Jow at Marine Contemporary in Venice, CA

Lately I have noticed a wave of great galleries with some amazing exhibits, not in N.Y.C., but in California. Marine Contemporary, and Taylor Cordoba are some of my favorites. Marine Contemporary in Venice just put on a show by Jow, called Tourist. I am excited to take a trip down to L.A. to check out some of these fresh, modern curators...These pieces are awesome, and make me laugh...Happy Summer!

Room of the Month

The simplicity of this room, with the beautiful windows taking the place of the traditional pieces of art, mirrors, or photographs above the sofa is refreshing. I have never been a big leather couch person, but I realllly like this couch. I wish I could tell you who makes it. If you know, let me know. The plants tie it all together. Oh and speaking of plants, my house is turning into a plant forest, btw...Also my vacuum cleaner is broken and my dog just destroyed his new dog bed, in case any of you were wondering. Because I know you were. I hope you had a nice Memorial Day weekend... Gratefully yours...

New Website!

My new website is up! jenniferament.com   I am selling unframed prints, 

and will update often.

My new "paintings" site will be coming soon. 

Let me know what you think!

 Hope you are having a great week! 

Artist of the Month - Cyril Power

Cyril Power, 1929

Cyril Power was born in 1872, in Chelsea, England and began his art career as a linocut artist. He was commercially successful with his linocut career, but as he grew older he became increasingly interested in painting with oils and created around 98 pieces of work before his death in 1951. Having always been sort of obsessed with eyes in art, and jewelry, and tea pots, this piece would fit right in with my mix.

Hope you are getting excited for summer, because it felt like it was here today in Seattle! 

 Photo's via- Wikipedia and Tumblr

Shop To Visit - Far 4

 One of THE best shops in Seattle, (and by far the most uniquely curated), Far 4, had it's 5 year anniversary celebration last night, and some of Seattle's most interesting, and art aware people came out to pay homage to the store's owner, Euguenia (Jenny) Hudak Klimenkoff, master curator, who has taken the Seattle art scene to a whole other level.(Neon Diamond by local artist, Dylan Neuwirth)

 I feel beyond lucky to grace her walls, and the company I share is with some of the most well-respected artists in Seattle, some very well known, and some still unknown to the rest of the U.S.

Jenny's family owns an extremely beautiful porcelain company based in Moscow, called  Porcelain Studio Klimenkoff that creates museum worthy pieces. Her store is filled with everything from high end masterpieces, to affordable, useable pieces, with a unique bent. They are either gorgeous, or just insanely creative one of a kinds, that you won't find anywhere else.

 It takes a true pioneer to venture into the world of art, and Jenny is just that. Especially in a town that is not necessarily known for their art scene, but things are changing in Seattle. A local editor of a great art magazine told me recently, "I feel like I am sitting on a gold mine as far as the art scene goes here in Seattle, the only problem is the artists themselves." he continued, "They are too humble, and don't promote their work like some of the bigger cities." It is an interesting theory, and probably mostly true. Seattle doesn't cozy up to braggers, or ego trippers, or hard sells. We also don't value our work as much as we should. We try not to take ourselves too seriously. The business aspect of our work, maybe we just kinda suck at? That's why so many of us are so grateful to people like Jenny, who know a good thing when she see's it, and who is willing to take up precious space, just to show it to people. 

 I feel like the luckiest person having my art showing on that wall right now.

 I love the bunny. By the artist Charles Krafft.

 Home made cotton candy by Spun , with popcorn and champagne...

Practically Far 4's mascot, because so many people take pics of him, the giant Mr. Monkey is amazing, made by the german porcelain company, Meissen.

 Skull teapot by Trevor Jackson.

Along with being as genuine as it gets, Jenny is one of the kindest people I have ever met. I am grateful to know her, and call her a friend. Thank you Jenny for 5 years of opening people eyes to some amazing art in Seattle and the U.S. Please check out Far 4 in person, or online ASAP...You will LOVE it...

Photo's by Jennifer Ament, (and one by Jenny.)

Room of the Month

I don't think I would be as intrigued by this amazing place without that carmel leather sofa, and the addition of the patterned one across from it adds the color that makes everything even more unique. Pure genius...

This is perfection...

Photo-Tumblr (Please let me know if you know who to credit. Thanks!)

