Hello Lovely

untitled oil on canvas, c. 1960

Born in 1924, painter Jane Freilicher paints
landscapes as 'apprehended rather than analyzed.'

Some of you know I dabble in paint and sell
to designers and individuals through word of mouth.

The freedom of abstract expressionism
appeals to me on so many levels...take a peek
to see how and why.



Jane Freilicher




window - oil on linen, 2011







Flying Point Road - 1959, oil on linen


Flying Point Beach, 1961


Misty Day on the South Fork, 1961, oil on canvas

Freilicher is credited with developing what became
to be known as 'painterly realism.'


The Hamptons, 1961


Grey Day, 1963, oil on canvas


2002

She has painted from her Water Mill studio for more than 40 years.
Aint the work special?

* * *
And now I must retreat to my studio to blow up
every canvas I painted in recent months
and begin anew.

Peace to you right where you are.

I am having a very happy summer.
Happy summers are my favorite.
They involve being out in nature
and laughing with my kids
and letting my hair fly
in the wind of my
husband's convertible
and motorcycle.

So let's savor images of beautiful design today
and save a post with whimsy, flirtatious banter,
poetry and soulful introspection for another.






























Could we apply elements of this apartment's
charm to our own spaces to add to the beauty?

Peace to you right where you are.

It has been a very long time since I have been this excited
about a beautifully executed event in my town of
Rockford, Illinois, and THIS IS IT:
Urban Farmgirl's Main Street Market!



Urban Farmgirl
is my favorite shop in town for obvious reasons:
it exudes happy
it evolves monthly
it brims with creativity
it breathes life and energy
into all who gather here.




So when Farmgirl Mary planned this May 10, 2014 event
known as Main Street Market at Midway Village Museum,
I could not wait to invite friends to come shop
amazing vendors from the heartland and beyond.


My new friends
Lynda of Oh So Shabby
and Michele of  Our Rosy Life came
along with my sister of Ciao Bosom
and so many other shoppers
across the country seeking
vintage, handmade,
and the unexpected.

What did we buy? Tons of goodies.
Topiaries, galvanized tins, one of a kind jewelry
and knits from Mona Lindvall and GlissKnits.






What this market brought to Rockford
is nothing short of miraculous.



And I even got to ambush Laura of
The Ironstone Nest who was there
conducting a Miss Mustard Seed
milk paint demo! 

The vendors at Main Street were some of the finest
I have encountered...not just in terms of
styling/staging/merching but spirit-wise,
perhaps that is a natural consequence of
scoring the royal motherlode of cash.
(I witnessed no haggling whatsoever
since prices were so friendly and sensible.)

Everyone shopping had arms full of
beautiful vintage treasures,
and the location at the museum
is such a genius match for the event that I am not
exaggerating when I report no frowns
or negative energy was to be found
on the grounds...in fact, I hereby declare Hello Lovely
the happy police for Main Street Market
and will uphold the happy law at all future dates!

Ever heard such a rosy report about a simple
but brilliantly organized market?


I stopped into Front Porch Mercantile,
one of Main Street Market's vendors shortly
after its booming success and picked the owner's
brain about the behind the scenes magic which
led to such a successful venture.
(The shop is located at 101 W. Main St., Rockton, IL.)


She mentioned the tight restrictions in place for vendors
and how this kept the quality so very high and special.
I will be sharing more beauty shortly on the blog
from this oh so lovely new shop
Front Porch Mercantile,
one of my favorite local stops for unique finds.




I will keep you vintage/market/handmade/art/design enthusiasts
informed about the next date of of
Urban Farmgirl's Main Street Market
so we can make a party of it, oui??????
I intend to meet hundreds of you there for
squeezes and kisses (perhaps as a vendor myself?)
but more importantly, so you may discover
for yourselves this sparkling gem
of a fresh and happy new market
right here in Rockford, Illinois.

Wanna come?

Peace to you right where you are



p.s.
I connected with THE urban farmgirl several times
in the last few weeks, and she is the most humble
and brilliant and gorgeous woman who listened
to my gushing and opinions without running
away or blogging about psycho stalking
locals with messy blonde hair.

Welcome to my simple white studio which contains the family piano I have played all my life, a swing, and space where I paint.


The studio is just to the right of our entry
and because of the high ceilings, I love the acoustics.




I am rarely joined by anyone in the studio as it
is where I retreat to create and dream.


I painted the Ikea swing because those formerly red
plastic rings were just killing me.



The 87 piece is symbolic of the risk my sister and I
had of developing breast cancer before we opted
for preventative bilateral mastectomies.


The prints tacked to the framed canvases are by
Lovisa Burfitt.



I love working with black and white paint.
The other colors mysteriously make me nervous.
Feel free to shrink me all day long.



I paint in silence, and I am completely relaxed
and confident as I do so...it is only paint after all.
I'm a messy artist too, just covered from head to toe
because like a child, I get lost in the flow
and don't worry a bit about the consequences.


This week I have spent a ton of time at the piano writing
some cool new stuff that I hope to record this summer.
I'm a horrible player, but I can sing and write.




Thanks for stopping by!
My studio is always welcome to artists
who need a tranquil getaway and soft light.

I have some wonderful hometown heroes to
share with you soon so stay tuned!

Peace to you right where you are.

Even though little has changed since I shared
our dining room years ago on Hello Lovely,
I snapped these when the natural light was
dappl-y pretty.

By now you know I am dreamy yet frugal.
I'll share a few details.

 Behind the glass: wedding china (Ranier by Noritake) and tissue flowers made by me.




 The doors are South American walnut, and the speakeasies function.

Flowers from the yard, an old milk can,
Venetian mirrors (anthropologie), jute rug (Target),
German grain sack (A Beautiful Mess),
antiqued silver chandelier (Lowe's), and
lace curtains made in Belgium were
a wedding gift from my mom.
The rug's scale is prob all wrong from a designer's perspective:
evidence of my rebellious renegade side.
It is nubby lovely and will work until something
more fabulous comes along.


 Walls: Benjamin Moore White Sand

The comfy chairs have been with us for 15 years,
and I just changed their color from antique
to a beachier bright, re-covering the seats with
a vintage matelasse coverlet.

 Oscar Wilde art by me

It's true ya know.
Some of us are looking at the stars.



Sharing this post with these parties and Miss Mustard Seed...
Marian recently spotlighted
our breakfast area, and I always look forward
to her Friday posts inviting creatives to gather
with furniture transformation and inspiration.

 I have been a bit too busy lately; and
taking a cue from the serenity here,
I plan to take a deep exhale
and slow it down
so peace may
find me
and
stay.
  
Peace to you right where you are.