So you say it's your birthday......

This busy little bee is celebrating the big 2-9 today and is taking the day off to celebrate with family. We'll buzz by ya' again tomorrow for Fresh Art Friday!

Via Bakerella

 

Over and Out,

-DBC

First Friday at the Modern

Just a heads up that I'll be hosting the docent chat for the March First Friday at the Modern. We'll be discussing the work of Cindy Sherman, Sally Mann and Andres Serrano and how they raise questions about the representation of women through art. Come on out and visit with me!

When: March 1st, 6:30 PM 

Where: The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth 

3200 Darnell Street, FTW

How much: Free to modern members and Star Telegram subscribers. Not one of those? 

Email me at: DoriTheDocent@gmail.com and I'll do my best to arrange tickets for you

See you there!
-DBC

Art & Seek

The hubs and I like to stay pretty plugged in to our community, including keeping up with what's going on in the arts. My favorite online site to visit when looking for a new adventure is Art and Seek. Art and Seek is a service of KERA, our local NPR station, and features a search tab, podcasts, a weekly newsletter and Today's Picks, which offers a handful of fun selections. So, what are you doing this weekend?

 

-DBC 

Because it's Tuesday....

And the arts are valuable.

I am not exaggerating when I say that the arts have impacted and bettered my life. From my ballet training at an arts academy and failed piano at the same, to the docent program that I cherish today, arts have been critical to my development, self worth and daily life. Consider this:

• The YouthArts Development Project found that kids in arts programs increased interpersonal skills and the ability to express anger appropriately, communicate more effectively and cooperate with others. (1)
• The arts play a central role in cognitive, motor, language and social-emotional development. (2)
• Kids in the arts demonstrate higher grades on average (3)
• And it's just plain fun (that's mine)

I know our country has tough fiscal choices to make, but the arts just shouldn't be one of them. 

To learn more or advocate for the arts, visit some of these links: 

Edutopia

Americans for the Arts

National Guild for Community Arts Education

Now go sing!

-DBC 

The Oscars are my favorite.....

because of the gowns. Oh the gowns. The Oscars are the prom of Hollywood and this is where the starlets bring it. Here are a few of my favorites:

                                             

Amanda Seyfried in McQueen

This gown is BEAUTIFUL on Amanda. Her alabaster skin glows in the shimmery lilac color and her figure can certainly pull off such a slim sheath. 

Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan 

I love the art deco vibe in this stunner of a gown. Stacy Keibler is tall and statuesque, so a column with detailing is the perfect choice for her. 

Emmanuelle Riva 

Emmanuelle Riva has made history by becoming the oldest Oscar nominee at age 85 (today is her birthday!) and she looks awesome in this dress. The color is lovely on her!

Norah Jones in Tadashi Shoji 

I love this dress. It's young and pretty and flattering. I wonder what the fabric is like in person, but it photographed beautifully. 

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior  

This dress takes my breath away. Jennifer Lawrence looks like an angel and she really WEARS this gown. Bravo. 

Jennifer Hudson in Cavalli 

Perfect perfect. The color is fab on Jennifer Hudson, the shimmer is just right and the shape flatters her newly healthy figure. I also love the sleeves and the modesty. 

Samantha Barks in Valentino 

Now this is how you do contemporary va-va-voom. 

Kristin Chenoweth in Tony Ward

Oh Kristin Chenoweth. What can you not do? The teeny tiny singer hit the nail on the head with this one. Classically feminine. 

The winner for me tonight was................

Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta 

If I had this dress I would wear it all the time. Literally you would have to peel it off my body. While I was twirling. Amy Adams can totally pull off princess and this icy blue shade is a dream on her. 

What'd you think??

-DBC

Just because this is amazing. And true.

                                 Buy me here. 

A friend recently sent me this list of 50 Sure Signs That Texas is Actually Utopia and boy is it true! While I still adore my home state of Louisiana, after 10+ years of living here I now understand the famous Davy Crockett quote: "You may all go to hell, I will go to Texas." Cheers to the lone star state. 

