Highlighting...Svetlana Shalygina

Svetlana Shalygina, Shy

Here at the gallery, it’s usually love at first sight when we find a new artist we’re excited about. After the initial period of courtship, we’re all so excited to receive the first box of precious cargo. It’s like Christmas morning! So many delights to feast our eyes upon, and it can be hard to pick a favorite from among the bunch.

The most recent box from Svetlana Shalygina was no exception. Her work has an organic appeal that is elegant in its simplicity. The elongated figures have a tribal quality to them, yet they also represent the “common man” – they could be anyone. Without a doubt her work is very contemporary, but I think it appeals to the viewer on a personal level. One of the main criticisms of contemporary art is that it can be cold and impersonal, but Svetlana demonstrates this is not always the case.

The work Shy, in particular, struck a chord with me. It reminds me of children on a playground and how they (and all people) tend to form groups and crave acceptance. The main figure in the foreground seems isolated and somewhat timid, perhaps longing to join the group in the background but not quite sure how to make the first move. The strong horizontal element in the painting gives the viewer a sense of perspective and further divides the lone figure from the others. The texture on the canvas adds visual interest to the piece and brings the piece alive off the canvas and out into the viewer’s space.

Everyone can relate to this work. We’ve all had an experience where we were the “new one” in town/school/work and felt the uncertainty and trepidation that comes with being placed in that position. How we all wished that someone from the background, someone who is already a member of the group, would step up and be our friend.

There is so much I take away from the painting. The main thing is, we’re all alone at some point in time…and that’s ok. It too will pass. Fear of reaching out and making personal connections can inhibit us if we let it. Instead, we should strive onward, boldly and confidently, and make the first move. I like to think that if this work were part of a series, in the next painting, the figure in the foreground of this painting would turn around and walk back towards the group. Make an introduction. Find friends. Connect. There is also a sense of responsibility that comes with already being an accepted member of a group. Newcomers should be welcomed and celebrated. It’s much easier to turn away than to make an effort to include someone you don’t know. The start of the new school year is a great time to reflect on this!

Tata!

Sarah

Getting Sammied (Yes, it’s a verb!)

If you’ve been following this little blog, no doubt you’ve heard us mention Sam Jones. Sam works with us here at the gallery, and, more importantly works with many of our clients in their home doing what she does best: re-creating rooms and living spaces.

We say that sort of jokingly, but it’s really true. Sam can be called a number of lovely things: Renaissance woman (she knows more about everything than anyone we know); art expert (just throw out an artist’s name, any name, and she’ll rattle off style, period, influences and what he/she liked for lunch.)

Sam adores abstract expressionist art and Mark Rothko is one of her faves (Mark Rothko, No.10, oil on canvas, 1950) (We’re sure she knows every little detail about this ground-breaking artist – we’ll have to test her…)

She’s a tastemaker (she’s on top of every design trend out there); reader of design and art blogs…

There’s not an issue she misses.

It’s always about the mix with Sam…Atlanta’s own dame of decor, Suzanne Kasler, is the inspiration here.

Veranda and John Saladino: Sam’s in heaven.

She’s also a connoisseur of coffee table books; a movie goer; floral designer extraordinaire; and, best of all, furniture re-arranger.

You see, one of Sam’s greatest gifts (and it truly is a gift) is that she can walk into a room, cast an eye over what you’ve got and before you can say hey presto, she’s painted the walls, moved the sofa, re-positioned the chairs, re-hung Aunt Mildred’s rather dull landscape, and maybe recovered a sad and dusty love seat from one of her nameless haunts with nubbly Belgian linen – et voila! You are the proud possessor of a stylish, elegant room – without breaking the bank.

 With Sam’s help, you can go from here….

 …to here.

Her first love is art, art and more art so there’s nothing that makes her happier than placing a painting first and then redesigning a space to make that art shine beautifully. (For a sampling of what Sam’s capable of, click here to a blog we recently did that was all about finding the perfect painting for that tricky spot over the mantel.)

