tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19943013341734702732024-03-01T00:39:22.271-05:00Bart Boehlert's Beautiful ThingsA style diary of life in New York CityBart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.comBlogger530125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-17783507522102311722024-02-08T18:36:00.003-05:002024-02-08T18:51:26.528-05:00Joni Mitchell and My Brother Eric<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvORWf9Y3V2srsEcc_0JYfpAANWwaqJyMXdLfDZb0DTf5-6NAe_tKb3tEiG60mFAyjqrcpCbLLVwxmFPbgwzfkP9nrfyUP2smR6Ulwu47_HoLqDwCRzNrQyZnAMmx_MGee4p0TuCMSgMgCrBRZbzVYHTw9nApqVkKCNsVNi98kiWdVrPXgCwE_ZZX0C8/s2016/joni%20mitchell.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvORWf9Y3V2srsEcc_0JYfpAANWwaqJyMXdLfDZb0DTf5-6NAe_tKb3tEiG60mFAyjqrcpCbLLVwxmFPbgwzfkP9nrfyUP2smR6Ulwu47_HoLqDwCRzNrQyZnAMmx_MGee4p0TuCMSgMgCrBRZbzVYHTw9nApqVkKCNsVNi98kiWdVrPXgCwE_ZZX0C8/w640-h480/joni%20mitchell.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>
I'm still thinking about the Grammys. It was one of the best awards shows I've seen in a long time. There were several beautiful performances including Tracy Chapman with Luke Combs, and Billie Eilish. Miley Cyrus was on fire. And then there was the luminous and miraculous Joni Mitchell who at age 80 gave her first Grammy performance. I've loved Joni Mitchell since I listened to her poetic album "Court and Spark" in my dorm room and dreamed of going to “People’s Parties.” Joni Mitchell suffered a serious brain aneurysm in 2015 that left her unable to walk or talk. At the Grammys, she performed the moving "Both Sides Now," which brought tears to the eyes of those in the audience. A few days before my <a href="https://caggianomemorial.com/book-of-memories/4896210/Boehlert-Eric/index.php">brother Eric died</a>, he sent me a text message that said that he had posted a song at the end of his latest Substack article that he thought I would like. It was "Both Sides Now." The version that was in the movie CODA. Of course it was stunning and I texted him back that I needed to see the movie. He responded, "Def." "Both Sides Now" is a rich, gorgeous song about love and loss. For me it has become a heartbreaking reminder of my brother Eric and all that we lost.Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-76285732981719622722024-01-04T13:47:00.013-05:002024-02-08T18:52:30.403-05:00"Maestro" Starring Bradley Cooper <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzDPkY2NL5pH0ftOWuQ97eBmDvwBbMBheXRUx3BpdI7zKCUNBa-KDtkZ5b_-GHP7NoHp4k0wH5tCLwh-NXyiyVjiOxwx1HDJD12hPss3vMxCNIcbBA4CSI_MemulAXQGwEX-YsNxtENCU47ee-YK3luL0TjUyxitob8dV6HswAwYgtNpJyPNskjWyXYI/s1160/231116122255-03-maestro-netflix.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1160" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzDPkY2NL5pH0ftOWuQ97eBmDvwBbMBheXRUx3BpdI7zKCUNBa-KDtkZ5b_-GHP7NoHp4k0wH5tCLwh-NXyiyVjiOxwx1HDJD12hPss3vMxCNIcbBA4CSI_MemulAXQGwEX-YsNxtENCU47ee-YK3luL0TjUyxitob8dV6HswAwYgtNpJyPNskjWyXYI/w640-h360/231116122255-03-maestro-netflix.webp" width="600" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
<div style="text-align: left;"> For a New Year's Day treat, TD and I went to see "Maestro" starring Bradley Cooper as the great American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. Wow, that's what I call a satisfying entertainment. I do recommend it. If you are in New York City, do go see it at the <a href="https://www.paristheaternyc.com/">Paris Theater</a> on 58th Street, which Netflix has recently renovated. The big screen is brilliant and the sound is <i>incredible</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> We bought tickets online as one does and planned to get there a little late to avoid all the previews as one does but when we arrived and slipped into our seats the picture was already starting! I guess no cheesy previews at the Paris Theater, note to self. I was surprised that the seats were not big and spacious and tilt back like you find in movie theaters now, but they were still comfortable. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Bradley Cooper wrote, directed, produced and stars in the movie about the great musician. In the first scene he appears as a 70-year-old Bernstein, tanned and wrinkled, and it took my breath away to realize that it was actually Bradley Cooper, the makeover was so complete. Though Bernstein of course had an amazing career, this picture is mostly about his private life -- his marriage to actress Filicia Montealgro, played luminously by Carey Mulligan, and their children including a daughter played by Maya Hawke, who is the daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Ok, I have an Uma Thurman story. Back in the day when I worked in the Accessories Room at Bergdorf Goodman selling hats and gloves to the ladies of the Upper East Side, Uma Thurman came in for a scarf. I showed her a beautiful gossamer cashmere and silk mushroom-colored scarf and she lowered her head and wrapped the scarf around and then lifted her gaze to reveal those big, gorgeous movie star eyes directed right at me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Leonard Bernstein was famously bisexual. When I first moved to New York, my friend David hung around in Bernstein's gay circle. The movie recounts how after awhile this took a toll on Bernstein's marriage and his family. While it plums his personal life, I would like to have seen in the movie more about his professional life and the challenges and triumphs of creating his masterworks including "Candide," "West Side Story," and "Mass." There was a fun bit at the beginning of the movie that included actors playing Jerome Robbins and Aaron Copland. Betty Comden and Adolf Green show up at a party. Stephen Sondheim is mentioned. I would love to have seen more scenes like this but thoroughly enjoyed the story including a long, stunning scene at Ely Cathedral in England with Copper/Bernstein conducting Mahler's majestic Resurrection Symphony. Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan are both wonderful in this picture, and of course the music is gorgeous in this tribute to an American genius. I say Oscars all around. </div>Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-22567708315994224432023-04-01T12:27:00.014-04:002024-02-29T10:03:20.566-05:00My Stories for the Brown Harris Stevens Design Blog <i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0l8KPsSqSY/YRv4ozrypuI/AAAAAAAASLc/B9Unse7NNKslzANzz2WXJHevyhHuUPxhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1950/dec73f_20217a673b544fdf935eb839df02ee71%257Emv2.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1950" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0l8KPsSqSY/YRv4ozrypuI/AAAAAAAASLc/B9Unse7NNKslzANzz2WXJHevyhHuUPxhwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/dec73f_20217a673b544fdf935eb839df02ee71%257Emv2.webp" width="600" /></a></div><br />Central Park<br /></i><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been enjoying writing features for the Brown Harris Stevens art and design blog. <a href="https://www.bhsusa.com/" target="_blank">Brown Harris Stevens</a> is the oldest and most prestigious luxury real estate firm in New York City, and has a robust blog covering design, lifestyle, homes, and more. The features I've written about architecture, real estate, design, and style have been <span>leveraged into BHS social media posts and paid advertising to increase awareness and drive engagement; b</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">log traffic has increased by 20%. The assignments have given me the opportunity to visit some fascinating locations in New York City and share them with readers. The city is filled with </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">architectural </span></span>history and interest; all you have to do is look up! You might enjoy my stories: </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://www.bhsusa.com/blog/post/the-new-design-shopping-destination">The New Design Destination: The Ticking Tent</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.bhsusa.com/blog/post/crate-barrel-honors-the-architecture-of-the-flatiron-district" target="_blank">Crate & Barrel Honors the Architecture of the Flatiron District</a> </span></span></p><p><a href="https://www.bhsusa.com/blog/post/the-allure-of-the-west-village-and-70-perry-street"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Allure of the West Village and 70 Perry Street</span></a><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.bhsusa.com/blog/post/a-deep-dive-into-the-colorful-world-of-mario-buatta" target="_blank">A Deep Dive Into the Colorful World of Mario Buatta</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.bhsusa.com/blog/post/the-little-street-in-the-financial-district-that-shaped-american-art" target="_blank">The Little Street in the Financial District That Shaped American Art</a> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.bhsusa.com/blog/post/the-artful-american-architecture-of-delano-aldrich">The Artful American Architecture of Delano & Aldrich</a> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.bhsusa.com/blog/post/an-insiders-view-of-the-metropolitan-museum-and-the-healing-power-of-art">An Insider’s View of the Metropolitan Museum and the Healing Power of Art</a> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/reflecting-on-the-life-work-and-art-of-legendary-writer-joan-didion">Reflecting on the Life, Work, and Art of Legendary Writer Joan Didion</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/ann-getty-s-astounding-personal-collection-is-up-for-auction-at-christie-s" target="_blank">Ann Getty's Eye: The Getty's Astounding Personal Art Collection Comes to Auction</a> <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/the-beautiful-world-of-hubert-de-givenchy-is-on-the-auction-block">On the Block: The Beautiful World of Hubert de Givenchy</a></span></span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/winslow-homer-and-the-invention-of-american-art" target="_blank">Winslow Homer Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art</a></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="post-title__text blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color"><span class="blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color"> </span></span></span></span></p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/how-landscape-architect-george-vellonakis-revitalized-new-york-city-s-parks"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="post-title__text blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color"><span class="blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color">How Landscape Architect George Vellonakis Revitalized New York City’s Parks</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="post-title__text blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color"><span class="blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color"> </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="post-title__text blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color"><span class="blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="post-title__text blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color"><span class="blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color"> </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/experience-majolica-mania-a-new-exhibition-at-the-bard-graduate-center"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="post-title__text blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color"><span class="blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color">'Majolica Mania,' a New Exhibition at the Bard Graduate Center</span></span></span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="post-title__text blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color"><span class="blog-post-title-font blog-post-title-color"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/acclaimed-interiors-photographer-simon-upton">New York's Most Stylish Homes by Photographer Simon Upton</a> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/fit-celebrates-the-rose-in-fashion">FIT Celebrates the Rose in Fashion</a> </span></span></p><p><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/learn-how-to-arrange-flowers-like-marc-chagall-s-granddaughter&source=gmail&ust=1629309746725000&usg=AFQjCNH_w5iIWfGDeskOI2sYWlKe5RSgWg" href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/learn-how-to-arrange-flowers-like-marc-chagall-s-granddaughter" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Arrange Flowers Like<span class="gmail_default" face="verdana,sans-serif"> </span>Marc Chagall’s Granddaughter<span class="gmail_default" face="verdana,sans-serif">, </span>Master Florist Bella Meyer</span></span><br /></a></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/central-park-an-american-work-of-art" target="_blank">Central Park: An American Work of Art</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/live-in-the-timeless-williamsburgh-savings-bank-tower" target="_blank">Live in the Timeless Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower</a> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/see-inside-iconic-walker-tower">See Inside Architect Ralph Walker's Iconic Walker Tower </a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/the-frick-madison" target="_blank">The Surprising and Unexpected Frick Madison</a><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/posh-portals-celebrates-new-york-city-s-best-entrances">"Posh Portals" Celebrates New York City's Best Entrances</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/the-new-moynihan-train-hall-by-skidmore-owings-merrill" target="_blank">The New Moynihan Train Hall by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill </a></p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/on-the-market-a-lower-east-side-carriage-house-with-history" target="_blank">A Lower East Side Carriage House with History</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/a-chelsea-original-the-night-before-christmas">A Chelsea Original: “The Night Before Christmas” for Brown Harris Stevens </a></p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/live-in-the-rich-history-of-fort-greene">Live in the Rich History of Fort Greene </a></p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/mckim-mead-white-s-harvard-club-and-harmonie-club" target="_blank">McKim, Mead & White’s Harvard Club and Harmonie Club </a></p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/decorate-like-carrier-and-company" target="_blank">Decorate Like Carrier and Company</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/the-met-s-about-time-exhibit-celebrates-150-years-of-fashion" target="_blank">The Met’s “About Time” Exhibit Celebrates 150 Years of Fashion </a></p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/actor-richard-thomas-explains-the-allure-of-the-city-s-most-ornate-building" target="_blank">Actor Richard Thomas on the Allure of "The City's Most Ornate Buil</a><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/actor-richard-thomas-explains-the-allure-of-the-city-s-most-ornate-building" target="_blank">ding</a>"<br /></p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/on-the-market-jayne-wrightsman-s-extraordinary-home-and-collection" target="_blank">On the Market: Jayne Wrightsman's Extraordinary Home and Collection</a></p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/the-enduring-appeal-of-emery-roth-bing-bing" target="_blank">The Enduring Appeal of Emery Roth + Bing & Bing</a></p><p> <a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/live-like-an-artist-the-west-67th-street-artists-colony-historic-district" target="_blank">The West 67th Street Artists' Colony Historic District </a></p><p> <a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-is-open-with-a-new-150-year-anniversary-exhibition" target="_blank">The Metropolitan Museum of Art is Open with a 150th Anniversary Exhibition</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/fashion-on-the-move-robert-duffy-and-marc-jacobs" target="_blank">Marc Jacobs and Robert Duffy for Brown Harris Stevens </a></p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/style-at-home-remy-renzullo-x-carolina-irving-daughters-tableware-collection" target="_blank">Remy Renzullo x Carolina Irving Tableware Collection </a></p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/rosario-candela-s-mansions-in-the-sky" target="_blank">Rosario Candela's Mansions in the Sky </a></p><p><a href="https://www.blog.bhsusa.com/post/fashion-for-the-home-eileen-fisher-west-elm" target="_blank">Eileen Fisher + West Elm </a></p><p>Bonus:<br /></p><p><a href="https://www.architecturaldigest.com/contributor/bart-boehlert" target="_blank">Bart Boehlert for Architectural Digest </a></p>Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-55422016706092213272021-05-27T19:26:00.003-04:002023-04-02T20:20:39.880-04:00Paintings by Pierre Bergian at Eerdmans <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRZTYpW4nWA/YIHJaqjaXQI/AAAAAAAARhw/4zmPm_a7o4AU6P0l2NwqBmWFxlBMDULUACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/giv.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRZTYpW4nWA/YIHJaqjaXQI/AAAAAAAARhw/4zmPm_a7o4AU6P0l2NwqBmWFxlBMDULUACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/giv.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Paris salon of Hubert de Givenchy by Pierre Bergian
<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">The other day I visited the gallerist and author Emily Evans
Eerdmans at her charming gallery <a href="https://www.eerdmansnewyork.com/">Eerdmans</a> on East 10<sup>th</sup> Street off
of Fifth Avenue. Emily has written numerous books on decorators, including
Mario Buatta and <a href="http://www.bartboehlert.com/2018/05/visiting-18th-century-with-henri-samuel.html">Henri Samuel</a>, helped organize the colossal <a href="https://inhabit.corcoran.com/auction-watch-treasures-from-the-prince-of-chintz/">Mario Buatta auction at Sotheby’s</a> last year pre-pandemic, and shows art works in her gallery
that celebrate design. We proceeded through her pink ground-floor office, up
the emerald green stairs with the zebra print rug, and into the
chartreuse-glazed salon with a 13 foot-high ceiling and windows overlooking the
rear garden below. </p>
<p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">There, Emily is currently showing a selection of iconic
interiors painted by the Belgian artist Pierre Bergian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small paintings are done in oil with pencil,
and have the finely wrought feeling of drawings that require an up-close look.
