In our June 17 blog, “Trusting Your Instincts,” we discussed the emotional side of investing in art. As a continuation of this theme, we are showcasing Joe and Dana Jacober, avid collectors of Patou’s work who find great delight in the artist and her creations every day.
Joe Jacober, a partner at Allen Flavors Inc., and his wife, Dana, a former fashion-industry executive, were captivated by Patou’s artwork the moment they first entered the intimate DCOTA gallery in 2005. Seduced by a triptych bursting with color and brushstrokes that seemed to dance off the canvas, the Jacobers knew they had found a treasure in Patou. And what would follow was even more surprising—a deep friendship between the Jacobers, Patou and her husband and gallery owner, Thierry Desormeaux, began.
“When we first met Thierry, we had an instant connection to him,” says Dana Jacober. “A year later, we met Patou when she accompanied Thierry to our home in New York City to hang pieces we had added to our Patou collection. Patou and I became fast friends, and ever since, we speak a couple of times a week. For my husband and me, our personal connection to Patou has made investing in her work even more emotional; now, it has greater meaning. And if a person is interested in Patou’s work, once they meet her, they will fall more in love with her, for she is her art.”
The first Patou triptych purchased by the Jacobers is showcased as a backdrop at the couple’s wedding.
Collecting art for its emotional, not monetary, value, the Jacobers scout cities and towns around the world seeking pieces that speak to them and getting to know the artists.
“We buy art because we want it, not because we have to have it,” adds Dana. “We make it a point to build relationships with the artists, for there’s more feeling and depth. When you find something that grabs you, and you want to be surrounded by it, then it was meant for you. To some, buying art may seem like a luxury; however, it is the artwork that shapes the mood of a room and welcomes all who enter. To us, this is what creates a special place.”
In their multiple homes and offices, Patou’s original paintings and art furnishings create joyful, very personal escapes.
“Her spirit radiates in our rooms; her heart and soul goes into each piece, and we value this so much,” says Dana. “Art collectors should purchase or commission Patou’s art because of the feeling they, too, will experience. Patou and her artwork are truly one of a kind.”
Friends from childhood -- Patou and Prince Albert II of Monaco
“Patou is in Monte Carlo visiting her mother for her eightieth birthday and having lunch today with Prince Albert II of Monaco,” said Thierry Desormeaux, Patou’s husband of more than thirty years and owner of Patou Fine Art & Design. “Oh, that’s nice,” I said.
After hanging up the phone, I couldn’t help but shake my head, laugh and think what a refreshing conversation that was. Why? Because it was so, well, normal. It reminded me that it’s the regular things in life – even if regular means having a prince as your childhood friend – that keep you grounded in who you are and going strong in your creativity.
Therefore, the point to this week’s blog, as we move forward into a fruitful fall -- in all aspects of our lives – is to look at who and what is around you for inspiration. Maybe it’s a family member who has overcome a tough challenge, a beautiful home you pass every day or a great story you have recently read that will, in some way or another, weave its way into your work. Recall your memories, look at your surroundings and open your mind to new things and your heart to what’s familiar, as well as what scares you; for you never know how it will better you and what flows through your brush, lens or whatever medium you call your own.
Please enjoy this quote by Patou about her inspiring time at home in Monaco:
"I went to Monte Carlo last week to attend my mother's eightieth birthday. It was great! My four sisters, their husbands and all of my nieces were there. I am always very happy to be in our family home, where we all grew up; there are so many memories. Also, I saw some friends that attended school with me, including Prince Albert II of Monaco. We had lunch at my mother's house, and I showed him my latest work, which he liked very much. It was fantastic to reconnect with everyone, refresh and ponder all of the beautiful moments. I’m sure these experiences, in some form or another, will be communicated through my art.”
Blog written by Dawn K. Terrick, president and creative director of DKT Communications, Inc.
Why simply furnish your home or office, when you can have art furnishings that are not only functional, but also spark conversation, make you smile and are collectors’ items?
Patou Fine Art & Design, creators of the imaginative, limited-edition art furnishings series, Puzzle and Joyful, are pleased to offer a special summer promotion of 40% off from July 13-August 10. Puzzle cocktail tables, regularly $5,500 for a set of three are on sale for $3,300; limited edition of 50 sets. Puzzle console, originally $6,500 is now $3,700; limited edition of 50. And Joyful console, regularly $10,500 is available for $6,500; limited edition of 12.
“My original art furnishings and paintings bring happiness and encourage people to dream,” says internationally acclaimed artist Patou – the gallery’s namesake. “For me, the way to be revolutionary in art is to touch people.”
Due to their whimsical and emotional spirit, it’s no wonder Puzzle and Joyful are garnering fast attention from art and design enthusiasts.
Puzzle and Joyful can be purchased by the public and industry professionals alike at Patou Fine Art & Design (www.patoufineart.com) at the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA) in Dania Beach, Florida. Orders for the limited-edition series can be fulfilled and delivered in approximately three weeks. Patou Fine Art & Design offers fair delivery rates.
For more information, please contact gallery owner Thierry Desormeaux at 954.925.4449 or sales@patoufineart.com.
