Friday, November 15, 2013

Ira Yeager

I am usually not drawn to bright fanciful artwork but I adore the playful portraits done by Napa Valley artist Ira Yeager that hang in the home of Alexis Swanson Traina.  He paints an eclectic array of subject matter ranging from Wappo Indians to Marie Antoinette's peasants to landscapes of the Napa Vineyards. Here are some examples of his work.

 Image from Lonny

Vineyard Study #10

Wine Vendor, 2006






Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Venice Gritti Palace + House of Waris

For the next year Jewellery designer Waris Ahluwalia will be displaying the 'House of Waris Rare' installation in the newly restored Gritti Palace Hotel in Venice.  The collection will feature handcrafted pieces that Waris collected from 40 independent artisans from more than 14 countries around the world. 
When asked about his philosophy on the exhibit he said, "it affirmed my belief that craftsmanship is not a thing of the past, or a fleeting trend of today, but a timeless practice that connects mankind with each other, with the earth, and with the great unknown."




Italian jeweler Delfina Delettrez's stone hand blacelet located in the Gritti Palaces' Explorer Library

Stefano Zanin for House of Waris mirrored rhinoceros sculpture

American artist Tim Rowan's sculptural tea bowls

Turkish designer Ribat Ozbek embroidered cushion

All photos from Wallpaper*