The interiors captured are well-known, including the homes of Jayne Wrightsman,
Kenny Jay Lane, and Karl Lagerfeld, but the artist has rendered them in a subtle,
understated way, without their signature bright colors, like a memory or a dream.
Done on wood panels though, they have a solidness to them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the interiors featured here no longer exist
so these paintings give permanence to the fleeting.
</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> </p>
<style>@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria",serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Cambria",serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style><p></p><p></p>Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-73676201906797739932021-04-16T12:23:00.005-04:002021-08-18T10:17:15.343-04:00"Is That an R?"<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fn7inzvmjc0/YHmppQqjRlI/AAAAAAAARgI/bAnEgccv4gItV84SqJBTQdaaesMYhRNTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/bike.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fn7inzvmjc0/YHmppQqjRlI/AAAAAAAARgI/bAnEgccv4gItV84SqJBTQdaaesMYhRNTwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/bike.JPG" width="540" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The other day I was early for a doctor appointment so I sat
down for fifteen minutes in Madison Square Park, which is a favorite place. I enjoyed
looking at the lawn and watching the people pass by, many walking their dogs.
After a while, I stood up to head to the appointment. A woman sitting about six
feet away from me on the bench, who I hadn’t noticed, said to me, “Is that an
“R” on the front of your bike? Is that a Raleigh?” </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She was pointing to a logo on the stem of the bike. “Yes it
is,” I said. “How long have you had it?” she asked. “One year,” I replied. When
the summer looting happened last year, my previous bike was stolen from where
it was chained on the street - a vandal had power-drilled through the lock. “I
found this bike on Craigslist and went to Brooklyn to buy it,” I told the
woman. “Oh,” she said. “I’ve had my Raleigh since 1963.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She stood up to get a better look at my bike. I saw she was
small, older, face-masked, wearing an employee card around her neck that said
MET, which I thought stood for Met Museum, but later realized that MetLife has
its headquarters on the park. She told me she stores her bike in her apartment
building. “I used to put my son, who is now 51, on the bike and take him to
school, down Park and back up Lexington,” she said. “Neither of us wore helmets
then. Now I’m appalled to think about it.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’ve never seen an “R” like that,” she said, and got out
her phone to take pictures of my bike. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crouching
to take a photo of another logo on the seatpost, she said, “The other day I
went down to storage and looked at my bike. I don’t ride it as much.” It was
time for me to go and we said our goodbyes. I whizzed off to my appointment. I
hope she gets her Raleigh out soon and enjoys it. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p>
<style>@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria",serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Cambria",serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style><style>@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria",serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Cambria",serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style><p></p><p></p>Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-30149306440891366462020-08-23T14:28:00.002-04:002020-09-02T16:46:06.991-04:00A Trip Through New England <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHSQ2m-phDY/XzbvTBNCmoI/AAAAAAAAL1s/7WEJHa7hV4IB8g0QqMpy8mUyOXdMVjPSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PHSQ2m-phDY/XzbvTBNCmoI/AAAAAAAAL1s/7WEJHa7hV4IB8g0QqMpy8mUyOXdMVjPSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2988.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
<i>Chaffinch Island in Guilford, Ct. </i><br />
TD and I have been sheltering-in-place since March the 12th, and desired a much-need trip out of the house so we planned a recent getaway, being careful and using precautions while we were traveling. Our first stop was in <a href="http://www.bartboehlert.com/2010/11/walk-around-guilford-green.html">Guilford, Ct.</a>, where my parents lived for approximately 35 years. We always enjoyed taking the train to Guilford and visiting them there, and we have missed it. Also, we have not been back since my father passed away in Colorado two years ago. Chaffinch Island in Guilford was always a favorite spot for my family to visit. After my mother passed away in 2012, my father and I brought some of her ashes down to Chaffinch Island and dispersed them in the water.<br />
TD took took this picture then of my father and I -- <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omuZljSTmDM/Xzl5S_JGH_I/AAAAAAAAL3k/PlFeDgeSMlg5GN5fo8jeAJaexNQCv2HUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/bart%2Band%2Bdad%2Bchaffinch%2Bashes%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="" data-original-width="447" height="" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omuZljSTmDM/Xzl5S_JGH_I/AAAAAAAAL3k/PlFeDgeSMlg5GN5fo8jeAJaexNQCv2HUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/bart%2Band%2Bdad%2Bchaffinch%2Bashes%2Bcopy.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
So when we visited Guilford recently we took some of my father's ashes down to Chaffinch (picture at the top of this post). It was a poignant trip. I'm glad we had the chance to do it.<br />
We visited out favorite spots in Guilford, including the town beach --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhkZ3hPPugM/XzbvXACDryI/AAAAAAAAL1w/hNCvJSS3Q5M_gsocgekBltpRL8rLOoqEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhkZ3hPPugM/XzbvXACDryI/AAAAAAAAL1w/hNCvJSS3Q5M_gsocgekBltpRL8rLOoqEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3007.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I love the quiet, serene quality of the Connecticut Shoreline. TD sketched the scene -- <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWFObbInOSk/XzbvctfxN7I/AAAAAAAAL10/yWpILOhBKDwykDQr5_7jhUlrokVtlK3GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1567" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWFObbInOSk/XzbvctfxN7I/AAAAAAAAL10/yWpILOhBKDwykDQr5_7jhUlrokVtlK3GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3012.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
That night we had a delicious dinner at <a href="https://www.quattrositalian.com/">Quattro's </a>in town, which was a new discovery for us.<br />
The next day we drove from Guilford, Ct., to Little Compton, RI, to visit the beach house of my great and long-time friend Abby. We enjoyed staying in the beautiful house for a couple nights, and then she and her family arrived for the weekend. Glorious summer days.<br />
During the week TD and I went to an ocean beach called South Shore Beach in the town of Little Compton Beach. It was a delight to be in the ocean. The waves were rough! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w7INsJF9l10/Xzbvhoy3sDI/AAAAAAAAL14/66n-oR18zeEQPdSrtRmQSSuijQ0SanwZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w7INsJF9l10/Xzbvhoy3sDI/AAAAAAAAL14/66n-oR18zeEQPdSrtRmQSSuijQ0SanwZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3050.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
It was great fun to spend time with Abby and family - husband John, daughters Lila and Mary, son Stephen plus niece Sophia. It's what relaxed summer days are for.<br />
The family belongs to the Elephant Rock Beach Club in Westport, MA, so that's where we headed on Saturday. There, Sophia, Lila and Mary sported TD's tee shirts. You can buy TD's popular tee shirts in his <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TedTees">Etsy shop! </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uRG9JJM9eYM/XzbvoHsaNXI/AAAAAAAAL2A/ijMgD3X-pY0SOJsUlNCFYlXYbOLQjOyvACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1613" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uRG9JJM9eYM/XzbvoHsaNXI/AAAAAAAAL2A/ijMgD3X-pY0SOJsUlNCFYlXYbOLQjOyvACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3176.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
It was a glorious day at Elephant Rock Beach --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2JlKiFXONw/XzbvxMbFFyI/AAAAAAAAL2I/IABPD8rS21IjD1LK-GGJWaiHTzcV6LLnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2JlKiFXONw/XzbvxMbFFyI/AAAAAAAAL2I/IABPD8rS21IjD1LK-GGJWaiHTzcV6LLnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3192.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
The water was very warm. It was so nice to be all together swimming in the ocean -- <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUSPFzyQf_Q/Xzbv_a_ES5I/AAAAAAAAL2U/2mfZAEdvE0w_vwfFqtiM5ieBZ6zWGdyLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUSPFzyQf_Q/Xzbv_a_ES5I/AAAAAAAAL2U/2mfZAEdvE0w_vwfFqtiM5ieBZ6zWGdyLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3219.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
After we left the beach John and Abby gave us a car tour around. We drove along country roads to Sakonnet Point, and John and Abby bought lobsters for a delicious dinner. I loved the grey shingle Cape Cod cottages with white trim along the water -- <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGrSk8mtncE/XzbwGM8VqvI/AAAAAAAAL2c/i-YGUhvBTrYszN4gZAfOZ_jL4Ac1t634QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGrSk8mtncE/XzbwGM8VqvI/AAAAAAAAL2c/i-YGUhvBTrYszN4gZAfOZ_jL4Ac1t634QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3235.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIRUPx5az9g/XzbwK3-LEuI/AAAAAAAAL2g/u_dN2YB_8o4q7gmpmlOJ9564Zlt4UlnlACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIRUPx5az9g/XzbwK3-LEuI/AAAAAAAAL2g/u_dN2YB_8o4q7gmpmlOJ9564Zlt4UlnlACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3138.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
On Sunday we said our farewells to the Carrs and drove up to Keene, NH, to visit our
great friends the Healy family from Jane Street in New York City. The
Healys own a unique property called <a href="https://lakefalls.com/">Lake Falls Lodge</a>,
which consists of an Adirondack-style lodge and several other houses on a large piece of land. It can be rented for weddings and corporate retreats. We have
been to <a href="http://www.bartboehlert.com/2011/09/wonderful-wedding-in-woods.html">two spectacular Healy family weddings</a> at Lake Falls Lodge. It's a
special place.<br />
Many of the Healy clan have been sheltering-in-place there, including our beloved friend Peggy Healy, who hosted a book party for TD when he illustrated a children's book. It was a full house with a large group and we enjoyed a grilled steak dinner in the yard at a big table near the pond -- <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nHuDV3eYVe8/XzbwTWrh8yI/AAAAAAAAL2o/cnUlgzkFcOg8H5dUX-ofq0xq1XqteG6PACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F4CE4D3E-90EB-4057-8864-C998645FC533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1668" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nHuDV3eYVe8/XzbwTWrh8yI/AAAAAAAAL2o/cnUlgzkFcOg8H5dUX-ofq0xq1XqteG6PACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/F4CE4D3E-90EB-4057-8864-C998645FC533.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
The next day Don took us on a tour of the properties which are impressive<b> </b>indeed. He is building a large structure called the Barn outfitted with every modern convenience so that weddings and corporate retreats can be hosted year 'round. We had a swim in the pond and gathered together for a lobster salad lunch. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFcvhPCm3pE/XzbwXgtnlkI/AAAAAAAAL2s/O-GI59n7JBUiWSz4bObvN4C2SZtg4OjlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFcvhPCm3pE/XzbwXgtnlkI/AAAAAAAAL2s/O-GI59n7JBUiWSz4bObvN4C2SZtg4OjlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3299.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
After lunch TD and I were off, traveling over country roads through the Berkshires in western Massachusetts to Williamstown, MA, the home of Williams College, which opened in 1791. In Williamstown, we stayed at the <a href="https://www.williamsinn.com/">Williams Inn</a>, which was lovely. We were surprised that the town seemed more closed up than the other places we had been, in Connecticut for example. The trip to Williamstown was determined by the news that <a href="https://www.clarkart.edu/">The Clark Art Institute</a> had opened -- I think the only art museum open in the Northeast. We'd always wanted to go so we thought it was a good time for a visit. It was slightly raining when we went at 10am as the doors opened. I was so happy to be back in a museum! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjIBdrkSiOc/Xzbwf1JyCNI/AAAAAAAAL20/FFJq0zU9kLszEd5UHaxbEecUfXp4oeK8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjIBdrkSiOc/Xzbwf1JyCNI/AAAAAAAAL20/FFJq0zU9kLszEd5UHaxbEecUfXp4oeK8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3321.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