-DBC

Fresh Art Friday: Banksy

Happy happy Friday! Today I'm bringing you the work of 'love to hate' artist Banksy. I don't think there is a single artist creating work right now who gets as much simultaneous praise and criticism. I personally love Banksy's work- I think it's visually pretty, makes (or perhaps made) an interesting statement and exposes the general public to a medium of art that they may have previously recognized as only illegal.

 

                                1 of 6 murals painted in Bethlehem. 

Banksy, which is a pseudonym, is an English graffiti artist who began freehand graffiti work in the early 1990's. In the early 2000's, Banksy began working with created stencils, which allowed him to work faster and create cleaner images. Many of his works are politically relevant and placed on public surfaces like walls or bridges, allowing the general public to view and interact with the pieces. 

In January 2010, Banksy released the film Exit Through the Gift Shop. The film started when Thierry Guetta, now known as Mr. Brainwash, convinced the super secret street art community to allow him to film their every move. After hours of film, Banksy realized that Guetta was not only not a legitimate film maker, but quite possibly the most random person in the world. Banksy took the resulting film and cut it into the most enthralling art movie I've seen in a very long time. In true Banksy fashion, the work comments on the art community and Mr. Brainwash in a way that was totally subversive. 

Banksy recently landed back in the news because of the piece shown above, which was created before the Queens Diamond Jubilee as a critique of sweatshop labor. The piece was removed from the Haringey neighborhood and is now for sale at Fine Art Auctions for an estimated sale price of $1M+. The removal and potential sale has created yet another Banksy related rift in the art world, and has many questioning whether a free public art piece created for a specific community can be removed and sold for private property. Check out an update of the story here. 

In the mean time, here are just a few of my favorite Banksy works. 

Wanna learn more? Start with this HuffPost article. 

Enjoy!

-DBC

A color field of sorts.

One of my favorite features of our little yellow house is the flower bed flanking our front porch. We had a glorious 80 year old pecan tree at our old house, so while we celebrated the shade in the summer I mourned each spring. This is our first true spring in the yellow house and I've taken full advantage by planting multi-colored tulip bulbs my mom brought from a recent trip to Amsterdam and daffodil bulbs.

             

I was so excited when I found my first little tulip sprout yesterday! I either have 1 very enthusiastic tulip or about 20 very lazy tulips, so I'm hoping the rest of them will pop up soon. In the mean time, I just had to share these beautiful landscape photos of the tulip fields of the Netherlands. The Netherlands are the world's top producers of these delicate beauties and I think their countryside just endeared me even more. Photos are by French photographer Normann Szkop, courtesy of DesignTaxi. 

Go enjoy some fresh air!

-DBC

Better focus or more chatter?

Have you ever noticed that sometimes news or information comes in waves? Recently I feel like I've heard a lot more news about the women's movement, but I'm not sure if it's because I'm better focused on the issue or if there's more chatter.

I recently had 2 moments that made this little feminist think and smile- a shout out on Glee and an amazing Diane Rehm panel discussing the 50th anniversary of the Feminine Mystique.

On the Valentines Day episode of Glee (which hate if you will but I love), Quinn, Yale student extraordinaire, showed up to her former teachers wedding all kinds of enlightened.

I have loved watching Quinn's character evolve from a religious do-gooder, to a reluctant birth mom, to an empowered college student. I think more than any other, her character demonstrates the idea of defining yourself and developing your own values rather than allowing society or a partner supply the definitions.

Then today, Diane Rehm, hosted a panel discussion on the 50th anniversary of the Feminine Mystique. The 1963 book by Betty Friedan is widely heralded as groundbreaking for the women's movement. The panel did a really great job of including those listeners who haven't read the book yet by discussing today's women's movement and the progress made since the 1963 publishing of the book. It was particularly poignant to hear an attorney's perspective of women in the law.

I know that intelligent, gracious, and worthy women throughout history have been denied the right to practice law simply because of their gender and I am so thankful for those groundbreakers who sacrificed their pride and families to make it possible for me to have chosen this profession. In case you missed the link above, you can hear the panel discussion here.

