google ad sense 728 x 90

Paul Davies' Paintings Combine Modern Architecture, Pools and Palms



above: Empty Pool, Modern Home and Palms by Paul Davies

I've recently come across an artist whose subjects align with more than one of my personal art fetishes. Combining modern architecture, trees and swimming pools - even empty swimming pools to boot (I have a thing for paintings of pools, both empty and full, see here), Paul Davies' work really speaks to me.

I just love the juxtaposition of the strong long low horizontals of the modern architecture with the soaring verticals of the trees (Palms and Aspens).


above: Modern Home, Red Aspens and Snow, Paul Davies, 2008

Apparently, I'm not alone.... his work speaks to many people since all the paintings in his upcoming show- which opens today, have already sold. No, I'm not kidding.

Paul Davies, New Paintings 2009, 28 April - 17 May Tim Olsen Gallery

Sydney artist Paul Davies (not to be confused with another talented Paul Davies) has a new exhibit of his 2009 'new paintings' at the Tim Olsen Gallery, beginning today through May 17 in Australia. Prices range from $7,700.00 to $24,000.00 USD.

His work, which is acrylic on canvas or linen, combines modernist facades with bold washes of color. He cites David Hockney and David Schnell as some of his inspirations, I also see a little Diebenkorn. Rather than describe them, take a look for yourself.

Empty Pool, Sunset:

Two Palms, Aqua and Orange:

Black and Blue, abstract pool:

Modern Home, Pool and Cream Sky:

Night Aspens and Modern Home:

Burnt Aspens and Modern Home:

Night sky, South coast Palms and Modern Home:

Peach Sky and Modern Home:

Snow Trees and Modern Home (diptych):

Bilgola House:

Orange/Blue Seidler:

Centenary Pool, Brisbane:


Paul Davies - ABOUT THE ARTIST


above photo by Benjamin Ong

(Bio from timolsongallery.com)

Sydney based artist Paul Davies has been exhibiting with Australian and international galleries for the past five years.

Raised in Gosford, NSW, Davies learned traditionalist painting techniques from local landscape painter Kell Connell. He then studied toward a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from the University of New South Wales (College of Fine Arts), majoring in Sculpture.

Davies then travelled to Asia, Africa, Europe and North America; and spent several months developing his paintings in England. It was in London that Davies held his first solo exhibition at DK Gallery in Russell Square. At this time he was also awarded a prize from London’s TNT Magazine for excellence in photography.

Returning to Sydney in 2001, Davies held consistent and original solo exhibits with Space3, Knot Gallery and Firstdraft Gallery. His 2005 solo show at 'blank_space' in Sydney was the first sell out exhibition for the gallery.

Largely working with Australian and international modernist architectural facades and interiors, Paul Davies work features the use of delicate hand-cut paper stencils, that provide a perspective, content and detail within a painterly abstract environment. These stencils are created using both Davies’ own and researched photographs.

The buildings in Davies paintings remain vacant of people to reinforce the original idea of its architect, allowing the viewer to experience an “open plan living” ideal. Davies work looks at both the restored and forgotten modernist buildings in a way relevant to today rather than isolating them in their time. In creating this unique style of landscape painting, Paul Davies sights inspiration from some of the world's greatest living artists such as Peter Doig, David Hockney and David Schnell.

Davies' work appears in private and corporate collections both here and overseas and has been commissioned to create works for a diverse range of companies including; Historic Houses Trust, Stockland and BYL Companies Philadelphia. Recent publications include Art & Australia, Art World, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Belle, Wish, Inside Out, Urbis, and Yen magazine as part of the China Heights Collective.
See more of his work at Tim Olsen Gallery here.

Modern Eco-Chic Townhomes: Celadon Greenway



What is it?
A newly completed 24 town house development that is both green and nicely designed.
Celadon’s modern minimalist eco-friendly townhomes are meticulously designed. These spacious residences feature 10 to 20 foot ceilings with soaring open spaces, fully appointed gourmet European kitchens, luxury master suites and expansive windows--- and lots of eco-friendly features!





Why is it?
Origin Development, developer of Celadon, seeks to develop a new type of community that fosters the health of humanity and of the environment. The goal is to lessen our footprint on the Earth by promoting smarter development. Green building increases the chances for a higher resale value and provides a living environment that is healthier, more comfortable and more cost-effective.




All of the homes at Celadon are 30-40% more energy efficient than standard homes and are Energy Star qualified. Energy Star homes feature enhanced insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling, efficient appliances and third party verification. As a result, owners enjoy an automatic 5% savings year-round on their power bill.