The Clark was founded in 1952 upon the art collection of Robert Sterling Clark, who was a Singer sewing machine heir. Other Singer sewing machine heirs were important arts and culture patrons in Cooperstown, NY, which is a beautiful town we love. The Clark has a lovely array of art and Impressionist paintings. Here is a jolly Madame Escudier by John Singer Sargent from 1883 --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dI--jaFg7DE/Xzbwo_2RsNI/AAAAAAAAL3A/q3tuvhSkHywWRaos9-RA_SoiFqYR8l0tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dI--jaFg7DE/Xzbwo_2RsNI/AAAAAAAAL3A/q3tuvhSkHywWRaos9-RA_SoiFqYR8l0tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3329.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
and a charming self portrait of Renior from 1899 -- <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-hj3ij4IX8/XzbwwePxR7I/AAAAAAAAL3I/Yt0eO8N-4Mge7Gq2YfteDqWCU0hvaODsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-hj3ij4IX8/XzbwwePxR7I/AAAAAAAAL3I/Yt0eO8N-4Mge7Gq2YfteDqWCU0hvaODsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3332.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Outside TD enjoyed the tranquil scenery as cows roamed over the hills beyond -- <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzTFkRLUdVs/Xzbw1CxQcMI/AAAAAAAAL3M/cDa1IL09wdEg3mTK_kaRBylykYvjBXZQACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzTFkRLUdVs/Xzbw1CxQcMI/AAAAAAAAL3M/cDa1IL09wdEg3mTK_kaRBylykYvjBXZQACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3345.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
At that point we got in the car to head home. We had heard a little about a storm. It turned out to be Tropical Storm Isaisas. Or Hurricane Isaisas, depending what you read. Not the day to be driving from the Berkshires to New York City. Let me just say I was driving and it was hairy. The wind was so strong that I had to hold on to the steering wheel tightly to keep control of the car. On the highway we drove around several huge trees which had crashed on to the road. Thank God they didn't land on cars. We did make it home safely to Manhattan thankfully.<br />
It was a wonderful trip with lots of different parts and all went well. It felt like we were being looked after. I hope you are having a nice summer dear reader despite these strange times. Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-35407312473750783602020-05-18T15:20:00.002-04:002020-05-19T14:51:30.394-04:00Flowers in the Time of Quarantine <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAsh9F1WRWI/Xr2c44yUSkI/AAAAAAAALt0/fHBCpAGVA5YyGdTlF4iQSB3RkJZkx_b5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAsh9F1WRWI/Xr2c44yUSkI/AAAAAAAALt0/fHBCpAGVA5YyGdTlF4iQSB3RkJZkx_b5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Dear Reader, I hope that you and yours are safe and sound during this unprecedented time. TD and I have been staying in place at home since March the 12th, going on ten weeks now. New York City has suffered tremendous loss. Thankfully TD and I are fine. The streets have been spookily quiet and empty. Things seem to be easing up a little now but still of course no one wants to run into this virus so being outside in public and in stores is anxiety-ridden.<br />
One thing that has helped is having flowers in the house. They offer some beauty for the eye and a small opportunity to be creative in arranging them. In the beginning, flowers were only available at the corner delis. Some delis were closed and some ran out of flowers but we found a couple that still provided. Now the farmer's market at Union Square is getting into swing and flowers are available there, though we have to wait in line to enter the market and then wait in lines at each stand to be served. <br />
Sign at the farmer's market --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kAqyhWerGq0/Xr2c-F83MXI/AAAAAAAALt4/n6vIEQ-TJKQ-Vi7mjoW8L46S7-nPCvXdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kAqyhWerGq0/Xr2c-F83MXI/AAAAAAAALt4/n6vIEQ-TJKQ-Vi7mjoW8L46S7-nPCvXdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
The cheerful, fresh-looking white daisies at the top of the post were from a deli.<br />
Tulips are entertaining because after they are placed in a vase, they continue to grow and get taller --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq1LwjIhN6Y/Xr2dBUZwNjI/AAAAAAAALt8/dbQKk48OPXcgtx8bwnbJI3I3cSSbR-yuACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq1LwjIhN6Y/Xr2dBUZwNjI/AAAAAAAALt8/dbQKk48OPXcgtx8bwnbJI3I3cSSbR-yuACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I loved these big, fat, pink roses. You can't feel bad when you're looking at big, fat, pink roses. They are in a radicchio vase from Tiffany's that TD and I received as a gift from our friends Margaret and Dick Holman at our commitment ceremony in 2000. I love this vase and unfortunately Tiffany's doesn't make it any more --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xW5FmrEquq4/Xr2dHTXUi1I/AAAAAAAALuA/yD1-HKM2__wXUHkv4U1ytsmddwrmE9eYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1424-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xW5FmrEquq4/Xr2dHTXUi1I/AAAAAAAALuA/yD1-HKM2__wXUHkv4U1ytsmddwrmE9eYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1424-1.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
A single rose went on the table next to the chair where I read at night --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5b0YQbZ8XM/Xr2dMuwacKI/AAAAAAAALuI/8oC1h_0aYXAHA-KyOC6uCUWeZOxdpEPeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5b0YQbZ8XM/Xr2dMuwacKI/AAAAAAAALuI/8oC1h_0aYXAHA-KyOC6uCUWeZOxdpEPeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
A bright yellow daffodil for the bathroom --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HXJ6vL2J_u4/Xr2dSUIqhkI/AAAAAAAALuM/i4GMq8Hu9wUeqXPoH1Tm63uxGBpjID02ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HXJ6vL2J_u4/Xr2dSUIqhkI/AAAAAAAALuM/i4GMq8Hu9wUeqXPoH1Tm63uxGBpjID02ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1439.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
These tulips from Durr Flowers at the farmer's market grew and arced dramatically --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-urH8vShBZOE/Xr2dVZdHMhI/AAAAAAAALuQ/1xyd9-WYbk8Byo_13xpRfn0606hlvvxjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-urH8vShBZOE/Xr2dVZdHMhI/AAAAAAAALuQ/1xyd9-WYbk8Byo_13xpRfn0606hlvvxjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
In the pots on the front stoop I planted a mix of colorful pansies and impatiens. The ivy from last summer survived the winter. In the other pot on the stoop I planted basil but it died when we had a surprisingly cold night -- <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EwD_NTDU4Yg/Xr2dcv8C7BI/AAAAAAAALuY/a7fpHL1ChjYqUgaUq37K9Sd80QpWOzFIACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EwD_NTDU4Yg/Xr2dcv8C7BI/AAAAAAAALuY/a7fpHL1ChjYqUgaUq37K9Sd80QpWOzFIACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1899.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
A pale peony bloomed in the front hall --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iZAdDh7tWvM/Xr2dgYdYPYI/AAAAAAAALug/zw9MfbOq4-IknYO5THypiifqSuq34CHEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iZAdDh7tWvM/Xr2dgYdYPYI/AAAAAAAALug/zw9MfbOq4-IknYO5THypiifqSuq34CHEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Another peony went into a hanging glass wall vase --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qpXc-WlaARA/XsLa7BhncOI/AAAAAAAALvQ/jcKH5g1YlPAuNrB6bmZlLqIAnH5L44SzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/6B823CAE-0F73-4D36-BA86-BDBD8FFC01C0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qpXc-WlaARA/XsLa7BhncOI/AAAAAAAALvQ/jcKH5g1YlPAuNrB6bmZlLqIAnH5L44SzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/6B823CAE-0F73-4D36-BA86-BDBD8FFC01C0.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I am really missing nature and the country right now so it's nice to have flowers at home. Flowers delight the eye and offer a soothing comfort. I hope that you are finding solace too. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hv8Il45hUQI/Xr2dkg57lSI/AAAAAAAALuk/shUsMy6nmqYpDiM4sLkErzPclrUFLAYRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hv8Il45hUQI/Xr2dkg57lSI/AAAAAAAALuk/shUsMy6nmqYpDiM4sLkErzPclrUFLAYRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1896.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
<br />Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-64873279950727436852020-03-03T15:49:00.000-05:002020-05-13T11:57:45.633-04:00The Morgan Library & Museum for New York Cottages & Gardens <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tdo9zR-iDPE/Xl6Tt-MbDEI/AAAAAAAALpE/6A38QVeGza4yR2dgkEnLsov47hPcBw_9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/NYC%2526G%2BDivine%2BDesign%2B0320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1324" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tdo9zR-iDPE/Xl6Tt-MbDEI/AAAAAAAALpE/6A38QVeGza4yR2dgkEnLsov47hPcBw_9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/NYC%2526G%2BDivine%2BDesign%2B0320.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
For the "Divine Design" column for the March issue of <i>New York Cottages & Gardens</i> magazine, I was happy to write about <a href="https://www.themorgan.org/">The Morgan Library & Museum</a>, which is a favorite spot of mine and a treasure of New York. For the story, Christine Nelson, the Library curator, took me through the building on a private tour, which was such a treat and so interesting. Check out the March issue and learn about this beautiful museum, which Mr. J. P. Morgan built at the turn of the last century to house his own personal book collection. Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-38830835352942812372020-01-31T14:22:00.002-05:002020-01-31T14:22:53.990-05:00The Winter Show for Corcoran's Online Magazine Inhabit <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JIK8zsaPKoY/XjR5z8FRSNI/AAAAAAAALm0/_3S14ErMtCoTwWHDGXdQKxGZrDr6H6iPACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-31%2Bat%2B2.01.35%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="733" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JIK8zsaPKoY/XjR5z8FRSNI/AAAAAAAALm0/_3S14ErMtCoTwWHDGXdQKxGZrDr6H6iPACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-31%2Bat%2B2.01.35%2BPM.png" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
You might enjoy reading my article for Corcoran's online magazine about the Winter Show, which is happening now here in New York City. Previously known as The Winter Antiques Show, the fair has a new shorter name and a more electic range of offerings. Read all about it <a href="https://inhabit.corcoran.com/on-the-upper-east-side-bundling-up-for-the-grande-dame-of-art-fairs/">here</a>! Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-41147102090906764852020-01-14T17:33:00.004-05:002020-01-14T17:37:26.380-05:00The Mario Buatta Auction for Corcoran's Inhabit magazine <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjVsymXFLA0/Xh48apCyqdI/AAAAAAAALlQ/mtGgfpcpU8kZUeui3K6mIgEkcqEPsDicQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-12%2Bat%2B5.00.34%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1167" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjVsymXFLA0/Xh48apCyqdI/AAAAAAAALlQ/mtGgfpcpU8kZUeui3K6mIgEkcqEPsDicQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-12%2Bat%2B5.00.34%2BPM.png" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
You might enjoy my new story for <i>Inhabit</i>, the online magazine from Corcoran, about the upcoming exhibition and sale at Sotheby's of the collection of the late decorator Mario Buatta. As you may remember, Mario was a friend and we did a <a href="http://www.bartboehlert.com/2011/03/video-chat-with-mario-buatta.html">video interview with him here on the blog</a> when the New York School of Interior Design renamed its library the Mario Buatta Materials Atelier. That was a hoot. Sadly, Mario passed away in 2018 and now his collection of more than 900 items is coming to auction next week. You can <a href="https://inhabit.corcoran.com/auction-watch-treasures-from-the-prince-of-chintz/">read my story here</a> -- one last tribute to Mario. Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-5519380758024448142020-01-01T20:18:00.000-05:002020-01-10T12:11:13.576-05:00The Queen of Spades at the Metropolitan Opera <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dEoiJKsXs4/Xg1ARTnEHyI/AAAAAAAALis/Q3ctfnLZYmk4h-MoaRVSsiWmtGD3LS0sACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/the%2Bqueen%2Bof%2Bspades%2Bmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1435" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dEoiJKsXs4/Xg1ARTnEHyI/AAAAAAAALis/Q3ctfnLZYmk4h-MoaRVSsiWmtGD3LS0sACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/the%2Bqueen%2Bof%2Bspades%2Bmet.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
