Sunday, October 09, 2011, posted by Laura Roberts | (12) Comments
We met Kathleen Gerdon Archer at her White Bird Gallery outside of Boston in an artist’s community this summer. I was dawdling behind my husband at some other galleries and he cam rushing back to get me exclaiming that he found something that he thought I would really like. He was absolutely right.
She was showing from two of her series: The Mapmaker’s Dream and Choice. Here is what she has to say about Mapmaker’s Dream:
“Using the element of water, I tell a story that begins with water-filled abstract images which over time become clearer and end with subjects who are clearly visible, but enveloped in a light fog.
My intention is to obscure the line between painting and photography while documenting a change in my recent family history.
The titles are randomly applied sentence fragments from The Mapmaker's Dream by James Cowan.”
These are both large and small scale works. I particularly love the large ones.
Here is what she has to say about Choice:
“This series of portraits depicts women wearing fabric that has special meaning to them. Some wear clothing from a deceased relative, others show gifts they received and still others used fabrics with a feel or color they loved. I asked them to cover their hair with the material. The images remove the usual signifiers of culture, nationality and and status requiring the viewer to imagine a new history.”
From left to right: 1. Alison's Boyfriend's Gift from Ghana, 2. Lucilda's Indian Sari from the Years She Lived There, 3. Kellogg's Gift from Sara
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These are beautifully executed and you can see stories in the womens’ eyes. Please check out more of these “choices” on her website.
Thank you for being such a gracious lady Kathleen!
Monday, October 03, 2011, posted by Laura Roberts | (37) Comments
Many of you know how much I LOVE textiles! and I was completely overwhelmed upon an impromptu visit to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston this summer when I saw the entrance to a very extensive Chihuly exhibit. Wow! The glass vessels were presented with native american baskets and large slabs of wood.
All of this was framed by the back wall with South American textiles draped on the entire back wall.
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The show was extensive and had much of his fanciful, colorful pieces as well. It's the first time I've been in the museum and was in a que to enter. When we left, the museum was open late that evening and the line went around a city block to enter.
Saturday, July 30, 2011, posted by Laura Roberts | (48) Comments
Lotus Gallery celebrates their 10 year anniversary in Austin, TX. Lotus Gallery was started by Francisca Tung in 2001 after a career in hi-tech in California. She made a career switch and decided to share what she was really passionate about: one of a kind creations and antiques from Asia. Francisca already had a large collection so se didn’t have to buy much. Francisca loves to travel and learn about cultures and she now also has items from Africa and European Continental pieces.
Francisca is one of my favorite people and Lotus Gallery one of my favorite places. I recently stopped in and she shared with me six of her favorite pieces. She loves sculpture and especially this 6 c. Buddha bust from China. It’s the simplicity of this one that she really loves. It is made of limestone and was found on the ground so you can see markings from the roots of a tree.
#2. The loves and shares contemporary pieces as well. This pottery “stone” box was made by a Japanese sculptor, Kenji Gomi, in 1956. The box actually opens. The loves the texture and simplicity.
#3. Tribal pieces like this shield made from buffalo leather in the form of a leaf. Konso Tribe of Ethiopia, early 20th c.
#4 Scholar Stone. Abstract sculptures that would sit on a scholar’s desk. A scholar would gaze at it to ignite their imagination. This one is from China, late Taihu period.
#5. Children’s jacket (boy). Made by the Hani tribe in SW Chinese mountains. Composed of many layers (the number would show their status in society). Indigo dyed and handstitched, then dipped into layers of oxblood and egg which made it water proof and dirt resistant. These are no longer made because they are no longer worn.
#6. Dongson Bronzes from Cambodia and Vietnam that are 3000 years old. These were difficult to make because the walls of the bronze is so thin and it is still a mystery how they were created. Francisca loves the simple shape and oxidation from time.
Thank you for sharing your treasures Franscisca. She has an incredible eye, authentic choices, and really fair prices for these one of a kind treats. She is located in Austin TX, and does shows in San Francisco, Santa Monica, New York, Brussels, London, Santa Fe and even one in Dubai.
Monday, April 25, 2011, posted by Laura Roberts | (22) Comments
Bonnie Glendinning launched Art Muse, an affordable online gallery in October 2009. Bonnie is passionate about affordable art. At Art Muse, you can purchase archival prints of original works. Prices start at $25 for an 18.5 x 18.5” piece and goes up incrementally.
“No blank wall left behind.” And “Art for All” are two of Bonnie's mottos. She first had the idea and registered “Art Muse” in 1997 but it was really before all the technology was available and affordable. It’s the perfect time now, though. She continues to add new artists and build the gallery.
Bonnie thinks some people can be intimidated by starting their art collection. Art Muse helps make it affordable. People can gain their confidence in purchasing what they like and maybe one day purchase an original.
Here are some of the popular artists from left to right - Jad Fair, Caroline Wright, and Natasha Newton:
And a couple of my favorites by Kristy Lynn:
Monday, April 04, 2011, posted by Laura Roberts | (206) Comments
Ava, my daughter, and I went to the grand opening of the dberman gallery in Wimberley last weekend and highly recommend it. The bluebonnets are just starting to come out and it's the perfect time of year to take a jaunt to the hill country. The Falco Peregrinus by Shawn Smith greeted us from it's cage.
Some of our favorites were Lapse by Beili Liu and Sidney Yeager's Almost Mid-Day (below).
Still have the gallery favorites Katie Maratta, Lance Letscher and George Krause. See below for a group shot with a large Krause portrait. Ava also took photos of four paintings by Ellen Berman and individual botanicals of bronze and silver by Beverly Penn. Best of luck to dberman on their move!
