Phantasmaphile

Ben Tolman

Ben Tolman "Self Portrait" 2004

I am astonished by the intricacy and imagination of Ben Tolman's ink drawings.  Click the pic for full detail.

Fay Ku

Fay Ku "Tiger Girls" 2005

Fay Ku rocks my world.  Her drawings are quietly sinister and filled with muted magic.  I love the accents of color and texture she adds: fine embellishments to an otherwise shadowy story.

Via

Bonnie Gloris

Bonnie Gloris "Vamp"

Bonnie Gloris is a very gifted and versatile artist.  She's a deft painter who is not afraid to experiment with palette, pattern, and angle.  Fresh.

Via

Karena A. Karras

Karena A. Karras "Seventh Sister"

Karena A. Karras is a true visionary.  Her works are at once narrative and beautifully ambiguous.  She reminds me of a modern day Remedios Varo or Paul Delvaux, which is a very high compliment!

Lou Beach

Lou Beach

I've come across the illustrations of Lou Beach a few times now, and they never fail to delight me.  He has an impressive portfolio and interprets his assignments in endlessly inventive ways.

Off to LA

So, I am again traveling to California, this time to LA.  I'm going for business, but luckily, have a little time off on a couple evenings to do some exploration.  My top priority is to finally make a pilgrimage to the Museum of Jurassic Technology.  I truly, truly cannot wait.  I hope to also squeeze in a few galleries and sites if possible, but as long as I get to that museum, I will be a happy bunny.  All posting will be suspended until my return on Sunday the 11th. 

For all you East Coasters out there, if you are looking for something fabulous to do this month, may I suggest attending a performance of this play?  It is hilarious and thought-provoking, and written by a gorgeous genius.  Go see it!

Clayton Brothers Show

Clayton Brothers "Sometimes the Load Holds Me Down"

I've posted about the Clayton Brothers before, and their new show merits another glowing mention.  "Wishy Washy" is a laundromat-themed exhibition that contains dozens of paintings and a beguiling hypercolor installation.  It's at the Bellwether Gallery through June 24th, and it is not to be missed.  Over the years, their work has gotten more layered and intricate.  Also more sophisticated and, paradoxically, more playful.  Glorious.

New Collage

I saw a fabulous show this weekend called "The New Collage."  It's at the Pavel Zoubok Gallery, up through August 12th.  A really excellent selection of contemporary collage, spanning the spectrum of style and content.  Really wonderful.

Dreamy Music Pt 2

Have had the following three albums in heavy rotation lately:

Jolie Holland - Springtime Can Kill You - I've loved Jolie Holland for years, but I think this is probably her best so far. Perfect for lazing about in the country. In field of fireflies. After smoking opium.

Goldfrapp - Supernature - Goldfrapp's latest effort is glammy and glittery.  An absolutely decadent affair.

Nouvelle Vague - Nouvelle Vague - Loungey, mellow covers of 80s tunes like "I Melt With You" and "Love Will Tear Us Apart" with female vocals. Seriously lovely and odd and delightful.  Gets me in the mood to watch French New Wave cinema.

Califortunate

Xanadu Gallery, interior

So my trip to the west coast was absolutely magnificent.  First of all, James and Suzannah's wedding was utterly beautiful.  It took place at a gorgeous ranch in Sonoma, called the Westerbeke Ranch.  (Joseph Campbell apparently spent a lot of time at this ranch, which made it all the more special.)  Secondly, I did a lot of happy (and serendipitous) exploration during the one full day I spent in San Francisco. 

For instance, we were walking along Maiden Lane (right off of Union Square), when I saw an unusual little building, decorated with an archway and metallic embellishments.  Without knowing what it was, I decided to peek inside.  It turned out to be the entrance to the Xanadu Gallery, which houses an impressive collection of international folk art from the furthest corners of the globe.  Besides that, we discovered that the entire building was designed by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright.  The architecture was breathtaking, replete with a nautilus-styled, curving ramp, a plant chandelier, and secret, circular windows in the walls.  Truly, one of the most special places I've ever had the pleasure of stumbling upon.

Also on Maiden Lane was one of the few US storefronts for Diptyque, purveyor of lovely, esoteric-looking candles and perfumes.  And just a few doors down was none other than the San Francisco outpost of my favorite shop in all the land, De Vera.  It was much smaller than the New York branch on Crosby Street, but the aesthetics of the shop are the same:  marvels perfectly curated via surprising juxtapositions. 

Later, we went to the newly renovated de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.  They have a nice collection of works that span the ages, and again, is worth visiting for the architecture alone.  (There's a nice Kiki Smith installation there right now as well, which consists of large, glass waterdrops hanging from the ceiling).  After that, we strolled in the Japanese Tea Garden, and of course, shared a pot of tasty green tea.

We rounded up the day by going to the legendary City Lights Books, founded by poet hero Lawrence Ferlinghetti.  They have an amazing selection, and an upstairs room dedicated to poetry books.  Tasty indeed.

All in all, the trip was divine - I wish it could have been longer!