Monday, January 24, 2011

It's For The Birds






I visited the studio of my friend Ray Goins last Friday, and I found another book to add to my library. It's a 1967 work titled "Chinese Bird Paintings- Bird Paintings of the Ch'ien Lung Period, 1736-1796" with text written by J. Longridge. Ray had his copy so nicely displayed (see above) that I couldn't help but want one for myself. I had a heck of a time tracking down a copy of the book, but I finally managed to locate one in England, and as I write this post, it's in the hands of Royal Mail. The book is truly beautiful as it contains color plates of various painted birds including a Green Magpie and an Eclectus Parrot. And on a superficial note, the cover is also really striking, making it a nice addition to the stacks of books on my cocktail table.


The book also made me think of Ray's glorious hand painted screens that he did recently for the windows of Asprey. His work was featured last fall in both the New York and London stores. Each screen was a different color (green, gold, blue, red, etc.) and featured the tree of life motif replete with birds. Ray continued the tree theme by creating colorful miniature trees on which accessories were displayed. I certainly would not mind having one of these screens in my home...and perhaps one of those Asprey handbags as well.



Asprey London:






Asprey New York:








All images courtesy of Raymond Goins.

14 comments:

  1. I love botanical drawings and bird drawings are especially lovely. So chic in fabrics or wallpapers!

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  2. Fabulous screens! What a talent!

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  3. The hand-painted screens are just beautiful! I think I just may have to track down a copy of the book for a bird-loving friend of mine.

    As only Dorothy Draper could express:

    "You have often heard that old saying, 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.' Well, I think a bird in a cage is worth two in the bush."

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  4. I've been tracking Ray Goins for a year now. His work is magnificent and I've been hoping for a client who needs his talent. Thank you for another great post.

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  5. Cynthia- I'm not familiar with that particular Draper quote; sounds just like her, doesn't it!

    Allyson- Ray has done some work for me; he's super talented.

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  6. Thank you for pointing him out to us. I have always had a soft spot for handpainted screens.

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  7. I absolutely love the screens! I am also waiting for a project where I can place his work...beautiful.

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  8. OH those screens are just exquisite - I'm with you - one of those and one of the beautiful bags!!

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  9. I love Chinese screens of all forms--Bird screens being a favorite (along with scholar screens, horse screens and all of the rest). And if you can't find or budget won't allow 18th c. examples, early 20th c and even more modern ones are still magnificent. I sell them as fast as I can find them.

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  10. I am a screen lover-these from Ray Goins are just delicious. Congratulations both of you. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  11. Asprey and custom chinoiserie...complete class!!!!

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  12. Anonymous2:24 AM

    I'll take one of the screens and a handbag, too, please!

    Karen T.

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  13. Everything Dorothy said was a sound bite…I just love her.

    The quote is from her one of her “Ask Dorothy Draper” newspaper columns. It was also in her book “365 Shortcuts to Home Decorating.” (Dodd, Mead & Co. in1968)

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  14. The botanicals are always stunning! De Gournay has some amazing ones! And they look greatbjust paneled and framed in glass as beautiful wall decor.

    Thanks for the post!
    Jamie Herzlinger

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