Jimmy Carter Would Understand

I’m ashamed to admit two things: First, I hadn’t been to the DMA (aside from a luncheon or two, or a gala benefit or two) in at least 10 years. On Saturday afternoon when the weather was grand, I wandered around the sculpture garden and then mostly inside the galleries where the modern art was. It was all pretty much the same, except the Stake Hitch was gone. We still have two Pollacks, a Franz Klein, and a Motherwell or two, among the smattering.

Now, for the second thing I’m ashamed of: I lusted in my heart for one of the paintings by Mexican surrealist Leonora Carrington, whose work is on display inside the Rachofsky gallery. I thought about what I would do, and how far I might go, to steal it. I’d never before seen or heard of her work, and I hesitate to even attempt to show it here for you. The brushwork and the quality of the painting is so heartbreakingly beautiful that it gets lost in translation. The subject matter is so wonderfully unexpected. The painting I wanted to rip off the wall and run with depicted nuns. I couldn’t find it on the Internet to show you, so you’ll need to go see it yourself. Honestly, it’s one of the most quietly exciting shows I’ve experienced in Dallas. It closes in 5 days.

[Leonora Carrington]

Orion’s Closing Sale

Anyone who has driven through what will be called “Lower Oak Lawn” (I couldn’t agree with you more, Peggy—what an awful new name) has noticed the large “Retirement Sale” banner in front of Orion Antique Importers. It’s true: after 33 years in the business, owners David and Shelley Stevens have decided to retreat to retirement, and are offering their antiques at a discount to the masses. You’ll see bargain prices listed on bright orange tags—any leftovers will be shipped to auction. Art director Andrea Tomek and I spotted European crystal chandeliers (one with hand-blown Venetian glass), a set of four Italian armchairs with embroidered fabric ($16,000 for the set), and an impressive—and already sold—gold and china goddess sculpture ($12,500). I’d still have to sell my car for most pieces, but for antique collectors, there are deals to be had.

Lower Oak Lawn?

I just got back in town and read about this in Dallas Dirt. After all the efforts to have a cohesive design district, including arts and antiques, and showrooms, I can’t believe the choice of names would be Lower Oak Lawn. What happened to the Dallas Art and Design District? That kind of reinforces the area, and makes it the kind of shopping destination that it should be all over the Southwest. It’s great to have restaurants, we’ve wanted them forever, but what do you lose in the translation, if you don’t have the D word (decorative or design) anywhere? I agree with Martha Tiller, I think some store owners that have been in the area forever are going to be pretty unhappy.

D Home Determines Best Chocolate Ever

I won’t give it up yet. Jessica Elliott has sworn me to secrecy, but the answer will appear in our May/June Best of Everything issue. Until then, here’s a tip to take the chance out of choosing. No more “life is like a box of chocolates.” Caramel centers are often square; cream centers are usually round; liqueur centers are typically foil wrapped–avoid these–and truffle, toffee, and peanut butter are usually covered in milk chocolate. It’s not rocket science. Repeated taste tests, sugar highs, and weight gain will reveal these basic chocolate truths. The lengths I go for the readership.