In Case You Missed It - Josef Frank at London's Fashion and Textile Museum

This show continues until May 7, 2017 at London's Fashion and Textile Museum.

If you're close and you love color - and the voluptuousness of nature - don't miss it!

Some of you may know that I have lived in Hawaii part of my life.

In fact, I started my life there and this exuberant version of color and nature is actually a

necessity of life for me.  Like food and love and sunshine.

How though, I had to wonder, did a man whose life was spent in mostly cold and colorless places

develop such a happy affinity with vivid and vigorous forms and tones

and chromatic harmonies that have stood the test of time?   And who stands out - from arguably

thousands of other artists engaged in the textile and homewares industries - because of the liveliness of his designs.

The museum also showcases a series of watercolors - mostly still lifes - that Frank did during his

travels - summer holidays off from his work at Svenkst Tenn and gorgeous renderings in watercolor

of his fabric patterns.  In which you are able to see just that little bit more of the artist's hand.

It's a delightful show.  If you haven't, catch it if you can.  If you can't there's more about Frank and his work here, and here, here, here.  

Australia's Impressionists at the National Gallery, London

So happy to discover these paintings and painters of Australia

at the same time as my first visit there.

This artwork is part of an exhibit now on view

in London, England

at the National Gallery until the 26th of March 2017.

These paintings for me capture so well the light, and the freshness of Australia.

For a place so far removed geographically from the rest of the world, and occupied by

a population (on a landmass nearly the size of the U.S.) of approximately only 24 million

i.e., that of New York City, London, and Hong Kong combined......

it should not be too surprising that the air seems magically clean

the beaches phenomenonally uncrowded

 and its landscapes unencumbered.

Australia presents itself as a country whose possibilities are still seemingly limitless.

Many of which are yet undiscovered.  Where a certain vibrancy

and yes, mystery prevails.  I WAS surprised by all that.

I was mostly struck, by these paintings, and the range of artwork that I saw in Oz

by a considerable clarity, exuberance, confidence, elegance and fineness of sensibility.

If you're judging a country by Baz Luhrman, Cate Blanchett, and Nicole Kidman this should really not have been a surprise.

The Australians are carrying forth a stunning artistic legacy into the world.  If you ever get a chance to enjoy some of it, i.e., by visiting OZ, or via this gorgeous exhibition, do yourself a great favor:  

Don't miss out!

(More pics soon, hope you all had a great weekend!)

The Jazz Age at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London

Located on one of the oldest streets in London.....(Bermondsey St.)

where you'll find lots of little shops and restaurants of every kind.

Just steps out of London Bridge Station and about a half mile

from Borough Market and Shakespeare's Globe.

The Fashion and Textile Museum is not the biggest, or best known museum in London.

But it is almost required revisiting for fashionistas, nostalgic types, textile junkies, you know who you are.

Last time for me, it was the Missoni Exhibit.  And now, my favorite fashion era...the Jazz Age.

Comfortable, feminine clothes.  That bespeak simplicity, elegance and panache

all at once.  Floaty too.  Who doesn't love floaty?

And next up - for the New Year which is coming faster than we'd like.......

Josef Frank!  What you can't see on that poster are the words spelling:

BOOK NOW!

The Design Museum, London - November Re-Opening

The New Design Museum Shop

was an exciting stop during our

sojourn across the pond.  (We always have to make a stop in the U.K. to visit with Mr. P. 's family.)

The Design Museum is re-opening November 24, 2016 in it's new quarters next to Holland Park.

The shop is small but everything within seems to be perfectly formed.

From soaps (up top) to the ultimate in bicycle bells (2nd pic) to these poetical flowery arrangements.  Highly recommended. Holland Park is a lovely, magical park too.  More on that soon.

Summer in September

Lest Summer rush away from us too soon and leave us in September

 (via Ulrika Randel at Seventeen Doors I think)

misery, cold, damp and bereft......

 (via the London Fashion and Textile Museum)

Here are some summer-gleaned images from around the world and web to prolong the Summer glow.

(via Selvedge - this and the following pic)

To cheer the heart and make us wonder

 (pencil shaving flowers: FOR REAL!?)

"could we do that?"

 (via SF Girl by Bay)

To remind us.

(via Print and Pattern)

That we CAN have our cake and eat it to.

(via Posie Gets Cozy)

That we CAN make the life of our dreams.

(via Vintage London/Handpicked)

That we CAN go where goats roam.....and we CAN be many people.

Summer dreams can become reality.  Just try it!  (And report back to me what you find and do!)