It’s as surreal as one of his own paintings: Salvador Dali, the father of Surrealism is placed under the microscope… trying to explain the complexity of his character and artistic genius by looking at none other then his own DNA…

Michael Rieders, a forensic scientist has collected DNA samples and was able to recreate a genetic “fingerprint” of the Spanish master. By tracking down Dali’s DNA fingerprint, he could use it to help authenticate the handful of paintings and artworks that are not signed but are claimed by some to have been painted by the father of Surrealism.

According to the article in The Guardian “Another possibility would be to study Dali’s DNA for clues to his artistic genius. Perhaps he had a mild form of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder which fueled his creativity.”

Schizophrenic or not, Dali’s art and artistic flair will always lie on that thin edge of genius and deranged.

Vincent Van Gogh painted many paintings at a blistering pace especially during the last years of his life. The question which oil painting was his last one is still very much open for debate.

One theory states that his painting “Wheat Fields with Crows” was his last work of art. However, many say that is a common misconception.

Dr. Jan Hulsker in his 1996 catalogue raisonne The New Complete Van Gogh Paintings, Drawings, Sketches states:

“Because of the tendency to romanticize Van Gogh, this dramatic painting, “Wheat Field with Crows”, has often been regarded as his last work. That it must have originated in the final weeks of the Auvers period seems apparent from the fact that it depicts a field of fully ripened grain. The grain was still green in the earliest paintings from this period. Yet, as the painting with the ominous crows is not mentioned in the letters, we can only speculate about its exact date. We do know that it was not one of the two new works Vincent himself mentioned in the letter he wrote on July 23, only four days before he shot himself. These were Daubigny’s Garden and Cottages with Thatched Roofs, both of which are far more likely to have been the last paintings he made.”

In any case, shortly after making the painting with the crows, in typical Van Gogh style, Van Gogh happened to botch killing himself and lingered for quite some time before dying of blood loss or poisoning. Either way it is arguably his last. If it wasn’t, than it’s quite close to it. He only lived in Auvers for a few months before his death.

A couple of years ago my mom bought me a monthly calendar with Van Gogh paintings for each month. Of course “Wheat Fields with Crows”, was for the month of December.

Was the theft of The Scream really about the artwork – or was The Scream snatch simply to divert police from another crime?

The icon of agony – The Scream was taken by armed robbers and carried off from the Munch Museum located in Oslo, Norway on a peaceful Sunday afternoon, August 2004.

Still a hazy mystery surrounds the story of that day.

There was one very odd feature of the crime: its timing. When the raid at the Munch Museum happened, police resources were focused on an armed robbery at the Norwegian Cash Service offices. A senior police officer was shot and died on the spot. All the country’s top detectives were working on the heist and murder.

It seemed more than a coincidence. Could it be possible that the Munch Museum robbery was actually an attempt to divert police resources from their armed-robbery-and-murder hunt?

The theft of the painting may have had nothing to do with the desire to possess the painting or hold it ransom. Read more about it in the Guardian article – Bigger Picture Around the Theft of The Scream…

Give me personal space! It seems like no matter what our clients’ style may be, they are always eager to fit their intimate belongings into the space. There has been a turn from the standard matchy-matchy décor. This year the industry expects people to go more eclectic, adding heirlooms, artwork, antiques, and ‘forgottens’ in the attic to even their most prized rooms.

To reiterate from before, people are intrinsically looking for comfort. These times are fast, impersonal, and mass-produced. We deal with enough of that at work, and the general public doesn’t want it at home. So, take a gander in the attic, under the bed, or in that old closet that hasn’t been opened for five years, you may find something you like!!!

Well, can you see the general focus of the 2007 trends that we have outlined the last couple of weeks? People seem to be interested in becoming more at one with their homes again. Rather than the cold, catalogue, show home look of the past, homeowners are focusing on what makes them feel comfortable in their space.

Where is the pride in a beautiful home that you cannot unwind in? And what gives us more pride than playing a part in creating our own surroundings? So, be open, be creative, and make a home that makes you feel good! Happy New Year!

Many people ask me if there are any conventions for hanging artworks in your home. Well I thought of a couple of simple rules to follow to ensure that you are getting the most out of your space.

• Size the item proportionally. When viewing art, there is nothing more unpleasant than seeing a small painting hanging on a large wall over a big sofa. Use your space well. If you must hang a small painting that you love in your big living room, place other works of art on the wall as well.
• It is important that you hang your oil paintings at eye level when standing. That ensures that people will enjoy the art the most.
• When filling in space try to coordinate your works of art with the main piece. In other words, match frames, colors and textures so the whole wall will blend and be appealing to the beholder. You need to think about the big picture. You want to establish a full palate that pleases the eye, bringing all pieces together as one.

These are 3 simple rules that have guided me through the years, as long as you respect the size of your space and match the art with your color theme and ambiance there is not much that you can do wrong.

Comfort through color is the essence of a great decor. Many people are not aware of just how big of a role color plays in surrounding. The color of a room will affect a person mentally, emotionally, and physically.

This year the forecast seems to be leaning towards finding comfort and stability in unpredictable times. The environmental crisis is an issue that we cannot continue to ignore, and the design industry was one of the first to take it on board.

This year we are seeing the color forecast directly affected by earth friendly concepts. “There’s more interest in organic products, yoga and Pilates, recycling, and conservation of fuel and fresh water.” saya Becky Ralich Spak senior designer, Color Marketing and Design, Sherwin-Williams. Natural greens, blues, and golds are finding their way into homes as well as fashion, automobile, and web design. Think the Impressionists — Cezanne, Monet, and Manet. For this palette the forecast is colors like Naval, Inland, Sapphire, Gallant Gold, and Raindrop.

Another beautiful palette brings comfort with cultural perspective. Influences from Eastern cultures bring warmth and creative influence into our homes. Bold and rich colors like maroons, plums, and oranges may seem risky to put together, but when you look at Eastern prints and fabrics, they couldn’t be a more beautiful combination.

Still not convinced? Check out Modigliani, Klimt, and Degas who all blend rich and bold to create masterpieces. The forecast for this palette are colors like Marooned, Gingery, Aurora Brown, and Fine Wine.