I think I've come to the conclusion that my experience is a mix of better focus and more chatter in the general public. I'm thankful that both of these media outlets devoted time acknowledging history and progressive ideas. Wanna learn more about the women's movement? Check out The National Organization for Women.

Enjoy the episode and discussion!
-DBC

Because it's Tuesday

and I am truly blessed.

Thankful for: My hubs, my doggies, Girl Scout Cookies, a job at a place I love, my little yellow house, my parents, hair straighteners, perfect eggs over medium, honey, flexible skis, our budding art collection, this little life we've built. 

 

-DBC

Greetings from Red River!

Happy weekend to you! See you Tuesday.

-DBC

The Ski Patrol is OUT

We'll return to your regular broadcast 2/29 for 'Because it's Tuesday' music. See ya then!

-DBC

Fresh Art Friday: Ski edition

The hubs and I are off on a little ski vacation, so instead of the usual artist highlight for Artsy Fartsy Friday I thought it'd be fun to build a blog art show around the theme of snow.

Katie Paterson

                                 

Katie Patterson is a Scottish born artist who regularly collaborates with astro-physicists, meteorologists and nanotechnologists for her works of art. Neat right? Her conceptually driven work is as pretty as it is intelligent and often carries a really interesting backstory.

In Langjokull, Snaefellsjokull, Solheimajokull (shown above), Patterson recorded the sounds of the three named Icelandic glaciers, cast them and created frozen records of the recordings using water from the original glaciers. The records were played until they melted, nearly 2 hours after they started. The resulting sound is very much like soothing white noise but the concept of listening to such a valuable resource melt while literally melting is so very complex it's beautiful.

Scarlett Hooft Graafland

Photographer Scarlett Hooft Graafland's photographs are so beautiful, special and surreal looking that you're certain they are created in photoshop. Hooft Graafland starts her pieces by selecting a location that feels authentic and unspoiled, then she brings in the tools of her trade- weather balloons, pigments, film and an adaptability to her surroundings that has served her well. In Lemonade Igloo, 2007-2008, Hooft Graffland worked with Inuit descendent Nathan Qamaniq to hand build an igloo of frozen lemonade. The result, a perfectly traditional but salmon colored igloo, is as surprising as it is peaceful sitting out on the icy tundra. 

Mark Ryden 

Ryden is an American born painter creating works within the Pop Surrealism movement- in fact, he's known as the god-father of pop surrealism, so it's safe to say he's established. The Long Yak was part of a 2009 exhibition called The Snow Yak Show originally shown at the Tomio Koyama Gallery in Tokyo. His work is tremendously successful among young urban viewers and catalogues of his work are very popular. Like many artists working in this movement, the works content may be mistaken as cute, but are often disquieting when the viewer spends time with them. Ryden does not generally confirm or deny interpretations of his pieces, but has stated that he enjoys evoking a sense of wonder in the viewer. In the Yak series, Ryden's compositions are completed in monochromatic colors and with a softer tone than many of his previous works. Kristen Anderson wrote a delicious write up of this body of work which can be found here. 

Didier Massard

Massard is a French born artist presently working in photography. As a clearly talented photographer, he spent 25 years shooting commercial work for some of France's most celebrated brands- Chanel and Hermes (Swoon!). Massard now dedicates his time to fine art photography, making real images of imagined scenes requiring elaborate constructions in studio. His pieces are printed on Ektacolor and each is masterfully lit. The piece above, titled Glacier, is dated 2005. Here are 2 good NYT pieces if you're intereested in learning more: Article 1 and Article 2.

I hope you enjoyed the show!

-DBC

** All artwork is subject to the copyright of it's creating artist. This blog post is intended for the promotion of the arts and is not intended to violate or encourage violation of any copyright laws. 

Do you know how to moo?

I am a stationary lover. I truly believe that a well stocked card drawer is a direct correlation with ones social graces and than Crane & Co. could become the governor of Texas. So I was recently stuck in a conundrum when someone asked for my contact information and I had only 2 options: write it on a piece of paper or hand them a work business card. I'm a fan of keeping work/life emails separate and scrawling my email on a piece a paper indefinitely just isn't an option, so I started researching online. Enter Moo.

