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

Inspirational Outings ~ Museum Ludwig, Cologne Germany

During my recent journey through Europe, I had the opportunity to visit Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany.  It was an amazing contemporary art museum & by far my favorite museum visit during the European trip.

Franz Gertsch ~ Marina Making up Luciano 1975 Acrylic on unprimed cotton, Museum Ludwig.

I discovered the work of large scale photorealist painter Franz Gertsch, and was drawn right into this unbelievable painting! Yes...it's a painting!
This sculpture by was so realistic that it took me a minute to realize that this wasn't actually another museum visitor! 

Duane Hanson~ Woman with a Purse. 1974. Museum Ludwig

 The immense collection of contemporary art was so impressive & I admired many of the large scale instillations!  

Wall of Warhol's

Some students in the Gallery.

I see Me in this Rene Magritte Painting, Presence.

Jasper Johns

The gothic architectural of Cologne provided a striking backdrop & beautiful juxtaposition to the contemporary masterpieces inside.

Rooftop Sculpture

Dom Cathedral

Rhine River, Cologne Germany

If I ever have the opportunity to visit Koln Germany again, I will definitely pay head back to Museum Ludwig!

Richard Hamilton ~ Bathers. 1967. Museum Ludwig 

What is it with the Germans & the Gas Masks??? They were everywhere!!

On a brighter note! A much happier painting by James Rosenquist.

Cheers ~ Lara

I'll Stumble for Ya...

I love to Stumble!  It's my new favorite waste of time.

Seriously, I look at the same websites all of the time...Facebook (I run a few accounts), Etsy shop, Facebook, Etsy Shop, Paypal...and most recently The Thrift Collective blog.

Tonight as I was stumbling, here are 4 Stumbles that I particularly enjoyed:

1.  The Art of Michael Johansson.  So much beauty in these everyday items!

Michl Johansson

2. Gift ideas from Uncommon Goods:

www.uncommongoods.com/product/come-in-go-away-doormat

3. Hyper-Realism 

Look at the pictures below...Can you believe these are all real paintings??? Check out these Hyper-Realist paintings.  Amazing!!!

4. Here's some New Music!

A girl can always use some new music!  I'll listen to a few of these and get some new music!

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/71Cdkf/wearehunted.com/a

Totally digging this California Sunrise song:

So thats my fun Stumble for the night.  Hope you enjoyed it too!