Painting of the week: Sarah Hinckley "summer of my blue"

Sarah Hinckley, "summer of my blue", 15" x 10" watercolor on fabriano, $1150.

All of this springtime weather certainly has us in the mood for the change of seasons. Doesn't this beautiful watercolor by gallery artist Sarah Hinckley remind you of the bright sunshine after the rain?

Returning to the City (a.k.a. I still love NY)

(#1 on our things to do list...)

photo courtesy of The High Line

(#3 on our places to eat list...)

photo courtesy of Bubby's Pie Co.

photo courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

(#4 on our things to see list...)

photo courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

As most of you know, New York City is by far one of my favorite places to get away. Thankfully, one of my gallery artists, Sarah Hinckley, has kindly allowed me to stay in her chic South Street Seaport loft while she is vacationing in Oregon as long as I promise to check the mail and water the plants. Done and done. Now that I don't have to pay for my lodging, that means more money to spend visiting museums, shopping, and dining in one of the best cities in the world, and I absolutely cannot wait.

One of my favorite parts about taking a trip is the armchair tourism that ensues in the planning process. I have been searching online for New York's best new restaurants and not-to-miss shows for the past few days and it almost feels like I am already there...almost. My assistant just returned from a month long summer study program through Sotheby’s in New York, so I am enlisting her help in compiling these ideas. So, here is my short list of places to eat and shows to take in while I am there. Any additional suggestions would be more than welcome!

Where I am eating:

(1) Bread - Best fontina panini and tomato bisque ever tasted. Spring Street (near Mott), and perfectly on the way to New Museum on Bowery.

(2) Locanda Verde - Italian taverna in TriBeCa. 377 Greenwich Street (near N. Moore).

(3) Bubby’s - The best brunch spot in the city! 120 Hudson Street in Tribeca.

(4) The Spotted Pig - Fantastic/cozy pub in the West Village. W. 11th and Greenwich Street.

(5) Le Bilboquet - My all time favorite French bistro, will be heading there solo with a great book and an appetite. 63rd and Madison.

What I am seeing:

(1) Matisse: Radical Invention and Bruce Nauman--MoMA

(2) Haunted: Contemporary Photography/Video/Performance March 26-September 6--Guggenheim Museum

(3) Christian Marclay: Festival July 1-September 26--The WHITNEY

(4) Doug + Mike Starn on the Roof: Big Bambú: You Can’t, You Don’t, and You Won’t Stop April 27-October 31--The Metropolitan*

(5) Rivane Neuenschwander: A Day Like Any Other and Brion Gysin: Dream Machine--New Museum

(6) Otto Dix--Neue Galerie

What else am I doing?

(1) Walking the High Line, which runs above Gansevoort Street in Meatpacking to 20th Street between 10th and 11th avenues on the West Side.

(2) Going to PS1 Contemporary Art Center in Brooklyn/Long Island City.

(3) Galleries of Chelsea: Mary Boone, Gagosian, Pace Gallery, Ed Winkleman.

(4) Shopping in SoHo...

*Number four on our “must see” list above is actually a “must do.” On the roof of the Met, the Starn twins have created an environment of interlocking bamboo that is unlike anything you have ever seen. Extending vertically, and covering the majority of the outdoor “exhibition” space, these innovative brothers have created something truly magnificent. (Not to mention, it is fifteen degrees cooler walking through the bamboo alleyways than it is below on the streets of Manhattan.) As you can see in the pictures above, the view of the skyline and of Central Park is not too shabby either. Morphing and growing on a daily basis, the installation allows for visitors to interact with the bamboo structure. Guided tours are provided, but beware that you must buy a separate ticket from your museum entrance donation, and you are then provided with a timed tour (weather permitting). As the installation unfolds in front of your eyes, you quickly appreciate how hard their team is working to create it. Absolutely a must do.

Sarah Hinckley: Color Logic

Hinckley, "sunsets come", watercolor on paper, 11" x 7.5"

Hinckley, "listen to the melody", watercolor on paper, 11" x 7.5"

Hinckley, "breathing", watercolor on paper, 15" x 10"

This Friday night, the gallery will be hosting NYC-based Sarah Hinckley's solo show, Color Logic. The show runs from October 16th - November 25th with an Opening Reception Friday from 7 - 10 pm and an Artist Talk Saturday at 12- 1 pm in conjunction with the Westside Arts District "3rd Saturday" Walk.

Drawing inspiration from a spring show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Pierre Bonnard: The Late Interiors, Hinckley began further exploration of multi-color relationships. Painting from memory and through emotion, Hinckley's process is grounded in her appreciation of line, her automatic response to gesture, and most importantly, the logic of color.

If you are in Atlanta, please stop by the gallery from 7 - 10 pm and join us in welcoming Sarah to Atlanta for the first time. Please RSVP here.

I hope to see you Friday!

Cozy is...Sarah Hinckley

Entryway in Christine Gillespie's cozy California cottage

Gillespie's office space

Her prized oyster painting

Sarah Hinckley's painting in Gillespie's lovely breakfast room

This past week, I received the current issue of House Beautiful.  The cover story and theme of the issue is cozy decorating for every style.  The feature takes us on a tour through 4 homes ranging from a Connecticut farmhouse to a California cottage, all designed by four of the nation's best interior designer whose styles vary from clean-lined modern to quirky whimsical. It is a great read and I highly suggest picking up a copy.

Since I am still figuring out what design style to "call my own", I always love flipping through the shelter magazines and finding my favorite homes.  In this issue, that home was the California cottage of interior designer Christine Gillespie (who I couldn't find a website for?).  I love her use of art as a centerpiece for all of her rooms from the entryway to the kitchen.  As if this house couldn't get any better, when I turned the page to see the breakfast room, I noticed a painting by Emily Amy Gallery artist, Sarah Hinckley!  Oh, how I have house envy....anyone else?