They are purveyors of all things cute with their Moo Mini Cards. Mini Cards are just 2.75" x 1.10" and just right for handing across that luncheon table. Even better, you can upload your own design (front and back) with up to 100 different designs per order or select one of the pretty pre-made options. 

                                 

I selected this design, called Petal Power, in 4 bright colors. I love the way that it looks contemporary and artsy, but is not limiting in audience. On the reverse side, I created a custom text using good old word so that I could create just the right message. It's really simple to do: Just open up your document editing program, create a custom sized page to 2.75" X 1.1", leave a small boarder around all sides, type/design your text, and save it as a .JPEG. Pop it into the card template and you're good to go. 

Here are a few other mini-card designs that I loved from around the internet: 

I think what excites me most about these little things are their flexibility. For a very reasonable price, you can custom design cards that suit whatever it is you're doing at right that moment. Perfect for someone like me who wears multiple hats. 

Now, I hear you saying 'How am i going to carry around all of these cute little cards? They don't fit in my standard issue card holder'. Yeah, well Moo thought of that too. They have these cute little card holders available for just $5. Do yourself a favor and pick up one for each of your bags, you can even color coordinate!

Wanna make some cards and get 10% off? Use this link for your next order. Happy Moo-ing!

-DBC 

* I have not received any compensation or free products from Moo for this review. I just happen to love my mini-cards. 

Because it's (Fat) Tuesday: Mardi Gras Edition

Happy Mardi Gras!!!! For this displaced Cajun, Mardi Gras is a difficult day to sit still in Texas. Everything good about my home is celebrated today- the foods, the music, the colors, the people, the fun- in one massive street party that basically shuts down the state of Louisiana. Because I'm stuck in the lovely state of Texas I decided to bring you a bit of home, albeit without the beignets, through it's music.

Today would not be complete without the Mardi Gras Mambo for me.

But this is more the music of my people. Writing this at my kitchen island I'm jitterbugging all by myself.

If I find some time today I'll post some Mardi Gras history and fun links, so be sure to check back. Until then, laissez les bon temps rouler. 

- DBC

2013 Grammy Favorites

It's award season, which means there's no lack of beautiful gowns to swoon over. Even though CBS issues a 'wardrobe advisory' which may have caused some last minute wardrobe changes, there were still plenty of great options during the 2013 Grammy Awards. Here are a few of my favorites:

                                       
                                       Taylor Swift in J. Mendel

This gown is such a gorgeous choice for Taylor. She's willowy, young and has the attitude to pull off a gown this statuesque.                                

                     
                     Maroon 5

I have to give it to the guys of Maroon 5- they look awesome in their (matching?) suits. This is how you pull off rock and roll formal.

                                              
                                               Solange Knowles

Solange knows how to work pattern, texture and color. This sparkly green dress (designer unknown) is perfect for her. The color is right on trent and it's just edgy enough with that pop of pink in the shoe.

                                                
                                                Florence Welch in Givenchy

This is obviously not a traditional choice, but if anyone can wear Givenchy it's Florence. Again the color is on trend, but the sculptural elements in the shoulder is amazing. Amazing.

                                              
                                              Rihanna in Azzedine Alaia

Rihanna wore my #1 look of the night. I have to say, I'm generally not a Rihanna fan, but this gown is ethereal on her. The red is beautiful with her skin ton and holy sheer layers. Now that is how you do sexy within 'guideline' :0). Stunning.

Enjoy!
-DBC

Favorite gifts to get and give

Like it or not, valentines day season is upon us. While I don't typically make a big deal of valentines day, it is nice to be treated to something thoughtful occasionally. Here are a few of my favorite gift ideas:

Apple & Bee Organic Canvas Tote, $65

Picnic backpack, $80 

Watch movement cufflinks, $170

WeWood Black Natural Wooden Watch, $120

Cityblock Storyteller Scarf, $60

      
Pewter Measuring Spoons, $48



Modern Hippo Planter, $20

Happy Valentines!

-DBC