Drawing "Caprice" on a Whim

In March of 2013 I started a series of drawings based on a china beaker I bought in Filene's Basement many years ago. The bottom says,

"CAPRICE"
WREN
Fine Bone China    Made in England.

I have a set of four – two of them I bought in Bermuda back in the 1990s – and I use them for tea regularly.

I was especially intrigued by the four figures inside the architectural window frames and decided to draw them large scale on my 11" x 14" sketchpad. I used an HB pencil and black Tombo marker.

Image I From "Caprice" Wren – Fine Bone China Beaker  – 3/2/14

One of the biggest challenges was getting the proportions correct for each figure.

Image II From "Caprice" Wren – Fine Bone China Beaker – 3/10/13

As far as I can tell, each figure is involved in some domestic pursuit or getting ready to go out.

Image III From "Caprice" Wren – Fine Bone China Beaker – 4/17/13

I have two title ideas for this series and I'm not sure which I will use yet:

Answer The Call

or

Look Harder

Image IV From "Caprice" Wren – Fine Bone China Beaker – 3/2/14

My current idea is to frame these using the image/photo of a worn brick wall on paper and tearing the paper so the edges are ragged. I just haven't found the right paper and image yet. I'm also not sure if I will frame each drawing in a wood frame or leave them loose.

I think the Look Harder title will work really well with "brick wall" paper frames.

Stay tuned. I may change my mind.

Miami — Swank & Slick, Luxe & Luscious

OK, so this post is really over a month late, since I basked in the tropical heat of Miami in mid-March. But, as always, Miami is one of the best cities for design aficionados, and this (my 6th?) visit was no exception.

I had always wanted to stay at the Todd Oldam-designed, The Hotel, South Beach, after visiting the lobby bar and rooftop pool on a previous visit. The splurge was worth it.

Originally built as the Tiffany Hotel in the 1930s, this Art Deco gem has graced the intersection of Collins Ave. and 8th Street ever since. The location is ideal, and Oldham's design is cohesive both inside and out, beginning with the outside patio.

The tropical green, blue and yellow stripes are repeated inside the rooms.

Bath with beautiful, carnivalesque tile.
Note tile even surrounds the shower floor drain.

Close-up of bathroom floor tile.

Even the cabinets' mosaic hardware is cool.

And, of course, what would Tiffany's be without diamonds?

Diamond light sconces in hallway.

For me, the real oasis of calm amidst the non-stop bustle of South Beach was the rooftop pool.

Yes, that's my sunscreen, Surf Style shopping bag, book and water – ahhh.

One highlight of my visit was wandering around the Delano Hotel – always a luxurious pleasure.

Dinner on the water, anyone?

Night chess, anyone?

Elton-Joe, Live at the Delano!

I found more design inspiration at the Mondrian Hotel, where I went to watch the sunset.

I especially liked the lobby and its staircase 

designed by the handsome Dutch designer, Marcel Wanders.

Mondrian Hotel lobby – cutout staircase.

Mondrian Hotel carport – bell chandeliers.

Mondrian bathroom etched glass door.

I saw more cool art at the Carlyle Hotel on Ocean Drive.

Elizabeth Taylor wall mural by Argentina-born artist, Havi Schanz.
He paints brilliantly over architectural floor plans!

Donna Summer wall mural by Havi Schanz.

A true highlight of my getaway was my birthday dinner at Baoli restaurant on Collins Ave. One of my best friends in the world treated me, and it was totally fabulous. 

The roof is open to the sky, and the space transforms from a restaurant to a nightclub at around 10:30pm. The wait staff hands out sparklers to ignite the party and they dance in front of the bar.

Marilyn and I SO approved.

Miami is a girl's best friend. 

Hasta luego, mis amigos!