Here is a “how to enjoy Art Around Town” experience for Davidsonnews.net readers: First, go over to Summit Coffee on Main Street. Grab a cold coffee drink for yourself and maybe a fruit smoothie and a snack for the kids. Pick up a newspaper or a book at Main Street Books. Then, stroll over toward Davidson College’s E.H. Little Library, where you’ll find a small sculpture garden. There, you’ll find well-maintained Adirondack chairs in a grassy and well-shaded area that begs for visitors. Make yourself comfortable. Let the kids look at “You.” No, not you, but “You” – an everyman sculpture Read the full story

Being a die-hard Francophile, I never get tired of seeing beautiful pictures of France. In the home of Jessica and Johnathan Donahue, in River Run, is this “tres belle” painting. Jessica said she picked up this oil by A. Tucker at a charity auction. I love the flags, the faces and the celebratory mood.  The picture melds well with her traditional home that is sprinkled with east coast antiques and contemporary comforts.  Vive la France et les Donahues!

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Before I moved to North Carolina almost five years ago, I lived in Los Angeles for 27 years.  One of the biggest art stars to come out of the area is David Hockney.  You can see his works in major museums across the globe.  He does magnificent landscapes, but he also does these cool, ethereal portraits.  When I found this small painting hiding amongst the other treasures at The Sanctuary on Main Street, I stopped and reflected on the young teens.  This looks like a mini-Hockney I thought.  Its detail was so fine and the colors so serene. Read the full story

OK, I’m sentimental. I really gushed over this shadow box display of Jilinda Conway’s great grandmother’s wedding dress. This is my pick for a TLC episode of “Say Yes to the Dress.”

Mary Schweikert, bride of Robert Schweikert, wore this on her wedding day on March 23, 1921. Its hand-beaded black crystals seem to shimmer in the light. It must have made a soft musical swoosh when she moved. The flowers and fringe must have complimented her petite frame. Don’t forget the pink quartz necklace.

Jilinda is a friend and neighbor of mine in McConnell. This dress hangs in the entry of her home that mixes Victorian vintage and modern sensibilities. She’s always moving something around in her home to create new vignettes, although this item is a mainstay. If you Read the full story

When you walk into the Davidson home of Debbie and Bruce Barteldt, it is a testament to fantastic architecture melded with real world living. It’s not surprising, as Bruce is a Partner the Charlotte based firm of, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting. Bruce designed this home for his own family to live in. It’s a Craftsman style home that has every square inch accounted for with ample display, considerable storage, and integrated hobby and office areas. (I love the music room above the garage) I cannot even count all the collectibles and fine furniture. In their front parlor is a Stickley case clock that stops Read the full story

Truthfully, I’ve never been much of a fan of watercolors. I want depth, I want impact – watercolors were, well… watery. Most casual watercolor artist do landscapes and florals. So when I saw these two pictures at the American Watercolor Society’s 2010 Traveling Exhibit, I was moved. Read the full story