SIGNS OF SPRING

Buds and birds have come to my city tree this week, a tantalizing sign of Spring.

Birds and Fruit by Michael Gallagher 

HELLO, GORGEOUS

And so we step into a new year, full of mystery and promise ...

Doorway, Villa Guilia by Betsy Bart

ONLINE ART SHOW: Patricia Burns

I discovered Patricia Burns twice--in one week.  First, while working on a client project, a store owner (who happens to be her neighbor) recommended her art.  Then, a few days later, a friend invited me to a show at Muse Gallery where, it turns out, Patricia was the featured artist.  That kind of coincidence is simply meant to be.

While I found them pretty when viewed online, in person her paintings positively pulsate with rich, vibrant color palettes ranging from Blues to Bubble Gum. [#2 & #4 above]  "I paint purely from the passion of the paint, the moment and my guts," says Patricia.  "Whatever happens in my life inspires my paintings. Family, friends, romance, world events, adventure are all tucked in there.  My personal emotions are in each painting and I can tell what I was feeling in each one. They are never the same."

"I don't have any plan in mind when I start," she adds.  "Sometimes I think the painting paints itself and names itself too!"

After confirming that Patrica Burns' mysterious midnight blue Nights In White Satin would indeed be the perfect counterpoint to my client's neutral color scheme, I found plenty of art I'd love to have in my own home.  In particular a red piece bursting with energy and happiness for my sunny second-floor loft.  Or perhaps one day, in the beach house of my dreams, a collection of her works hung on soft white walls, with rustic ebony floors, giant cushy sofas, a long table with bright and funky unmatched chairs ... and not much else.

Patricia Burns is an artist, filmmaker and, yes, a Moody Blues fan.  
To see more of her work visit www.patriciaburnsartist.com 
or contact her at pfburns@comcast.net
phone: 610-649-1748
Muse is an artist-run gallery in Old City, Philadelphia.


All images courtesy Patrica Burns

ONLINE ART SHOW: Patricia Larsen

Last month in the post Les Artistes I asked readers to share their favorite artists.  In the Comments section reader Carrie wrote about Patricia Larsen.  Patricia's ethereal paintings captivated me immediately. I just had to feature them on Style Maniac (thank you Carrie!).

Besides the gorgeous colors, what I love about these images is that though calm and soothing they vibrate with energy.  And the process by which they arise is quite unique.

"My work evolves more often from a strong desire to create rather then feeling inspired," Patricia told me. "The inspiration usually comes from the activity of painting.  Using materials such as plaster, concrete and found objects such as rusty bits of metal, the search begins.  Marks, shadows, stains and blurs lead to ideas, memories and images that push forward until I feel the painting has said ENOUGH.  I leave a lot a space for the viewer to interpret for themselves, although I usually work in a series as one painting inspires the next piece."

For more on Patricia Larsen and her work visit patricialarsen.com.  And check back this summer for images of Patricia's amazing beach house on the coast of Mexico.
Photos courtesy Klee Larsen--who happens to be Patricia's daughter and a talented photographer.  You can see her work at kleelarsen.com

LES ARTISTES

Paris, of course, is famous for cultivating artists.  But these days you can find wonderful, affordable art in so many places.  If you're willing to go in person and sift through the uncatalogued section at auction houses that specialize in furniture--not art--you can often snag pieces for $50 or less.  Art schools, like SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) and PAFA (Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, holding its 109th annual student exhibit this May), allow you to discover emerging artists before they become famous.  The semi-annual Affordable Art Fair in New York City offers works beginning at $100.  And often design blogs feature incredible finds--like the abstract, above, from Greensboro, North Carolina native Kate Long Stevenson, discovered on The Neo-Traditionalist.

Have another source for great art?  Share it in the Comments section below, or post a link on the Style Maniac Facebook Page. (Become a fan here.)

ONLINE ART SHOW: Denise Fike

 

 

Once upon a time, I visited Denise Fike at her studio. She sat on the floor beside a long roll of blank canvas, a Sharpie clasped loosely in her fingers. As we chatted her hand moved in a swift fluid motion. As she worked her way across the canvas an enchanted world of fairies, flowers and birds sprang to life behind her. Pure magic.

That project, handmade children's wallpaper, is just one of the forms Denise's art has taken. She's also taught fashion illustration and was Director of Fashion Drawing at Drexel University. The two interests--wallpaper and fashion--resulted in a series of works that make intricate use of vintage wallpaper. Although dozens of patterns cover every inch of the canvas, none clash. (I've used these in Redecorators' projects and they elevate any furniture they are paired with. They also make terrific screens.)

Most works are of a grand scale. "I think that's me rebelling against my tiny house," Denise laughs. Her house is indeed tiny--a Trinity two rooms deep in which, along with her husband Lane, she raised two boys and a very large Great Dane.

Recently, Denise has been working on a series of nudes in a flat, graphic style; another series of intricate florals against a clean background; as well as interpretive portraits that capture the spirit and essence of a bride-to-be.

Yet, Denise will tell you, all of her pieces "share the same line." Whether of a bride, a dominatrix, an artichoke or a haute couture hat; whether collaged from vintage wallpaper and metallics, or bursting to life in lacquer-like house paint, each creation is unmistakably hers.

 

 

For more information on commissioned portraits, bridal, pets plus fashion and floral themes contact Denise at:

Denise Fike Designs
denisefikedesigns.com
denise.fike@gmail.com
267-968-1849.

All images courtesy Denise Fike.