Inspiration Boards, How I Use Them

Using inspiration from these two gowns, I created 'Constance'.  17 H x 10 W  $2750
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point, Bermuda , 441-298-4000

I am love, loving Pinterest; the latest online social media tool/toy!  Pinterest allows me to draw inspiration from numerous sources, organize them into categories and revert back to them whenever I choose.  It also allows me to share these inspirations with my 'followers'.  While not every detail of every gown I 'pin' can be translated into tile, I can take certain details like a neckline, a colorway, a waistline, a hemline- and interpret them into tile mosaic gowns.  In this blog post, I have grouped together the inspiration images with the finished tile mosaic gowns.  Let me know what you think by joining in the 'conversation' on Pinterest, 

click here.

Loving this one shoulder dress by Jenny Packham worn by Kate Middleton and Angelina Jolie.  I paired by favorite blue and white china with deep black tiles and beads to create 'Miss Willowby', 22 H x 12 W, $3250,
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel, Bermuda , 441-298-4000

I combined this Valentino dress worn by Felicity Jones and the colors separated by 'Chip It' tool from Sherwin Williams to make 'Miss Alford', 17 H x 10 W, $2750,
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel, Bermuda , 441-298-4000

Felicity Jones again, this time wearing a Miu Miu dress.  I used white beads throughout to replicate the pearls on Felicity's dress to create 'Miss Roselyn', 22 H x 12 W, $3250,
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel, Bermuda , 441-298-4000

Introducing 'Miss Isabella'

Introducing 'Miss Isabella'.  'Miss Isabella' is wearing my favorite tile complimented by beautiful Jade beads at the neckline and wonderful seafoam green plates for the ruffle on the back hem.  I am still in love with this tile.  I have used it repeatedly on several pieces, and my collectors love it also.  This tile is a glass tile with a pearlescent backing.  In different lights it is green, blue or pearl.  I have used it with red and pink as well with great effect.  It is so versatile and compliments many different design styles.  

'Miss Isabella' is on her way to Paladino in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  You may remember from my most recent blog post introducing 'Miss Holmes' below, these pieces are going to be part of a new retail venture in support of   Palliative Care.  I am honored to be part of the new way of fundraising for healthcare.  Stay tuned for updates on Paladino special events and Openings.  My sculptures will be part of a special 'Gallery Crawl' event in July in Santa Fe.  

Today I have chosen various shades of green and blue to continue my Fantasy Decorating Series.  Images and Decorating inspiration are from Country Living Magazine.  You will see what I mean when I say that this tile is so great with so many different styles and colors.  Which one is your favorite?  

I think the bowl on the table might be the same manufacturer of the plates I used at the ruffle!

I enjoy the contrast of the beach cottage above with the snow in this shot of  'Miss Isabella'

I love the beige, light green and white in this room.  'Miss Isabella' would fit right in!

I think the jade beads are such a compliment

On the mantel, on the ottoman, on the table?

The basket weave design on the plates would be perfect with the stripe on those chairs

Introducing 'Miss Holmes'

'Miss Holmes'  17 H x 10 W
$2500

Introducing 'Miss Holmes'.  I found this spring green china through Crate and Barrel , not a usual sleuthing source for me.  However, I really, really liked this modern color of green and the solid outer rim of the plate. Pairing the bright green with white, makes for a cheery sculpture!  'Miss Holmes' is on her way to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  She will be part of a new way of fundraising for Palliative Care.  A new retail venue is opening in a very high end shopping district of Santa Fe, NM.  All proceeds from the sale of merchandise in this very special gift store and art gallery will go to raising funds for patients receiving Palliative Care. I am super excited and flattered to be a part of this new venture.  Be sure to 'Like' me on Facebook and Follow me on Twitter for updates on this project and how it progresses.

 In continuing my 'Fantasy Decorating', I have paired 'Miss Holmes' below with rooms from House to Home in the UK and House Beautiful Magazine  How perfect that House Beautiful's latest issue features homes with green interiors?!  Get inspired and think spring!

Loving the stencils on these walls, reminds me of our friends at Casart Coverings

'Miss Holmes' up close, V-neckline

I think this room was made for 'Miss Holmes'!

