Delano Hotel Marrakech

I have a new love & her name is Marrakech.

Exotic, Beautiful, Sexy & Exciting!

On a recent trip to Morocco we had plans to visit many cities throughout the country, but after landing at the new Delano Hotel in Marrakech, we couldn't pry ourselves away from this amazing city...and the Delano was the perfect place to call home during our stay!

Grand Circular "Riad" Lobby & Lounge with painting by JonOne

The Morgans Hotel Group recently opened this jewel of a boutique hotel, and we were excited to be the first Americans to stay at the property.  Lush purple decor accented by arabesque design and amazing Moroccan Modern Art made the Delano feel more like a contemporary gallery than a hotel.

Circles abound as the theme from designer Jacques Garcia 

Living Room in the Suite

The decor was stunning and so were the Suites! Our well appointed room was the perfect oasis from the city with plenty of room to relax and unwind.  

Bedroom in the Suite

We took full advantage of the amenities during our stay. The Pearl Spa was exquisite and the Hammam treatments and spa manicure/pedicures were some of the highlights of our trip.  The 3 pools on the property (1 cold pool in spa, 1 ground level lap pool, and rooftop circular pool) were all well appointed, and we took a dip in each and every one.

Since the hotel had just opened we didn't get a chance to check out the soon to come nightclub, but we did dine in the hotel and all of the food we had was delicious.  Our favorite however was the Namakaze Sushi and Rooftop Lounge where we ended several of our evenings with stunning views of the city and great friends.

I'd be remiss without mentioning the exceptional service we received during our stay. The staff at the hotel were all so friendly and helpful.  The concierge Mehdi provided us with exceptional tips for touring the city and arranged for most of our evening excursions.  He literally made our stay feel more like visiting a friend and I know the trip would not have been the same without his insight and service.

Little surprises like this sweets tray from Hotel Manager Sarah made our stay extra special!

I can't wait for my next visit to Marrakech and another stay at the Delano Hotel!

Cheers ~ Lara

2012 LA Art Show

Tim & I enjoyed our 2nd year at the LA Art Show
(2011 highlights can be found HERE & HERE).  

Once again, it was a great day filled with amazing art, inspiration, and quality time with my honey!

I recently began following the work of Ellwood T. Risk, and was excited to see a few of his pieces from a local gallery at the show.  He's an LA artist that often incorporates shooting targets into his work.  

Ellwood T. Risk ($6,000)

This work by Paul Balmer was pretty striking as well.  I love his use of color and simple lines that dominate his large abstract cityscapes.

Paul Balmer "Urban Sun Down" ($16,000)

Italian artist Mimmo Paladino was well represented by a gallery at the show, and I found several of his "Mixographia on Handpressed Paper" pieces very interesting.

Mimmo Paladino "California Suite 4" ($4650)

Shame on me that I'd never heard of famous American Abstract artist Lee Gatch.  I certainly fell in love with the composition and textures of his nature inspired abstractions.  I'll have to take note next time I'm in an East Coast museum, as that seems to be where a multitude of his works are held.

Lee Gatch"Archaic Tree - 1960" ($24,000)

So maybe this picture doesn't do any justice to the work, but the newer series of Butterflies by Damien Hirst just popped off the paper.  They were printed with foil and gold leafing and with the light hitting them they were quite stunning.  Love him or hate him, Hirst certainly sparks controversy in the Art world. Obviously very prolific, he was certainly well represented at the show with several galleries selling his work.

Damien Hirst ($5,500 each)

The most realistic & captivating sculptures at the show were by American artist Carole Feuerman. She's most known for her hyper-realist resin sculptures painted in oil...and I can certainly understand why.  Peering into the faces of these amazing series of swimmers I felt almost certain that they would blink or smile back at me.  

Carole Feuerman "Butterfly" ($48,000)

In addition to all of the amazing art we saw, this years visit was highlighted by few more celebrities...most notably Jack Nicholson.  I'm not typically star struck, but I'll have to say it was pretty cool to see Jack out & about somewhere other than a Lakers game!

Can't wait till next years show!