For my birthday recently TD and I went to the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center to see <i>Queen of Spades</i> by Tchaikovsky. It is a less well-known opera but it happened to fall on my birthday and I love Tchaikovsky so we said, "Why not!" <br />
I always love to go to the Met. As we approached the opera house through the Lincoln Center Plaza enjoying the Marc Chagall paintings that glow from inside, I remembered the time I saw Jackie Onassis outside at intermission eating an ice cream cone. Inside, the Met is all red velvet. Red velvet lines the stairs and the walls, and the red velvet seats are comfortable and cushy. Even the bar in front of each seat which carries the subtitles is covered in red velvet. Some people dress up for the opera, with women in sparkly dresses, which I like to see. I find the whole experience very plush. <br />
I enjoyed the opera a lot although the plot is simple and grim, essentially about a man who loses everything and goes mad due to his addiction to a card game. However, the production is beautiful. Set in 18th century aristocratic Russia, it features the big wigs, big dresses and dazzling jewels of the era. I just loved the ball room scene pictured above (photo from the Met website) at the beginning of the second act. Highly stylized in dramatic black and white, it reminded me of the famous black and white Ascot scene that Cecil Beaton created for the <a href="http://www.bartboehlert.com/2018/08/my-fair-lady-on-broadway-at-lincoln.html">1964 <i>My Fair Lady</i> movie</a>.<br />
The music is glorious. The opera premiered in St. Petersburg in 1890, after Tchaikovsky composed many of his most famous works including <i>Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty</i>, and S<i>ymphony No. 5,</i> though <i>The Nutcracker</i> came later in 1892. The composer died suddenly in 1893 supposedly of cholera but now it is said he committed suicide because he was gay. What a tragedy, how many more masterpieces could he have created?<br />
Fortunately the seats are comfy with plenty of leg room for a tall guy like me because the opera was more than four hours long. But it was all enjoyable and such a pleasure to be there listening to the music.<br />
I took this photo of the curtain call -- <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6YLLGJLLSno/XgE1F7eThqI/AAAAAAAALiI/UDaj5fJdAy0zxQdnHJBzSAvtEKOsHuHdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/the%2Bqueen%2Bof%2Bspades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6YLLGJLLSno/XgE1F7eThqI/AAAAAAAALiI/UDaj5fJdAy0zxQdnHJBzSAvtEKOsHuHdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/the%2Bqueen%2Bof%2Bspades.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
And then it was back out into the night and down into the subway and home to bed with visions of eighteenth century aristocratic Russia dancing in my head.<br />
Happy New Year and all best wishes for 2020! Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-74057196220298226942019-12-17T17:21:00.002-05:002019-12-17T17:30:30.977-05:00Jacqueline de Ribes in New York Cottages & Gardens <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FqXi8h86C8/XflMunPqdvI/AAAAAAAALhs/PO8fI-QW9bMmWYV4znfdYsxQ9rMFKsEywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/nycg%2Bcover%2Band%2Bstory%2Bhoriz.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FqXi8h86C8/XflMunPqdvI/AAAAAAAALhs/PO8fI-QW9bMmWYV4znfdYsxQ9rMFKsEywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/nycg%2Bcover%2Band%2Bstory%2Bhoriz.png" width="560" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I hope you can check out the new December issue of <i>New York Cottages & Gardens </i>magazine to see my latest "Divine Design" column, this one on Jacqueline de Ribes, "the last queen of Paris," who is now 90 and recently auctioned much of her family's collection of antiques and art at Sotheby's in Paris. I believe I met Jacqueline de Ribes in New York in the '80s or '90s when she worked as a fashion designer because I think she was a client of Eleanor Lambert, the fashion PR powerhouse, who often had parties in her apartment on Fifth Avenue. Jacqueline de Ribes certainly was a French style icon who was always covered in the fashion press. When I saw this auction coming up on the calendar I thought it would make for a good story. Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-18398268618398903462019-12-06T11:16:00.001-05:002019-12-06T16:47:24.436-05:00A New Museum of Modern Art <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhpshoyeA00/XegwHFzGvJI/AAAAAAAALgo/gkjPbsK4c30CEFjdeDfJAP7ia-BSMnKRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/FullSizeRender-4%2Bcopy%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhpshoyeA00/XegwHFzGvJI/AAAAAAAALgo/gkjPbsK4c30CEFjdeDfJAP7ia-BSMnKRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/FullSizeRender-4%2Bcopy%2B2.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
<i>Matisse sculptures in front of the Matisse painting </i>Dance (1) <i>at MOMA.</i><br />
I recently had the pleasure of visiting the <a href="https://www.moma.org/">new Museum of Modern Art</a> in midtown, which opened recently on West 53rd Street, and it was a very successful trip. The museum recently underwent a big renovation and expansion overseen by the architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with the architecture firm Gensler. The expansion vastly increased the size of the museum. At the same time it offered the museum an opportunity to reconsider how the art was presented and installed, and create an alternative to the story that modern art has been created by white men from the Western world. <span class="main-content__include__pull-quote__text--legacy balance-text">"The real value of this expansion is not more space, but space that allows us to rethink the experience of art in the Museum</span><span class="main-content__include__pull-quote__attribution__text--legacy balance-text">," Director Glenn D. Lowry has said. To that end, separating galleries by artist or by media has been done away with in order to blend everything so you'll find paintings and sculptures and videos all presented together. Galleries will continually change and performances are offered throughout the day. </span><span class="main-content__include__pull-quote__attribution__text--legacy balance-text">"At any given moment there will be something new to see," said Lowry. Which is all to say there was a lot to take in! </span><br />
<span class="main-content__include__pull-quote__attribution__text--legacy balance-text"> I did my trick with large spaces, which is that I took the elevator up and started at the top, the 6th floor, and worked down. The floors are much larger, longer, than they used to be so there was much to see. The juxtaposition of the art was interesting, like the Matisse sculptures and paintings above, or the futuristic Umberto Boccioni sculpture in front of a Robert Delaunay painting – </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lhtALS77j4/XegwKvhvXZI/AAAAAAAALgs/NerVREB75gc_zJ-61-wu4YYEdLEe0zAaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lhtALS77j4/XegwKvhvXZI/AAAAAAAALgs/NerVREB75gc_zJ-61-wu4YYEdLEe0zAaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8069.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I found a cherished favorite - Monet's <i>Waterlilies</i> and they looked good in their new home –<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yieof_espbI/XegwQDP-zwI/AAAAAAAALgw/9ATEtz_J2C05v0rOuhMiCEfXoeIow-QwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yieof_espbI/XegwQDP-zwI/AAAAAAAALgw/9ATEtz_J2C05v0rOuhMiCEfXoeIow-QwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8075.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
As I made my way down I could see a dance performance happening on a floor below –<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xiJeUNL8fxw/Xelk-gyBvAI/AAAAAAAALhM/VFBEQcotY7sI3kZNOgiQf_Pmg3l8xkGrACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xiJeUNL8fxw/Xelk-gyBvAI/AAAAAAAALhM/VFBEQcotY7sI3kZNOgiQf_Pmg3l8xkGrACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8081.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Around every corner was something new to discover. This wild room by David Tudo called <i>Rainforest V</i> was constructed of sculptures and found objects out of which came eerie sounds – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ca5H1ZRHlyo/XegwWvvRABI/AAAAAAAALg0/yFoHLJIOh4ww38zffOW13RSuYmiWf7HlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ca5H1ZRHlyo/XegwWvvRABI/AAAAAAAALg0/yFoHLJIOh4ww38zffOW13RSuYmiWf7HlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8107.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Honestly I didn't make it through the whole museum - it was so big. I want to go back soon and see more. I loved the unexpected surprises throughout. The large, spacious, elegant galleries reminded me of those at the Whitney Museum downtown. And like the Whitney, a lot of the galleries had videos playing in them so you heard the noise or the music or the talking of the videos. They were not quiet, silent galleries like at the Met. It's interesting how museums change.<br />
The juxtaposition of different art and media was provocative, though I was wondering if all the visitors would understand the comparisons and combinations. And of course it opens up lots of room for debate. I heard one woman say to her companion, "Some of the choices I question."<br />
A unique aspect of the MOMA is that it's smack dab in the center of midtown and you can see the city through the museum's windows unlike other institutions which are insulated from the outside. On one high floor I stopped at a window to peer out. Across the street in an old apartment building a giant tv was broadcasting colorful cartoons in the dark. Next to the apartment building was an office building where workers toiled at desks in front of bluish white computer screens. Down below, the canopy of Connolly's Irish Pub was strung with colored lights and on the sidewalk two small Christmas trees flanked the front door. Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-68411810289223660082019-11-04T22:43:00.001-05:002019-11-24T16:58:39.712-05:00John Singer Sargent Drawings at The Morgan Library & Museum <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5_V2aCzO0w/XcCsNhpwKhI/AAAAAAAALfA/UGq4GU874ZQEcfol1g2lhlv9JXzzpe91QCEwYBhgL/s1600/FullSizeRender-4%2Bcopy%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5_V2aCzO0w/XcCsNhpwKhI/AAAAAAAALfA/UGq4GU874ZQEcfol1g2lhlv9JXzzpe91QCEwYBhgL/s1600/FullSizeRender-4%2Bcopy%2B2.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
<i>John Singer Sargent double self-portrait from 1902 when Sargent was 46.</i><br />
<br />
The Morgan Library and Museum, originally built by financier J.P. Morgan in 1906, is one of my favorite places in New York, and now it's featuring on exhibition on one of my favorite artists – what's not to like?<br />
I admire the refinement of John Singer Sargent's art, and the Morgan has mounted a show of his charcoal drawings. But this isn't just a bunch of drawings!<br />
Sargent is of course famous for his large portrait paintings, like the striking Madame X and the gorgeous Wyndham sisters, which both can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But by 1907, Sargent had grown tired of producing these large, elaborate paintings, which could require up to more than ten sittings with the model(s). His portraits were still in demand however, so he turned to charcoal drawings, which were quicker and more spontaneous.<br />
For the first time ever, this show at The Morgan focuses on Sargent's charcoal drawings and gathers together 55 examples, some of which have never been exhibited before as they are in private collections. Walking through the gallery, I enjoyed the easy, breezy nature of the drawings. They seemed so fresh and spontaneous, almost like photographs capturing the subject, instead of the studied grandeur of Sargent's oil portraits. And though of course I'm sure they weren't, they appear to be effortless. The drawings possess that combination of ease and elegance that I love. <br />
At the top of this post is a double self-portrait by Sargent, who rarely produced a self-portrait. Good-looking chap. <br />
Here we have Sybil Sassoon from 1912. Sargent said she was the most beautiful woman he ever drew –<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3NETwEi87U/XcCsQkWwRwI/AAAAAAAALfM/fCBt0j6cf3sLMDSZZk4QTOXnCoWtR5wfACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="1600" height="" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3NETwEi87U/XcCsQkWwRwI/AAAAAAAALfM/fCBt0j6cf3sLMDSZZk4QTOXnCoWtR5wfACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7186.JPG" width="440" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
