Rock-Goodbye-Baby...

One of the finest craftsman in history
recently passed away.


Sam Maloof was born in Chino, California in 1916,
and went on to become one of the founding fathers of the
American Arts and Crafts movement.

A woodworker,
He was most famous for his rockers,
(all of which fit so perfectly together
they require no nails or metal fastenings)


and has many fans, most notably
Presidents Carter, Reagan and Clinton.
(and me.)

He also crafted an incredible residence,

that is open for docent-led tours in Alta Loma,


by HAND.

This incredible Californian
was awarded the MacArthur Foundation fellowship “genius grant,”
making him the first craftsman to ever receive the honor.
*My favorite piece, his Double Rocker

His work was featured in a 2001 retrospective
aat the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery,
and his work is included in the permanent collections
at the Met, LACMA, Boston, Philadelphia and the Smithsonian,
among others,
not to mention is a permanent fixture in the White House.

I wonder if Barack knows he's reading the girls' their bedtime stories
in the most perfect rocking chair ever created.

Somehow, I have a feeling, he's bright enough to be able to feel a difference.

xx

Design Stars...

What a crazy week it has been.

The wedding went off swimmingly, and the move is nearly done...
(photos of both shortly)

Amidst all of the insanity, I managed to get to a party or two
to celebrate the beautiful art and design
of some remarkably talented people.
(More details to follow this week...)

Last Thursday (I know, that was nearly a WEEK ago) I had the
pleasure of meeting
a lovely young artist- Cameron Kelly- who was part of the
JB Blunk Residency Exhibition at Reform Gallery.


This amazing artist, who lives in San Francisco and works for an Interior Designer as a day job, had the most inspiring works, one that floored me the second I entered the gallery.


A HUGE Eucalyptus tree trunk, in gold leaf, on a
large violet piece of photo paper.
I'm obsessed.

This artist is one to watch, and I am having a smaller version
(the original is at least 6'x8')
commissioned by this rising talent.

Please do see her website, www.cameronkelly.net, for more inventive pieces
(a herringbone-skinned rock, perhaps?)

And visit my friend Gerard's Reform Gallery for more incredible
works of art;
The Sam Maloof rockers are to DIE for.

Stay tuned for more fabulous goings-on from
the inner sanctums of WestWeek!

Until then...