Artist Spotlight: Jean-Michel Basquiat

Untitled (1960)

A leader in the new wave art movement in 1980’s New York, Jean-Michel Basquiat was an electrifying talent. The duality of his experience brought unique perspective to his works. Starting in the graffiti scene as part of the duo known as SAMO in the late 1970s, Basquiat went on to refine his own style of Neo-expressionism. Basquiat was close friends with art scene elites like Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. Those relationships were often reflected in work partnerships. Key marks of his works include the crown, music, race and self-identity. With success came battles with substance abuse, ultimately leading to his untimely death in 1987 due to an overdose.

Untitled - Fallen Angel (1981)

Cabeza (1982)

Untitled (1982)

Self-Portrait (1982)

Dos Cabezas (1982)

Obnoxious Liberals (1982)

Horn Players (1983)

Untitled - Julius Caesar on Gold (1981)

Artist of the Week: KAWS

If your are even tangentally connected to pop culture and music, I am sure you have seen his work. KAWS aka Brian Donnelly is a Brooklyn-based artist and product designer. He got his start in the 1980s as a grafitti artist, but has gone on to produce world renowned, vivid acrylic paintings and stately sculptures that showcase his interpretation of cultural icons such as the Michelin Man, Mickey Mouse and The Simpsons. KAWS also designed the album artwork for Kanye West's 808s and Heartbreak. I had the pleasure of viewing his DOWN TIME installation at the High Museum during a recent visit.  This post highlights some of my favorite pieces. To learn more about KAWS visit his site.

PHOTO CREDITS: THE GHOST

Live Chat with Anthropologie's Keith Johnson on Thursday, 10/13

Join in the conversation with Anthropologie's resident art and antiques buyer for lifestyle and entertaining tips. Click here for more details.

FOR PARIS LOVERS!!!

As I was skimming through Google Reader today, I ran past this post by Black*Eiffel. A super cool, paper cut Paris map by Famille Summerbell. I would buy this and frame it, but I don't think its up for sale. Incredible!

Book List: A Passion for Blue And White

This new tome from designer Carolyn Roehm takes us through images of rooms she has created using classic blue and white. There is something so clean and crisp about this combination. See images from the book below. Click the cover image above for more info.

Artist of the Week: Salvador Dali

The Persistence of Memory (1931)

Soft Construction with Boiled Beans (Premonition of Civil War) (1936)

For Salvador Dali, using the term eccentric as a descriptor would be an overwhelming understatement. The Spanish surrealist was known for the striking -- and at times appalling -- images in his work as much as he was for his flamboyant lifestyle. These are two of his most famous pieces. One reflective on life in general, the other borne out of a country on the brink of inner turmoil -- much like Guenica my favorite Picasso.

Artist of the Week: Dale Chihuly

Installations at the Colorado Springs Art Center

Magnificent. The intricate work of Dale Chihuly is breathtaking. He is known for his innovation in glass art, including the use of a team. Chihuly's pieces tend to have an organic feel and are marked by vibrant color. He has permanent installations across the globe, and holds temporary exhibitions in botanical gardens and various museums. Check out the link below to view more of Chihuly's amazing glass sculptures and to learn more about the artist.

http://www.chihuly.com/

Artist of the Week: Georges Seurat

Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (1884-1886)

Georges-Pierre Seurat is widely considered the father of Neo-impressionism. The Parisian was the founder of the Société des Artistes Indépendants a guild for independent artists in the city. His innovative approach to pointillism makes his work easily identifiable.

Artist of the Week: Ernie Barnes

Ninety Nine, A Hunered

Olympic Gymnast

Ernie Barnes, a native of North Carolina, became an artist after a stint playing in the AFL. His love of sports shined through his artwork. Most of the subjects of his paintings are in motion and displaying their elongated limbs. This unique style helped earn him the honor of being the commissioned artist for the 1984 Olympic Games. Barnes is now one of the most collected American painters.

Artist of the Week: Romare Bearden

Midtown Sunset (1981)

Quilting Time (1987)

Originally hailing from North Carolina, Romare Bearden went on to graduate from NYU and lived a very storied life including stints as a professional baseball player, studying art in Germany, and social work. However, images that played out in the lives of African Americans in the South were major cornerstones of his work. Among his major influences is last week's featured artist, Diego Rivera. Mastering collage technique is Bearden's signature.

A Poem For My Great Great Grandmother

Red Tomatoes in a Blue-rimmed White Basin

Gravel driveway
Two lane highway
Over the levee
Bridge across the Mississippi
Country roads
Into the cotton cove
Up the wood plank steps
Through the dilapidated doors
Ancient dress patterns on the walls
Red tomatoes in a blue-rimmed white basin
Love in its most simple, natural form

We miss you Mama

2009 Color of the Year: Mimosa

Just in case you were wondering, Pantone has announced the color of the year for  2009. And the winner is... Mimosa! It's a beautifully bold shade of yellow. I have some ideas of how I'll bring Mimosa into my designs this year. How do you feel about Pantone's color choice?

Artist of The Week: Diego Rivera

The Flower Vendor

So we took a break in December, but now we're back with the newest artist of the week, Diego Rivera. I've always been drawn to his work because of its unique style and depictions of the Mexican countryside. You can easily spot a Diego Rivera painting by his use of simplistic forms and vivid color. Rivera was a controversial figure and known communist. He was also married to another one of my favorite artists Frida Kahlo.

Artist of the Week: Kandinsky

Color Study: Squares with Concentric Rings


Like Goya, last week's artist of the week, Wassily Kandinsky went through various artistic styles throughout his career. Squares with Concentric Rings is a display of his exploration of color theory. Here are a few more pieces:

Munich-Schwabing with the Church of St. Ursula (1908)

Composition VII (1913) -- My Fav!!!

Composition X (1939)

Artist of the Week: Francisco Goya

Saturn Devouring His Son (1819)

At first glance, this piece appears to be very disturbing and saddistic. At second glance - well, it still is. But this painting can be interpreted in many meaninful ways. Is it young vs. old? Time vs. youth? Power vs. helplessness? What we do know is that Goya created this piece during the later years of his life and he and his own son may not have been on the best of terms at the time.

What's your interpretation? Have any more Goya favorites? Respond and I'll post an image.

P.S. This is my fiance's iPhone screen saver. He's weird...I know.

Artist of The Week: Picasso

"Guernica" (1937)

This has always been one of my favorite pieces of work from Picasso. Each vignette within the larger piece reflects the tragedy and painful loss during the Nazi invasion of Guernica, Spain.

I know its strange, but this painting is my iPhone wallpaper. For me, it really puts life into perspective and reminds me to appreciate each moment.

What's your favorite Picasso piece?

Find poster prints of "Guernica" at http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Guernica-c-1937-Posters_i319420_.htm