Latest Ebay Find

My latest eBay find is this gorgeous watercolor and gouache Art Deco painting from the 1930s by Chicago artist M.E. Fager. I love the original Art Deco frame as well. Here it is below happily ensconced in my home. Horrible packaging by the eBay seller resulted in it arriving with broken glass and a damaged frame, but the miraculous restoration work of the amazing Chatrees in Alexandria, Virginia brought it back to life. I absolutely adore it.

Harrison Howard's Chinoiseries

My absolutely favorite artist for Chinoiserie art for the home is Harrison Howard. He has very recently added some new works to his Chinoiseries collection. These are some of my favorites ever. Available in the original watercolor and in limited edition giclee prints that are extraordinarily beautiful, one or a pair of these would be an incredible focal point for an entryway, dining room, living room, or bedroom. His work is a favorite of top interior designers. Click here to see his entire portfolio and be sure not to miss his new pieces under Gardens and For Children as well. Mr. Howard's art is the epitome of Chinoiserie-whimsical, elegant, sophisticated, and joyful.

Harrison Howard Holiday

I know that followers of one of my favorite artists Harrison Howard whose Chinoiserie series I absolutely adore will love seeing the charming holiday cover he did for Saint Louis Seasons magazine. For my previous post on his Chinoiserie watercolors and giclees click here and to visit his website to see his entire portfolio click here.

Scott Waterman and Chinoiserie

Today we are exploring the extraordinary work of renowned artist and decorative painter Scott Waterman. His work has been featured in Southern Accents, House & Garden, Interior Design, and many others, and he is a favorite of interior designers across the country. For a wonderful profile of this talented artist in Southern Accents, please click here. Mr. Waterman was born in Florida and lived in Atlanta, so his timeless, elegant Southern aesthetic is evident. Now living in Los Angeles, he is very well known for his grand-scale murals commissioned by interior designers and private art collectors. He works primarily out of his L.A. studio and not on location, shipping his art to clients. But he often travels to the site in person to see the space or to oversee installation, so that the art is integrated and in harmony with its location. I was not surprised to learn that Mr. Waterman was influenced by James McNeill Whistler, as his Peacock Room at the Freer Gallery in D.C. is a masterpiece of interior decorative mural art. Mr. Waterman was kind enough to put together a group of Chinoiserie themed works from his extensive portfolio of murals, works on furniture, and works on paper. Although his portfolio covers a wide range of subjects, I think you will agree that his Chinoiserie work is stunning.

This silver leaf on silk project was created for the Santa Barbara historic estate of Holmby Hills and was featured in Southern Accents. Mr. Waterman noted that when working on silk one cannot make any mistakes. Click on the photos to enlarge. For more of his work, or to contact the artist, go to www.scottwaterman.com

These photos feature an antique canopy bed for which the artist painted four paintings to be changed with each season. Bamboo is summer, Pine is autumn, Plumb is winter, and Lotus is spring. The client is an Episcopal priest and Chinese scholar.

A wonderful Chinoiserie screen with the artist's sketches.

Another stunning screen for Charleston interior designer Amelia Handegan.

The artist in front of a large Chinoiserie canvas he created for Jean de Merry magazine ads.

Theresa Cheek and Chinoiserie

Through blogging I have had the delightful experience of "meeting" decorative artist and fellow blogger Theresa Cheek. Theresa resides in Texas, but travels all over creating her incredible murals, gilding, and trompe l'oeil. Her blog Art's the Answer! covers a wide array of design subjects-she even did a great post on Chinoiserie here. The first four photos are of a plaster ceiling Theresa painted using designs from the room like the Chinoiserie toile fabric. The first question on the recent House Beautiful color personality quiz was what color is the first you see every morning. I wish this were my answer! The last three photos are of a powder room Theresa painted with incredible Chinoiserie walls. Isn't it wonderful! And yes, you can buy black toilet paper. I even did a post on it here. These are just a sampling of her talent focusing on some Chinoiserie projects. For other examples of her work or to contact Theresa, please visit her blog.