The passing of a great artist, Alex Rudinsky

I found out only recently about the passing away of a really great artist whom was my neighbor growing up, and was an inspiration to many.  

Alex Rudinsky 

Feb. 4, 1957 — April 21, 2011

                                             

He died last year from a rare neurological disease.  I remember he had a great sense of humor, and was always cheerful.  When we were much younger, I remember going over to his house to see his sister, who was my age, and asking him to draw pictures of horses for us. I used to study his drawings of horses, and try to draw them like he did.  I wish I still had a drawing of his.

He and his family started the business called "Ceramica", which was the painting of the white ceramic objects, and then they would glaze and fire them.  This type of business is fairly prevalent now but I think he was one of the first to start it, at least around here.  He had several locations, and I loved going there and painting the ceramics.

I ran into him a few times over the years, here and there, and he was always very happy and very encouraging when he found out I was painting too.  he painted a lot of portraits, but also plein air.

A few of his paintings:

So sad, but he did leave so much beauty to look at, to remember.

Pugs!

Hello, happy Friday!!!  I am so excited to be interviewed on the beautiful Enchanted Home Blog!  I am incredibly flattered, her blog is one of the nicest out there, and such an incredible person!  Talented too!  http://theenchantedhome.blogspot.com/.

Is it just me, or are there pugs everywhere?  They are such amazing little creatures, and in design, interiors and art extensively.  Their unique look is so nicely captured in many things.
One of my favorite, of course, is Tina (from Enchanted home's) dining  room chairs.  The pugs add just the right character.

I just love this photo which was the Dutchess of Winsor's bedroom.  A little difficult to see, but the pug doll-pillows s are amazing.  (Photo from Sotheby's, they have reproduced the dolls and sell them in sets of three, for $295).  http://www.jmvintage.com/gifts/pugpillows.html

Handbags as well, very cute.

Of course these cuties from The Shop at Enchanted Home grace my Studio table.  I love them.

One day, I just may have to have a real pug of my own.

No, not a pug.  My fur kid who was staring at me while I typed about pugs.  No need to be jealous little one, I still love you too.

Murals and wallpaper

I have always loved murals and wallpaper, chinoiserie, etc. I love murals that tell a story, and especially incorporate animals.  (Of course.)  This type of scenic, storytelling wall paper or murals has been dated as far back as the tombs of the Egyptians and Etruscans.

The ever classic Zuber wall paper, which is always beautiful, can be seen in the White House.
Zuber wallpaper was apparently on the walls in a Federal period house in Maryland.  The house was torn down in 1961, and the wallpaper preserved and installed in the white house. The company was started by Jean Zuber, Zuber Cie has maintained its headquarters at Rixheim, France.

Tioles and grisaile versions of scenes and stories are beautiful as well.  In fact the Brunschwig and Fils wallpaper and fabric, "bunny business" was in my son's room for years.  I kind of miss it.  (He's older now), and his walls are now red. (Sigh.)

One of my very favorite murals, is in the book "influential styles",  by Judith Miller, ( photographs by Simon Upton).  The chapter "Stories on Walls", show a gorgeous home, (NewYork home of Juan Pablo Molyneux).  The wallpaper panels incorporates the family pets. (You can see the mastif above the two statues.)  I love this concept, perhaps I may have to do something like that in my own home one day..................

Another view shows a pair of scottie dogs above the elephants.  The other animals add a lot of fantasy and an exotic feel to it.  

This mural has a nice painting of the outside of the house itself, which is another concept I love.  (Bottom right.)  The other views also show other beautiful wall paintings as well!

In further feeding my obsession with cinoiserie, and de gournay, always exquisite, I will definitely be painting something soon.........I will share when complete.  (Photo below form "Live, Love, Space").

Good morning- I am putting up a work in progress, which is a reproduction of a painting by Eugene-Joseph Verboeckhoven, (one of the old master) and is the largest painting I have done to date, is 4' x 3'.  I thought putting it on the blog would push me to finish it............

Greetings, since I changed my look of this very new blog, I decided to post some of my other paintings in this post, portraits of people I have done.  Painting is a passion of mine, interior design as well.

"Molly and Griffen", 18" x 24"  Oil on Canvas

"The Padre", 18" x 24" Oil on canvas

"Baby", 18" x 24"  Oil on canvas.  Love her uni-brow!  She really has one- it's so cute!
Have a good week!

 

Picasso and Lump

Hello!  I am a new blogger.  I am having a designer work on my look, she can't get to it until August, but I got anxious, so I did a funky little drawing for the header, and started typing.  It will look much better soon!

I love interior design, however by trade I am a painter, mostly portraits, and I really love painting dogs.  They have such expression and soul.  I love the thought of blending the two- great interior design with our beloved canine companions.  Perhaps it's  more of a "balance" rather than blend, but takes some thought to incorporate great interior design with regard to pets.

One of my favorite books is "Living with Dogs" by Carol Sheehan, which exemplifies in part many of the things I love about, well, "living with dogs".  Dogs will always be part of my life.  They are such a joy to live with.  Currently I have two dashies, whom I love.

I love the collections presented in the book, especially the antique dog bowls. 

My main topic today is another of my favorite books, "Picasso and Lump", by David Douglas Duncan.

The book portrays the endearing relationship of the artist with his pet dachshund, Lump.  I love the name lump.  Lump and Jacqueline, (his second wife) were the only ones allowed into his studio to watch the artist work. Lump was often in his paintings and art.

Such a sweet story, and a connection so understood by us animal  lovers that I wanted to include the story.  Both Picasso and Lump died in April, 1973, one week apart.

This is the end of my first post!  I look forward to hearing your insight, ideas and discussions regarding dogs in art and interior design, going forward.  Have a great Thursday!