Lizzie Buckmaster Dove

Birds and insects like butterflies and dragonflies were a major trend at the High Point Market this year. Many believe these soaring animals and insects are popular right now because they represent good fortune and change during these turbulent economic times. One such example is paper artist Lizzie Buckmaster Dove, who brings a fresh perspective to bird inspired art with creative and artistic displays.

I also love her hand cut paper cubes & blown glass domes cleverly titled "Cluster of Ideas." I wish I could display my thoughts and ideas so beautifully!

Link - Lizzie Buckmaster Dove featured at NG Art Gallery

Natural Curiosities

Marius by Paule Marrot

Red Sea by Paule Marrot

Fernando Boher Collection

The High Point Furniture Market is in town, which means two things. One - I've had the pleasure of checking out the latest home trends and two - my feet are killing me! With so much great design to see it's easy to soldier through the pain, especially after viewing the unique art selection from Natural Curiosities by Christopher Wilcox. They have a team of over 15 artists and house a collection of over 60,000 images, textiles, textures, plants and other creative objects. Plus, their often large art pieces are "meticulously handmade in America and supported by the environmental vision that walks hand-in-hand with true art."

My favorite ideas ranged from over-sized sea patterns to small groups of sketches. I believe they exclusively sell to wholesalers, but one can still be inspired by their art and message!

Link - Natural Curiosities by Christopher Wilcox

Luke Miller Buchanan

Local Raleigh artist, Luke Miller Buchanan, creates paintings "focused on our man-made world." I love how he describes his work as,

"Stairways, telephone poles, railroad tracks, apartment buildings and factories are all prominent in my work. These are places and things that have been seen or used by thousands of people, each one of them an individual with unique experiences. These experiences, varied as they may be, share the same space. Therefore a street corner may be where one person met the love of their life, and also where someone lost theirs. A room in an apartment may be both where a child was conceived and where a young man died. These events are inseparable from the space, to the individual that experienced them."

The washed colors and disjointed perspectives add even more depth to the stories of these places. Doesn't he interpret and illustrate a place beautifully?

Link - Luke Miller Buchanan

Amanda Nisbet Design

Interior designer Amanda Nisbet brings a whole new look to bright colors and clever object placement. If you are feeling the need to re-organize your space, then don't forget to keep these inspiring ideas in mind...

- Conversational Tables: Coffee tables, end tables and beside tables don't have to be square and boring. Nisbet mixes it up with small round tables, upholstered benches and a tufted club chair. The 3-tier beside table is also a nice touch because it looks great and provides plenty of storage.

- Art & Color: From big and bold to small and sketchy, art can be simple and creative. Nisbet creates striking color combinations by bringing the colors from the room's artwork into the furniture and textiles.

- Signature Pieces: Every room has a special touch whether it's a stone owl, a citron yellow chair or mirrored wall art. These unique pieces add a nice surprise to the space and center the room. What signature piece will you feature in your space?

Link - Amanda Nisbet

Karl Fritsch

Based in New Zealand, designer Karl Fritsch creates breathtaking, contemporary jewelry pieces. Craftsmanship, fine art and wondrous stories can be found within each beautiful ring. The layers of shiny jewels against the rough finished metal is like a fantasy land of delight. Can you even imagine wearing one of these stunning creations?!

Links - Images via Karl Fritsch & Gallery Funaki

Ali Cavanaugh

“above a transient illusion”

“fading into a luminous lucidity”

“a brilliant overlay”

The self-conscious artist and awkward teenage girl inside me immediately respond to the work by Ali Cavanaugh. Even though I'm not a teenager, I feel like the contrast between colorful stripes and curious poses play on hidden emotions I faced as an adolescent and even now as an adult. Her site further explains that she "developed a process best described as neo fresco secco, where she applies watercolor to plaster panels; her figures often are accentuated by stark white negative spaces. Fascinated by the dichotomy of the seen and unseen in the human condition…body and soul…Cavanaugh’s art brings to light the complexity within contemplation. Her signature poetic titles are part of this engaging discourse."

On a side note, thank you for your warm and generous thoughts regarding my Mom's birthday. The day was not easy, but I found comfort in knowing that she would have loved the post and your comments. Thank you again for all the support and kindness.

Link - Ali Cavanaugh

Happy Birthday

Today my Mom would have turned a year older (or should I say a year younger). We would have had a nice Italian dinner complete with waiters loudly singing Happy Birthday and holding a yummy slice of chocolate cake or key lime pie. After blowing out the candles she would have opened gifts including the newest Fiestaware or her latest perfume obsession. We would have laughed, sipped our "fancy drinks" and talked about this week's vintage find. She would have also been embarrassed, yet secretly giddy, about her baby photograph being posted on Please Sir!

I miss my Mom so much, but I know she is having a wonderful birthday above. Happy Birthday Mom!