Today I went to check out the Association of International Photography Art Dealers Photography Show at the Park Avenue Armory.

If you want to check it out it will be in town through Sunday, $25 for a one-day pass and $10 for a student pass.

There was a wide variety of photographic styles represented at the show from contemporary, modern and nineteenth-century photographs, as well as photo-based art, video, and new media.

There were a few standout photographers that I discovered today. One of the busiest booths was for 798 Photo Gallery from Beijing, China. There I saw work of Liu Xiaofang and Yu Xiao, both of which focus their work on children set in dream-like worlds. While I was there they were quickly selling out of all of their prints!


Yu Xiao


Yu Xiao


Yu Xiao



Yu Xiao


Yu Xiao


Liu Xiaofang

Liu Xiaofang

Liu Xiaofang

Liu Xiaofang


These two artists are definitely ones to watch.

Damien Hirst launches his own website. See the artists at work in the live feed of his studio.

I have to admit that as of late
I’ve had a bit of an obsession with skulls.

Evidence A:



Evidence B:



Evidence C:



But the work of James Hopkinsitakes things to a whole other level.

Do you see what I mean?
(wink wink)

Talk about a curated bookshelf!

Yesterday I tried my hand at designing athletic shoes based on the work of some of my favorite artists. I’ve come to find out that I wasn’t the first to think of this neat little mash-up.iApparently athletic shoemakers have teamed up with well-known artists a handful of times to create some really beautiful kicks.

Keith Haring for Tommy Hilfiger Footwear

Jean-Michel Basquiat inspired sneakers for Reebok



Roy Lichtenstein for Puma

All this messing around trying to make Jeremy Lin sneakers got me thinking that it would be amazing to see how much I could stretch the limits of Nike iD as an artistic tool. So I decided to try my hand at making a few pairs shoes, but instead of Lin as my muse I used three of my favorite artist’s work as inspiration.

Here are the results.

Ian DavenportiPuddle Painting: Small Blue







Roy Lichtenstein, Blam!

Kenny ScharfiHouston Street Mural









In addition to Nike iD I found out that both Vans and Converse have websites that allow you to design your own sneakers!

The moment I first saw the work of photographer Gregory Crewdson, I was speechless. I couldn't believe that the magnificent images I was looking at were photographs and not paintings that came from the artist' imagination. Recently I came across this video that explains how he sets us photographs up like a movie set and waits for that perfect moment to capture an image. It's truly remarkable how every painstaking detail is accounted for. I would highly recommend taking a few minutes to watch this video, you won't regret it.






The current issue's GUEST HOUSE featuring interior designer Kara Mann features my absolute favorite piece by Gregory Crewdson from the Natural History Series.. Sadly, I lost it in an auction and almost a year later, when I started putting together the piece on Kara, I found out she had one it!

Gregory Crewdson, Untitled from the Twilight Series 1998-2002





Gregory Crewdson, United (Bear with Pool of Milk) 1962





Gregory Crewdson Untitled from the Natural Wonder Series, 1991

If you've explored the current issue, then you may have seen the giant chocolate glazed donut that I have hanging above the fireplace in the LIVING ROOM. This piece, entitled "Chocolate Donut in Space," is by artist Kenny Scharf. Scharf's vibrant use of color and fantasy-inspired works are what have kept him popular for 20+ years. Currently, he is exhibiting work at Paul Kasmin Gallery in NYC. There's only one week left to see a series of his donut paintings entitled "Three Dozen" as well as several large murals of his entitled "Naturafutura." I stopped by a few days ago and it's amazing how his works seem to allow you to escape to another place in time. In fact, he was once quoted saying the following: "As I got older, as the 70's set-in, and cars turned boxy, and everything got beige, I was like, I don't like this design aesthetic so I'm just going to continue this fantasy which I love."

