Tag Archives: Reviews

Interviews With Artists: Painter Eileen Hogan Talks About Her New Book “Personal Geographies”

From The Mayfair Musings:

Eileen Hogan Author of Personal GeographiesI describe myself as an urban-based painter who is interested in green spaces. Painting and drawing have been seen as profoundly unfashionable for most of my working life, and I have felt sometimes that it was quite eccentric to be a figurative painter with conventional subject matter. Looking back, my insistence on maintaining my practice as a figurative painter now seems more radical than conventional.

Browse & Darby have announced that Personal Geographies will arrive in October, the second solo exhibition by esteemed British painter, Eileen Hogan. Hogan’s principal subject is gardens, or more specifically, enclosed green spaces. The beautiful works that will be shown in Personal Geographies have travelled all the way from the US, where they formed part of the artist’s recent exhibition at the Yale Centre for British Art.

Eileen Hogan painting Prince Charles

Eileen Hogan Personal Geographies BookI was very blessed to have the opportunity to catch up with Hogan ahead of her Mayfair exhibition. I find myself entranced by her vibrant paintings that are dense with detail, filling the canvas from edge to edge with layers upon layers of paint. She has also established portraiture practice, her commissions including HRH The Prince of Wales. In a unique style, Hogan paints her sitters whilst they are deep in conversation, capturing unguarded gestures and expressions to create intricate portraits of both honesty and intimacy.

To read more: https://www.themayfairmusings.com/home/10-questions-with-eileen-hogan

Future Of Camping: FiftyTen And Goose Gear Roll Out Ultimate Off-Road Camper System

From a NewAtlas.com online review:

It all starts with Fiftyten’s “Tray,” the flat bed that serves as the stout foundation of the system and brings along aircraft tie-downs and under-bed storage drawers. Above that, the meat of the sandwich is the cavernous, gull-winged “Box” canopy that can serve purely for utility, hauling tools and equipment, or as the heart of a camper. The topper “Tent” completes the camper trio, adding sleeping space for two on a Froli spring mattress that lifts away to create standing room inside the canopy.

FiftyTen - Goose Gear Camper System

Ruggedized, tent-topped Jeep Wranglers have long been a staple of Overland Expo, so when the Jeep Gladiator debuted last year, it was obvious it’d only be a matter of time before another style of Rubicon-grade Jeep camper started showing up — without any need to chop the back off the cabin or add extra chassis length. Fiftyten becomes one of the first to drop a camper on the back of Jeep’s pickup, replacing the stock bed with a rugged tray and bolting on a versatile storage/living canopy and fast-popping hardshell tent. The German company creates a modular camper and utility truck for journeys of every style, size and destination.

To read more: https://newatlas.com/outdoors/fiftytens-modular-jeep-gladiator-camper/

Top New Books: “The Body – A Guide For Occupants” By Bill Bryson (2019)

From a Washington Post online article:

The Body Bill BrysonThe single most astounding thing I found was that if you took all your DNA and formed it into a single fine strand, it would stretch to Pluto. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a fact that blew me away more than that — that there’s enough of me or you or anyone else to stretch to Pluto. There’s 10 billion miles of DNA inside you. That just seems unbelievable. The surprise is not that there’s so much to understand about the body but that we understand as much as we do.

Our bodies are the best technology we’ve ever taken for granted, according to Bill Bryson’s 20th book, “The Body: A Guide for Occupants” ($30, Doubleday), which will be released Oct. 15. Having already covered topics such as nature, homes and linguistics, Bryson takes on life, death and everything in between. He spoke with contributor Stephanie Kanowitz about his reasons for writing the book and what he learned. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

To read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/the-brain-is-the-most-extraordinary-thing-in-the-universe-bill-bryson-on-his-latest-book/2019/10/07/48f208d0-e53e-11e9-a331-2df12d56a80b_story.html

Top Tiny Homes: Little Byron Unveils “Ingenious Living And Sleeping Area” With Open Air Bar

From an Inhabit.com online article:

The stunning time home on wheels was built for one of Little Bryon’s clients who was looking to have a guest home on their property for visitors, but ultimately had plans to move into the beautiful space down the road when her children left the nest.

Byron Bay-based tiny home builders, Little Byron, have unveiled a gorgeous tiny home design that not only has an ingenious living and sleeping area, but also includes an open air bar area. The Banjo tiny home is just 23 feet long and 8 feet wide, but its breathtaking, space-efficient design makes it seems so much bigger.

Little Byron Tiny House Interior

The tiny home is a beautiful design that pays homage to typical tiny home practicality, namely natural light. The home is built with an abundance of windows that really open up the space, creating a vibrant, healthy interior space. Not only are there large operable windows in just about every corner of the home, including the bedrooms and bathroom, but there is a massive window in the middle of the living space that opens outward.