Cheers ~ Lara

Julien Pacaud

I've been admiring the work of Julien Pacaud for a few years now.  I think I originally came across his digital collages via Juxtapoz, but I've certainly been following his work ever since.

When I was in Paris the Spring 2011, I had an opportunity to visit a gallery opening with some of his work.  Unfortunately, I missed the event and I've been kicking myself ever since.

Mr. Mystere #1

Butterfly Factory

Psychokinesis Club

I finally ordered a signed print from his shop with my hard earned art buying Etsy profits!  WooHoo!

Memories of Tomorrow

I can't wait to receive it, and hang it in the house.

Cheers ~ Lara

Geometric Abstraction

I'm feeling very inspired by Abstract & Geometric patterns recently. 

Jennifer Sanchez

Frank Stella

Dion Johnson

Rex Ray

Cheers ~ Lara

Street Artist JR - My Portrait

French street artist JR is known for using bleak streets in cities across the globe as frames for poignant portraits of people who live there.  He won a $100,000 TED Prize and was granted a wish -- the Inside Out Project.  I was happy that I had the opportunity to attend the TED Prize Wish Kick-off event in Long Beach where a photo booth in the art gallery was used to make self-portraits that printed out as posters. JR says "The rest is about action."  I haven't got to hang my photo on the streets yet...but I need to make sure it's up somewhere for others to see, so I'll start with my blog until I decide what next to do with it.

It's huge & hanging in my studio...

and my eyes are crazy! LOL.

It was a neat experience visiting the gallery & I've enjoyed seeing so much of JR's work around Los Angeles & Long Beach.

Phantom Galleries Long Beach

Phantom Galleries Long Beach

Downtown Long Beach

Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown Los Angeles

I can't wait to see what JR does next.

Cheers ~ Lara

Artist David Band

2009 ~ Cool in this Life.  Acrylic on Canvas

I recently came across the work of Australian Artist David Band, and just love his work.

2010 ~ Joy II. Oil & Acrylic on Canvas.

Asper 35. Monotype

2010 ~ Tomorrow Morning

These works are all available at the Tim Olson Gallery.

Cheers ~ Lara

Inspirational Outings ~ Brewery Art Walk, Los Angeles CA

I had the pleasure of attending my 2nd Brewery Art Walk in Downtown LA this past weekend.  Twice a year, the Brewery Artist Complex opens it's gates to the public,  and you can spend a magnificent day strolling through the studio lofts, homes, and galleries of some of LA's most talented artists.

The complex itself is beautiful.  As you would expect, many of the artists decorate the outdoors of the grounds as well as the inside of their lofts.  

 I remembered & admired several artists from my 1st visit 2 years ago.  It's such a huge complex with a diverse range of talent, styles, and media...but walking back into a few studios felt like revisiting an old friend.  

One of my favorite lofts that I visited (both years) is that of artist Dave Lefner.  His graphic imagery is rather iconic & falls right in line with all of the Street Art rage thats buzzing right now.  He's also a really nice & welcoming person & I enjoyed speaking to him about the work.

I would be inspired to work in this space!

Living space in the Loft

Living Space in the loft

I also really enjoyed visiting the studio of Guillermo Bert again.  For those of you who have been following my blog, you may remember my goal of purchasing a piece of his work.   Well I finally reached my goal and brought home not 1, but 3 pieces of his amazing art.  It makes quite a stunning tryptic!

Artist Guillermo Bert & I in front of his new series.

My splurge! Guillermo uses a laser cutter, gesso & 24K gold leafing to give some of his barcodes a stunning glow.  

In addition to revisiting a few artists I've been admiring, I also discovered a few new favorites.

I really responded to the work of Sam Kopels who develops his own industrial enamel paints to create his masterpieces.  

"Above All Things I must Love Myself"

Binary numbers

And can I please bring home some of the amazing pillows created by Lumi & Co.  They've pioneered their own printing process & use eco friendly materials in creating their textiles & decorative items.

These Horse pillows are perfect for my KY Derby parties!

I can't wait till my next visit to the Brewery Artist Complex!  It's always an inspiring day that sparks the senses & gets the creative juices flowing...and I'd highly recommend it!

What's LA without Graffiti?

Cheers ~ Lara