Tried and True

One thing that always amazes us about architecture is the, "how did they do that" factor. Whether it's a perfectly arched doorway in an 19th century cape, or a cantilevered floor of a 21st century apartment building, the tools for construction (and living) have remained (relatively) constant. Here are some timeless companions we've found on our travels to any home, even Mount Fuji Architects Studio's Tokyo home via Wearesuper Famous.

The Old Man and the Sea

After a day in the big city down south (DC), we headed over to Annapolis to explore something a little smaller--but packed with just as much history. We spent the day walking the streets and were amazed by the different styles of architecture that create this tight, manicured, and calming historic town. But what made it even more special for us is it's roots in the water. From the the nautical shops off Main Street, to the United States Naval Academy, to the docks that have been visited by Puritans and purists, Annaplois is most certainly Maryland's Old Man by the Sea.

Summer Hockney Blue

Summer is gone and, though muggy and warm in NY, there are no sweet, swimming pool blues around. We'll say goodbye to summer with Hockney and the modernism we came across in the season of blue skies, pools and sunshine.

Railroad station, Tucson, AZ

David Hockney, Splash!

David Hockney, Water Made of Lines and Crayon via Artnet

On Warren Street, Hudson, NY

David Hockney, Portrait of Nick Wilder via Frederico de California

Diversity in DC

We drove south this weekend toward Washington, DC to see the ultimate antique house...the White House! After two security check-points, we made our way inside the 18th century home along with an array of other visitors from across the globe. We all marveled at the neoclassical architecture, traditional design, and vast collection of art that filled the walls from floor to ceiling. From abstract still-lifes to presidential portraits, the collection was as diverse as the city itself. While DC can seem old and traditional on the surface, we found ourselves parking among glass monoliths, strolling through "hot dog row" and lunching near a great gate that proved there's much more to that town than meets the eye.

Entrance to Chinatown

Jessica Tan Gudnason, Untitled from the Chinese Opera series, 1991/2007

East Executive Avenue NW

Wayne Thiebuad, Hot Dog Row

17th Street NW

Josef Albers, Homage to the Square - Blue Reminding, 1966

Inside, Out

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." - Carl Jung

Above: house and grounds of 19th century colonial in Acworth, New Hampshire

Man-Faced Dog...the Art of Stonehouse, Anderegg and Peacock

There is something nostalgic and tragically beautiful in figurative art based on vintage comics and side show graphics. We have loved, for quite some time, the art of Fred Stonehouse, Wesley Anderegg and Daniel Peacock. While they are all quite distinct in figuration and rendering, they are amazing artists who masterfully combine the comic with the tragic.

Wesley Anderegg, Trapeze

Fred Stonehouse, Shop Goat at Columbia College Chicago

Daniel Peacock, Lucky Tooth via Gallery Driver Limited

Wesley Anderegg, Squeeze Box Lounge

Daniel Peacock, Duck Show

Fred Stonehouse, Dream of Babylon, via Art New York City

Wesley Anderegg, Knife Thrower

Fred Stonehouse, Dog, via Blab!

Primitive Graphics

At first, Benoit Feron's "African Skins" series at the Young Gallery seemed light years away from our lives in New York--but the more we looked through these wonderfully abstract images, the more we saw parallels to our own "backyard"...

The George Washington Bridge at dusk

Benoit Feron "African Skins" series at the Young Gallery

[1]

Soho sidewalk

[2]

West Village at dusk

[3]

The Fragility of Fall

Believe it or not, Fall has already begun to take hold of New England with crisp mornings and a spectrum of Autumn colors. While crushing newly fallen leaves under our feet, we thought about the delicate nature of the season. From persistent insects to morphing perennials, Fall seems to bring both new beginnings and endings.

Monday Blues

There's a certain melancholy to some of the images we find/photograph. Whether it's the lighting, color, subject matter or a subjective response to an artist, we see a narrative that is as beautiful as it is sad or haunting.

1. & 2. Jim Joe, Jim Joe, Crosby Street in Soho

3. A peal of birch

4. Deer skull on a barn floor in upstate New York

5. Gary Komarin, Duke & Wigmore Series #1, at Broadbent Gallery

6. Gatoring paint in Athens, New York

7. 19th c. Taxidermy at Silsby Library, New Hampshire

8. Jim Joe, White & Brown, 14th Street

9. Fire escape and netting, Meatpacking District

10. Cy Twombly, Orpheus, 1979 at Tate