We Mourn the Loss of Robert Rauschenberg 1925-2008

I met him once, in 1989. He was in town to accept an award. Awards and adulation didn’t seem to faze him, he was Robert Rauschenberg.

He was from Port Arthur, TX. He saw beauty in everything. He was one of us.

Donald S. Vogel: A Painter’s Life

Valley House will feature a preview of its founder Donald S. Vogel’s art this Sunday, May 4, 12 - 3. Vogel was one of the innovators of the Dallas art scene, opening the first modern art gallery in 1952 with his wife and then Betty McLean (now Betty Blake.) His primary inspiration was found in the beautiful grounds which is now the gallery and sculpture garden in North Dallas. It’s not exactly the South of France that inspired the French Impressionists, but right now in the spring, you can see the resemblance.

The $175,000 Bed

This can be yours for a mere $175,000 and is on display right now at William & Wesley, where designer and author Betty Lou Phillips is signing away her newest book. Meantime, go lay on 250 yards of precious Christopher Hyland fabric and look up at the candelier which is not included in the price. (Would it drive you crazy to pay $175K for a bed and then have some naughty couple, ahem, mess it up?)

Rugs As Jewelry

When I first saw this, I thought it was a piece of jewelry. But it’s a rug. Odegard, which has a beautiful showroom in Dallas, just introduced this amazing carpet at Milan’s furniture fair this month. It’s part of Stephanie Odegard’s Mughal Jewelry Collection, based on ancient Indian jewelry created during the lavish Mughal Empire.

Beautiful Mood

Texas artist Danny Williams has spent the last few years working in France, where he drew this. Love the mood. “A World Apart–Drawings from Central France” opens at Barry Whistler Gallery tomorrow night. (There’s a party for the artist, with wine and bites — Barry would love to have you come.) (more…)

Highland Park Artist

Vassar educated, Highland Park-dwelling abstract artist Vikki Holden Davis has a show at Uptown Vision starting April 24, as a part of Uptown’s Artwalk tour. Her work makes me think of what Jackson Pollack might have produced if he’d been sober and on lithium.

P.S. For a really fun, interactive Pollack experience click here.

Pretty Invitation

I had our art department scan the envelopes from an invitation I received to an art auction benefiting The Bridge Breast Network. The outside envelope is black faux alligator, with an interior envelope crafted of handmade paper. You can’t see it in the photo, but the paper has a subtle sparkle to it, and I love the pink and black logo interpretation. The rumor is that Mike Thompson designed the invitation (the alligator envelope is a dead giveaway in my book).

Art Ability Is All About Honesty

So, I trust that you have taken the time to check out our story about Jay Cantrell in the current issue of D Home. If you have, you know that he has created incredible sketches of downtown Dallas as it goes through various stages of rebirth. Cantrell has since moved to Virginia to pursue his dream of becoming an architect, but he continues to show his work in various galleries around town, including Art Ability. How do I know this? Well, the good people at that gallery called me to let me know that they have sold several of his pieces since the story came out, and they needed to know how to get in touch with him. Makes me happy.

Bunny Williams’ “Point of View”

Dallas is laying out the red carpet for famed interior designer Bunny Williams this weekend and Monday. First, a patron party on Saturday, then a talk and luncheon at “Art in Bloom” the annual floral symposium benefiting the DMA, and on to a book signing and fashion show at Forty Five Ten on McKinney. Her new book “Point of View” will be a must-see - she’s one of the most talented and experienced designers on the planet, her list of clients from the last 3 decades is a who’s who of influential people. And don’t forget her garden shop Treillage in Manhattan is the model for all the fresh garden shops that have sprung up in the last few years.

Models at One Arts Plaza

Yesterday was busy. After the presentation at Walter Lee Culp, I went to One Arts Plaza to see the models that my friends at Scott+Cooner did. Of course, they are flawless. But, what can you expect with architecture by Lionel Morrison, furniture from Scott+Cooner, art from Marty Walker and Holly Johnson, and rugs from Odegard? Both models had grand terraces big enough for dining tables and seating areas - just one problem. The noise from 75 made it hard to carry on a conversation. Oh well, I guess you could always pretend it was the sound of the ocean, or, as Laura suggested, have cocktails at 4 am.

