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.
Okay I live in the Northeast and fall foliage surrounds me. It is beautiful and sadly it is fleeting. True to Lonnie’s mantra- art is everywhere. I see it in the trees. When the the leaves fall however… where will I look for my art “fix?”
I cast my eyes down to the ground. Canadian geese droppings in large green curls adorn the sidewalk. I do my best to keep it from adorning my shoes. No- this is not artwork this is artful dodging. I lift my eyes to the door to my car. Purple, red, black and white bird droppings splattered on my windshield. It was so “organic” in the true sense of the word. Instead of joy- I was mad because this stuff is hard to get off the car. Sadly I have resigned myself to two truths. One – I don’t live where Lonnie lives so maybe art isn’t in my “everywhere” and two- It can’t be art if it unhygienically sticks to you or your possessions.
Do you think I should move?