Whew – can you believe it’s already the middle of January? Oh how time flies when you’re having fun! :)
I’ve talked about this before, but it deserves to be mentioned again – Kansas City has some incredible talent when it comes to the local arts. If you’ve been in our showroom lately, you know we are pretty spoiled to have such an amazing collection on display from one of Kansas City’s very own. As I said in last week’s post, 2011 is going to be jam packed with events featuring many amazing Kansas City artists and we are excited to kick off the year with Jennifer Bricker-Pugh.
I met Jennifer last summer when I purchased one of her original pieces. It was love at first sight when I saw it on display and since then I’ve managed to sweet talk her into displaying more work at the showroom. When I look at her pieces I feel such a positive energy that really resonates with my personality. I’m no expert when it comes to art, but I say if it makes you happy it must be a good thing right? If you meet Jennifer, I think you’ll see where all that energy comes from. While I haven’t known her that long, it’s easy to see her passion and personality in each piece. She’s not only an incredible artist but a pretty cool person as well! :)
In fact, we are having an artist event on the 29thof this month. Please be our guest, come meet Jennifer and get to see her work up close and personal. I promise you won’t be disappointed. If you can make it please RSVP to hilary@squareoneinteriorsllc.com. We would love to see you!
If you would like to learn more about Jennifer, please visit her website www.jenniferbricker-pugh.com and I’ll leave you with her artist statement:
Primarily my work is Non-Objective with forays into Abstract Expressionism. It is a study of color and texture and begins with a sense of spontaneity and ends when I can walk away with a feeling of contentment and gratification. This may take hours, days or weeks, but regardless of time, they all are full of emotion and life. I am inspired by nature and the cosmos, serenity and chaos and the beauty that evolves from both.
With every canvas and every stroke of color, I incorporate my thoughts and feelings into the painting. Maybe it began with happiness, anger or sadness, but it will undoubtedly end with a knowledge that I am growing not only as an artist, but as a person and this is why my work is my passion.
Peace + Love + Furniture
Courtnay
If you are a regular to my blog, you remember me writing about Hello Art last year. If you are new to the site, scroll on down to the post titled Hello Art and check it out!
Well folks, I can officially call my self an art collector now. I made my very first original art purchase last week! A huge thank you to Hello Art, the Arts Incubator and artist Heinrich Toh for such an awesome event! Members of Hello Art had the pleasure of attending a private showing of Heinrich’s work and a sneak peak at the print process he uses to create his beautiful collection.
It was a treat to see Heinrich’s creation process, but even better than watching him work was hearing his story and learning the meaning behind the art. The story is where the work comes to life. At first glance, I had formed one opinion but after hearing Heinrich’s thoughts, feelings and where he was coming from personally when he created each piece, I began to form an entirely different opinion.
I must say, I was excited back in the fall to be joining such an amazing group of people committed to strengthening and expanding Kansas City’s art scene. Now, after taking full advantage of what Hello Art has to offer, I am blown away by the talent, the programs and all the fabulous people I’ve met!
Take some time to check out Hello Art and Heinrich Toh. If you are a collector, an artist or just an art lover like me, you will enjoy everything this group has to offer! I will proudly be displaying my new Heinrich Toh pieces at the Square One Interiors showroom when we open in May.
Peace + Love + Furniture
Courtnay
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Glass cullet is the term for glass that has been recycled, cleaned, crushed and ready to be processed into new product. Thanks to one of the coolest community programs I’ve seen lately, Ripple Glass is making it easy for Kansas City residents to recycle their nearly 150 million pounds of used glass each year.
Bravo to Boulevard Brewing Co. for going to such lengths to reverse the effects of their 10 million bottles disposed of annually. That’s a lot of beer people!
Ripple Glass is the culmination of Boulevard and other local companies and community organizations partnering to create a state of the art glass processing plant and 60 dedicated recycling containers placed throughout the city. Coolest part of this? A local company is now converting all that recycled glass into fiberglass insulation. This will save tons of energy resulting in lower emissions while producing a product that helps save even more energy!
Interesting statistic: Throughout the United States, nearly 30% of all glass containers are recycled.
Scary statistic: Last year Greater Kansas City ranked last among major metropolitan areas with a recycling rate of 5%.
So here’s our chance KC. Ripple Glass has made it SUPER easy to recycle all our food and beverage glass.
Step 1: Go to any local Price Chopper and purchase a cool home/office personal collection bin. It’s only $4.99 – affordable is good!!
Step 2: Toss all your glass food and beverage containers into the bin. No need to separate by color, remove labels or rinse the glass. (I know you’re excited but don’t do crazy – no windows, cookware, dishes or as RG says, no ham sandwiches.)
Step 3: Go to www.rippleglasskc.com, locate the nearest collection container, swing by and dump your glass!
Step 4: REPEAT
See, super easy! Let’s get Kansas City ranked at the top of national list. I’m headed to Price Chopper right now to pick up two bins – one for the office and one for home! I challenge all of you to do the same.
Peace + Love + Furniture (and glass recycling)
Courtnay
When I was a teenager, all I wanted to do was move to a big city like Chicago or New York. I dreamed of becoming a famous fashion designer and thought Kansas City was way too boring for what I had planned. I’m 34 now, and while I still harbor a nagging desire to be a fashion designer, I have accepted the reality that I will only ever design for myself. I’m ok with that. I now channel my creative energy to my grown up dream Square One Interiors and helping local artists achieve their dreams.
Something I’ve learned since I was a bored bratty teenager is what an amazing city we live in. Not only do we have great jazz, barbeque, a hoppin’ new entertainment district and a world-renowned performing arts center rising out of the ground, but Kansas City is nationally ranked as one of the top cities for artists!
Nestled right in the middle of the Crossroads Art District is a new organization I am excited to be a founding member of. Hello Art was created and sponsored by the Arts Incubator as a way to enhance and expand the Kansas City Arts scene. (That’s right, we have an art scene.)
Hello Art provides a connection network for artists, galleries, collectors and even the curious beginner enthusiast (me). Through year-round local events such as First Friday’s, Hello Exhibitions and special viewings, Hello Art introduces new and experienced art collectors and emerging and established artists to one another. It’s my goal to help promote as many new artists as I can so don’t be surprised to see featured work in this blog and art on display in our future showroom.
Learn more about Hello Art at www.helloart.org and while your there become a member supporting the creative side of our great city and be part of building Kansas City as a world-class arts center!
Peace + Love + Furniture
Courtnay