Before there’s a house, there’s an empty patch of land. Before there’s a book, there’s a blank page. Before there’s a painting, there’s a white canvas.
But bridging the gap from white canvas to finished painting is no easy task, especially for abstract art. Imagine staring at a blank paper or white canvas, paintbrush at the ready, and not knowing where to start. Sound challenging? Even seasoned and acclaimed abstract painter Patou thinks so.
So how does she handle the challenge? Patou says that she starts by thinking long and hard about the colors that strike her when she “sees them in nature or in someone’s eyes.” She has to pull up the emotions from deep within her, then use the most powerful colors to help her funnel those feelings onto her canvas.
Abstract painting is always a risk, but it’s always worth it. “You need to sometimes control your surge without losing your audacity,” says Patou of how she goes about the process of abstract painting. “It’s an exhausting trip, but so rewarding.”
When you’ve pulled up your deepest emotions and put them on canvas, you’ve given away a little piece of yourself. It’s draining, and sometimes a little hard to part with this mark you’ve left on the world. But your painting now has a life of its own, ready to carry on your legacy with it forever. This is art.
What makes an abstract painting so special? This is a question that people have been asking for a long time, just as we search for the meaning of life or the end of the rainbow. We do not have an answer for you today, nor will we next week. Abstract art is what it means to you and how it makes you feel, and it is special for each person in a different way.
Patou likens abstract painting to music without lyrics or a beautiful daydream—there is no anchor point in reality. Lyrical music tells you what to think, while a melody tells your heart to feel the music in all its emotional power. Everyday life often dictates that we follow linear trains of thought, while a daydream is free flowing and limitless, guided only by the imagination.
To either create or appreciate abstract art, you must let go of the reality around you and sink into yourself, focusing only on your feelings and the freedom you’re opening the door to. Disregard the image, because there is no image. Let in colors, lights and textures, and let them all mix together. You must feel with your heart, not think with your mind.
Patou says she likes to paint beauty with a capital B, and to always convey a message. The message is not political or religious, personal or philosophical—just simple: “Let go of everything and enjoy the moment.”
Last week we discussed spontaneous investments in art and art furnishings and the importance of trusting your instincts. On the other hand, we realize that for some of you, spontaneity is a word you may not be very comfortable with. We want you to know that’s OK; we have not forgotten you.
There are other ways to feel confident about purchasing art and art furnishings, so we’ve thought about our favorite and tidied it up into a mental checklist you can reference in any gallery or showroom. For every piece of art and art furnishing that piques your interest, try this:
Describe the very first impression the piece has on you. What words come to mind? There’s no right or wrong here -- just let the thoughts flow.
Describe the imagery of the piece. What exactly do you see? For example, to one person, a certain scene in a painting may look like a sunset, but to you, it may appear to be fire. Remember that you can often see emotions in art, just as you can hear them in music. Look for these, too.
Now, you can analyze. Break the piece down into elements and analyze them separately. Consider color -- do the colors in this work symbolize something? Consider forms -- are they life-like or abstract? Commonplace or fantastical? Consider balance, contrast, movement and rhythm -- how do these qualities stand alone? How do they influence each other or work together?
It’s time to interpret the piece. Based on your experiences and personality, what does this piece mean to you? What was the artist aiming to express? Why did they create this piece at all? The better you know an artist’s work and his or her “story,” the better you can understand and appreciate the meaning of each work.
Decision time! Think back briefly on your responses at each step: What’s your judgment? Should you buy it? Will you?
With that, Patou sends you out into the artistic world to test out this checklist. You surely won’t buy every piece that catches your eye, but we trust you’ll truly love the one you do.
What happened to spontaneity? Lately, it seems that everyone is shouting the mantra “Think before you buy!” Sure, this method works if you’re buying a plasma television or a car. But, when purchasing art, you aren’t looking at printouts of technical specifications; there is something else at play that drives this investment.
Art is about feelings and emotions. When you lay eyes on that perfect painting or furnishing piece, something comes over you like a wave washing over the sand. It may be tranquility, contentment, passion or excitement. Art can even evoke our strongest feelings of love. Walk away, and the feeling recedes like the wave.
What if you don’t walk away? When you make that spontaneous purchase based solely on the feeling a piece evokes deep within you, you are bringing that emotion into your home forever. With every passing day that feeling grows stronger, more embedded in your lifestyle and more interlocked with the physical piece. Soon this piece of art becomes the emotion, and thus becomes a part of you. Even just one perfect piece expresses the real you for all to see.
In many families, artwork and art furnishings are passed down through generations, increasing their value but also strengthening the emotional ties attached to each piece. When you pass a piece down to your children or grandchildren, offer them a window to the feelings that make you you.
Patou wants you to remember that sometimes a little spontaneity is good for the soul. Your first instincts are most often right—trust them.
As a child, do you remember finger painting in the bathtub, drawing with chalk on the sidewalk or making little sculptures out of Play Dough? More importantly, do you remember how these small and simple acts made you feel? Most likely, you felt happy and relaxed and experienced a sense of freedom – the freedom of getting lost in your imagination. So, as an adult, what’s stopping you from reclaiming these feelings every day, particularly in these challenging and highly stressful times?
