Thinking ...

I'm 3/4 finished with the break down of Christmas in the Living room, anxious to get it all cleaned and removed so that I can work on putting together the "new look" that I've had on constant playback in my mind since Saturday. What's that? How about a hint, or 6:














What do these vastly different rooms have in common, and why would they inspire my living room? Well, Saturday after dinner, Scott and I stopped at Barnes and Noble to check out the newest interior design books and mags, and I came across a large Taschen calendar. Marked 50% off, I picked it up initially thinking it would make a good calendar for my office, until I started to closely look at the images within:

A beautiful collection of quality prints from Edward Lear's lithographic plates published in a very rare and highly coveted book from 1832. Lear's work has been critically acclaimed as perhaps the best ever published on the parrot family (Psittacidae) and among the greatest work on birds (all genus) ever produced. What I found most fantastic, was that Lear actually sketched and established color from observing live, captive, birds. Most artists of that era sketched from taxidermy. Lear suffered from asthma and epilepsy, but sketched most of these (perhaps the most accurate and beautiful ever sketched) from age 18-20 while working with the London Zoological Society. I'm constantly amazed by the dedication and perseverance of great artists.

The prints measure 12x15, an odd size for framing which will make for custom order mats, but with 12 gorgeous prints costing little more than $1 each, how could I go wrong? So, now, they sit waiting for their custom mats, and then to be grouped above the fireplace, while the excess Christmas decor sits in totes, waiting to be trudged through a foot and a half of snow to the garage. Oy ve! Will it ever end?