Tag Archives: Art

Barbie’s & Bubbles, a Housewarming Event

Judy Ragagli
Artist Judy Ragagli, and Host Romi Cortier. Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

Meet Artist Judy Ragagli, the inspiration behind Barbie’s & Bubbles, a housewarming event.  I first met her at a Gallery opening in the heart of Malibu Village, in the early 2000’s. The show  featured nearly a dozen of her hyperrealistic paintings, and in that moment, I became a fan for life.  As an artist myself, I greatly appreciated her unique skill. Working from only 7 tubes of oil paint, she’s able to create all of these exquisite colors, which is quite challenging when it comes to flesh tones. And her ability to create an image that looks like molded plastic, is even more impressive.

brown and aqua barbie painting
Aqua Sheath Barbie, Oil on Canvas, by Judy Ragagli, Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

Within a few years I commissioned Aqua Sheath, an original oil painting, for my home in Palm Springs.  Barbies chic sense of style is so mid-century, so she’s always in fashion in Palm Springs…  it was a perfect fit for the desert. Eventually  I sold the home and put the painting in storage. I moved into a larger home at the beginning of this year, and made sure this painting was one of the first ones I hung… along with Barbie in Hollywood.

Barbie Painting
Barbie in Hollywood, by Artist Judy Ragagli, Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

I’d waited years to buy her from Judy, as Judy wasn’t ready to sell it. As an artist, you sometimes wait for the perfect collector when it comes to one of your babies. You know when it’s meant for someone who truly appreciates what you’ve poured into it. It’s not just the hours of painting, but the hours of contemplating as you flesh out the details,  bringing it to life, pushing through the barriers in your mind. It’s a very heartfelt process.

When the Oscar nominations came out this year, it thought it was prophetic that Judy had seen Barbie on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in her minds eye, so many years ago. That’s when I got the idea for my themed housewarming party. I wanted to celebrate strong women and female empowerment through art. I texted Judy to see if she was up for it, and asked if she would speak to my guests about her inspiration. She also agreed to bring in a few more paintings for the party.

3 Barbie Paintings
Original Barbie Paintings by Artist Judy Ragagli, Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

When the evening finally arrived, my guests went crazy for all of her glorious art.. and a few folks even brought their original Barbies.

Madmen Barbies
Madmen Barbies & Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Barbie
party guests
Stephanie Zeni, Romi Cortier, Sharon Lawrence, Jason Zeni & friends, Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios
party guests
Recio Young, Christianna  Lockhart-Triolo, June Lockhart-Triolo, Romi Cortier, Jane Wilson. Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Photos

In keeping with an Art Salon themed event, I spoke about a few of the works in my collection featuring women who’d blazed a path for themselves such as Francoise Gilot, or the up and coming Kenyan photographer Thandiwe Muriu. From there I introduced Judy and enjoyed watching her interact with all of her new fans and admirers.

Party Guests
Barbies & Bubbles, a housewarming event. Photo: Andrew Cunningham, Soulology Studios

The evening couldn’t have been any more perfect. Everyone was laughing and smiling, even as they walked out the door. I loved introducing these strong women who were friends and clients, to each other. It was a dream come true for me.

Judy's Champagne
Artist Judy Ragagli at the Barbie’s & Bubbles housewarming event.

Judy, thank you for being the amazing woman that you are. You’re so intuitive and insightful, not to mention madly talented. It was such an honor to have you in our home.

Learn more about  Judy Ragagli’s  Barbie art at  Vintage Barbie Art

 

Pride at Chimento Contemporary

Terry Sweeney and Lanier Laney celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Terry Sweeney and Lanier Laney celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Terry Sweeney and Lanier Laney celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Terry Sweeney and Lanier Laney celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Terry Sweeney and Lanier Laney celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Terry Sweeney and Lanier Laney celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Terry Sweeney and Lanier Laney celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Terry Sweeney and Lanier Laney celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Romi Cortier, Terry Sweeney and Recio Young celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Romi Cortier, Terry Sweeney and Recio Young celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Recio Young, Romi Cortier and Eva McCoy celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Recio Young, Romi Cortier and Eva McCoy celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Terry Sweeney and Lanier Laney celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary
Terry Sweeney and Lanier Laney celebrate PRIDE at Chimento Contemporary