The Art of Easter

Our family takes the art of egg very seriously. We know how to have fun, yes, but mostly we are just sitting around the table feverishly eyeballing each others eggs to see if anyone has a leg up on the other, and deciding if we need to step up our game, quietly getting annoyed with each other if we pat ourselves on the back too much. Last year one of our precious egg's was featured on Kelly Wearstler's pinterest page! My kiddo's are budding egg-art geniuses and in between arguing over who can make the best WORST looking egg, we somehow always seem to create one or two that we just LOVE, like this Malachite-esque looking one. The easter bunny would be proud, right?

Wishing you all a Happy Easter! XO

A Bed On the Floor

Many of you might scoff at the idea, but a lot of us have been through having a bed on the floor at some point in our lives...I had one when my boyfriend at the time and I broke up and I moved in with a girl I barely knew who had about 4 cats, and the house smelled like pee, and bad perfume, and I went to sleep crying every night with my one box of C.D.'s as decor, and a "Sharper Image" sound machine that barely sounded like a waterfall, in my hope that it would drown out the leaky toilet sound that pulsated from the hallway.

In that scenario I didn't have a chance to make it look as amazing as these pics because I moved out after about 3 weeks, but I do have to say,there is something quite freeing, untethered, and even charming about having a bed that sits on the floor.

 A bed on the floor sometimes gives the impression that maybe a person doesn't have their shit completely together. 
I like that. Maybe it reminds me that we all go through phases of not having our shit together, and sometimes that can be fun.

Photo's via -Tumblr (let me know if you know)

New Paintings 2013...Phase 1...

Oil On Canvas -36x48

 Recently, my friend and designer extraordinaire, Brian Paquette, of Brian Paquette Interiors, asked if I would create work for an entire HOUSE that he was designing. He actually told me he was going to "design the spaces after he saw what I had created." I was flattered, to say the least...So far I have done around 7 new pieces for him, and am working on more for my new collection. Thank you to Brian, and to the people that have been oh so kind, and patient with me, after messaging me on one too many occasions with the question of when I will have more paintings for sale. Good news is I am on a role...

Oil On Canvas and Gold Leaf- 36x48

Encaustic,(beeswax)- 24x24

Encaustic, (beeswax) - 36x36

Also, the bad news is I am on a role...My house has laundry piled up EVERYWHERE, dishes in the sink, for dayyyys, and the occasional moment where the dog tears through the recycling bin, leaving chewed up paper messes all over the kitchen, and I actually walk in the room, sigh a big sigh, and LEAVE IT until "someone else" SEE'S IT, so that I can go back to work.... it is not pretty. When people come over I throw everything in a closet, or office, basically one of the many rooms that are piling up with junk, that I end up forgetting about, because I threw it in their when I was in a panic. This is why, I think, many artists avoid doing work, and also work well on deadlines, because when you are obsessive, like many artists are, there is no time for anything else. I can't multitask. It's all or nothing. When I am inspired, I don't have time for anything else. I don't like to even leave the perimeter of my workspace, I just want to WORK. 

And with that, I am off my friends. I am excited to show you more....

I hope you are all doing the best you can with whatever you are doing...XO 

Earthy, Laid Back, 70's Sophistication

This image is so beautiful, it could be in the very boho enclave of Silver Lake California,or even the Northwest, but is actually in Mexico City. One of the most stylish, and architecturally beautiful cities in the world,in my opinion. I imagine a down to earth, really good cook living here, or an unpretentious and not self absorbed musician...Or a family who raise their kids to be KIND...Of course it could be a total jerk that lives here, but let's try and keep the fantasy alive, eh?

Have a great weekend!  

Photo- Tumblr 

It's Raining Men

Just kidding, it's not raining men, but it is raining crazy around my house, and there is no time for grand gestures of cheap chocolates, or sex in a box. But I will take a new seltzer water maker, or some fresh dates fed exed from the middle east...ok,dates from California will do...Again, kidding...(not really)This cardboard cutout of Snoop Dog is really what my guy should be getting me, because it would make me laugh my ASS off. My guy and I are both so busy with work, we can barely make dinner more than twice a week, let alone go shopping for last minute gifts on a day that we must show our love, even if it was a not so good day.  We celebrate our love in random ways, like him making me amazing eggs on Sunday's mornings, and letting me sleep in for an hour. Or me giving him a coffee in a to go cup when we are rushing out the door to get the kids to school, or picking up his socks off the floor for the 100th time  and not complaining about it. It's the simple,everyday gestures of love that matter most. 
YOU should pick the day to celebrate with your love. 
Happy Valentine's Day Lad's and Lassie's.

