For those of you who don’t subscribe to House & Garden (tsk, tsk), here’s the perfect Sunday read – HandGOctLifestyle – It’s a profile I wrote with the help of my partner in crime, Anne Hardy,  about an inspirational woman – Connecticut-based potter Frances Palmer who seizes each day quietly with the wisdom gained from thirty years at the wheel.  Determination, routine, prioritisation and perspective all play a role  in her  daily life. Oh, and a wee bit of  natural talent…

Not only does Palmer make pots to die for,

she grows dahlias, keeps bees and makes heavenly cakes (trust me on the latter), – all of which play an interconnected role in her creative ecosystem. She also takes all her own photographs.

For those of you who want to learn more about Palmer, you’re in luck- her debut book Life in the Studio, Inspiration and Lessons on Creativity comes out later this month. (I pre-ordered mine months ago).

And for those based near Connecticut, Palmer has two shows opening this month  – a photography exhibition at Wave Hill exhibiting a selection of photographs from her book.

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Some background: I met Jane with fellow creative Anne Hardy (just as fun, by the way) who has known Jane for a few years. We three explored magical Washington Depot and Kent, Connecticut  for a story pitch. Anne chose the concept for the story, Jane brought her camera to her vision, and I chose what to eat for lunch. Actually, what Jane ordered looked a lot better than mine. And she’s a sharer,  my kind of gal.

We agreed on everything – like who we thought was cute – (a farmer did catch our collective eye), who we thought was not so great (top secret) and how Flirtation Lane deserved a photo – with said farmer please.

Yes, readers, I know. Just because Jane is lively and entertaining doesn’t mean she’s talented.  But she is. She has worked for Elle Decor, the New York Times, AD, Veranda, Vogue, Condé Nast Traveller and a whole host of top tier titles. Just look at her web site if you want to see beautifully-shot interiors.

“Once we began to work together,” says Anne, “I realized what  I admire is the sense of place she brings to a shoot.  That is what makes her such an interesting creative to work with – she sees what she is shooting in context – which, I think, makes her work particularly resonant.

“Jane helps keep everything lively and fun”, adds Anne. “She talks about her work filling her cup. She fills ours.”

I asked Jane how she ended up in photography – a mid-career decision after working in fashion at Esprit. (note the stylish neckerchief)

“I grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, born to a painter mother. The house was full of paints and easels, but no dark room, which was a blessing, because I hated chemistry. But I  always loved art.”

Jane studied art history at the University of Michigan, spent spring breaks in Paris and New York City blissfully visiting museums alone and doodling Matisse interiors on restaurant placemats She enjoys doing both to this day.

When digital came along in the early 2000’s, Jane found her calling.

“I am a photographer who came of age as film ended and digital began”  She prefers shooting interiors, food and travel. Jane in action at The Flat in Westport.

I asked her to do a headshot of me for a magazine. She rarely does portraits, but made an exception. People often feel sorry for me. (Note: discuss with shrink)

Here are a few of her pics…

Not bad, eh? And Jane politely said they didn’t need much retouching. Love her!

September, 2018

Top photo of Jane with camera was taken by her talented teacher Elyse Shapiro at Silvermine Arts Center.

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Read my story about the walk in Architectural Digest here. All photos are by Rich Pomerantz, including the ones above of  sculptor Fitzhugh Karol putting  last minute touches on his work. Karol is one of 40 sculptors whose work is on display throughout the New England town. Today (Saturday, July 14) is the official opening 2-6pm, but don’t despair if your schedule is full, the walk will be running (pun intended) until November 1.

July, 2018

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I recently spent a weekend in and around New Canaan, Connecticut and discovered there’s a whole bucolic, art-filled world an hour outside of the bubbling, buzzing city that is Manhattan. Here are my top tips for a day  or a weekend beyond the Big Apple.

Legendary American architect Philip Johnson’s modernist Glass House is a must-see, as well as the 13 other stunning structures on the 49-acre compound a mere 50 miles from New York City.  Lived in by Johnson from 1949 until his death in 2005, the glass and painted steel pavilion is mesmerising in its zen simplicity – a cube.

With 360 degree views and a central fireplace that divides the space, the pavilion  looks just as contemporary today as it did when Johnson built it nearly seventy years ago. The house sits on a knoll overseeing a pond and some woods beyond. Nature is everywhere. Add the possibility of a roaring fire and  nirvana meets colonial New Canaan.

(The house is) more of a landscape than it is a work of architecture.. It’s more a memory of the English parks of the 18th century, which are called English gardens for some reason, said the late visionary.

Most of the furniture came from Johnson’s Manhattan apartment and is designed by Mies van der Rohe. Be sure to book a tour on-line (weekday tours are less busy) and experience firsthand Johnson’s genius.

It’s the only house in the world where you can see the sunset and the moonrise at the same time, standing in the same place, Johnson once  said.

Beyond the house there are several galleries to peruse. Alongside the permanent  collection of 20th century painting and sculpture are the temporary exhibitions; This summer’s special guests are Robert Indiana and Julian Schnabel, the most represented artist in the collection after Frank Stella.

A wood sculpture by Schnabel …

This is the eye-catching gunnite Da Monsta building, where Johnson was influenced by  artist and friend Frank Stella.

New Canaan is an easy train ride from Grand Central. The Glass House and surrounding 49 acres  is open from May through November,  everyday except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Visitors are picked up from the Visitor Center (handily located across the street from the train station)  and driven to the nearby Glass House.

Stop in at the Design Store adjacent to the Visitor Center. It’s full of novel objects., like these Carl Aubock brass paperweights …

Be sure to take the fast train from Grand Central to New Canaan which takes just over an hour. Despite the train’s ease and convenience, I recommend renting a car because there’s so much  to see in the area. Check out another exceptional glass building; The River is an undulating 83,000 square foot glass structure  on the expansive nature  conservancy Grace Farms designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects  SANAA.

The meandering snake-like structure

houses everything from the Pavilion and a library  to a  gorgeous basketball gym

and a mouthwatering cafe…

Book a River Walk and Tea tour to see five site specific installations by artists Thomas Demand, Olafur Eliasson, Teresita Fernández, Beatriz Milhazes, and Susan Phillipsz.

Final stop on the cultural Connecticut tour is the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum  in picturesque, historic  Ridgefield, a twenty minute drive from New Canaan. Founded by Larry Aldrich in 1964, the Aldrich is the only museum in  Connecticut dedicated solely to contemporary art. Interesting fact: Philip Johnson attended the first board of trustees meeting in 1964 (small world).

The Aldrich enables artists to try out new things outside the fishbowl of NYC. (Almost like off Broadway – Broadway). The museum is currently showing four artists whose work is loosely linked with text. Tony Matelli’s  bronze Sleepwalker sculpture was an internet sensation three years ago when it appeared on NYC’s Highline…

Here’s his latest sculpture unveiled at the Aldrich earlier this month.

And if your thirst for the arts is still not quenched, a bit further afield is the Brant Foundation Art Study Center in Greenwich and Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven.

If you’re staying overnight, the Glass House’s Christa Carr  recommends the Roger Sherman Inn in New Canaan.

Its owned by a French man so the food is delicious, real French food, says Carr, whose mother is French.

Other local restaurants  Carr likes are Elm and Solé, both on Elm Street, just off of central Main Street.  Bon voyage!

This article also appeared in The Women’s Room Blog. Seductive photos of the Glass House were taken by Robin Hill.  Non-seductive by yours truly.

May, 2017

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