Marie Antoinette – Stylish Heath

“Rococo Hut” looks like Marie Antoinette’s farm estate “Petit Trianon” in Versailles.

“Cliff House” is one of three aluminum sculptures placed in Madison Square Park, and looks as if it belongs on the set of an opera!

While in New York last month I had an opportunity to partake in a quaint picnic lunch in Madison Square Park and the chance to see sculptor Rachel Feinstein’s first public exhibition entitled “Folly”, which ends September 7^th. Upon entering the park you see the first of three surreal, extremely large structures that were architecturally popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These whimsical pieces have a white powdered coating that appear stark against the lush green backdrop of trees, and look as if they were taken from the set of “Pirates of the Caribbean” or one’s favorite “Fairy-Tale.

“Flying Ship” looks as if it were plucked from the Pirates of the Caribbean set!

These sculptures made of aluminum embrace many venues such as the theater, ballet, history, and yes the arts. Strategically placed so, one has the chance to peruse throughout the grounds feasting their eyes while enjoying lunch.

Note: Rachel Feinstein’s: Folly” runs through Sept. 7 at Madison Square Park, between Fifth and Madison Avenues and 23rd and 26th Streets.

Stay creative!!
K

{The Queen’s Hamlet- Marie Antoinette’s private cottage and gardens on the grounds of Versailles}
I have been passionate about flowers my entire life. Growing up my mom was a prolific gardener and would plant beautiful flowers as well as vegetables around the house. And, when the weather warmed I always enjoyed picking the floral arrangements that would decorate the table for family dinners. It was a euphoric feeling seeing the various colors and textures laid out within the garden. So, when I studied drawing it seemed natural that my eye focused on the leaves and stems to the blossoms for which I had a great affinity. Pouring through art books on Boucher, Chardin, Fragonard and my absolute favorite artist: Anne Vallayer-Coster who was painter during the Court of Marie-Antoinette with her exuberant still-life paintings.

As I continue to pour through books reviewing the details in drawings and paintings of flowers and herbs grown during the eighteenth century plus, remembering the sweet smell of lavender; mimosa and violets from the Versailles gardens with camellias used as decorations in several of the rooms. These scents and flowers are my continued inspiration for the upcoming gardens at Heath.

Plant stylishly,
K