This is Sargent's friend artist Paul-César Helleu – I like his charcoal grey clothes and his casual, relaxed posture as he reclines in a low armchair. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3TEnZYq2EAA/XcCsT3qin_I/AAAAAAAALe0/qVmp2Hd5ASoSbw6wvtx4iiDp0oJkElDGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3TEnZYq2EAA/XcCsT3qin_I/AAAAAAAALe0/qVmp2Hd5ASoSbw6wvtx4iiDp0oJkElDGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7170.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Handsome Italian model Olimpio Fusco looks like he just stepped out of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue - <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOA4uqZ-bsk/XcCsW3PwpkI/AAAAAAAALe4/9HDE_59iD6oM3Jo36c5gV338cNk-S1UHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1600" height="" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOA4uqZ-bsk/XcCsW3PwpkI/AAAAAAAALe4/9HDE_59iD6oM3Jo36c5gV338cNk-S1UHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7173.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I was so happy to see one of my favorite portraits of all time -- Sargent's drawing of Irish poet William Butler Yeats – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dflNV7V8RtM/XcCsY20j4hI/AAAAAAAALe8/EZZc9v6ZEXsg2htUgb0TPBTFyWsTSh-GwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dflNV7V8RtM/XcCsY20j4hI/AAAAAAAALe8/EZZc9v6ZEXsg2htUgb0TPBTFyWsTSh-GwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7183.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I love everything about this portrait, including the floppy bow tie and shawl-colored jacket. Yeats is from Sligo, Ireland, which is where my great-grandfather Daniel O'Donnell hailed from before he landed in Herkimer, New York. Yeats wrote the most beautiful poem about Sligo called "The Lake Isle of Innisfree." I hope to get to Sligo some day. In the meantime, I recommend a trip to The Morgan to see John Singer Sargent. <br />
<br />Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-89104307786395487882019-10-16T16:37:00.001-04:002019-12-09T12:28:42.935-05:00Personal Stylist at Your Service <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LATnEy8zZXo/XZz8J7IhnFI/AAAAAAAALcQ/FQu7J16ZVugcJuAF8YcZR1zviKIeTSTcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-10-08%2Bat%2B5.09.37%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1331" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LATnEy8zZXo/XZz8J7IhnFI/AAAAAAAALcQ/FQu7J16ZVugcJuAF8YcZR1zviKIeTSTcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-10-08%2Bat%2B5.09.37%2BPM.png" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I've always enjoyed helping family and friends style their homes, wardrobes, clothes, and events/flowers. Having worked for years as a writer for fashion, decorating and lifestyle magazines and brands including Ralph Lauren and <i>Architectural Digest</i>, I've learned a lot about design and have been fascinated by personal style. Now in addition to writing and editing, I am happy to offer my services as a personal stylist! <br />
Above is a quote from a client whose home I styled. For Katherine and Jim, I chose new paint colors for their walls, re-arranged their furniture and bought new pieces, re-hung their art work, and did an overall edit. After I was done, Katherine said to me, "Now when we walk in, we look at everything and smile." I wrote all about the project on the blog <a href="http://www.bartboehlert.com/2011/11/my-first-decorating-assignment.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6JkpGekPYY/XZz9XuZLm5I/AAAAAAAALcY/CXbGj8J7i98cIbi-TqPbnzM2du5g3w7_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/uma%2Bcropped%2Bhoriz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1409" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6JkpGekPYY/XZz9XuZLm5I/AAAAAAAALcY/CXbGj8J7i98cIbi-TqPbnzM2du5g3w7_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/uma%2Bcropped%2Bhoriz.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Here we have my cousin Uma Deming who is a young ballerina with the New York City Ballet. I recently dressed Uma for the red carpet at the Ballet's Fall Fashion Gala, which was a lot of fun. Tory Burch graciously agreed to loan Uma this gorgeous, sequinned, midnight blue gown which fit her to perfection. I worked with Uma to choose her hair and makeup and accessories, and I think she looked beautiful. After Uma walked the red carpet, she danced in the first ballet of the evening in a piece choreographed by Lauren Lovette with costumes by Zac Posen.<br />
If you or anyone you know needs a personal stylist, please email me at bartb3@gmail.com! Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-86288802569230899232019-09-25T16:29:00.001-04:002019-09-25T17:32:36.600-04:00A New Magazine Column <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DC-gVGN0WcA/XYvFCRrpllI/AAAAAAAALbI/YdW_dUxXcQAPf8uGePG9tDWdXklzvepwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/cover%2Band%2Blee%2Bside%2Bby%2Bside.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1271" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DC-gVGN0WcA/XYvFCRrpllI/AAAAAAAALbI/YdW_dUxXcQAPf8uGePG9tDWdXklzvepwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/cover%2Band%2Blee%2Bside%2Bby%2Bside.png" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I'm happy to say that I am now writing a monthly column about antiques called "Divine Design" for <i>New York Cottages & Gardens </i>magazine! The first one, in the September issue, is about the Lee Radziwill auction coming up in October here in New York City at Christie's, which already has people clamoring. One of the lots for sale is a pair of japanned tables that were designed for her by Renzo Mongiardino, one the greatest decorators of the last century. Read all about in the September issue -- and we have a good one coming up in October too!<br />
<br />Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-57524911858353547112019-09-02T22:36:00.002-04:002019-09-07T19:05:56.508-04:00Memories of Summer in Upstate New York <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K03jDYxkLTc/XW2lB1KA9mI/AAAAAAAALZU/PySqA69f2AcGOE5WSm0tVHnmXBxv9g-UQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K03jDYxkLTc/XW2lB1KA9mI/AAAAAAAALZU/PySqA69f2AcGOE5WSm0tVHnmXBxv9g-UQCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_6516.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I always feel a little melancholy when summer draws to a close because I enjoy summer so much - the light, the warmth, the easy cotton clothes. People say, "I am ready for summer to end," but I never am. I wish it stretched on longer.<br />
<br />
TD likes the summer too and we both enjoy the beach. We traveled to a lot of beautiful beaches and visited friends and family this summer. We've been to the Jersey Shore, Fire Island, Southampton, Jones Beach and Rockaway Beach. The photos above and below are from Rockaway where we were this Saturday. The photo above is from the ferry ride home across the New York Bay. At the end of the day walking from the beach to the ferry we can stop at a deli and pick up two cold cans of Montauk Ale and then drink them while sitting on the top deck of the ferry on the boat ride home. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jllLLOP-CI/XW2lFO_GAsI/AAAAAAAALZY/R7c6DtdtApE9Up0kuMqv8n4dYaV0_0CHQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jllLLOP-CI/XW2lFO_GAsI/AAAAAAAALZY/R7c6DtdtApE9Up0kuMqv8n4dYaV0_0CHQCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_6489.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I grew up in a small town, New Hartford, in upstate New York, next to Utica, where the winters were long and harsh so when school let out when I was young and summer came it was a great joy. My parents liked summer too and we were outside all season long. This was before air conditioning was common. My brother Thom and I shared a bedroom on the top floor of our Cape Cod house, which was beastly hot. So outdoors we went. We had a wooden picnic table in the backyard and my mother and father and Thom and I and Cynthia and Eric often ate dinner there. My mother made cold salads - tossed iceberg lettuce salad, macaroni salad, tuna salad - and my father piled charcoal briquettes in the round charcoal grill and barbecued. My mother got ripe cantaloupe melon from a farmer in Clinton along with vanilla ice cream for dessert.<br />
<br />
There were limited options for swimming in our vicinity but on summer mornings during the week my mother would pack up a lunch and we'd get in the station wagon and maybe stop and pick up a friend and visit a local swimming hole for the day. There was a lake near Rome, New York, the Delta Reservoir Park, that we went to. My mother was good at entertaining us and keeping us busy. I think she enjoyed being the mother of small children.<br />
<br />
My father liked summer too and he wanted to be outdoors at night after he came home from work. He didn't talk to me much; he showed his affection by doing things. After dinner at the picnic table, he played hide and seek with us in the yard. Green shrubbery branches scratched my arms as I hid inside bushes that lined the yard. Sometimes after we ate we got in the car and drove to a park to play. Utica had many nice parks, and this was a very pretty park that we went to. It might have been Proctor Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who created Central Park in New York City. We could really run free through the woods and lawns knowing that our father was nearby.<br />
<br />
Baseball was a favorite sport of his and he enjoyed going to see the Utica Blue Sox minor league baseball team play so after dinner we drove down to Murnane Field in South Utica. I couldn't have cared less about baseball but I got to bring my friend Patty Parker who lived next door and it was pleasant to sit outside on a cool summer night under the big, bright, white lights of the baseball field. There was a small swimming hole in New Hartford called Power Dam and my father sometimes took Thom and I there on the weekend. We played together in the shallow water and he let us climb all over him. His skin was oily. My father was distant from me growing up so it felt nice to be close to him at Power Dam. <br />
<br />
In the summer we saw lots of cousins in upstate New York - on my father's side we visited Boehlert cousins in Rochester and Noonan cousins at Oneida Lake. On my mother's side, the Border girls came to 611, my great aunts' house in Herkimer, and we got together there. It was always jolly to see my cousins. Summer was a happy time, a holiday, then and I like it still. On a cool summer morning when I am standing in the kitchen with the window open, it feels like when my mother was making lunch for a day of adventures ahead. And I when I go to the Olmstead-designed Central Park (thank you Mr. Olmstead), it's like I'm with my father again in south Utica. Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-63203488094461079832019-06-23T17:22:00.006-04:002019-06-23T17:54:08.498-04:00My Profile of Mary Fox Linton for Architectural Digest <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqcCFqBX_54/XQ-SroyFDoI/AAAAAAAALUc/NKlN3nUJSUA6oRE1SkDzhWjTKbG3N9tLgCLcBGAs/s1600/Mary%2BFox%2BLinton%2Bon%2BAD%2BPro%2Bhome%2Bpage.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1251" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqcCFqBX_54/XQ-SroyFDoI/AAAAAAAALUc/NKlN3nUJSUA6oRE1SkDzhWjTKbG3N9tLgCLcBGAs/s1600/Mary%2BFox%2BLinton%2Bon%2BAD%2BPro%2Bhome%2Bpage.png" width="580" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Mary Fox Linton, the "grande dame of interior design," and writing about her for <i>Architectural Digest's</i> digital platform AD Pro. Fox Linton, age 88, was in New York for a brief visit, and I had the chance to hear her speak on a professional panel and then sit down to talk with her afterwards. I found the patrician Englishwoman to be deliciously funny and unorthodox and refreshingly un-grand-dame-like.<br />
You can read the <a href="https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/mary-fox-linton-interior-design-profile">story online here </a>(register with AD Pro for access) or you can read a pdf version <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz-vqATMdEPQcF9CWUxyOUtIazB5MnU1U2lYNkc4YnNuNkJv/view">here</a>. I hope you enjoy!Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-3821592222468773662019-05-13T16:56:00.001-04:002019-05-15T09:39:14.654-04:00"Camp: Notes on Fashion" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gXqz7cLPUZ4/XNgzbjmiGQI/AAAAAAAALQ0/PBh6kLXKvRspCBtgkdnsI8UtLaYk94WsACLcBGAs/s1600/1.%2BGalleryView%252CTitleGallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gXqz7cLPUZ4/XNgzbjmiGQI/AAAAAAAALQ0/PBh6kLXKvRspCBtgkdnsI8UtLaYk94WsACLcBGAs/s1600/1.%2BGalleryView%252CTitleGallery.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
