Jun 29, 2010



So every know and then I will catch something really extraordinary on NetFlix instant watching and sometimes...well...sometimes I just wont. Herb & Dorothy (2008) was extraoridnary and a great documentary. The story of Herb & Dorothy is a facinating and inspiring one. Herb & Dororthy are the least likely of art collectors, Herb is a reitred postal worker and Dorothy is a retired libraryian.

The couple lived on Dorothy's salary in a tiny rent controlled apartment in Manhattan and amassed one of the most amazing Minimalist art collections on Herb's salary. The couple became a mascot for the New York art community and proved that you didn't have to be wealthy to appreciate and purchase art.



The Vogel's sometimes befriended burgeoning artists and supported them during the lean times and once they became famous sold the Vogel's art at a discount. Through the years the Vogel's collected some 4,700 peices before they decided to catalog and donate them to the Washington National Gallery of Art. It only took five 40-foot trailers to haul it.

Great story. Below are five places to purchase affordable art and start your collection online. Be sure to also checkout your local galleries and just like the Vogel's did befriend new artists who you think have potential and pickup some of their early works at a discount.

Keep in mind that it's all about buying what you like and not what you think we'll be worth money. In the end the Vogel's donated their whole collection and made nothing. The art they had amassed would've been highly valuable but for the Vogel's it was all about aesthetics and not about what they thought would sell.

1. Print Society
2. Print Collection
3. The Beholder
4. Circuit Gallery
5. Eyestorm

Top 5 list via Brain Pickings

Jun 22, 2010

Italian Weekend



It's been a hectic week...vehicle issues and work stress but the weather is beautiful and the weekend is here! Gonna unwind with friends, have a good bottle of wine, watch the cup and enjoy life. I've been getting the urge to travel again and I'm zeroing in on Italy.



I've been to Milan and enjoyed it but I think I need to visit Rome, Florence...the artistic cities. Chet Baker, an American jazz trumpeter lived in Italy many years and is a legend there as he is here. Above is a rare-clip from a song he did for an Italian film Urlatori alla sbarra.. Enjoy!

Jun 20, 2010



"Failure and its accompanying misery is for the artist his most vital source of creative energy." ~Montgomery Clift

Jun 18, 2010

Summer


Only a few days till summer and already the heat is starting to swelter...Here are a few ways I try to beat the heat..

Left to Right: 1. Ray Ban Caravan 2. Chris Isaak, Baja Sessions 3. Great Gatsby, F.Scott Fitzgerald 4. White V-Neck, Armani Exchange, Pima 5. Porsche 356 Speedster 6. Odin 2 Cologne 7. Shandy 8. Scotch & Soda vintage inspired swim trunks 9. White PF Flyers

Jun 9, 2010

Histoire de Melody Nelson



Cult classic: Histoire de Melody Nelson for me is the peak of Serge's art...A concept album based on middle-aged Gainsbourg's romance with teenage nymphet Melody Nelson, played by (Jane Birkin). The mix of spoken word style vocal, funk guitar/bass riffs and arrangements by Jean-Claude Vannier make this album a pure seduction of sound.

A music video was made for each song, and released all together as "Melody" a short musical. The best time for listening, on hot summer nights over drinks with your Jane Birkin.

Jun 6, 2010

Sunday Reader

Mark Twain

Library of the Mark Twain house

Every summer I always plan to set aside some time to read more fiction and take in some classic novels. I've had some renewed interest in Mark Twain recently with the news that his Autobiography will soon be released in November 2010 marking the 100th anniversary year of his death. Twain requested his Autobiography not be released until this time. It will be interesting to read the modern-day blog of the old man and his life.

Above is Mark Twain's library. Checkout all the cool details from the hand-stenciled paneling, imported fireplace from India to the embossed wallpaper. I can imagine Mark Twain smoking his pipe reading on the chair or penning ideas about his next novel.

Jun 1, 2010



"I live for myself and I answer to nobody."
-Steve McQueen