07 Aug Top 3 Reasons to Shop Spectacular Mid-Century Art at Modern Redux!

Mid-century Modern encompasses a wide variety of design, from architecture to furnishings and art, during the 1940’s to 1960’s, and, on occasion, even during the 1970’s. This week’s blog features stunning art on sale the entire month of August from our new client, Modern Redux, “Austin’s most trusted purveyor of the very best post-war international modernism.” (Note: This post is sponsored by Modern Redux.)

Modern Redux is a fantastic destination shop with a highly curated collection of Mid-century home furnishings, accessories, German pottery, lighting and art.  Every time I go into the shop I always come away inspired by some cool new piece owner Kelly Locker has brought in from their warehouse.

For those of you who have lived in Austin, you may remember a little shop on South Congress called Aqua Vintage. Owner Kelly Locker had that store for some time, took a break, and then recently partnered with a college friend, Douglas Smith,  to open Modern Redux in February of this year. I first met Douglas on the 2019 Austin Modern Home Tour and then Kelly at the store’s Grand Opening in Feburary.

You definitely want to get to know these two! Known for a remarkable collection, Modern Redux ships to homeowners, collectors and interior designers all over the world.  I swear Kelly is like a walking encyclopedia on Mid-century modern! He shares his passion:

I grew up in the 60s, and fell in love with the art and design of the modern movement at an early age. The colors and energy of the abstractionists of the 40s and 50s, and the purity of modern design and architecture, has inspired and propelled me all my life and brought me to opening Modern Redux. It’s that pure, spiritual love of line and color, volume, and space – the harmony of the perfect arrangement of elements – that set me on this path and inspired me to want to share my love for Mid-century modern with our customers. For me, there is no more perfect inspiration in life! – Kelly Locker, Owner, Modern Redux

THIS Saturday, August 10th, at 3 p.m., during their August Dog Days of Summer Open House from 11 a.m  – 7 p.m., Kelly will conduct a brief docent tour of the shop’s art. Beat the heat and stop by for a glass of Prosecco to meet this dynamic duo and shop for art. All ART, both in-store and online, is 25% off for the entire month of August.

Personally, my intro to Mid-century modern began about 15 years ago when through my design studio, The Pillow Goddess (formerly known as Deborah Main Designs) I made modern pillows and collected every Mid-century modern vintage fabric I could get my hands on. I participated in Austin’s first Modern Home Tour in 2010, and have been fascinated ever since, most recently collaborating with Modern Architecture + Design Society on the Austin Tours.

I’ve been learning, and am still learning, all about Mid-century modern.  What I love about Modern Redux’ website is its full of history and a great way to learn more about Mid-century modern furnishings and art.  I invite you to learn along with me over the next few months, and share what you know and love about Mid-century modern.

TODAY LET’S PREVIEW A FEW OF MY FAVORITE MODERN REDUX ART PIECES:

The Pillow Goddess TOP 3 REASONS to purchase art from Modern Redux:

1. Modern Redux stocks an incredibly diverse and rotating selection of beautiful paintings by Mid-century modern artists from around the world,
2. For the entire month of August you’ll save 25% on ALL Art, and
3. Modern Redux offers personalized customer service and ships worldwide, so you can always count on receiving top quality art at your doorstep in a timely and professional manner.

VERA SIMONS ABSTRACT OIL ON CANVAS

“A large abstract oil on canvas by American artist and aeronautical pioneer, Vera Simons, probably painted in the 1970’s.  Black and gold rings are imposed above a cloudscape that invokes the artist’s experience with aerial photography.  The shimmering yellow and white foreshadow the use of metallic paints in Simons’ later work.”

Learn more about VERA HABRECHT SIMONS and the painting HERE. CONTACT US HERE ABOUT THIS ITEM.

“RED SAILS” OIL ON CANVAS

“A highly atmospheric maritime oil on canvas executed with palette knife.  The lining has been restored.  The gilt wood frame is original and exhibits minor finish loss [see photos] but presents well.  The signature is illegible.”

Learn more about this painting HERE.  CONTACT MODERN REDUX HERE ABOUT THIS ITEM.

BOB RANKIN ABSTRACT OIL

“Bright blocks of amber, ochre, umber, and vermillion contrast with deep browns in this masculine abstract oil on canvas by well-regarded North Carolina artist Bob Rankin. The Somber, urban color scheme is uncharacteristic of his work” Learn more about artist BOB RANKIN HERE.

CONTACT MODERN REDUX HERE ABOUT THIS ITEM.

Both of these spectacular paintings, completely different in nature, were on view (below) at the 2019 Modern Home Tour at Starlight Village in a room staged by Modern Redux.

EJ GOLD “STELLAR COMPOSTION 2”

“Signed acrylic action drip painting by artist, author, musician, and spiritual teacher EJ Gold.  Newly framed.”

Learn more about artist EUGENE JEFFREY GOLD HERE. 

This abstract painting is shown here below in a home office on the 2019 Modern Home Tour in a Starlight Village home staged by Modern Redux. CONTACT MODERN REDUX HERE ABOUT THIS ITEM.

RICHARD SUSSMAN ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST SCREEN PRINT ON WOVEN PAPER

“An abstract expressionist work on paper by Richard N. Sussman.  This is number 17 out of a limited edition of 50.  It is numbered and signed in pencil by the artist.”

Learn more about artist RICHARD N. SUSSMAN HERE. CONTACT US HERE ABOUT THIS ITEM.

JULES DUFFART “PIERROT”

“A refined and melancholy Paris School portrait of Pierrot by the French painter Jules Duffart in a style reminiscent of Bernard Buffet.  Oil on canvas.  The original liner shows its age.”

Learn more about artist JULES DULES DUFFART HERE. CONTACT MODERN REDUX HERE ABOUT THIS ITEM.

This last artwork is one of my favorites and is currently staged in a NEW Mid-century modern home in my neighborhood on my block.  I always love seeing a painting in context, don’t you?

“FLOCK OF BIRDS” OIL ON CANVAS

“This appealing oil was probably painted in the 1960’s.  A high-contrast color palette—which includes a rich, powdery turquoise pastel—creates a moderated chiaroscuro.  We think its composition and flattened perspective invoke Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles D’Avignon.”  Do the primitivist elements seen in some of the cubist forms wink at the dinosaurian origin of birds?”

Learn more about this painting HERE. CONTACT MODERN REDUX HERE ABOUT THIS ITEM.

PORTRAIT OF WOMAN WITH BIRD – OIL & SAND ON FABRIC

“Cubist portrait of a woman cradling a bird executed in oil on fabric.  The highly impastoed, sculptural surface was achieved by the addition of sand to the paint.  Possibly dated 1991; we suspect the signature is in a non-Latin alphabet.  The handsome oak frame is new.  [One of a trio.]”

Learn more about this painting HERE. CONTACT MODERN REDUX HERE ABOUT THIS ITEM.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to attend Modern Redux Open House Saturday, August 10th, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to see all their magnificent art and furnishings. Remember ALL art is on sale throughout the entire month of August, not only in the store, but online too.

I hope you enjoyed this brief introduction to Modern Redux and the incredible Mid-century modern art they have to offer homeowners, collectors and interior designers for their projects.  Stay tuned for more about Modern Redux in the coming months.

Till next time, after I return from a “cool-weather” vacation in Colorado, please pin this image on PINTEREST to help me spread the word about this amazing curated collection at Modern Redux.  Hope you’re having a wonderful summer and also taking some time off to rejuvinate. See you later this month. XO PG.

Note: This post is sponsored by Modern Redux. All images of the paintings and descriptions are by Modern Redux. All other images and opinions are my own.