Dare We Toot Our Own Horn?

"Old Pueblo" - Dougan Gary

Humility is a virtue, but Christy Stewart at JustLuxe.com wrote such a nice article on our company that we couldn't resist sharing it with readers. JustLuxe is a very lovely website that explores the nicer things in life. Check it out and see what we mean.--Ruth

Rising Star

For those of you who like comedy, here's a hot tip. You can watch the progress of comedic genius Alex Koll rise through the ranks of Comedy Central's (Burger King sponsored) Open Mic Fight. Just click here for details.

Oh, and yes we have a vested interest. He is our son-in-law. You can even vote for him during certain stages of the competition.--Ruth Mitchell

The World Truly is a Smaller Space

Acknowledging "the pioneering and inspiring work of Twitter, BoredAt, Digg, PostSecret, PopSugar, and HotOrNot in this field," yet another social network was launched last May. What makes Truemors stand out is the unabashedly democratic use of unsubstantiated information, and their no-bones-about-it-attitude that the information might be true, might be rumor, but undoubtedly whatever it is, it will be provocative. The intent is to spread information as far and wide as possible. I wish some of the other journalistic endeavors of this world would just come out of the closet on this issue and take the stand that their news maybe be less than factual or corroborated with three trusted sources.

One of the most singular compelling items I saw was singer John Mayer's sobbing apology to his fans for having a live pit bull fight that as he describes it, "was rather successful over the past few weeks," until Brutus broke lose and evidently a lot of fans got hurt. Now that's some dog fight. I am at once appalled that this is legal, and absolutely fascinated that this is something attractive to rock fans. But what do I know?

The tab on Truemors topics included the Latest and the Greatest, as well as Auto, Business, Crap, Entertainment, Food, Gaming, Health, News, Odd, Politics, Science, Sex, Sports and Tech.

I first heard about Truemors, directly from one of its developers, Guy Kawasaki of Garage Technology Ventures in Palo Alto, one of my favorite bloggers whose blog is modestly titled, "How to Change the World." I had contacted Guy a while back in a fit of "fanacism." His blog is easy to read, down to earth, insightful and out of the millions of blogs, one I am interested in keeping up with. Others think so too, as he has a high traffic Alexa rating.

Guy told me about TFF as well, just coming out. A Truemors for Friends where you can post selectively to your closest friends, and allies and not broadcast to the world.

I must say blogging, has brought me into contact with a richly diverse context of topics, characters and possibilities that far exceed what I used to get out of reading or writing fiction. Dog fights at rock concerts, who knew?--Ruth Mitchell

Of course I didn't forget to leave you with something tempting to buyoutsidethebox...

"Statehouse Interior - Giclee print By George Wittenberg"

Finishing What We StART

"Echoes II" - Oil Painting by Rene Hein

I went through a stage where I would allow myself not to finish a book. This was good for me, but almost as wasteful as not eating everything on my plate. I just woke up one day, and said, "the world will not come to an end if I decide in the middle of a book that I don't want to finish it." And lo, and behold, the world did not come to an end.

On the flip side, I recently read the last page on a book I did not care for, but you know what, I really liked the last five pages.

Generally, my nightstand has two or three books stacked up on it. Currently, there are six, and the stack is growing. I actually enjoy each of the books, but only in small doses. The last book I gobbled was all over in two days. My reading habits are kind of like my stock investing. The good ones go fast.

That's not necessarily true of art. Art sticks around and grows on you, and continues to enrich you every time your look at it. If you liked it the first time you saw it, chances are you will like it even better the next time you see it.

Take a look at this abstract painting by Rene Hein. It is simple and yet, complex, and every time I view it, there is something else I discover about it.--Ruth Mitchell

When it Comes to the Next Best Thing, Forget About it

"San Antonio" - Intaglio Print

By artist Andrew Neighbour

I have a friend that just cracks me up. Old-fashioned witticisms with a modern, relevant twist come out of his brain and through his mouth as steady as the flow of a mountain stream. The other day we were talking and he says, "You know they always say when one door closes another one opens, but they never bother to tell you how long the dang hallway is."

We all have those times in our lives when we feel like we're hanging around waiting for the next best thing to come along, or we might be in an especially long, dark hallway with no idea when the door is going to open up.

For instance, I've been practicing frugality in my life lately. I do this from time to time, and it usually seems right. These very brief bouts of trying to control my outgoing cash flow, usually end with a door opening up, letting in the sunbeams which are bouncing off lifting clouds. I feel an ease and comfort, which is not very often preceded by a check, I just have a feeling that things are going to get better. I liken my experiences with frugality to fasting, of which I have little or no experience unless you want to call those brief intervals between 3 square meals a day, a fasting period.

