Just a Modern Guy

PM Estate Sales, a service of The Purple Moon, will be holding an estate sale at 805 Montrose Drive in South Charleston on Saturday, February 6th from 10am - 4pm and on Sunday, February 7th from 11am to 4pm.

This small, but high-quality, estate has the treasures you are looking for in the great condition you expect from The Purple Moon. This estate includes a very rare Blenko 5929L decanter, sterling silver from Alvin, Jackson and Poole, silverplate items galore, dinnerware from Castleton and Lenox, figurines from Lladro and Hummel, artwork, and a 1974 Sohmer Company console piano with a huge amount of vintage sheet music and music books.
 
Great living room, dining room and bedroom furniture including a Thomasville dining set, French Provencial bedroom and a fabulous 1950’s bunk bed set! Sofas, chairs, accent table and much more.
 
Sale begins promptly at 10am on Saturday, February 6. NO ADVANCE SALES!

Here is the preview video of this great sale:

Rue Emil Zol Céret - Deborah Herndon - 2009

 Charleston photographer Deborah Herndon will be opening her first solo show, “Details” at The Purple Moon on Thursday, December 17th.

Herndon’s exhibit draws from photographs primarily taken in Southern France and examines the small details frequently overlooked.

“The history and culture of a place is often reflected in the details,” Herndon said, “it is there that you discover the nuance of the scene.”

Deborah Herndon is a fourth generation West Virginian, graduated from Marshall University and holds a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University and a J.D. from St. Louis University. Her work has been judged into Allied Artists of West Virginia, Tamarack (Artisan Center) and the Allegheny Highlands Arts and Crafts Center in Virginia.

“Details” opens on Thursday, December 17th, with a reception with the artist from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Purple Moon, 906 Quarrier Street in Downtown Charleston. The exhibit runs through January 30th.

Mrs. Wassenberg & Esprie - 1954 - Felix Krasyk

Charleston artist Felix Krasyk will be releasing limited edition prints of six of his 1950’s paintings on Friday, November 27th, during this month’s Downtown Charleston ArtWalk at The Purple Moon.

Felix Krasyk spent the period of 1952 to 1959 in New York City working and learning textile design. He spent his days working at B. Altman’s and his evenings painting.

Speaking of those New York years Krasyk says, “I painted to keep myself from going nuts. Whenever I went home at night I closed and locked the steel apartment door and it felt like a prison. After all, I am a ‘country boy’ and I missed West Virginia.”

In 1959, Felix returned to Charleston, caring for his parents and working at Woodrum’s Department Store as a designer. He later co-founded Interior Design, Inc. in Kanawha City. Krasyk’s New York paintings were stored away.

There they remained until a 2006 exhibit at the University of Charleston’s Frankenberger Art Gallery. This inspired the artist to once again return to art after 47 years at age 80.

The Thinker - 1957 - Felix Krasyk

In February 2007, The Purple Moon presented an exhibit that mixed Krasyk’s 1950’s work with current pieces entitled Past & Present: a half-century of art. The majority of his 1950’s work and many of his new pieces quickly sold.

In The Charleston Gazette’s review of that show, Amanda Miller stated, “As someone directly influenced by the apex of modernism, Krasyk brings a quality of work back to Charleston reminiscent of West Virginia modernist Blanche Lazelle.”

Felix Krasyk and his work has been the focus of profiles in Charleston Magazine and in this piece for West Virginia Public Boadcasting’s Outlook Show.

These mark the first prints released by the artist and are limited to an edition of 10 for each of the six pieces.

The Purple Moon will also have on display original works by Mr. Krasyk.

Music Series #3 - charcoal on paper - Melissa J Tyson

Pittsburgh-based artist Melissa J. Tyson will be bringing her versatile work to Charleston in a new show opening at The Purple Moon on Friday, November 27th.

The opening coincides with the November ArtWalk.