Chimento Contemporary celebrated PRIDE 2019 with a witty show by artists Terry Sweeney and Lanier Laney titled: The Stonewall Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

This show celebrates the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, by honoring the multi-ethnic, gender non conforming heroes, who rioted in the streets of New York in June of ’69. The Stonewall Inn, owned by the mafia, catered to the poorest and most marginalized people in the gay community, namely: drag queens, transgender people, effeminate young men, butch lesbians, male prostitutes, and homeless youth. Police raids on gay bars during the 60’s were routine. During the early morning hours of Saturday June 28th, an unexpected raid took a turn for the worse (previous raids usually included a police tip off, happened early in the evening  allowing for a quick return to business, after cash exchanged hands). The marginalized turned the tables on the police, barricading them in the bar. The crowds grew, momentum gathered, the riots continued into a second night, and a political movement was born.

Lanier Laney & Terry Sweeney are art provocateurs who irreverently satirize accepted societal and political norms. In their new show the art duo utilizes what they refer to as their ‘queer outlier pov’ to question the outdated patriarchal myths, propaganda and manipulative commercialization of the dominant culture. Their work utilizes performance art, sculpture, digitally altered photography, painting, and text.

I for one love the use of ‘rainbow unicorns’ as an alternative interpretation of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Imagine the type of  messages could come from these kinds of Horsemen: love for all, equal rights for all, equal pay for all, equal opportunity for all… the possibilities are endless. We’ve come a long way over the last 50 years, but we have so much more to achieve.

Show closes July 13th, 2019

Learn more at Chimento Contemporary 

The Mirrored Glass of Michael Panetta

Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier
Mirror Glass by Michael Panetta, Beverly Hills At Show, 2019, Photo Romi Cortier

I discovered the breathtaking  mirror glass of Michael Panetta at the recent Beverly Hills Arts Show. His work is beyond stunning, and his use of color is absolutely spot on. The subtlety  of his tones, especially when paired with complimentary works, completely resonated with my sensibilities. If I weren’t paying for a wedding in Venice Italy  this fall, I would have bought one of his pieces.

One of the things that I enjoyed most about meeting him at the art show, was his willingness to discuss his mirroring technique. It sounded very complicated, but the end result is smooth and intoxicating like a fine wine. He was also a bit apologetic that he didn’t have more work to show me, because he’d sold so much over the course of the weekend. Nothing could make me happier than to hear that others were appreciating is art, as much as I was.

Michael is based in Laguna Beach, California. His trajectory through the world of blown glass began when he was 6 years old at the Sawdust Festival of Laguna Beach. His interest in glass was further piqued when he visited  the famed glass blowing island of Murano, Italy. After local glass apprenticeships in California, Michael returned to Murano for specialized training under renowned glass blower Pino Signoretto. Now his work can be found in galleries and art shows up and down the west coast.

This youtube video will let you witness firsthand how he creates is mirroring technique.

Ocean Earth Glass

 

The Artistry Inside Notre Dame

Artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
The artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
Artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
The artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
Artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
The artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
Artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
The artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
Artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
The artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
Artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
The artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
Artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
The artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
Artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
The artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier

 

Artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier
The artistry inside Notre Dame, Paris, December 2018, Photo Romi Cortier

The artistry inside of Notre Dame was something that I’d pretty much taken for granted, until the recent fire on April 15, 2019. In fact, I’m sure  most of us took it for granted up until that day.  To quote my friend  Leigh Bardugo, author of Shadow & Bone, Six of Crows, and King of Scars: You leave a place, certain you will return, certain it will outlive you, reassured by the permanence of stone. I didn’t realize this was a friend I would never meet again.

When my sister texted me about the fire on the morning of the 15th, I reassured her that  it probably wasn’t that big of deal, because the cathedral  was made of stone. I didn’t understand that the roof was made from 800 year old trees, and that the framing supporting the stone was also made from wood.

As I looked back over the photos that I’d taken on December 28th, 2018, I began to notice something telling… red fire extinguishers. They’re so easy to miss when you’re being wowed by stained glass windows and hand painted walls and ceilings. But there they were, hiding in plain sight. As it turns out, it was a well known fact that fire was a huge threat to the structure. No electrical apparatus were allowed near the roof, for fear that any spark could easily set the structure ablaze.

