ROMI CORTIER’S BLOG

Photo Still From ‘Manure’

Filmmakers Mark and Michael Polish have teamed up to create this new comedy about, yes…. Manure, and the wacky world of the salesman. Set in the 1960’s, this film stars Billy Bob Thronton, Tea Leoni, Kyle MacLachlan, and our very own Sadie Stratton (shown above).

As Sadie’s hairdresser for many years, I had the great pleasure, or displeasure, of turning her brilliant natural red hair color (see her in another post on the cover of Budget Travel), in something akin to manure brown hair color. I achieved this my using a non permanent color mouse that would wash out in about 10 shampoos. This was a perfect way for sadie to retain her natural color, while still meeting the artist needs of the film, which requires the entire palette of the film to be muted and devoid of any bright colors. No matter what color Sadie’s hair is, she still looks radiant and regal.

This film is currently in post production, and is set to be released in 2009.

Edward Steichen, A Much Screened Lady-Gloria Swanson, 1924

Nickolas Muray, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr and Joan Crawford, Santa Monica, 1929

Images courtesy lacma/Conde Nast Archive

Currently on view at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is an extensive collection of of portraits from the Conde Nast Archives. The exhibition brings together rare vintage prints from the magazines early period (1913-1936) as well as works from contemporary Vanity Fair (1983-present).

For anyone who loves nostalgic Hollywood as well as current celebs like Madonna, George Clooney and Nicole Kidman, this spectacular show has something for everyone. Additionally, video installations share the ‘magic in the making’ showing viewers what really goes into creating iconic portraits. Rounding out the exhibit are multiple Vanity Fair Covers from both periods. Some of my favorite images from the show were the Art Deco Covers from 1920’s as well as the portraits of Jean Harlow, Betty Davis and Marlene Dietrich.

Learn more about this exhibit at www.lacma.org
Closes March 1, 2009

This fantastic web site of Poster Art has just been brought to my attention.

Kim, a long time client of mine, is the rightfully proud mom of Aaron Perry-Zucker, a senior at Rhode Island School of Design, who designed this website. Built by classmate Adam Meyer, the site embraces the grassroots style of the Obama campaign by giving multiple graphic designers the chance to share their vision for the Obama campaign with hundreds of posters to download. Check it out!!

www.designforobama.org

Lainie Kazan
November 13, 14 & 15
www.catalinajazzclub.com

Last night at the Catalina Jazz Club, myself and a friend sat front and center, watching Tony Award winner Lainie Kazan Belt out songs from her near 40 year career in the biz. I first became aware of Lainie in the 80’s with the movie ‘Lust in the Dust’ starring herself, Tab Hunter and Divine. Younger people would know Lainie from ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ and guest stars on ‘Will and Grace’ among others.

Lainie was Barbra Streisands understudy in the Broadway musical Funny Girl. From what she told us last night, after waiting nearly a year and a half to go on stage, Babs came down with strep throat and Lainie was finally going to take the stage for her debut in Funny Girl. Ten minutes before show time, who shows up? Bab’s. The next day the papers read: ” The show must go on… but not for Lainie. It’s not funny girl.” Lainie was devastated as she’d invited all of her friends and family. Well, the next day the producers of the show told Lainie that she would be going on… but she could only make one call. So she called her mom who had the duplicate guest list, and everyone showed up to see Lainie perform. With out a doubt, she brought the house down.

To learn more about Lainie go to her official website www.lainiekazan.com

Paul Klee

Currently on View at the Hammer Museum is an exhibition of Abstract Paintings. What makes this ‘conversational’ is the concept for the show, which allows 6 contemporary abstract painters to choose the works that inspired their own paintings. Our artists included in the dialogue are: Mark Grotjahn, Wade Guyton, Mary Heilmann, Any Sillman, Charline von Heyl, and Christopher Wool. Works assembled in each artists gallery include works by: Paul Klee, Felix Gonzales-Torres, Francis Bacon, David Hockney, William de Kooning, Philip guston, Eva Hesse, Dieter Roth and Pablo Picasso.

