Friday, April 10, 2009

Friday miscellany...



So I have to admit that I didn't just look at portraits the other day when Myrna and I went to the exhibit at the Old Mint in San Francisco. The Mint, which dates to 1874, is no longer operational and the building is in some disrepair, but they occasionally host very short-term exhibits there. As we wandered through the high-ceilinged, very formal rooms, I saw a number of cool things, but nothing captured my attention quite like the item pictured above. This, my friends, is the INSIDE of a door hinge -- the part nobody can see when the door is closed!! That someone would have embellished these humble items with such an elegant design just astonished me. It was definitely a different era!! The Mint is now slated for "renovation" as a history museum. Sadly, from what I can make out of the architect's renderings, the inside of the building will be either covered over or updated in a way that essentially destroys its original character. I hope I'm wrong.

And on another topic, I am delighted to share the good news that my work will be featured in the August issue of Watercolor Artist magazine. I've been like a kid with a secret for several months -- just squirming to share it -- but I wanted to wait until the schedule was confirmed. Look for copies on the newstand after June 23.

17 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Chris! What wonderful news, and definitely deserved. I'll look for a copy, for sure!

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  2. Beautiful detail of that door hinge, I hope also your wrong for the inside of this place as you suggest.
    Now CONGRATULATIONS on been in this publication it is very well deserved, that 's all I can say.

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  3. Oh, I can't wait to see your painting(s) in Watercolor Artist magazine, that is SO COOL! Way to go, congratulations!!!

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  4. Very cool, Chris! A friend of mine with a turn-of-the-century Victorian has them, too ~ amazing, the attention to detail!
    Congratulations on the Watercolor Artist spot!
    Anne

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  5. Thanks to all of you for your good wishes. I'm glad I could finally share the news!!

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  6. I love this Victorian hardware. We had a smaller but equally intricate hinge in a house where I had a tiny apartment for years. Now I wonder why I never thought to make a rubbing of it, or take a photo.

    And as for your upcoming feature article, I can't imagine anyone more deserving than you! You go, girl!! Yay!!!

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  7. Thanks, R!! I felt a little foolish taking a picture of a hinge with all the art around me to look at, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Thanks for the nice comment re the upcoming article too.

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  8. Congratulations Chris! I'll look forward to reading the article.

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  9. I'll be first in line at the bookstore Chris!! Congratulations on a Hugely deserved publication!!!

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  10. Can't wait to see you featured in the mag, Chris! Wonder what will happen with all those small, beautiful elements? Perhaps someone will salvage them and put them in their home?

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  11. Congratulations, Chris! Very exciting news, indeed! Your work is fantastic. Look forward to seeing the article!
    Liz

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  12. Thanks to all of you for the encouragement! This last year has been such a wonderful experience for me - meeting so many creative people who share and inspire each other. I'm pleased to be part of this community.

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  13. Gorgeous little hinge (it looks like a woodblock textile pattern) and congrats on your upcoming Watercolor Artist mag piece! Awesome news!

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  14. Thanks, Belinda!! I'm pretty jazzed about the article!! This hinge reminded me of some of the things Jeff Hayes paints in his "fragments" series. Such incredible detail.

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  15. Congratulations!
    I've lived in several old homes and the character is so evident, even in the smallest details, like you said. It really is a shame that we are in such a hurry now that the craftsmanship has been lost, well, unless you can pay unbelievable sums.
    I'll be looking for your work in the magazine.

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  16. Thanks, Deborah. Things like this hinge are even more delightful because they are so unexpected these days.

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  17. Talk about detail-oriented!

    Who would think to decorate the inside of a door hinge? Very, very cool indeed.

    Oh, and congrats on the magazine spread, Chris!

    You do great work!

    -Dean

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