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]

POOCH PARADE Info

MORE THAN 150 PRETTY PUPS EXPECTED FOR 23rd ANNUAL EASTER IN THE PARK POOCH PARADE SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT LEE PARK (more…)

Easter Sunday Means Pooch Parade!!!

Pampered poochies, celebs, outrageous costumes (I call this DIFFA for Dogs) and the absolutelt adorably funny Paul J. Williams… be there….

My Blue Heaven: Julian Onderdonk at the DMA

If you’ve been in Texas for any amount of time, you’ve seen the inescapable bluebonnet landscape paintings. Many homes feature one, my grandmother’s for example, over the fireplace. Well, the ones at the DMA, in Bluebonnets and Beyond: Julian Onderdonk, American Impressionist, are much better. And unlike our unpredictable season, the DMA assures viewers four months of peaceful gazing and grazing among the state flowers (March 23-July 20). Sarah Eveans and I got a sneak peak today and discovered why Onderdonk was christened “The Bluebonnet Painter.” (more…)

Home Tour in San Miguel Allende

The homes here are painted stucco and I’m told the painters mix the pigment on the spot, no chips from the Home Depot. Miraculously, they come back in a year and can match the paint perfectly — it’s an art. My visit here has made me re-consider building to the lot line. In SMA, homes are built to the lot line. You enter the door and walk into a glorious courtyard and garden in the middle of the home. This floorplan was devised centuries ago during the gold and silver rush for security so wagons loaded with commodities could pull in and be locked up for the night behind the front door and gates. I’d LOVE to have my backyard in the middle of my house!

Paige Phelps

Okay Paige, even though you referred to me vaguely as “the writer of the blog” in your post at your fancy new job at the News, I’ll ignore it. Notice I used your full name in the title, no less.

At Home with Eva Zeisel

I just saw this fascinating interview on the New York Social Diary about legendary ceramicist Eva Zeisel at home — with lots of great photographs of her house. I didn’t know Zeisel had been arrested by Stalin and jailed for many years….

We wrote about her several months ago, prompting her grandson to email us

Erick Prokesh’s Asia Diaries

Dallas decorator Eric Prokesh is traveling throughout Asia for the next couple of weeks, and I asked him to send photos and diary entries along his journey. These first photos were taken in Tokyo and show beautifully dramatic contrasts, don’t you think? His posts explain the photos, and are so evocative. Be sure to read them all. I’ll be posting Hong Kong later in the week, then Cambodia. Click on the jump to read Eric’s diary from Tokyo. (more…)

New Art at Haven

Haven just started carrying the artwork of Joshua Stone, a street graffiti artist and muralist turned seamstress. You may have seen his work at Also Gallery on Dragon Street or the McKinney Avenue Contemporary. His latest series incorporates enamel, acrylic, handmade and published papers, and thread. And although he doesn’t come out and say it, he must use a sewing machine, too. I think he keeps his street cred by painting under the name “WAVE,” his former graffiti signature. “Beats on the Block” (shown) is one of seven that will be at Haven, beginning tonight at the unveiling. From his web site:

“Stone plans to continue pursuing his passion for many years to come. At least until his own kids ask him something like, ‘how high can you reach with a spray paint can on a train?’ and then…well, then he may teach them the wonderful ‘wildness’ of cotton canvases.”

Contemporary Design Symposium

What do these designs have in common? The architects/designers behind them will be speaking from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Inwood Theater on March 29.

1. Architect Christopher Deam, who has received numerous awards, including one for an Airstream trailer, counts Target, Herman Miller, and Kenworth and has been named a rising star by Metropolitan Home. His other magazine connection is the founder of Dwell magazine, his wife.
2. Architect Howard Elkus led design teams for the design for Victory Park and “The House,” a master plan at Stanford University, Copley Place in Boston, and Pacific Place in Seattle.
3. Designer Karim Rashid has clients including Nambe, Prada, and Miyake, and has designs in the permanent collections of 14 museums including the MoMA.

