Category Archives: Art

Inside the Peter Shire Studio

May 15, 2018 romicortier@yahoo.com 2 Comments

Peter Shire Studio, Echo Park, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier

Stepping inside the Peter Shire Studio in Echo Park, is like walking onto a playground for art geeks. It’s a kaleidoscope of color and texture everywhere you look. Shelves are lined with completed sculptures and pottery waiting for a new home. Other areas are work zones with active projects being completed for upcoming art exhibits in New York and Milan. And the most surprising element in the room…. Peter, actively working on a massive table sculpture, for a show opening in a few weeks.

Peter Shire, Peter Shire Studio, Echo Park, Ca., Photo Melanie Engle

Here’s his inspiration, compliments of Shire’s Studio…

Peter Shire Painting, Compliments Peter Shire Studio

This is an actual working studio, which is very different than a gallery setting. That’s what made this experience so special for me. In a gallery setting, works are placed on pedestals and are beautifully lit, having been curated with a specific point of view. As you can see by these photos, it’s about creating and storing the works of art, until they’re ready for their next exhibition. That’s why stepping into Peter’s Studio was so exciting, my eye could do the editing, jumping from piece to piece. I also felt like I was on sacred ground, invited to see the master at work. God knows I could never do a painting with someone standing over me, I need to be in a very comfy and quiet environment.

If Peter’s work looks familiar to you, it’s because he’s been around since the 1980’s. He first burst onto the scene with The Memphis Group, an Italian design and architecture group founded in Milan, in 1982. He was the only American sculptor invited to be a part of this international group. And several of his pieces were included in the movie Ruthless People starring Bette Midler and Danny Devito. But his work hasn’t stopped there. He’s continued his iconic style, making chairs and other everyday items, into major works of art. And in case you haven’t been to one of Peter Shires exhibition’s, here’s a glimpse of a his recent show that closed on Saturday.

Peter Shire Installation, Kayne Griffin Corcoran Gallery, Photo courtesy Peter Shire Studio — Peter Shire Installation, Kayne Griffin Corcoran Gallery, Photo courtesy Kayne Griffin Corcoran Gallery, Photo: Flying Studio, Los Angeles

As for L.A. experiences, this is on par with meeting famed photographer Julius Shulman in 2004. Artists shape the world in which we live, giving it life and meaning, and sometimes a whole lot of humor… which we can certainly use these days.

Thank you Peter for letting us spend a very special day in your studio.

Romi Cortier, Melanie Engle, Coco (aka MalibuPom) and Peter Shire, Photo courtesy Peter Shire Studio

PeterShireStudio.com

Architecture, Art

Staging 3339 Ellington Villa Drive in Altadena

May 5, 2018 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

3339 Ellington Villa Drive, Altadena, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

Staging 3339 Ellington Villa Drive was a total blast, and served two purposes. The first purpose was to help out a client who was preparing to sell her home, it’s first time on the market in 40 years. The second purpose, was to create a set for filming an episode of Artful Living. Locations for filming can be very expensive, so it was a perfect trade, plus this gem of a mid-century ranch home built in 1957, was the ideal backdrop for our episode about all things mid-century.

The pilot episode of Artful Living was finished in the fall of 2017. After getting some great feedback from several of our contacts in the entertainment industry, we decided we needed to do a re-shoot to streamline the shows message. Therefore, we were looking for a new mid-century location to film an interview with architectural historian Eleanor Schrader. Eleanor was my instructor during my studies at the UCLA Interior Design Program, and I was elated when she agreed to join for such a special interview.

Romi Cortier and Eleanor Schrader on the set of Artful Living, 2018

If you’ve never been on a film set, it’s a long arduous day. We literally spent 13 ours filming our interview, which included a walk through of the home. We discussed my staging choices, as well as the design hallmarks of this mid-century ranch home.

When it comes to staging, each room needs to have a ‘color story‘ as I like to call it. I’ve learned from experience that a beautiful monochromatic room might feel wonderful while you’re sitting in it, but when you look at images of those kinds of spaces, they can completely die and have no life whatsoever on camera. Therefore, little spikes of color can make the space feel exciting and alive.

For the living room, I used my Purple Hydrangea painting (yes I’m a painter) as the spring board for the color story. I found nick nacks for the room at Marshall’s, Home Goods and T.J.Maxx, with the exception of the purple chenille cubes which came from my personal collection.

3339 Ellington Villa Drive, Photo Romi Cortier — 3339 Ellington Villa Drive, Altadena, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier

For the dining room and kitchen, my Yellow and Chartreuse Bird paintings were the spring board for my color story. I used a few simple items in those same tones, which kept the room looking crisp and simple. In case you’re wondering about the dining room table, it came from IKEA for less than $200, and was a perfect fit for the mid-century styling.

I’m happy to report that the home went into escrow during it’s first week on the market, and many people also commented on how much they loved the staging. We’re working hard with our editors putting together our show, and can’t wait to share it with you in the coming weeks! Stay tuned…

See listing HERE

Art

The Abstract Art of Carla Jerome

April 23, 2018 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Untitled, Acrylic and Charcoal, Carla Jerome, 2018, Photo Romi Cortier

Abstract Art by Carla Jerome, 2018, Photo Romi Cortier

I recently attended the art opening of client Carla Jerome at FIG Gallery in Santa Monica at the 26th Street Art Center, formerly known as the Bergamot Station Arts Center. Yes, as of January 1, 2018 the Arts Center is now under new ownership with a new name.

Carla’s exhibit explored abstraction, inspired by her previous figurative work. To quote Carla, My work is a continuous conflict, balancing challenges and seeking equilibrium. I avoid creating art that dictates a certain response. I believe that ‘art’ allows each of us to interject ourselves into it, to find a unique meaning. She uses layers of charcoal and acrylic paint to build her painting, until it’s complete.