Here are just a few examples of the piece being exhibited:



Pink Frosted Donut with Chocolate Sprinkles Over a Desert Landscape, 2011
oil on linen



Chocolate Coconut in Space, 2011
oil on linen



Glazed Cruller at Dawn, 2011
oil on linen



St. Paddys Day Donut with Approaching Storm, 2011
oil on linen



Bear Jungle, 2010
oil, acrylic, and enamel on canvas



Swamp Style, 2010
oil, acrylic and enamel on canvas



Moda de Mangue, 2010
oil, acrylic and enamel on canvas

After the record-breaking snowfall in NYC last week and with more predicted tomorrow, I've been pleasantly reminded of one of my favorite artists-Will Cotton. His fantastical paintings depict candyscapes in white snowy settings. Just when I think I've found my favorite one, another one comes along that I love even more! You may recognize his work in Katy Perry's "California Gurls" video. Here are just a few of his amazing paintings. If you're interested in seeing more of his work, check out his website. Disclaimer: This artwork is not suitable for New Years resoluters that are trying to give up sweets!





"Peppermint Hideaway" oil on linen, 2002





"Spumoni Stream" oil on linen, 2005





"Alpine Ruin" oil on linen, 2008





"Forest" oil on linen, 2003





"Nut House" oil on linen, 2007





"Monument" oil on linen, 2009

Katy Perry's "Californa Gurls" video 2010

Yesterday's post featured work by photographer Guido Mocafico. Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon has a collection of six pieces from his Serpens Series. I've only recently become familiar with Guido's work, but I must say-it knocks my socks off. Here are some breathtaking examples of his work. Enjoy!





A 2006 piece entitled Audemars Piguet Tourbillon repetitionminutes squelette from the series entitled Movement.





A 2009 piece entitled Roses I from the collection Roses.





A 2003 piece entitled Leiopython albertisi from the series Serpens Part II.





A 2006 piece entitled Colt 45 Peacemaker from the series Guns.





A still life from the series Delices.





A still life from the series Les Griffes de la Nuit.





A 2003 piece entitled Dendroaspis viridis from the series Serpens Part II.





A piece from the series entitled Man/Woman.





A piece from the series entitled Color Food.





A 2003 piece entitled Dendroaspis viridis from the series Serpens Part II.





A 2007 piece entitled Omnia Vanitas from the series Natures Mortes: Vanites.

One Choo



Two Choo



Three Choo...

CHOO SHOES!

WOW! Look what came in the mail yesterday. This catalog has two of my favorite things-shoes and Marilyn Minter! After recognizing Marilyn's work, I logged on to JimmyChoo.com only to find out the following:

"To mark the occasion Jimmy Choo Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Tamara Mellon collaborated with renowned photographer and painter Marilyn Minter to create striking imagery of the Crystal Anniversary Collection."

“In celebrating our 15 years I wanted to create a modern glamour that stands for the style and imagination of Jimmy Choo. I was inspired by vintage jewellery to add sparkling and luminous details to iconic Jimmy Choo shapes. But these are not the jeweled shoes of the past and instead show jewels in a modern and edgy way. I have long been a collector and a fan of Marilyn’s work and know that she can capture the essence of my vision.” Tamara Mellon, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Jimmy Choo."

For more on Marilyn Minter, visit our Artist Studio.

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON
Beads on Canvas, 60" x 42"



Close-up detail of Stephanie's various work.


I was fortunate enough to spend time with Stephanie Hirsch, also know as the artist Stephanie Dawn. Stephanie is a true renassiance women being that she's a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur, designer and artist. I was able to see her hand-made works on canvas that encorporate beadwork, embroidery, and even actual coins! I have to say that I not only loved her work, but feel like I met someone totally inspiring and full of spirit, which is totally obvious in her work! After going through a rough period, Stephanie realized that one of the things that pulled her though were her mantras. She would post them everywhere and eventually started sketching them down. Being the designer/artists that she is, it "Dawned" on her that these would be as beautiful visually as they are spiritually. That's when she turned her designs into art! Visit her website to see more about her and her amazing pieces. They're like the jewelry to the proverbial outfit of a home!

I LOVE and totally relate to this philosophy of hers:

"Religion is for people that don't want to go to hell.
Spirituality is for those of us that have been there."

