Fabulous Coastal Art - Amazon Web Services
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Fabulous Coastal Art - Amazon Web Services
FROM “THE PINK BOOK” DEVON FLEMING Fabulous Coastal Art for our FAB coast H aving grown up on the Delaware shore, and living near the Connecticut coast for the past dozen years, I am a true a fan of anything related to the ocean, particularly fine original paintings. Meeting my husband only increased my desire for this type of art. He has sailing in his blood. His great-grandfather was Gerard Lambert, who, among other things, was once the commodore of the New York Yacht club. He owned a gorgeous, original “J” boat and was famous for racing it around the world. I love all kinds of marine art, from the traditional water scenes of old steamships pulling into a harbor to classic depictions of sailing races, simple beach scenes to more modern impressionistic styling. As an interior decorator, I find maritime art versatile, especially here in Fairfield County where we’re blessed to be so close to the open water. It works in homes ranging from the very formal, to beachfront cottages and contemporary homes, and even in my New Canaan farmhouse. This month, I’ve sought the advice, expertise and guidance on maritime art from some truly lovely local art gallery owners Edward Brodney “The Race” Courtesy of Abby M. Taylor Fine Art 30 October 2007 Cross Tacks - Cambria & Endeavor/America’s Cup-2001 by Peter Layne Arguimbau Courtesy of The Geary Gallery and dealers. I’ve learned that while ocean scenes, boats and harbor views have long been, and will continue to be, very popular subjects, collectors of museum-quality and investment-grade art focus on a relatively small number of maritime masters from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Still, maritime and marine subjects by more contemporary artists are perennial sellers, gracing the homes (and second homes) of many of our neighbors. If you’re thinking of investing in a piece of fine maritime art, one of your first calls should be to Michael Florio of Quester Gallery which recently relocated from Greenwich Avenue to a space on Rowayton Avenue that hugs the harbor. With more than 30 years in the business, Quester handles works by such noted names as James Buttersworth, Antonio Jacobson, William Trost Richards and others that can command prices from $300,000 to $600,000, as well as pieces by twentieth-century FROM “THE PINK BOOK” The New England Collection Ernistina by Peter Layne Arguimbau - Courtesy of The Geary Gallery Sleepy’s® The Most Trusted Name in Mattresses® SLIP INTO SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE Comfortable SLEEPY’S ® The Mattress Professionals® FOR LOCATIONS CALL 1(800)SLEEPYS OR ON THE WEB AT WWW.SLEEPYS.COM OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE ACKER FAMILY FOR 4 GENERATIONS. LOUIS 1925, HARRY 1950, DAVID 1975, AJ 1980, STUART 1995 , RICK 2000 AND JULIAN 2005 32 October 2007 artists, some still living, noted for their artistry at capturing the feeling of the masters who came before them. “The 19th century artists like Buttersworth, Fitz Henry Lane and James Bard combined so many qualities and ingredients in their work—qualities that are hard to reproduce today,” said Florio. “They had and took a lot of time to study their subjects, mixed their own paints and built on the centuries of academic tradition behind them. Between 1900-1950, that tradition was sort of abandoned. Now, living artists are coming back to the old ways and traditions and its great to see a revival of the academic style and techniques.” Abby M. Taylor, owner of Greenwich Avenue’s AMT Fine Art, sees the gap between the maritime masters and contemporary renderings as an overlooked opportunity for artists today. “There’s a wonderful group of very fine artists today who produce excellent coastal views and maritime scenes in very realist ways,” said Taylor. “The trade off is that while these works are more affordable than 19th and early 20th century works there is little chance for escalation in their value as there’s virtually no re-interpretation or avant-garde statement that will make critics and historians take notice.” Taylor went on to point out a work by Edward Brodney from the early twentieth century as an example of an artist who attempted a more modern interpretation. His “Lone Boat,” available through AMT Fine Art, “moves toward the avant-garde with its impressionist brush strokes which were representative of his time in the art world.” Still, Florio believes that more academic and realist interpretations of maritime subjects will remain popular—be they from Recreations of American Hooked Rugs Hand hooked with natural dyes and cotton fabrics. 