Large Paintings

Dear readers, you know how it happens. You get a shape in your head. It won't go away. Then you see colors swirl all about. Everywhere you look is color and movement. The desire to put brush to canvas is almost unbearable. I paint because I must. When paintings are brewing in my head, I like to look at paintings by others that inspire me. Kind of like the writer, who reads everything. I love the look of a large painting anchoring a place. Groupings tend to look cluttered to me. Here are some large paintings that I adore. Hope you enjoy!

Not sure if this is a painting or an enlarged photo. Just sure that I dig it. Love the ceramic dishes displayed on the table. Check out this loft. It's sublime. Lesley's Art Filled Abode via Apartment Therapy.

Love this. I adore ghostly looking works. Very romantic. Brian Park Photography.

Beautiful sleeping area. Very mysterious and spiritual. Image source unknown. Please contact me if you know this artist.



I want these paintings by the artist Line Juhl Hansen. If you are a lover of abstract paintings, you must check out her delightful blog. I love her blog so much I am adding it to my link list.

Claudia Uribe Touri.

I adore paintings propped in seating areas. Love the soft colors of this one. Flickr user ATLITW.

Sarah & Sebastian's Playful Renovation via Apartment Therapy. This South African home is stunning. It's simple and organic. Comfy and modern, with just the right amount of whimsy. Check it out.I adore Aboriginal art. Image via Desire to Inspire.

Elle Decor.

I adore the painting over the dresser. I would love to ruthlessly edit this room. The only thing I would leave on the dresser is the lamp, and I would move it to the left. Too many objects are competing with this wonderful painting, it should be allowed to shine. I would eliminate the grouping to the left completely. Image via Apartment Therapy.

Dig that painting. Dig that wall color. Dig that chandelier. Garret's Repurposed Furnishings via Apartment Therapy.

Elle Decor (I think).

Brian's Light and Bright via Apartment Therapy.

I believe I got this image from Flickr. I love this painting coupled with the dark walls. I'd like to edit the grouping. I would leave the lamp and probably two or three of the glass pieces, but that's it.

I think this might be a decal, but I love it! Again I apologize for not knowing the artist. I need to be more careful about that in the future. I love to give proper credit. Some photos have been credited with the designer or photographer of the room since that's where I got the image. Please send me an email if you know any of the artists. Thanks! xxoo

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the fab mamas out there, and to all the people who love them - enjoy your day! Thanks for reading! xxoo

Image by Meri Meri.

Millennium Park, Part Two

Millennium Park in Chicago boasts another fascinating sculpture. Cloud Gate, also known as The Bean, by Anish Kapoor. This amazing structure weighs 110 tons, and is another example of public art at its best.

It is endlessly entertaining to watch people interact with it. Engaging the people is what art is all about. It elevates the city.

Here is what it looks like underneath. Really cool. I think Cleveland could learn a lesson from Chicago.

All images by Peggy.

Chicago - Millennium Park

My favorite part of any city is its public art. Chicago definitely did not disappoint. Millennium Park is proof of the validity of public art programs. This is art at its best. Art that is experienced as a community. Art that is interactive. Art that uplifts. That is the genius of Millennium Park. The best part of the art is the smiles on all the faces.

The Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa is a marvel. It is made of glass blocks which project random faces inspired by the people of Chicago. Children squeal with delight when a face closes its eyes and water squirts from its mouth. It is endlessly entertaining to watch.

This smart young lady wore her raincoat. Below are sculptures from the show entitled "A Conversation with Chicago: Contemporary Sculpture from China," curated by Boeing Galleries.

This fascinating sculpture encompasses organic as well as satiric elements. It is entitled "Valiant Struggle No. 11, 2006" by the artist Chen Wenling. The stainless steel sculpture behind it is entitled "Jia Shan Shi No. 46, 2001" by the artist Zhan Wang.

"Windy City Dinosaur, 2009" by the artist Sui Jianguo.

All images by Peggy.

Chicago - The Hotel

My sister-in-law and I stayed at The Blackstone in Chicago. Not only is the hotel incredibly gorgeous, we were treated like royalty!

The decor in the hotel was a fab mix of traditional and modern. I love the oversized hanging lights in the lobby!

The art hall boasted a fab collection of modern art. I adore modern art juxtaposed with historical mouldings and trim. I wish I painted these pieces! If you know the artist, please contact me.

They were preparing the ballroom for a wedding. What a great place for a wedding! I adore these silver-leafed, faux-bamboo chairs.

I was so excited to see this chair made entirely of corrugated cardboard. Not sure if this is Jill Fehrenbacher or Frank Gehry's version, but it doesn't really matter. I loved it all the same.

Unfortunately, these vases didn't fit in my purse.

Cool seating. Not sure who the designer is. Italian maybe? Please email if you know.

Swoon. I had a heart attack when I saw this fab sofa in the lobby. Unfortunately, it didn't fit in my purse either. I love this. I could see this sofa in a large industrial, minimal loft, with nothing else.

Chicago - The Catalog

The most exciting part of the opening was seeing my art in the catalog!

I make art because I have to. It's for me, so outside validation isn't necessary.... but it's nice. Seeing my art in the catalog was absolutely thrilling. To view entire catalog, click here.

Chicago - The Paintings

These are the paintings I submitted for the 23rd Atmosphere Group show. The show's theme was Beyond Warhol.

These two pieces are entitled "Sans Electric Chair, III and IV," 2010, 24" x 24" (each piece), acrylic on canvas. They are based on Andy Warhol's Electric Chair series, specifically these two images. The colors are based on the Lake Erie Sky.

For more details, and to see first series of "Sans Electric Chair," click here.

Chicago - The Opening

Dear readers, I had my first (non-college) opening last week. It was in Chicago's Art District.

At the 23rd Atmosphere Group's new gallery.

I am grateful to Robert Furman, who organized the show. Pictured is one of Bob's fascinating found art installations.

Meeting Mel Smothers was definitely the highlight of the evening. He's charming, warm, witty and a great artist. I adored talking to him and could have talked to him all night long! His art is incredible. He's been painting since he was four years old! Painting is a life mission for him. Groovy!

Pindar Van Arman's primary tool is a painting robot named Dahupi. There was a video set up explaining his method. Fascinating. Check it out.

The gallery owners were a little frazzled. This was their first show in their new space, they were running late due to technical difficulties, so all of my art wasn't framed and hung. It didn't matter to me, though, I still found it groovy to be able to say I was at an opening in CHICAGO! I've always wanted to go to Chicago.

I was so nervous, and very shy when it came to speaking about my art. Imagine that. Usually, I have the gift of gab. This was something all together different than blogging. I was speaking about my art in person. Oh well, live and learn. I learned a lot and will do better next time. It was still a lot of fun!

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday dear readers! I am back from Chicago safe and sound. Chicago is such a great city, I didn't want to come home. Here's the agenda for this week:

1. I will be sharing lots of cool pictures from my trip.

2. I am very excited that Jessie of My Mod Style is redesigning my blog. Her ideas are fresh, hip and fun. She's very talented. It's going to be very special.

3. I hope to complete setting up my Etsy shop.

I hope you will share this week in blogland with me! xxoo

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