That's All Folks!

You may have been wondering where I have been. I've been around, mostly here. Out of town some. Doing a little of this and that.

As you can probably tell from both the lack of posts and lack of interesting topics, I'm a little bored. You have probably also noticed that my posting partner has become more of a silent partner... She is around too, but mostly there rather than here.

So I am going say peace out y'all. I may be back. Jenny may be back. We'll play it by ear.

But before I leave, there are just a few more things to say...

1) This is my favorite painting. It doesn't match my personality or taste at all. But I have always loved it.

The Figure 5 in Gold

by Charles Demuth circa 1928

2) This is by Iain Faulkner:

(Self portrait, I believe...)

He is a brilliantly talented painter from Scotland. I stumbled upon his work one day while googling. He is a modern day Edward Hopper.

I just felt like you should know who he is.

3) Art should make you smile.

Ron Krajewski

Dog Art Studio

Thank you so much for reading (really). Thank you.

Until next time... :)

Dogs Throughout Art History

Young Woman and Bearded Collie with a Water Pitcher

Whistler's Mother and her Maltese

The Kiss

Mona's Boston

Creation of Adam with Strategically Placed Chihuahua

Basset Van Gogh

Father, Daughter, Basset

The Accolade with Weimaraners

Want More...? Check out the whole Masterpiece Dogs series by Jean Batzell Fitzgerald.

Found on Etsy

I have a pretty big weakness when it comes to small, sweet watercolors. I could fill my whole house with them.

I also have a pretty big (okay, gigantic) weakness for all kinds of animals. So naturally, I am easy prey for shops like Eastwitching.

Get ready to say "awww."

Awww! How wonderful is that?! They are practically bouncing off the paper. I love the movement that the watermarks create. And those shadows are beautifully done, effortless really. They take the painting to the next level.

And these. Y'all know how much I love paintings of cows:

Awww (or should I say moo?).

And how handsome is he:

Awww. What a fabulous but regal bird, decked out head to toe in hot pink.

And even these lizards are cute!

And what's this, a rabbit in a tennis skirt?

Of course! And again with those beautiful shadows.

But here is the best part, the reason why Wales-based Eastwitching has me so spellbound:

She will paint a 8 x 10 watercolor portrait of your dog (or cat, or bunny) for $49.00!

I KNOW!

Huckleberry the Basset, who turns six-years-old this July 12, is primping for his close up as we speak. He has requested that his handsome French mug be surrounded by a lots of those lovely little watermarks. Of course, I am more than happy to oblige and check into that for him.

Bad (but awesome) Craigslist Art

Just for kicks, I headed over to the arts and craft section of my local craigslist last night. (I know, exciting evening.)

Well... one thing let to another... and 10 minutes became an hour...and...well, let me just say that Craiglist never disappoints. Here are a few of my favs:

Laser Engraved Harry Houdini Wall Hanging - $250 (Advance)

"I have a Laser engraved wall hanging of Harry Houdini for sale. I made this for a customer that never paid for it . I am asking $250 OBO . If with in 50 miles i can deliver." listing

Honestly, why would anyone other than David Blaine commission this?

Can't decide between Neesie, Jaws or Godzilla for Halloween this year? Problem solved.

sea monster costume RAD- $100 (Red Hood)

"hand made paper mache sea monster/shark/godzilla costume....used for the Mermaid Parade and now want topass on this magicalness for a Halloween costume sure to scare little children. Asking $100 for the time and materials it took to make, but given its been used make an offer! Can deliver for an addition $10 otherwise pick up in Red Hook. (the "hair" in the back lays flat, it was just windy)" listing

Okay, this next one is weird. Not only is it weird because it is a 9 x 12 pencil drawing of "Chucky's Bride" but it appears to have been posted from inside of a prison.

Inmate Art for Bachelor Pad 35 for all or 20 each - $35 (Dallas)

"Will meet within reasonable distance. Will mail for 3.00. If you have a picture and would like the artist to draw it, that can be arranged as well. Will be great for a bachelor pad. " listing

His Snoop Dog portraits aren't bad, actually. He also has pole dancer portraits available too, just in case you are in the market.

And this last one has to be my favorite, even though I have no idea who or what a "Brak" is. I wouldn't want it in my house but, you know, artistically speaking... it is pretty good. Plus the listing is hilarious.