To learn more about this exhibit go to: www.hammer.ucla.edu
Show closes February 8, 2009.

An open house at this fab new multi unit development, will be happening this Sunday, November 16th, at 3:30 pm sharp. Architect Lorcan O’Herlihy, AIA, recipient of the 2008 AIA National Housing Award, will be on site to discuss his latest project, and will include a tour as well.

A multi-colored metallic skin wraps the 11 unit, 4-story structure, diffusing light and heat while defining views and privacy. Built at a park, the top units face the Hollywood Hills and offer private terraces. Listing prices range from $798,500 - $888,500 for the 2 bed - 2 1/2 bath units, with 1500 sq. ft. of living space, however starting this weekend $100,000 will discounted from the list price.

To RSVP go to formosa1140@deasypenner.com or visit www.formosa1140.com

Edvard Munch
Kyss IV
1897-1902

Emile Bernard
Crucifixion from L’Estampe Originale, no. 5
Janurary - March 1895
Images Courtesy Hammer Museum

Opening today at the Hammer Museum in Westwood is an excellent show centered around the art of The Woodcut.

The art of woodcutting dates back to ancient times in China and Egypt. With the development of paper in China during the 2nd century, woodcutting evolved from symbolic or decorative impressions in clay and wax, to wood blocks used for images in Buddhism. In the 17th century Japanese printmakers took the art form to a higher level including asymmetrical compositions, flat color, pattern and line, which later influenced the work of Gauguin, Van Gogh, Lautrec, Whistler and others. Thus the usage of the term ‘Modern’ to describe the work in this exhibition, dating from 1870 until present day.

Curated by Allegra Pesenti, this exhibition is divided into four thematic sections. The first section traces the emergence of this new modern medium and includes works by Gauguin, Munch, Picasso, Kandinsky and the German Expressionists. The second section focuses on artists who incorporated the grain of the wood into their compositions. The third section examines the woodcut as a vehicle for public expression, and the final section looks and sacred and devotional imagery in woodcuts.

Standing in front of these images gives the viewer an opportunity to fully digest the amount of work that goes into ‘gouging’ these blocks of wood, using both bold and delicate line work to create a strong emotional impression, usually with out the use of color.

Closes February 8, 2009
To learn more about this show go to: www.hammer.ucla.edu

Associated Press Photo

As anyone around the planet with a television, radio or computer has heard, Senator Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States of America.

During recent weeks and months as I’ve stood behind my chair as a salon owner, I’ve listened to a large majority of my cliental express their desire to have Barack Obama as our new commander in chief. I’m sure that there will be a collective sigh of relief from the clients as they roll in tomorrow morning. With the hope of rebuilding our standing in the world as a compassionate nation of people, committed to doing the right thing, and rising to a higher cause then our current administration has allowed, we can finally turn the page and move beyond the humiliation we’ve experienced during the last 4-8 years.

Globally there seems to be a collective sigh of relief as well. All 22 nations polled for their presidential choice, unanimously chose Obama over McCain. Asian stock markets are already rallying, reflecting americas choice and enthusiasm for change. While we all know it will take time to make the necessary changes, we can finally feel that we’re headed in a new direction with a visionary leader at the helm.

Getty Images/CNN

1776 marks the birth of our nation, and the birth of our right to vote upon our independence from Great Britain. Initially only those who owned property had the right to vote, which translated to white protestant males over the age of 21. Now, any person born in the United States who is 18 or older, male or female, black or white, has the right to vote. So Vote for Change, Vote for Progress, or Vote for hope… But at least VOTE!!

Red Ball #3
Oil on Canvas
30 x 40
Painting & Phtoto: Romi Cortier

Inspired by the sale of Red Ball #1 two weeks ago, motivation is running high to complete additional paintings in this genre. While this photo doesn’t accurately capture the richness of Red Ball #3, it does give the viewer a good idea of the finished product. What you’re actually looking at is the shadow of a pool float on the bottom of the pool, while the Ball floats on the surface of the water, interrupting the view of the shadow. The intense desert sunlight is reflected both on the water, and on top of the ball… you can almost feel the 115 degree heat.