All this and more for $50. Send check to Dallas Architecture Forum, PO Box 596119, Dallas, TX 75359.

Rococo: It’s Not Dead Yet

Try as modernism might, the less-is-more mentality is lost on some. Celebrating the curve, the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum just opened a show called Rococo: The Continuing Curve. The exhibit charts the progress of the style and includes decorative arts, textiles, prints, and drawings. If you can’t make it to New York City by July 6, ride the waves here. Perhaps a dinner at the French Room, a visit to see “Abduction of Europa” (shown) at the DMA, or a purchase from Dallas Auction Gallery will cure your craving for the curvilinear. I know what you’re thinking, but if it’s been around since 1730, I wouldn’t exactly call it a trend.

Ebby Halliday’s Birthday

Was yesterday. And the bamboo-patterned chairs from her office done by the late interior designer Audrey Price are, for some reason, scattered all over Barney’s shoe department. Or at least they were for the fun D Magazine party at Barneys. I mean, when a girl wants to try on shoes, sometimes she just needs her own special chair…

Nest Loft Features Local Up-and-Comer Natalie Erwin

Fort Worth native and TCU grad Natalie Erwin has exhibited at Sotheby’s Auction House, been featured on the CBS Early Show, and sells her art at Forty Five Ten and other Dallas hotspots. Did I mention she is in her twenties? I’m a fan of the birch panels in patterns inspired by Hermes and YSL scarves (right) and the nest panels (I took this photo, which, by association, makes me an artist, too.), which will be shown–fittingly–at The Nest’s Loft Gallery beginning Friday, March 6. If you are a fancy artist like me (media person), you can go tomorrow night for the opening night soiree, 7-9 p.m.

DNA Art

We all know that art is personal, but this idea brings it to a new intimacy. DNA 11 is a company that makes art from your own DNA. Yes, it’s all about you, all the time. You just send a simple cheek swab, and they will create a modern masterpiece that is truly the essence of you. Doesn’t this bring the “me generation” truly home? Available from MOMA and the website.

Dallas Contemporary

Beau Black and Stephen Dunn hosted a party at their new swank new home introducing the design community to the newest addition to the Design District - Dallas Contemporary museum is moving to 161 Glass St. Their current lease on Swiss Ave ends in 2009, and they have bought an old industrial building that is being magically renovated by the award-winning architect Edward Baum. Director Joan Davidow presented the plans with a little history of their mission and the compelling reason for a contemporary museum as well as the encyclopedic DMA. This is what excites me - it is the meeting point between art and design, and a great way to really make the district a fusion of both.

DIFFA Gems

 Feast your eyes on these pups generously lent to me by J. Pacetti for DIFFA, where everyone is be-jewelled — design by Mauboussin in 18K yellow gold: 55 cts diamonds, 15 cts rubies, 15 cts sapphires, 15 cts emeralds. And they felt like heaven to wear.

More DIFFA

Our host for the evening, the delectable William Kolb of Sherle Wagner International.

More DIFFA Divine

The gorgeous Michelle Nussbaumer, one of the event sponsors, wore feathers. Loyd Paxton and me again, and how I wish you could see those earrings up close…

Diffa Divine

Saturday night was DIFFA in all its glory…..and here I am sitting at Sherle Wagner’s table with Lee Ann Harrison, the gorgeous wife of plastic surgeon Scott Harrison, and designer Sherry Hayslip. (Note to self: never pose for photo next to plastic surgeon’s spouse.)
What you cannot see, but I will show later, is the bling I was privileged to wear courtesy of the one and only Mr. Joe Pacetti: $300,000 worth of it!

What Has Kenneth Blasingame Been Doing?

Helping Laura Bush freshen up the White House, as documented in the new March issue of Architectural Digest. And we know Laura loves green. In fact, the Green Room is her favorite.