NYC Museum Report - Artist/Illustrator Maira Kalman at The Jewish Museum

Contributor Laura Johnson checking in again with another exhibition report. Laura is a gifted textile designer and colorist with 20 years of experience who lives and works in Manhattan. Because we all can't live in or visit NYC regularly she'll be checking in from time to time to report about exhibits and other interesting tidbits happening there.

Maira Kalman

Le Corbusier Sink, 2006Gouache on paper

7 3/4 x 7 1/2 in.

Collection of Jane and Patrick Curley

There was a wonderful show here of the work of artist/illustrator Maira Kalman at The Jewish Museum. 

She has done so many wonderful things, and the show is a joy to walk through. You may recognize some of her New Yorker covers – always favorites of mine.

Maira Kalman and Rick Meyerowitz

New Yorkistan, 2001Gouache and pencil on paper

20 x 14 3/4 in.

Collection of Erica and Eric Schwartz

She lives in Manhattan and has written and illustrated 13 children’s books.  She also illustrated a version of Shrunk and White’s classic The Elements of Style which was one of the best Christmas gifts I ever bought for my husband! 

Maira Kalman

Sentence Fragment, 2004-2005Gouache on paper

12 3/4 x 10 3/4 in.

Courtesy of the artist

She has curated a room at the end of the show filled with items her studio.  There are several textiles designed by her, and the most wonderful embroideries.  After seeing this show, you may feel as if you have taken a little tour of her life in drawings.

*Note from Jenny - I dropped the ball on this post and it got lost in my drafts folder, so unfortunately the show has just ended.  However, you can find the catalogue of her gorgeous work here.

Images via The Jewish Museum

NYC Museum Report - Color Moves: Art & Fashion by Sonia Delaunay at Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum

Contributor Laura Johnson checking in again with another exhibition report. Laura is a gifted textile designer and colorist with 20 years of experience who lives and works in Manhattan. Because we all can't live in or visit NYC regularly she'll be checking in from time to time to report about exhibits and other interesting tidbits happening there.

The Color Moves: Art & Fashion by Sonia Delaunay at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum  is one of the best I have seen this year. The show includes some garments and many, many textile designs There are multiple colorways shown for some, which I found especially enjoyable.

Source: dwellstudio.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Sonia Delaunay and her husband Robert were members and among the founders of the Orphism movement, which emphasized geometric shapes and the use of strong colors. What makes her especially interesting is the way that she was a female artist and a modern designer.

via NY Times

Her work included painting, set designs, textiles, clothing and furniture. She was also the first living female artist to have a retrospective of her work at the Louvre.

Source: dwellstudio.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Here is a link to the NY Times review of the show for some additional information about Sonia Delaunay.

Amazing Hotel Alert!

The Algonquin Hotel in NYC recently had a facelift and I think the guestrooms are delightful. The Algonquin has such a rich history (it was the birthplace of New Yorker magazine) who wouldn't want to check in? As an added bonus, they have a resident feline named Matilda who makes everyone feel right at home - she's so popular you can even drop her an email! (my cats are so old school) Check out some pictures below:

Matilda (what a cutie!)

The renovation was done by Champalimaud Design.

Images via The Algonquin Hotel