She’s terribly humble, so she never photographs befores or afters (for which we are constantly nagging at her), but one of us was in dire need of “Sammification” before an intimate and swanky benefit dinner – and remembered to take photos.

So, Sammy to the rescue! The bedroom, which has good bones and nice lines, really just need a little fluffing and Sam took care of that in a flash.

Before…

Of course, a couple paintings from the gallery had to spend the night and what a difference they made.

After…

A new duvet and a work by Jeffrey Terreson add a pop of color to the serene space.

Bedroom corner with Melissa Payne Baker’s Harvest I

In the master bedroom foyer, you’re greeted by Angie Renfro’s You Still Feel Like Home.

The next area screaming for attention was in the library where Sam had the brilliant idea of unfolding the drop-leaf table, adding a substantial and gorgeous lamp and spontaneously arranging baskets and jugs underneath. The coup de grace: an ironware bowl filled with fresh green apples and some sprigs of boxwood. So simple and yet so good.

Before…

And after…

Svetlana Shalygina’s Conspiracy is the perfect fit above the artful table vignette Sam arranged.

A sweet arrangement of flowers in front of Liz Barber’s Water Rings IV.

This Huffington had also begged Sam to help with floral arrangements and centerpieces for the dinner – and of course, she did not disappoint. She knows I love anything green and from the garden, so she created a mini potager for each table. Portobello mushrooms, eggplants, asparagus and artichokes all starred front and center and looked just perfect, fresh and natural.

The dinner party spilled over into the kitchen and living rooms, which have also been “Sammified” in the past. Remember this blog about searching for the perfect thing for over the mantel?

Sam’s not just our secret weapon – she actually stays incredibly busy with design jobs and floral work and she’s got a huge cadre of fans and clients. But we adore her and appreciate her enthusiastic passion for art and her unwavering love for all things beautiful. In fact, there’s just nothing better than getting “Sammied,” which has now become a verb at the gallery.

And, Sam’s favorite haunts? She won’t even tell us because we’d probably take one look and keep driving. But she’s got an eye for the diamond in the rough and her vivid imagination (and a can of some yummy Farrow and Ball paint color) works absolute miracles.

Farrow and Ball Colors (French Blue, Cooking Apple Green and Blackened) all at http://www.farrow-ball.com/

We’ll keep hounding her for befores and afters so we can share them with you. And, if you’re local in Atlanta and need a little “Sammification” of your own, just let us know.

Ta Ta…

M.

For the Artful Makeover, Sam’s fees are billed as follows: The first hour of consultation is complimentary, and she charges $50 per hour after that. We actually can’t count the number of our clients who have told us it was the best money they ever spent! We hope to have some Artful Makeover before and after photos to share with you soon.

Happy Fall, Y’all!

Top 20 things we love about Atlanta in October:

Ann

1. The weather: Would you believe day after day of gorgeous, sunny, cloudless days with 70 degree temperatures during the day and a nice nippy breeze in the evenings? It’s just unbelievable. This little Huffington, who grew up in the greyest of grey cities in Europe and pretty much never saw the sun from October to March, now drives a happy convertible and pinches herself every day that she spends with the top down, breezing through Atlanta in the perfect month of October.

2. College visits. OK, again this is personal, but since I have a senior in high school, October is the “family road trip” month to area colleges and what fun it has been! I don’t know if it’s special because every moment is precious or because it’s so fun to be on a college campus and to take in all the incredible opportunities that are available to beloved children. How many times has my husband said, wistfully and enviously, “I could go here!” – and I know he would! October is filled to the brim with college visits and we’re loving every one (unfortunately!).

3. It’s almost fondue time! Our little family loves to cook and eat wintry foods, starting with luscious soups made with fall veggies, and culminating with our Fondue and Raclette traditions around the Christmas holidays. So when the leaves start to change color, and the evenings are brisk enough for fires and sweaters, we immediately pull out the soup casserole and simmer away. Yummy!

