ann kent

Friday Bug and A Book: Andy Warhol, Fashion

I found Grace Bonney's Twitter account recently and noticed that she has a little feature called "Friday Bugs" wherein she articulates a pet peeve.  Well, I thought that was a bit of a dandy idea under the right circumstances and of course, I had something in mind immediately.

A few days ago, I meandered through the shoe department at my favorite discount store and this particular shoe department was HUGE with names like COACH, Dolce & Gabbanna, Juicy - yes, the names that we covet.  And so, I was enjoying my leisurely stroll. 

Suddenly, I heard a young boy say excitedly, "Wow, look at all these different shoes!"  I smiled but then ... SMASH.  His mother responded, "Yes, and what is the point of that?"  I shuddered.  What a horrifying response and what a perfect way to destroy that boy's appreciation for creativity and variety.  I looked at the mother and sure enough, she clearly had no interest in clothing as a means of creative expression.  Well, that was a sad moment for me. 

On a lighter note, I found the loveliest book which documents Andy Warhol's fashion illustrations from the 1950s when he was a well regarded advertising illustrator and commercial artist for Barney's, Neiman Marcus, I. Miller, Glamour, Mademoiselle, and Harper's Bazaar.  The book, Andy Warhol, Fashion, is out of print and, therefore, not easy to acquire; however, one can usually find a copy here.  Here are a few illustrations from the book:

 

Enjoy the weekend!

 

One Step.

                            

I am presently reading Loving Frank.  The book is categorized as historical fiction and is based upon the relationship between Frank Lloyd Wright (the famous prairie style architect) and a client's wife, Mamah.  The relationship began while Frank and Mamah were married to others with nine children between them.  The funny thing about accidently stumbling upon this book, is that years ago my college roommate received a copy of correspondence written by FLW to a friend of his explaining this relationship in the context of his long term marriage.  The letter was fascinating as it was a peek into the soul of a very talented, intelligent, artistic man.  The thoughts expressed were very personal and I was privileged to read them. 

Loving Frank is fascinating to me.  The protagonist (FLW's lover, Mamah) at one point compliments her friend's art, a form of photograpy, stating that she is enormously talented and must find time for her art.  The friend is now pregnant with her third child and explains that since she began having children she has not practiced her art.  In the book, Mamah further explains, although not to her friend, that she is jealous that her friend has found her artistic voice for Mamah has the most pressing desire to find hers (it may be writing) and is thoroughly tormented because she has not. 

That is how I feel.  I have a creative voice that must be expressed; however, I have not found the means.  I am embarking on a new on-line course tomorrow and I hope it is a little beginning to finding my means of expression (Unravelling, the e-course).

The images above are the bookcover, the Darwin D. Martin house (designed by FLW) in Buffalo, NY, and Fallingwater (also designed by FLW) in Pennsylvannia.  I also posted about Fallingwater here.

1000 Tiles, Ten Centuries Of Decorative Ceramics - The Book

        

   

One day in my travels, I discovered this book (shhhh, it was at Homegoods for a mere $9.99) .  The weight of the book, the smooth cover in muted tones, and the thousands of pictures of colorful tiles attracted me and I brought it home.  I wasn't sure why at the time but I just knew that some day, I would find a little nugget of inspiration in this wonderful book and I have.  The tile samples are a perfect lesson in color and hue.  For example, I found a beautiful combination of a muted brown and a pale blue that struck me in a way that is new to me and will now be with me forever.  The illustrations in the tiles also provide fodder for countless illustration ideas.  

The author, Gordon Lang, was an expert in Sothebys' Ceramics Department for seventeen years and was director of the Asian-Arts program there.  The book was published in 2004 by Chronicle Books.   I love this book and and I love that it is within easy reach on my IKEA Expedit shelves.  You may love it too!