Buddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi CortierBuddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show 2018, Photo Romi CortierBuddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi CortierBuddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi CortierBuddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi CortierBuddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi CortierBuddha by Metis Atash, L A Art Show, 2018, Photo Romi CortierLA 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.
Sunset at The Pearl Resort, Fiji, 2017, Photo Romi CortierSunset at Catalina Island, 2017, Photo Romi CortierSunset in the Pacific Northwest, 2017, Photo Romi CortierSunset at Laguna Beach, 2017, Photo Romi CortierSunset over Malibu, 2017, Photo Skyler CampbellSunset over Malibu, 2017, Photo Romi CortierSunset at the Moon Festival, Chinatown, LA, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier
My best sunsets of 2017 takes a look back at some of my favorite moments throughout the year. Any sunset that makes you stop and take notice is a great day in my book, and if it happens to take place on a special occasion, then it’s a an added bonus. With a year full of Breaking News alerts 24/7, it’s nice to take a moment and focus on what was beautiful and right in the world.
The Fiji sunset on January 2nd, was one of the most serenely colorful sunsets I’ve ever seen. There was the finest mist of rain coming down on that 80 degree evening, adding a little extra moisture and magic to the reflected light of the sunset. I’d forgotten that I’d started 2017 in Fiji, so this image is a beautiful reminder of one of the best vacations I’ve ever had.
Sunset on Catalina Island was an amazing day for two reasons. I’d surprised my fiancé with a Helicopter ride to the island, which was fantastic because he’d made friends with the pilot while taking this photo below, who then invited him to sit up front on our trek across the channel. This made his first chopper ride an experience that kept him grinning for hours afterwards. The chopper flew at about 300 feet above the ocean, making the 11 minute journey both quick and thrilling.
Recio and Romi, Helicopter transport from Catalina Express, Longbeach, Ca. 2017
Part two of July 4th in Catalina was getting the news about the surprise early birth of my great nephew Cannon, as the fireworks began over the bay. Someone randomly played the Dynasty theme song on the beach as the fireworks exploded overhead…. magic!! Who could’ve ask for a better day.
Sunset in the Pacific Northwest was taken a few weeks later when I went to visit Cannon, the newly born little nugget. It’s hard to believe that I have three great nieces and nephews at my age…. who knows, at this rate I might get to see some great great nieces and nephews before my days are done here on planet earth. What makes me most happy about this news, is that both of my sisters are now enjoying being grandmothers at such early age.
Sunset at Laguna Beach was a day set aside to celebrate my fiances birthday by doing what he loves most, hanging out on the beach. This was his first time visiting Laguna, which has always been a special place for me because of its fantastic art gallery scene. Sue Greenwood Fine Art at 330 N. Coast Highway is worth the drive down from L.A., and is a must see.
Sunset over Malibu Beach was a very special day, as it included one of the most beautiful beach parties I’ve ever attended, with a very small and special group of people.
Sunset at the Moon Festival in Chinatown was a happy accident. I went there to capture a few beautiful Chinoiserie buildings for my Artful Living archives and voila… celebration! It was magical, fun, and incredibly colorful. I felt like I’d opened a beautiful fortune cookie giving me an unexpected gift.
I thank you for reading Where Art Inspires Beauty, and I hope you’re able to make some of your own magic in the coming year. May 2018 bring you riches beyond your wildest dreams, and most importantly, beautiful sunsets.
Tiffany & Co., 2017, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi CortierTiffany & Co., 2017, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi CortierTiffany & Co., 2017, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi CortierTiffany & Co., 2017, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi CortierTiffany & Co., 2017, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
The magic of Tiffany & Co. window displays burst on the scene in 1961 when the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s debuted with Audrey Hepburn. It solidified the idea of romance with all of it’s endless possibilities… so there’s absolutely no pressure to create holiday windows that will still captivate nearly 60 years later, right?
The delicate details that go into each and every window display are still pure magic. Those beautiful blue-green boxes wrapped in white ribbon keep your minds eye wondering what beautiful treasure might be hidden inside. By the way, did you know that Tiffany Blue has its own Pantone number – PMS1837, however, it can’t be seen in the Pantone swatch book. It’s also copyrighted in some American states… just a few more ways to keep that magic a little more elusive.
