and orange background makes the text really stand out.

Giglio's use of Neruda's Canto General is on full display in this next painting as are his gifts as a collage artist.  I am including the full text of the poem first followed by Giglio's painting.

America, I do not invoke your name in vain.
        When I hold the sword to my heart,
        when I endure the leaks in my soul,
        when your new day
        penetrates me through the windows,
        I'm of and I'm in the light that produces me,
        I live in the shade that determines me
        I sleep and rise in your essential dawn,
        sweet as grapes and terrible,
        conductor of sugar and punishment,
        soaked in the sperm of your species,
        nursed on the blood of your legacy.
              from "America, I Do Not Invoke Your Name in Vain"

 
The last piece I'm including is to give you just an example of the different styles of painting evidenced in Richard Giglio's career.  I love the black and white abstract composition here and I think it woud look great in anyone's home. 

 
You can find out more about Richard Giglio's work from his website where there is a large display of his varied works and techniques: www.richardgiglio.com.  While there, you can also read his biography as well as his career as an illustrator before becoming a painter.

Holiday Wish List

Here is my list of favourite things for the holiday season.  Whether you're looking to treat yourself or a gift for others I hope you enjoy my curated Wish List. 

1.  The first is a porcelain bowl from Boston artist Isabelle Abramson.  I don't know about you but I love all things white and these are just beautiful.  Whether you display them on their own or overflowing with some Fuji apples they're sure to add a touch of elegance to your home.  The cost for this one below is $250.  You can purchase these from her website or through Etsy.

2.  Like many art lovers I have a long list of artists whose paintings I would love to own: Cy Twombly, Caio Fonseca, Ingrid Calame and Elliotte Puckette are just a few that come to mind.  However, most of them are just a little bit beyond my price range if you know what I mean.  Besides I promised myself that the first work of art I ever purchase (if I'm ever in the position to do so) will be from Ewa Stryjnik a Polish-born Toronto artist who I first discovered while still in university.  This is Garden Series #141 and you can find out more information about the artist from Trias Gallery in Toronto.  Price upon request.

3.  I don't normally purchase olive oil because of its bottle but this one from Dean and Deluca is impossible to ignore.  The design is so simple and appealing that I'll trust that the oil is just as good as the design. The cost for this Antico Frantoio Muraglia 'Intenso' Extra Virgin Olive Oil is $48. 

 

 4.  I'm definintely in need of a new laptop case and this one from Diane Von Furstenberg is both chic and classic.  I love the Mariela print.  Available from Netaporter or from the DVF website for $135. 

5.  If you like watercolour prints you'll love these cushions from UK design firm Bluebellgray.  This one is available from their website for £80.00.

6.  I already have one of these and I love it.  Whether you're a designer or you just like to doodle this Wacom tablet is just plain fun.  It comes with Corel Painter Essentials 4 and Photoshop Elements 7.0 for all of your artistic needs. Cost $219.99 approx.

7.  I love this necklace from jewelry designer Lara Adrienne.  She uses the most beautiful gemstones and mixes together amazing colours.  If you like this piece you have to check out her earring collection available from Etsy.  This necklace sells for $750. 

8.  If you read fashion magazines you have probably heard of Maryam Keytani, a Toronto artist turned jewelry designer whose unique pieces are carefully crafted from unique finds such as ribbons and tassels.  Prices start from $250.

9.  If you're looking for something really original this sculptural piece is sure to become a conversation piece. Designed by UK designer Jill for Maisy and Alice it's also available from Etsy for $38.  Made from recylced plastic it is handmade and has the texture of lace.  It measures approximately 40" and comes ready to hang wherever you dare to daydream.

10.  I really wanted to recommend Cambodian black pepper but trying to find some online became an impossible task.  So my last item of equal measure is Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood.  If you're not familiar with this Japanese writer you need to pick this book up asap.  It's such a treat to read and one of those books that'll remind you of your 20's and stay with you for long after you finish it.

This list was almost too much fun to compile.  I can't wait to do it again soon enough for another occasion.

Happy Holiday Shopping everyone. If you have any recommendations I'd love to hear from you.