FEATURES:
* Bamboo flooring in living areas and bedrooms
* Natural slate flooring on ground level that “flows” from outside
* Modern designer hardware on all doors
* Security system
* Pre-Wire package
* Quiet-track belt-drive garage door opener







KITCHENS
Kitchens designed for the chef and the entertainer:
* Modern designer kitchen cabinets with choice of genuine Wenge wood veneer or solid color lacquer gloss finishes; buyer-specified custom color available as an upgrade
* Blum BlumMotion hardware including slow closing drawers and cabinet doors
* Quartz countertops
* Stainless steel undermount kitchen sink
* Glass tile backsplash
* Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer dishwasher
* Fisher & Paykel gas cook top on pedestal island
* Fisher & Paykel wall-mounted oven and microwave
* Stainless steel island range hood
* Interactive countertop to accommodate stools
* Premium modern faucets






BATHROOMS
Modern-design bathrooms with luxurious features, including:
* 2' x 2' Porcelain tile on walls and floor
* Quartz vanity with inset vessel sinks
* Premium faucets
* Modern designer toilets
* Dual showers in master
* Freestanding soaking tub in master
* Separate water closet in master
* Oversize walk-in closets
* Glass-enclosed wet room/shower





where is it?
Celadon is set among the tree-lined streets and sidewalks of the Historic Wesley Heights neighborhood, less than a half mile from uptown Charlotte, North Carolina.

About 30% of the entire site is reserved for a dedicated tree-save area, reducing storm water runoff and ensuring pristine views remain while providing a buffer between the greenway and the private enclave of Celadon.

who is it?

Origin Development, LLC

Celadon is designed, built, marketed and sold by a team led by Origin Development. Origin Development was started by two partners, James Funderburk and Jim Hock who are passionate about Charlotte and seek to improve the community.

• square footage ranges from 1000 sq.feet to 2,500 sq.feet
• costs range from 235k to $495k.

Architects: Liquid Design, Builders: Sagehorn & Co., Inc.



all photos courtesy of celadon and Liquid Design.
celadon greenway townhomes

Slutty Barbies, Gangsta Baby Dolls And Serial Killer Action Figures




When I was a little girl, my choices for baby dolls included Mattel's Baby Tender Love, The Crissy Dolls (whose hair grew with a push of their belly button) or a Talking Mrs Beasley doll.
The kind of dolls that when stuffed into a stroller, didn't garner much attention from passers-by.


above: the innocent dolls of my youth

But things certainly have changed (as they should- to some degree) and the Gangsta Baby Dolls both thrill and repulse me simultaneously. I'm not going to go into a dissertation about the increase in violence, how MTV ruined the world, lol... or how kids are not what they used to be. You all know that already. But in this post, I just wanted to show you the available dolls on the market that reflect those changes in society and culture.

Now, if I saw one of these dolls in the arms of a toddler, I'd have to do a double take... but I may also have to ask where it was purchased. Luckily for you, I've added the link to buy these bizarre but fab Gansta babies by Mezco.


buy the Gangsta Babies Pookie Doll here.


buy the Gangsta Babies Big Deuce Doll here.


Buy the Gansta Babies Rey Rey doll here.


Buy the Gangsta Babies Benjino Doll here.

My Barbie Doll drove a corvette, not a hog. But things have changed, now Barbie is a leather chaps-clad chopper chick. And she has a huge tramp stamp on her back. At least she comes with a helmet.

Harley Davidson Barbie Doll:

Buy Harley Barbie here.

Since tough chick Barbie (above), needs a friend to hang with, there's Hard Rock Cafe Goth Barbie and Hard Rock cafe Runway Barbie:


both Hard Rock cafe barbies are available for purchase here

And although there were some 'monster dolls' like Frankenstein or Dracula, there certainly weren't any Action Figures known for their blood-lust and the murdering of innocent people, like these actions figures modeled after popular pop culture serial killers and drug dealers.


Pre Order the Dexter Action Figure here


Buy The Hannibal Lechter Action Figure here.

You'll notice, no one has the nerve to mass market a Ted Bundy Doll or a John Wayne Gacy doll, but there's really not that much of a difference.

Drug Dealer dolls:

Buy the Scarface action figure here.

As an adult, I can appreciate the dolls above, and would even buy them, but would I buy them for my kids? I'm not sure. Would you?

These Creatures: Fun Feeders For Cats & Dogs




Looking for a fun new ergonomic feeding station for your dog or cat? Well, These Creatures of Seattle has a bunch of fun choices with their artsy and graphic powder coated stainless steel hanging feeders.

• Removable stainless bowls
• Fabricated out of 12-gauge steel and powder coated for durability
• Secures firmly to the wall and comes in 5 colors to choose from with, matching hardware.
• Designed and manufactured under one roof in the USA.
• Colors include: Limesicle, Coral, Parakeet, Charcoal, Pearl

DOG FEEDERS
For dogs, they have many popular breeds already and are making more. Shown below are a small sampling.








To see available dog breeds, go here.

CAT FEEDERS
There are 3 options for cats which consist of Cat Sitting, Cat with Fish and Cat With Bird(all shown below, each is available in various colors):





OTHER FEEDERS
They offer two 'generic' feeders as well. A Squirrel or an Octopus, both shown below:




In 2008, These Creatures, Inc. was founded by designer and craftsman Frank Mansfield, whose background lay in custom furniture and retail design. They presently specialize in breed-specific hanging feeders for dogs and cats, with plans for a broader selection of breeds, free standing feeders and accessories in the near future.

They also donate a percentage of their profits to to the support of animal rescue organizations that make the world a better place for animals and the people who love them.


Prices range from $175.00 - $235.00 USD depending upon size.
buy them here.

All images and info courtesy of These Creatures, Inc.

Please donate

C'mon people, it's only a dollar.