ARTmonday: Lori Vrba

I discovered Lori Vrba’s magical  photographs around the holidays, when I had time to explore. Although I’m not at all a horse person, I was quite taken with the first image here,  “Olivia Loves Elvis.” It reminds me of a friend’s daughter who loves to ride. It’s Vrba’s daughter. She has three children, often pictured in her work. Those images are reminiscent of Sally Mann’s, minus the nudity, but with the inclusion of the feminine, yet bedraggled feel of girlhood. As a

The brown hued selenium prints are from the series  “My Grace Is Sufficient,” which is “celebrating the quiet power of women.” The gray toned are from the series “The Piano Farm,” shot on the farm where Olivia’s piano teacher works. Vrba recognizes the inherent femininity of her work, and its beauty, and makes no apology. I’m smitten.

Lori Vrba is represented by Jennifer Schwartz Gallery in Atlanta.

Olivia Loves Elvis, 2010

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Cloverfield, 2010

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Cocoon, 2010

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Butterfly, 2009

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The Hand of Grace, 2009

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Knee Deep, 2009

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Marionette, 2009

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Resting, 2009

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Liv’s Light, 2009

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Goose Feathers, 2009

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Morning, 2010

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Winter Garden, 2010

Get the Look: 19 Pieces of LOVE

If you’re looking for “love” . . .

S H O P P I N G

‘Love’ Banner, $17.50 from 5280bliss at Etsy.
‘Feel The Love’ Heart Gift Tag Stickers, $7/24 at Tiny Prints.
‘Love’ Luggage Tag, now $6.99 at Pottery Barn Teen.
‘Love’ Hook, $8 at Urban Outfitters.
‘Love’ Mug, 22,50 €/pair at The Collection.
Red Wool Felt ‘Love’ Heart, $5 at West Elm.
White Ceramic ‘Love’ Vase with Heart, $28 at Uncommon Goods.
Pink and Silver Metallic ‘Love’ Pillow, $14.99 at Target.
John Derian ‘Love’ Pocket Mirror, $16 at Jayson Home.
Jonathan Adler Mod ‘Love’ Needlepoint Pillow, $175 at Jonathan Adler.
Striped ‘I Love You’ Tea Towel by Unity Peg, $20 at Greener Grass Design.
Robert Indiana Miniature ‘Love’ Pink Paperweight, $75 at Museumize.
Jonathan Adler  Mod ‘Love’ Sunglass Case, $42 at Jonathan Adler.
“I Love You a Bushel and a Peck” Poster, $18 from Mandipidy at Etsy.
Alexander Girard ‘Love’ PlyPrint, $95 at Design Public.
The Collector’s Charm ‘I Love You’ Locket, $15 at Anthropologie.
Red Thread Wrapped ‘Love’ Sentiment Necklace, $38 at Anthropologie.
Needlepoint Word Pillow Collection, $35 each at Pottery Barn Teen.
Love Votive Candle Set, $39 at Pottery Barn.

Design Diary: The Saguaro Palm Springs

The Saguaro Palm Springs, brought to you by the developers of the Ace Hotel, opened last week, just in time for Modernism Week and well in time for those heading out for April music festival Coachella.

Designed by NYC-based Peter Stamberg & Paul Aferiat of Stamberg Aferiat Architecture, the hotel is a re-vamped a three-story Holiday Inn from 1977, re-imagined in serious Technicolor. The color palette reflects the vibrancy of the Southwest, in hues derived from 14 indigenous flowers of the Mojave Desert.

Guest rooms boast multicolored striped bedding, orange furniture, a bubble gum pink accent wall, and royal purple carpeting. A wood table and chairs and black and white images by Palm Springs photographer Jim Cornett ground the rooms with a bit of natural realism.

There are 245 rooms, a second floor public space with a wild red Bird-of-Paradise wallpaper on the ceiling, an expansive pool in a lush courtyard complete with a cabana pool bar, a spa, and two restaurants by Iron Chef Jose Garces, one with a tequila bar, the other with a wine bar.

The Saguro Palm Springs, 1800 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California.

ARTmonday: Arite Kannovas

During my Sunday afternoon catching up on what’s been posted on design blogs this week, I spotted an image on The Design Files blog that led me to painter Arite Kannovas. It was the bedroom of Melbourne stylist Heather Nette King. Above her bed, she hung a newly acquired painting by the artist. Turns out King’s blog is quite fantastic as well, and promptly added it to Google Reader.

Back to Arite Kannovas. According to Daily Imprint (another blog worth a follow), Arite, who also lives in Melbourne, both paints and designs textiles. Her use of color is fantastic, and King’s crisp white room is just the way to show it off. (My favorite is “Eye Candy”, in case anyone who loves me is reading this.)

The home of stylist Heather Nette King.

A sampling of work by Arite Kannovas represented by Gilligan Grant Gallery:

Highlight

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Reunited

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Cape Imagination

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Phosphorus Prospect

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Endeavor

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Eye Candy

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Just Visiting

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The Space Between Here and There

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Wondering Can Lead to Knowing