Between the years 1935 and 1945 Pablo Picasso and his lover and muse of those years, Dora Maar had an amazing love affair that was documented in both oil paint and photography.

The relationship started shortly before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and lasted throughout the Second World War. Dora Maar was a talented photographer and was at the center of bohemian life in Paris.

The two lovers inspired one another intellectually and artistically throughout their time together. As their connection carried on, Picasso celebrated his love for Dora Maar in sensuous oil paintings. In turn, Dora Maar commemorated the relationship in a series of photographs.

Greetings friends! It’s hard to believe another year has passed, but we know what that means. Every New Year brings new design trends and 2007 is bursting at the seams with them! Innovative ideas, retro styles, and effervescent colors are arriving on the scene as we speak (or read). Whether you are ready for an updated look, or even if you just completed your project, there is something for everyone in the coming year.

Every week I will publish one of my top five favorite emerging trends in the design and décor world for 2007, I hope you find it helpful and inspiring. So lets start shall we…

DIY- Do It Yourselves, girls and boys! Now, you’re thinking, “why would any designer exploit this idea?!” Well, let me just say that everyone is worthy of beautiful surroundings. Truth be told though, personal designers can be pricey! Now there are a lot of situations where we should leave it to the professionals, but not in every case. With numerous programs, blogs, and publications sharing great ideas with the general public, there is no reason not to be taking advantage! I was just at Lowe’s the other day and I picked up a great book called 1001 Paint & Color Ideas. I have only done a minor amount of faux finishing in my lifetime, but in about 2 hours the backsplash of my new kitchen had a mosaic finish! I think the whole project probably cost me $10! Faux finishing is one of the many DIY projects available! Just keep your eyes and mind open to new ideas, and let your creative side free!

A new film called “Dali & I: The Surreal Story” is in the making.
The story is based on a novel written by Stan Lauryssens who had a special mentor-protege relationship with Salvador Dali during the 1960’s through the 1980’s.

The leading role will be played by Al Pacino, the brilliant film star will have his chance to depict one of the most creative, flamboyant characters of the 20th century.

The life and works of Salvador Dali have been a source of great intrigue and controversy. It should be interesting to see how Hollywood will embrace Dali, hopefully they will reflect on his artistic genius just as much as his extreme behavior.

An expert on the Mona Lisa has ascertained that the symbol of feminine mystique died on July 15, 1542, and was buried at a convent in central Florence.

The Italian press reported that a death notice was found in the archives of a church in Florence that referred to “the wife of Francesco del Giocondo, deceased July 15, 1542, and buried at Sant’Orsola.”

While intrigue has surrounded the identity of the woman in the famous unsigned, undated Leonardo da Vinci painting, Lisa Gherardini is widely accepted to have been the subject.

Born in May 1479, Lisa Gherardini is thought to have been the second wife of Del Giocondo, a wealthy silk merchant, with whom she had five children. The Mona Lisa died at the age of 63.

Someone asked me recently about a Salvador Dali masterpiece “Galatea of the Spheres”. They were wondering who or what is Galatea?

Galatea is both a nymph in Greek myth and Dali’s Wife.

Gala’s name was Helena Diakanoff Devulina and she is depicted in many of Dali’s works.

Galatea (“she who is milk-white”) was the name of a figure in Greek mythology.
Galatea was a Nereid sea nymph who was yearned for by the Sicilian Cyclops Polyphemus. She, however, loved a Sicilian youth named Acis, whom the giant Polyphemus killed with a boulder in a jealous rage. Distraught, Galatea turned his blood into the River Acis in Sicily.

Almost no one ever knows what Dali means, but if you would have asked him he ould have told you. And you may not have been any better informed than before…

Steven Wynn is suing the London Insurance Agency, Lloyds on account that they allegedly failed to act properly on his demands to pay him $54 million dollars in lost value for the famous Dream painting.

The Dream oil painting that is owned by Wynn was damaged when Wynn accidentally poked a hole in it with his elbow.

Wynn is seeking to expedite his claim for reimbursement and restoration costs for the 1932 painting. $54 million is the estimated amount the value of the painting dropped due to the accident. A number that many feel is incorrect; the fame of the painting from the last 4 months has been world wide due to the bizarre accident.

Wynn’s representatives told Lloyd’s in November that the painting was worth 139 million dollars the day before Wynn damaged it in his Las Vegas office. They said it was worth just 85 million afterward…

Wynn himself described the damage to the canvas as a thumb-sized flap and said it was “the world’s clumsiest and goofiest thing to do.”

The painting is called “Le Reve,” or “The Dream.” It shows Picasso’s mistress, Marie-Therese Walter, as she is enjoying a very tantalizing moment.

This is one of my favorite paintings; I actually got this as a 24” x 36” oil painting reproduction for my parents three months before the incident! It broke my heart to hear of what happened to the original, I think Steven Wynn should donate any money he gets from this law suit and give it to some art school or some noble cause, after all he did damage a true work of art.