One of the things that resonated with me about Carla’s work, is her use of color. The emotional quality of her color palettes are either soothing, think cool lavender and blues tones, or energizing, with her use of red and orange tones. I also like the subtle line work that references her love of architecture. Shapes of buildings and chairs overlap, creating layered landscapes that shift into and out of focus. The end result are works that are easy to live with, and works that could fit into a wide range of architectural environments.

Carla Jerome & Romi Cortier, FIG Gallery, Carla Jerome Art Exhibition, 2018

If you’d like to see more of Carla’s works, particularly her figurative work, check out her web site HERE.

Art

Kehinde Wiley’s Portrait of President Barack Obama

February 25, 2018 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Presidential Portrait of Barack Obama, Kehinde Wiley, Oil on Canvas, 2018

Artist Kehinde Wiley and President Barack Obama, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Official Portrait Unveiling.

President Barack Obama’s official Portrait by Kehinde Wiley was unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Monday February 12th, 2018. The portrait has been met with criticism by some, and applauded by others. I for one am a huge fan of Wiley’s portrait. That said, I wanted to try and wrap my mind around some of the controversy that I’d seen on social media from those who felt it wasn’t ‘on par’ with the tone and tenor of previous Presidential Portraits. So I decided to do some research…

John F. Kennedy Presidential Portrait, Elaine de Kooning, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

William Jefferson Clinton, Presidential Portrait by Chuck Close, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

What I discovered is that President Barack Obama wasn’t the first to buck classic portraiture for his official portrait. Both John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton are represented by the avant-garde artist of their day. As is frequently the case, stories on social media are tailored to reinforce a specific point of view. Namely, that Obama was wack for choosing such an outrageous artist that didn’t represent the traditional norms of the office. When taking a closer look at the ‘norms’, one can clearly see that there’s been a broader range of painting styles presented at the Smithsonian over the years. Follow the link below to view all of the Presidential Portraits from the last century.

Artnet News: 100 years of Presidential Portraits

I’ve been a fan of Kehinde Wiley for over a decade, and was thrilled to see his paintings on the tv show EMPIRE. It’s a brilliant choice to have a fictional character like Lucious Lyon, a black music mogul, fill his home with the art of such a highly regarded black artist, thus supporting those at the top of his community.

Here are a few more examples of Wiley’s work.

Starlit Nights, Kehinde Wiley, Oil on Canvas, 2013 — Starlit Nights, Oil on Canvas, Kehinde Wiley, 2005

LL Cool J, Oil on Canvas, Kehinde Wiley, 2005

Jean de Carondelet III, Oil on Canvas, Kehinde Wiley, 2013

As an artist, I absolutely love the magnificent size of his paintings, as well as the lusciousness of the background behind his subjects. His ability to beautifully render skin tones is out of this world, and to quote Obama: I was struck by the degree to which they challenged our ideas of power and privilege. Kehinde juxtaposes contemporary urban culture with centuries old postures and wallpaper like backgrounds.

When I composed my own painting of President Barack Obama in 2011, I also chose a lush green background to represent his emotional life. I wanted my image to be reminiscent of a gothic stain glass window with the presidential seal as his halo. My overall theme was about the religious fervor surrounding the election of our first African American President. The ionic column represents democracy, with the red and blue states being represented on their respective sides of the column, blue on the left, red on the right.

Obama and the Tree of Knowledge, Oil on Canvas, Artist Romi Cortier

For Wiley, he wove chrysanthemum into the greenery of the background (the official flower of Chicago), and Jasmine for Hawaii, as well as African Blues symbolic of Obama’s heritage. Like the fictional character Lucious Lyon, President Barack Obama chose one of the finest artist from the black community to forever represent the first African American President in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. It was a bold choice that I absolutely applaud, and I believe it will certainly pass the test of time. Great men must be ahead of the curve, not behind it, paving the way for others to follow.

www.kehindewiley.com

Art

The Buddha’s of Artist Metis Atash

January 25, 2018 romicortier@yahoo.com 1 Comment

Buddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi Cortier

Buddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show 2017, Photo Romi Cortier — Buddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show 2018, Photo Romi Cortier

Buddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, Photo Romi Cortier — Buddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi Cortier

LA Art Show, Romi Cortier, Recio Young, JD Miller, and Melanie Engle

The Buddha’s of artist Metis Atash took the L A Art Show by storm. Covered in nearly 20 thousand Swarovski crystals, her Buddha’s radiated light in every direction, enticing patrons to take countless photos and videos of her sculptures. JD Miller of the Dallas based Samuel Lynne Galleries, was a fantastic host on both days of our visit to the art show.

We were there opening night, and then again on the fourth and final day of the show. Opening night was fun and very conversational with several gallery owners and artists. Therefore, we didn’t make it to every booth. So we returned early Sunday morning and made our way to the booths that we’d missed. Our last stop was back were we’d begun… at the Buddha’s!

Atash sculpts in fiberglass, covers her creations with acrylic paint, and then meticulously bathes each piece by hand in upwards of 20,000 Swarovski crystals. The completed works can be an homage to icons like Chanel, Lichtenstein, Warhol, or Hirst, with a zen vibe rooted in Daoism. Her artwork has been exhibited in select galleries throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, and has been featured in Vogue, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest and Haute Living. And most recently her work has been seen on CNBC’s the Secret Lives of the Super Rich.

If one of these beautiful creations is in your future, then reach out to Samuel Lynne Galleries in Dallas and tell them Romi sent you.

Samuel Lynne Galleries, 1105 Dragon St., Dallas TX. 75207

214 965-9027

METISH ATASH

Where Art Inspires Beauty