stephen antonson - studio visit

i had the chance yesterday afternoon to visit the brooklyn studio of stephen antonson, aka the master of plaster. what a treat! i always find it mesmerizing to explore an artist's studio and see the creative process in action, and his space did not disappoint. crammed full of prototypes and works-in-progress, all covered with a healthy dusting of plaster powder, the place is a winter wonderland of artistry and inspiration.  in many ways it reminded me of the brancusi studio reconstruction in paris, near the centre pompidou.
stephen paints plaster onto his designs in layers with a brush, then meticulously sculpts and sands it repeatedly to achieve objects of surreal beauty. each piece is made to order and his work is represented by various showrooms across the usa, including de sousa hughes in san francisco as of the end of this month - the pieces for this new showrooms were being finalized and packed up during my visit. what i like most about stephen's work is its endearingly  - though deceptively - simple approach; his playful, fantastic designs coupled with the beauty of the pure white material make for truly timeless objects

gowanus nursery in brooklyn

i am long overdue in writing this post about my favorite brooklyn plant resource, the gowanus nursery. i have been a client at this nursery for quite a few years, following them to their new location on van brunt street. their opening each spring puts me in such a great mood as it marks the start of the outdoor season. the plant selection is extraordinary - black pansies anyone? - and i am always bound to find things that i've never seen before. given that i have a black thumb and a challenging outdoor space, that's a very good thing.