artist 1.2

jennifer morgan

i first noticed jennifer morgan's work around 2003. we were walking to dinner at primo's and i stopped in my tracks when i saw this vibrant color out of the corner of my eye. we were passing jones walker home who still represents jennifer. i had to stop and stare. jennifer's fantastical figures and sweet animals combined with amazing color selections and captivating backgrounds were nothing i had ever seen. we went to visit those paintings over and over. this was only the beginning of our love affair.

my fiance and i moved to a loft downtown that houses an artist community. they provide reduced rates in rent for working artists as well as loft spaces with studio space and display windows. shortly after we moved in i noticed a girl, seated on the floor in one of the studio spaces painting those paintings i had just fallen in love with. it was her! i stood behind a massive pillar and watched her work. captivated more and more. i was dying to figure out her technique and understand her materials. i was able to figure out some of it, but not all until years later.

after making such a fuss over jennifer's work for years, my family gave in and gave me several of her pieces for christmas. they are some of my most prized possessions. i still get as close as i can to see what all she did to each painting. so mysterious and so beautiful.

jennifer's body of work in divided into two categories. category one "classic" includes her original work depicting her alien-esque figures and sweet animals, combined with her strong use of color, vibrant backgrounds and thought provoking titles. the second category she named "we're all pink." jennifer softened her color palette in this series and began using figures and animals modeled after antique engravings. she is amazingly adept at the juxtapositions she creates.

here are two of my babies from the "we're all pink" series.

"homage to georgene" 24" x 48" x 1.5"

"blanca" 18" x 24" x 1.5

artist 1.1

victor matthews

i was introduced to the work of victor matthews in the summer of 2010 at wendt gallery in laguna beach, ca. i feel in love. victor matthew lives and works in new york city. his alter ego series captivated my attention and i honestly didn't know if i could leave the gallery without one. the gallery owner, joseph manqueros, patiently and carefully explained the life and work of victor. it only made me fall harder. to tell a story, to illustrate your life so simply but to be dynamic at the same time is a gift. victor has already developed quite a following and an impressive list of collectors. we came so close to having this huge piece below delivered to our home. joseph made us promise two things. one, we would have to agree to be filmed for a documentary produced by russell simmons in our home. i immediately starting worrying about what i'd wear and composing my monologue. second, we would have to write a thank you letter to the gallery. i was totally in. we visited the piece several times before we came to our senses. sad, sad senses.

manhattan, 2010

untitled, 1988

mountain city, 2010

inspiration 1.1

2011 is my year.

i have decided to take a break from my 5 years of pregnancy and to do something, anything, everything i can to create beauty at home and in life for myself, my family and maybe for you. i want to focus on art, design and creativity. i am a visual person and a visual learner. at this point in my life my visual bent has translated into a general affinity for aesthetics. who knew that the philosophy of aesthetics course i took in college would be calling me back now. so often i am bombarded with inspiration, but rarely have a chance to jot down any ideas. no more. a creative outlet is a necessity - originality in the truest sense is my goal.

the first thing that inspired me this year was the new years resolution email from 1stdibs. many of you i am sure received this email, but did you read it? so thoughtful, so creative. not the usual diet and exercise promises. i respect and relate to these resolutions. spoken by icons who's careers i dream of.

my hope is to blog inspiration, artists i love, color combinations i am into, photography, design problems and solutions.