Can you imagine being close friends with the some of the most remarkable artists of the 20^th century? Well, Hans and Bessie Bechtler were – and their remarkable collection of modern art inspired Charlotte’s latest – and perhaps most significant – cultural attraction, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.

The Bechtler is the only museum in the southeastern United States devoted wholly to 20^th century modern art, but what sets the Bechtler apart from any other such museum is the intensely personal relationship that visitors feel between the Bechtlers who collected the art and the artists who produced it. To read the typewritten letters between Hans Bechtler and Barbara Hepworth concerning her bronze “Garden Sculpture” is to understand the dedication of Hepworth to her craft and the importance of a patron such as Hans Bechtler. To hear the story behind the “Torn Towel” of Joan Miro  – that it was a rag used by Miro to clean his brushes, which, after an earlier request of Hans Bechtler to purchase the rag, Miro embellished, signed and had framed for his friend – is to marvel at the closeness of the relationship between Miro and Bechtler and the fact that such beauty could be created out of what was a fabric scrap.

Art lovers around the world owe a great debt to Andreas Bechtler, the son of Hans and Bessie, who – after inheriting a portion of his family’s collection, most of which had been unseen in the United States – committed it to the citizens of Charlotte.  How amazing is that???

A visit to the Bechtler – which was itself designed by internationally known architect Mario Botta – should be added to any Charlotte-area resident or visitor’s “must do” list.  It’s supposed to be eighty degrees and sunny on Saturday … so why not make plans to head uptown and wander around the Wells Fargo cultural campus?  We are so lucky to live in a city with such amazing cultural resources! 

Photos by Nancy Pierce, Gary O’Brien and Eric Bahrs

Need help selecting furniture for your home?  I’d love to help!  Email me at traci@tracizeller.com! 

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Time to kick-off another weekly series, this one called “It’s Friday; I’m in Love” … courtesy of The Cure, of course.  Because how often do you find something you just love, love, love?  I do … all the time!  So on Fridays, I’m going to share with you one of the newest things that I just love, love, love – whether it’s a piece of furniture, an artist, a song, an event, or a store here in Charlotte.  Basically, it’s whatever strikes my fancy … that I think might strike yours, too! 

Today, check out these awesome hand-painted silhouettes by Carter Kustera, available at Jonathan Adler stores.  I love this mod update on the traditional framed silhouette! 

I fell in love with these the minute I spotted a few in a New York City store.  I’d love to have these done for all of my children … and yes, that includes my twins and my Maltese puppy Coco.  I especially love the tag-lines that Carter adds under the portrait.  Wouldn’t it be fun to just give him some random facts about the subject of the silhouette and then just see what he comes up with?    Let’s see … Coco’s could be something like “must be the center of attention” or “appreciates a puff-and-fluff.”   Charlie’s might be “orders a little pasta and a lot of cheese” or “asks to eat ice cream at the Ritz.”  Henry’s should say “climbs like a monkey” or “tells his twin what to do.”      

What would your silhouette say?  Right now mine would say, “Traci wishes you un bon week-end!”   

Photo from Jonathan Adler

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It’s no secret that I adore Hodges Taylor Gallery in downtown Charlotte.  I’ve been a big fan since the day I attended a presentation by Christie Taylor about how she and Dot Hodges acquired artwork on behalf of (what was at the time) the law firm Smith, Helms, Mulliss and Moore for their new offices.  I was very impressed by the firm’s commitment to the arts, as evidenced by its decision to build a real collection, and Christie’s talk was truly inspiring.  Smith Helms has since split and then merged, and I don’t have any idea what became of its art collection.  I hope it is still displayed in its Charlotte office as beautifully as it was the day it was installed.  For the record, I am still coveting the carved wooden bowl by Michael Bauermeister!    

Today, however, I’m featuring another artist that I discovered thanks to Hodges Taylor - Judy Pfaff.  Personally, I fell in love with Judy’s work when I saw one of her pieces displayed in a local showhome.  Judy’s Feet First (shown above) hangs in my foyer and is shown in the background of the “after photos” of the chair I featured in this post.  Truth be told, I’d rather acquire art than almost anything.  There’s a reason that Feet First hung in my foyer before I replaced my student-era sofa.  After all, art can inspire the entire look and feel of a house!  And after Decorno herself inquired about the piece, I figured it was a more than worthy topic for the blog.  Unfortunately, I don’t believe that Hodges Taylor represents Judy any longer.  I’m still pining over a piece I saw there years ago that just wasn’t in the budget (even without buying any furniture).  I wish I could share it with you, but I cannot find it on Judy’s site.  Fortunately, there’s plenty more to talk about!       

Judy is perhaps best-known for her installation art, but – as she herself has pointed out – she’s always done prints and drawings because that’s what’s practical for people to display in their homes.  Judy has received numerous accolades for her work, including a MacArthur Foundation and a fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.  Judy is also the subject of a monograph, although you can see many of her pieces on her website.   

Enjoy!

Photo from Judy Pfaff

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Hanging pictures can be a total pain!  I can definitely do it, but it’s far from my favorite task.  If I have a lot to hang, or am working on a complicated arrangement, I will often call Eric Olson.  Eric is an artist in his own right (who happens to be represented by my favorite gallery in Charlotte) but also a professional picture hanger.  It makes my life easier, and – because he is so good at what he does - it’s cost-effective as well.  He just hung some pictures for The Bachelorette (finally!), and it made a world of difference in the rooms.  Measure this, measure that, tap the nail, check to make sure it’s level … and it’s perfect every time.  Three cheers for Eric!

If paying a professional picture hanger is not in the budget, however, let me share an amazing DIY option for creating a photo gallery - The Picturewall Company and its signature product, the Perfectpicturewall.  With the Perfectpicturewall, you get 10 picture frames – in either one or two inch widths, with your choice of finish – and corresponding archival mats, hanging hardware, and fabulous templates for hanging the frames in a large rectangle (your choice of four different positions) or up a staircase (your choice of two directions).  To create larger arrangements, just add another set … or two … or three.  The easy guidelines will show you how to combine the templates.

Don’t have enough photos to fill the frames?  No worries!  The Picturewall Company also gives you access to their image gallery, so you can choose images that fit your style.  Replace them later … or maybe not if you like them that much!  I think they’ve got some really cool choices.  Wouldn’t this set be perfect in a modern nursery or playroom?   

Now this DIY is just my speed – the work has already been done for you!  Thanks to one of my favorite bloggers, Maria with Colour me Happy, for cluing me in on this product! 

Photo from The Picturewall Company

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!