The Lady of Shalott

Sidney Harold Meteyard

JW Waterhouse

37   There she weaves by night and day
38   A magic web with colours gay.
39   She has heard a whisper say,
40   A curse is on her if she stay
41       To look down to Camelot.
42   She knows not what the curse may be,
43   And so she weaveth steadily,
44   And little other care hath she,
45       The Lady of Shalott.

- Tennyson, 1842

My love of The Lady of Shalott began shortly after my love affair with Anne of Green Gables did. In kindergarten I implored classmates to push me while I lay flat on wheeled milk crates, hands crossed over my chest, reciting what slivers of the poem I could remember from Kevin Sullivan's perfection of a miniseries. In middle school I covered my room with Pre-Raphaelite paintings, my favourite always the Waterhouse depiction of doomed Elaine. Even now, you will scarcely find me more animated than when I open my mouth to speak of the romantic poets, authors and painters of the past. Reading this poem still fills my mind's eye with that wonderful untouchable world that once existed so vividly in my imagination and inexplicably is able to move me to tears (which, is a welcome change from my overly stoic disposition. Nice to know I have a bit of water in me, even if it is a horrible bit of Victorian sentimentality). It's perfectly fitting then, as I'm working on my first collection under my own name, to find inspiration in this early love of mine. How this bit of inspiration will manifest in these first designs, well, you will have to wait and see, hehe.

Arthur Hughes

JW Waterhouse

Charles Edwin Fripp

Bloglovin / Instagram / Facebook 

Landon In Studio

I love these photos our friend Clement shot of Landon working in his studio last summer. It's neat to see how Landon's work has changed in the last twelve months (the first photo is more recent in which you can see how his compositions have evolved) . Clement's photography is so creamy and soft, a perfect pairing with Landon's swirling dyes.

See Clement's photography here: clementpascal.com
& Landon's paintings here: landonmetz.com

Bloglovin / Instagram / Facebook 

Varying Degrees of Absurdity

Selections from Landon's recent exhibit at the Art Los Angeles Contemporary fair. The complete collection sold out and now it's back to the studio with him to work on the next exhibition opening later this month!

See more of Landon's work here.

Bloglovin / Instagram / Facebook 

On Water

On Water (I), 2012, Dye on canvas

Landon's latest series. You can see the full selection on his website here. The photos really do not do this series justice, they're so striking (and large) in person! Landon has such a talent for movement, something I've never been able to capture in any of my artistic endeavors. It's fitting though, he's so fluid and comfortable in his interactions with the world. Walking through the neighbourhood with Landon is a constant stop and go of hugs, handshakes and fist pumps. When Landon was a baby he wanted to touch everyone in the room, he'd be nursing and sticking out his toe to touch whoever was nearby. Which, if you know Landon, makes absolute sense; he still loves to touch people with his feet. (Wray, Siri, Rebecca, Ammirite?) 

Tonight Landon and I are playing music at the Soho Madewell for a style event hosted by our pal Liz. If you can't make it I made a small sampling of songs we'll be playing here

Instagram round-up after the cut! 

Ethan Fielding Cook

One of my best pals and Landon's studio mate, Ethan Cook at work.

See Ethan's work here!

Congratulations Amy on winning the Bonlook giveaway :D. Thanks to everybody for participating! 

Studio Visit II

A couple Sunday afternoons ago Landon was hammering away in the studio and wanted his guests to stay entertained so he suggested that we (Emma, Siri and I) mix some colours for fun. Well, let me tell you, this operation opened the floodgates! Those of you who have been friends for awhile now know that I've long struggled with a creative block that has left my pens and paints neglected. Lofty goals of "painting like the masters" combined with a discouraging lack of self discipline left me dejected and disinterested in further pursuing my painterly side. So I was especially shocked to find that I really, truly, thoroughly enjoyed painting (who knew it could be a pleasurable activity and not one where you felt worse at the end of it all). Abstract painting is really fun! Approaching my "art" (feel very presumptuous saying that, apologies) without expectation or judgement is a most incredible and freeing experience. One day I'll try again at the other stuff but for now this feels too good to stop.

art presents?

Dear friends, see something you like? Contact LandonMetz@gmail.com for inquiries.

We've found ourselves in a bit of a pickle as we wait on unpaid invoices and would be eternally grateful if you were to consider making a home for Landon's art. These are the smallest pieces available (and therefore the most affordable) but if there is something that catches your eye on his site please don't hesitate to ask about it!

Thank you!

The Leaf and the Wind

 

Landon's latest series of paintings, half of which are currently on exhibition at Preteen Gallery in Mexico City (the second half will be displayed in the same space next month)!

I finally finished the blog re-design!