How everyday structures become foundations for awesome abstract art.

Malibu Chic: Nature's Chemical Abstraction

I’m always impressed by those moments of discovery—when something functional becomes something artful—and smacks me in the face with its beauty. Here are a few shots capturing those moments – from recent trips to Nashville, Tennessee, Malibu, California, and Seattle, Washington.

Below, I zoomed in on a weathered copper panel from the foundation of this stunning Malibu coast home. Oxidation leads to a killer turquoise patina.

Sea Green: Close-up

On that same stretch of beach– underneath the storied multi-million dollar homes — you can see the raw structural supports  — wooden beams which look like precarious piles of Pick Up Stix poised for a fall. But in their own way, they are pure design.

Geometric Underbelly

"Our contractor was A.D.D."

Along the way, I discovered a small, older, somewhat neglected home with the most gorgeous peeling seafoam paint. It was so wind-beaten that it revealed an undercoat of textured gray wood.

"A Malibu Peel"

On Main Street, in Franklin Tennessee, right outside Nashville, I walked into a restaurant called “Red Pony” and grabbed the iphone to capture what can only be described as a couple of true surrealist compositions, revealing exposed brick and cracked cement walls. When I told the hostess I loved the look — she said — “Thank you. Most people can’t handle it.”

Then I ran across the work of a primitive American painter named Kelly Moore.  See if you see what I see (below). Her red skull makes for a sweet pairing with this new Nashville “brick art.”

Exposing brick -- creating art

NOT just another brick in the wall

Primitive painting by Kelly Moore

Up in Seattle, right on the shore of peaceful Lake Washington, the back of street sign caught my eye. It was weathered wood with a figure that reminded me of prehistoric cave paintings. I really love to encounter art in the funkiest places. Send me your discoveries. We’ll compare notes.

Signs of wildlife.