My Wish for Today

"Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory"

Albert Schweitzer

Time for a Geometry Lesson!

Since Schools started back, let's study some geometry!! *yawn*.... Well, at least the fun kind. I really relate to geometric objects, which probably explains why I am drawn to most things Art Deco, especially that period's jewelry. I like the balance, contour, and order that is in geometric design.  The dictionary defines the word geometric as [something] being characterized by or decorated with regular lines and shapes. I say orderliness is very comforting (especially when it is in lucite... or diamonds! ha!)

below: Paul Evans style cabinets with metal veneered fronts and mirrored tops. circa 1970's

Comme Des Garcons Poof Dress

Black Druzy Quartz ring set in 18k gold. The sparkles are not diamonds, it is the inside of the druzy stone, which has been dipped in platinum to give it that shimmer.  I designed and had this ring made several years ago. It was best to let the mounting follow the natural shape of the stone.

Cake Stand, c. 1930, England

Jules Engel acrylic painting, c. 1970's

Stacked lucite table, c. 1970's.

Table sculpture by Larry Lubow, 21 century

French handbag, circa 1925

Neoclassical fruitwood italian chest, circa 1815.

Folk art flying geese quilt from Pennsylvania, circa 1865-1875

French light pendant, 1920's design

Emerald & diamond earrings, circa 1920. These earrings were passed down to me, they originally  belonged to my great aunt. They're small and delicate and what I like about them is the unusual shape they have. I often toy with the idea of what they would look like as cufflinks. I love french cuffed shirts for women.

Clarice Cliff Lotus jug/vase, England, circa 1930. Until about 5 years ago,  I had never heard of Clarice Cliff. But her name kept coming up on two of my favorite shows: Cash in the Attic (the original British version, with Alistair Appleton) and Bargain Hunt (again, the British version with David Dickinson).  Apparently, there is a large population that are devout in accumulating her pottery.

Go home and check your old brightly- colored, abstract pottery and see if you have this signature on the bottom.  If you do, you might have won a small lottery!

Collect: Antique Purses

I have a small collection of antique purses, some inherited, some bought.  What I love about them is that they are handmade, delicate, tiny and that they really are like a piece of jewelry! 

 This is the purse that started it all. I inherited it from my paternal side of the family. I don't remember who it initially belonged to, but I think it is from the Victorian era. The inside is covered in a peach silk, and the back of the attached mirror is also covered in the same silk. The silk is so old that it is torn, but I have managed to use this purse a lot. It actually holds more than just lipstick!

above photographs: cashonandcompany.blogspot.com

These four purses are ones I own.   The one on the left I found at a local Consignment Store, and it is an exquisite microbeaded purse with a gold laurel wreath on the clasp. It does need some repairs though. The two in the middle were family pieces. My dad just gave me the bottom one, and it has been in our family since the 1800's.  The top piece is called an extension gate purse, and when you open it, the top spreads out to a very large circular opening. The purse on the right I bought, although I don't remember where. It is 18k gold, with a stone on the top. It feels incredible in your hand, like silk.

This purse is currently being listed on eBay. It is a French, 18k gold mesh purse with diamonds and sapphires on the clasp.  Based on the hallmark, it dates somewhere between 1847-1919.

This wonderful Art Deco purse is also currently listed on eBay. Of course it has the malachite color that I adore, done in enamel. What I like most about this "finger purse" is that true to it's era, it is really a compact. There is a mirror, and place for your powder/puff, and coins. It's fabulous.

Artist & Mentor

"Artist and teacher for almost 50 years, Karl Umlauf (b. 1939) is a nationally and internationally recognized artist and a Texas Legend.  Karl’s artwork is found in over 40 museums and public collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, N.Y., the Modern Museum of Art, New York City, N.Y. and the Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX." 

"Storm Over The Davis Mountains", 1960

courtesy of David Dike Fine Art

Karl Umlauf is an incredibly prolific respected artist, who had a really big influence on me and the direction I chose to take in life, creatively.  Karl happened to be the Artist in Residence at Baylor University, where I received my bachelor of fine arts. My concentration was in studio arts/painting, where I studied directly under his guidance.  What a happy time in my life. To create all day and put your emotions directly into a tangible object! I'm not going to lie and say that I wasn't a little immature and my social life really competed with my work, but at the moment when I was actually building my canvases and mixing my paint and pulling my hair out in frustration, I was truly happy. One piece of advice he gave me, that I remember most and still rely on, is that creativity takes work. Sometimes it doesn't just come to you. I would complain because there were many days where i would just sit there and stare at a canvas and say "i have nothing. no direction, no ideas, i can't do anything today." And Karl would tell me that being an artist is like any other job, there are days where you make yourself do it. You can't fall back on when you "feel like it", you must always go forward and produce. He was right. It's like going to the gym. Getting there is REALLY HARD. But once your in the middle of your workout, it clicks and feels natural and you are glad you persevered. (ok, well sometimes)

N[ationala] Burial, 1992

Charcoal on paper

This is the series Karl was working on while I studied under him. They were large and when you saw them together in a gallery, there was an instant mood in the room.  You could stand in front of each one for quite a long time and the longer you looked, the more you saw. What I think makes a great artist, is one that makes you think, and one that promotes dialogue.  When you look at this piece, you certainly ask yourself, "what does it mean"? "What did he mean?" "What was he trying to tell us, what is the story?"  Karl is a man of nature I think, he appreciates the earth and the space around him as well as beneath him.  That is what I think it means to me. Nature and Industry combined. I don't know if I'm even close, but that's the great thing about art: it's subjective.  It can mean something different to everybody.

