Summer Dalhia

Here is my new Thomas Fuchs Creative Ombre glass used as a vase for my late summer Dalhia.   They would also be beautiful votives with the dark lower area covering the candle and the flame in the lighter color above.

Here are some Ombre glasses without flowers.

Chocolatier

CHOCOLATIER

Could someone please explain to me how Paris is filled with such amazing chocolate shops, bakeries, cheese shops and cafes and still the French are thin.   

Even with the mercury hitting 100-degrees in Paris, I could still eat chocolate.  I have a long list of chocolate shops I love in Paris but the 2 that stood out to me on this trip are the artisans that used their incredible talents to create art in the form of chocolate.  I have to admit it puts our little waxy chocolate Easter Bunnies to shame.

Chef George Larnicol is known for his whimsical chocolate sculptures, don’t be surprised to see Lady Bugs, shoes, cars, etc.  His average sculpture, from what I could tell,  is a very good scale, measuring about 8 to 10 inches tall.    Chef Larnicol also sells wonderful salted caramels, buttery kouign-amann (breton pastries) and colorful macarons at his store. He has 2 locations that I know about,132 boulevard Saint-Germain and now on the Rue de Rivoli.

Maison Georges Larnicol


132, boulevard Saint-Germain

75006 Paris


Tel. +33 (0)1 43 26 39 38


Métro: Odéon

Patrick Roger, self proclaimed "chocolate artist,” seems a bit wonky and fun for a successful French businessman.  I did not have the opportunity to meet him on this trip but maybe in the Fall when I return.   I am enamored with someone with such talent that can take a seemingly basic and fragile material and create monumental artwork.  And if the 200-pound orangatang is not practical for your carry on luggage try some of his beautifully executed and elegantly displayed smaller creations.  He has several locations but I always seem to end up at the Saint-Germain or Victor Hugo locations.

Patrick Roger

108 boulevard Saint-Germain

75006 Paris

Tel: +33 (0)1 43 29 38 42

Métro: Odéon

The sign, much to my surprise, was not chocolate.

 Chocolate flower creations by the Chef George Lamicol

How do you eat such pretty creations?

 So cute and edible....no more comment

 Pride in Chocolate, 2011.

 Delicious and kind of healthy

Tasteful Chocolate and packaging

Chocolate Artist Patrick Roger...need I say more?

Photo from his site

 Such a sophisticated pallet, in chocolate

SERIOUSLY, stop monkeying around, I really am a life size chocolate Orangutan. 

Belle Epoque

Lot 466

Lalique Molded Opalescent Glass Lausanne Plafonnier

A great price if you can get it in this range.

Doyle New York's"Belle Epoque" Auction is very heavy in Glass offerings this year. My advise, jump at the deals. Preview starts today. What a great way to get out of the rain.

Lot 316

Group of Three Glass Canes

A rare find since these canes are usually broken for fun at parades and festivals for good luck.

Lot 436

English Gilt-Silver Mounted Wheel Engraved Cameo Glass Perfume Flask

Attributed to Thomas Webb & Sons, the mounts by Sampson & Modern, London, circa 1884

The cratesmenship is definately worth taking note.

Lot 441

Unsigned Loetz Glass Vase

Circa 1900

Beautiful colors.

Lot 456

Unsigned Art Deco Style Molded Glass Vase

Color and cratesmenship.

Lot 497

Tiffany Favrile Glass Cabinet Plate

signed 1957 L.C.T. Favrile.

I love the six variously sized molded cobalt colored glass scarabs.

HAPPY BIDDING!

A Gift from an Artist.

Art that can take you away, make you uncomfortable, make you daydream, want to hold or caress, feel pity or helplessness, or a need to help or save is something I found in one artist installation recently.

On my first visit to Art Miami this past December there were a handful of artist that even after a few months I am still contemplating their work.

Beth Cavener Stichter shown at Claire Oliver here in NYC is definitely on the top of my list of Artist I am following. Her installation in Miami "The Four Humors" was beyond moving.

"There are primitive animal instincts lurking in our own depths, waiting for the chance to slide past a conscious moment. The sculptures I create focus on human psychology, stripped of context and rationalization, and articulated through animal and human forms. On the surface, these figures are simply feral and domestic individuals suspended in a moment of tension. Beneath the surface they embody the impacts of aggression, territorial desires, isolation, and pack mentality."

Beth Cavener Stichter

"I want to pry at those uncomfortable, awkward edges between animal and human."

"Something conscious and knowing is captured in their gestures and expressions. An invitation and a rebuke."

Take a look at Beth's website, particularly the "Materials and Techniques."

Beth's passion for the material and the "sensitivity to touch," shows in her work and inspires you to look a little longer and maybe even feel the need to caress the form. I believe one of the best gifts from a sculptor or one of the best compliments too a sculptor is when one feels the need to reach out and touch the creation.