Sunday, September 15, 2013

Something Special


Something Special

I have always been fascinated by the marriage of art and domesticity.  Whether we realize it or not, each one of us is in the process of creating a work of art by the way we choose to live.  Colourful or bland, eccentric or traditional - it is up to us and us alone.  The joy in my design work through the years was found in aiding my clients in the translation of their true selves into their surroundings.  I gently urged them whenever I could to adorn their homes in ways that truthfully represented who they were and what they loved thereby creating a dwelling that could become a nest, a sanctuary, a home.

It was a thrill to find the ghosts of kindred spirits inside the charming rooms of Charleston House when I was there in May.  The farmhouse of artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant in Sussex is well-documented in stacks of art books on the Bloomsbury period, but to wander through it alone on a late Spring afternoon is a delight unparalleled.   Vanessa and Duncan painted every surface, from doors, to floors, to fireplaces.  They designed the china, the fabrics, the lamps.  One feels their presence, even now, in every room and down every hallway.  

Here at The House of Edward, we live in much the same way. There are whimsical and, some would say, eccentric, touches everywhere one looks, all representing various bits and bobs of ourselves.  The result is that we are incredibly happy at home.  The bonus of course, is that our guests seem to be incredibly happy here as well.    In the creation of all this, I do have a secret weapon of sorts.  Whenever I get another brain wave for something I’d like to add to our home, I know to call Kevin.  Kevin Nichols is an artist I met many years ago and who is now like part of the family.  Amazingly talented, he has never once flinched at any of my ideas, happily recreating the painting of James Stewart and his life-sized rabbit from the movie, Harvey, for me ... replacing Stewart’s head with The Songwriter’s.  He had transformed desks and ceilings, claw-foot tubs and door frames.  He has painted my portrait in a green velvet dress.  (In fact, many of you wrote to ask me about the painted doors that could be glimpsed in a posting a few weeks back. You can see that post HERE.  They are a fairly new addition and both The Songwriter and I adore them.  The five doors are old, two-paneled, and they provided the perfect canvas for Kevin to create evocative, pastoral scenes that manage to be both subtle and dramatic at once.  The bottom panels feature places we’ve stayed on our travels and are a sweet reminder of lovely days.  We’re crazy about them.)

Imagine my delight when I received a gift from Kevin a few weeks ago.  Shown above, it is a wonderful painting of Edward and Apple as those intrepid detectives of old, Holmes and Watson.  Knowing my love of all things British, Sherlock among them, as well as my devotion to both my dogs, he fashioned this painting just for me.  Isn’t it the best?  

I’m so happy to let everyone know that Kevin is now doing some of these wonderful animal portraits by commission.  Working from photographs that you send him, he’ll have you fill out a questionnaire of sorts to find out your own personal interests and marry them with the personalities of your pets.  Then he’ll place your dog or cat, or horse or ferret, in a setting most reflective of you both. ( You can read a bit about the process of creating Edward and Apple’s painting at his website, HERE.)  

Visit Kevin for yourself, HERE.
And surround yourself with things you love.





17 comments:

  1. What a talent Pamela. I adore Edward and Apple as Holmes and Watson - brilliant idea. I popped over to look at his site - most impressive too.

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  2. Hmm. That marvellous Holmes And Watson picture has me wondering what Kevin could do with my wire-haired fox terrier , who is named after the immortal P.G. Wodehouse character Bertie Wooster.
    Cheers, Gail.

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  3. that is indeed a wonderful portrait of the two of them + stunning. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  4. Pamela, I recently found your blog and am enjoying it so much! Love "Holmes and Watson" - a favorite of mine. Isn't home just about the most delicious thing on earth?
    Have a wonderful day,
    Lisa

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  5. your home is as delightful and full of irreverent and iridescent purple depths as the best old books and story book houses one could ever imagine.
    never a disappointment here.
    NEVER!
    XOXO

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  6. I'v seen those doors and they are Brillant!!!

    Can't wait to see what else Kevin will get up to!

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  7. Sherlock always PONdered. Could anything be more apt ?

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  8. Holmes, sweet Holmes!

    Just took a peek at Kevin's work; he is indeed talented! Too bad my art fund is currently at zero or I'd be tempted. I purchased the most adorable, most whimsical bird ever at a fiber arts festival last weekend. "Carson" is now flying high in my classroom, right over my fern. I can't look at him without giggling!

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  10. But what of the tale that accompanies Kevin's wonderful painting Pamela.
    I won't be able to sleep until I discover the mystery that Edward and Apple are about to unravel!
    I see a Parisian rooftop, a full moon and I can hear the distant howl of a Were-Bichon Frise!

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  11. Goodness, this is wonderful. I love Edward, and this entire story is super. xx's

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  12. What a lovely gift for your family! You are right about the personal and the quirky giving hominess to a home.

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  13. These are such fun and so beautifully done!
    Cheers to Edward and Apple and congrats to Kevin!

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  14. Pamela what a magnificent friend and talented artist Kevin is. I can picture your home in my head and I'm convinced its a home I too would feel so confortable in and welcomed. I can't think of a more treasured piece than to have the painting of Apple & Edward. They are the most perfect Holmes and Watson! Sending you all my best for a cloudy Wednesday in Scotland. xx

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  15. Lover of all things British jogged my memory. What are your thoughts on the weather on Mull ? Hope that you are bathed in sunshine !

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!