MAM

I had such a nice day with Brian today! We left the boys at home and visited the Milwaukee Art Museum. We hadn't been there since the grand re-opening, and it is truly is spectacular. One of my happy places was completely modified. Ultimately, it's a good thing, providing for a lot more uncrowded exhibition space. But I'll miss it. The collection overall is amazing. Because the boys weren't with us, we had more time and got to see some of the older pieces that we usually overlook. Loved it. My favorites are still the modern pieces, but the older ones are absolutely crazy. The Larry Sultan exhibit was also going on. Pretty cool. Afterwards, we went to the Milwaukee Public Market with the intention of grabbing some oysters. The whole place was a madhouse, so we ended up for oyster lunch at the Harbor House before doing some NYE grocery shopping. Such a great day.

Inspiration Files :: Art

Mark Demsteader // Merve Özaslan


"Key in the Hand" by Chiharu Shiota


Kurt Pio // Fumi Koike


Sean Yoro

Inspiration Files :: Art

Kate by Liz Markus (via Design Crush) // Series 8 #22 by Nanci Yermakoff


Rocky Mtn. Natl. Pk by Brooks Salzwedel // Corner at the Park by Geoffrey Johnson


“abstract N° 702” by Koen Lybaert // Beach Day by Paul Ferney

Y + G // Day 3

We hit the road early this morning to take Greg & Yvonne back to Chicago (boo....) and see the Bowie exhibit at the MCA (yay....). We could not wait to see it, and it did not disappoint. What a brilliant man! The exhibit took a couple hours, so afterwards, we were starving again. Imagine! Y+G are staying with their friend Bill, who lives the Fulton Market district in an über-cool loft. The boys thought it was one of the most incredible places they have ever seen, and it was. Bill has impeccable taste, and it was wow. Afterwards, we went to la Sirena for a delicious lunch, and Bill joined us, which was such a treat. It was the perfect ending to our day in Chicago and our time with Greg & Yvonne. Such incredible people to be surrounded by. I for one, totally miss them already.

Y + G // Day 2

We woke up and Brian had to take the car in to get our tire replaced. A huge nail thing was in it.  Ugh ... the timing of it all! On the bright side, it meant a little bit of a lazy morning since we had to wait to pick the car up. After the tire was replaced, we were starving (eating 24/7 will do that to you) so went to Hollander for lunch. Greg and Brian took off afterwards for the Harley Davidson Museum, while Yvonne, the boys and I went to the Milwaukee Art Museum. Unfortunately, the permanent collection -- which is the main reason we went there, and I know Yvonne would absolutely love -- is closed for awhile. But, we got to see a few cool pieces and the boys got to make New Years Eve masks, so all was good. Once we were all back at the house, I made a Veggie Arrosto Misto (and under-cooked the vegetables a little -- whoops), we played a new game H got for Christmas, and once the boys went to bed, watched This is the End. Funny.

Saizzi River Studios

Our friend Shank is one of the most talented people I know creatively. Over the years, whenever one of our group of friends would get married, one of the most highly anticipated gifts any of us would receive was the one from Shank. He would give the couple a piece of artwork that he made. Each one of them is so completely different ... and perfect for people receiving the gift! Our friends Andrew and Shelly were the first ones that I remember to receive something from Shank. They got a beautiful graphic textile piece. Leif & Melissa have a color painting hanging in their house, thanks to Shank. And we have an etching he made. Last year when we were visiting his house for his wedding, he showed us his studio and what he was currently working on. Amazing birdhouses! In fact, they were the centerpieces at his wedding. They are absolutely beautiful. Recently, he opened an Etsy shop called Saizzi River Studios. Check it out! The birdhouses are fully functional. Although, I'd be thrilled just to have one sitting in my house. They are amazing.

Bicycle Charles

Early last week, I took a photo of my prized Bicycle Charles sculpture. It was one of the items available  for purchase at the NYC pART PROJECT to raise funds for World Bicycle Relief. Bicycle Charles sculptures are made by Charles Mwanjeleka, a Zambian artist. At the pART PROJECT event, Melissa surprised me by giving me his guy as a gift. And, I guess great minds think alike, because someone else was thinking of her Bicycle Charles sculpture as well. The pART PROJECT was something I loved being part of. To have my friends there was amazing. This sculpture makes me smile -- I absolutely love it.

New York City :: pART PROJECT Favorites

Mark Castator, Heart Lode


Jeffrey Van de Walker, SRAM Field Collection


Lewis Tardy, Free Wheeling


Brian Patrick Pettit, Mythical Grace Periods #2


Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector, Mask Composition with Bike Parts and Altered Deer Skull


Kyle Fokken, American Tourister


Jason Rohlf, Encountered


Kendall Polster, F.T.B. Fish

There was some really amazing artwork that was created for and exhibited at the pART PROJECT. Each artists was given a box of 100 bike parts -- each box had exactly the same pieces of which they were required to use a minimum of 25%. It's hard to choose, but these are among my personal favorites.

Vintage Travel Posters

I may have overdone it on the images this time, but I'm honestly such a sucker for vintage posters. And vintage travel posters? Shut up! Such great stuff. Of course, it could be that preparing for our upcoming vacation is completely putting me in full-blown wanderlust mode. Image from the Boston Public Library's flickr account via Gems.

Milwaukee Art Museum

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Nancy, 1968

Chuck Close

The Green House, Murnau, 1911

Gabriele Münter

Street at Schöneberg City Park, 1912-13

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Dandelion, 1970 & Untitled, 1970

Harry Bertoia

Homage to the Square-Early Rising, 1961

Josef Albers (I'm a big fan of his wife, Anni's, work too)

Paysage (Landscape), 1952

Nicolas de Staël

I've mentioned before, that one of my favorite places in the world is the Milwaukee Art Museum. Despite the fact that we are members, I haven't been since summer. When the boys went back to school in the fall, one thing on my to-do list was to visit the museum. By myself. Do you think that ever happened? Of course not. So the beginning of this week, I told myself that today would be the day I went there. I can't remember the last time I've wandered the museum by myself, and I left wondering why I don't do it more. It's beyond inspiring, and kind of my happy place. The museum has an excellent collection, ranging from a mummy coffin dating 500-250 BC, to current works. But my favorite pieces, by far, are the photorealism paintings, their collection contemporary artwork and German Expressionism pieces. I honestly think I could live in the Mrs. Harry L. Bradley Collection wing. I also caught the last few days of the Accidental Genius exhibit, which was quite inspirational, featuring self-taught artists. Some of them didn't even start painting until 41 or in their 70s. Amazing. I only spent a couple hours there, but wish I could go back tomorrow. Honestly, it was an excellent day in so many ways.