Artwalk with Michele
Posted by Michele | Filed under Art, Random
It has been a few weeks since I wrote about an unknown artist. It is time to do so.
Let me introduce you to a very wonderful lady friend of mine, Chela Banuelos. We go way back in time to the late 70’s. As back up vocalists for a 50’s Rock and Roll band called “Hot Rod and the Pistons”, we rocked around the clock. Yes, you guessed it. We were two out of the three pistons. One of the most hysterical highlights I recall was when we mimicked the “Supremes” in these gold lame dresses and shoes to match. What a hoot!
Now, let me introduce you to her most charming husband, Joseph Banuelos. He and I go even further back. During that time of my life, I was an art representative. Joseph was the most prolific and talented artists I had the opportunity to hustle jobs for. We had a blast in that industry way back then. Times were different. Life seemed easier or maybe we were just young enough to enjoy it more.
Today, 2008 we are still active musicians but we have our own band and musicians. Artist always find ways to stay in touch. We are kindred souls and keep a tribe of artist’s friends within our inner circle. Joseph and Chela have more than life to give to people. The great thing about giving is at some point someone will take notice of you. The press was soon to recognize the size of their hearts. I also find it interesting that they chose a heart for their identity of their collaborative art gallery called “Amorviejo Art“. Their subtitle “Old Love, New Wisdom” truly speaks their truth. Recently, they came up with a vision for helping the homeless. Read on to hear what the press wrote about their tremendous love and spirit.
Allysia Michelle James wrote an article about the most unusual gallery showing in Santa Ana, California. Most likely, there has never been an exhibit like this in pristeen Orange County.
SIDEWALK ANGELS The Sidewalk Angel Project is unique and emphathetic journey for two artists, Chela and Joseph Banuelos, owners of Amoviejo Art Gallery. As the creators of the Sidewalk Angel Project, they approached homeless persons on the streets of their community and asked them to confess their personal struggles. They would then pay these people for their sings and give them tools to make a new sign. They found the title for their porject on one of these signs which stated “Sidewalk Angel”. For the exhibit artists would carry these signs in a performance art piece. The point of the porject is to is to demonstrate the lives of the homeless people in a way that would communicate the struggle of these people’s lives and to provide a certain amount of individual aid to the homeless.
“Joseph says, We were moved to ask ourselves. “As artists, what can we do to help?” Chela and I decided to view the signs of the homeless as art and started collecting them. Chela would was orginally afraid of these individuals found herself to become personally acquainted. These people and their situations came real to her.”
The response for this event led to another exhit at the 2nd City Council Cent of Long Beach, California called “Home and the Homeless”.
“My journey is spontaneous and takes many twists and turns. The results are pieces that offer solutions to issues by reminding us of who we are and the choices we make. Art effects individuals not societies. Art needs to remind us of our higher selves. When we come from the consciousness of peace we create peace. And so it goes for whatever we desire.”says Joseph.
Chela’s approach is meditative. “The necessity for inner peace helped propel me to begin my artistic journey. Every time I start a new piece of art, I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Since I’m an outsider artist with no official training, I have only an urgency to create to push me through some of the decision making process. I feel compelled to share this experience of peace in my life to others who are looking for it.”
I would have to say the most intriging part about my two friends is the support that they have for each other. The vision is clear with a daily evening calendar of working closely together creating art in their studio. How many couples do you know that spend more than a few bites of food together daily, if that?
There are many riches to have in the world. If you have just enough money to take care of business at hand, I believe life can be good. If you have a lot of money, it can be better if you keep things in perspective. Knowing that I have friends around me who choose Love and Freedom and Peace of Mind gives me the belief that it’s a great world out there!
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Weekenders
Posted by Michele | Filed under Accessories, Art, Bed and Bath, Flooring, Furniture, Interior Design, Lighting, Weekenders, What's New
Dave is off on a little sabatical so I’m taking over on Weekenders. My mind set this week will be focused on sophistication for miscellaneous interior design products and art. You won’t find these in the 99 Cents stores. They are a few steps above in quality.
Home Portfolio - This is one of the best sites I’ve seen for search engines on interior and exterior design solutions. Nice layout as well.
Boyd Lighting - Following that link above I found this lighting manufacturer. Very sophisticated.
Sharon Courtney - For the pianist or opera singer, this mixed media of photography and art is terrific.
Bodum Drinkware - For the hot summers coming up, chill your heat away with this line of double wall glassware.
Debage - This is not my cup of tea but if you want to be a Queen for the Day, the bedding is right out of the Rococco period. Not great for hot flashes, I presume.
John Prince - Plays croquet and paints! Very talented man!
Gus Modern - For those who love the lean modern furnishings, this is simply that.
Giving Tree - The most luxurious linens around. Wow! I’d love to feel what 1020 count sheets feel like. Just might have to save up my pennies.
Green Feet - Save the earth! Bamboo Disposable plates and utensils. Group your table setting with the tumblers above from Bodium and you’ll have great conversation pieces for your next outdoor party.
Wilshire Garden - Time to replace the mailbox. How about a copper one?
Happy shopping and have a great weekend!