4. The JDRF walk. We’ve been doing this for years and each year, we think it gets better. Now located at Centennial Park, the Walk attracts huge crowds of wonderful people who are all there to support a loved one with Juvenile Diabetes. The marvelous energy is contagious and it seems like it’s always a sunny day, even when it’s not. October wouldn’t be October without the JDRF walk. Of course, we all pray that the Walk will go away, with a cure for Diabetes. But meanwhile, raising over $1.5MM is a great goal – and certainly one that brings us all together like a big family on a wonderful October day.

~~~

Meg

5. Evenings on the back porch: about ten years ago, we added a wonderful porch with a fireplace to the back of our house. It survived the rebuild and to this day, is our very favorite hang out spot. On cool fall evenings, we light the fire, enjoy a yummy dinner and relish the fresh air.

6. Halloween: our neighborhood is home to dozens and dozens of kids and it’s so fun to see them all in their spooky, silly or sensational Halloween regalia. It’s a no-holds-barred time for outdoor decorations, which range from Party City fun-n-tacky to elegant displays of pumpkins, wheat sheaths, hay bales and tasteful scarecrows.

7. I’m with Ann: a big pot of butternut squash soup is the be-all and the end-all of fall cuisine.

8. Pull out the sweaters: this summer, we sweated and sweated through endless days of 90+ degrees. Now we’ve got no humidity and cool temps…it’s so refreshing!

~~~

Sarah

9. College football: My fall social calendar is ruled by football games, and to be honest, I’m ok with that! I obsessively check the BCS rankings as much as any guy does. I love entertaining and spending time with friends, and watching football is the perfect way to combine these two activities.

Yes, I went to Vandy, shame of the SEC. Love the SEC in general!

10. Boots: Growing up riding horses, tall leather boots have always been a key component in my wardrobe. While I’m not showing anymore, I still enjoy wearing boots almost every day in the winter, either with skinny jeans and a sweater, tights and a dress, or leggings and a tunic.

Hermes jumping boots…in my dreams!

11. Pumpkin: I love anything and everything pumpkin. When the first cans of Libby’s pumpkin appeared on grocery store shelves (by far the most superior pureed pumpkin out there), I literally went to 4 different Publixs and cleared out their inventory. When my mom makes her first batch of delicious pumpkin bread, I know fall has arrived.

~~~

Linda

12. I love listening to Classical Music while watching the leaves float to the ground.

13. I love the palette of Fall! All the oranges red and golden hues.

14. Soup! There is nothing better on a crisp fall day than a warm bowl of hearty chili.

15. Friday night high school football! I love watching my older son, Jack, play under the lights on a crisp fall evening while wrapped in a blanket sipping hot cocoa!

~~~

Sam

16. Central Park in fall - I snapped this photo this weekend after having brunch on the patio at Sarabeth's. The weather was perfect and I swear everyone we passed had a smile on their face in anticipation of a perfect fall. Well, except for the one cranky cab driver, but I over tipped him so he would feel guilty and I like to think he drove away with a smile.

17. Scarves - It's like getting a hug every time you wrap the scarf around your neck and it feels so cozy. If you have a scarf, often you don't even need a coat even in cold weather. It's a lot less hassle and can be tied in about a hundred ways. What's your favorite way?

