Category Archives: Art Monday

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

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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

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ARTmonday: Heidi Lender

Fashion journalist/stylist-turned-yoga instructor-turned photographer Heidi Lender’s self portrait series “Once Upon” began as a self-imposed weekly photo assignment. The directive — “Stand on a bench. Make sure it’s Monday. Wear something pretty.” — transformed into a “Who am I?” photo-tale. As she examines the characters she becomes depending on what she wears, we peek inside her closet, a colorful, a menagerie of clothes and accessories amassed on her journeys. It’s fashion-meets-decor, which I can’t resist.

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ARTmonday: Tim Bavington

Las Vegas based artist Tim Bavington is known for his vertically-oriented stripe paintings. While many of his works are rigid, the ones I like best are blurred and drippy. The paintings are abstract interpretations of music.

Using synthetic polymer paint, Bavington  translates guitar solos, melodies, and bass lines, including those from The Darkness, Oasis, and The Rolling Stones, into vibrant bands of color. Although Bavington has a method that designates sound to color and composition, the paintings are not literal translations.

He also creates some that have an ink-blot sort of feel, though I’m not certain these are also related to music.

Step In (Out), 2007
synthetic polymer on canvas
Installation at Las Vegas Diaspora at Las Vegas Art Museum, 2007
Collection Mondstudio, Hamburg, Germany

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Cannonball, 2010
synthetic polymer and ink on paper
Collection of Museum of Fine Arts Houston

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Blue Monday, 2010
synthetic polymer and ink on paper

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Get Happy!, 2010
synthetic polymer and ink on paper

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Get Happy!, 2009
synthetic polymer on canvas

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Happy Today, 2009
synthetic polymer on canvas

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Up In Suze’s Room, 2009
synthetic polymer on canvas

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Jump, 2006
synthetic polymer on canvas

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Buddy Holly(Weez), 2007
synthetic polymer on canvas

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Heart Above Head, 2011
synthetic polymer on canvas

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Cold Fire, 2009
synthetic polymer on canvas

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Study for Manic (Positive), 2010
synthetic polymer on canvas

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Heart Above Head #3, 2011
synthetic polymer on canvas

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Bold as Love, 2010
synthetic polymer on canvas

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Falling Down, 2009
synthetic polymer on canvas

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Heart Above Head #5, 2011
synthetic polymer on canvas

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Bavington’s work is included in the collections of MoMA, Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego, Portland Art Museum in Oregon, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the Denver Art Museum, among others.

He is represented by Jack Shainman Gallery in NYC and Mark Moore Gallery in Santa Monica.

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ARTmonday: Lee Essex Doyle “Dreams of Dawnridge”

Boston-based artist (and one of my dearest friends) Lee Essex Doyle is showing her newest series of paintings, “Dreams of Dawnridge” at Child’s Gallery in Boston. It’s on view until this Saturday, January 21, so if you’re on Newbury Street, try to pop in for a look. They’re absolutely beautiful. The pieces are based on L.A. artist and designer Tony Duquette’s ornate home, called Dawnridge.

“Double Sunburst”

“Library Altar”

“Thai Cockatoo”

“Malachite and Bird Cages”

“Red Interior”

“Ducommon Console and Mirror”

“Green and Yellow Interior”

“Garden Antelope”

See images from Lee Essex Doyle’s “Postcards from India” series.

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