“Frisson” Framed
Posted by dc | Filed under Art
London-based interior designer, Kelly Hoppen states that, once a design scheme for your home is complete, it is art and objects that have the power to express personality and wit. They are the finishing gestures that ad surprise and impact. But too often this is the one area that individuals shy away from opting for a safe image over a truly amazing visual statement. In her book “Kelly Hoppen Home” by Little Brown and Company, examples of strong visual statements fill the pages and she refers to the process of achieving these successful vignettes as “creating a Frisson” – a slight jarring of the senses. The dictionary defines it as “thrill, shudder”.
Photo: Walter Urie, Limited Edition Giclee, 66” X 42
Indeed, as a designer of restaurants for the past 10 years, when I focus on the contents of the art and artifacts package to be installed, I try to use “bigger than life” as a guide to create the settings that will command attention in the environment – find elements that can be juxtaposed to create a very personal dialog and narrative with the viewer that they won’t see anywhere else.
But we’re talking about a home here, right? Family photos, the kid’s drawings and personal mementos are always going to be part of the visual mix. It’s an expression of who you are, where you have been and special moments. But if you want to express how you think, try big, try bold. If you need a little enlightenment and stimulation on the matter, check out the works of designers Vicente Wolf, Kelly Hoppin or Kelly Wearstler to see how they handle visuals and objects.
I recently went to two parties in one weekend and both homes, although 150 miles apart, showcased the same framed graphics from Z Gallery. So the thing is, with good design readily available at the malls and design chain stores, it is increasingly more important to develop an individual design vision. To begin seeing what your “frisson” can be, art galleries, with their myriad offerings, are a great place to begin. To start you might want to check out the list of participating artists studios on The Venice Art Walk, which was held this past weekend.
Original art, though the stalwart of creative expression and a terrific avenue to begin a collection, is understandably expensive. An alternative avenue and somewhat more affordable is the growing digital domain of on-line galleries offering both original and limited edition gems. If you are a visual junky like me, searching the net for the next big statement is a thrill.
Photo: Russel Sasaki, Limited Edition Giclee, 36” X 56”
DIGITAL ART
pieces ranging from traditional to modern abstracts, from photography to graphic design – use eco-savvy archival inks and UV protection and are printed out on a variety of surfaces (substrates) ranging from limited edition giclees on rag paper to gallery wrapped canvas, wood, Plexiglas and aluminum. A real plus is that digital art can be very big often offered as murals output on vinyl or even as wallpaper. This output is more and more becoming an accepted part of the fine art world. In fact, a year or so ago, a digital piece featuring The Marlboro Man by fine artist Richard Prince fetched over $1.5 million at auction. So digital is here to stay.
At the recent Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas, many online or “on demand” galleries were present showing their unique art and artists. Players like Editions Limited, Farmboy Fine Arts / Design, Poems Art Inc., Inartdecor, Leftbank Art and Bruce McGraw Graphics to name a few made an all-out assault on the senses. It is important to note however, these firms supply hotels with 500+ rooms, corporate headquarters and chains so their visuals are designed to please the masses. Many of the libraries seemed to be dumbed-down visuals with a premium put on “don’t offend”. Also, because these firms sell to the trade, many do not show to the public.
With ads in Dwell Magazine, Metropolitan Home, Elle Décor and other general décor magazines, there are sites like Studio El and Modern Digital Canvas that cater to the design-savvy consumer. Some of these suppliers will even print your own visual supplied to them as a photo or digital document. A minus with these providers, besides the dumbed down issue, is that there are often limitations to sizes that may be ordered because they are somewhat formulaic. But if the visuals move you, the price is pretty affordable and the impact is tremendous.
Photo: Dean Gerrie, Digital plus mixed media on canvas 30” X 72”
Edgy is hard to find but not impossible. To date, it takes more effort by you to identify your own vision then find the right artists and/or companies that strike a cord that begins to fit into that very personal conversation. Soon though, you will be able to have guests over and experience a little frisson. And you will be able to relax, perhaps sip a cup of coffee and gaze at a piece of art that truly speaks to you – just picture it. -DG
Dean Gerrie is a designer/artist working in Southern California specializing in branding for corporations and organizations and interior design / art projects for residential and commercial clients. Prior to opening his consulting practice he was Chief Brand Officer for BJ’s Restaurants, Inc from 1997-2007. In summer 2008 he will launch Artstuph.com – an online gallery and design atelier. All visuals supplied are from this future site.
For more inspiration, check out these other sites: Vicente Wolf: www.vicentewolf.com; Kelly Hoppin: www.kellyhoppin.com; Kelly Wearstler: www.kellywearstler.com; The Venice Art Walk: www.veniceartwalk.info; Richard Prince: www.richardprinceart.com; Editions Limited: www.editionslimited.com; Farmboy Fine Arts / Design: www.farmboyfinearts.com; Poems Art Inc.: www.poemsart.com; Inartdecor: www.inartdecor.com; Leftbank Art: www.leftbamkart.com; Bruce McGraw Graphics: www.bmcgaw.com; Studioel: www.studioel.com; Modern Digital Canvas:
Dwell Magazine: www.dwell.com; Metropolitan Home: www.methome.com; Elle Décor: www.elledcor.com
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