There is no better saying that captures the emotion of Stephanie Dawn's first series of works titled "Freedom of The Mind: Freedom of the Soul".

This series delves into the deeper or double meaning of words and sayings with both humor and enlightenment. "Initially, sayings can be static," Stephanie says, "but once we apply our life experiences they can have infinite meanings."

To convey her messages, she bridges the gap between fashion and art by utilizing beads and embroidery, which give her artwork a three-dimensional depth. The metallic sheen of the medium also serves to remind us that the mantras can shine a positive light on our inner struggles, both literally and figuratively.

As I was walking by Kiehl's this morning, I noticed a familiar name: Koons. I literally walked past the windows, stopped, turned around, and walked back. I wasn't sure what the correlation between a modern artist who makes giant replicas of balloon animals and a store that sells cosmetics could be. The story is, they are now selling Jeff Koons Limited Edition Creme De Corps products. 100% of Kiehl's worldwide net profits up to $200,000 will benefit the Koons Family Institue, an initiative of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children. Make sure to stop by a local Kiehl's store or visit the Kiehl's website.





Jeff Koons Limited Edition Creme de Corps. Click here to buy.





Jeff Koons Limited Edition Creme de Corps 16.9 Click here to buy..





Jeff Koons Limited Edition Creme de Corps 1 Liter. Click here to buy.





Jeff Koons Limited Edition Creme de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Whipped Body Butter. Click here to buy.





Several pieces of Koons' work were exhibited on the roof of the MET in 2008.





Here's my very own piece of Koons sitting on a shelf in my entry. It never fails to make me smile!

A constant battle in our home is the television. I don't like it on, and I wish there was a way to hide it away! During a recent photoshoot of my Living Room, I had an idea! I put up video stills of the official trailer of photographer Marilyn Minter's first video "Green Pink Caviar." The eight minute high def video that was made in 2009 is a "lush and sensual voyeuristic hallucination." The video was inspired by a photoshoot where Minter directed her models to lick brightly colored candy while she shot photos from underneath a glass plate. Take a look at how freezing the video in different places creates a completely different mood in each shot. It's practically like hanging a different piece of art on the wall!





















Here's the amazing video itself:

Madonna used the video on her Sticky & Sweet European 2009 Tour

"Joan of Arc" 2010 by Slavery



"Hand of Doom" 1980 by Seen

There was a really great article in The Arts section of the New York Times yesterday about graffiti. Living in New York City, graffiti begins to fade into the landscape, but the truth is, it's a huge part of the culture. A few weeks ago, the graffiti collective Slavery created a piece entitled "Joan of Arc" on the side of a warehouse along the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY. This piece pays homage to a 1980 work by artist Seen (known as the "Godfather of Graffiti") entitled to "Hand of Doom," that covered an entire number 6 train car. These "historical revival" pieces have been showing up all over Brooklyn and Manhattan-all by different artists honoring those who paved the way for them.


Here are some of my favorite graffiti artists:




British artist Banksy is probably one of the most infamous names in the graffiti world. His work has a sense of dark humour and satire. The above piece is on the Bristol Museum in England.





A disused road tunnel in South London was transformed into "an oasis of beautiful art" after Banksy got a hold of it.





Artist Victor Gastelum creates pieces like the above "Guy With Pin In His Mouth" using spray-paint and stencils on aluminum





Here's another of Gastelum's mixed-media pieces entitled "Nervous Guy"





Photojournalist Martha Cooper is best known for her photographs documenting the New York graffiti scene.





Cooper befriended many of the street artists in the 1970's and 80's.

Some of you (hopefully most of you!) may remember Volume 1 of Laura Day Making Rooms For Living that featured my Park Avenue apartment. The above image is a sitting area I had off of the Living Room that featured a piece of art from an artist that I LOVE-Patte Loper. As our next volume is all about art, artists, and curating, I've found myself frequenting Artnet.com, 1stDibs.com, and websites from just about every gallery in New York City. Much to my delight, I found out that Miss Loper happens to be showing some of her new pieces at the Lyons Wier Gallery in Chelsea, NY.