Tyson uses ancient metalsmithing techniques such as alloying, soldering, forging, and enameling to make one-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry pieces. She works with traditional precious materials, as well as her own hand-mixed alloys, found metal objects, and unconventional materials like bone and textile.

Also active in the fine arts, Tyson’s drawings, paintings, and mixed media works often share influences with her jewelry. Each incorporates found materials and explores themes such as traditional ornamental forms, topography, and sound.

Born in New Jersey, Melissa J. Tyson received a Bachelors of Fine Art from the Rhode Island School of Design, and studied abroad in Russia, Mexico, and at the Hocschule für Gestaltung, Pforzheim, Germany. Melissa is fueled and inspired by travel and has shown internationally in St. Petersburg, Munich, Hamburg, Milan, and Seoul, as well as in several US states. She currently works out of her own studio in Pittsburgh, PA. Additional information and images of her work can be seen on the artist’s website.

Music Series #1 - charcoal on paper - Melissa J Tyson

Tyson’s show at The Purple Moon will include works on paper, mixed media pieces and handcrafted fine jewelry. The show opens with a reception with the artist on Friday, November 27th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and runs through December 24th.

The Purple Moon is located at 906 Quarrier Street in downtown Charleston. Hours are Tuesday – Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Screen Shot of New Website for the Downtown Charleston ArtWalk

Just in time for the Holiday Artwalk Season the new and improved website for the Downtown Charleston ArtWalk has just gone live.

Featuring more gallery details and in depth notices of shows, features and openings in Downtown Charleston the website has developed to meet the needs of the growing crowd of art enthusiasts making the ArtWalk trek each month.

The new website is also optimized to allow for easy sharing of information with your friends using social network platforms like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

So stop by, take a peek around, and plan on attending the next ArtWalk on Friday, November 27th in Downtown Charleston.

Visit three countries in one night on November 12, 2009 from 6:00PM to 7:30PM at the following locations:

Callen McJunkin Gallery - 219 Hale Street

The Purple Moon - 906 Quarrier Street

Taylor Books - Annex Gallery - 226 Capitol Street

Each location will feature wines of one country - taste vintages from Italy, Spain and Argentina while you enjoy the opportunity to see some of the best art produced in our region and beyond.

Tickets are $50.00 and can be purchased at the Fund for the Arts office (304)345-0775, Taylor Books or at The Wine Shop at the Capitol Market. Proceeds benefit the Fund for the Arts.

This event is sponsored by Appalachian Power, The Wine Shop at Capitol Market, Annex Gallery, Callen McJunkin Gallery and The Purple Moon.

We hope to see you!

Pair of Handled Water Bottles #384H - Blenko Glass - 1938

As anyone who has tried to collect Blenko Glass knows there are some designs you just rarely ever see. That certainly is the case with these two fabulous #384H water bottles in Ruby!

Shown in the Blenko catalogs for only the 1938-39 production years, the graceful and delicate design of this piece makes it much sought and rarely found by collectors.  Certainly the thin handle which is prone to cracks and breakage has thinned the number originally produced after 61 years making this a relatively scarce item from Blenko’s early years.

Many are familiar with the iconic double spout water bottle (#384) Blenko has produced continuously since the 1930’s but this variation on the theme certainly has much more appeal to me.

I recently got my hands on these two and they are simply stunning. Alas, I sold one at The Purple Moon less than 24 hours after I got it and the other is likely to go fast as well. If you’ve never seen one - stop by and take a look!

Pottery Table Lamp - Made in Italy - circa 1971

One of our latest vintage finds is this super Italian Modern lamp dating from the very early 70’s. This minimalist beauty has a pottery body and is as cool as the come.

I just wish I knew who designed this lamp but nothing has come to light as of yet. Any thoughts?

This lamp is currently residing in the main showroom at The Purple Moon.

Pottery and Glass Chip Swag Lamp - Maker Unknown - circa 1960’s

This 1960’s swag lamp has just come into my possession and certainly has us Feelin’ Groovy at The Purple Moon.