To read more: https://inhabitat.com/stunning-boho-style-tiny-house-comes-with-open-air-bar/

New Photography Books: “The World’s Edge” By Thomas Joshua Cooper

From Barnes and Noble:

Thomas Joshua Cooper von Michael Govan
Thomas Joshua Cooper

Working solely with an 1898 Agfa field camera, Thomas Joshua Cooper has established himself as one of the foremost photographers of our time. His magnificent black-and-white seascapes explore specific points on the globe–often at the most remote areas, where sea and land meet. Fans of Cooper’s Atlas project, in which he has charted the Atlantic Basin, will be thrilled to find a generous selection of those images here–abstractions ranging from pitch black to clear white, and subtle gradations in between. Exquisitely reproduced, these photographs reveal the coastlines of the five continents that encircle the Atlantic Ocean. This volume also features images that deal with themes such as the earth’s changing environment, historical narratives, and North America’s great rivers and their sources. Enhancing this book are an essay by Michael Govan; biographies of the artist by Rebecca Morse and Anne Lyden, International Photography Curator at the National Galleries of Scotland; and a chronicle of the Atlas project by Christie Davis of the Lannan Foundation. Poems by Robinson Jeffers and Theodore Roethke round out this retrospective book of one of the most celebrated and distinctive photographers working today.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thomas-joshua-cooper-michael-govan/1130039159?ean=9783791358260&st=PLA&sid=BNB_ADL+Core+Generic+Books+-+Desktop+Medium&sourceId=PLAGoNA&dpid=tdtve346c&2sid=Google_c&gclid=CjwKCAjwxOvsBRAjEiwAuY7L8m_OUQpkhNHK1CkT3i3Gx2nyNw_u4Vqd0ngHXy6v2b0MOdjYRGVCbxoC2JoQAvD_BwE

New Museums: San Francisco Historical Society Museum Opens Oct 7 In The Old Mint

From a San Francisco Chronicle online article:

As trivia game experts know, San Francisco has had three U.S. mints. The first mint, on Commercial Street, was replaced in 1874 by a grand structure at Fifth and Mission streets. That building, now called the Old Mint, was itself replaced in 1937 by a new mint on Duboce Avenue, which is still coining money,

San Francisco Historical Society Museum Opening 2019

The newest museum in San Francisco will open in the city’s oldest mint this week.

The Commercial Street building is built on the site of the first U.S. mint in the West, which opened in 1854 during the California Gold Rush to turn nuggets and gold dust into coins and bullion. Later it was used as a subtreasury, where the government stored millions of dollars in gold and silver bars.

To read more: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/nativeson/article/SF-s-newest-museum-is-opening-in-the-city-s-14494442.php

Walking London: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Mews And South Bank

Early morning start from Tower Hill Station to Westminster. The weather is chilly but sunny.

A police officer directed us to a great breakfast at The Hub on Tothill St., just two blocks from the Abbey. All you can eat for 6 pounds. Great food.

We walked back and after a short wait in line entered Westminster Abbey. Beautiful church and tour. No photos inside. Outside tour was very nice.

Walked over to Buckingham Palace to tour the Mews.

Very nice exhibit. Then a stroll down the Birdcage Walk to see the park and pelicans.

Continued on to the Household Cavalry Guard.

Then walked over the Golden Jubilee Bridge to South Bank.

Walked east towards The Globe and then an early dinner at Borough Market.

A quick walk by the Shard and over to the Tower Bridge to complete the day.

Cambridge To London: Saffron Walden, Tower Hill And Leadenhall Market

After a great early morning workout at the Varsity Hotel gym and full breakfast, we hopped in the car and headed south from Cambridge to Saffron Walden, an old market town in Essex.

Back on the road our GPS valiantly directed around traffic entering London. But, even on a Tuesday, the traffic snarls win. Dropped the Sixt Rental car off at Victoria station and took the green line east to Tower Hill and the Leonardo Hotel. After a quick check in, we were out walking, first stop: the Old Spitalfields Market.

As we walked out and through the business district, the rain fell and then poured. Full thunder shower, London style.

We eventually made it to the Leadenhall Market, a Victorian covered shopping arcade that dates back to the 14th century.

It was the perfect place in the middle of a deluge for a pint, G&T and a burger.

Destination Restaurants: Clarke Cooke House Is A Newport, RI Institution Dating Back To 1780

From the ClarkeCooke.com website:

Clarke Cook House tables…hosts to royalty and yachting stars, captains of industry and charming scalawags, to occasions whimsical and outrageous. Whether a quiet dinner or late night revelry, our goal has always been to provide great food, professional service, and a sophisticated environment. The Clarke Cooke House lends its unique charm to any celebration or meeting, whether a victorious America’s Cup crew or family gathering – our dining room and porches are the perfect Newport setting.   

At The Clarke Cooke House Chef Gidley controls all  food operations:  café dining in the Bistro and Candy Store, our fine dining environment, The Sky Bar, a full Oyster Bar, and the renowned Summer Sushi. With his training in classical brigade kitchens and his contemporary sensibility, Chef Gidley’s approach would be best be described as Mediterranean-influenced American Cuisine.

Website: https://www.clarkecooke.com/

Walking Cambridge: Jesus College, St. John’s, Punting The Cam And King’s College

After a great early morning workout at the Varsity Hotel gym, a hearty breakfast, we set out for Jesus College just 5 blocks away.

We were practically alone this Monday morning viewing a spectacular, little known and no entrance charge College.

Then it was off to tour St. John’s College, one of the wealthiest and historical at Cambridge.

It was time to Punt the River Cam and we negotiated a reduced rate of 40 pounds for the two of us.

It was mostly sunny during the 45 minute shared ride up and back on the Cam. So fun. A must in Cambridge.

We had a short walk to Trinity College and a tour (free) of the Wren Library. But we bought (another) Chelsea Bun at Fitzbilies on the way to eat after.

Amazing exhibit inside the Wren and we walked out to eat the bun and some mini croissant sandwiches on a bench overlooking the Cam. Incredible views.

We then took a long walk around the “other” side of the Cam before crossing back to drink some gin and tonics at the Bath House pub.

It was then time for the final, and most spectacular, tour….King’s College and world famous Chapel.

Stunning is the only word for the King’s College Chapel, the Wired’s largest fan-vaulted ceiling and breath-taking stained glass.

An amazing day.