Click here to see her pieces as well as the work of other artists that Lyons Wier Gallery represent. Also, if you're in Manhattan, stop by to see these pieces in person!





You Run Through Here With Your Words of Sand Acrylic and oil on paper, 17 x 22 inches





While My Heart Is Still Beating acrylic and oil on paper, 16 x 22 inches





Until I Hear You Sigh Here Acrylic and oil on paper, 17 x 22 inches





The Sky is Burning, the Sea Aflame Acrylic and oil on paper, 16 x 22 inches





We Had Pierced the Veneer of Outside Things and Scattered into a Diaspora of the Amazing Oil on paper, 80.5 x 58 inches





We're the Restless Hearted, Not the Chained and Bound Acrylic and oil on paper, 16 x 22 inches





I Can Hear Your Laughter, See Your Smile Acrylic and oil on paper, 22 x 17 inches





We're Too Young to Reason, Too Grown Up to Dream Acrylic and oil on paper, 16 x 22 inches

So with Lulu DK on my mind lately (see yesterday's post), I was on her blog and read that she was showing a small amount of her work at Clic Gallery in Easthampton. Being right up the street from me, I had to jump in the car to go take a look!






I walked right in to see some of the best design books staring back at me. Of course, leave it to Christiane Celle (of Calypso St. Barth's fame) to open a gallery that displays books with the same thought as the art! I always love forward facing book shelves!





Notice the Damien Hirst skateboard on the top shelf (upper right) hanging out amongst this very well curated selection of books? I love how it seems so casually placed.





Behold the Lulu piece! Even from afar it's so amazing.





With birds, bathing beauties, beasts, and beautiful flowers, this piece entitled "Hello Minerva" would make me feel like smiling and dancing every time I looked at it. There is such a festive tone to it, don't you think?











Clic also had these awesome pieces by surfer Tony Caramanico. He kept his surf journal from the 60's and a few years ago, he began blowing up, digitally printing, framing and selling the pages.





I mean, talk about inspiring me to step it up on the journal keeping! These are AWESOME in person!

One of my favorite go-to books for inspiration is LULU by textile designer and artist extraordinare Lulu De Kwiatkowski. It's packed with her amazing collages that depict her magical and worldy childhood and tell a very unique design story from her point of view. In a recent revisit to the book, I was drawn to a specific Bohemian-esque collage and it prompted me to find some pretty fabulous coordinating items to start an inspiration board with...check it out.




Dream



Speak



Reflect



Think



Shine



Glide



Sit



Dance



Relax



Lounge



Sparkle

Mary, Mary,



quite contrary,



how does your garden grow?



With silver bells



and cockle shells



and pretty maids



all



in



a



row.

Our current issue has a resounding spin-art theme. Therefore, I thought it was appropriate to give a little credit to the Spin Art King himself: Damien Hirst. Hirst is one of the most wonderfully controversial artists but also produces such whimsical, beautiful pieces with no sense of anger...go figure! Check out our new slideshow in the MEDIA ROOM to learn more about this amazing artist and to see some of my favorites pieces of his incredible works of art!

When I was looking for Bedroom Art for the latest issue I stumbled upon one of my favorite sites, www.nonchalantmom.com and I saw her feature on children's portraits. She featured some truly talented artists, like the above Karim Hamid.

I was inspired to put my fingers to the keyboard and see just who else is out there creating awesome children's portraits. I mean, who better to look at when you wake up than your own child?

Here's what I found:



This was one of my absolutely favorite finds! I mean, how cool is it to be able to turn your own kid into a cartoon?? I'm pretty sure they would think it was equally as entertaining.



Those eyes! Those curls! Ok so this little girl is clearly a great subject but artist Tracey Costescu did a beautiful job of capturing her essence.



I'm not surprised that I found this fun custom silhouette on Etsy. It seems like that's where all of the coolest stuff comes from! You can have one made in any color under the sun. My problem would be stopping at just one. :)



Portrait artist Stephen Bennett is clearly handy with a paintbrush. I love the way his portraits all have a prismatic glow, it's like a subtle Warhol effect!