ROMI CORTIER’S BLOG

Palm Springs Rivera Resort and Spa

Pool with San Jacinto Mountain Views

Pool Side Private Cabana

Starlite  Lounge

Hotel Lobby

Circa 59- Dining near the Pool

Pool Table in Lounge Area

One of several intimate Lounge Areas

Hotel Suite with Mountain Views

Hotel’s Lux King Size Bed

Photos: Romi Cortier

 After a two year $70 Million renovation,  the Palm Springs Riviera Resort and Spa is now ready to lead the pack of swank and glamorous resort destinations in the new millennium. October 2008 marked the reopening of the Palm Springs Rivera Resort, nearly 50 years after it’s original opening in 1959. Exquisitely and lusciously redefined for a new breed of savvy world travelers, the Resort Boasts an 11,000 square foot spa named Spa Terre, pool side cabanas and fire pits, lux dining at Circa-59, cocktails in numerous intimate seating locals including the Starlite Lounge and Bikini Bar, and luxurious linens in beautifully designed resort rooms and suites. The Hollywood old guard that frequented the original resort, such as Dean Martin, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, would be wowed by this new hybrid of modernism that meets hip luxury.  

While my personal experience at the Resort started out a bit rocky ( I was checking in New Years day after a massive New Years Eve party) the friendly staff bent over backwards to help meet and exceed our expectations: Our room was upgraded, we were given hotel credit to use in almost any capacity, which we used for dinner at Circa 59,   (one of the finest meals I’ve had in ages!)  additional complimentary drink tickets… the list goes on. I’d highly recommend making this Resort your getaway destination… before the word gets out. 

Check them out at: www.psriviera.com

Genevieve Thoughtful, 1942, Oil on Canvas

Construction, 1945, Oil on Canvas

The Earthenware, 1951. Oil on Board

September Sound, 1997, Oil on Canvas

Images: courtesy Francoise Gilot Archives

Mel Yoakum Ph D, curator of the F. Gilot Archives, recently invited me to his home to view his extensive private collection of paintings by Francoise Gilot.  Mel is thee authority on Ms. Gilot and may understand her 65 year career better than herself. Having authored 3 books on her work, with a fourth in the works, Mel continues to work with the nearly 90 year old Francoise who commutes between her studios in Paris and New York.

Francoise shot to fame as the ’significant other’ of Pablo Picasso, giving him two children: Claude Picasso who runs the Picasso Foundation in Paris, and jewelry designer Paloma Picasso who has worked exclusively with Tiffany’s for over 20 years. Francoise is one of the last artists of her generation, the post World War II School of Paris artists, whose contemporaries included Braque, Chagall, Cocteau, and Matisse.   Ms. Gilot was also married to Jonas Salk, creator of the polio vaccine and the Salk Institute, spending over 25 years with him in La Jolla California. 

I’ve included a small sampling of images from Ms. Gilots monumental career, which includes everything from drawings, to print making, to works on canvas. These earlier paintings from Mels private collection, show how Francoise’s work has progressed and matured over the decades.  I was fortunate to be introduced to Ms. Gilot by Mel at an exhibition of her newer works, in a New York  gallery opening two years ago… an evening that I will never forget. 

If you would like to learn more about Francoise Gilot, please visit: www.francoisegilot.com or read one of Mel’s books: Francoise Gilot Monograph 1940 - 2000,  Stone Echoes, Original Prints by Francoise Gilot, A Catalogue Raisonne, or Franchoise Gilot - Malerei.

Building front on La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles

Photo: Romi Cortier

With 2008 came challenge and change for many, whether anticipated or not. It appears there are no guarantees in life, no matter how much we’d like to believe otherwise. Ultimately all we may really have is our perception of any given circumstance.  When I spend to much time online reading  blogs and  news articles, I get distressed from the borage of negativity feeding on itself, creating  self fulfilling prophecies that spiral downward. My mantra for the year has been this: Don’t buy into the fear, rather focus on creativity and make art. That’s why I’ve chosen to write this blog, celebrating beauty, art and architecture. There is so much that is  beauty filled in this world, and it needs to be celebrated and pointed out.  I hope you’ll join me on this journey into 2009, where we’ll continue to experience all that is beautiful. 

