Playing hooky.

View from the cockpit!

Yes its February, but it will hit 60 degrees today!  My mind is on the river and whether I can find a paddling buddy to keep an icy water excursion on the safe side.  I have invested in the proper gear from EMS, American Terrain, and NRS so the trip will be enjoyable.  So its a day to play hooky!  You don't get these chances to often, in the winter, so you gotta grab them! What causes you to drop everything and Play?

Happy Motoring

Buy Here!

Happy Motoring was a slogan of the Mobil Oil Company for a long time.  My father owned and operated a Mobil gas station for over 30 years.  Motors, tires, gas pumps, fan belts and happy customers were part of my life for the six years I spent earning minimum wage at this downtown Buffalo establishment.  This should explain my recent fascination with putting the automobile into my artwork.  The slogan usually followed the Pegasus sign that you see here.  Mobil retired this version of the Pegasus sign back in the 70's.  (They changed it to face the other way and put it in a round white lighted sign, wow!)  I always hoped to find one for sale at a salvage store.  Now I want to share with you this spot on the web where you can get anything in a vintage look from garage signs, clocks, gas pumps even old aviation brands! Garageart.com  This will supply me with gifts for my brothers for years to come.  They even have a section titled "Man Cave".  The gas pump's days may be numbered (a very high number) but decorating with these nostalgic signs gets right to my motoring heart.  Is there a gear head in your circle?  One of these will really ring his bell cord!

Soho Valentine

This morning was a return to SoHo for my wife and I.  We regularly get to Chelsea, but it has been a few years since we walked around Soho.  Our return was to visit one of our favorite breakfast stops from years past.   Our first place in NY was on Church Street and we would often have our weekend start at the Cupping Room!  They have a date nut bread that is as sweet as cake.   Catherine has a cappuccino and I stick with their Colombian brew.  The traditional Eggs Benedict is always perfect.  There is art on the walls and the wait staff is very friendly.  This morning we were surrounded by young families and visiting tourists.  The galleries may have left SoHo but the charm of the Cupping Room has remained just as it was in our first year here.  It was a Valentine moment from 1984.  Do you have a special place where romance began? 

Versailles Fountains

I'm praying to the sun god Apollo for spring to arrive soon!  If it doesn't I may need to seek the help of his heavenly brethren, Baccus!  TGIF!

Painting and Photography

From Studio Matters

Somethings just happen on the right days.  This painting by John La Farge struck me as I skimmed over the Studio Matters site.  It is in:
In the Tonalist Mood: Paintings from the 1860s to the Present at Spanierman Gallery, 45 East 58th Street, 212-832-0208.  Maureen Mullarkey's review ( A voice and taste I trust) fills the void I have for this movement in 19th Century art. These paintings have a richness I pursue in my own work.  The beauty of living near NYC is being able to see these works in person.  I will make the trip to Spanierman Gallery soon.
I work with a number of photographers as their printer.  One whose work is very directly connected to the Aestheticism of the 19th century is Larry Lederman.  His recent show at the Four Seasons in New York featured these works that I believe have a strong relationship to Church and La Farge.

Sour Gum at Wave Hill

Katsura Willow, NYBG

Sycamore, NYBG

Valentine's Day Red for Him

MG Badge

 Is a picture worth a thousand words? I may not be able to own this rolling stock but I can appreciate their beauty and craftsmanship on my wall.  I prefer a time where the wind tunnel did not homogenize the shape and line of each marque.  Touches of chrome accented the purity of color and the fit exhibited the careful hand of the builder.  

Red Grill

Red XK-E

Red Morgan

 

Porsche 911

I can be reached at http://www.maggiotto.com/contact.htm or email at john@maggiotto.com

Team colors!

Green Morgan

 Congratulations to the Packers and all their fans!  Here are my contributions to the Green and Gold.  A green Morgan and a Yellow Ferrari from my photographic car series.  Few color choices are as important to your sense of style as the car you drive. Metallic Navy Blue (Bills fan, Old Glory, Canisius High School) has dressed three of my last four cars.  Small survey: let me know your color in the comments and I'll enter your name in a raffle for a print of Green Morgan, 7 x 11inches.!