Established in 1853, Tiffany & Co. was one of the first stores to clearly mark the price on their goods to prevent any haggling over prices. In addition, against the norm of the time, Tiffany only accepted cash payments and did not accept payments on credit. My how times have changed. The famous flagship store on 5th Avenue and 57th Street in Manhattan opened in 1940, and one of my favorite things about the store is its Art Deco details. If you happen to see newer locations, such as those built inside a mall, their front doors still feature those iconic stainless steel deco details.
Tiffany & Co., Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Even after having been in business for over 160 years, they’ve managed to keep the magic alive. On my sisters recent 50th birthday, we traveled to Manhattan to celebrate… and stop number one, Tiffany’s! If you’re still looking for that last minute holiday gift, you know where to go.
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi CortierLouis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton has paired up with world renowned artist Jeff Koons to create a line of handbags focusing on old world art masters such as Monet, Gauguin, Manet, Turner and Boucher. I only discovered this a couple of nights ago while strolling down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. I’m not trying to be bougie… it’s just that I live a few blocks away and it’s so much fun to take in the holiday decorations. It’s free, fun, fantastic and often inspiring to see the holiday window displays. Plus this year they’ve brought back the Baccarat Chandeliers that are only hung above the street during some Christmas seasons, not all. There’s also a little piped in holiday music, and plenty of areas for photo ops with the hashtag #OnlyOnRodeo. It’s all about branding, plus I think that retailers are having a tough time getting shoppers into stores since online shopping has become everyones ‘easy out’.
As I was walking by Louis Vuitton’s windows I was initially drawn in by the new color combinations of some of the handbags, particularly the ones inspired by the paintings of Turner. The strong lavender-blue tone mixed with the hazy orange tones of Ancient Rome, really did it for me. As I continued to study the windows, I realized that the large white bunny in the entrance, as well as the handbag tags, were an homage to Jeff Koons balloon animals that he’s so famous for.
Jeff Koons Ballon Rabbit, Eli Broad Collection
And then… there are the LV’s and the JK’s on the handbags, as well as in the windows, another reference to the collaboration between these two iconic companies. And lastly, there’s that big blue Christmas ball that isn’t a Christmas decoration at all, but rather an homage to his Gazing Ball Paintings.
Jeff Koons Gazing Ball Paintings, Gagosian Gallery
Whether you love or hate the new handbags, the holiday windows on Rodeo Drive are a perfect exercise in restraint. They tell the story of the new collection and joint collaboration, while still looking festive from an uniformed point of view. Bravo!
Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Fan, 2017, Photo Romi Cortier‘Contemplation’ by Mary Cassatt, 1891 -92Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, 2017, Will Rogers State Park, Photo Romi CortierWoman with a Parasol, Claude Monet, 1875Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, 2017, Will Rogers State Park, Photo Romi Cortier‘Racehorses’ Edgar Degas, 1895, National Gallery of CanadaVeuve Clicquot Polo Classic, 2017, Will Rogers State Park, Photo Romi CortierSunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte, Georges Seurat, 1884-86, Art Institute of Chicago
I recently attended the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in Los Angeles. It was my first time attending this event, and my first time watching a polo match. The temperatures were pushing 90 on this very hot October day. In an attempt to stay cool, attendees were huddled under a sea of orange Veuve Clicquot umbrella’s as far as the eye could see. We tried our best to purchase one, but they’d quickly sold out. Thank goodness for the complimentary orange fans and the faintest summer breeze.
As the day unfolded, I began to glimpse familiar visions of moments I’d seen before in museums, namely impressionist paintings. It’s so odd to feel as if you’re living inside a painting, experiencing some sort of art deja vu. Impressionist paintings were inspired by everyday life, so why not this day? It was beautiful in every direction: polo ponies, orange umbrella’s, beautifully dressed people wearing the latest trends. To be honest, it was more fun watching the guests jockeying for photos ops at the branded photo stations, then it was actually watching the polo match.
However, as everyone stood for the National Anthem, I was both proud and humbled. I was also reminded of George Seurat’s Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte. The beautifully groomed jockeys on manicured polo ponies reminded me of Edgar Degas’s Racehorses. And when a sea of women took to the field at half time to stomp the divots… and of course take a few selfies, I was reminded of Claude Monet’s Woman with a Parasol. It’s amazing how much life changes, and yet stays the same. Maybe we all dream the same dream. To see. To be seen. To make a difference. And to look absolutely fantastic while we do it.