'Miss Holmes' from the back showing white beads for 'buttons'

This checkerboard ceiling is divine, 'Miss Holmes' would sit perfectly on that island!

Fantasy Decorating- Another Round!

I am eager to feature sculptures that are ready to ship for Christmas!  As we doll up our houses for the holidays, here are some Fantasy Decorating pairings that show pieces available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa in Bermuda and BlueStone Gallery in Philadelphia.  Imagine having these beauties to enjoy all the year through!

'Miss Olivia Rose'    22 H x 12 W
$2500.00
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa, Bermuda

'Natalia'  12 H x 6 W
$1250.00
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa, Bermuda

'Miss Enchantment 2'  22 H x 12 W
$3500.00
Available from BlueStone Gallery, Philadelphia 

Fantasy Decorating - In the Pink!

I'm feeling a little 'In the Pink' today.  Here are some wonderful photographs from House Beautiful Magazine continuing my Fantasy Decorating Series, I think HB agrees with me today!

House Beautiful

'Midnight Rose' 17 H x 12 W
Available from BlueStone Gallery, Philadelphia

House Beautiful

Commission for Donna Mastran

House Beautiful

'Miss Victoria'  22 H x 12 W
Photography by Amanda Temple
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa
Bermuda

Fantasy Decorating with Art

I love, love decorating and decorating magazines.   At the end of a long day, I enjoy flipping through a decorating magazine; I don’t read the articles per se, I just love looking at the pretty pictures, visual candy.  Oftentimes, I imagine what my artwork would look like in the homes that are featured.  Here are a few ‘pairings’.  What do you think?

House Beautiful
Decoration by David Lawrence

Wouldn't 'Blue Belle' look great on the table behind this sofa, to help 'fill' the space between the curtains?

'Blue Belle'  by Shelly Hamill
E.S. Lawrence Gallery, Aspen, CO

The Tiffany Suite at the St. Regis in NY

I think the mirror on 'Miss Washington' would be smashing- no pun intended- to reflect all the crystal on the table and the decadent beads hanging from the chandelier. 

'Miss Washington' by Shelly Hamill
In Private Collection

Architectural Digest, August 2011

The circles on the linens and the circles on 'Roxy' would be really fun together.

'Roxy' by Shelly Hamill
Embler Gallery, Laguardia Adimiral's Club NY

Veranda Magazine

It would be great to see 'Miss Nantucket' reflected in that beautiful mirror and to play off the blue and white ginger jars.

'Miss Nantucket' by Shelly Hamill
BlueStone Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Artwork and the Hotel Guest

A recent article in the NYTimes, ‘Hospitality Boutiques’, by Terry Trucco, August 8, 2011; points to how hotels are recognizing the opportunities they have for revenue in enlarging their hotel gift shop offerings to include high end merchandise and art.  “With occupancy rates and the number of travelers on the rise, industry experts predict growth in high-concept hotel shops.  Shops are one of the remaining opportunities hotels have for people to say ‘This place is different, better, cleverer and more exciting than I expected,’ ” said Bjorn Hanson, New York University. 

When a guest stays at a hotel for a few days, think of the numerous opportunities for retail.  “If it’s done right, retailing is another layer that makes the overall experience more engaging,” said Alex Calderwood, of the Ace Hotel in New York.  Hotels have long been selling their bathrobes and linens and guests have long been stealing toiletries.  The same applies for artwork in the Boutique Hotel setting.  Rather than taking home a robe, guests are opting for the artwork in the lobby for their own homes.  Alex continues, “You want guests to find things they may not see everywhere else.” 

Artwork by Shelly Hamill
Photography by Amanda Temple
Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa
Bermuda

Guests in the leisure hotel market must pass the lobby artwork on their way to breakfast, lunch and dinner; on their way to the pool, beach, golf and tennis- for several days in a row.  The image of the artwork is repeated and reinforced multiple times in any given day.  An emotional connection is made with the artwork and in the experience of a hotel, the convenience and ease of charging that artwork to their account makes it all the more compelling.   

