Tag Archives: NY Times

If only… I would go to NYC

From Amazon

©Sherri Coffey-Journey

This was designed in the “Matisse way.” Everything was cut out of paper and arranged to make the design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

February is probably not the best time to travel to NYC, but I seriously considered a quick, two-day trip to see the exhibition Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs at MOMA.  Matisse has been a favorite artist of mine for a good long time. I have written, or at least mentioned him often. When I analyze the reason for this admiration, I think it boils down to color. He definitely has a way with color! So, since I am seriously considering a long trip to Peru in the fall, I passed up on going to New York, even though flights and rooms were reasonably priced. I just went to a film about the exhibition instead.

The film was held on one night only, in one local theater only, but it was well worth it to get out in the cold, blustery wind. At night, no less! The film includes additions that would not be available at the actual exhibition (maybe?), such as a segment of ballet, including how it was filmed, a segment on a chapel which Matisse designed, and film of how the exhibition groupings were decided by the curator. I have to admit that I never knew he designed a chapel, and it’s wonderful! Here is an image of my favorite of the many stained glass windows he designed.

One could say that I’ve been consumed by this exhibition. I admit it. I bought the exhibition catalog, but there is no way that it could compare to the film. The pictures on a page of a book in no way allow one to see the scope of the cut-outs. The cut-outs are huge, and are much more impressive when seen on a wall, in context with the rest of cut-outs. But in defense of the book, which I have not examined thoroughly, there is more detailed information about the materials Matisse used. Of course, in the film, there were actual clips of Matisse cutting, of his assistants placing the cut-outs on the wall, and rearranging them at the direction of Matisse.

I am inspired once again, eager to do some designing. I came home all revved up after the viewing. I know I am not alone in this. Other artists have commented to feeling the same. By the way, I have always heard that Matisse started making the cutouts because he couldn’t see well. That was debunked in the film.

 

Crazy weather

Crazy weather It seems that all over the country everyone is having crazy weather. We’re used to extreme temperature drops here, but not in April. Yesterday when I watched the local news at 6 pm, it was above 100 in south Texas and below freezing in the panhandle. Where I live, the temp has dropped from 70s to 40s. And it’s raining! We need it! Rainy days make for perfect days to work in the studio. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do right now!

But first, a few pictures that are interesting to me. The one above comes from an article about an auction of Hopi artifacts. Check out the slideshow for other nice pictures. I love these pieces!  Orange-Fabric And I know that there are all kinds of issues with this auction, but that’s the kind of thing that’s better with an in-person discussion.

These two pictures were taken with my phone in Joann’s. (Maybe I should check out Instagram some day–in my spare time.)  These are fabrics for, I don’t know…prom dresses? The pic at the bottom is a close-up of the other red/orange pic. They are all three dimensional. Don’t know about sitting on those flowers though….Thoughts? And what’s your weather like now?                                               Purple-fabric Orange-Fabric-Detail

 

Patterns, yes, again

Salon pattern

Salon pattern

Patterns, patterns, patterns…I love them! Today I got a haircut, and while Kate answered the phone, I looked down at whatever I was draped in—and, you got it, pattern.

Book covers

Book cover

The New York Times had an article about favorite book covers for 2012. There’s a slide show of all the winners, but this one is my favorite. And I don’t even care what the book is about. And who knew, there are “stars” in the book cover design world. Makes perfect sense, just not something I had not considered before. My favorite here is designed by Peter Mendelsund. As it turns out, Mr. Mendelsund designed the covers for the first two “dragon tattoo” books. If you go to the link above, tell me what your favorite is.

Building blocks

There’s an article in the NY Times about building blocks, which made me remember yet again about how much I wanted an Erector set when I was little. I used to think that maybe those just didn’t go to little girls, but we had Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs, so that probably wasn’t the reason those were not under my Christmas tree. Maybe they were more expensive than those other building materials. So, I checked on Erector sets on Amazon (where else?), and it’s very disappointing. Maybe because of the popularity of Legos and their sets, Erector sets come in model form now. Where’s the creativity in that! I loved those Tinker Toys. Oh, what we created, my sisters and I! Maybe building blocks are a metaphor for life.

Okay, for the weaving part …the wedge weave is a big FAIL! I like the colors, though. My time will be spent warping the loom again and getting all the yarns back to their assigned seat. Pretty boring stuff. I warp sectionally, and before I got the warping wheel, I would be winding on, counting, when all of a sudden I realized I was no longer counting. The counter on my warping wheel doesn’t work anymore, but I seem to be able to count to 10 without a problem.

Another ode to color

Do you notice color everywhere? Pattern? I do. I love color! And I find myself noticing lines, shapes, etc. all the time.

The other day I was in Chili’s to get a to-go meal when I noticed the wall in front of me. And even though there were other people waiting with me, I got out my phone and took a picture. That kind of thing can get embarrassing sometime, but I really love the colors. Make a great rug! Each one was painted on an individual board, maybe a 1 x 4.

We all know who/what Pantone is, right? I say an article in the NY Times about the origin of that ever more famous color system. Interesting how the idea was sparked, and boy, do I have sympathy with the task the inventor had–mixing the beiges of women’s hosiery. Now, not many days go by without some reference to Pantone. Wish it wasn’t so darn expensive!

If your go to the article, be sure and read the last few lines. And if you want to see how real color geeks think, look at the comments below the article.