Classic Art Beautifully Updated for Modern Tastes

Dutch Touch Art  is a company that I found while looking at  some One King's Lane stuff.  I really did not know that I had missed the boat, so to speak -- that everyone else had already found it, and many were buying it. Clueless though I may have been, I was...well, I was in love. I have always thought that if the stuffiness of some of the art from past centuries could be eliminated, I would own as much as I could. And then, better late thqan never, I found it! This company offers an "updated collection of traditional classics, merging old with new".
 The work is done by artists who create the oil-based paintings, following the style of artists from their country of origin  -- such as the Dutch masters.  So, the old style is made new with brighter colors, more clarity, and  updated compostion and scale.  If you haven't seen it, look now!

This painting below, which I just love, is called  The Art Cupboard, after a 17th century painting 

by an unknown artist.  It is79" Wide by 59" High.

The Dutch Touch Art Company is a family-run business that has made me very happy. 
This is their website link: .http://www.dutchtouchart.com/

Have a beautiful day!
xo
Valerie




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Modern loves Rustic Industrial loves Modern

The Soap Opera of Style

a short short story

by Valerie Kilpatrick

Valentines Day has come and gone, but the story of unrequited love between

 Modern, Rustic and Industrial design themes  must be told <cue the accordion to start playing something from a Fellini film soundtrack>  Sorry, folks, but the accordion drowned out the detials. Suffice it to say, sadly, the fact of being a third wheel became clear to Rustic who saw that  Modern was only able to stand so much of Rustic's looser more playful style. For that matter, Rustic disliked Modern's tendency to be cold and rigid. Rustic also sensed that Industrial found Rustic to be just a little too soft.   Industrial and Modern, meanwhile, delighted in  sharing the clean, linear strength of one another. Each found the other to be fascinating and irresistable. The fact that Industrial had many  characteristics of Rustic's appeal was not lost on Modern! Country meanwhile, had been in a corner, watching events unfold...

When we left them, Rustic, Modern and Industrial were  three styles who tried to blend in with each other. But three was turning out to be a crowd.  Country was still alone. In the corner. Waiting.
 Industrial and Modern finally realized that their true love must be expressed. It was becoming only too obvious that  Rustic was a "third wheel"in a developing romance....Rustic had to go.  Industrial was more than willing to provide Modern with any "rustic" appeal that would be lost by Rustic's departure --  a trait for which Modern would remain eternally grateful.  So, Rustic was alone, but only very briefly. 
Standing by, singing lonely tunes on the sidelines, Country had been waiting all along for  just the right moment to enter the scene. The time had arrived. Country made its move. Rustic, still stung by rejection, wasn't sure that Country's charm was the real thing. It took a while, but Country's patient charm began to mesh seamlessly with  Rustic's warm, relaxing ways. Rustic and Country found that they enjoyed a special harmony . Soon it was hard to tell them apart. It was clear to anyone looking on that they were always meant to be. 
Now-a-days, folks, the two couples get together in all kinds of unexpected ways, enjoying the  exciting blend of personality, toughness, discipline, relaxation, and age. 
Yes, my friends, Love evolves.


And so it goes...
Have a great day!
xo
Valerie





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Oscars 2012: Best Moments, Fashion, Acting

Billy Crystal Hosted the 84th Annual Academy Awards last night.

He had a few great moments, some mediocre ones, but he was happy, 

upbeat, and set a good tone for the night... I'd give him 7 out of 10.

And ( for those of you who saw him doing Fernando Lamas many years ago) he

" looooked Mah-velous"

Yippee! :

Octavia Spencer /Best Supporting Actress/ The Help

        Another Yippee! :

       Jacques Dujardin/Best Actor /The Artist                               

 ~      J O Y !!!!!    ~

                                             Meryl Streep/Best Actress/The Iron Lady

        Christopher Plummer/Best Supporting Actor/Beginners

BEST MOMENTS:


                               Chris Rock had a Great Moment , being The Funniest.

      See the Video of his Moment here.

                              Emma Stone was great presenting the

                       (linked)Oscar for Best Visual Effects with Ben Stiller:

Angelina Jolie Rocking the House with The Pose

 and The Low Sexy "Huh" (Atelier Versace dress)

       Cirque Du Soleil Acrobatics:

Amazing, sweet version of “What a Wonderful World,”  

sung by Esperanza Spalding 

      BEST DRESSED:  

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford, Penelope Cruz in Giorgio Armani

 and Natalie Portman in vintage 1954 Christian Dior:

~AND~

AND

                                                              BEST RED CARPET:

                                                                 BEST CHARM:

                                (Should Have Been ) BEST ACTRESS Viola Davis, The Help:

Notables:


Funny skit with Billy !

         No Zuhair Murad.wardrobe malfunction...her stylist told the L.A.Times,

"So false!

Take it from J.Lo's stylist, Mariel Haenn.

"The dress fit perfectly to her every inch," Haenn told E! News.

"There were cups built in and there's no chance that there were any, how do you say? 'Slips.' While the dress did give the illusion of sheerness, [the] joke's on everyone who wishes they saw something!"

And while there was no accidental areola appearance, Haenn says Lopez has no plans on keeping things buttoned-up in the future.

"If you thought that dress was hot," the stylist said, "wait until you see what's next."

¡Ay mami!

Ay Yi Yi!
Have a great Day!
xo
Valerie
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SO Irresistible!

Dreaming of:

 A gorgeous Penthouse (windows are fab!), overlooking

 Central Park, with Peonies in every room:

Peonies.

I hope your dreams come true!

xo

Valerie

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