Through art, whether it’s sketching on your lunch hour, taking photographs at any given moment or writing a story, you will discover many benefits to your overall well-being. Not only will the regular practice of art enable you to express your creative side, it will also help you find the outlets that work for you to reduce stress, get in touch with your feelings, think clearer, and overall, establish balance in your life. And now, more than ever, it’s critical to implement positive, daily activities to overcome personal difficulties.
From soothing tension to discovering a new talent, art can offer the optimum escape, joy and self-awareness. Moreover, the process of creation can take you out of one state of mind and put you in a better one -- one that helps you manage your behavior, so you can find insight and focus and take on any challenge that presents itself.
Patou encourages you to take the time to find your creative form of expression, even if it’s as simple as looking at an art book, visiting a gallery or starting a new music collection.
At the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA) in Dania Beach, Florida, Patou Fine Art & Design reaches out to the
design industry and art collectors alike through its powerful collection of paintings and original art furnishings by Patou -
the gallery's premier artist and namesake. In this weekly blog, Patou Fine Art & Design will discuss an array of thought provoking topics about art and design and their relation to current issues and events; we look forward to receiving your feedback and questions.
For this first blog, we would like to give you the opportunity to get to know Patou, introduce you to her recent works and
tell you a bit about the gallery. Enjoy!
Patou, the gallery’s premier artist and namesake.
"My original art furnishings and paintings bring happiness and encourage people to dream," says Patou. "For me, the way to be revolutionary in art is to touch people."
Originally from Monte Carlo and having lived in some of the world's most inspiring places, Patou has earned international
acclaim for her paintings. And now, she is garnering solid recognition for her art furnishings - Joyful and Puzzle.
Created in Patou's emotionally charged spirit and style, Joyful - Patou's custom-designed, one-of-a-kind console series, is a natural extension of the artist's three-dimensional, large-scale and heavily tactile abstract-expressionist paintings. Run a finger along the consoles' curves and feel Patou's vibrant energy. Pair a Joyful console with a Patou painting, and take in their combined power. Or use the consoles; they are designed with not only aesthetics in mind, but also function.
Patou
"Circle of Life"
Original Oil on Canvas
60" x 108"
&
"Joyful"
Original, Custom‐designed Console
Wenge and Glass
Patou
"Puzzle"
Limited‐edition
In addition to the consoles, Patou presents her limited‐edition art furniture series, Puzzle. Featuring individually numbered, embossed cocktail sets and consoles, Puzzle never fails to spark conversation - and keep people talking. Simply stated, Puzzle is fresh and energetic, fun and playful. The pieces are ideal for any space.
Patou
"Puzzle"
Limited‐edition
Original Cocktail Tables in Wenge
Patou
"Puzzle"
Limited‐edition Original Console in Zebra Wood and Wenge with Two Glass Shelves
Viewing life as if she's looking through a camera that's out of focus, and finding her muse in everyday objects, moments or surroundings - a blank canvas, a person passing her on the street or a glimpse of the sea - Patou thinks of herself as the adventurer in her little art and design world. Why? Because she always dares to go somewhere she doesn't know.
"Getting out of my comfort zone is really where I find my creative moment," adds the artist. "I always want to go further
and pursue what I'm unfamiliar with. This is a challenge that consistently takes me and my work to a new dimension." Be on the lookout for new, original art furnishings and paintings by Patou.
A "living" gallery, Patou Fine Art & Design sources the most important and captivating works from the twentieth and
twenty-first centuries. View its entire collection at www.patoufineart.com.
ABOUT PATOU FINE ART & DESIGN
Patou Fine Art & Design is located at the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA) in Dania Beach, Florida. For further
information, purchase inquiries or custom designs, please call 954.925.4449 or email sales@patoufineart.com. To sign up
for the Patou Fine Art & Design newsletter, visit www.patoufineart.com. As well, Patou Fine Art & Design offers
clients a "look-see" program where potential clients can view artwork in their home prior to purchase and offers complete contemporary art procurement services for designers and collectors.
In 2003, Patou Fine Art & Design opened for one
sole reason: expression.
“I wanted to have a place where I could be completely free to push the
boundaries of my creativity and exhibit my new works,” says Patou, the
gallery’s premier artist and namesake. “Patou Fine Art & Design was the
perfect solution.”
Garnering international acclaim for her one-of-a-kind art-furniture
collections, Joyful and Puzzle, and powerful abstract-expressionist
paintings, Patou touches all who come into contact with her designs and fine
art.
“My art furnishings and paintings bring happiness and encourage people to
dream,” Patou adds. “For me, the way to be revolutionary in art is to touch
people.”
Patou’s pieces are sought after by designers and art connoisseurs alike, for
both private collections and a multitude of design projects, including
residential, commercial, hospitality and civic. Why? Patou’s creations never
fail to make an impact; they are always the center of attention.
Patou Fine Art & Design is constantly evolving, showing cutting-edge ideas
and artwork by its premier artist, Patou, and sourcing talent from around the
globe to display the most captivating compositions.
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