90 designs available in standard and custom sizes Kaoud Oriental Rugs Decorative, Custom & Antique Rugs Since 1954 NEW CANAAN, CT: 81 Elm Street Tel: (203) 972-3478 Open everyday WILTON, CT: 27 Danbury Road Tel: (203) 762-0376 Open everyday Email: ikaoud@kaouds.com FROM “THE PINK BOOK” James Bard (American, active 1900-1938) “Steamboat NEVERSINK” the nineteenth century or the present day. “Fairfield County has a strong tradition of yachting and generations of yachtsmen, and sailing vessels have long been and remain points of pride, examples of beauty and symbols of adventure and drama,” said Florio. “Portraits of vessels for ship owners celebrate those aspects.” Many vessel portraits are commissioned today. One local Greenwich maritime artist of note cited by both Taylor and Florio is Pete Layne Arguimbau who has built an impressive reputation for luminism, which emphasizes light, detail and the hiding of brushstrokes. Arguimbau is a strict adherent to old-world techniques used by the masters of centuries past. Even his studio, set in an old barn on his back country Greenwich home, was created to replicate the lighting of Vermeer’s studio, which only has one window, facing north and covered in shutters so he can control beams of light to fall precisely on his subjects. You can read an impressive biography of Arguimbau on his website or pay a visit to Tom Geary of Darien’s Geary Gallery. Geary recently began carrying Arguimbau’s works in the gallery and is thrilled at the new business relationship, though the two have known each other over many years. “I waited a long, long time for Peter to be available to us,” said Geary, noting that he now holds thirty original works by the artist. “I’ve been in the business for 23 years and I feel Arguimbau’s rapidly approaching the top ten of contemporary maritime artists in the United States. His work so distinctive.” you’re invited to our first annual Holiday Open House Saturday, October 13 • 10am to 2pm • 173 Main Street, Norwalk Entertaining the idea of hosting the holidays? Meet the experts and enjoy hands-on demonstrations: Party Planning Festive Appetizers Wine Tasting & Tips Floral Arranging Chocolate Making Cookie Decorating Home Fashions Portfolio: www.asidct.org Patricia Garrett Interior Design 203.846.3720 Patti@TheClassicRoom.com Purchase your Beautiful Homes of Fairfield County calendar. 34 October 2007 All proceeds benefit the Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities. Brandman’sPaint and Decorating County 35 Because life Fairfield should beHome beautiful FROM “THE PINK BOOK” Exceptional Furnishings Art & Accessories a. gallery fine contemporary art Courtesy of The Quester Gallery, James Buttersworth (American, 1817-1894) get inspired For those who want an up-close look at some of the artwork, both the Quester Gallery and the Geary Gallery have upcoming events to put on your calendars. While Quester is open for business in Rowayton, the official opening is tentatively scheduled for November 1, 2007. Call the gallery for more information. The Geary Gallery is hosting the opening of a Peter Arguimbau exhibit on November 10 to which the public is welcome. The show will run through December. For more information call the gallery directly. Until then, happy sailing the waters of maritime art! Devon Fleming’s Pink Book was published in its second edition. While Devon is considered Fairfield County’s home and lifestyle expert, go to DevonFleming.com to see all of her multi-media solutions for your Home, Family and Fun. Devon’s Picks & Resource Guide AMT FINE ART Abby M. Taylor 43 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich 203-662-0906 www.amtfineart.com 203.599.1244 203.570.2494 agalleryhome.com Quester Gallery Michael Florio 119 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton, 203-523-0250 www.questergallery.com 44 Railroad Place Westport, CT 06880 36 October 2007 Geary Gallery Tom Geary 576 Boston Post Road, Darien 203-655-6633 www.gearygallery.com Peter Layne Arguimbau, Artist www.arguimbau.net Mandarin Collection Fine Antique Furnishings and Museum Quality Artifacts 18 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT 06880 203.434.4090 • ccwong2468@yahoo.com