Tulips Galore! Celebrating Earth Day

In northern New Jersey, you won't find windmills, canals, or Delft blue pottery, but you will find more tulips than you ever imagined outside of Keukenhof Gardens or the famous tulip fields of the Netherlands (and, even some wooden shoes). If you can't make it to Holland in the springtime, there are rows of colorful tulips right in northern New Jersey that rival those found outside Amsterdam. Just a short distance from Trenton and Bordentown, Holland Ridge Farms have planted millions of tulip bulbs in newly-forged beds. In the fall, the spectacle turns into sunflowers worthy of a Van Gogh painting. For the past two years, the former dairy farm has dedicated over about 153 acres to the cheery spring flowers complete with a pollination expert (straight from Holland). Visitors can freely roam the rows and pose for the camera with multiple varieties of photogenic tulips. 

I'm looking forward to taking the country roads of the Garden State during the fall season, and enjoying equally as many sunflowers- perhaps during the exquisite lighting offered at a sunrise or a sunset visit. Either way, they're beautiful no matter what!

Burst of Pink

Houston Street, NYC - April 18, 2015

Spring Cravings

As the temps have finally started on a steady rise, colorful store windows reflect the mood of most New Yorkers hungry for brighter, longer days. This week, at the beginning of what felt like a global-wide spring break, a welcome day in the mid-sixties allowed us to all finally thaw out. I was out walking amidst the crowds along the route of the big department stores across Midtown. The stores seemed to be rivaling themselves for their own Christmas windows. Now, a floral theme was very dominant, and lifted my mood considerably. Above, the understated elegance of Bergdorf Goodman.

Macy's hosts an annual flower show and this year's theme is a survey of the fine arts. Above, an homage to Pop Art with a double entendre for the season, while the two most dominant figures in Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (1884) make an appearance just outside of the main entrance. The original hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago. Inside, more floral decor on the main floor brings in the work of Michelangelo, Matisse, and Picasso. Below, a rainstorm references Magritte with large floating raindrops and red Gerbera daisies.

Happy Spring!

Ann Yee's "Regeneration" Collection - Spring 2013

As I was rushing towards the venue fresh out of the subway, I could barely believe my eyes. The models for Ann Yee's latest collection were standing like statuesque sentinels far above the rooftops of lower Manhattan on the wrap-around terrace of the building's penthouse. I couldn't wait to get upstairs and see the collection up close.

Upon arrival, I was gobsmacked by the combination of the stunning city views, the sparkling weather, and the sight of the models wearing colorful garments spaced around the airy glass deck. They appeared as goddesses of the sea flaunting fuchsia geisha-like eyes and lips with wet looking hair pulled back into slickly coiled coifs- mirroring the beautifully simple jewelry twisted into nautical sailor knots. In the background, the panorama of New York's landmarks rose like miniature stalagmites edging into view.

With over twenty pieces, the "Regeneration" collection is inspired partly by the ever-changing sea and the weather as its ever-present counterpart. Drawing her palette from a discovered pile of colorful fishing nets in the Seattle area, Ann takes a leap with an array of bright hues perfect for the warmer months. Featuring her signature knitwear along with draped and layered separates, this collection also displays bright flirty dresses, and slinky tank dresses. In a mix with all of the undisguised femininity, pointed shirt collar elements and pocket details hinted at the masculine. 

Highlighted by a seafoam green with mint and bright coral pink combined with an uncharacteristically bold textured print these garments are foretelling a colorful and hopeful spring. In a metaphor for a brighter future and rebirth, the models arise from a tangle of colorful fishing nets. Similarly, the designer emerges with this collection as she recovers from a fire that tore through her studio and archive, turning tragedy into triumph.

The photo that inspired the collection reproduced as the signature print for this season. 

"Sea Ropes" (Courtesy Ann Yee)

April Showers - Variations On A Theme

She always liked the rain. Its sound comforted her ever since she would watch the bold summer storms roll through her small town while sitting on the porch swing with her father. Even when there was a sudden thunder clap and lightning, there was a soothing silence in its power. Now, in the big city, raindrops still have a certain strength in bringing the incessant buzz to a standstill - a constant reminder of nature’s presence amidst all of this harsh vertical concrete. - Raindrop original artwork and prints available in my online store.

On this last day of April, wishing you nothing but May flowers!

The View From My Window - Spring!