Modern Design and Architecture.

I am determined to get a few paintings done for my commission. I know my client hasn't complained, but I also know he wants them done.

While I work towards finishing a few up, I am always scouring the internet for inspiration and motivation to keep creating. This does not mean I am looking for things to copy. I just like to keep thinking creatively. I found a few links that I think are compelling enough to share here.

First, this site is truly remarkable, and I don't say that lightly. GreatBuildings.com has some FREE downloadable 3-D models of distinctive buildings. I'm serious, look at Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright for example.

mocoloco.com is kinda an online catalogue/newsletter of hip places to shop for furniture and news about modern architecture in the San Francisco Bay Area. A very tasteful selection of items and articles.

This blog 2modern.blogs.com has an expansive list of "modern lifestyle resources" for local regions (San Francisco, here). It lists things like modern furniture stores, modern architectural buidings, modern architectural firms, and museums. However, I might take one star off their rating (and credibility) for listing: Ikea and Z Gallerie with the likes of Limn and Van Design SF.

This blog: Recommended is just kewl and definitely worth a visit. From links to desktop wallpapers and an article on 50 Ways to Become a Better Designer... The link to DeviantArt.com and Desktopography are worth it alone. I can't recommend this site highly enough, just stop by.

For a bit of something off the beaten path, ThePedestrian (oh, that pun just knocked me on my rump!) is a great blog with some fantastic links to... How about this you-tube link for the artist savant Stephen Wiltshire. Well just go visit.

Once again, Acorn Books on Polk is closing very soon, and I went in to get some more bargains. I had to look through their collection of old magazines to see if I would be lucky enough to find an original Harper's Bazaar with a cover by Maxfield Parrish. I didn't (gee, go figure). Parrish was a fave artist of mine a while back, DYK that at one point there was supposedly a Daybreak poster in one of every four homes in America? Yup. The most popular poster of all time. Some of my fave works are The Garden of Allah and Ecstasy.

And thinking of Parrish makes me think of another poster artist (and Harpar's Bazaar cover artist) I have a fondness for, A.M. Cassandre. He did the Art Deco posters of the Normandie and some other well known works. I love this style of "moderism" using airbrush and print. The locomotives, the steamliners, the aeroplanes- incredible compositional works also.

88 unique visitors today (Tuesday 8/15) and 119 page views puts me at over 220 unique visitors and over 320 page views this week already. Now, I wouldn't dare speculate as to what traffic might be for this month. Thank you all for stopping by, I hope you'll come back and visit again. Cheers.

image credits: Fallingwater photo from GreatBuildings.com, Ecstasy poster art from Art.com, Normandie poster art from wikipedia.org.