"One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art." So said Oscar Wilde, the patron saint of Camp, which is being celebrated now in the new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute in New York City. For this eye-popping exhibition, Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge at the Costume Institute, was inspired by Susan Sontag's 1964 essay "Notes on Camp." In it, Sontag sets about to describe the sensibility called Camp, stating that a sensibility is different from an idea. "The essence of Camp is its love of the unnatural and exaggeration," she says. "The way of Camp is not in terms of beauty but in terms of the degree of artifice, of stylization." She writes that fashion in particular has an affinity for Camp as Camp is a decorative art, "emphasizing texture, sensuous surface, and style at the expense of content." With this these thoughts in mind, Andrew Bolton presents Camp (I capitalize the word as Sontag did in her essay) with a dazzling range of bejeweled, be-feathered and extravagant clothes and accessories in the galleries at the Met. While it is hard to define Camp, I think the common thread is exaggerated style combined with an arch sense of humor. This show is one big delicious wad of pink bubble gum to chew over and enjoy. <br />
<br />
The exhibit begins in small, low-ceilinged pink galleries, which explore Camp as a noun and a verb and an adjective. Audio overhead features the sound of a typewriter clacking out quotes about Camp and Judy Garland singing "Over the Rainbow."<br />
Nothing says Camp like a dress made of feathers - this Balenciaga dress from 1966 was owned by Jayne Wrightsman – <br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1o--mbzwqXU/XNgzpC9NA_I/AAAAAAAALQ4/I5BQcBxb4AUwCxENvk6SlJHU3hkNb_zxQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1o--mbzwqXU/XNgzpC9NA_I/AAAAAAAALQ4/I5BQcBxb4AUwCxENvk6SlJHU3hkNb_zxQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3896.JPG" width="520" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
This elegant jacket by Schiaparelli features golden beaded hair running down its sleeve and a jeweled eyeball –<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2_kzNPHzLEg/XNgzuw_uUHI/AAAAAAAALRA/z7IURMu_34ID0kuZ9fnB7fh93Hu9ZL9vgCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-29%2Bcopy%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1322" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2_kzNPHzLEg/XNgzuw_uUHI/AAAAAAAALRA/z7IURMu_34ID0kuZ9fnB7fh93Hu9ZL9vgCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-29%2Bcopy%2B4.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Around a couple of turns, the pink boudoir galleries give way to one large room filled with colorful double-decker squares that display more Camp clothes. In the center of the room a large square installation holds accessories. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7UzF50rTXWw/XNgz2Q51XmI/AAAAAAAALRE/aOH1e48AkcAN2_8yW-JRJYiwUnI0ZMhwQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-29%2Bcopy%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7UzF50rTXWw/XNgz2Q51XmI/AAAAAAAALRE/aOH1e48AkcAN2_8yW-JRJYiwUnI0ZMhwQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-29%2Bcopy%2B3.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Circus dresses by Manish Arora and Christian Francis Roth –<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4mQhEXfOho/XNg0Ew447kI/AAAAAAAALRY/jF-H8ezR3Ncx7R9DuBeE_dx37LOSQsErQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T4mQhEXfOho/XNg0Ew447kI/AAAAAAAALRY/jF-H8ezR3Ncx7R9DuBeE_dx37LOSQsErQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3922.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
It's a dizzying effect and honestly it's hard to take in all of the clothes in the bright cubes, especially the ones in the top level of the super-glamorous "Hollywood Squares"-like design. Judy Garland sings "Over the Rainbow" in this gallery too, bringing a melancholy twinge to the happy mood of the colorful room.<br />
<br />
As is tradition, at the press preview I attended the morning of the Met Gala, guests were ushered to the first floor Petrie Sculpture Court to hear remarks about the show. Max Hollein, the new Director of the Museum, welcomed guests and thanked "our Camp idol Anna Wintour," which made Anna, sitting in the first row, laugh. He noted, "Camp is the great democratiser" and "sees everything in quotation marks." Alessandro Michele, Creative Director at Gucci, which sponsored the show, gave his remarks in Italian. Curator Andrew Bolton described how the first, small, narrow boudoir-like galleries are like closets, which evoke the "secret, clandestine nature" of the origins of Camp. He pointed out that in the first galleries, the recording of Judy Garland singing "Over the Rainbow" was from when she was 16, while in the last gallery, the recording was from a month before she passed away. Ultimately, he said Camp is "a mode of enjoyment. It puts a smile on our faces and a warm glow in our hearts.”<br />
<br />
At a party recently I was sitting next to a fellow who had his knickers in a serious twist because he felt this show was "superficial." (These Costume Institute exhibits often elicit strong reactions and opinions.) I disagreed; I think it treats Camp very seriously and at the same time is a lot of fun to look at, as it should be. This summer, head up to "Camp"! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-90922828547745124702019-04-22T22:33:00.000-04:002019-04-25T16:17:56.706-04:00Dawn Mello, Bergdorf Goodman and Gucci <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-00s4aE2dc7Y/XL3JSu7md3I/AAAAAAAALOY/v4xgqS1PrSU9sB2-tBo-4Qrflg_4xP66gCLcBGAs/s1600/DawnMello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="874" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-00s4aE2dc7Y/XL3JSu7md3I/AAAAAAAALOY/v4xgqS1PrSU9sB2-tBo-4Qrflg_4xP66gCLcBGAs/s1600/DawnMello.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Dawn Mello, the great retail fashion director who revived the staid, unprofitable Bergdorf Goodman and resuscitated the moribund Gucci, is the subject of a new book titled <i>Dawn</i>. Published by Pointed Leaf Press and written by John Tiffany, it includes many remembrances and anecdotes from fashion designers who Miss Mello, as she was called, discovered, cultivated and promoted.<br />
<br />
Located at the foot of Central Park at Fifth Avenue and 58th Street,
Bergdorf Goodman had catered to the elite carriage trade of Fifth Avenue
but then began to lose its luster. In 1975 Ira Neimark was brought in
as President and CEO of Bergdorf Goodman, and he hired Dawn Mello, a
colleague, to be the Fashion Director. Together they set about to recreate Bergdorf
Goodman. Ira Neimark, 97, just passed away this week. I interviewed him once and he was as
charming as you can imagine.<br />
<br />
At a time when Pauline Trigere was the top American label in the store, Dawn Mello sought to elevate Bergdorf Goodman and bring energy to the store first with the new Italian designers, including Fendi, Krizia, Gianfranco Ferre and Giorgio Armani. The French followed -- like Claude Montana, Azzedine Alaia, Jean Paul Gaultier and the super-star of the 80's, Christian Lacroix. Then came the Americans including Geoffrey Beene, Oscar de la Renta, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Donna Karan. Bergdorf Goodman became the most fashionable store in the world. <br />
<br />
From <i>Dawn</i>, Miss Mello with Giorgio Armani who she brought to Bergdorf Goodman in 1980 with the first in-store Armani boutique in America – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjNxeK99aAw/XL3JTMIgJNI/AAAAAAAALOg/1x0gNzhNQGktkUIOv6Y7jf2Wpv4CtDIUwCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-28%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjNxeK99aAw/XL3JTMIgJNI/AAAAAAAALOg/1x0gNzhNQGktkUIOv6Y7jf2Wpv4CtDIUwCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-28%2Bcopy.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
In 1989, Dawn Mello left Bergdorf's and went to Gucci in Milan as Creative Director. She was hired to rebuild the over-exposed, once
luxurious Italian brand by Maurizio Gucci, who in 1995 was gunned
down by a hit-man hired by his ex-wife <span class="st">Patrizia Reggiani.</span> In New York, Ellin Saltzman
from Saks Fifth Avenue replaced Dawn Mello at Bergdorf Goodman. At
Gucci, Mello hired a young American designer named Tom Ford. Together
they restored the historical brand with a new, modern, clean style. In 1994 Mello left Gucci to return to Bergdorf Goodman in New York and Tom Ford was promoted to Creative Director at Gucci. We know that worked out well!<br />
<br />
The other night, Bergdorf Goodman hosted a book party to celebrate Dawn Mello, 86, and the publication of the book. Her legions of fans crowded the fourth floor and stopped by to say hello including Michael Kors – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7-rRjk0wpU/XL5ve3pWalI/AAAAAAAALO8/MUUqhiPXbVscNZG_0XtlIO4Ts8aM1S-1gCLcBGAs/s1600/mello%2Band%2Bmichael%2B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7-rRjk0wpU/XL5ve3pWalI/AAAAAAAALO8/MUUqhiPXbVscNZG_0XtlIO4Ts8aM1S-1gCLcBGAs/s1600/mello%2Band%2Bmichael%2B.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<br clear="left" />
At the party, Michael told me a good story about when he was a fashion student, which is also in the book. "I was working at the Lothar's store across 57th Street," he said. "I was the display guy working in
the window. Dawn knocked on the window and said, 'Who designed these
clothes?' and I said, 'I did.' She said, 'Oh I thought you were the display
guy,' and I said, 'I am.' She said, 'When you are ready come over and see me.' I
did and here we are 37 year later."<br />
<br />
"She had great taste but she also had
a great empathy and understanding of the woman who was the Bergdorf
Goodman customer," Kors said in explaining Mello's success as a retailer. "When I showed her my line, with the third piece, she
said, 'We'll take it.' It's heaven when you have someone who understands
their customer." <br />
From <i>Dawn</i>, Michael Kors on his fashion show runway in 1986 – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ltf30qhQY_Q/XL3JS16u4aI/AAAAAAAALOc/RPMhVbf5DuMShryY37MzWAIaZvmuo_JjgCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ltf30qhQY_Q/XL3JS16u4aI/AAAAAAAALOc/RPMhVbf5DuMShryY37MzWAIaZvmuo_JjgCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-29.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1953333532"></span><span id="goog_1953333533">
</span>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Linda Fargo, Bergdorf's Fashion and Creative Director, who Dawn Mello hired to work on window displays, was in attendance as well. "She changed the face of American luxury retail and changed the face of Bergdorf Goodman and a lot of the lives of the people who are in this room tonight," Linda Fargo told me. "She really was a divining rod and had an eye for talent and then nurtured it." This book pays tribute to an important retailer who shaped fashion in her time, and was devoted to beauty and style. Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-39173858407418111752019-03-07T09:46:00.000-05:002019-04-11T14:52:22.842-04:00Andy Warhol at the Whitney Museum of American Art <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26rExzjfcn4/XK-Mmze1mVI/AAAAAAAALM8/EBzMF_B50_MKpniDSYy3b8jxjRtyN1pgACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26rExzjfcn4/XK-Mmze1mVI/AAAAAAAALM8/EBzMF_B50_MKpniDSYy3b8jxjRtyN1pgACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2888.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i>Yours truly in front of Andy Warhol's colorful silk screen of art collector Ethel Scull. </i><br />
TD and I headed over to the Whitney in the Meatpacking District to see the Andy Warhol retrospective up until March 31. I think the new Whitney is great; I like it much better than the old Whitney uptown designed in the brutalist style by Marcel Breuer. The new version created by Renzo Piano is lofty and airy with super-high ceilings, and the gallery walls can be reconfigured for each show. The Warhol exhibition takes one whole floor and it's spaciously mounted.<br />
<br />
I found the show to be very interesting and surprisingly serious. I thought it would be more colorful and jazzy and celebrity-driven since Andy was best know for his portraits of famous people - Liza! Liz! Farah Fawcett! But this show was toned down and quite rigorous as it explored Warhol as an artist. One also got the sense of what a hard worker Andy Warhol was as he produced art works, films, tv shows and <i>Interview</i> magazine. <br />