Actor/comedienne Bert Kreischer

Client Bert Kreischer is premiering his new one hour comedy special Comfortably Dumb on Comedy Central, Sunday February 8th, at 10PM. Also available at Amazon.com will be a full length DVD of the same name, that will feature lots of extra footage from Bert’s career.

Voted The #1 Party Animal in the Country by Rolling Stone, and recently appearing on the reality TV show  Reality Bites Back, Bert always keeps me laughing while in the chair… or at the very least, intrigued by his perspective on life. By the way, I don’t take credit for Bert’s manscaping… just the hair on his head!

To learn more about Bert go to:  www.bertbertbert.com or www.myspace.com/bertkreischer

 Sharon Lawrence

Photo: Romi Cortier

Actress and singer Sharon Lawrence, along with an assortment of other talented singers, performed festive holiday songs  at  88’s Cabaret in West Hollywood tonight. Thematically designed around President Elect Obama, the monthly show hosted by Ryan Black, moves from venue to venue here in Los Angeles. Cafe la Boheme provided the holiday backdrop on this wintery Monday night in Los Angeles. Come out and support next months cabaret show on the eve of Obama’s inauguration, January 19, 2009.

For more info go to: myspace.com/eightyeightscabaret

Experience Music Project: Photos Romi Cortier

Situated at the foot of the Seattle Space Needle is Frank O. Gehry’s Experience Music Project. Completed in 2000, this unusually colorful building designed by Gehry  boasts over 21,000 metal shingles, color coated to emulate electric guitars, such as Jimmy Hendrix’s purple haze. Built to symbolize the energy and fluidity of music, it literally wraps over the tracks of the monorail, allowing it to pass through it. As you may know, the monorail was built as part of the 1961 Worlds Fair, as a nod to the possibilities of travel in future. Now, nearly 50 years after the fact, Seattle is finally building a rail system from downtown to the Seattle Tacoma Airport (Sea-Tac). 

To learn more go to www.empsfm.org

The Photographs of Leigh Kilton Smith

An Artist reception and book signing for Leigh Kilton Smith will be happening Thursday, December 11 from 7pm - 10pm, at the A & I Gallery in Hollywood, 933 N. Highland.

Leigh, a long time client and friend, makes her living working with some of Hollywood’s biggest names as an onset acting coach. Yet it’s the forgotten children of a Tijuana orphanage that have captured her heart, enlivened her spirit, and become her extended family.  For nearly 10 years Leigh has recruited friends for monthly trips to Tijuana, myself included, to literally help build and expand the orphanage which houses over 100 children. Her candid images of the children are the subject of this show, which also serves as a fundraiser for the orphanage.  Please join us. 

This show will run from December 11 - January 30 2009,  and then move to A & I’s Santa Monica location from February 6 - March 13.

Learn more at: www.aandi.com

Anna Belknap, Carmine Giovinazzo, Melina Kanakaredes

Client Anna Belknap  sports my subtle highlights on the cover of this weeks TV Guide. Playing Lindsay Monroe on CSI New York, which just celebrated it’s milestone 100th episode, Anna’s new pregnancy has been written into the story line giving her more flexibility then her previous pregnancy, which they hid.

Seems the CSI brand is bringing in great viewership, including CSI: NY with nearly 14.5 million viewers per week. In these shaky economic times, it’s nice to have a sense of security with a show that’s going well, especially when you’re expanding your family.  PS, just in case you’re curious about Anna’s color, her highlights  include 2 shades of blonde, alternated with  a warm auburn. 

Tis the season to make a difference, right here in our own backyard. This event helps over 120 kids and their moms at local shelters, meet their needs with dignity.

How Can you help?

Sponsor a child
Volunteer
Bring Stuff
Make a donation

email Jane at: superqueerjane@yahoo.com

Porntip Sanvanich, Untitled Teapot, 2006

Who knew they had Tea Parties in Pamona? I didn’t, but this looks to be great fun.

The Armstrong Gallery is hosting an Artist Reception and traditional Japanese tea Ceremony, Saturday December 13, 2008 6-9 p.m., with renowned ceramic artists from all over the United States. Artist’s bring new life to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, a religious and social event with concentrations on aesthetics, by pushing the boundaries of what a tea pot or bowl can look like. Changes include: materials used, firing techniques, and an overall breakaway from traditional styles.

Gallery location 150 East 3rd Street, Pamona, Ca. 91766

Show runs December 6, 2008 to January 21, 2009

Learn more at www.armstronggallery.net