Alyssa Phoebus Mumtaz

        

  Awake, Sleeper, 2012Dye on handmade paper  - 59 1/2 x 39 3/4 inches

Gorgeous drawings on paper, by Alyssa Phoebus  Mumtaz.

 Tomb, 2011Graphite on handmade paper

60 x 40 inches

Burial, 201

                                                                          Leather dye hand painted onto cowhide

See more here -Alyssa Phoebus Mumtaz-

Hope you are inspired!

                                                    

                                                        

                                                                                                 

Pieter Bruegel - 1565

Hunters in the Snow, Winter (detail)

by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1565)

Winter in Seattle seems to be colder and longer this year. Waking up to the white fog every morning that is so thick, you have to think hard about how close you are to whatever lies ahead. This painting is such a lovely, happy, winter scene. Hope you are keeping warm....

Outfit of the Month...

I like to dress up...I do....But most of the time I don't, and I find this moodboard particularly fitting to my current mood of not giving a shit whilst I paint, and clean, and sweat, and eat no gluten, and paint...

Happy Monday! 

Song Of The Week - Tame Impala

Room of The Month

I love Elle Decor. When it comes in the mail it is like getting a little mental spa treatment for the hour it takes me to read it. Looking at images that may inspire me to see new ways of making my home cozier, more practical, or just better than it is now, makes me happy, what can I say? I look forward to the "12 things I can't live without" more than anything, because I always find some amazing object, tea, book, or random thing that I soon can't live without either. I love this room so much, the colors are so beautiful. And the lacquered ceiling??? Amazing... I would probably use different lamps, but the round brass table is a total dream. The rusty/orange velvet chair is my favorite subtle pop, and it goes oh so well with the plum and cream. Inspired.

Photo- Elle Decor 

Iceberg Infatuation, and Gratitude.

  I just returned from Kauai and somehow on the plane back caught a nasty bug, and am mindlessly drooling and spacing out with the occasional spurt of energy to troll the internets...And somehow I came upon these hauntingly beautiful photo's by Simon Harsent . 

 I am deeply drawn to images of Icebergs, and the Antarctica in general, maybe for it's vast emptiness, or the power it has to seemingly end, begin, or just change the world that surrounds us.

Thinking of these majestic beasts, reminds me how fragile we are, and reminds me of the short time we have here. It makes me want to contribute whatever I can before I leave this place. Whether it be food to your local food bank, or writing a letter of gratitude to the boss of a person who treated you well at a restaurant. These acts of kindness are small, but if we ALL did them, we could change lives. Making people feel loved by asking them questions about they're lives, showing interest in others, offering them helpful advice or guidance that they may be looking for. Surely you shouldn't let people walk all over you, but it is SMALL gestures that make people's lives better, including yours...

Simon Harsent - Melt: Portrait of an Iceberg

Merry Christmas / Mele Kalikimaka

 I have taken a short break from the blog while spending Christmas in Kauai, but I couldn't be stopped from wishing you all a very Happy Holiday! I hope you are enjoying some time with your family, with good food, and drink, and happiness.

 We are doing some surfing and serious rolling in the sand...My little guy is as happy as a clam, and burning energy all over the place, which makes parenting, oh so much easier...Life is goooood down heeeeahhh...

 These little fruits, similar to Lychee, but better, are called Rambutans. They are so yummy, we made delicious Margarita's with them.

 My guy was so tired today, he looked like this on my chest. This image of him will be in my head forever. Sweet, sweet boy...

 I am sure you have heard of the feral roosters roaming the island everywhere. It's actually pretty awesome.

 The last living pay phone, maybe? I was happy to see it, but I haven't seen one of these in YEARS...My son was like, "Mom what is that?"

Have you ever seen Wild Poinsetta's? They are in Kauai, and it makes spending Christmas here even more magical.

It is a nourishing land that is for sure. Wishing you the happiest and healthiest of holidays.

Photo's by me.