art inspired: hans hofmann, the golden wall
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Hans Hofmann was truly the original color blocker and the artist that made me fall hard for thick and luscious textured paint. I would slip away many mornings my freshman year at Berkeley to spend time with his paintings in the quiet comfort of The Berkeley Art Museum, founded with his donation of $250,000 and forty-five of his paintings.
A life-long art teacher, Hofmann's students included Worth Rider, Helen Frankenthaler, Red Grooms, Lee Krasner, Louise Nevelson, Ray Eames, Larry Rivers and Frank Stella to name a few. Teachers rarely get credit, so I love the fact that Hofmann was almost 70 years old when he burst into a dazzling jag of creativity resulting in most of the large, highly recognizable paintings that make him a key member of the Abstract Expressionists.
If you're feeling bewildered by how to color block your wardrobe, art is a great place to turn for the answer. There's a lot of color-blocked pieces out there this season, but my feeling is that it's a trend that may be dated really fast, so purchasing some fun color-blocked accessories and getting the overall effect by combining solids in an interesting way might make more sense to stretch your wardrobe budget.
The first look is London tourist in town to celebrate the royal shin-dig {from the bar at Claridge's of course!}
Diane von Furstenberg dress $510; Manolo Blahnik Pink Patent Leather Color Blocked Strap patent leather shoes $384; Comme des Garçons Color-block fluorescent leather wallet $95; Valextra Tulip Bag $1,660; Milano Green Rubber Strap Watch; Sara Weinstock Lapis Snake Ring $7,000; Irene Neuwirth Lapis Earrings $1,780; Albertus Swanepoel Straw Fedora $215; SEPHORA COLLECTION Summer Harmony Gloss; Smythson I've Got Nothing To Wear Panama Notebook $75; iPhone Premium Yellow Silicone Skin; Ray-Ban New Wayfarer Dark Orange; Helium ZIP Carry On by Delsey Luggage; Chanel nail polish.
Notice the hat--in honor of all the royal millinery working overtime this week! I loved this Albertus Swanepol hat so much I had to use it twice. I envision it worn with a long sleek ponytail. This second look is a bit more laid back and more my taste, but still funky--I love the bright simple pieces with larger jewelry accents.
GIANLUCA CAPANNOLO Shift dress $1,255; Tomas Maier Color-block cashmere poncho
$1,290; Kate Spade New York - Eastward Avenue Jessa (Sunshine) bag $275 - zappos.com; Ted Baker Sonita Flat Top Bobble Small Coin Purse $91 MNG by Mango® Green Ring $20; Janna Conner Paradise Necklace $113; Albertus Swanepoel Straw Fedora $215; Nine west shoes; iPad Smart Cover - Polyurethane - Green - Apple Store; Dior nail polish
Obviously this week's looks push color blocking to an extreme, but many of the pieces would make a great addition to a spring wardrobe. So tell me, would you wear either of these Hoffman-inspired ensembles from his 1961 painting, The Golden Wall?
A life-long art teacher, Hofmann's students included Worth Rider, Helen Frankenthaler, Red Grooms, Lee Krasner, Louise Nevelson, Ray Eames, Larry Rivers and Frank Stella to name a few. Teachers rarely get credit, so I love the fact that Hofmann was almost 70 years old when he burst into a dazzling jag of creativity resulting in most of the large, highly recognizable paintings that make him a key member of the Abstract Expressionists.
If you're feeling bewildered by how to color block your wardrobe, art is a great place to turn for the answer. There's a lot of color-blocked pieces out there this season, but my feeling is that it's a trend that may be dated really fast, so purchasing some fun color-blocked accessories and getting the overall effect by combining solids in an interesting way might make more sense to stretch your wardrobe budget.
The first look is London tourist in town to celebrate the royal shin-dig {from the bar at Claridge's of course!}
Diane von Furstenberg dress $510; Manolo Blahnik Pink Patent Leather Color Blocked Strap patent leather shoes $384; Comme des Garçons Color-block fluorescent leather wallet $95; Valextra Tulip Bag $1,660; Milano Green Rubber Strap Watch; Sara Weinstock Lapis Snake Ring $7,000; Irene Neuwirth Lapis Earrings $1,780; Albertus Swanepoel Straw Fedora $215; SEPHORA COLLECTION Summer Harmony Gloss; Smythson I've Got Nothing To Wear Panama Notebook $75; iPhone Premium Yellow Silicone Skin; Ray-Ban New Wayfarer Dark Orange; Helium ZIP Carry On by Delsey Luggage; Chanel nail polish.
Notice the hat--in honor of all the royal millinery working overtime this week! I loved this Albertus Swanepol hat so much I had to use it twice. I envision it worn with a long sleek ponytail. This second look is a bit more laid back and more my taste, but still funky--I love the bright simple pieces with larger jewelry accents.
GIANLUCA CAPANNOLO Shift dress $1,255; Tomas Maier Color-block cashmere poncho
$1,290; Kate Spade New York - Eastward Avenue Jessa (Sunshine) bag $275 - zappos.com; Ted Baker Sonita Flat Top Bobble Small Coin Purse $91 MNG by Mango® Green Ring $20; Janna Conner Paradise Necklace $113; Albertus Swanepoel Straw Fedora $215; Nine west shoes; iPad Smart Cover - Polyurethane - Green - Apple Store; Dior nail polish
Obviously this week's looks push color blocking to an extreme, but many of the pieces would make a great addition to a spring wardrobe. So tell me, would you wear either of these Hoffman-inspired ensembles from his 1961 painting, The Golden Wall?
Labels: Albertus Swanepol, Claridge's Bar, Hans Hoffman, The Golden Wall
posted by Mary Jo at TrustYourStyle at
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
I'm Mary Jo, a handbag designer living in sunny California.
TrustYourStyle is where I
share inspiration and connect with other
style lovers. Did I mention I celebrate 
14 Comments:
I just have to say that your Art Inspired posts make me swoon fully and completely. Each one is more exquisite than the last. J'adore the summery shades of this particular post! :)
Mary Jo I just love this series you're doing with clothing groups inspired by art. Like you I'm not sure how long the color blocked trend will last, it's not an easy look to pull off and probably better to find bright colored separates to mix and match. Still, I haven't managed to pull it off myself yet, so who am I to say?
Love,
Heather
http://thestyleconfessions.com/
Those color block heels in the last set are color! I just wrote a post that was inspired by a friend's apartment decor. Love getting inspiration from things like that!
I'm loving these posts you are doing Mary Jo! I have been really into brights as of late so these picks are just perfect! xo
I agree you have such great art inspired posts! Really I just like your blog a lot!!
the artwork and the outfits pairs so good together. Amazing! Hugs to you, Mary Jo
that first dress is especially beautiful.
What a wonderful painting, I absolutely love it. I am going to look into this artist more. And I am ashamed to say i must have walked past this art gallery a million times (usually with whiney kids) and not gone in. I love that is sort of Rothko but brighter and fresher and shows that all colours go with all colours. Love your use of yellow in your outfit, very clever. I have to be braver with this colour blocking.
i LOVE the fact you mix reasonable price with big ticket items....the nine west shoes were actually my favorites of all the items....very pierre hardy.
xo,
katie
how fabulous is that yellow hat? and i love those strappy sandals with the orange, red and camel color. so adorable.
spinning-threads.blogspot.com
I've never heard of Hoffman but I love that painting so I'm going to go read up on him. I love your choices, so much less lurid than magazine offerings.
Perfect clothing and accessories to go with the gorgeous art!! Love all of the colors ~
this color mix makes me so happy.
I too love your art > fashion postings.
Beautiful article! Thanks for sharing!
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