18. Down Comforters - Nothing beats snuggling into bed under a down comforter. NOTHING!

19. Corn Chowder - It just seems to taste better with a bit of chill in the air.

~~~

20. And finally, every Huffington’s top twenty favorite thing about October in Atlanta?

The 20% off PARTNERS CARD!!

We’ve been big fans of the Partners Card for years, saving up our purchases over the summer so that we could benefit from the 20% off at dozens of wonderful local retailers while equally benefitting a wonderful cause.

This is the first year that we’re honoring the Partners Card at Huff Harrington and we’re proud to be a part of such a worthwhile event. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the card purchase supports Camp Twin Lakes, a not-for-profit organization that helps kids with serious illness, disabilities and other challenges.

The event runs through Sunday, October 31^st (we’re closed Sunday so through Saturday, October 30^th for us.) We’re selling the $60.00 cards here at the gallery, too, so it couldn’t be easier. Click here to see our participating artists and we hope you’ll join us for this win-win-win event!

Tata!

HH

How We’re Really All Just Alike…

We just got back from another one of our little Paradise in Provence trips to that little slice of French heaven, Les Murets. These are wonderful trips that fully immerse one in the culture, food, wine and overall ambiance of the Luberon, along with a healthy dose of renewing friendships or creating new ones.

The inviting terrace at Les Murets where hundreds of friendships have been formed.

This last trip consisted of three lovely ladies from Chicago who found out about our trip from our website; and four lively and fun girls from Atlanta, who are personal friends and clients at the gallery.

As we planned the trip, Ann and I wondered just a little uneasily about the mix. It’s a little like going to camp: you know you’re going to have a wonderful time, but you’re not sure who your bunkmates will be. However, we reassured ourselves that everyone would be grown-up, beautifully mannered and if there were any oil/water situations, they would be resolved in a quiet and respectful way.

Well, of course we didn’t have to worry: Chicago met Atlanta and Atlanta met Chicago and it was love at first sight. It started that first night with general introductions over perfectly chilled rose and a delicious dinner on Les Muret’s magical terrace. And, as the week wore on, it was refreshing to watch new friendships being formed and lasting relationships being cemented through shared experiences: children, husbands, careers and passions.

The Chicago ladies (who mostly have younger children) were thrilled to have downtime with each other away from their constant demands and pressures. And, the Atlanta ladies re-kindled strong friendships that maybe had drifted over the years.

Here's Atlanta & Chicago meeting for the first time.

We’re not sure if it was the soft and reflective light that permeates Provence, or maybe the balmy, lavender-scented air (and unusually summer-like temps that greeted us on our arrival and blessedly stayed with us all week) that helped cement these newly found relationships; or, maybe it was the long and lingering dinners over olives, tapenade, freshly made vegetables tarts, aromatic cheeses and succulent fruits.

The famous cheese tray at Bistrot du Paradou – a perfect recipe for making new friends.

Perhaps it was the light and refreshing roses, reds and whites that were heartily consumed or the chance to chat leisurely over two-hour gastronomique feasts. Comparing market finds or quietly contemplating one’s life in a 16^th century abbey? Whatever the reason, for one happy week, our seven guests become fast and furious friends.

Shopping in the market

Thoughtful contemplation (and maybe a little catnap) after a delicious lunch.

Two days later we're all fast and furious friends...

Petit cafe for dejeuner

Our thoughts were confirmed twice on this trip: once while we were driving with our handsome and charming driver, Christophe, and discussing the merits of soccer. One saucy lady happened to mention that the players, while at the top of their game, are usually pretty attractive, too. “Oh you ladies are the same all over,” exclaimed Christophe with a perfectly French grin and shrug. We all agreed.

Christophe, our fearless driver

A few days later, we gathered after a postcard pretty little market (in Lourmarin) to compare purchases. One Atlantan pulled out a new purchase and fetchingly modeled it.

Donna models her new top – and receives an admiring remark from a nearby vendor.

A vendor, a typical Provencal kind of guy, started applauding and called out in French, “You women are always admiring your babies!” (meaning that we coddle and cuddle the things we love.)

Les Baux

What we all realized is that despite the myriad of differences we have, we are all basically the same. We have families, careers, responsibilities and passions and when a bond is formed through one of those, a friendship is sure to be made.

And if that can happen for one week in enchanting Provence, it’s all the better!

Tata!

M.