*Bead
Soup Blog Hop is here.
*
Ocean Blog Hop is here.
If
you’re looking for the latest installment of the Inspired by Reading Book Club, this is the place.
This
time we read An Object of Beauty, by Steve Martin. Yes, that Steve Martin; comedian/actor. Who
knew?
It’s
a great book about the world of art dealers and collectors in New York City in
the late 1990’s through present time. Martin follows the main character, Lacey,
who will do just about anything to further her career.
This
book offered connections on so many levels.
The
narrator’s description of walking into the Basel Art Fair in Miami reminded me
of my first visit to JOGS in Tucson – “a humongous convention center with its
17 entrances”… a “labrynth” which he did get lost in. I might have to check out
one of the major art shows that pop up in The Hamptons this summer.
I
particularly enjoyed the references to places in NYC and the Hamptons that I am
familiar with. I have dined at Saint Ambreous - in Southampton. Although lunch was
all my wallet could manage. Nello was also in Southampton for a time. Many
artists also had studios or second homes out here; Roy Lichtenstein, Jackson
Pollack, Willem de Kooning, Andy Warhol, etc.
Intriguing
also were the references to Maxfield Parrish, as the Parrish Art Museum has been
part of the Southampton community for years. The museum was the brainchild of
Samuel Parrish. I must admit that I did not realize they were two separate
people. One (Samuel) loved art while the other (Maxfield) created it. My
research shows that they both came from Quaker families in Philadelphia and
probably were related – perhaps distant cousins.
Enough
background you say…
What
did I create???
First
my inspiration… Pop Art and Andy Warhol’s Marilyn
and Flowers. I so enjoyed the illustrations in the book.
Off to my stash to search for
blue and yellow beads. Instead I found Andrea Pirkey’s fabulous glass bead, “Dots”.
Apatite chips and carnelian
came off the shelf. The apatite went back after a visit to Island Bead and Jewelry(just to say hi –
yeah, right!). I walked out with some lovely Czech glass ovals, a nice contrast
to the circles in the bead. I also added small, round African opal beads and knotted it all together
with two strands of silk thread.
Wait
– “Where’s the new technique?” you wonder. Well, I’m thinking maybe it’s time
to broaden my scope with all I’ve learned in the past year. Horizontal growth
we called it when I was a first grade teacher and staff developer.
The
hammered, soldered silver ring and toggle did come off my bench.
By the way, Warhol did create a blue and orange Marilyn!
And
do consider joining us next time as we read The Drunken Botanist, by Amy
Stewart. Andrew hosts a meet-up in his shop, Allegory Gallery, in PA on June
24. The hop will post the next day.
I don't know why, because I'm not a huge fan of pink and blue together. I once had my house turned into a nursery by mistake. Apparently, the contractor couldn't read my directions. 
The seed and small glass beads for the perfect accent for this lovely floral focal. 
