Inspired by...Maira Kalman

Rick Meyerowitz

Ok so everyone seems to be highlighting Maira Kalman this month.  See here in Lonny Mag and here on Design Mom.  And why shouldn't they (or I)?!  She's fabulous!  I loved reading her illustrated columns in the New York Times (now available as books:  "The Priciples of Uncertaintly" and "And the Pursuit of Happiness").  Illustrating the "Elements of Style"? Brilliant.  Her style (art and writing) is so direct and relatable, poignant and funny.  Thank you, Maira, for you all your loveliness.
Now I'm going to have to delve into her children's books with Fiona.

Some other interesting links concerning Maira Kalman:
Love this article, especially the story about her mother.  Just that small tidbit of information says so much about her.
She gave a TED talk
Julie Saul Gallery

 

The Vogels...Herb & Dorothy

While painting this evening I also watched/listened to 'Herb & Dorothy' on Netflix on Demand.  Herb & Dorothy have been collecting art since they were married in the early 1960s.  They were devoted to collecting, in particular, minimalist art.  It was interesting to get to know them a bit as a couple of modest means but with an intense passion for art that they funneled into collecting art.  The movie offered a unique view into a specific part of the New York art world of the late 20th century to be sure.  But most of all it was inspiring to see the passion with which they loved the art they bought and also the relationships they cultivated with the artists they collected.

I painted a small piece inspired by them.  I would show it to you but I can't get my scanner to scan the whole piece. Only random parts of it. Hmm. Going to have to figure that out.  ahem.

explained absence...and tonight, paint

We've been sick pretty much non-stop since we returned from our Road Trip of the East Coast. Boo.  We all caught colds coming back from our trip.  Then Fiona contracted Hand, Foot and Mouth disease (not to be confused with the bovine foot & mouth disease.  this one is mostly confined to toddlers).  And I somehow got another nasty cold.

I've obviously been absent from this space lately.  In addition to our illnesses, I've decided to put most of my energy into creating art, and to make blogging a lower priority for a while.  I expect to get into a groove where I can do both, but for now, I have been sketching every night (almost since mid-August), and tonight, painting.   Here is my palette for the proof.