Renovate Brooklyn! Day Thirty-Four: An Ode To Art

After shaking up our artwork to accommodate our most recent acquisition (the world's most beautiful painting), I have re-hung the original pieces and added in a couple of other oldies but goodies that hadn't previously been hanging.

The funny thing about tearing down all of our walls was that afterward, we realized we had nowhere to hang most of our artwork. We have been fortunate to have numerous tremendously talented friends who have generously plied us with their artwork, and suddenly we had so few walls to put it on.  But ah-ha! Last night, I hung it all strategically above the mid-century wall unit with the television, and I'm pretty sure it looks awesome. AWE-SOME. 

As I was taking these photographs this morning, two thoughts passed through my mind: 

1.) I am so lucky that this is our living room and that this is our marvelous collection of artwork.

2.) Holy sh---t! I am such a terrible photographer. 

I mean seriously. 

John and I keep talking about doing a tutorial session with the camera, so I can stop assaulting our apartment with these poorly lighted, out-of-focus monstrosities, but when it comes down to game time, I'm like "Yeaaaaahhhh. I'd rather have dinner. Or do anything other than look at the camera. Like mop. Or vacuum." And so I remain sunk in a quagmire of photographic mediocrity. Alas.



Thankfully, my dreadful photos aren't really the focus of this posting, so let's turn our attention back to the beautiful artwork at hand. For those who'd like to know what is what, and who is who... and to give credit where credit is due:

In the top photo, from bottom left and then working our way up and to the right: Photographer Casey Fatchett's "Coney Island Wonder Wheel"; a weird photo of a bookcase that I found online and framed; a charcoal architectural sketch that John & I picked up at a college art fair in Philly, a silkscreen by artist Seth Joseph; "The Desk Clerk/Moray Eel" limited edition silkscreen by Ralph Steadman. In the second photo, from left to right, and then down the wall:  "Sadie" limited edition silkscreen by Ralph Steadman, "Invisible Vibrations" print by artsit Justin Sanz, "Albert's Old Lady" limited edition silkscreen by Ralph Steadman, and then another charcoal drawing by Seth Joseph.  

Sitting on the bookshelf closest to Seth's charcoal drawing is an intricate enamel wall piece made by our great friend Laura Fortune.

In addition to having the coolest name ever, Laura is also an incredibly talented jewelry maker and artist. She made this piece as a wedding present for us, and it lights up my day when I see it. Another talented friend whipped up the custom frame just for this lovely piece, and they're a great pair. It is a perfect reminder of our little house upstate, like looking into a window from here to there. And a great reminder of our friends to boot.

If you're familiar with Fox Ridge, this image might ring a bell, but for everyone else reading... Laura based the piece on a photo of our kitchen upstate, which was originally featured in the NY Times. You can see the article here if you want to take a look.

Believe it or not, we have even more rad work from our infinitely artistic friends throughout the house, so I'll be sure to mention it whenever possible. However, if you see something and want to know where it comes from or who made it, please don't hesitate to inquire...





And then of course hanging across the room from all of that talent is the entrancing Marion "Bonnie" Miller painting. At the behest of various readers, I asked Bonnie a little more about the painting, and here is what she had to say:

"For your consideration: When I did this painting, I was thinking about Vermeer, about how his northern light illuminated not just a space, but an interior, in all the senses of that word. I hope the painting invites the sensibility to enter and dwell in balance in its space, nourished, interested and in equilibrium. Again, I'm deeply happy it's with such an appreciative eye."

I wish I could invite every reader over to our house, just to sit in our living room and soak up this painting. It really must be experienced in person to truly be appreciated. It is like being hypnotized. 

Now, if only I could convince Justin to trust us with one of these on long term loan... 

Sigh! 

Or one of these rad photos from John's super talented brother Peter Moskowitz...

And then of course, there is this phenomenal piece, which at 50"wide and 111" tall, I would have to build a new wall just to accommodate. (And I would, without a second thought.) I have been wooing this gigantic French Tailor advertisement on the Former Furniture website for over a year now, but a recent visit has completely rekindled the love affair. Sadly, I am still as far away from the $4,500.00 price tag as I was in 2010, and don't expect to get any closer anytime soon. 

So much to lust after, so few walls... Even less money!