I liked these delicate gold leaf shoe paintings --<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iyyTSYOM2Uo/XH8AQi8ppFI/AAAAAAAALK4/Bon-F9LpNJ85knGAF-1TAQf8sr0Bd7HrwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iyyTSYOM2Uo/XH8AQi8ppFI/AAAAAAAALK4/Bon-F9LpNJ85knGAF-1TAQf8sr0Bd7HrwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I think I was expecting more razzmatazz because of <i>The Andy Warhol Diaries</i>, the very entertaining book that was published in 1989 following Warhol's unexpected death in 1987. Andy was out on the town socially in New York City practically every night and at the end of each night he dictated notes to a friend. He was a sharp observer and the book is an amusing account of New York in the '80s with appearances by Halston and Liza and Mikhail Baryshnikov, etc, etc. Andy talks about how hard he worked to get commissions for those expensive portraits which kept his whole operation running. I, incidentally, am a big fan of diaries - Leo Lerman's diaries called <i>The Grand Surprise</i> is wonderful, and Tina Brown's <i>The Vanity Fair Diaries</i> is wickedly humorous.<br />
<br />
I personally did not know Andy Warhol as others in New York did though I did see him out at the night clubs Area and Palladium. The exhibition includes a big painting with "Paramount" splashed across it and notes that it may refer to Andy's boyfriend Jon Gould who worked at Paramount when Barry Diller was running the studio and hiring handsome men. When I worked for a small magazine company my boss was Katy Dobbs, whose best friend was Jon Gould. They had met at the summer Radcliffe Publishing Course. I remember seeing him a couple of times - a super-chic man. Jon Gould died of AIDS. Katy spoke at his funeral and said it was the hardest thing she ever did.<br />
<br />
Then Andy passed away in 1987. That was a shock. He went into the hospital for a routine gall bladder operation and died the following morning. It was one of those moments when you hear the news about someone and remember exactly where you are standing - I saw it plastered across <i>The New York Post </i>at the neighborhood corner magazine store. Besides being a prolific artist, he was a great connector of people in New York and it was a big loss for the city. Now with this exhibition at the Whitney, Andy was gotten his due.<br />
<br />
One of the favorite things I saw at the museum was on another floor - this portrait of Andy Warhol on the right with his friend Ted Carey painted by Fairfield Porter from 1960. Ted Carey also died of AIDS.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzmV2tvbyLU/XH8AVH40rJI/AAAAAAAALK8/-8Y5taNCWGs7N8I2UnzH-jSGUznn8KjFQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-26%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzmV2tvbyLU/XH8AVH40rJI/AAAAAAAALK8/-8Y5taNCWGs7N8I2UnzH-jSGUznn8KjFQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-26%2Bcopy.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
I love the easy elegance of Fairfield Porter paintings and how this portrait captures a young Andy Warhol before all of his big success. Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-5038173698925459462019-01-23T17:39:00.002-05:002019-01-25T13:13:22.738-05:00A Celebration of the Life of Mario Buatta <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gPXrEcfHEs/XEjKSD_I_pI/AAAAAAAALJU/K0SxxAjrODQOr2KnG9zMV_hOYF7Xuig-ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gPXrEcfHEs/XEjKSD_I_pI/AAAAAAAALJU/K0SxxAjrODQOr2KnG9zMV_hOYF7Xuig-ACLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_2554.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Writer Emily Evans Eerdmans (center) speaking at the event. </i><br />
Now that's what I call a memorial service. On Monday night I was invited to attend a celebration of the remarkable life of American decorator Mario Buatta who passed away in October. The event was hosted by Emily Evans Eerdmans, Patricia Altschul, Anne Eisenhower and Hilary Geary Ross, and held at the Park Avenue Armory where The Winter Show (previously called The Winter Antiques Show) is now in session. Mario is an old pal who Ted and I had known for years. Besides his talent for creating beautiful rooms inspired by the English country style, he was indeed a larger than life character with an ebullient personality and a mischievous sense of humor. When Mario received an honor from the New York School of Interior Design, we did a video interview with him on the blog - you can <a href="http://www.bartboehlert.com/2011/03/video-chat-with-mario-buatta.html">watch it here</a>.<br />
<br />
On Monday night it was 11 degrees out, RealFeel negative 9, or something like that. I bundled up and headed uptown. When I arrived the place was already packed! There must have been 300 people already sitting on gold gilt chairs so it was standing room only. I stopped at the bar for a glass of red wine to fortify myself. A man said to me, "Mario would have loved this."<br />
<br />
I inched through the crowd and secured a place to stand along the back wall where I noticed how beautiful the renovated, ornate Veterans Room is with its carved wood paneling and green-painted walls. Glass globes holding lights dangled off of exotic metal chandeliers overhead. The program began with a tv interview with a younger Mario. Then there were nine speakers in the program, commencing with Mario's friend Hilary Geary Ross. The pretty and blond Ms. Ross noted that Mario and she "were like brother and sister though he always introduced me as his mother."<br />
<br />
I think every single speaker mentioned Mario's insect gag which I witnessed myself one day when we went to a lunch at the Sherry Netherlands Hotel. Suddenly on the white linen cloth was a big, ugly, brown cockroach jumping across the table. There were shrieks all around, but the cockroach was a plastic fake on a fishing wire tugged by Mario himself.<br />
<br />
His cousin Anne Newgarden reminisced about growing up on Staten Island with Mario. Designer Christopher Spitzmiller recalled how Mario told him his pants were "like a cheap mansion - no ballroom." Editor David Patrick Columbia observed that though Mario was fun and jolly, there was a darker more complicated side to him and I think that is correct - Mario talked to me about being single and his frustrations with dating.<br />
<br />
Towards the end of the event a diminutive lady in the back row stood up and left her seat - I thought she might be looking for a restroom. But she walked to the front and picked up a microphone and started singing; it was the great cabaret performer Marilyn Maye who then offered moving renditions of "Secret of Life" and "Here's to Life" followed by loud applause. It was one of those moments when you think, "New York is so amazing." After the event was over, it was back out into the cold night but the warm affection that was in the room stayed with me. It was a lasting tribute to Mario; indeed he would have loved it. Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-31788191300050081222018-11-10T16:47:00.000-05:002018-11-19T09:51:03.361-05:00Carolyne Roehm's Constant Thread <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tEl_A5zil0/W-TR2-YNnII/AAAAAAAALCE/71UFSwLzEnkjjXzq1k9qD3ktaSkP1p1iwCLcBGAs/s1600/bart%2Band%2Bcarolyn%2Broehm%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tEl_A5zil0/W-TR2-YNnII/AAAAAAAALCE/71UFSwLzEnkjjXzq1k9qD3ktaSkP1p1iwCLcBGAs/s1600/bart%2Band%2Bcarolyn%2Broehm%2B2018.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">With Carolyne Roehm at her book party in Susan Gutfreund's Fifth Avenue home, and the cover of her gorgeous new book.</span></i><br />
Carolyne Roehm, a longtime friend of this blog, has a new book out called <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Carolyne-Roehm-Design-Constant-Thread/dp/0847863441/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1541723981&sr=1-1&keywords=carolyn+roehm+style+and+design">Design & Style: A Constant Thread</a>. Besides being impressively large and heavy (you could do bicep curls with this thing), it's unusual for Carolyne, who has produced twelve books, because this one is largely autobiographical.<br />
We caught up with Carolyne a few years back at home and did <a href="http://www.bartboehlert.com/2010/10/visit-with-carolyne-roehm.html">two video interviews on the blog</a> when she published her book <i>A Passion for Interiors</i>. Her living room, with its double height ceilings and brown velvet walls, is I think the most beautiful I've been in. Two years later we did a<a href="http://www.bartboehlert.com/2012/12/a-video-trip-to-flower-market-with.html"> video with Carolyne in the New York City flower district </a>for her book <i>Flowers</i>.<br />
Throwback to a book party past –<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Vq29ZhDT1w/W-TajkHR71I/AAAAAAAALCQ/Y9vU5WtY73s1hACcD_PFheZ0lZDPvpzrwCLcBGAs/s1600/Carolyne%2BRoehm%2Bbook%2Bparty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Vq29ZhDT1w/W-TajkHR71I/AAAAAAAALCQ/Y9vU5WtY73s1hACcD_PFheZ0lZDPvpzrwCLcBGAs/s1600/Carolyne%2BRoehm%2Bbook%2Bparty.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
For this book, Carolyne's friend Susan Gutfreund hosted a party in her renowned apartment on Fifth Avenue, and that was a real treat. The Fifth Avenue building was designed by architect Rosario Candela, who I recently <a href="https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/rosario-candela-the-man-behind-new-york-citys-most-desirable-addresses">wrote about for Architectural Digest</a>. The stunning apartment was decorated by Henri Samuel, who was the subject of a book by Emily Eerdmans Evans, which I wrote about <a href="http://www.bartboehlert.com/2018/05/visiting-18th-century-with-henri-samuel.html">here on the blog</a>. Candles flickered in the long salon facing Fifth Avenue where the party was held, and we had the chance to duck into the celebrated Winter Garden room, which is decorated in tones of yellow and green and pink. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Carolyne is dedicated to beauty and her books have been about her expertise and passions in decorating, gardening, fashion and entertaining. With this book she combines them all and explores how everything she does, from
her fashion designs to setting a table to arranging flowers, is inspired by her consistent taste and style - her constant
thread. This book is unique too because she writes about her personal life experience. <br />
Carolyne at home in the 80s and her gorgeous peonies –<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dy3fU0F8iPY/W-UBslFOMII/AAAAAAAALCo/6zgOI3wU2OMwV96wE3WR-CXkJA-ZF9kGACLcBGAs/s1600/1%2BFullSizeRender-21%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dy3fU0F8iPY/W-UBslFOMII/AAAAAAAALCo/6zgOI3wU2OMwV96wE3WR-CXkJA-ZF9kGACLcBGAs/s1600/1%2BFullSizeRender-21%2Bcopy.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Joyful tulips inspired this Roehm design – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax9NitqQXGs/W-UB1ySHkpI/AAAAAAAALCs/M3BOGpAKOIcFZIjYLfuKqEmi6eMwdQ18wCLcBGAs/s1600/2%2BFullSizeRender-21%2Bcopy%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax9NitqQXGs/W-UB1ySHkpI/AAAAAAAALCs/M3BOGpAKOIcFZIjYLfuKqEmi6eMwdQ18wCLcBGAs/s1600/2%2BFullSizeRender-21%2Bcopy%2B2.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Carolyne Jane Smith grew up in a Missouri farm town and was called Janie Smith until she decided to go by her first name and married Axel Roehm. She later married Henry Kravis, the Wall Street financier, who invested in her designer fashion collection. For ten years at the height of the rollicking 80s the couple were the toast of the town. But in the early 90s came divorce, her decision to close her fashion company and an unsuccessful attempt to start a catalogue business. Carolyne writes that, "there were moments in which I genuinely believed I wouldn't find the strength or the will to continue."<br />
As an escape, she decided to go to a college in England to study Shakespeare's tragedies, thinking that "the Bard might help me understand what the hell had gone wrong with my life." She tells a funny story about being locked out of the college dorm while taking a shower and hanging naked by her fingertips off a windowsill three stories above ground. There were regrets about her decision to close her fashion business and walk away from her catalogue venture. In Paris she had an unpaid internship at the legendary flower shop Moulié
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style>Fleurs and had the idea to create an everyday, how-to-book about flowers.<br />
In one of her designs – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WtqZ1F4PUws/W-UBbIB5SpI/AAAAAAAALCk/EqmtLZ8NVgky2iRsI_qlhgFczL97B0BogCEwYBhgL/s1600/FullSizeRender-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WtqZ1F4PUws/W-UBbIB5SpI/AAAAAAAALCk/EqmtLZ8NVgky2iRsI_qlhgFczL97B0BogCEwYBhgL/s1600/FullSizeRender-21.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Carolyne in Chanel and one of her creative gift wrappings – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4jehlLkQyE/W-UCHHEUk3I/AAAAAAAALC4/dbtoL_IxQ30rGS56b-GGdKfrIA2DApNaQCLcBGAs/s1600/4%2BFullSizeRender-21%2Bcopy%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4jehlLkQyE/W-UCHHEUk3I/AAAAAAAALC4/dbtoL_IxQ30rGS56b-GGdKfrIA2DApNaQCLcBGAs/s1600/4%2BFullSizeRender-21%2Bcopy%2B3.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Carolyne returned and writes, "...now three years after I'd slunk out of New York, feeling in