As I’m sure you know, money has poured in for the rebuilding of Notre Dame, totaling over $1 billion within the first week. Now the conversation has begun about how long it will take to rebuild, what the new spire should look like, and of course who should design it. I’ve seen articles online exploring high concept ideas such as repurposing the roof with a greenhouse for growing food and educating students. The previous spire was a 19th century add on, however to the untrained eye, it also appeared to be centuries old like the rest of the cathedral.

I know how progressive the French are when it comes to their architecture, particularly when viewed  through the lense of history.  The Eiffel Tower,  completed in 1889, was built for the 1889 Worlds Fair and was not meant to be a permanent structure. It was intended to be dismantled after  20 years in 1909, when its ownership reverted back to the City of Paris. If I also remember my history correctly, it was also the first ‘undraped metal building’.  Prior to this, metal only served as a support system for concrete or brick buildings. Therefore, it was quite controversial in its day, and was boycotted my many prior to its completion.

Another example of French craftsmanship is the Statue of Liberty,  designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi in 1886. The original stands on Liberty Island Manhattan, in New York, and its metal framework was also built by Gustave Eiffel. Three years later in 1889, a smaller replica was given to France, by American citizens living in France, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the French Revolution.

Statue of Liberty and Eiffel Tower, seen from the Seine River, Photo Romi Cortier
Statue of Liberty and Eiffel Tower, seen from the Seine River, Paris, France, Photo Romi Cortier

I go down this rabbit hole to make a point. These structures all look very old to our modern day eye, but during the time of their construction, they were forward thinking and quite avant garde. Every generation has its construction techniques and tools, as well as its favored building materials. Over the last 20 years or so, our generations biggest design tool is the computer. It will be very interesting to observe how the French choose to move forward with this process of redesign. The modernity of the I.M. Pei Pyramid certainly works in the midst of the Baroque buildings that it marries together. I can only say that I hope I live long enough to see how the story of Notre Dame turns out.

Romi Cortier, I.M. Pei Pyramid and Louvre Museum, Paris, France, Photo Recio Young
Romi Cortier, I.M. Pei Pyramid and Louvre Museum, Paris, France, Photo Recio Young

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection – Venice, Italy

Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Romi Cortier
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Romi Cortier
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Romi Cortier
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Romi Cortier
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Romi Cortier
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Romi Cortier
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Romi Cortier
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Romi Cortier
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Romi Cortier
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Romi Cortier
Romi Cortier, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Recio Young
Romi Cortier, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Recio Young

I recently visited the Peggy Guggenheim Collection while on holiday in Venice, Italy. I had no knowledge of the storied past of the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni,  who’s story began in about 1750, long before Ms. Guggenheim became its final occupant.

Peggy Guggenheim’s collection is a must see for fans of Modern Art, and is also one of Venice’s most visited attractions. Situated on the Grand Canal near the Lagoon, the  former residence features amazing views of the canal and other palazzos. And most important, is the collection itself. It’s noted as ‘one of the most important museums in Italy for European and American art of the first half of the 20th Century’. Pieces in her collection embrace Cubism, Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism, and are born out of personal connections from the artists themselves.

As a champion of artists, she created an American outpost for the European avant-gard, with a  gallery in New York  called Art of This Century, in 1942. Prior to that she had a short lived gallery in London  during the lates 1930’s, Guggenheim Jeune. Her initial collection, acquired at a rate of one painting per day on frenzied trips to Paris during World War II, cost her only $40,000 for a group of works by Brancusi, Geroges Braque, Salvador Dali, Ernst, Fernand Leger and Pable Picasso, among others. That collection ultimately settled in Venice in 1948, with its initial exhibition at the biennale.

With the acquisition of Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, Ms. Guggenheim set up shop as one of the city’s most celebrated patrons and eccentrics. That said, she was actually the third woman to own the Palazzo, preceded by the Marchesa Luisa Casati and Doris Castlerosse. Christies has a fantastic article titled: Ghosts of the unfinished palazzo, which you can read HERE. A little FYI, the palazzo might be named for the yawning lion heads seen below…  at least that’s one of the theories.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Romi Cortier
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy, Photo Romi Cortier