Bansky

Just an update.... Banksy's "Exit through the Gift Shop" documentary did not win the Academy Award, so we weren't able to see him pick up the award. Was rooting for it, mainly because it's the only nominated documentary I saw. Did read an article from the LA Times, by a reporter who researched the facts presented in film. He looked into his immigration records, business records and interviewed many who were around at the time this story was unfolding. Most of the info. they dug up tended to verify the story told in the film. Still the rumors persist, I personally like the one where Thiery is really Banksy himself!

MINI VAN ART

Was visiting San Diego's Mission Bay last November and drove past this tricked out mini van...made my hubby turn around to take a few pictures! Besides multiple bird cages you will note the child's car, angels, Christmas decorations, amazing what a little imagination and super glue can do.

Also, note the CA. license plate letters....GOV 1 DAY, this picture was taken after the Nov. elections, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't Govenor Brown's campaign vehicle.

Gustav Klimt

The Kiss

Over 10 years ago, I saw a copy of the top picture on my co-worker's desk. I forgot what the artist's name was, but wanted to look it up to share on this blog. Lo and behold, I spotted a story about Maria Altmann, who had just died. (LA Times 2-8-11) Mrs. Altmann was the niece of Adele Bloch-Bauer (second and third pictures). Maria and her family had sued the Austrian National Gallery to reclaim several of her Aunt's pictures, painted by Gustav Klimt. The paintings were stolen when the Nazi's took over Austria during WWII. Maria won the lawsuit and wound up auctioning off the pictures to private collectors. In 2006, Adele's picture went for 135 million, which was a record at the time!

Loved the pictures, they are very beautiful, sensual and full of color. The first portrait of Adele (left) was called the "Austrian Mona Lisa". Gossip note...there has been speculation that the married Adele may have even had a fling with Klint, who was a known womanizer !

Evidently Klimt used gold-encrusted paint. The Kiss is my favorite, but there are many more that I like. Take a look at more of his pictures, they are great!

David Hockney Luvs iPad

Read the LA Time's article on 1/23/2011 about British artist David Hockney. He does all kinds of different work...photos, paintings, drawings, set designs etc. The above picture is of a local area, which I thought was kinda neat. I like the way it's done sort of patchy, and enjoy the use of colors....

At the ripe old age of 73, Hockney has become smitten with new technologies...he began doing art on his iPhone and now has moved on to doing works on his iPad, which according to the article he totally loves!

Below is a few of his iPad works: