DIFFA was inspiring

DIFFA stands for Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids. I never knew, I'm a newbie to the whole thing, but I have to say it was my favorite part of the Architectural Digest's Furniture Show, Dining By Design. Here are some of my favs.


Look in the upper left hand corner (here's a closer look) and you'll see origami cranes hanging from the ceiling. Very cool. (I also had the idea to hang origami cranes from the ceiling at my wedding reception years ago) It was nice to see it in another presentation.


Here's a nice twist on Delphware industrial style. I did a double take on the plates, so great. I thought the street lamp napkins looked elegant too.



I loved the half opened umbrella lights. There's was another setting that used upside down plastic beach buckets and shovels in a similar fashion. I didn't get a picture of them, but they looked very island style!


Talk about getting all dressed up for an event. This was fun.

End of show

For those of you who couldn't make it, here are some of the pieces from the "Black and White" exhibit closing today. I have to say, the exhibit was really well put together. Some of the pieces here have sold, but if you're admiring a particular piece you never know, it could be yours. My pieces are in the third photo: 5 raku vases. Contact MDH Fine Arts eventhough the exhibit has closed, they may still be available! (Soon I hope to put some up in my Store!)
FYI

MDH Fine Arts: michael@mdhfinearts.com Phone: 917-364-8221

Hello Tomorrow

Hello Tomorrow - mixed media collage by Rosemary Pierce-Lackey.

This piece is invigorating. Besides I think the Title, "Hello Tomorrow" brings hope and excitement into piece. Something we could all use a little more of these days! I love the mixed media used – collage of recycled paper, books, and consumer packaging on wood. The colors dance and vibrate wonderfully. The title appears in part of the piece, as well as a secret message-if you look at the detail! Rosemary is selling this piece on Etsy if you're interested.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=22234291

Trashed?

Who says trash cans go underneath the sink on the right hand side? Meet the Artala Can, designed by Joshua Davis/David Quan for Umbra. It's made of virgin polypropylene (really, that's how they describe it) with printed graphic exterior. Made with degradable plastic. $16 USD. Not too shabby for my trash! Envious? Get your own! http://www.umbra.com/ustore/product/082874/c505/artala_can.html

Collage is back

Funny, I don't think I've made a collage in a long time, almost 20 years–yeeesh, I have to admit, they've always been a lot of fun to do. A group of New York City Fourth Graders made this one to raise money for the school auction. It's so interesting to study all the different pieces cut out and all the various patterns and colors. Really beautiful. Think I've got to try one, and maybe it'll have to be with a bunch of kids.

Raku Crackle Exhibit

Well, it's nearly the moment I've been working up to for the past month, "The Black and White Show" at the MDH Fine Arts Gallery!
Here's the invite-incase you're in the neighborhood, New York CIty's Chelsea. (one of my pieces is on the far left, Artist Fred Rose's beauties are on the right) Fred has taught me everything I know about Pottery. He directs, teaches and works in the studio next door to the gallery. Thanks, Fred-couldn't have done it without you! He's done some gorgeous raki pieces in the show as well. It's a combination of Black and White Illustrations and Raku pottery (thus the name). I think MDH has done a great job in putting this one together! You can get some beautiful pieces and prices are affordable for regular people. The illustrations are the kind I could look at for a very long time. Once again, it would be hard to narrow down a fav. As for me, I've got about 6 pieces in the show. A few didn't make it, simply because of the nature of raku (they split). However, I'm very happy with the pieces being shown. Later, I will post the pieces.

First impression

I got an assignment to draw one of the most memorable spaces I've been in. Tough call. First, I thought of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao built by Frank Gehry. Then I thought of standing below the I.M. Pei pyramid in the entrance of the Louvre. I felt so small and stood imagining what it must be like during dusk, or in the early morning.

Then I thought of the cactus garden, Le Jardin Exotique, on top of the Mediterranean Castle village in Eze, in Southern France. Never been anywhere nor seen anything quite like it. The light from the Mediterranean was amazing. The foliage felt like I was on another planet.

Then I remembered my best friend, Cathy's home while growing up in Hawaii. The first time I remember visiting, I was about 7 years old, it made a huge impression on me. I loved the space. I was suddenly conscious of volume, integrated spaces, light that changes throughout the day, windows becoming picture frames for the outside, primitive folk art that decorates surfaces, and clean, sleek lines of furniture...I'd never experienced a place where my eyes feasted on my surroundings. Don't know how accurate this drawing is, but the experience influenced my personal style from that moment on.

Home Sweet Home

This installation reminds me of growing up in the burbs. A fellow artist, Jim Shack created these–each one with its own individual look. The more I look at them, the more I see the idea of fighting for uniqueness in a sea of convention.


It also reminds me of another piece of art (one of my favorites) that was a wedding present by Ross Rosenberg. This one reminds me of the second time my parents moved us into their Dream Home - The House on the Hill." It was one they had someone build in a very prestigious part of town overlooking Diamond Head. It was around the time I was learning to drive. Our driveway was so steep it was a wonder how the car didn't roll down the hill.


Also in Jim Shack's Exhibit are these blocks. Which one is your fav? The work is currently showing at the MDH Fine Art Gallery in Chelsea, New York. A great place to find lots of inspiration, reasonably attainable under Director, Michael Henry's curating eye. For more information about this show and upcoming events, go to www.mdhfinearts.com

Cat-friendly house design

For all you cat lovers, me included, here's a dream home for the fuzzy ones. The house was designed by a Japanese architect Asahi Kasei's Plus Nyan house. Nice and modern yet purrfect. Sorry, I had to say that. But it sure looks like cat heaven to me.

Inspired Nest House

It took them a bit, but Droog has arrived. It's a design store originally from Amsterdam, born in 1993. It's made a second home in SoHo. There you'll find a Nest Home you build yourself: comes with rope and wire. What a great way to forget the tent and sleep in the backyard (if I had one)!