Handpainted Cardboard Life-sized BRAK! - $55 (Acworth/Kennesaw)

"Super awesome life-sized rendering of Brak, from Cartoon Planet and the Brak show. Approximately 65" tall, including sousaphone? Tuba? Instrument of glory? Ex-boyfriend HAND-PAINTED this guy for my birthday, and he just needs a good, loving home. This thing is one of a kind (i know, i just googled it). I'm pretty sure you can't buy a Brak this big anywhere else. Don't miss out!" listing

Art for Mac Nerds

1) Margritte's Son of Man.

2) An ode to the Apple nano:

Nano Chromatic via Cult of Mac

Virginia based industrial designer and sculptor Kyle Buckner did this while he was in design school. You can now pick one up for yourself on his website for $4800.00.

Man Ray's Tragic Muse

Kiki de Montparnasse was Man Ray's model and lover. She was certaintly something. Take a look at this film, shot by Man Ray in the 1920's. You'll see what I mean. (Warning, there is are a few seconds of artistic nudity.)

She was a beautiful, talented mess. A woman not unlike other famous messes of the time. Like Zelda Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe, she was on a collision course with life and naturally, she found herself an artist to document it all.

Photo by Man Ray

Circa 1920

While she is portrayed in art as a beautiful and carefree creature (thanks largely to shameless self-promotion), her life was in reality very different. Abandoned by her mother and raised by relatives, Kiki (born Alice Prin) made her own way in the world from a very young age. She worked odd jobs as a girl and became a nude model at age 14 in Paris. There she met the artist known as Man Ray.

Man Ray was born in Pennsylvania. The son of Russian-Jews, his name was changed from Emmanuel Radnitzky to Ray by his family when he was 22. He began his career in the US, married, divorced and moved to Paris after WWI.

When Kiki met Man Ray he had already made the transition towards a new form of expression, created by his friend Duchamp. As a champion of Da Da, Man Ray rejected traditional art. He turned his focus to found objects, photography and shock for shock's sake.

Kiki worked with and loved Man Ray for over half a decade, only to have her heart broken by the artist when he left her for another woman. She went on to become both a dancer and a painter but her career fizzled as war reignited in Europe. Her life turned dark and she died at age 52, broke and addicted.

Man Ray's most famous work, Le Violon d'Ingres features Kiki with her back towards the viewer. Man Ray (who really invented what we now call"photoshopping") superimposed two f-holes on her back, making her curves look like the body of a violin.

Le Violon d'Ingres by Man Ray

circa 1924

The Getty Center, Los Angeles

This work is very telling. It sums up her relationship with Man Ray and sadly, her life. Kiki literally becomes an instrument to be played by men.

There is now a very expensive chain of lingerie boutiques named after Kiki de Montparnasse. And while I'm sure the store's owners found it clever, I think their choice in name is rather sad. Sadder is that the store's website says nothing about where they got their name. The woman, who died young after a life of drugs, burlesque shows and exploitation by bohemian artists is used as an instument again, this time to sell underwear.

Not Art (well...that depends)

This post is not about art, it is about home decorating. Of course, home decorating can definitely be art, depending who's doing it.

Take Dorothy Draper for example. The woman was without a doubt a brilliant artist. Her use of pattern, color and sculptural furniture will make you stop, stare, gasp, scratch your chin and shake your head in disbelief all at the same time. I'll confess that my reaction to seeing Draper's work in person was kind of similar to the reaction I had when I first saw Sistine Chapel. Amazement.

The Greenbrier

White Sulfer Springs, West Virginia

Photo via Victoria Magazine

(Yes, I just compared Draper to Michelangelo and the Greenbrier to the Vatican. Shall I grab you a paper bag to breathe into?)

Now, let's get something straight before I get to the heart of this post. I am no Draper. My house is not art. Got that? Good.

So, my friend Catherine recently posted about making a skirted table for her office:

Catherine's Office

Isn't that the prettiest shade of green? It would be dangerous for me to work in this room. I would want guacamole all of time.

She was inspired by this lovely table she saw over at Little Green Notebook:

Jenny's perfectly balanced console table

She asked me to share a few pictures of my own no-sew skirted table project, which was thrown together in about an hour with some canvas, fabric glue and a good deal of inspiration from my friend Jennifer. It is not nearly as pretty as Jenny's or Jennifer's, but it gets the job done, hiding baskets of dish towels, candles and cocktail napkins.

Here is it is the day I made it, the silver mirror was temporary:

And here it is today. The faux bamboo mirror is much better and the peonies are from my yard:

See, I told you! It all depends on who's doing the designing. My apologies to my shelter blogging friends. I promise, I'll stick to what I know from now on. :)