The point is, tightening your belt is a good discipline, but not a way of life. If we think stingily, fearful that our world is coming to an end, then we are not open to the opportunities of life.

I've been an entrepreneur all my life according to my older sister, who says I used to buy and trade horse models at the tender age of 8. If only my mother hadn't thrown my horse collection away, I'd be a millionaire right now, as those retro horses, like appreciating Barbie dolls are more costly now than when they were new.

Collecting has got to be more than just about "appreciating assets," however. Collecting for me is about "appreciating" the intrinsic value of something. And as I've written many times before, collect art that you enjoy, not what the critics tell you is "the next best thing." There's too much waiting in our lives for the "next best thing." Go out and live your life today, I say. Look through our pages, and see what you can find to collect what inspires you.--Ruth Mitchell

A Little Shorthand

Conflict
The other day I had a difference of opinion over the interpretation of a statement. It was about something close to my heart, and I argued my point vociferously. Those who know me personally are chuckling right now.

I really don’t like conflict, but it is an inescapable element of life at times.

Interpretation
How we see, how we process, how we spill it back out.

Resolve
If we allow ourselves to say what we mean, and mean what we say, we will come through the other side of conflict with comfort.

Living
Traveling beyond the difficulties of the moments to truly enjoy the tiny aspects of our day.

Art
Presenting, processing, enjoying. No explanations needed.

"Flower .5" - kEith kImmel

Hands Across the Waters

"Perspective" - Ildikó Kalapács

It never ceases to amaze me how universal art really is, cutting across deep chasms of cultural differences. For instance, Ildikó Kalapács, one of our long-time exhibiting artists lives in Spokane, Wash., but was born in Hungary, and has strong connections to Japan originating from her first visit there. Just about every summer, Ildikó travels to her native Hungary to work, exhibit and visit her first home. This summer's highlight is a documentary film that is being made about her, and an exhibit of her paintings and sculpture at the Dusha Galéria- August 21-September 21, 2007

This is some selected dialogue from Koichi Kawasaki, a curator in Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art. "I am one of Ildikó’s friends in Japan," he starts out. "I met her several years ago when Ildikó visited Japan for the first time. Through our talks and a file of her works that she showed me at that time, I found those works she made in the U.S. very unique and something that we Japanese do not have. Her first visit excited curiosity about Japan so much that she has been making various efforts to make a dream of staying in Japan come true. I am sure that all of her efforts will be rewarded in the near future.

"I realized that her recent works have more distinct identity than ever and I think her visits to an Oriental country, like Japan, along with her background in Hungary, and life in the U.S enabled her to deepen the orientation of her art. Her ethnic background, the environment in which she grew up, and all the experience she had have all started being integrated into her recent works. A piece of work that she sent me months ago only gave me an impression that her works [have] greatly changed. The file of her works that she has just sent me, however, convinced me not only of the reason for the change but also of prospect for further progress of her works."

You can view and purchase several of Ildikó's works at buyoutsidethebox.com. Each of her works available on the site, are expressive of this rich depth of understanding she has of people as one.--Ruth Mitchell

You Can Stay in Style

LeeQuen Lounge - Designed by award-winning

San Francisco industrial and furniture designer Rick Lee and

his wife, nationally-renowned couturière Colleen Quen.

We've stayed at the Kensington Park Hotel in San Francisco several times now. Its location is ideal for our needs, but we've always had a yen to try out some of the other Personality Hotels. Hotel Diva, is one of the more flamboyant, artsy members of the San Francisco boutique hotel company Personality Hotels.

Personality Hotels’ President and CEO Yvonne Lembi-Detert recently hand-selected four top San Francisco designers and asked them to create their own unique vision of a great lounge. “When Hotel Diva opened in 1985, it broke the mold for hotel design, and after two decades it is still at the creative forefront,” says Lembi-Detert. “I personally chose designers that I trusted to further the innovative expression of the hotel, while continuing to offer the warmth and hospitable comfort our guests expect.”

From skateboards lining the walls to a couture dress suspended from the ceiling, each lounge has its own unique style and personality. All of the lounges are open 24-hours a day and offer complimentary use of iMac computers. These perfect little spots offer Hotel Diva guests an inspirational space for brainstorming, meeting with a friend or colleague, checking emails or simply unwinding after a long day.