Intake, 1998

Aluminum, enamel, steel and wood

This series was very 3 dimensional, and reminded me of Louise Nevelson's work, whom I started following when I was about 13.  It's all about surface, texture, magnitude, depth.... 

Crucible, 1996

Charcoal on Paper

"For four decades I have produced visual surface relationships. When a literal reference occurs, it isn't always intended, but happens as a result of many years of being absorbed with the land and objects of man's labor. If the work appears to have intrigue, yet a personal iconography, and if it provides a distinct physical presence, then I feel I have succeeded in establishing my visual signature." 

 Karl Umlauf 

all images are property of the artist

The Elegant Agatha

New Mysteries from the Queen of Crime

Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks: "In 2004, a remarkable discovery was made at Greenway House – Agatha Christie’s holiday home. 73 notebooks, containing secrets behind her most famous novels came to light.  The most exciting discovery within them – two unpublished Poirot stories!" (uk.agathachristie.com) Due to be released in the UK on September 3rd

I have always loved Agatha Christie novels, I think I started reading my first one when I was in elementary school, my grandmother had her books and I borrowed one. Usually I like novels better than the movie & television, but I love David Suchet as Hercue Poirot!! Genius! What I'm most crazy about in the shows are the FASHION and the INTERIORS! That is where I draw so much of my inspiration, it is how I discovered the wonders of Victorian English accessories & Art Deco silver, jewelry, clothes, hair, make-up. The characters are always glamorous, and the settings always exotic. London's Whitehaven Manor, English Country estates, Torquay on the English Riviera, the Nile River....I think I have watched each one at least 15-20 times, and it's still not enough. My favorite Poirot dramas are: Murder in Mesopotamia, Murder on the Orient Express, Peril at End House, Death on the Nile, Evil Under the Sun, The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb, The Adventure of the 'Western Star', The Mysterious Affiar at Styles, The Mystery of the Blue Train, The Mystery of the Spanish Chest, Tragedy at Mardson Manor, and Yellow Iris. I recommend renting or downloading any of these, and be swept away by Suchet as well as the chic/flawless women, debonair men, and well appointed interiors.

www.poirot.us

“Why not make my detective a Belgian?...I could see him as a tidy little man, always arranging things, liking things in pairs, liking things square instead of round.  And he should be brainy – he should have little grey cells of the mind.” Agatha Christie 

What I'm loving now....

I have always been intrigued by Greek Mythology. I took a post-grad class in "Greek Mythology Then & Now", and it is amazing how many current stories (movies, books), advertisements, fashion, etc. are directly taken from ancient Greek myths and gods. Even (most of) the famous Roman statues and art are copies of the greek originals. But I think my real fascination began when I was young, and my grandmother had some of the greek patterned china & Wedgewood from the fifties. She was so elegant, so to me, it's elegant.

Hence, My newly started collection of Greek style pottery & porcelain....I found the vase on Ebay. I love the matte black and the gold painted handles. The detail and colors of the figures are beautiful against it! 

I found a trio of English greek style jugs at a local antique warehouse. I had to have them. The rims with the graphic design & orange colors were ahead of it's time.  They weren't terribly expensive either. The best thing about these is that I will really use them as water pitchers when entertaining. Or grouped together they would make a great centerpiece with or without flowers!

One of my favorite antique stores, Milton Kent Antiques (who is now on 1st Dibs) has a beautiful bright orange greek vase that I've been wanting for months now! Maybe someday soon I'll treat myself.....

Let Me Introduce Myself!

Nothing like the night before the first day of the kid's school, to learn how to start a blog! So this will be short & sweet.  I don't know exactly why I decided to create a blog, but I think it was the fact that there are so many out there that I really enjoy reading. For many reasons. Primarily, Inspiration! People blog because they are passionate about something! I love to see people's sketches, artwork, photographs. What a catalyst to get my mind going, about what I want to do, where I've been, Where I want to go.......
Also, I love to see people's sense of self. What I mean is, that a blog is literally an on-line diary, so you can read what people deem important enough to write about! Some of it shows great humor, some shows great depth, but whatever it shows, it is usually entertaining.... and thought provoking.  I think the reason I want to do a blog is because I love sharing my thoughts & ideas on subjects & objects that I view interesting, inspirational.  I am passionate about all things lovely, intriguing, exciting, and dramatic. I am passionate about Love, Life, Family, Art, Design, Fashion, Humor, Sincerity, Relaxation, Laughter, Devotion, Comfort,  and Virtue.
did i say i love to laugh??