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Client Profile: Jennifer O'Brien and David Lee

Gracious and stylish Jen O'Brien, and local celebrity chef David Lee opened their home for us to capture their impressive collection of art from Art Interiors.

Here is a sampling of what we uncovered.

J.T. Winik

Dorian Scott

Dorian Scott

Patricia Murphy-Macdonald

Joshua Jensen-Nagle

Hosang Park, Tek Yang

Elzbieta Krawecka

Elizabeth Lennie

J.T. Winik

Lizzie Vickery

Elzbieta Krawecka

Anna Yuschuk

Dorian Scott

So I asked Jen a few questions:

What draws you to a particular piece?
 I just know right away when I see it, though I tend to like more contemporary works.

What is your favourite piece that you own and why?
“Relish” by Patricia Murphy-MacDonald.
It is so well painted, I love the colours and it it a perfect piece for a dining room - not too serious. 
And I don’t even love relish!

Do you notice similarities in style/genre in your collection?
I love beach scenes, and tranquil water works. And moody portraits. Generally pieces that are contemporary in style.




-PR

Europe.

With an older sister (and half my extended family) living in Italy, I am fortunate to find myself in Europe during the summer months. This year it was not meant to be. So, as I surround myself with images of France, Spain, and Italy, I dream...

Babar Khan, photograph, Belleville Rooftop

Adrian Ensor, silver gelatin print, GUG2

Joshua Jensen-Nagle, photograph with Diasec Mount, St. Marks Domes with Venice Background

-PR

Designer Profile: Andrika Lawren

I spent the morning with prolific interior designer, art director and television host Andrika Lawren talking art and design and documenting her fabulously eclectic and soulful space. Her epic wall of art acts as a backdrop to dinner parties, and consists of pieces (each with its own history) collected over the years.

Dionne Simpson, Beverly Owens

On her personal design aesthetic and choosing art:

Design and art are not surface. It’s intuitive. You feel it. You know when it’s right and when to walk away. It’s all about the pieces and the stories behind them. I am attracted to work that is obscure and dark and speaks to me. Intriguing and provoking. I look closer, to discover a secret in the piece (whether it’s humour or darkness, I get it).

On her extensive collection of hand done prints:

There is a practical element; prints are generally more affordable which allows me to own and build a large collection. And the bigger the better.

Recent design / art obsessions:

Vintage exposed light bulbs

Wood carvings and etchings

Favourite Art Interiors’ artists:

Jason Cantoro and Alice Jarry

David Trautrimas

Lizzie Vickery

Erin Vincent

Jason Cantoro

check out Andrika's blog for ideas and inspiration.

-PR

It has to be love.

Stephanie Cormier, photograph, Showoff Collection

There can be a bit of anxiety when choosing THE piece. The work of art that hangs over your couch, or above your bed, that you stare at every day (and hope to feel as strongly about as the day you bought it). Insecurity can cloud intuition.

At the gallery, we are asked over and over again by clients about our opinion on particular works.

"What do you think of this piece?"

"My walls are a light grey, will this work?"

"I have a very traditional space, will this abstract piece be out of place?"

To which we almost always respond: "Well, do you love it?"

My possession of this photograph came to be as a result of discipline and love.

After traveling for five weeks in Europe last summer, I prevented myself from buying anything. I bypassed museum shops in Amsterdam, ignored the vintage clutch in Berlin, and only window shopped in Milan. All because I was haunted by Stephanie Cormier's photographs that we had recently received in the gallery. They played in my mind and I knew I had to own this one (thus sacrificing any further purchases for awhile). I was captivated by the bright, clean and graphic quality of her work that recalled the contemporary Japanese art movement, "Superflat". But there was something about the fabrics that was incredibly nostalgic. Not to mention I was taken by Cormier's process, as described in her artist statement below:

"Cormier’s latest series of work was inspired by “The Goodwill and Salvation Project”. In this project she purchased about 40 used dresses from Goodwill and Salvation Army Stores, embroidered short inspirational quotes into seams and linings and then returned them all to the same stores of purchase. While she had these dresses she began to use them as sculptural material to build and rebuild organic forms and photograph them."

When I called my father over to help me hang this piece, and in the process asked, "Well Dad, what do you think?", he responded, "Well, do YOU like it".

-PR

Hi.

Iza Mokrosz, wire series

Welcome.

I have worked at Art Interiors for seven years, and have had the honour of crossing paths with hundreds of talented artists, fascinating clients and dedicated designers.

My curiosity however was never fully satisfied. Consequently, I, along with fellow A.I. staff, are dedicating ourselves to getting inside the minds of artists and the homes of clients (that boast fabulous art collections) and behind the motives of designers. This is a platform to showcase Canada's creative talent and those who support it, as told by a group of girls who see the world through art.

Enjoy.

-Patricia Ritacca