Award-winning San Francisco industrial and furniture designer Rick Lee and his wife, nationally-renowned couturière Colleen Quen, combined their talents to create the LeeQuen Lounge on the 5th Floor. Quen's signature Madame Butterfly gown can be seen cascading from the ceiling as a light fixture creating a surreal glow over the strikingly whimsical design pieces placed below. The LeeQuen lounge celebrates the fusion of nature, fashion and design, reflecting both designers’ avant-garde sophistication. To find out how you can stay at one of these beautiful hotels with personality check out their website.--Ruth Mitchell

Collaborative Art

Solaris - Pecomilone

It's kind of fun envisioning how they do it, Peter Dimov ( Peco ) and Milena Gecheva ( Milone ), painting like they do at the same time on the same canvas, becoming the alter ego Pecomilone. These two Bulgarian contemporary artists only work collaboratively with each other. "So,we create art with love, feelings and fantasy," Milena explains. I think it is Milena who tells me this, but I'm not sure, it might be Peco. Take a look at the unusual Pop art executed in oil on canvas.--Ruth Mitchell

Pretty in Blue, or Pink, or Magenta

Last night I wore my beautiful hand painted silk camisole, created by Kathy Davis of Kaala's Creations to our neighborhood 4th of July cookout. Despite the soupy humidity and heat I remained cool and carefree, and got loads of compliments. So, Kathy was on my mind this morning when I received an email from her. She was recently written up at Newsday.com, and I thought our readers might be interested in seeing what they had to say about Kathy.

I really admire what Kathy does, not only are her silks incredibly iridescent and lovely, but the craftsmanship of the stitching is topnotch. My mother came from the old school where every woman knew how to sew, and she in particular was an outstanding seamstress in her own rite. With four daughters, our mother made many of our dresses.

On top of the beauty and quality of Kathy's fashions, there is the great price. A much lower quality garment, made in China might cost more than one of Kathy's beautiful pieces. I suggest to anyone out there, that likes to look good, to check out this link and get yourself going with beautiful, original artwork for wear!--Ruth Mitchell

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Jasper Cropsey - "The Backwoods of America"

Some critics might say Jasper Cropsey's "The Backwoods of America," part of the Crystal Bridges growing American Art Collection is a symbolic icon for billionaire Alice Walton's passion for the arts.

Designed by world renowned architect Moshe Safdie, and funded by billionaire Alice Walton, the $50 million (that's just the cost of the facility and doesn't include the artworks) Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is scheduled to open in 2009, in Bentonville, Arkansas. It was two years ago this month that the daughter of Sam Walton, Founder of Wal-Mart, made the controversial announcement.

The museum will house a permanent collection of signature works from American artists along with galleries dedicated to regional art and artists including Native American art, but oddly enough, this monumental task is not making everyone happy.

The depth of the museum is indicated in a purchase from Christies America's auction house in New York City in 2004 of Charles Wilson Peale's portrait of George Washington for $6.1 million. This is causing some critics to puff up, believing that the art works are being snatched from their own backyard. No need to worry, collaborating with other institutions will be an important focus of Crystal Bridges, even before the museum opens, and they can also rest easy to know Bentonville does have an airport.

A number of the works from the Crystal Bridges permanent collection are already on loan at various museums throughout the United States including: The Hudson River School masterwork "Kindred Spirits" which was loaned to The National Gallery in Washington, D.C. for public viewing from 2005 - 2007. It is currently on loan to the Brooklyn Museum's exhibition by the same name featuring the works of Asher B. Durand. The same exhibition will also travel to Washington D.C. and San Diego. Thomas Eakins' Portrait of Professor Benjamin H. Rand is currently on loan to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Jasper Cropsey’s majestic depiction of early American frontier life, "The Backwoods of America," is now featured in the American galleries of The Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City, and the most extensive surviving group of Colonial American portraiture, the Levy-Franks family paintings, is currently on loan at The Jewish Museum in New York City. Also, the distinctive painting George Washington (The Constable-Hamilton Portrait) by the American painter Gilbert Stuart is currently on view at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

While the puffers puff, others admire Walton's passion and dedication to the arts, and recognize the fact Crystal Bridges will be the premier American Art Collection, once it is in place. The collection is headed up by Bob Workman, formerly associated with the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.

When completed, the museum complex will encompass approximately 100,000 square feet of gallery, library, meeting, and office space, a 250-seat indoor auditorium, areas for outdoor concerts and public events, gallery rooms suitable for large receptions, as well as sculpture gardens and walking trails. Walton is building this "American Dream" on 100 pristine, wooded acres her family owns in Bentonville.

To find out more about this amazing museum visit the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art website. --Ruth Mitchell