Shades of my mother

One of my biggest artistic inspirations is my mother, Margaret (or Moogy, as is her grandmother moniker.  Jack is her first grandbaby, but she’s got another one on the way!) Her art is incredible and her talents are multifaceted.  Sometimes I call her the Renaissance Woman because she seemingly can do everything: not only is she a karate black belt and a 4.5 tennis player, but she is also a gifted writer, talented gardener and “fixer” of anything, and an endlessly creative and unique artist.  I’m so blessed to have a mother as inspiring as she.  Moogy is known for making art for the home and the garden from found elements such as street signs, bottles, hubcaps, and furniture, and is very adept with construction materials and welding, and 3-dimensional pieces. Her paintings are also stunning. One of the most well-known facets of her creative genius is the way she incorporates art into her home. 

My father is also quite a multifaceted individual.  Not only is he an M.D. and an outstanding golfer, but also a poet.  Here’s a poem he wrote about mom’s art:

She collects the discarded

Should I be surprised

She scours the departed

And redeems the disguised

She stoops for the decayed

And renews their faces

They are wholly amazed

At her tender graces

They proudly adorn

Their garden homes

Their smiles are worn.

Redemptive forms

Who sees the treasure

Of the fallen.

But

A wife and mother.

Dad and Mom

 

Here are some of the best pieces in her house:

This is her most recent project.  I love how she has turned the books into a color-blocked mantel arrangement.  She made the moss-covered "H", and I painted that little abstract piece.

 

Here is the sitting room she has been working on, with alot of art of mine, hers, and my sister Meg's.

Hand-laid broken tile and glass mosaic "river", with bits of marbles and stones, running down the dining room floor. 

 

Similar process as the river. Abstract patterned genius. This is in the guest bathroom and is one of the coolest things she's ever done in my opinion.

 

She painted this to go over their bed; the colors work perfectly with the room's shades of turqoise and red. Acrylic on board.

 

Painted acrylic mural rendering of Van Gogh's "Starry Night".  On all four walls of my dad's bathroom:

 

Outdoor shower with bamboo and copper.  Craziness.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful beginning to 2012! I'll be back soon with more. . .

-Beth