every meaningful way a failure to myself, I was back. At my lowest
moment, I had gotten off the floor and taken a baby step, one that
liberated me to move on to a new, and very rewarding enterprise. Once
that happens, you never lose the faith that no matter how difficult life
becomes, if you just take that step, things will get better. That was
the great lesson of my wilderness years." <br />
Hers is a wonderful
story of resilience and strength, and how creativity, beauty and art can rescue a person.<i> A Passion for Flowers </i>was the first of a dozen books. Carolyne is also an accomplished watercolor painter and she announced on Instagram (@carolyneroehm) that she has just launched a collection of Chinoiserie jewelry on <a href="https://carolyneroehm.com/">her website</a>. She designs and creates boundlessly without fear or limitation. I think these traits are in fact her constant thread. Cheers to Carolyne Roehm, a great inspiration. Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-81284999196283193272018-11-03T10:03:00.000-04:002018-11-06T20:53:11.891-05:00The Art of Gray Foy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2g5Gx8xX9o/W9ZFSIR_F4I/AAAAAAAALAM/vweWBYR9rhMsTLPa--HWS700EhuH-YWQACLcBGAs/s1600/Main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2g5Gx8xX9o/W9ZFSIR_F4I/AAAAAAAALAM/vweWBYR9rhMsTLPa--HWS700EhuH-YWQACLcBGAs/s1600/Main.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Up right now through November 16th at the <a href="http://www.francisnaumann.com/EXHIBITIONS/FOY/index.html">Francis Naumann Gallery</a> on West 57th Street is an exhibition of the work of artist Gray Foy, who worked in pencil, creating incredibly finely nuanced and shaded drawings. In fact, when you go into the gallery, they offer you a magnifying glass so you can inspect the drawings closely. One of the drawings is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, which lent it for this show. I knew Gray and the show was a revelation to me. <br />
This drawing is called <i>Abandoned Nest</i>, and you can see how expertly he rendered the natural subject – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ND9g8amqGNU/W9ZFbYKHZoI/AAAAAAAALAQ/jCNBvMCR4bg-1xDJnxN28kCkjppcKm4kQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-20%2Bcopy%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1460" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ND9g8amqGNU/W9ZFbYKHZoI/AAAAAAAALAQ/jCNBvMCR4bg-1xDJnxN28kCkjppcKm4kQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-20%2Bcopy%2B2.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
TD and I had the pleasure of meeting Gray, who passed away in 2012. He was the lifelong partner of the great Condé Nast magazine editor Leo Lerman, and we were introduced to the couple by TD's friend Richard. Leo was a larger-than-life personality who was an editor-in-chief of <i>Vanity Fair</i> and ran the arts coverage at <i>Vogue</i>. Leo and Gray lived in one of the most amazing apartments I have ever been in, in The Osborne on West 57th Street. After Leo passed away, selections of his journals were published in a book called <i>The Grand Surprise</i>, which is a fun, jolly read that I highly recommend. When I knew Leo, he was walking with a cane and later was in a wheel chair. Coming behind and helping him always was his partner Gray.<br />
It turns out Gray himself was a fine artist. I had no idea. The gallery materials state that Gray was born in Dallas and worked as an artist in Los Angeles and New York. Using standard issue No. 2 pencils, he created surrealist scenes of figures and body parts inspired by Max Ernst, Salvador Dali and Giorgio de Chirico. Later he moved on to plants and botanical subjects, and these are my favorite in the exhibition. The gallery notes that, caught up in the active social life he shared with Leo, Gray stopped producing his art in the mid-70s. <br />
When I entered the gallery I was the only visitor so it was a very quiet and peaceful trip. The exquisite drawings pull the viewer in for closer examination. <br />
I think my favorite was <i>Uprooted Plants</i> from 1955 – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lnwzy8t7CdA/W9ZFfJvBvDI/AAAAAAAALAU/DHtIT5eyFacw7mKT7Be5jAd7N4EmVd9WQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-20%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lnwzy8t7CdA/W9ZFfJvBvDI/AAAAAAAALAU/DHtIT5eyFacw7mKT7Be5jAd7N4EmVd9WQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-20%2Bcopy.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Here is a close up. It's hard to believe all of the shadings and gradations are rendered in pencil; it looks more like a print – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NzvTy0vLEQM/W9ZFg-zlwcI/AAAAAAAALAY/BP0Qb7nPp6o2-HaKrJPnIzZH_HbS43XcQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NzvTy0vLEQM/W9ZFg-zlwcI/AAAAAAAALAY/BP0Qb7nPp6o2-HaKrJPnIzZH_HbS43XcQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-20.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
So delicate and serene. There were many other works to explore in the jewel-box of a gallery. It was a pleasure to visit the still and tranquil world of Gray Foy. Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994301334173470273.post-75028269397824653622018-10-23T20:31:00.001-04:002018-11-01T09:21:48.137-04:00Ellen Peckham at Home on the Hudson <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OZwOhlGWe8/W86CeKg772I/AAAAAAAAK_s/XKb8Tta8ffYOVSD_9od7qWjsMHyUTbcIACLcBGAs/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="957" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OZwOhlGWe8/W86CeKg772I/AAAAAAAAK_s/XKb8Tta8ffYOVSD_9od7qWjsMHyUTbcIACLcBGAs/s1600/0.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<i><br clear="left" /></i>
<i>A view up the Hudson from Ellen's terrace. </i><br />
TD and I recently headed up to Spuyten Duyvill which is just north of Manhattan and perched along the Hudson River for the birthday party of our great friend, artist Ellen Peckham. I wrote about <a href="http://www.bartboehlert.com/2008/09/la-peckham.html">Ellen before on this blog</a> in 2008, ten years ago (!). I won't repeat here what I already wrote about Ellen except to say that it is always an inspiration to visit her, wherever she is. <br />
<br />
At that time Ellen lived in a loft on West 23rd Street in a building where Robert Mapplethorpe once lived and worked. Before that she and her husband Anson had lived in a wondrous townhouse on West 22nd Street. Now Ellen has escaped Manhattan's rushing crowds and moved to an apartment over the Hudson River. In this sprawling apartment she can live and work on her printing press making prints and put up guests.<br />
<br />
Located in a modern high-rise, Ellen transformed the space with her mix of antiques and art and books. What draws you through it once you pass through the front door is the incredible view of the Hudson River outside the wall of windows. Running along the length of the apartment is a terrace which Ellen has expertly planted with a range of foliage. <br />
<br />
The wide Hudson River stretches out below with the undeveloped Palisades beyond – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymzarTujY2U/W86CvO-N_8I/AAAAAAAAK_0/Qa7dgwTHeE4VUU2jsYNchNtff-b_vsOgwCLcBGAs/s1600/0-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="957" h="" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymzarTujY2U/W86CvO-N_8I/AAAAAAAAK_0/Qa7dgwTHeE4VUU2jsYNchNtff-b_vsOgwCLcBGAs/s1600/0-5.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Ellen told me she likes green and white and red plants on the terrace - nothing too bright or jarring. Silver galvanized buckets hold the plantings – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_KNcNAjtN0/W8O-RVBHxkI/AAAAAAAAK-g/ovSKqeodg1MV8IUfKeMWnYVHevrsiumJwCLcBGAs/s1600/0-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="957" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_KNcNAjtN0/W8O-RVBHxkI/AAAAAAAAK-g/ovSKqeodg1MV8IUfKeMWnYVHevrsiumJwCLcBGAs/s1600/0-3.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
In a corner of the long terrace, plants grow from a giant clam shell resting on a weathered case that also displays twigs and drift wood – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQPMSwkBI6k/W8O-YTk1O6I/AAAAAAAAK-o/e-hNWHah3w4BmTxMpL9nBu0lB03Y0YfIwCLcBGAs/s1600/0-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="957" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQPMSwkBI6k/W8O-YTk1O6I/AAAAAAAAK-o/e-hNWHah3w4BmTxMpL9nBu0lB03Y0YfIwCLcBGAs/s1600/0-6.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Ellen says she put sea shells in the plant boxes to provide minerals for the soil but I just think they look good – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRak6m803vU/W8O-auxg3gI/AAAAAAAAK-s/I1RjWlVfdAorznx3_MKI2t5jkBfg-GnCwCLcBGAs/s1600/0-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="957" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRak6m803vU/W8O-auxg3gI/AAAAAAAAK-s/I1RjWlVfdAorznx3_MKI2t5jkBfg-GnCwCLcBGAs/s1600/0-4.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
The terrace is like a seashore garden that has swept up onto a modern high-rise. It's a very restful, soothing place to sit and look at the river below.<br />
While the terrace relaxes with the rustic beauty of nature, the interior is filled with cultured art and antiques, which is a combination that I love.<br />
At the front door, sophisticated metallic walls and a lush orchid welcome visitors – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7o00i7szQc/W8O-gUDjDmI/AAAAAAAAK-w/1rc36_z4GJYBOmxpmNXSwG6m5zM15yhVACLcBGAs/s1600/0-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="957" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7o00i7szQc/W8O-gUDjDmI/AAAAAAAAK-w/1rc36_z4GJYBOmxpmNXSwG6m5zM15yhVACLcBGAs/s1600/0-11.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
There are beautiful things to look at everywhere – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayMQN1HpPP0/W8O-k7MXHqI/AAAAAAAAK-4/uMTRhcQw1PMDTIB331WpsRu-A1c5EmeaACLcBGAs/s1600/0-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="957" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayMQN1HpPP0/W8O-k7MXHqI/AAAAAAAAK-4/uMTRhcQw1PMDTIB331WpsRu-A1c5EmeaACLcBGAs/s1600/0-9.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
And wonderful things to read – <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ndKxAeDqYDY/W8O-obXDRtI/AAAAAAAAK_A/kFuDw_Zsp48KyvZZb5Y11vU-bm5ctc6agCLcBGAs/s1600/0-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="957" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ndKxAeDqYDY/W8O-obXDRtI/AAAAAAAAK_A/kFuDw_Zsp48KyvZZb5Y11vU-bm5ctc6agCLcBGAs/s1600/0-7.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
As twilight fell, it grew darker inside the apartment but outside the sky and the river still glowed. Neighboring lights came on nearby. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fEuy6LsW7os/W8O-spAOmeI/AAAAAAAAK_E/HvjUepfyExwGPMmCB6IJ4aFn5fgygoSowCLcBGAs/s1600/0-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="957" h="" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fEuy6LsW7os/W8O-spAOmeI/AAAAAAAAK_E/HvjUepfyExwGPMmCB6IJ4aFn5fgygoSowCLcBGAs/s1600/0-10.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<br />
<br clear="left" />
There was some music - a guitarist played and singer sang some poetry he had set to music. Birthday toasts to Ellen were made<br />
Ellen grew up in Rochester, New York, in upstate New York, and came to New York City to go to art school. As an accomplished artist and poet, she has led a fascinating life story with many adventures near and far, and has recently written a memoir, which TD has designed. She's shopping it around with publishers now.<br />
Ellen works tirelessly on her art with an indefatigable spirit. Besides her prints and poetry, to me she is an artist in everything she does - the way she gardens, decorates, entertains, lives. She was a young girl from upstate New York who came to the city and created an artful life. I've always been greatly inspired by her and was very lucky to meet her through TD and our neighbors on Jane Street years ago.<br />
Here I am with the lady of the hour –<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1TBMIXt2T5Q/W8O-xBfIUHI/AAAAAAAAK_M/X31yh8a57M03lAuOwX1m-A4Dtak3f478ACLcBGAs/s1600/0-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="693" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1TBMIXt2T5Q/W8O-xBfIUHI/AAAAAAAAK_M/X31yh8a57M03lAuOwX1m-A4Dtak3f478ACLcBGAs/s1600/0-2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br clear="left" />
Long may she reign. Bart Boehlerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12615567093206057490noreply@blogger.com0