at Frolic!

I’ve been to a few kid classes in my relatively brief  time as a parent but have learned there’s a delicate  balance to making one completely successful.

Sometimes the teacher is great with kids but really awkward with the parents, other times they are too impatient for the age group they teach. Sometimes the activities are a little beyond the kids’ abilities and the focus is too much on a finished activity or project than just having fun.

Pint Sized Painters manages to balance everything really well, thanks in large part to Z, the instructor who also works as an art director.

She’s at ease with kids and parents alike, keeps instructions and slide shows short and sweet (managing to catch toddler’s interest with the work of Hurst (who taught Van the word “dots!” and Rauschenberg!) and the projects are manageable – kids get to dive in as much as they want, but if distracted, can get involved just by pointing to where they want a color, or helping her squeeze paint.

In the end, we end up with awesome art to take home, that you never feel that you created more than your child.

This is the first class I’ve taken at Frolic! and while it’s pricier than many, I’ve loved it and the take home projects are priceless -as is seeing Van swimming in a giant smock.

See more: Spend a Couple Hours Art Children’s Classes

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Posted on July 12, 2012

Japanese Illustrator

The work of Japanese artist Miroco Machiko has to be some of the most charming I’ve seen.

I found the whimsical childlike illustrations through a friend on Pinterest and can’t stop admiring at them.

I find them very inspiring and want to just let go with paints, markers and crayons one afternoon not over thinking the end result.

Just lovely.

See more: Web Sites Art Artists Japanese

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Posted on May 1, 2012

A never ending celebration of monsters

What a wonderful world. There’s always something new to become completely obsessed with. I give you my latest: Mexican pulp art which is on display at Monster Brains.

But wait! Monster Brains has even more cool stuff for your perusal. Like: grotesque animals, creepy vintage ads, D&D books, sci-fi covers and other generally disturbing, wild or scary pieces of art.

It’s way excellent!

See more: Web Sites About Books Art Blogs Horror

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Posted on January 20, 2012

Hauser & Wirth New York32 East 69th Street (Ends Tomorrow)

Normally I’d see a show before recommending it, but I am so sure the Snow White gone awry Paul McCarthy exhibit, The Dwarves, The Forest at Hauser & Wirth will be great, I have no qualms listing it sight unseen.

More importantly, it ends tomorrow, so I wanted to give fans a heads up!

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes Art Galleries/Museums

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Posted on December 16, 2011

9/11 Memorial

The Tribute in Light is a most thoughtful and touching monument in honor of our darkest day.

This might be the last year the temporary art installation is up, so be sure to see it tonight and take a quiet moment of remembrance

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes Art I Love NY

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Posted on September 11, 2011

Modern Graphic Design Inspiration Blog

Great graphic inspiration blogs are aplenty, but you’ll find fewer as well maintained, interesting, and informed as Grain Edit.

From children’s books, to bottle labels, from calendars to maps the Grain Edit team tracks down the greatest stuff to inflame the creative mind.

The site is constantly updated with newness and the archives could take days to explore – but it is worth the time, so start digging and enjoy!

See more: Web Sites Art Blogs Design

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Posted on August 14, 2011

Amazing Collection of Children’s Books

Oh my goodness I am in LOVE with the blog Atelier Pour Enfants, in love. I can’t read a word of it, but who needs to with all the adorable, interesting, beautiful artwork.

I’ve spent hours looking through the entire archive getting all kinds of inspired. In fact, I’ve started a whole new project with all the new ideas these wonderful books have inflamed in my brain.

An absolute must for lovers of illustration or really anybody that enjoys looking at cute, great design. I would love to find some of the books for Mr. Van – will have to keep an eye out.

Found this site through another great site (and previous Brix Pick) called Vintage Kids’ Books My Kid Loves.

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Posted on August 2, 2011

Auction Goodness

Since I love the Christie’s website, I’ve had the iphone app installed for some time but only just tried it out. It’s great!

With one thumb I can peruse the latest auctions, view all the items in an easy viewable grid format, see full size images, and email to friends.

Here are just a few favorites from the upcoming Latin American Sale (oh, to be a millionaire – that Botero would be hanging in my wall).

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes Art Electronics/Gadgets

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Posted on May 21, 2011

at The New Museum through May 8

My friend Jessica directed me to the George Condo exhibit at the New Museum. I felt like a bad art student for not recognizing the name, but am glad to learn about the prolific artist now. The exhibit begins on the 4th floor where an onslaught of his work greets you. It’s actually an appropriate way to confront his manic work that ranges from dark Bacon-esque portraits (including one of my favorites, Man with Three Arms) to bright, almost slap dash paintings that look, and I mean this in a good way, like artwork from an insane asylum.

The next floor offers a series of paintings that merit more individual examination titled “Melancholia”. These disturbing, funny and sad portraits of archetypes with bloated faces and confused disembodied smiles were the most captivating of the show. Next were more provocative excessively sexual works entitled “Manic Society” and even if it makes me sound like a prude, I found their crassness uninteresting. “Abstraction” is the final room in this retrospective and featured huge layered canvases. Some of my favorites revealed small intriguing overlapping sad faces once you took a closer look.

Also on display in the other galleries is the work of sculptress Lynda Benglis. Some of her stuff is pretty cool. I liked the glowing neon blobs suspended out of the wall, but frankly it was harder to have enthusiasm for a big stick with glitter on it or pink paper mache with gift wrap sticking out of it. Too many memories of Freshman year art projects I guess.

Thanks to Jim for doing Van duty which allowed me a night out. The museum is open til 9 on Thursdays and to my happy surprise, it was free too. An even happier surprise? Birdbath has opened a cafe in the lobby!

See more: Spend a Couple Hours Art Galleries/Museums Nolita

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Posted on March 4, 2011