Friday, October 20, 2017

Jennifer Garrido - Nature Inspired Abstract Paintings


What can I say, I’m naturally drawn to botanical abstract compositions.  Of course I can’t help but admire the beautiful vibrant work of San Francisco-based artist Jennifer Garrido.  Some paintings are done in acrylic and oils on wood panels and some watercolour ones are done on paper – lending them a more ethereal feel.  Especially the way she uses neon paints alongside more opaque neutral colours creates an extraordinary striking effect – evoking the experience of discovering unexpected botanical gems in the midst of some dim garden corner.










Saturday, October 14, 2017

Miriam Haskell (1899 - 1981) - Opulent and Glamorous Costume Jewelry

Talk about an entrepreneur – back in 1924 that is!  Amazingly so, Miriam Haskell was never a designer herself.  Nevertheless, with her acute business savvy, not only did she simply had the knack to recognize the skill and talent of which designers to employ, but also which of their jewelry designs should go into production.  On top of that, she and some of her designers traveled the globe in order to source only the best and finest materials – like crystals from Austria, luminous glass beads from Murano, Italy and silky-sleek faux pearls from Japan.  The designs were elegant and cutting edge and seemed oh so alluring to such a degree that many other designers didn’t hesitate to try and copy them.  Not even to mention the prestigious and celebrated client list that followed.  After her death in 1981, the company still continued her legacy by producing poetic and innovative pieces to this very day.