Artwork by Shelly Hamill
Photography by Amanda Temple
Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa
Bermuda

Good interior design also plays an important role.  Good design allows guests to actually see what a particular piece of artwork will look like in their own home setting.  Decorating a hotel lobby with beautiful artwork and interiors makes it easy on the collector.  The collector does not have to guess what a piece will look like with a sofa and a lamp, the concept already exists. 

Artwork by Shelly Hamill
Photography by Amanda Temple
Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa
Bermuda

Honestly, what it really comes down to is we want that vacation feeling to continue once we get home.  We can think fondly of our time in XYZ every time we see the piece of artwork and we can share our love of XYZ every time a guest in our home expresses interest in the piece- no need to pull out the slide projector.  

Miss Bermuda Rose

Meet 'Miss Bermuda Rose'.  'Miss Bermuda Rose' is 22 inches tall and has a lovely rose pattern on the china plate.  I used coordinating pink beads at the neckline and pink tiles through out the piece.  She is very dainty and feminine.  I was a little worried that the sea foam pearl green tiles along with the pink would look too much like it belonged in a baby's nursery.  But actually, she is delicate and sophisticated at the same time.  As she was destined to continue her journey in Bermuda, I titled her 'Miss Bermuda Rose', I miss the old Bermuda roses.  They too are dainty and feminine.  

I am still loving this halter neckline.  I forget each time I attempt it, that I must then complete the piece with the concrete and this neckline is more difficult to accomplish.  I usually get irritated with myself in the middle of doing it, but then I am happy with the results at the end!  'Miss Bermuda Rose' is gracing the lobby of the Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa in Bermuda.

Willow Bliss

 Please welcome 'Willow Bliss'.  'Willow Bliss' is 12 inches tall and is the second piece delivered to Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel and Spa in Bermuda this week.  Traditionally, I like to mix the blue and white china patterns, but in this piece, I have used Blue Willow pattern exclusively.  I am loving working with this size piece as it allows me to use the smaller plates, like salad plates.  

I found these beads last summer and they coordinate perfectly with the blue in the Blue Willow pattern.  They are clear with blue flecks running through them.  This piece is the perfect size for placing on a dressing table or  entry hall table.  Or maybe even on a book shelf.  I wonder where she will end up?

Introducing Miss Yacht Club

Introducing 'Miss Yacht Club'.  'Miss Yacht Club' is 12 inches tall and is created using a lovely yellow plate with royal blue on the rim.  The royal blue coordinates perfectly with the Blue Willow pattern I use so often.  I have used the 'middles' of the Blue Willow plates for the bodice.  I truly enjoy these two colors together and think 'Miss Yacht Club' would look fabulous next to 'Miss Soleil'.  

Miss Soleil
 

'Miss Yacht Club' is named for the blue and yellow curtains hanging in the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.  All I kept thinking about while making the piece were those curtains!  If they have redecorated, I will be crushed!   'Miss Yacht Club' was delivered this morning to the Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa in Bermuda. 

Weekend in NYC- influences abound!

I have just spent a long weekend in NYC with my husband.  We have taken the opportunity to visit several NY landmarks and to act like tourists- even though both of us have lived in the city at one time or another.  Travel is so refreshing and important, I was a flight attendant as a young adult and truly enjoy experiencing new things, cultures and influences.  The first exhibit that we saw was the King Tut exhibit created by National Geographic.  While I thought the exhibit was a little lacking for the ticket price, I enjoyed seeing the intricate details given to even the smallest of items for the pharoahs, such dedication by the artisans of the time.

Influences were everywhere, this is in a store window for the new book store at Bloomingdales.  The dress is made of advertising pages from magazines.

This is a fabulous art structure/sculpture on the roof of the Metropolitan Museum- a mosaic of bamboo!

A large mosaic portrait at the Metropolitan Museum.

We also saw a great exhibit titled 'American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity', you can definately expect to see numerous dresses in my 'Fall Collection' directly related to this exhibit at the Met.

And I had to throw this in, while I didn't see it this weekend in NY, I thought it appropriate for this blog entry!  Is it mosaic or collage!?!

My friend and mentor, Gabriella Brunner, once told me to always keep my eyes open, you never know when inspiration or objects will present themselves.