I’ve got loads to share from my weekend and a neat blog link up in the works for this week, but I thought I’d start the week off with some art because I think it would do us all some good to get some exposure to different kinds of art in 2017.
So, today, let me introduce you to Lauren Clay‘s large-scale sculptures. I see them as large, tamed marshmellow shapes.
Monochrome with Roof and Loops
Thanks to Design Crush for introducing me to the work of Lauren Clay.
The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh is an absolutely beautiful place on the inside and out. The building as a whole is a sight to see, and the variety of art housed inside is quite impressive.
Many works caught my attention when I was last there, but it was this Adoring Angel that made me really stare. I love her, and I think today is a perfectly good day to share her with all of you.
Adoring Angel, German, Bavarian School, circa 1735-1760; photos by me
Recently, I was invited back to Inspirations Studio in Toronto to take part in a pottery class with a group of my blogging colleagues (hi Renée, Brittany, Shannon, Amy). It was so fun! You may remember that last year, I designed a collection of pottery that was sold at BlogPodium. This time, though, it was my turn to get behind the wheel. Oh my goodness. I made a mess! And it was fun!
The afternoon began with a pro-potter giving us step-by-step instructions on how to throw the clay and form it into a small bowl using the wheel.
In just a few minutes, she made this perfectly formed bowl:
I made several attempts, but couldn’t quite get a symmetrical bowl. A little wonky bowl is a conversational piece, though, right? We also had the chance to roll out the clay and use different materials to imprint patterns on our pieces. I made a tray and rolled a piece of lace over it to create some texture.
Our pieces should be ready soon, and I’ll be sure to show you how they look post-firing. For now, here are a couple more photos from around the studio.
If you’re in Toronto and would like to have your own pottery experience, you might want to register for classes at Inspirations Studio.
Thanks to Lindsey T. and the team at Inspirations Studio for organizing a wonderful afternoon of pottery!
My jaw dropped as I browsed the Lalique website. Of course I was already familiar with Lalique glassware, but I had no idea the diversity of the collection, and how high the prices went. They go really high. As in, the price of a house high. Crazy! Lalique is one for movie stars and gazillionaires. Yes, them. Although I don’t have money to for a shopping spree at Lalique, I can certainly appreciate the artistry of the company’s collections.
On the low(er) end of Lalique:
2 flowers perfume bottle, $395
daisies pintray, $250
Kazak paperweight, $165
grapes panel, $210
100 Points decanter, $990
On the (really) high end of Lalique:
spiral bowl, $5.9K
reverie bookends, $5.8K
Equus vase, $26K
Bucéphale horse, $48.7K 
Horse’s head, $48K
Raisins bedcover, $15K
Masque de Femme sofa, $44K
Champs Elysée chandelier, $57K
Oak roundtable, $149.5K
cactus double table, $240K
How do Lalique owners feel if anything dropped/chipped/broke? I’d cry. Surely insurance coverage on Lalique items is a must!
If you follow me on Instagram and Twitter then you know that I’ve got painting on my mind. That is, I’m determined to paint all the walls in my new house white. Which white? Not sure. I’m still working that out. While I am eager to get painting, I am also thinking about future artwork and placement. I have a ridiculously big main bathroom and I think a large striking piece of artwork would be perfect in the space.
There are some great sources of art online and in stores at every price point. Saatchi is one such online retailer that carries a wide selection of originals and prints. Here you can shop online for picture collages, mosaics, photography, and even sculpture from artists around the world.
White Out by Amelia Midori Miller (USA)
White by Ana Devora (USA)
Interior by MĂłnica Trastoy (Spain)
Things From the Sea by Kriste Danil
Phidias I by Jason Blackmore (UK)
Letter to Mama by Catalina Viejo Lopez De Roda (USA)
Helia by Manel Rodrigues (Portugal)
Structure – Experimentation XVIII-3 by Francoise Issaly (Canada)
And the works at Saatchi aren’t all white. Just look at how vibrant these works are: Pink Wall, Turquoise Ocean Turquoise Sail, Hatch with Yellow and Green Shadows.Â
* This is a sponsored post.
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